Getting to know me

I have my work cut out for me this next little while. One of my 'charges' (I always find that word odd) is hiding under her owner's bed and won't come out. "GO AWAY!!!!!!" I was warned she might do this and now I am trying to decide which angle to take to get her to calm down, come out and join the two other cats in getting to know me.
I can't put her food down on the kitchen floor in hopes that she will come out once I leave and eat it because the other cats will devour it in minutes. I am to put her food in the room where she is hiding and leave it at that. So, that's what I have done. Oh, I can see where this is going.

I have visions of me lying on the floor, head under the bed, whispering sweet nothings, trying to coax little kitty out. No kidding, I will probably do that tomorrow.  I'll go slow but if that doesn't work I have plans to lie on the floor next to the bed, a good book and a coffee to help pass the time and just let her get used to my presence. I'll read to her, I'll sing to her, I'll meow, purr, chirp, whatever. I have a list as long as my arm of things to try. Hope something works.
Now the other two are clowns. I walked in and they were both ready to chat it up, check out 'the bag', mooch some treats and just pretty much grab attention anyway they could. I know I'm going to have lots of fun with them. It's just the little shy one that is on my mind tonight.

"Life's too short for all that fussin', my friend"  (Mr. Ed)

hugs, Deb

THOSE EYES

I was cat-sitting last night and missed most of the Oscar's but if I was to give out an Oscar it would be for the most beautiful baby blues. 

...and for 'THE MOST BEAUTIFUL EYES' the winner is SERENA

"Why thank you. Give me five"

Tomorrow is March 1st so it is now time to watch for signs of Spring.

I'll be carrying my camera daily and hope you will too.

"Come on, Spring!"

We are having a snow storm and earlier we had freezing rain. "Please go away Winter" Kane still wants his walk so off we went with our camera in case we come upon a kitty or two watching the snow fall from their windows.  Last week it was a different cat in this window. I guess she has a friend. Lucky me!

 Handsome little tabby & lace.

HUGS, Deb

Tools of the trade

When you have a passion for the feline and you have made it your occupation to spend your days answering their beck and call, you need some tools of the trade.

Planners, journals and kitty cards

Keys, keys, ....oh, dastardly keys (I wish I could just wiggle my nose and be in)

a scoop, bags, a spare can-opener, hairball gel & your camera 

The best toy (cat-dancer)

Treats

 

A big bag to hold everything including a cat

and lastly

           an unconditional love for cats


that's it. Oh, maybe a clothes brush if you plan to stop for a coffee later :)


I am caring again for this lovely cat in the last photo and spent part of this evening cuddling her and looking at pictures while I imagine the rest of the world watched the Oscars. Not a big fan so I don't feel I missed much.


hugs, Deb

Tea-time

I was going to play with dishes today and show you some of my many tea-cups but I decided to re-post because I love these photos so much. Why? Because I love tea-cups and because I love Rae-Rae. These tea-cups were my mothers. If I was working at the table Rae-Rae had to always join me. She was inquisitive, bold & naughty. She was a kitten. I miss Rae-Rae but I have lots of great photos of her to look at. She is happy as can be in her new home and I do get to visit her.

She's so pretty!

Hugs, Deb

"Hi! Come on in and pamper me"

I've had a busy few weeks of cat & bunny-sitting. Some that are very familiar with me and some just getting to know me as their sitter. The trust that develops between the cats and myself over a period of a few days is quite remarkable. I have to hand it to them;  they really begin to trust and welcome me very quickly. They never cease to amaze me. They are incredibly fascinating creatures.  By the second day of caring for them,  the cats already have relaxed, enjoy my visits and through brushing, combing, playing and cuddling we become bonded. 

Most owners want 2 daily visits and in between the cats take their naps in their favorite spots, mostly on the owners' bed and seem nonetheless disturbed at being left at home. I really do think this is the best option for cats when their owners must travel.

hugs, Deb

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

"It is finally sunny again. No wind, no snow falling and the temperature is up. Deb has moved this bed onto a window table for me. How does she always know how to make us old guys happy? I'll have to be nicer to her today. But for now, we cats have a lot of sleeping in the sun to do when we are comfortably in our 20's."

hugs, Mr. Ed 

Kitty in a window

Kane and I headed out for a walk after I finished my rounds.

 As you can see we still have snow and the wind was cold today. It was dark, damp, dirty and uneventful. Even Kane seemed rather 'blah!' today. I turned a corner and there was a sweet little calico in a window. She looked like something from a Victorian magazine. Cats and lace always fit together.  She was bored but seeing Kane perked her up and her eyes widened. She instantly snapped me out of my coma and lifted my spirits. I couldn't let that pass by so I snapped her picture.

 "Thank you Calico-kitty. You brightened up our walk today".

There are two types of Calico kitties. There is the Vibrant Calico which has dark orange, black and white hair and the pastel Calico which has light peach, grey and white hair.

Both are fiesty & have lots of cat-itude.


Hugs, Deb

A Diamond in my eyes

Most women's heads turn at the glitter of diamonds, opals & pearls but not me. I am mesmerized by the beauty of this lady.

She has me wrapped around all four white paws.

And when I think that she just couldn't be any more beautiful she looks at me a certain way and I melt.

She's a bomb-shell with baby blues

and she's funny, too....

and that always wins me over.

She's a drop and roll girl

"Oh, you're shameless"

No matter what this cat wants I'll be providing it with bells on.

OK - time to brag

Another beauty in my life

Again, Baby Blues

My grand-daughter, Riley. My heart just melts.

Still busy with kitties and bunnies to sit. I'll see if I can get a picture of those wascally wabbits for you.

Have a great weekend 

hugs,Deb 

Lovers

                 Such Sweet Love
When the wood-stove is on and the fire is crackling away, these two love-birds spend hours snuggled up together in this rickety old basket.


They will be glad to know we have more snow coming. I, on the other hand, hate that news but the days are getting longer, the sun is getting warmer, the birds are hanging around the house more and Spring is in the air.


I am off to cat & bunny sit.


Hugs, Deb

Show her a mirror...

There's nothing more fun than...................

                        Riley - time
I got to grandbaby-sit today after Cat-sitting and Bunny-sitting. Seems like I did  a lot of sitting today. But most of all I got to laugh a lot with little Riley. Nothing better! Riley is crawling and saying words and sprouting teeth. How fast she is growing. We are working on "Nana" now. ;)


I have some photos of that G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S cat I told you about. Stay tuned..


hugs
Deb

I have Easter Tree fever

l;I am dreaming of creating another Easter Tree this Spring.

I know it's early but I'm already looking for fun decorations that can hang on a pretty ribbon.

Won't you join me in making an Easter Tree this year? This was my tree last year and this year I have plans for something very different. Remember how fun the Christmas Kitchen Tree was to make? Well, this is even better.

'Cause it will be SPRING!!
keep those peepers open for things to hang on your tree or make your own and your tree will be full at Easter. 

Warning...Warning...Warning

That beautiful Easter Lily that you may have in your home over Easter is poisonous to your cat.

 Any part of the plant eaten by the cat may cause death. Please do not let your cat anywhere near one.

Here's your cat-tip for the day.
Why we love cats....
Cats are always interested in whatever you are interested in.
Cats never criticize
You never have to get up at 2am to feed a cat
Cats don't talk back
It's easy to make dinner for a cat
Cats don't need to be walked
Cats don't run up huge telephone bills
Cats don't mind if you call them silly names


There you have it.....now go out and adopt a cat. :)

I have kitties and bunnies to care for this week. 

Hugs, Deb

Sunshine on down

SIERRA

• It is so cold out today. The temperature keeps changing and the wind is howling. I have not had a hug from the mailman for many a months because this feline does not wait in the cold for anyone. I miss him though and I know he misses me.  I will just sit and watch for him from my spot and hope he sees me and waves.
• The sun is so warm on my fur and it soothes my soul.

            We, the cats of this household, applaud you, sun.

"Your warmth lifts our spirits and takes us to our happy place."


Hugs, Ginny, Mr. Ed, Lily, Yours truly, Sierra, & Cali & cousin Hugo 

Here Comes the Sun

"Are you enjoying the sun, Ed?"

My shamrock plants are starting to flower. That means the sun is warmer and Spring is peaking at us. My grand-kitty Hugo loves to sit in this window in my dining-room when he is here. It is,and always has been, his favorite spot.

My favorite celebration is coming soon...Easter. 

It's just all so cute.

For now, we'll just enjoy the sun.

 Orchid

I'm looking forward to caring for Heidi, Serena & my house of  No Cats but lots of beautiful plants.

Remember Charlie....

Here he is with his new owner, Sarah Gaden. She read his story and opened her heart to him.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/8337985/Pictures-of-the-day-21-February-2011.html

Sunny days are ahead for Charlie.

Have a wonderful start to your week.

hugs, Deb

I'll be there without the bells on

                   

Sunday with Sierra
"Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night or a sore throat..." off to cat-sit even though I feel like something the cat dragged in.
But you have a happy, healthy Sunday.

Hugs, Deb 

Heidi

The sun was warm here and the snow was once again melting away. I found myself taking lots of deep breaths yesterday and appreciating the more spring-like temperatures. THEN.....I heard on the radio it was getting cold again and sure enough, today it is freezing, blowing & dark. "Hello Winter in Ontario. I think I'm getting sick......"
*sigh*

"Say hello to Heidi."

This sweet little soul came from a barn to live with the kindest people I have ever met. You don't do well in a barn when you have 3 legs only. No one knows for sure but I have a feeling she may have suffered a great misfortune while trying to survive in the barn. Now she lives in the lap of luxury. So, so sweet!

She's a torti and has a very pinky red nose. She gets around ok and has mastered the steep stairs in the beautiful Victorian home she is now the Queen of. She doesn't have to do the stairs, she just likes to. I have fallen head over heels for this one. But then I always seem to...don't I?


For a real treat tonight, drop over to visit http://cozylittlehouse.blogspot.com/ and wish Brenda a "Happy Birthday". You will love her blog for the photographs of her home, her gardens and her pets. She is quite the inspiration when it comes to organizing all the little things in your home.

Hugs, Deb













Hugs, Deb

I met a very Cool Cat

Off to Burnstown we went last night for a wonderful dinner and an evening of Valdy. The concert was held in  a small 1880's school-house that is now a concert-room and a cafe called NEAT. The evening could not have been better and Valdy was so great. He sounds as good as he did in the '70's. And he is so gratious and funny.

Valdy grew up in the same city as me, Ottawa, Ontario

 and now lives on Salt Spring Island near Vancouver, BC along with many more talented, musical old hippies. He lived many years in Texas back in the 80's.He was just great! I bought his newest CD and I've been playing it all day.

Hugs, Deb