Just Cats

Friday, December 23, 2011

ribbons and bows

I'm just taking a little break from cat-sitting & last minute preparations to enjoy some hot chocolate

and my little friend, Audrey.

and her momma who just woke up.

She has been such a help with the wrapping. She's not much on co-ordinating colours but she's all about ribbons and bows. To her delight, I love to add tree ornaments to the bows. She just thinks that is all that and a bag of cat treats. "Thanks Audrey"

We finally have just a bit of snow to give us a white Christmas. Christmas has to be white or we Canadians feel cheated. Just enough snow, no need to shovel; just enjoy the beauty of it all.

Food was delivered for the ferals tonight and I could see the little cat tracks so I know they are still around. I have only seen 1 in many weeks.
Extra food was put down tonight because it is getting cold. I won't let Christmas celebrations stop me from feeding the homeless cats. It's just another day for them.

Oh, it's getting exciting, isn't it? This will be a Christmas to remember for us as it is the first one that our grand-daughter will probably remember. We will see Christmas once again through the eyes of a child. I think we all have a little of that still in us on Christmas morning. I know I do.

Off to bed. Tomorrow is my busiest day for cat-sitting this year. I hope they're all NICE and not NAUGHTY.

Hugs, Deb

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Merry Christmas

"Are you tired yet?"

Right up to tonight I am still getting calls for cat-sitting. I never say no. I understand that sometimes during the chaos of Christmas planning and travelling the pets needs are the last to consider. It's never intentional but it happens. Christmas 20ll will be recorded in my books as the busiest cat-sitting time ever for me. I don't advertise my service and each new client is from 'word of mouth' in our area. I so appreciate when people recommend me to their friends and families. It is the biggest compliment I can receive as a trusted care-giver to their beloved cats. I look forward to each and every visit.

Audrey has enjoyed all the Christmas preparations. She even sings along with me. This is her first Christmas and thankfully she is now feeling better. Isn't she a pretty girl?

Our little Riley wants to show you her picture with her daddy and one of her Christmas tree

She wants to be a soccer player like her dad.

and her friend, Ozzie who feels the same way I do by this time.

Finally, Christmas is near. I have a tin to fill with Christmas cookies and squares to take over to the vet clinic for Dr. Anne who I have loved for 20 years. She has helped me through many ups and downs with my cats and I never forget her at Christmas. I have another tin for her wonderful staff.

The rest will be devoured at our home. Boy, I wish all of you were closer so we could sit down and enjoy some Christmas treats together. Can you just imagine all the talkin' that would be going on? It would be a fabulous time. "Are you ready for Christmas? Is all the baking done and the dishes selected for the table?
Are the presents wrapped and under the tree? And all you people with cats, have you re-wrapped the presents yet and put them once again under the tree? Is the house shining and free of cat hair? Oops, I think I see some.;-b Are you ready to fall into a bubble-bath and de-stress. Oh ya! Well,
ready or not...here it comes. "

From my family, along with our ever-so-faithful dog, Kane and cats Mr. Ed, Lily, Sierra, Cali & our foster family Annie & Audrey I want to wish you all A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy & Peaceful New Year.

Lily

You have been a joy in my life these past two years, each and everyone of you. I have felt very blessed to have the opportunity to come in to your homes and share your lives and I look forward to getting to know you even better in the new year. Let's have the best year we've ever had, shall we.

Well, off to kitty-sit...."Merry CHRISTmas."

hugs, Deb

Simon's Cat in 'Santa Claws'

Monday, December 19, 2011

Call me the Christmas cat-nanny (really, I don't mind)

This photo was taken 17 years ago. It was my first Christmas cat-sitting and I was just beginning to build up a little business. At that time it was called Comfy Cats Petsitting Service.

My first client was Mookie and I will never forget this wonderful cat. He was a kitty client of mine for 12 years until he died at the age of 20. I can still feel his little head against mine as he gave me a kitty head-butt when I would arrive. He was a gem of a cat and his owners were wonderful people. I cried when he left us. It was like losing one of my own.

Now, 17 years later, I changed the name to Just Cats Cat-sitting Service and I have over 100 homes where I periodically cat-sit. This Christmas will be another joyful experience getting to know many new cats and enjoying the company of my regulars.

We are now into the home-stretch so I will make my list and check it twice, stuff the cat-bag and add little red mice, pick up some cat treats shaped like bugs & prepare myself for kitty hugs.

Let the Christmas cat-sitting madness begin.=^..^=

I won't be posting this week but will pop in to visit all of you. Have a fun week preparing for Christmas and be sure to keep your pets safe throughout the holidays. I'll introduce you to some of my new friends soon.

hugs, Deb

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Ginger bread & all is calm

For those who are concerned about Annie & Audrey being separated, I thought I'd better make it clear that they will not be separated. They will be kept together and have a home with us until the right family come forward to adopt them.

So, after Audrey had shredded a roll of paper towel that she found in the cat room (now, that was fun!) she settled down for a long, winters' nap).

They are getting along fine with our 4 cats and they keep their distance from Kane. It is best that way. They join us on the main floor of the house all the time now. That little Christmas tree is a magnet for both of them. I'm sure Annie had never seen anything like it in her former home. Their health is improving daily and they have a love for each other that cannot be tampered with. It touches my heart to see the bond they have developed with each other.

Unconditional love.

All is calm...all is bright!

Now, who's up for Ginger bread?

Doesn't this cake look scrumpdillyishus?

Before our family breakfast we will have this with coffee on Christmas morning.

and I know I'll have help baking it.

Hope she remembers to wear her hat.

hugs, Deb

winter sun worshipers

The ferals are fed extra food now that it is cold. I feed them every night but I don't see them anymore. I caught a glimpse of one a few weeks back but Jack, who I named, (the one that I saw every night for awhile) is never there when I arrive. I pray he's ok. Today, after the snowfall, I could see their tracks. They are definitely cat tracks and they head back to the bush. They have the winter ahead and hopefully it will be a mild one.

I'll be wrapping more and watching old Christmas movies tonight. I wish I'd seen the train that hit me. Still feel the effects, that's for sure.

I'm surrounded by good company today. My beautiful sun-worshipers make resting an art. If I could just get them all up to help dust their favorite spot.

Another Christmas with Mr. Ed. How thankful we are for that.

I hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods.

Annie & Audrey are inseparable.

The little lion

If Audrey doesn't see her, she goes looking. They play together like two kittens. There have been no takers for Audrey through the shelter website and I have had one offer of a good home for her but she was not ready and still needs time. You can see by her eyes she is not 100% but she's doing well. Unfortunately, the longer they are together the harder it is to separate them. We'll just carry on and perhaps someone will want them both. Time will tell.

back to wrappin' & fillin' candy jars (yum...)