Tabby care & who needs a mirror?

The day started early with a trip to Appleton to cat-sit. I headed out to 'horse country'.Teddy & Cortez would be happy to see the 'lady with thumbs' arrive.

Cortez was nice enough to stop moving long enough for a quick photo. He is an oldster but in good shape.

This is my favorite photo of Cortez I took last winter.

Cortez

It's a day for Tabbies.
Bud & Chase were next on the route. Two tabby brothers who I have cared for for many years. They are always so welcoming and their purrs can be heard throughout the town. They love the entertainment from their big windows in their sweet log house.

The sun is finally shining again. Very happy cats lay about the house in sun puddles. 

Once home, Audrey helped me make the bed and then observed me from atop the armoire.

How would you like this face watching you as you get dressed for your walk?

 Talk about motivation to keep those walks up. Really Audrey? Must you? I thought full-length mirrors were bad enough.

I'm very forgiving though. I love this little face.

hugs, Deb

a gift from the garden & a treasure of a plate

Flowers from your own garden always look more beautiful and smell more fragrant than store bought bouquets. When the bouquet comes from your daughter's garden...all the more sweeter they are.

 Thank you, Jess. They are gorgeous.

Before I collected tea-cups I was always drawn to beautiful plates. I don't have a large collection but the ones I have, I love. This one is my very favorite. It is a Bradford Exchange, painted by Jim Daily in 1990 and the name of it is Contentment.

It has been raining for days here so the lighting is not the best.

This plate always leaves me smiling. Even with a few scratches,

I love everything about it...right down to her socks.

My little teacup today is from a set of 2 with a matching tea-pot. I picked them up in a gift shop many years ago. There is nothing written on them but they looked so unique and I have used them often.

Speaking of 'Contentment'...who can do it better.

hugs, Deb

I'm joining up with Tea-time Tuesday at Sandi's http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca/ and Marty at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.ca/ for Tabletop Tuesday.

Today is...

National Hug your Cat day.

You know what to do.

Hugs, Deb

Time well spent

It rained all day today so after cat-sitting and getting soaked from walking the dog, I cleaned house and combed cats. The dog got a good brushing, too.

I started thinking about how much of my time is spent on the care of animals. Pretty much most of it. I do spend lots of time with friends and family but I wondered what I would be doing with all that time if I didn't have pets and a cat-sitting service. Would I be travelling, reading more, cooking more, exercising more, collecting more dishes (good grief!) ....what?   Probably all of them. But, for now I wouldn't change any part of it. I really am happiest in the presence of cats and I can't imagine my home without them. I have travelled in the past and I do plan to travel to Europe someday but  presently that is on hold because of our dog. Kane is such a part of our life and because of an unfortunate start for him,  he does not trust strangers.  Not since the day I brought him home from the shelter has he allowed someone, new to him, stroke or pet him. It takes time and he needs to see that we are ok with that person. I took him to doggy school, T touch classes and worked with him daily but was never able to change his fear of strangers.That is why we don't leave him behind. I don't trust that he wouldn't snap at a care-giver. We can't have that. So, life has changed a bit since he entered it but he has improved over the years and that's all we can expect of a previously abused dog.  He has shown us unconditional love and trusts US with all his being and we love him.

I can't clean house without playing...

Mrs. & Mr. Bailey

Coffee tastes so good in these funky little cups.

I read recently that if you add organic grapefruit to your diet you can lose weight without changing anything else. There is an enzyme in grapefruit that burns fat. It is suggested that you eat many throughout the day. Unsweetened grapefruit juice works too. And, the old saying is true. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples are loaded with fibre and nutrients; they normalize your blood sugar and decrease your appetite. Eat at least one a day but the more the better. I like my apples mostly in apple cake...do you think that counts?

Have a good Sunday.

hugs, Deb

Rain is only good for the garden

It's been raining here for 2 days. The ferals still come for food but they are wet and miserable. That just adds to the sadness of their predicament. Feral cats are everywhere in our area. Too many. No one takes charge to trap them as the shelter is bursting at the seams already.  I only see two every night for the last 6 months. I know there are many more but they will remain a mystery. I know that these two will eat a good meal and will sleep the night. I leave them bread, soft food and kibble and plenty more for the others. Water is given fresh every night behind a truck wheel. That alone makes me feel ok although I leave there with a tight chest and saddened. Damn it! They all need to be spayed and they all deserve a good home.


I am still 'smitten' with my new tea-pot found at an antique shop.

Look at these pudgy little feet

"Mmmmm. A few home-made cookies left to finish off." Not so bad if you eat them before 7pm. That's what I've read and I'm going to believe that. :-)

Kane and I got caught in the rain today. I don't have good hair for rainy days. It goes flat on top and wavy on the sides. Are you picturing it? Annie's look kind of says it all.

                  "You actually walk around looking like that?"

Ed has a bit more cooth. He wasn't fazed a bit.

He just wants dinner.
I'm linking up to http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.ca/
hugs, Deb

Playing favorites

"Gotcha!"

It's no easy feat making a bed around here.

The monster lurks...

I have taken over 1,000 photos of cats. Here are just a few of my favorites. Some are kitty clients and some own me.

Max

Josephine

Sydney

Sierra

Smudge

Twinkle

Serena

Otis

Dominique

Simba

Lucky

Sierra

Buddy

Nigel

&

Nigel, Ruby & Audrey

That's a few of them. I have lots more.

Have a wonderful weekend. We are in for three days of rain.

Drop over to Knatolee's world http://knatolee.blogspot.ca/ to meet another gorgeous feline, Emily and read the story of how she found her family.
I'm joining up with http://camera-critters.blogspot.ca/ today. Pop over to see all the wonderful critters.
hugs, Deb

Let's talk 'cat'.

              Our feline model today is Audacious Audrey

The following is taken from the internet. 

Feline language is a complex mix of facial expression, tail position, ear position and other forms of body language in addition to scent and sound. Cats learn to make demands of us by observing which of their sounds cause which human responses. (boy, is that ever true)

Look at that face.

As you communicate with your cat, the words you use are less important than how you say them and the body language that accompanies them. If you say "DOWN!" or "NO!" in the same tone you use for, "Good Kitty! Here's a treat," you'll confuse your cat and she'll misinterpret what you're saying. Consistency is the key to successful communication with your cat.

To correct behavior, use a loud, firm, authoritative voice, and use this same tone consistently in conjunction with body language. For example, when ordering your cat "down," make a stern face, and use one of your hands to point down.

"Oh really!"

Most cats will also respond to a sharp hissing or spitting sound as a "no" command when they are doing something seriously wrong and need to be stopped.

For praise, or when calling your cat to dinner or offering treats, use a higher-pitched "happy" voice, smile, and beckon with your hand.

If you consistently use the same voice, facial expressions and hand gestures, most cats will have no trouble understanding what you say. The more you communicate with your cat, the better the two of you will become at understanding each other.

           "Just humour her. She thinks she has all the answers."

Here's a little peak back at Audrey when she was 2 months old.

 I knew then she was full of spit and vinegar. 

The rain is on its' way. The gardens need it and it will make me stay in and clean the house. Have a good day. 

I'm joining Sweet Saturday at http://dianaevans.blogspot.ca/

hugs, Deb