Ain't over 'til the cat-lady sings

Finally, after a full morning of cat-sitting, I got the tree down and the ornaments put away. I don't care for this task. And then......

I was so excited to receive in the mailbox a gorgeous gift from California today . Judy,  from http://judyatgoldcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/ has gifted me with the most adorable Christmas garland. Tabby cats carrying Christmas Plum Pudding.

I saw one similar on her blog and remarked how cute it was and she so thoughtfully sent me an extra one she had. I am so thrilled to receive it. After putting the Christmas tree ornaments away I immediately hung the garland in the dining-room.

Oh my gosh, this is so adorable and vintage. Oooo...I love it.

 So....looks like Christmas is about to hang around our house for a few more days and that's that.
This is now one of my 'favorite' Christmas things. Thank you so much Judy.

I'm going to relax today and maybe try out one of my new teas that I got for Christmas.

 I'll give it a go and let you know if it's a keeper. Remember, always add honey. It's good for you.

"Audrey, quite pretending you're lame. We know better."

"I'm lame."

The temperatures here have risen, Hallelujah! We are around -3 today and it is bearable for walking dogs. I am so relieved for the ferals in the area, too. If you are caring for out-door cats this winter please drop over to http://crazyasaloom.blogspot.ca/ for advice on building out-door houses.

Thanks again, Judy.

I'm joining A Favorite Thing athttp://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/
hugs, Deb

A source of entertainment

"She's taking the tree down today. It's been losing needles everywhere and she's cursing like a sailor.
I love it. It's the best show yet.

"Hey. you missed one. That shiny ball with my face on it."

"Gosh, that woman's a peach. HAHAHAHAHA"

AA

OK..now let's get serious. If you are looking for advise on keeping feral cats warm,  please drop by my previous post to find a link to a blog that you may find helpful. And, if you are wondering why Audrey's tummy is red, this photo was taken right after she was spayed. Even then, she was spewing insults. 

hugs, Deb

With a D it was meant to be

It is so cold tonight Kane kept eyeing the litter box just around his pee time. I opened the door for him to go out in the yard (that's right..no walk tonight) and he just looked at me like I had been indulging in cat-nip all night. He went straight to the couch and once in position, crossed his legs. Now I wait until he can't hold it and hope it is not 2 in the morning.

I'm already longing for Spring.

I'm still very busy with cat-sitting as more and more people are waking up and saying "I'm outta here..." and off they go South. I am back to caring for 8 wonderful cats again.

One of my most beautiful gifts at Christmas was this little chain and pendant.

The pendant is made from a silver spoon and has a D engraved on it. My oldest daughter saw them in a shop in Almonte and bought herself one last Fall. I remarked that I liked it so at Christmas she thought she would get me one. She went back to the shop, saw that there were many there but decided to think on it before purchasing it. On another shopping day, she returned to look at them again. There was one left and it had a D engraved on it. Like she said, "there was no thinking about it now. It was meant for mom". And mom loves it.

Off to cat-sit. Is this not a beautiful face?

I'm posting this today because I worry about cats that are out in the elements right now. If you are caring for an out-door stray cat and  need ideas to keep it warm for the winter please pop over to Hilary's blog at http://crazyasaloom.blogspot.ca/.

She is caring for 2 strays and will show you how she keeps them toasty warm this winter.

hugs, Deb

When Debbie met Mellie

I came across this photo the other day. I'd like to tell my new followers how we came to adopt Audrey and her mom, Annie. When this was taken,  Annie's name was Mellie.

Mellie and her three babies came from our local animal shelter after being left behind with 24 other cats and 4 dogs in a house in Smiths Falls, Ontario. There was a foreclosure on the house and the people left. Unfortunately, there were animals left behind. When the abandoned animals were discovered, there was no food or water in the house and the animals were starving and very stressed. Mellie had 2 kittens and was giving birth to one more when Animal Control placed her in a carrier and put her in the vehicle. She had her third kitten in her carrier on the way to the shelter.  Audrey? Probably. She always does make an 'entrance'.

I received a call to ask if I could help with fostering as the shelter was full to capacity. Could I foster this little family until all the kittens were ready to be homed and then the mom could go up for adoption, too. 

I prepared my spare bedroom for them and focused on getting the mother back to good health. It was a wonderful experience watching her thrive and getting to know her beautiful babies. 

After three months,

two of these babies left for new homes. Mellie, now named Annie and one kitten stayed with us. That kitten is Audrey.

This is Annie now after one year and three months. She is just now around 2 1/2 years old.

and her rascally kitten Audrey, now 1 year and four months old.

I can't imagine life without them. They have brought much joy to our home and we love them dearly.

So, that's the story on Audrey and her mom, Annie. 

Moral of the story...I make a lousy foster home. I fall in love in 20 minutes.

hugs, Deb

Relaxing with 'white'

Everywhere I look I see the colour white. Yes, it is a colour and there are many shades of it, too.
We are blanketed in snow and the sun shines on it to make it look fresh. It is -17 today. It is cold as blazes out there and we are in for similar weather for at least 3 months. So we either hunker down or buy warm boots and get out there. I'll do the latter.

I have been cleaning up and bringing out the white dishes again. I think it calms me as I am a restless soul. I have to force myself to relax and stay focused on one thing. I guess you would say I am a multi-tasker. (At least that would be the nice way to put it.)

This little cup and saucer was beautifully gifted to me by one of my clients and her three cats, Otis, Rosie and Lola. How I love those cats. I love my tea-cup and it will fit in with all my other blue and white. I have so many new teas to try out.

The most beautiful of whites this morning is this little white face staring at me from a cat-bed warmed with a heating pad. Oh yes, they are spoiled around here. At almost 18 I would think she deserves a 5-star dwelling.

Off to cat-sit the last of the crew that have been under my care for weeks now.

I am looking forward to some quiet time so I can get back to my daily long walks. Then, it's on to planning a busy new year.
"Oh, oh...looks like someone is eyeing something. Must go.

I am joining Bernideen for Friends Sharing Tea at http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.ca/ and

Share your Cup Thursday at http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/

hugs, Deb

Feeding cats

Nana and Bradley

Taken with our phone.

Crazy eh!

More of my clients have returned from holidays and I am now caring for 8 cats. (besides my own, of course).

I am always interested in seeing how cats are fed and amounts that are given daily. Most of my clients feed both soft and dry food which is great to see. I do suggest to them, if asked, to cut back on the dry food and add more of the soft into their diet. My own vet suggested this years ago and explained how the dry food adds weight quickly as it is all sprayed with fat to encourage eating and it is mostly made up of carbohydrates. Even the higher-end dry foods have a tendency to put the pounds on the felines. But most cats like the taste and crunch of the dry food and I expect it does clean the teeth to some extent.  I do like to give the cats about 1/4 cup daily. The reason for weight-gain is because owners leave the bowls filled and let the cat graze all day. Constant calories going in and very little exercise (if any) will make for a fat cat.

Annie is one cat that gained weight quickly after she was spayed. I have since cut back again on the dry food and give all the cats a plate of either chicken, fish or beef cut up to share in the evening. This is pure protein. They are given 2 Tbsps. of soft food three times a day and lots of fresh water.

I have a few more cats to show you that kept me hoppin' over the holidays.

This is Hunter. Mighty Hunter, who at one time was a lost soul and probably did rely on his hunting skills but now he is a little pampered love-bug. 

 He lives with his buddy, Mittens.

He's another darling cat with little white mittens.

and Sparky and Rusty

(perhaps Christmas Vacation is a favorite movie in this house-hold).

Both very big-framed cats. They are now on soft food and less dry.

These are two of the sweetest cats I have ever spent time with. Rusty loves to be brushed and purrs like a motor while Sparky is affectionate and kittenish in his play.

And this is Willow

who lives with dear, sweet old Jenny

A very shy little Maggie

(photo taken last summer)

So those are a few more but not the last of them. This is why I love this job.

Lily is doing well today and thank you for all your prayers and concern. I know that's what pulled her through.

hugs, Deb

Good news on Lily

I hope you all enjoyed your New Year's celebrations. It was a no-fuss New Year's Eve for us. It was our choice to be home and just enjoy the quiet evening. My choice of drink was Kaluha and cream. 

I cared for a total of 10 kitty-clients during the day. It has certainly slowed down but I am bushed. I don't get tired from cat-sitting but this was a particularly busy season. The loss of Cali and the worry over Lily, on top of the business, has taken its' toll.

Lily is improving each day. Yesterday she ate on her own without any coaxing for the first time in 4 days. I felt such relief when she took that first bite. I stayed very quiet, not moving a muscle, and watched so not to take her interest from her food. I'd have to say, for Lily, she ate with 'gusto'.  

Last night she joined in to share a plate of salmon that I placed on the floor in the evening.

It was wonderful to see that. 

She also left her spot at the wood-stove to rest on top of the couch. 

This is so good as I am not ready to let her go. Nope, not my Lily. I need her to stay awhile longer.

Here's a photo of her taken last night and turned into a cartoon photo.

The retired-guy can do this with his phone.   

Lily

I found her joining the others early this morning. Still weak but doing so much better.

I bought Audrey a bag of kitty toys yesterday to keep her busy. She gets bored very easily and then all hell breaks loose around here. Nothing is safe. In a matter of 10 minutes,  she had batted every ball and mouse under a piece of furniture and then sat yelling for someone to come and retrieve it all. So much for keeping HER busy. I think I got more exercise than she did. That's not a bad thing though. Have you been eating too much sugar, too? I have been buzzin' for days. I am totally off it as of today. Too many shortbreads (thanks Sue from http://readymadecosmos.blogspot.ca/, that melt in your mouth, chocolate-covered everything in pretty boxes, date-squares from my sister and pumpkin pie...oh my! When will we learn? Now it's on to fruit and veggies for a month and back to the 5km walks daily. Can't wait.

hugs, Deb