He came back today looking hungry. Of course, I can't get near him but he stopped running when he saw I had food. I left it on the deck and he devoured it. He is beautiful but dirty and matted. It is cold here today but the sun is shining and working hard to warm things up.
I thought that if he had been mine I would be crazy trying to find him. I went to the local pet stores and vet clinic to inquire if anyone had called about him. I'll wait and see if someone who once loved him is still praying he comes home. He has gone again until next time.
I have new cats to meet today. An introduction form needs to be filled out on each of them and keys picked up. I'll be filling up the cat bag again. Time for some new toys, fresh nip and a clean cat-hair brush.
hugs, Deb
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Busy days
I am getting very busy again. I have new cats to meet this week (love that) and lots of my regulars to pamper to pieces.
I try to take time to brush each cat, if they will allow it. It helps to bond with them and it is something for them to look forward to.
Of course, while I brush we discuss the cares of the world and the latest cat news.
Back home, Audrey is having a ball with a new toy I bought her. It's a feather and a few pom-poms on a rod and she loves it. The cat scratcher in the photo is called an ESS and I recommend them highly.
I spend a lot of time playing with Audrey because the older cats don't bother. Even her mother, Annie will not play very often with her and yet Annie loves to play with me. When she does play with Audrey it sometimes ends up in a squabble over one of them getting too rambuncious. Annie has little patience. Then the feelings are hurt and it's over. So, I have become the play-mate for both of them.
Lily is doing well again.
She is almost 18 years old and she is as light as a feather. She is strong, though and has a reason to live. His name is Ed.
It is so cold here again. It's minus a gazillion and the winds are biting cold. I walked Kane today but we kept the walk to 20 minutes. His leg is ok but a little tender as he slipped yesterday on the ice. He spent all of last evening sleeping by the wood-stove with the cats. Did I mention he thinks he is a cat? He does. I caught on to that the first time I saw him lie on his back and swat at a ribbon. Poor fella!
The ferals are fed. I'm tired and a blueberry tea with honey is calling me.
I try to take time to brush each cat, if they will allow it. It helps to bond with them and it is something for them to look forward to.
Back home, Audrey is having a ball with a new toy I bought her. It's a feather and a few pom-poms on a rod and she loves it. The cat scratcher in the photo is called an ESS and I recommend them highly.
She kicks the heck out of it with her back feet.
Lily is doing well again.
It is so cold here again. It's minus a gazillion and the winds are biting cold. I walked Kane today but we kept the walk to 20 minutes. His leg is ok but a little tender as he slipped yesterday on the ice. He spent all of last evening sleeping by the wood-stove with the cats. Did I mention he thinks he is a cat? He does. I caught on to that the first time I saw him lie on his back and swat at a ribbon. Poor fella!
The ferals are fed. I'm tired and a blueberry tea with honey is calling me.
Joining http://gattinamycats.blogspot.ca/ for Cats on Tuesday
hugs, DebMonday, February 4, 2013
Do what you 'LOVE'
Recently, a reader contacted me and asked why I started my cat-sitting business.
I wanted to answer in a line or two but that wouldn't work for me so my apologies for the length of this post.
Working full-time as a cat-sitter did not come easily as I seemed to venture into many small businesses before realizing that owning a cat-sitting service was my 'cup of tea.'
Years back, when I was still home with my children, I started caring for friends' cats as they travelled. We had cats of our own and I had always been involved in cat-rescue with our local shelter so cat-sitting came quite naturally. With time, my name was passed around and I found myself providing care for friends of friends' cats. Then, one day, someone asked if I would care for a dog. I knew nothing about dogs but I did take on the challenge and found that dogs were absolutely delightful. It was around that time that I adopted our dog, Kane from Belleville Shelter. Before long, I started a small business called Comfy Cats and Pampered Pups Pet-sitting Service. For four years I enjoyed this little part-time business. We all know how dogs love biscuits, and before I knew it, I was baking little treats for all my charges. These little treats were packed with good, healthy ingredients and had no chemicals or preservatives added. The owners were amazed at how the dogs loved these little bags of treats that I would leave them and soon were asking if I would sell them. So, I started baking the biscuits called Pampered Pups Pastries, packaging them and selling them to my clients. I then approached a local store to see if they would carry them and they were very interested. I left the biscuits on a shelf on consignment and they sold very well. My new business called Pampered Pups Pastries was born.
Before long, I was so busy with the baking, packaging and delivering of biscuits that I had to find someone to take over the pet-sitting service for the local dogs. I was up to 30 stores that needed their shelves filled on a regular basis and I couldn't be home baking and dog-walking at the same time. I did decide to continue caring for the cats as they required only one or two visits daily. I know now that another reason I didn't find a pet-sitter for the cats was because I was just too darn attached to them.
After seven years I started to feel that something wasn't right and my heart and soul were not in the business anymore. Something told me that I was on the wrong path. I found that when I was busy with the biscuit business I was becoming very discouraged and disinterested. I'm normally a very calm, happy person but I was beginning to not recognize myself anymore. After closing up the kitchen for the day, I would head out to the homes where I was caring for cats and I could feel myself come alive again and feel happy when I was with them. I knew that THIS was the right business for me. I just needed to keep building it.
I decided to sell the biscuit business, and while waiting for a buyer, I began to work on building the cat-sitting service. I named it Just Cats and within a few months I had doubled the number of homes that needed cat-care. Leaving my cards with our local vet clinics and pet stores was the best thing I did. By Oct. 2010, the dog-biscuit business sold. I felt happy, relieved and excited to put 100% of myself into cat-care. I have never regretted making that decision. Not once have I looked back.
So, I always tell people to do what they love because eventually the need to do that will be all-consuming. It will hunt you down. They say that what we do as a hobby is actually what we should be doing as a business. You should start small, part-time and take baby-steps. It might take a long time to get there; I was in my 50's when I realized what I should be doing with my time; but that's ok. Timing is important, too.
Hope that answers your question.
hugs, Deb
I wanted to answer in a line or two but that wouldn't work for me so my apologies for the length of this post.
Working full-time as a cat-sitter did not come easily as I seemed to venture into many small businesses before realizing that owning a cat-sitting service was my 'cup of tea.'
Years back, when I was still home with my children, I started caring for friends' cats as they travelled. We had cats of our own and I had always been involved in cat-rescue with our local shelter so cat-sitting came quite naturally. With time, my name was passed around and I found myself providing care for friends of friends' cats. Then, one day, someone asked if I would care for a dog. I knew nothing about dogs but I did take on the challenge and found that dogs were absolutely delightful. It was around that time that I adopted our dog, Kane from Belleville Shelter. Before long, I started a small business called Comfy Cats and Pampered Pups Pet-sitting Service. For four years I enjoyed this little part-time business. We all know how dogs love biscuits, and before I knew it, I was baking little treats for all my charges. These little treats were packed with good, healthy ingredients and had no chemicals or preservatives added. The owners were amazed at how the dogs loved these little bags of treats that I would leave them and soon were asking if I would sell them. So, I started baking the biscuits called Pampered Pups Pastries, packaging them and selling them to my clients. I then approached a local store to see if they would carry them and they were very interested. I left the biscuits on a shelf on consignment and they sold very well. My new business called Pampered Pups Pastries was born.
Before long, I was so busy with the baking, packaging and delivering of biscuits that I had to find someone to take over the pet-sitting service for the local dogs. I was up to 30 stores that needed their shelves filled on a regular basis and I couldn't be home baking and dog-walking at the same time. I did decide to continue caring for the cats as they required only one or two visits daily. I know now that another reason I didn't find a pet-sitter for the cats was because I was just too darn attached to them.
Pampered Pups Pastries kept me busy for eight years.
I had one other baker and the retired-guy (who was still working at the time) did most of the deliveries as I continued to do the majority of the shopping, baking, packaging and advertising of the company. The company grew in leaps and bounds.
After seven years I started to feel that something wasn't right and my heart and soul were not in the business anymore. Something told me that I was on the wrong path. I found that when I was busy with the biscuit business I was becoming very discouraged and disinterested. I'm normally a very calm, happy person but I was beginning to not recognize myself anymore. After closing up the kitchen for the day, I would head out to the homes where I was caring for cats and I could feel myself come alive again and feel happy when I was with them. I knew that THIS was the right business for me. I just needed to keep building it.
I decided to sell the biscuit business, and while waiting for a buyer, I began to work on building the cat-sitting service. I named it Just Cats and within a few months I had doubled the number of homes that needed cat-care. Leaving my cards with our local vet clinics and pet stores was the best thing I did. By Oct. 2010, the dog-biscuit business sold. I felt happy, relieved and excited to put 100% of myself into cat-care. I have never regretted making that decision. Not once have I looked back.
So, I always tell people to do what they love because eventually the need to do that will be all-consuming. It will hunt you down. They say that what we do as a hobby is actually what we should be doing as a business. You should start small, part-time and take baby-steps. It might take a long time to get there; I was in my 50's when I realized what I should be doing with my time; but that's ok. Timing is important, too.
Hope that answers your question.
hugs, Deb
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Plotting Sierra?
I walked Kane today with a sore back. Normally, we clip along but not today. Just as we were turning a corner, Kane slipped on some ice and down he went. So, coming home, we went even slower as he was limping while I hobbled along with my aching back. What a sorry sight we were.
Audrey watched us 'chillin' later from her wicker cat house.
"What do you want now?"
One of my readers mentioned that Sierra looked like she was plotting in my earlier post. Well, you would think she was, but take it from me, this cat loves ANY attention that comes her way. I used her head to get the right-size fit for a doll-size chef hat once and she loved every second of it. She fancied the end result and wore it all morning. She loves her accessories, what can I say.
She's plotting alright....plotting a cook book.
By the way, Kane is fine tonight. Tomorrow I'll answer a followers' question on how and why I became a full-time cat-sitter.
hugs, Deb.
Audrey watched us 'chillin' later from her wicker cat house.
"What do you want now?"
She absolutely hates having her picture taken. I'm not sure what she thinks this camera is but it infuriates her. Did I mention how much I love this cat?
One of my readers mentioned that Sierra looked like she was plotting in my earlier post. Well, you would think she was, but take it from me, this cat loves ANY attention that comes her way. I used her head to get the right-size fit for a doll-size chef hat once and she loved every second of it. She fancied the end result and wore it all morning. She loves her accessories, what can I say.
By the way, Kane is fine tonight. Tomorrow I'll answer a followers' question on how and why I became a full-time cat-sitter.
hugs, Deb.
Gorgeous Green
Sierra was so jealous that such a fuss was made over Indy's eyes that she brought this photo to my attention.
Yes, Sierra, you have lovely green eyes.
She's a scarf-gal and enjoys rummaging through my dresser-drawers.
Green is a colour we lack in the winter months.
It is snowing this morning and after a good feed the cats have all gone back to bed. Audrey was entertained by the falling snow-flakes until they lured her back to sleep.
It's that time of year to bring out more green.
Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.
hugs, Deb
Saturday, February 2, 2013
No mistake about it
Sometimes there is no mistaking it
It's snowing this morning and the trees are covered in a white blanket again. The warm temperatures last week took most of our snow, which I thought was a welcome relief, as its' so much better for driving. But, here it is again. It looks so clean and fresh, though. Beautiful white.
Off to cat-sit. Tuxies and black beauties today.
I'm joining Sweet Saturday at http://dianaevans.blogspot.ca/ & Camera Critters at http://camera-critters.blogspot.ca/
hugs, Deb
Friday, February 1, 2013
Try ping-pong
Say "hello" to my kitty-client, Chase.
He wants you to know that his very favorite toy in the whole wide world is a ping-pong ball.
When I arrive to care for the boys there is a basket on the table filled with toys for them to amuse themselves with while their owner travels. Amongst all the toys are many white ping-pong balls. So, of course, we play with them. Chase goes nuts.
I introduced the ping-pong ball to Audrey and she, too, went nuts. So, I recommend, as a very cheap little toy, to introduce your cat to the ping-pong ball. They are safe (no silly bells or other small items inside that the cat can swallow) and they provide the cat with lots of fun and exercise.
The last of my daisies. They have been wonderful during some of the coldest weather we have had in years. Just coming in the door, looking to the right and seeing them on the table lifts my spirits. Flowers will do that.
Today it was very cold but very sunny and Sierra soaked it up, once again.
And the best part of the day... breakfast out with Riley.
She's now ordering her own meal and I think she ate more than I did today. She's growing and will be 3 this Spring.
I finished up today with all of this weeks kitty-clients. I'll be starting with new ones tomorrow; one I haven't seen in over 2 years. I am so looking forward to spending time with this black beauty.
I'm joining Bernideen at http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.ca/ for Open House. hugs, Deb
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