an evening walk

This is a photo of the old town hall in our town. It was taken around 1900. 

Here it is now. This photo was taken last night

 That's Kane and I on our evening walk. Pretty little town, isn't it.

I'll show you the route along the Mississippi River we take to get to this bridge.

And here we are back at the main bridge.

You really should visit Carleton Place sometime.

The day wasn't over until I found a Cat in Window for you.

Then home for tea.

hugs, Deb

What made you smile today?

After applying duct tape to the side of my leather couch (are you picturing it? :-( ) to keep Audrey from shredding the livin' daylights out of it,  I decided to do a 'What made you smile today' post. Lord knows, I need it.  

OK...so, what made me smile today?

A white picket fence bursting with blooms

My devoted friend, Kane

Beautiful weather for a hike with my buddy

this job I so love

the fact that it's 4 o'clock somewhere

and there's fresh cookies in the cookie jar

but most of all

...this face

Riley

Hope your day is going well. I'm off to find out what's up with Audacious Audrey & once again introduce her to the cat scratching areas.

"Audrey, where are you?"

hugs, Deb
Note: Thanks for all your comments on my previous post. If you are trying to introduce soft food to your die-hard dry food only cat remember to take 'baby steps'. Never expect a cat to just plow into a new food. It won't work. Continue with the dry and add 1 tsp of soft on top. Then less dry and more soft as the cat accepts it. Before you know it you should be placing mostly soft and just a few kibble on the bottom.
Good luck. It's worth it for your cat's good health. Water, water, water...just like your plants your cat needs it too.

Wild bird care centre

Do you see 2 cats in a window today?

This is Maddy & Joe waiting for the cat-sitter

(two brown and white tabbies)

a walk about town always pleases the eye

On my way to cat-sitting Sunday,  I came across a fledgling that was lying upside down on the hot sidewalk in our downtown area. 

It looked like it was injured so I brought it home (held him in one hand as I drove 6 blocks)  knowing it's always iffy caring for a wild bird. The retired-guy had a little experience with helping birds, me..less than none. Although, I did remove one from the mouth of a pissed-off cat a few years back. As far as we could tell this was a Starling. Well, it made it  'til morning from feedings of cat food and water and then we drove to the Bird Sanctuary in Nepean, Ont. to drop it off.

Kind of a cool place they have.

There were 25 other little fledglings that had been brought in and were being cared for until they were able to feed themselves. After being examined, we were told that there were no breaks and his wings were fine so they expect that he will be fine and should only need a few weeks of care.

The knowledgeable lady scooped him up out of the box and took him in the back to check him for injuries.

Good luck, little fella

Their website is www.wildbirdcarecentre.org   (Nepean, Ontario)

They love donations :-)

Let's talk 'cats' again for a moment.
The following is only my own personal opinion. I am not about to preach on how you raise your cats. I have been asked so...

I am a firm believer in feeding cats soft food. I don't like most dry kibble as I have learned over the years that it is what puts the pounds on cats because many brands are sprayed with fat to attract them. Most are loaded with fillers that can cause many health problems. The little bit of meat in the food is often all animal bi-products. There are some higher-end dry kibble that have real meat as it's first ingredient and only a few recognizable other ingredients but even with those, I still recommend feeding canned.  I keep a bag of Royal Canin dry food to give as a crunchy treat.    Even Audrey gets a hand-ful of kibble throughout the day of this as I have taken her off kitten food. I give them all soft food 3x daily. Eagle Pack Holistic Select is what they are on presently and they all like it. I add 1 tbsp. of pumpkin to each medium sized (5.5 oz) can to add fibre to their diet. I keep fresh water out for them in bowls and cups on both floors and they sometimes have cooked chicken or canned salmon as an evening treat. My four seniors are all doing well and living good, long lives. Their stools are good and their coats look as good as expected for geriatric cats. I don't plan to change anything while their health is good.
I realize many people cannot feed their cats 3x a day so what I suggest is that you feed them soft in the morning and evening and leave them a small amt. of kibble for while you are at work. Amounts will depend on your cat and should be discussed with your vet.

hugs, Deb

A few pretties for Tea-time Tuesday

Ruby & Audrey

played together all weekend at our home. So much, that Audrey slept all day Monday. Completely pooped.

See the little peach feet on Ruby. She is just like her mom, Annie. Annie completely ignored Ruby this time. It's like she is done with her now.

Today my weekend cat-sitting winds down.  And you know that when I have time on my hands I'm going to start playing with dishes again.

To me, they are little pieces of art.

Noritake Shenandoah

I have a 4 place setting. A gift from my mom in 1980

I'm joining up with Delightsome Life for A Return to Loveliness at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.ca/
Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca/
and Tuesday Cuppa Tea at http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.ca/ & and Table Top Tuesday with Marty at
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.ca/
hugs, Deb

The big 2

Wow! It is hot this weekend. We are getting July weather in May. Not complaining, though.

It was a very busy weekend. Lots of cat-sitting, some gardening and a birthday celebration for little Riley. She turned 2.

All the immediate family minus my daughter Allie and Britt's sister, Kaitlin who are both away camping this May long weekend.

Riley had a great time. How fast 2 years have gone.

"Happy Birthday little Ri

                                                  

So, it's been fun with Riley and a fur-filled weekend. 

Hope you are enjoying it,too.

hugs, Deb

And the weekend begins

I always have company in the kitchen.

She is now known as the 'kitchen cat'. Every-time I call her that she meows her approval. I love this cat so much.

It's a long weekend, the sun is on for 3 days straight and I plan to get lots done inside and out.
That is, after cat-sitting, of course. I have lots of gorgeous cats to pamper all weekend for travelling clients. 10 in total. I just got a call for 2 more last night. There are always the 'last minute' calls.


I baked my favorite branana bread today. 2 loaves.

 One for us and one for the freezer. Special request from the retired guy- "Throw a few chocolate chips in there, please." So, I did. More calories but oh so good. You will find the recipe under the 'let's talk dishes' link. 
On to cat-sitting...

I have been caring for this guy who needs to be medicated every day.

You must be quick and you must be accurate (needs to go into back of throat) because sometimes you only get one chance before the cat leaves and hides.

Once the pill is in,  you should rub the neck to be sure it goes all the way down the throat. A cat is a master at hiding the pill in it's mouth and then returning it to you once released. Check to see if your fingers are all there and give cat a kiss on his head. :-) 

Cat not impressed but still loves the cat-sitter anyway. 

We then played 'catch the mouse' and had a grooming session.

Here comes the long weekend. Enjoy!

hugs, Deb