me & cats

It started when I was a young girl.
Who knew it would be a life-long love affair.
I remember when I was around 5 I brought a cat into my house and put her in my bedroom. When dinner was ready, I declined. "What?, said my mom. Are you ill?"  "No, I'm just really busy",  I replied.
My mother looked around the room and then tilted her head. It's as clear as if it happened yesterday. " What are you doing that is so important?, she asked.
Just then a rather scruffy cat's head popped out from under some clothes in my bottom dresser drawer. I had made a bed for it under all my cozy sweaters. "That's a cat! Where did you find this cat?" Her voice began to change and didn't sound so great anymore. "It was on the side-walk and no one owns it." "Debbie, cats are always sitting on sidewalks. This is someone's well-fed cat."
I remember walking down our street a little while later carrying the cat and heading to where I had found it on the sidewalk on my way to visit a friend. Back in the days of the dinosaurs, kids actually walked around their neighbourhoods unattended by an adult. Anyway, as we approached the exact spot where I had 'rescued' this unsuspecting cat,  it's owner was outside calling for it. I don't remember it's name...I was very distraught.
I reluctantly handed the cat to the lady but only after kissing it on it's dirty head and telling it that I loved it.  The lady smiled and thanked me while  my mom just watched from the side-walk. You see, the lady thought I had found it wandering. She thought that I had rescued it. She had no idea I picked it up from her drive-way. I remember hoping that it would 'wander' away again but this time I wouldn't get caught.

It was a few days later that my mother handed me my first kitten. She was smokey grey with little stripes and all eyes. We named her Smokey and the love-affair began.

Then there was Snow

then Tina, then another Tina (sometimes you get stuck).

Once I moved out on my own at the age of 19 there were many more beautiful cats to enter my life. Married life brought me even more as my own children would rescue the waifs in our area. It's been almost 20 years since I started my cat-sitting service. In the beginning it was called Comfy Cats.

My friend, Christine was my back-up and she had my logo put on a t-shirt for me for one of my birthdays. I still have the shirt but the name of the company has changed to Just Cats.

I love what I do. I should have started it long before I did but it wasn't in the cards at the time. I was busy raising kids and volunteering at our local animal shelter. It took all my time and eventually led me to this little business that I love.

Here are just some interesting names of  cats I have cared for over the last 18 years...

Kaluha
Twinkle
Jackie
Tescher
Peewee
Lacy
Jessie
Symba
Nala
Andy
Jeannie
Thelma
Hobbs
Fawn
Tinker
Puff
Tyler
Jimmy
Mrs.Tiggypuss
Rainbow
Cloe
Heaven
Herman
Calvin
Deli-cat
Dominique
Brandy
Oddish
Mankie
Mao
Otis
Booboo
Anu
Smudge
Mookie
Max
Ashley
Charlie\Bear
Nicky
Felix
Lola
Tabi
Guiness
Kokanee
Bumpy
Turnip
Dora
Panthere
Molly
Mocha
Ollie
Toady

A little update on Toady..tonight he was the best I have seen him in a long time. He ate more than usual and was very playful (well, for Toady) with his favorite toy. He was chatty and serenaded me with his marvelous purr. I'm not worried now. I think we're good.

hugs, Deb

Making my lists

6am came too quick this morning after reading into the night last night. 6am is when Audrey jumps up on to my dresser and yowls for me to open my eyes. She paces and pats things and elevates herself onto my wooden bracelet box. She paces more and starts to make a grunting noise. She is determined to annoy me to no end so I get up and serve her. Don't bother commenting with "why don't you put her out at night and shut the bedroom door?" I tried that and she darn near tore the door down. 7 lbs of dynamite, she is.

The kitchen comes to life with 6 felines pacing and greeting me with anticipation of another wonderful meal.

They think I am the best cook ever.

 After feeding the lions I grabbed a coffee (yes, Trish from Katnip Lounge http://katniplounge.blogspot.ca/, I gave in and feed them before my coffee now) and started my morning list. No, not groceries but kitty-clients. This is when I make the plans for who I go to first and so on. Who is the neediest, the one who finds the nights long.Lately, it is always Toady who I rush to see after his long night  home-alone. He is old, he is spoiled, he is fragile.

He has his favorite toy

and he's a handsome boy.

We sat and watched the wildlife on the deck after breakfast.

We are never disappointed. 

 Many kitties in between  and then I end with my cat-less house where I check on plants. I don't expect much to be going on there and I miss having a kitty meet me at their door all chatty with tail at a salute. Nope, just boring old plants.

I have 2 lists this morning as I have many errands to run and cooking to do. And gold, yellow and apricot Mums to buy. Those are my colours and I'm stickin' to it.

With that, I bid you adieu.

hugs, Deb

cats in windows

If there's anything I love to see more than a cat in a window it's two cats in windows.

Just wanted to wish Susan from Just Sayin' a very Happy Birthday today. Drop by and meet her.http://readymadecosmos.blogspot.ca/. Susan loves to cook and has some wonderful recipes to share. She is about to pass on the Travelling Apron soon so watch for that.

I used my new tea-cup from Newfoundland today. 

I had to bake cookies for the saucer, right? These are just your regular chocolate chip cookie with a few chopped walnuts added. They bake up in 10 minutes. They are scrumptious. If you want the recipe..just ask and I'll post it next time. 

Now go wish that birthday girl a happy one.

http://readymadecosmos.blogspot.ca/

hugs, Deb

A shower for Bradley & oh yes...CATS.

You really must be careful where you sit in our home. Sometimes, no....more like always, you will find Audrey tucked in somewhere. She sleeps either in the blanket, behind the blanket, under the blanket but never on the blanket.

She is finally back to her normal self, dear God, and not looking for Ruby anymore. Now, she looks for me.

We are done all the celebrations for the summer now and we await the birth of our second grand-child, Bradley. He will be a little brother to Riley.

There was a shower for Britt today. Riley is growing so fast, says the funniest things now like "Call me" and is on a steady mission.

She is excited to be a 'big sister'.

"One month to go, Brit."   Isn't she radiant!

Beautiful Ebony gave me a pose today. Such a darling, 14 year old pampered feline.

Toady is feeling better and back to himself again. He waits patiently while I mix up his food and prepare his medication that I pop down his throat every day. I have never once had to count all my fingers after administering his pills. He is a real gentleman. (plus I'm faster than lightening)

 He always has a sad-sack face but when he is well he is looking for attention and loves to sit close and be groomed. Tonight I did just that.

One of my busiest weeks is about to start.  Along with many cats to care for I also have homes that are pet-less to care for. The plants are the priority in these homes and like I always tell the owners..."I have been known as the cat-whisperer but never a plant-whisperer so no guarantees." They laugh and seem fine with that. Let's hope there are no orchids. :( You can be sure I work on these folks to adopt a cat. ;-)

hugs, Deb

What made you smile lately?

A walk with Kane through the bush

"Wait up, 'ol man"

"Honestly, Kane. What kind of herding dog would you have made when you are always miles ahead."

"Where's your sheep, Kane?"

"I dunno, behind me somewhere."

hugs, Deb

Baby steps

Adoptions in Animal Shelters are very slow in the month of August.

Mostly because people are busy and travelling or entertaining company and do not have time to integrate a cat into their household.
Come September,  the adoptions will go up hopefully and many people will be wondering how to introduce a new cat to the resident cat.
Here are a few tips from someone who really does believe that baby-steps need to be taken.

First, put the new cat in a room of its' own.

Give your resident cat time to get used to something being on the other side of the door.

Then rub down each cat with a sock. Be sure to rub around the cheeks where the scent glands are.

Put the opposite sock with the cats to watch the reaction of each cat.

Once they stop hissing (or they may not) from smelling the sock then switch rooms. Put the new cat in the room that the resident cat was in and the resident cat goes into the room where the new cat came out of. Let them roam around a bit getting used to each other's scent.

Think of it this way. If a person was to arrive at your home that you had never met would you feel more comfortable knowing something about this person before they arrive? Wouldn't you have lots of questions? Once being informed about this person would you not feel more comfortable once you meet? It is the same for the animals.

Before introducing them have on hand some treats and toys. There most likely will be some hissing so be prepared for that. Give the resident cat more attention and keep your eyes on that one mostly. If it looks like there will be an attack you should immediately put the new cat back into its' room and wait for another day to try this. This could take awhile so take your time with it. It could be up to a month or so before the cats can be left in a room unsupervised or you might be lucky and they like each other immediately. Remember....baby steps.

Presently, our local animal shelter is in a crisis. They are financially struggling to the point of possibly closing their door at the close of the year.  I'm praying that this will somehow be turned around but it takes the community to make the difference. I am hoping all the municipalities they cover will step up to the plate and help them. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, please support YOUR local animal shelter.
hugs, Deb

Biscuit Barrel and a sad little peanut

http://ashtreecottage.blogspot.ca/ is one of my favorite blogs. Susan loves vintage china and she seems to have lots of tea-cups so you just know I am over there browsing all the time. One of her most recent posts  showed us her new biscuit barrel. It is so pretty, so delicate and just plain gorgeous. I thought I would show you my biscuit barrel that I love so much. It is stamped Royal Dalton England on the bottom. I found it in an antique shop for $35.

"Mornin' monkey"

I keep crackers in it.

I was up very early this morning. 6 hungry cats do not let you sleep in.

Our Cali is 19 this year.

and one was very busy crashing around chasing a moth

She ate it

 Audrey's hide-out

I can't head out to cat-sit without a big mug of coffee so I head straight to the coffee-centre in our kitchen.

Yes, I love white dishes. I'm a dishaholic, remember?

The beautiful print in the background came from Jeri at Hopalong Hollow Gazette.http://hopalonghollowgazette.blogspot.ca/

I adore it and was so happy to win her give-away. You must drop by to meet Jeri. You will love this talented artist and animal lover.

I think this is a 2 coffee morning.

Audrey misses Ruby. I knew it but I also know she will settle down very soon.

She calls out for her even though I made sure she saw her go in the crate and leave with my daughter.

If only we could explain these things to our cats. I'll leave you this morning with a sad cat in a window.

Audrey

Off to cat-sit a black beauty and an orange and white charmer. Photos comin'

Our local animal shelter, LAWS, is facing the need to close their doors if their financial situation does not improve. Please, if you can, contact them with your support and make a donation. They house over 200 cats and many dogs presently. This would be a terrible loss for our area.

Drop over to http://www.lanarkanimals.ca/

and pray for them. They need it.

hugs, Deb