My Ramona and Little Pork Chop

Here's a close up shot of Ramona's eyes/ I haven't posted one like this before because she is a lady and wouldn't want people to see her not looking her best. We have been treating her for upper respiratory, coccidia and roundworm. Today we went back to the vet. The coccidia and roundworm are gone and we have switched medication to an antibiotic just to treat the URI. It is Clavamox and the results have been spectacular. We started it last night along with some kitty vitamin formula and tonight she is bouncing off the walls with Harper. She has been wrassling with him too.

The cloudiness in her right eye is an ulcer. It could heal up and we sure hope so, because if it doesn't she could lose the eye. In which case, Olof says, we will make her a little eye patch and she will be our pirate girl. But we are hoping it will heal. She actually looks better tonight then she did this morning.



Someday I hope she will fill this bed.



Just like Brendan does.



I took this fellow along to the vet figuring he would howl if he couldn't find his sister for a few minutes and he could help console her on the trip. Hah. He howled most of the way there. The vet tech put him on the scale, held him up and exclaimed, "You're a little pork chop, aren't you!"



So Little Pork Chop he remains.

It's a Cat's Life

If I have a choice then in my next life I am coming back as one of my cats. I work all day, clean house, make dinner, empty litter boxes, go to the vet's for vitamins and medication and what do these guys do?



Play with their toys.



Nap in the sun.



Relax, take it easy. Wake up for a game of Paw over Paw in the evening.



And cuddle up to baby sister.

I ask you, how much better can it get?

Making Friends

Harper has been so funny as he tries to make friend with Brendan. One morning Brendan came in the window from his morning patrol and he greeted Harper nose to nose in a dignified way. Harper was so thrilled. " He acknowledged me! Did you see that!" Then of course he forgot himself and got too familiar and got The Paw.



But he has been treating Brendan with respect and lately has been accepted as a co-napper in the big room.



Along with Ramona who all the guys adore. But then, who wouldn't?



Harper is a week older, a lot bigger and his character is coming out. Tonight when I called him his tail went right up and he came running. I think I got myself a good companion puppy cat. We played Paw Over Paw and enticed Silas to come upstairs ( he can not resist a game) The two of them got pretty close without hissing and I am hoping that a shared interest in sports and collections will make them buds.



And of course, Harper adores Ramona.

A Safe and Happy Life

A kitten or puppy comes into this world, like people, with a chance of landing anywhere. The cats I know and the cats in the blogging world I know have landed in safe, happy homes. At this moment I hear the thunder of little paws upstairs and chortling and squealing as Harper bats his toys around. Last night he got introduced to the kitty go crazy toy, you know, the plastic ring with the ball in the perimeter that spins around. He liked that a lot. And they have both learned to climb the cat trees, though Ramona had to show Harper how to back down. I think she might be the brains of this pair.

Brendan did dawn patrol checking for signs of Jakey the Barn Cat and Silas was up all night doing Mousekeeping. They lead contented lives, though Silas is still afraid of the kittens. And their lives will continue to be as safe and healthy and happy as we can make them. And in return they give us their love and comfort. A good arrangement all around.

But I keep thinking about the forty cats euthanized last week at a shelter in New York as written about by Mandy in Tales and Tails of New York. They did not land in safe homes, or if they once did, were disposed of at the shelter often for flimsy reasons. Their lives took a sudden and tragic turn when second homes and second chances were not available. And all over the country the story is repeated. Millions of healthy, loving animals are killed in this country every year, simply because their are not enough homes.

And yet, in the back of Cat Fancy magazine as I was leafing through it while sitting at the vets, I saw pages and pages of ads for people selling kittens. And I know it is the same for puppies.

One of the most heartening signs I see in this country though is the no-kill movement and a growing awareness of the injustice faced by these creatures whose only crime is being unwanted or a burden to their owners. I was in a mall a while ago in the southern part of our state and I was startled to see puppies for sale in a pet store. I remember there was a store here in our local mall which sold puppies and kittens. At the time, not too long ago, I didn't think about it.

But now I do and I think we need strong laws against selling cats and dogs for money. We need a bigger understanding of the rights of animals to live and be cared for and not treated as something we own. I don't know anything of the laws that concern people breeding cats and dogs so there isn't much I can say about it except what I feel.

Some people would say there are far more important things to be worried about in the world and our efforts should go to taking care of people first. I would like to see a more caring, humane society all around. But I think that if you teach children to have empathy for animals, they will have more empathy for other children and when they grow up they will be better, kinder adults.

And that would give us a better world all around.

Caturday Morning

A nice rainy Caturday morning after a beautiful warm sunny Friday. It was Olof's birthday and we had a delicious rich chocolate mousse cake decorated with paw prints large and small. I will post a photo of the cake soon too.

Brendan and Silas went on dawn patrol early and Jakey the Barn Cat must have been out there because Silas came flying in the cat door with a fluffy tail. Brendan doesn't back down for anyone, he just gives them that regal stare. He chased a fox out of the yard last week. I had to run after him and bring him in. And the fox was leaving.



I gave the little guys breakfast in their room and left the door open so they could join us on their own, which they did. Ramona also ran for the breakfast plate and has been back for refills at least four times by now, ten am. She is very perky this morning, scampering around with Harper. Her right eye is still red but she is obviously feeling much better. She is sitting here next to me and I don't see any nasty yellow stuff in her eyes, just clear liquid. And she is purring.

Harper just joined us on my left side and he is purring too. Brendan is at my feet.

When Brendan came in this morning Harper went over and got a friendly nose to nose greeting. He is so thrilled to be greeted by Brendan. I missed the shot but will try again tomorrow morning. Harper has to be careful not to overstep the personal space boundary and he is careful and respectful with the big guy.

Ramona doesn't seem to have to do this so I guess it is a guy thing.



How do you think Harper would fare in the Kitten Wars?

Buddha Belly

Here's Harper in a typical position. He made it down the stairs this morning. Oh oh. Now I will have to keep an eye on the cat door. Brendan and Silas love their outside privileges. I will have to set the door to in only and then let them out when they ask.

Ramona is sleeping on a pillow next to me and Harper is raising heck. When he is worried he squeals. When he is excited he chortles.

Olof played the song "Mona Lisa" for Ramona and she really liked it. She is quiet this morning, that left eye is still red and I could hear that little popping sound cats make when their nose is stuffed up. But yesterday she was eating like a champ. Still, she is thin and you can feel her spine. Maybe I will try some other foods. They are on kitten Wellness and have gone through a case in little more than a week.

Harper got a friendly greeting from Brendan this morning and he was so excited about it he got over eager and got The Paw. Then Brendan demonstrated that a proper cat cleans his rear end thoroughly. That is something Harper could use a few lessons in.

We played Mona Lisa again. She perks up as soon as the music starts and then she sat up. Never think a cat doesn't understand something.

I'll do some more photos later. We have a series of Buddha Belly shots and some nice ones of Silas being Lord of the Frogs at the pond.

Kittens Happen

There is a lot going on here at Caturday so there is plenty to post this week. And it's Feline Friday at the Modulator.

In the News.
Ramona is feeling better. After two days of her not eating nearly enough and me giving her water and food by medicine dropper, this morning there were two kittens waiting at the door for breakfast and she chowed down with gusto. Then I let them both into our room where she cuddled with Olof and Brendan joined us. There were no hissy fits or Halloween kittens though Harper did get the Gentle Paw once. That is how Brendan announces, Stay Out Of My Space Youngun.

I have explained to Brendan that we had nothing to do with it, kittens come into the world and it is our job to take care of them. He seems to have accepted this. He is a wise soul.

Silas and Harper eyed each other from each end of the stairs. Harper from the top and Silas from the bottom. It will work out. Once again no Halloween kitten on Harper's part and no running on Silas's part. Did I tell you that Silas is afraid of the kittens?

The frogs have risen in the pond and Silas has appointed himself Frog Master. There have been four so far in the house, completely unharmed and this morning's offering was in the food bowl. Alive and well.

Last night we let the kittens out to run around and I got out the Bizzy Box. That was a major hit and I promise to get out the video camera because the action is wild and the sound effects too funny. Harper squeals and growls when he gets something he really likes, like a fuzzy ball or a feather. And those paws in action are really something.

There is also a new PawPrints which I will post later. And I must update my links so if I am missing any kitty blogs, please let me know. I am working on it.

So stay tuned.

Ramona Says

She is tired of feeling crappy but it was a little better after I ran the shower this morning to steam up the bathroom and ease up her breathing. And I took a damp washcloth and got some stuff out of her eyes. Then she ate a little and ran around a little. She is s a spunky tiny girl but enough is enough she says. I hope she will turn the corner soon. And I hope her eyes will be fine. She is such a delicate thing and her appetite is off right now, not like her brother, whom I have dubbed "Buddha Belly" for obvious reasons. He is doing great, eyes are clear and a lovely shade of green. Like Chinese porcelain. Actually, they are just about the color of the Caturday outer border but a bit darker, it is hard to get a photo that shows it but I will.



Just what we need, a cat with an opposing thumb. He is already using it to hold things.



The Paw.



And a side view of The Belly.

Ramona's Day

Harper looks around the doorway as Ramona explores the big room.



Ramona explores the big room.





And she figures out the cat tree. Clever little girl.

This afternoon I went to their room when they were waking up from afternoon naps. Ramona's eyes looked red and had some stuff in them so I washed them gently as the vet said I could and then put some ointment on them. She climbed up onto my shoulder as I lay on the bed and fell asleep. Harper cuddled up next to me and fell asleep. So I was stuck.

I heard Ramona having a hard time breathing and she would open her mouth. So I got up and took her into the bathroom and turned on the shower hot and held her on my lap on the floor as the steam filled the room. It relaxed her breathing and the amazing thing was she got it that I was doing it to make her feel better. She looked up at me and purred and then she said she wanted to go back to her room so we did and she was ready to eat.

Good food, medicine, warmth and love. It will take time but we'll look after her.

Harper seems to be in good shape, but his eyes sometimes leak too.

In the nursery

Photos first, since I know that is what you want to see. This is in the little room we are using as a nursery. It is a lovely shade of yellow with white lace curtain (now rolled around the rods so I won't come in and find a kitten that has been stuck to them all night). The sun comes streaming in and I open the window a little when the sun heats up.

Saturday we were both so tired we spent the day wrapped around a cat, or in my case, two. Sunday I cleaned the house and worried about Ramona, whose eyes were quite red and she had the inner lids showing. Then she rallied and raised heck in the evening. This morning there is a small bit of yellow in one eye. I also see her sometimes licking her lips which makes me think she isn't feeling as well as an eight week old kitten should. But then she gets up and kicks Harper's butt, which he deserves since he came up and hopped on her just as she was snuggling down with her pink hippopotamus for a nap.

I've got to go put some of the stuff the vet gave me on her eyes and hope she gets a long snooze in today. I'll also call the vet again and our holistic vet will be back from a Katrina run today. There are animals coming in to the shelter so I will be down there getting some photos later.

Please send your good thoughts to little Ramona. She's got to get over this URI to be a well kitty.

Mona Lisa

Ah, Mona Lisa of course! Guessed right away by Magoo, Smudge, Bella and Dolce's Dad. So Dad, we'll send you a photo print of any Caturday photo or I'll read and critique and link to your novel, The Darkening Road. I did start reading it at one point and liked it, so let me know.

I also liked Monet and Kitty Van Gogh. Hmm, maybe we should get a few more and have an artist's community. (Why Cats Paint).

It other news, Caturday's life as a print edition has begun with a short write up on Misty Willow, the beautiful half Siamese I would add to my family if I thought it would work. It wouldn't but she is a sweet creature and has been languishing for too long at our shelter. Here she is again. The short article is at The Conway Daily Sun way down at the bottom of the page in the community news. It's a start to get news out there of aninals and local education events. I'm going to send it to other papers too with photos of their local animals. And there is a dog blog starting up, I'll let you know.

And the Man with the Cam is our offical Caturday Staff Photographer Olof, and his trusty Canon Digital Rebel. I do some of them also and am getting better. A great camera helps. I will get you all a photo of Olof wielding the Fig Rig at the shelter. With some tight spots in there for videoing cats we bought a special piece of equipment to manuver our small cam around. I will set up a page with the Paw Prints TV shows. There is a lot of things I want to do for Caturday, including organizing pages of all the archives.

In other notes, the Thunderdome is a cool little kitten tent with outer poles just like a full size one. You may see it in action way back in the early days of Caturday. Go to this page and scroll down.

The Pitter Patter of Little Paws

A very special Feline Friday for us here at Caturday. Visit The Modulator for more kitties.

Here is the beautiful Ramona. She is a spirited little lady, much adored by her brother. Guess her first nickname and we will send you some sort of cool prize, either a book or a photo print if there is one you would like from our archives. I'll figure something out. It is a very cool nickname not owned by any other feline on the web.



This is one of their typical poses. They look like little angels but they sound like a herd of elephants.



I woke up around 3:30 am and figured they might be hungry since they have been eating like crazy every four hours. They are up to half a can of Wellness kitten each, about four times a day. I'm not sure how that relates to their body weight, they are one pound thirteen ounces each.

After I put down the food I climbed up into the bed and shortly after Harper scaled right up the side and Ramona took the steps ( a stack of pillows placed so they could climb up) Harper approaches me with a huge purr and cuddles right up against my cheek. Ramona joins him. Then they hopped down every few minutes and raced around the room. I think they are feeling better. I fell asleep and dreamed I was chasing them around the house. I wonder why.



Together again.



You can tell this guy is someone. The amazing thing is he is such a cuddler. After he eats he wants to come up and snuggle and he has a huge purr. He makes the same sounds Fergus did, a sort of Errrr, Errrr, as if he is commenting on what he is doing. Isn't it incredible that I picked him out from a photo? Olof says it is ok if I am a nut because I married a bigger nut. We are both gaga over them. And isn't it wonderful how two tiny creatures can lift your spirits so much? Maybe we are nuts but we are in general happy nuts. I will always miss Fergus but I feel as if his spirit has returned in Harper. He is a very cocky little guy. The most amazing thing is when he looks at me I see a conscious being there. He focuses on my eyes and then he gives me an eye blink. And he's got such a funny little expression, like he's a kid from Our Gang.



Brendan is taking this all in stride. We have in general been keeping them in a separate room because of the URI. Yesterday we took them down to the sunroom for a little while and Silas came in. He was fascinated by Ramona (a girl!) and then he hissed at her a little. Then the two kittens were on my lap and Silas came over and Harper told him in no uncertain terms to lay off his sister. So now Silas is scared of the kittens, or just feels uncertain and is napping in his drawer. I intend to encourage him to climb back to his penthouse where he has high status.

I just got word that Silas has reclaimed the penthouse. Good.

We're finishing up a new Pawprints this morning and the print version of Caturday should start running this week in our local paper. Then I will send it out to more papers.

Morning Stretch

Here they are. We went to the vet yesterday. Their fecal came up positive for ringworm and coccidia. Plus they both have URI and their eyes are showing it. So I gave them ringworm medication in the afternoon and started the medication for coccidia and URI last night. Also washed around their little eyes with warm water to remove dry crust and applied an eye ointment. Both of them accepted this easily. They are eating like tiny pigs and sleeping together in the Thunderdome. They weigh one pound thirteen ounces each.

I woke up at 2 am and went to check on them and gave them a meal. They are getting Wellness Kitten wet mixed with warm water to be sure they stay hydrated. Harper comes running and hops on my lap. First he runs for the food, then the lap. Ramona also likes lap sit and pets and they both start purring together. I figure petting needs to be part of their health routine. They seem to be feeling better after their long trip. I am keeping them isolated from the rest of the house and cats but this morning I found Silas sitting outside their door (it is glass and I have drawn the curtain so they can see us). When they are well they will be ready to explore the house, Harper is already eager to do so.

They are very attached to each other so I am really glad we took both. I took Ramona into the bathroom this morning to wash her eyes and give her the medication and Harper started yelling at the top of his lungs. He was worried about her.

First Photo of Harper

A first look at Harper. I am off to the vet for first check ups. Ramona has stuff in one eye and we need to stay on top of that. Lynn had told me about it before I picked her up.

We'll be posting more photos soon.

The Thousand Mile Kittens

Yes, they are here after one long day driving.


Harper is going to be a major major character. Capitol C.
Ramona is less "out there" but also feisty and lively. Harper and I did some serious bonding in the car back seat on the way home. He likes attention and lots of it. He is also a talker and has a big purr box. We are going to have fun.
When he saw Brendan he flipped out and yelled (from inside his box).

They are in the guest room and sound like a herd of elephants.

Photos later, promise!

Kitten Care 101

I am reading a book on Kitten Care and going to buy kitten food today. I will also take Brendan and Silas to the vet for vaccinations. We will probably go early before dawn on Wednesday and collect the little guys. I think it will be about eight hours each way.

The photo is of Fergus the first week I had him.

I am eager to get Harper and Ramona. But I still miss Fergus terribly and now with spring here I keep thinking how happy he would have been running around the yard. He was always so excited about life and I loved watching him trot lightly over the earth like he was barely attached to it. It is hard for me to imagine loving another cat as much as I loved him. And that is the truth of his short life, he landed on earth, had a rough beginning and lived happily and adored. I just wish it had been forever. It is a very powerful thing when someone you love is suddenly gone behind this immense door that will not open for you no matter what.

But then again, there is that strange impulse that made me call Lynn about Harper and ask for him. As soon as I saw his picture I just knew I wanted him. It may have been that face, so much like Ferg. We'll see,

Little Olivia, the puppy from Katrina who suffered though a bout of parvo, went home for a week and was returned. The woman who took her said she was still grieving over the dog she had lost.

I can understand that but I can't understand not keeping Olivia, who is a huge soul in a little puppy face. Heck, in other circumstances I would take her.

I guess I am just the type of person who will not back down from a commitment I have made to another living being. Sometimes you have someone you love, like Fergus, who gives you more than you ever imagined and sometimes you have to give. It may be that I have to give to cats the rest of my life to equal what Fergus gave me. But that's ok. I'll do it.

Lately, I have been seeing Fergus in my dreams. He talks to me, he is quite cheerful. He always asks for a game of Paw Over Paw and I oblige. Then he cuddles up to me and we fall asleep. But I miss the real thing horribly.

Mousekeeping

That's a baby photo of Silas the day he came home from the shelter. He is a big boy now and he has taken on the responsibility of protecting the house from rodents. He goes to work every night when we go to bed and the last two mornings there have been a chomped on mouse in his food bowl. Brendan might find it appalling so I clean it out right away. But I do appreciate Silas's hard work since I hate having mice in my kitchen. Even though I have a soft spot for all things living that want to keep on living, if they get in here and stay here, they are fair game and there isn't much I can do about it.

The other night Silas gave me one which was alive and not hurt. I put it outside but I think it didn't learn its lesson, since there was one in the food bowl the next morning.

I just heard that a dog I photographed for the shelter got adopted by someone who drove all the way from Massachusetts to meet him. Roz was very happy. So was the dog. It sounded like a great match. So no one thinks I am nuts to have found my heart string kitten on Petfinder.

We will go on the Great Kitten Expedition sometime between the 7th and the 14th. We are doing some video at the shelter tomorrow and I will work with them to get everyone on Petfinder. I have a great camera ( a Digital Rebel) and with some patience can get decent shots that show the animals personality. I think it is important. And it is great to be told that my photos have helped someone get a home and someone else to get a great dog.

Other than that, spring is busting out here very early and very quickly. It was about 75 degrees here yesterday and today is warm and wet. We have started peas, spinach, lettuce and radishes in a cold frame and tomatoes are coming up inside.

My mom had a double knee replacement on Tuesday and we were on the Cape for a few days. I hope to go back for some emotional support before collecting the kittens. Once I sink into kitten bliss I will need to be here keeping an eye on them. We all know the mischief they can get into. I can hardly wait.

Our Petfinder list is the link on the top left above the books which says Looking for Homes. We'll be filling in the photos soon!