Harper is Surprised...

at all the attention his and Ramona's birthday is getting. Yes, Super Twosday is tomorrow and the kittens will officially be two years old. wow. I've shown them the map of the twenty four states that are participating in the celebrations and they are really impressed. At night when we are sitting in front of the Noisy Box they hear so much about their purrday they were getting a little nervous until we assured them it was going to be A Beautiful Normal Day, just the way they like it.

They are still kittens somehow, maybe it's because they have each other to play with. Last night we were trying to sleep while the games were going on. Some mornings I wake up early because there's a wrassling match happening on my feet.

I don't often let Prince Harper play Tiger with the blankets (that could lead to diasaster if someone left a toe out one night) but with winter still in progress and entertainment options limited to Inside and the Fur and Feather Channel (squirrel vision at the bird feeder), one day as I was making the bed I let him Let It All Out.















And Ramona came along to say "what are you doing?"

I have one lovely Purrday card to post tomorrow from Ann of Zoolatry.blogspot.com I wanted to get a cake of some sort but I am scheduled to spend two hours in the dentist's chair tomorrow and might not feel up to cake. Thank you to Fat Eric and the Meezers for already sending Purrday wishes. Anybody else who wishes to say hi, tomorrow is the Big Day and you are welcome to stop by for some Squirrel Vision.

Tom's Story

If you have been reading Caturday for a while you will remember the shelter blog The Secondhand Dog and some of the characters there, Snickers, Bucky and Tom.

The first two have been adopted and live happily in loving homes. Bucky moved in with Ben, the mailman, and Snickers underwent a personality change when she finally found staff that respected her royalty.

Tom is a VVW, Veteran of Vehicle Wars, and he had lost a leg in the battle. He had survived but he was living in a shed in his family's back yard and sadly, no one seemed to understand what a kind, sweet fellow he was. They brought him to the shelter.



Tom found a job at the shelter working as Greeter, kind of like at Wal Mart. When you arrived and walked down the Dog Hall, Tom would come out to greet you and lift his head for a scritch and a kiss if he could get it. He could hop up and down the hall and spent a lot of time managing the Pantry. He and Bucky were good buds and could often be found shooting the breeze together.

I liked Tom quite a bit and would have loved to offer him a home. But this place has a lot of up and down and his movement would have been limited.

But then, as we say at Caturday, Every Cat Has His Day. A kind woman saw Tom's story on the web and knew he was meant for her. She arrived from hours away and took the old fellow home. He has a low couch of his own and a few housemates he is getting to know.

I will miss his friendly greeting but I am happy to think of him warm, cozy and well looked after in his elder years.



Bucky and Tom hanging out.

Spay Neuter Clinic

One of the animal projects I have been working with is called the Rozzie May Animal Alliance and after posting yesterday's video clip I thought I would post the press release I sent out after the group held their second low cost spay neuter clinic. Above is a photo of Dr. Sara White of Spay ASAP of Vermont who brings her traveling MASH unit wherever she can to help lower the numbers of homeless animals. That photo was taken at the first clinic, held in a small fire station in Tamworth.

Janurary 4th, 2008 Chocorua, New Hampshire

How much of an impact can one devoted veterinarian have on pet overpopulation? Dr. Sara White of Vermont started her low cost, high volume, high quality spay neuter project in 2006. In that first, partial year, she altered 1,200 animals. For 2007 the number is over 4,000.

On Friday, January 4th, Dr. White’s traveling MASH unit set up at Runnell’s Hall in Chocoura. With the help of a crew of volunteer vet techs and assistants she altered 31 cats, 4 dogs and Clover, the rabbit.

The Hall was bright and clean and the mood calm, friendly and well organized. Each animal went through a pre-surgery check from Dr. White and volunteer vet tech Linda Warner from Lakes Region Humane Society. They received shots for rabies and distemper if needed, plus an inspection for ear mites and fleas. For many animals, this was their first visit to a vet. After surgery each dog spent time with a “recovery nurse” who watched, petted and talked to their charges as they awoke. Volunteers were treated to a lunch of home made soup, breads, cookies and brownies and tired shoulders received a massage from Gretchen Loeffler.

This was the second clinic for the Rozzie May Animal Alliance, a new organization based in Tamworth which is dedicated to easing the problem of homeless pets, especially cats, in our area. The clinic was filled within a few days of announcement with people bringing animals from Moultonboro to Berlin. The response was such that enough cats are lined up to fill another clinic.

The Rozzie May Animal Alliance is working towards building a dedicated clinic facility to offer low cost spay neuter services and an animal sanctuary. A one vet stationary clinic could alter at least 4,000 animals a year and lower the number of homeless pets entering shelters in a wide area of northern NH. For more information see the web site at www. rozziemay.org

Help Me!

I got this from Susan at Wildrun and it is just too good not to pass on.

Ramona Says No

Derby told us about the contest Hallmark was having for photos so Ramona and I checked it out.

Ok, so first prize is one thousand dollars and get this: an all expense paid trip to Kansas City with your pet for a shoot with a professional photographer. The value of the trip is four thousand dollars and you have to pay the taxes on your winnings. With capital gains being I think, 15 percent, that means you'd pay 750.00 on your prize money and trip. And Hallmark owns all the rights for ever and ever to your photo (and I'm sure the ones they get at the photo shoot). So you'd get 250.00 and a working trip to KC. And that means traveling on a plane with Ramona in a box. Hmmm. I don't think she'd go for that too much.

I guess it's suposed to be a big thrill but we'll pass.

I asked The Divine Miss R what she thought about the chance to have a career as a supermodel (we all know she'd win)

"Well, she said, It doesn't seem like a lot of money. How many boxes of Fancy Feast is that? And really, why would I want to go to Kansas City? Is it nice?"

We discussed it a bit more and decided that if Hallmark really wants her they can contact her agent and send a photographer here. Hanging around the Secret Garden in the summer and playing with Brother in the winter is much more fun. Miss Ramona is very family orientated, as you all know.

And, as the commercial tells us, this photo:

Priceless.

Ramona Poses and Reposes

The snow is piling up here making the world white and peaceful. The cats find ways to entertain themselves and Ramona loves the cat tree in our room. Some mornings she hops up there and plays games by herself, chasing her tail, batting a few toys and getting to the third platform where her less graceful brother is not likely to reach her.



Sometimes I think she is angling for a modeling career.









And then of course, Brother shows up.

"Hey, Gimme that!"

Top Cat

Marty has won the election and will be the new Top Cat at the Mount Washington Observatory. It looks like he will be making the long journey to the summit (by Snow Cat, no less) next Wednesday. I'll find some photos of the summit to let you see his new home.
Over eight thousand votes were cast and Marty took 53% of the vote.

He'd like to say thanks for your support and he looks foward to his new job from the home of the world's worst weather. Don't worry, the observatory is quite cozy inside and he will be very comfortable.

Vote!

I live in New Hampshire so we are all out to the polls today. And here are the candidates and their platforms. Please give each a fair hearing and send your vote by comment or by email to ZulemeATZulemeDotCom.

The voiceover is Virginia of the Conway Area Humane Society.

And Who Will It Be?

Job Description.

Be the Highest Cat in New England and for many miles around! Live in the cozy Mount Washington Observatory at 6,288 feet. Splendid Views! All the mice you can catch! 24/7 staff on call. Gourmet meals.

Must be super friendly and willing to give attention and comfort to feline starved humans. A good listener. A hearty purr is a plus. Experience not necessary. A modest attitude to fame will help the successful applicant.

Must have the wits not to go outside when the wind is strong enough for a feline to fly.

All benefits provided, health care and secure retirement.

Below are the top three contenders for this challenging job. Vote by comments!




Wilson. I am friendly, lively and will provide lots of entertainment for weather researchers. Eager to please! Personable and handsome.



Sarah. I am calm, kindhearted and love people. I would be a peaceful calming presence and I am adaptable. Eager for new experiences.



Marty. I am wise, benevolent and charming and greet all humans with a purr. I have been at the shelter for quite a while so I am experienced with many different humans and the bustle of a lively environment.

Kitten Therapy

I was feeling kind of low after a few days of a vishus cold and I stopped by the shelter to take a few photos. I saw this little guy just wanting to play so I stepped inside the kitten room for a few minutes.



The kittens got real happy to have company and they climbed all over me and ran around and wrassled and showed off how unbearably cute they are.





This lilttle rascal wanted to be on my shoulder or clinging to my back.









After about ten minutes my spirits had brightened considerably and I went on my way. These guys all have adoptions filed on them. I heartily recommend a little kitten therapy for anyone needing a lift on a cold winter day. Just stop into your local shelter. Bring some food or whatever is on their needs list. There's usually adults cats who can use some cuddling too.

Today I just got back from the spay/neuter clinic. I did my duty as media person, taking photos and making notes. Then I got to be a Canine Recovery Nurse. When I left, all four dogs were on their way out, felines were awake and waiting for their people and the rest of the felines were anxiously waiting their turn with Dr. White of Spay ASAP.

The two clinics held up here have so far totaled about 100 cats that will not be having litters next spring. That should lower the burden on area shelters when kitten season comes around. I'll post some clinic photos tomorrow.

Winter Pace

We have received over four feet of snow here. It has set a record as, I think, the third snowiest December in 40 years. Or something like that. I haven't been out skiing once even though the conditions are excellent. Over Christmas we helped Olof's folks move and then Olof came down with a cold and then I got it. Still have it so feeling not at all like my usual self. And I have some kind of repetitive stress injury to my left wrist which I'm not sure is going to handle gripping a ski pole. As soon as the cold leaves me feeling normal, I will get out and see.

Winter in New England, especially this far north, can be quite harsh. It's also beautiful, but if you don't get outside cabin fever will set in. Ramona has been known to spend cold mornings playing with her tail on the kitty tree. The two of them will play a furious game of hide and seek and I have seen a few brother sister spats. They have given up on wanting to go outside, even onto the porch. There's four feet of snow outside the back door anyway.

Evening finds the family curled up in front of the noisy box, looking for a good movie. Ramona likes anything with a lot of hacking and hewing, she really enjoyed 300.

Tomorrow is the low cost spay neuter clinic where I will be taking photos. I might go down to the shelter today and catch up on cat photos. Nin, the observatory cat, is retiring and there are a few candidates aiming for the spot of Top Cat (the summit observatory is at 6,220 feet or so). Applicants must be friendly and smart enough not to sneak out into a hundred mile an hour wind. Benefits include well trained staff, good meals and a great view. And all the mice you can catch.

Mr. Chin

I have begun helping another rescue operation and a new group that is running low cost spay neuter clinics and planning on building a sanctuary. The sanctuary plan is very exciting and I will tell you more about it as it progresses. You may go to the site on the top left of the blog for more about The Rozzie May Animal Alliance. And if you are interested in supporting a new sanctuary, you may contact them through the site. I can vouch for the fact that the folks running it are quite capable of doing what they say they will do, so I am looking forward to being part of the project.

I will add the rescue group's site to my links as soon as I have done the work on it.

About this fellow whose charming photo is featured here. This is the wonderful Mr. Chin. He is a rescue dog in search of the human who will love him. As you can see, he is a major personality. I have so far found that taking photos of cats is a cinch and dogs were difficult. But now I am going to have more dog photos to do. Mr. Chin has given me my first really good dog portrait. He sat for it, as you can see.

If you are interested in meeting Mr. Chin, drop me a line and I will put you in contact with the rescue group. It's zuleme AT zuleme Dot com

Working Class Cats

The New York Times has a neat story today on working cats abd how valuable they are for keeping rodents down. Since it is now free on line, hop over there and check it out.

Here in the Frozen North we have our own famous working cat. His name is Nin and he works on top of Mount Washington, at the Observatory. Nin is pretty famous around here and you can get a coffee mug with his photo on it. See the Oberservatory's web site at www.mountwashington.org for more on Nin. Olof and I have done a lot of work for them including exhibits at their Discovery Center and videos. Olof has been up there shooting in the winter when the wind was so strong he needed help holding the camera down.

And there is a cool website called workingclasscats.com If you have any working cat stories to tell.

Adopted!

Yup, she has been adopted! I thought she would go quickly, especially since she had become comfortable with being at the shelter and she was connecting with people who were paying attention to her.

The shelter will do a follow up call in two weeks. But she is such a sweet girl I don't think there will be any problems.

I am glad she has gone to a good home and is not out wandering in the snow. Next time I go in for photos I will ask who adopted her.

I will add her to my list of the ones I wish I could have had. But it is better for her to be with someone else. We are doing well as a brother sister team right now.

Little White Kitty Girl Update

I stopped by the shelter and took a few cat photos yesterday. Little White Kitty Girl is doing quite well. She looked calm and cozy in her two room condo. She had adjusted to the sounds and smells of the shelter and came up to greet me. She is very sweet and they say there is a nice woman interested in adopting her. I am sure she will be adopted soon, she is such a pretty girl with a sweet nature. I was glad to see how calm and content she looked. She does have a slight cold at the moment so I hope she will be adopted soon. I didn't hug her because of the cold but I felt like she was quite comfortable while she waits for that special person who will love her.

Ramona in Motion

Yes, somebody caught the mouse. There wasn't much left of it when Olof found it. Did you know that the food highest in taurine (which cats need) is mouse?
It is good to know we have a ready supply of cat food if the world runs out of Fancy Feast. Just set up a little mouse farm. Each night now as soon as we turn off the lights, herself goes to work to rid the den of rodents. I appreciate her efforts.

I think she is the better hunter, but I guess it could be Harper.

Most of the time Queen Ramona is elegant and poised. But sometimes she gets a little flirty when she wants a belly rub or a cuddle.











The wind is whipping around here tonight. It will be a cuddly cat under the blanket night here in the Frozen North.

Ruckus

I awoke around 5 AM to the sound of angry voices. Feline voices. Ramona was growling. I knew what she was saying.

"I have the mouse, it's my mouse. I am Tiger GUUURRRRRLLL and it is MY MOUSE."

Harper was pissed. But Ramona was determined to hold on to that mouse.

I fell asleep again and woke at 6 AM to floofy tails and Harper doing the Long John thing. You know, he is really pissed off now.

"Oh Long John, oh oh oh wrorw wrow wrow"

Ramona was under the bed.

When I got up I pieced the story together from what they told me.

There was a mouse. Ramona caught it and Harper said it was his since he heard it first. Ramona was not going to let him have it. Then she lost it and Harper was really upset because he didn't get it at all.

Down in the kitchen I saw Harper on mouse duty.



"It''s here and I am GOING TO GET IT""



Then I heard the mouse's side of things. Imagine this two octaves up.

"You HUGE MONSTER OUT THERE! GO AWAY! I am a FIERCE WARRIOR MOUSE and I will GET YOU!"





At this time, a little past 8 AM, they appear to have made up and are teaming up.

That mouse doesn't have a chance if he sticks his nose out.

Harper Behaving Badly

This happened Monday night and Harper has not been happy about it.



"I am very concerned about this white stuff all over my Outside."



"So why the heck don't you fix it! Fix it for me! I wanna go OUT! Now!!"



"Please? Fix it so I can go out?"



"OK, then if you won't fix it, let me play with the clicky thing."



"Sigh."

You may think that my cats are always perfectly behaved and I know everything this is to know about feline behavior.

Haha.

Monday morning while we were watching (but he was quick about it) Mr. H walked into the kitchen and took a big stinky POOP on the kitchen rug. The litter box being an uncomfortable foot and a half away.

I quickly went and put some baking soda kitty litter on it and whaddya know, the dainty Miss R came along and said "oh, new bathroom? How conveinent!" and she peed a dainty little pee on top of the mess.

This happened once when we were away overnight and my neighbor who was looking in on them informed me she was leaving it for me as cleaning up kitty poop was beyond the call of neighborly duty. At that time I figured they were stressed out by our absence.

But this one has really got me puzzled.

Harper will also invade the Queen's boudoir for a wrassle every evening around 9 PM. I guess he gets lonely. She puts up with it and we know she can lick his butt if she wants to. He also will hop on the bed when she is peacefully sleeping and start doing competitive licking which escalates to wrassling. So I woke around 4 AM to a commotion on my belly.

So as they grow and their personalities develop we can see that Harper is going to be the Big Lug and Ramona is going to be the Peacemaker. Harper always wants to play more and Ramona likes to cuddle up and contemplate the world.

A couple of kittens would keep him on his toes, dontcha think?

Cats Sleep Anywhere

They run around like the wild things they are, up and down the cat trees, through the alley behind the stairs, tearing up the rugs and hopping up and down on the bed. Then a switch goes off and perfect repose happens. It is about 16 degrees out and the wind is howling as winter circles around to slap us hard and make us think we only imagined the too hot days of summer picking an endless harvest of tomatoes. We'll all be dreaming by our winter fires soon as the apartment next door will be finished today complete with a gas fireplace for the elders, done up in stone. Uncle Sid should appreciate it too, as he is getting on seven.



The Harpster does this unbearably cute move where he reaches his paws out and then crosses them over his head as he stretches luxuriously.



Ramona curls up into a perfect zen circle on one of her favorite spots. The first photo I took didn't happen when the camera battery died, so this time, when I came back, she is well aware that I am pointing the clicky thing at her.



But she doesn't mind. It is to be expected that I need to take many photos of her royal beauty.



And this of course, as long time Caturday readers will remember, is Fergus the Beloved at about eight weeks old, sleeping in the tiny basket I carried him around in because he couldn't bear to be left alone. I adored the way his lower jaw would jut out as he slept, giving hin a charming profile, like a wise oriental sage.