I Miss Tekoe!

My Visit to Florida was so much fun.  I sent my buddy Tekoe a catnip mouse and by the looks of these pics, she loved it!

A Little Did you know about Cats"

If Cats had their own way, they would eat small portions of food throughout the day, just as their ancestors did, but most will settle for two good meals a day with dry food set out for "grazing".  If your cat eats mostly canned food, it is advisable to to add a dry, crunch food to his diet for chewing excercise and teeth-cleaning benefits.  I feed my kitties "wet" food in the morning and again in late afternoon.  I also keep a dish of high quality dry cat food available during the day.  This way, if I leave for a day or so, they just eat the dry and I dont need to worry about them.  MEOW!

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the air!  Its still cold out, but you can feel it...and so can the animals!  My indoor kitties are "frisky"!  Tearing around a little more than usual.  Ricky tries to slide out the door every time I open it.  I think they all have cabin fever...

I also have noticed that our town feral cats are getting amourus.  I know its time to begin trapping.  We may try this Thursday night.  We will put a trap in Sow-a-Seed's Courtyard.  If sucessful, we will take the kitty in for its neutering or spay on Friday morning.  This is always nervewracking.  I want to do it, but I hate scaring the cats.

"A Little Did ya Know about Cats"

Just like about everyone else, cats enjoy a home that feels safe and offers no surprises, which is why establishing a daily routine is essential.  Setting meal, play and sleep times whenever possible should be a priority! Meow! 

Cats in Trees!

Tekoe Loves Her New Tree and me!

My trip to Pensacola to spend ten days with my friend and her new little kitty was so fun.  I made a new friend in Tekoe.  She is fondly known as "Psycho Kitty" to many who know her, but to me, she is a sweet baby that is just a tad testy and particular! Most likely taken from her mother too soon and undersocialized with humans, Tekoe is a bit strange and hard to figure out.   BUT...she is a wonderful feline and a good friend to my best friend Kathy.  I am so proud of Kathy for taking her in and giving her the home this sweet kitty deserves.    Tekoe lost her owner and was kept in a kennel for several months before finding a good home with Kathy.  She is fearful.  She will give you one good swat it you try too hard to love on her and she will give you two if you persist.  She is very good at hissing and giving you the "horned owl" look that says      " "you better stop or I will rip you to pieces" and you believe it!  But while there, and after deciding to leave her completly alone, she warmed up and began seeking my company on the couch and finally spending each evening on my lap.  I talked to Kathy today and she said Tekoe is curled up sleeping on the couch on the spot I "hung out" on while there.  I am so glad she knew I loved her!

She is one spoiled kitty!  Kathy bought a new kitty tree for her while I was there and it is a great hit.  She spends most of her day "perched" on the top shelf, looking out the window.  This is one fortunate cat to have someone to love her and care for her like my friend does...

These pictures are the first day on the "tree" and her first friendly approach to my knitting spot!  I am so blessed!

A Little Did you Know about Cats....

... Many cats (like Tekoe) were not handled by humans much between the ages of 2 and seven weeks of age.  These kittys may not tolerate handling well and may lash out and bite and become quite upset with human contact.  Unfortunatly there is not a lot that can be done to socialize them.  Try handling  them frequently for short periods of time, being sure to stop before they become agitated.  Let them "be" and realize that they may need to be close, but not touch their human and that must be ok.    Flattening of the ears and twitching of the tail and restlessness are all signs that your kitty wants you to stop whatever you are doing.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the key here.  Respect her and she will love you...kitties are very independant animals...They need you but they may not need your touch or cuddle...let that be ok.

It's In the Bag!

Im getting ready to take a few days off from my blog and go to some warmer weather for a week or so.  

I just wanted to issue a warning.  Please, please be sure to keep all plastic bags (like the ones you get at the grocery store) completely out of reach to your kitties.  I had one laying on the table yesterday as I had just emptied it.  Ricky was rolling around trying to figure out what might have been in it that he could enjoy and ....oops...head got in the handle "loop" and there it stayed!  He couldnt get out.  It occured to me that I often leave those bags laying around, either empy or with something in it that I havent used yet or take care of. Our kitties are just too curious to leave them lay.  What if I hadnt been home?  I have been going thru the house all morning attempting to "kitty-proof" my house.  Being a quilter/sewer I have lots of dangerous items around here, like pins and thread.  Also be sure you keep the items up that you dont want to find "hair-ball" stuff on too.  I know that sounds gross, but about the time you leave that favorite quilt on the floor, that is where they will decide to dispose of the ball. Ask me how I know. Yuk!  

Visions of What Could Be!

Lucy and Ricky watch my baby Boo eating his food from the outside dish.  Boo has been sleeping on the front porch and makes daily appearances to eat.  What must be going on in the heads of my kitties? Ricky for sure is wishing he could get out there with Boo.  He has escaped out the front door 3 times in the last few days.  He has cabin fever in a major way.  I put him out on the balcony yesterday for an hour or more and that seemed to help, but he sure wishes he was an outdoor cat.  Maybe they are wondering what it would be like to live outside.  One thing is for sure they would rather have Boo's food.  I feed them all natural, expensive stuff that is good for them, and just like humans, they would rather have the junk food!

A Little Did Ya Know About Cats

According to an analysis by Veterinary Pet Insurance of 450,000 clients, MAX has been the most popular name for cats and dogs over the past five years.  A spokesperson for the company speculated that not only is it an easy name to say, but it cant be confused with ordinary one word commands.  The next four favorites on the list: Chloe, Lucy (yeehaw!) Tigger and Tiger.

MEOW!

Baby Possum

Baby Possum Helps me sew!

Just like our kids, we love looking at old pictures of our pets too.  This was so cute.  Possum, just a tiny little thing, had to be in the center of my sewing experience.  Things havent changed.  As you know most of my photos of quilts and other projects include a cat!  

A Little Did Ya Know About Cats

This hint comes from my heart.....I do a lot of sewing and quilting, which of course means I have pins and threads and other objects that can be dangerous to our kitties.   I have watched my Lucy sit on the quilt machine and pick ALL the pins out of the take up roller and drop them one by one onto the floor...she usually does this when she wants attention.  I know she could swallow one or get one caught and it terrifies me.  One other time, Ricky was making a funny smacking noice with his mouth and I found thread in there that he was dragging down from the attic!  The spool was up there on my table, about two feet was down his throat and the rest was strung thru out 3 floors of house!  If it wasnt so dangerous it would have been funny!  Please be careful with your hobby items.  They can be deadly to your pet!  Meow!

This is Pathetic, not Pitifull!

I wonder if Ricky and Lucy and Possum know exactly how fortunate they are to have found my house!  Not only are they warm and fed, but I make them their own quilts and toys!  Oh brother.  This little creation, I'm calling a Kitty Play Pad...is actually a small quilt with attached ribbons so that you can tie on toys or just leave free to dangle...My kitties love it!  Especially when I filled the little "pillow" with fabric scraps and catnip....I have a video on my personal blog if you are interested....wwwhumantouch.blogspot.com  Check it out if you are bored.  These play pads will soon be available for sale at my Etsy shop at www.katsfabricsnmore.etsy.com  Oh! And when you aren't using it on the floor with toys and catnip, put it on the chair or sofa back a cozy place for your kitty to rest and protect your furniture.

A Little Did ya Know About Cats!

You don't have to look very far to find some simple items that make fascinating toys for Kitty.  Save the tubes from inside paper products and let her roll them around to her hearts content.  Or string plastic shower curtain rings together and let them hang down within Kitty's reach!  Meow!

This Cold is Killing me!

This picture is from tonight, when the temperature is 21 with a wind chill of 13.   I put a little box in the corner of the front porch. This is the area that is the most protected from wind and weather. I lined it with a fleece baby blanket and extra quilt batting and hoped that "someone" would find a warm bed there...Well here he is.  I've noticed that the blankets are flat and slept on, but hadnt seen who it was until just a few days ago.  Now it seems most nights he is there.  I think its Boo but Im not sure.  I put food out every night and its gone in the morning.  Its just too cold to mess with the trap, so Im just glad he is warm and fed.  This pic was taken in total darkness, with my flash.  He tries to stay very still so I dont notice him.  I was surprised the flash didnt scare him out of the box, but it didnt.  Maybe he is starting to trust me alittle.  I have to tell you, its hard to be inside in the warm house, knowing that just outside the wall is a cold kitty.  eeeekkk!

A Little Did Ya Know About Cats

Did you know that mixed-breed cats who need adoption offer many advantages as pets.  Because they come from a larger gene pool than the purebreds, they're generally less prone to abnormalities and are apt to have stronger immune systems.  They're also every bit as intelligent and full of fun.  So come to Walnut and take your pick! MOEW!

Little catnip mouse is finished!

Wow..I made two posts in a day!  Of course I have no idea if anyone in this vast world really reads anything I write (please comment if you do!).  So I may well be talking to myself...but here is my little catnip mouse, all done and waiting for a home.  Donate a minimum of $10 to Take Pitty on the Kitties...and this little guy can belong to your favorite kitty.  Right now this little toy is living in the freezer.  The aroma of catnip and the allure of the red wool was just too much for Ricky.  He went berserk!  So I have to make him his own toy today!  Each little mouse will be different, and I will also be making other shapes; hearts, stars, heads and even a little "person".    These are perfect for your pet and purrfectly cute!

Catnip Toys and Inquiring Letters!

Attack with a vengance!

What do you mean it isnt "done" ?

Free with $10/$15  donation to Take Pitty on the Kitties!

Ok, this little catnip toy isnt done, but as you can see, Ricky cant leave it alone already.  I had several other pics, but the cats were a blurrrrrrr of movement trying to play with this already.  I think it will be popular!  It is made of recyled wool, some embroidery and filled with fabric scraps and catnip from my own garden!  Even cat toys 'Go Green' !

My idea is to offer one to anyone in the US who donates at least $10.00 (includes shipping).  If you are out of the US..minimum donation is $15.  Every one will be a little different and I have an idea to make "heads"....cats always leave the heads for last.  Watch for more pics.

Help us help our out door friends.

Our weather has been really cold, sub zero and I worry so much about the kitties I see outside.  Its really hard to find a place in the snow and cold to put the live trap, where they will go to it and where I can moniter it.  With wind chills at 40 below, Im having a hard time getting what I want to do done.  

So for now, I am just feeding them.  I purchased two big bags of food, one from Aldi.  As the cashier was lifting it to skan it, the bottom broke open and cat food splayed everywhere.  Of course I bought a different bag....BUT I asked the manager if I could purchase the broken bag for a lesser cost and she said NO.  The company will not allow broken pet food to be sold or given away.  I explained our project to no avail....the same thing happened at Target and Petco.  Now, that seems totally stupid to me.  They will throw away good food that could go to a good use.  Dumb!  I will be writing inquiring letters to these companies and more.

A Little Did Ya Know About Cats!

We all know the appeal of catnip to our feline family members!  Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family.  Catnip contains a naturally occurring compound found in fragrant plants and essential oils.  It is neither toxic or addictive, and its greatest effect is on cats of reproductive age, rather than the very young or the very old.  Catnip is easy to grow, but be careful, it can be quite invasive!  MEOW!

More Good News!

I talked to Pott County Animal Control today. They have dropped off a new trap for us to borrow to trap some more kitties to get in to get fixed. They sound so kind and very cooperative in our efforts. I am happy and hope to get some of our babies taken care of before things get out of hand.

We received another donation! My sister visiting from LasVegas, NV gave us $25 to get one spay! Thank you, Kris! She saw first hand, some of our kitties and, just like me her heart was touched.

I have to admit, I am a little overwhelmed with this project. I'm not sure where to start nor what to do. I just know that I love these babies and that I don't want them to be trapped and euthanized. I guess we take it one step at a time... Step one was to get a vet....did that! Next, was to ask for cooperation of the county animal control...did that...! Now I guess we just start with the funds we have received and get TWO kitties fixed.

"A Little Did Ya Know about Cats"

With the inauguration of the new Pres in just a week away, this quote seems appropriate!

There are people who reshape the world by force or argument,
but the cat just lies there, dozing; and the world quietly reshapes itself to suit her comfort and convenience."
Allen and Ivy Dodd

I meant to do that!

Ricky with that "look"...I wonder what he did...?

A Little did ya know about Cats!

"Cats keep their cool, no matter what. Even when they do things like fall or lose their balance, they'll walk away with an attitude that seems to say 'I meant to do that.' " Michael Jordon

Moses, the Wanderer...

Who is Moses?
Where did he come from?
Where does he belong?

This guy has been spotted all over town. He has been eating from my back porch food for a couple weeks and was spotted in Cheryl's courtyard this week. Cold day...and he was pawing at the door to get in to get warm. It sure "appears" that he is declawed in the front, and most likely neutered already. We dont know if he belongs to a Walnut resident, but he is friendly and is really, really pretty (did I mention I can only have 3 cats??)! I plan to post a pic of him at the post office to try to figure out if he is owned or stray. I call him Moses...as he is a wander-er...

"A little did ya know about Cats!"

Cats rule...dogs drool! In the US there are an estimated 69 million cats compared to 62 million dogs....

We want this "win" to be because more people love and care for cats as pets than they do dogs, NOT because we are leaving our cats to multiply, wander the streets and fields alone, hungry and feral...