Feral in my garage

Jcatbird

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I have been away for a bit but returned to find such wonderful videos and news! I guess you realize how far you have come with this kitty? You have made so much progress! :clap2: :goldstar:He looks so happy and it appears he is feeling very secure. He looks so playful up in the rafters. This is one awesome kitty house! Oscar is a very lucky kitty.
Someone gave me a rechargeable staple gun that uses many sizes of heavy duty staples. I mostly use it for securing things in my greenhouse but it has been very handy in putting up thick plastic that comes in rolls that I use as feral shelters. 6ml thick doubled helps ward off the cold. Mesh metal hardware cloth can be stapled as well. I use that on the catio. The stapler is easy to use, especially when I am working above my head. Greenhouse supply companies sell plastic that is white and allows enough UV in to let high light plants grow but not so much that things overheat in summer. I don’t know if any of this would help you in or around the shed but thought I would pass it on.
 

tarasgirl06

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I have been away for a bit but returned to find such wonderful videos and news! I guess you realize how far you have come with this kitty? You have made so much progress! :clap2: :goldstar:He looks so happy and it appears he is feeling very secure. He looks so playful up in the rafters. This is one awesome kitty house! Oscar is a very lucky kitty.
Someone gave me a rechargeable staple gun that uses many sizes of heavy duty staples. I mostly use it for securing things in my greenhouse but it has been very handy in putting up thick plastic that comes in rolls that I use as feral shelters. 6ml thick doubled helps ward off the cold. Mesh metal hardware cloth can be stapled as well. I use that on the catio. The stapler is easy to use, especially when I am working above my head. Greenhouse supply companies sell plastic that is white and allows enough UV in to let high light plants grow but not so much that things overheat in summer. I don’t know if any of this would help you in or around the shed but thought I would pass it on.
Tools are like treasure! as you know so well, Jcatbird Jcatbird . A staple gun? One of the absolute best, along with a hot glue gun and a nail gun. Wishing I had these/could afford them. Learned a lot from my ex who had all of these and much, much more. The money that can be saved by DIY with the proper tools is not inconsequential...and the sense of empowerment is beyond price.
 

tabbytom

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How's the house sale going?
It's here in post #1,107

'Final thing is that I am going to contract on my house! It should close by Nov 1 and that’s a relief. Oscar probably cost me $60,000 since I missed the hot market but I have no regrets. I’d be sick worrying about him down there and so it was worth it.'
 

Bitsy's Mom

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Hi Everyone,

I am so glad to hear from everyone and also the recommendations for the tools - keep those recommendations coming :) I enjoy DIY projects and home improvements and am not bad at fixing things, but I have no idea about tools. I grew up in a family where my father coldn't even hang a picture on the wall without leaving ten holes, lots of swear words, and a crooked picture. And then he'd call someone to do it. So, there were never any tools around the house. Anyway, I do have my ladder up here now, it's only a 6 ft ladder, but I am 5'7" so maybe I can reach up to the soffit to put some plastic or tape or something over those openings.

The good news is that the house sale is progressing. I should close November 1, fingers crossed since the people are super picky. I was down there yesterday getting some of the stuff out of the garage. I have a hard time when I go down and back. I lived there for 18 years and love that house much more than the house I have now. That and losing my German Shepherd rescue after 14 years is a lot of heart loss. But, I am grateful to have a house at all since many people don't. I ALWAYS think of Oscar when I am down there since it is his old home too. I am glad he's here with me.

I am not sure what to think about how he is doing. I so wish I could see him. I saw him more in the summer when he'd come down during the day to be in the cool. Now, he spends most time in his loft. One of the beds up there had slipped and was hanging out and so I had to get a broom handle to try to push back into the loft. I just used the handle and spoke to him. I couldn't see him but he was up there. I think it freaked him out since he didn't eat that whole day until the dark of night. I felt terrible but I couldn't have the bed hanging over the rafters.

He really is so very feral and a lot more fragile than we think. I was sad that a broom handle would scare him so much. I have the screen window open everyday and the door flap propped open so that he could venture into the catio or even up jump up on the screen but he doesn't. He is really quiet during the day. As we've talked about - I could leave it open at night but there is so little light. I don't want something to happen or for him to panic and hurt himself if he can't find the way back in.

So once again I wonder if he is happy. I know that I did the right thing - but I want him to be happy and fulfilled and to have everything his little heart desires. After all, he is my 60,000 kitty.

Love to you all,

Liz
 

rubysmama

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Glad to hear the house sale is progressing. Only a couple weeks now till November 1st, so fingers crossed for you. :crossfingers:

I understand the sadness leaving the home you'd loved, but hopefully in time you'll make new happy memories in your new place. 🤗

Oscar is certainly a special kitty. :bigeyes:
I wish he could learn that humans, specifically you, don't have to be feared. Someday, hopefully. :petcat::redheartpump:

About the catio at night. Wonder if there's any string solar lights that would help make it not totally dark, but not daytime bright either.
 

tarasgirl06

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Well, you're probably not watching his camera 24/7 so you don't know for sure that he isn't taking advantage of his available options, right? Knowing he's safe, comfortable, well-fed and -watered, and cared for and about must be a huge relief. Progress takes time. It's different for each cat, as it is for each human. Revel in the positive and hope for the future!
Empathizing about the house. I live 100 miles from where my happiest years were spent, and I had to go out there once after moving. A friend was with me and I asked him if we could just drive by the house. He said he wasn't up for that as he was worried about his tires & suspension over the dirt-and-boulder road, so we didn't and in retrospect, since he slipped and said he's been out there in the area many times since then, I'm pretty sure he refused because he thought it might be devastating for me. It probably would have been. Google Earth doesn't get very close out there; they don't drive by the houses; it's only an aerial view and not close-up. It still tears me up to see what I can see, but I have to tell myself over and over to go forward, even though present is not good and forward sure isn't going to be any better. Hoping it'll be different for you.
 

Bitsy's Mom

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Well, you're probably not watching his camera 24/7 so you don't know for sure that he isn't taking advantage of his available options, right? Knowing he's safe, comfortable, well-fed and -watered, and cared for and about must be a huge relief. Progress takes time. It's different for each cat, as it is for each human. Revel in the positive and hope for the future!
Empathizing about the house. I live 100 miles from where my happiest years were spent, and I had to go out there once after moving. A friend was with me and I asked him if we could just drive by the house. He said he wasn't up for that as he was worried about his tires & suspension over the dirt-and-boulder road, so we didn't and in retrospect, since he slipped and said he's been out there in the area many times since then, I'm pretty sure he refused because he thought it might be devastating for me. It probably would have been. Google Earth doesn't get very close out there; they don't drive by the houses; it's only an aerial view and not close-up. It still tears me up to see what I can see, but I have to tell myself over and over to go forward, even though present is not good and forward sure isn't going to be any better. Hoping it'll be different for you.
Thanks for sharing your story and feelings. Loss is hard and when you care and are sensitive - it’s even more raw and heavy. I fry to reframe but everytime I dismantle one more thing trust I had placed with care - it’s a loss.

I do hope Oscar is happy. The darn Visio camer stopped working well so will take 20 seconds of him going up or down - that’s it. The toys are moved so he must be playing but I haven’t seen it. So I’m going to have to get a new camera.
 

tarasgirl06

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Thanks for sharing your story and feelings. Loss is hard and when you care and are sensitive - it’s even more raw and heavy. I fry to reframe but everytime I dismantle one more thing trust I had placed with care - it’s a loss.

I do hope Oscar is happy. The darn Visio camer stopped working well so will take 20 seconds of him going up or down - that’s it. The toys are moved so he must be playing but I haven’t seen it. So I’m going to have to get a new camera.
I know so well. I'd hoped to stay in the Mojave for life. It wasn't to be. I hate cities and feel this is a huge comedown. But one constant for me is adapting and finding ways to keep looking Up. Yesterday I looked at a story online about a guy who pays $1100 a month for a 95-sq.-ft. (yeah, you read that right.) apartment in NYC. He's going on 3 yrs there which means he went through the past COVID years there, having to use a shared bathroom, and with no laundry facilities. He works 3 jobs for that. He's 23 and sleeps on a twin mattress. I remember being 23 and I wasn't rich but I absolutely was miles above him in lifestyle, only working 1 job, and having, if not a great, at least not a lonely life. Then there are my friends in Ukraine, dodging bombs. And on and on. So I always try to focus on the big picture and then be so grateful for what I do have. It helps.
 

Bitsy's Mom

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I know so well. I'd hoped to stay in the Mojave for life. It wasn't to be. I hate cities and feel this is a huge comedown. But one constant for me is adapting and finding ways to keep looking Up. Yesterday I looked at a story online about a guy who pays $1100 a month for a 95-sq.-ft. (yeah, you read that right.) apartment in NYC. He's going on 3 yrs there which means he went through the past COVID years there, having to use a shared bathroom, and with no laundry facilities. He works 3 jobs for that. He's 23 and sleeps on a twin mattress. I remember being 23 and I wasn't rich but I absolutely was miles above him in lifestyle, only working 1 job, and having, if not a great, at least not a lonely life. Then there are my friends in Ukraine, dodging bombs. And on and on. So I always try to focus on the big picture and then be so grateful for what I do have. It helps.
I so agree with you. I got third degree burns when I was a teenager and was in the hospital for 3 months - 6 weeks of that in reverse isolation in a tent. I kept focusing on the fact that it wasn’t on my face - or my eyes or any thing like that. I wasn’t disfigured. And yes - the plight of those in Ukraine when it doesn’t have to be that way is beyond tragic.
You and I are blessed.

So now that I have my ladder - I Repurposed some packing bubble wrap from Amazon and closed the hole. It won’t win me any craftsman awards - but it’s sealed up! A lousy job on top of a lousy job but my Oscar is safe!
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B87BEB37-D2E7-4E0F-94E5-9B0A92E1455C.jpeg
 

Bitsy's Mom

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I know so well. I'd hoped to stay in the Mojave for life. It wasn't to be. I hate cities and feel this is a huge comedown. But one constant for me is adapting and finding ways to keep looking Up. Yesterday I looked at a story online about a guy who pays $1100 a month for a 95-sq.-ft. (yeah, you read that right.) apartment in NYC. He's going on 3 yrs there which means he went through the past COVID years there, having to use a shared bathroom, and with no laundry facilities. He works 3 jobs for that. He's 23 and sleeps on a twin mattress. I remember being 23 and I wasn't rich but I absolutely was miles above him in lifestyle, only working 1 job, and having, if not a great, at least not a lonely life. Then there are my friends in Ukraine, dodging bombs. And on and on. So I always try to focus on the big picture and then be so grateful for what I do have. It helps.
Ps. I lived in Redondo Beach and used to go to an astrology in Glendale. Jennifer Blue was her name!
 

tarasgirl06

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I so agree with you. I got third degree burns when I was a teenager and was in the hospital for 3 months - 6 weeks of that in reverse isolation in a tent. I kept focusing on the fact that it wasn’t on my face - or my eyes or any thing like that. I wasn’t disfigured. And yes - the plight of those in Ukraine when it doesn’t have to be that way is beyond tragic.
You and I are blessed.

So now that I have my ladder - I Repurposed some packing bubble wrap from Amazon and closed the hole. It won’t win me any craftsman awards - but it’s sealed up! A lousy job on top of a lousy job but my Oscar is safe! View attachment 434059View attachment 434060
Oh, no one should care what it looks like. SAFETY for one's loved ones is top priority. There are a lot of things I'd get fixed here if I could but I can't afford it. Looking around the city, which is known as a wealthy city, I see a lot of places worse off than this one. They used to get on people for anything imperfect. With COVID, inflation, and the financial picture being what they are, a LOT of people are struggling.
Fellow burn survivor here! Mine was on my face, ear, and wrist. I have scarring but it doesn't bother me at all, except physically--still have pain sometimes. No hospital here -- doctor threatened to put me there if I didn't follow his instructions, so I did. Three beloved cats at the time and people live in another world who think that most people can just get someone trustworthy to step in. We got through it. So we're in a club no one wants to be a member of! ;) and still here, and still dealing with life, and still grateful.
 

tarasgirl06

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Good morning

I’m happy to share this short clip. It’s reassuring to me that Oscar isn’t miserable enclosed, even if he is alone. It’s at 5 am this morning - He runs a bit and that helps!

Oh, far from it ('miserable')! Oscar looks quite comfortable and glad of his beautiful mansion!
 
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