Cats of Colonia de las Rosas

[katie=^..^=]

We're having very pleasant June weather and the cats really appreciate it. They are spending the long afternoons and evenings lounging and playing on the sidewalk and grass near the feeding bench. That's where I find them when I go out with their food.

I have to apologize to the boyfriend. He's not the one that throws the shelter-box out on the lawn. It is maintenance. I don't know why -- that's not a spot that's mowed. Maybe they trim the ivy-covered tree stump it was hiding behind? I'm confused really.

Oscar is still being very communicative with me. I wish I could understand him. He clearly wants to tell me about his adventure. My daughter says he looks like a grumpy old man. Well he is about 9 now, I guess!

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar. 8 Total

 

[cc12]

You are lucky with the weather. It helps you not to worry as much you know that they are warm and snuggly somewhere basking in the sunlight.
The weather here has been typical unpredictable Northwestern weather. It is rather chilly and more like fall.

 

[kazy]

Seattle area has been very cold, too! We are having 'June-uary' here.
Our June has been 12 degrees below avarage so far. Yikes!!
I am glad your kitties are doing good.

 

[katie=^..^=]

Our weather hasn't been typical June weather, either. But that's good for us because June is usually not pleasant. We call it June Gloom it's so bad. This year it has been warm -- sometimes too warm -- in the daytime, but still nice and cool at night. The main different is the lack of cloud cover that lasts until early afternoon.

The little black intruder has been suffering. I went out early the last few days and I'm shocked at the difference in him. He is thin and has been very beat up. His ears are raggedy and he has tufts of fur missing on his back. He looks at me with a lot of fear now and although he was cautious before, he wasn't really frightened. I hope he is able to eat when I feed the cats. Of course, I am just assuming he is a boy.

My adorable little Sneakers is having a hard time, too. Henry -- Henry! -- is chasing her. Perhaps he wants to mate with her. She has taken refuge under the generator next to Bldg. 4. That's her old spot. She even gave birth to her kittens there before she was spayed. Sneakers was the last of the original family to be spayed or neutered. I left some kibble near the generator for her. I thought she was too feisty to let Henry bully her like that. He is a lot younger than she is so maybe that's part of it.

The photo processors almost lost my pics. I had to make a fuss and they "put a trace" on them and they showed up yesterday. I'll go get them today. It's really important to get Zazie's pics up so she can be adopted while she's still a cute little kitten. I want to show her to you, too. She's extraordinary looking. She's got her own kind of beauty! You'll see what I mean.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 9 Total.

 

[katie=^..^=]

Sneaker's got her groove back! She showed up for the group feeding as usual. I was so happy to see her sassy little self there.

After all the other cats from the original group had been spayed or neutered, I set my sights on Sneakers. At first I tried camouflaging the trap with branches and things. It took a long time, and didn't help much. Then I told Sneakers, "This is yours!" and I told all the other cats, "This is Sneaker's!" and I chased all of them away.

Sneakers starting liking "her" trap. She started chasing the other cats away from her trap. It was one of the cutest things I ever saw a cat do. Then, she started exploring her trap. Finally she went in. I put delicious Fancy Feast in there to tempt her. In those days I had appointments with a Catsnippers member who would pick up my cats and take them to the clinic and bring them back. That meant I had to trap them at the right time. I got Sneakers used to going in her trap and managed to trap her at the right time.

The member forgot me! She didn't show up at the expected time. I had to keep Sneakers an extra couple of days and take her to a private doctor. My then-housekeeper did the driving. When I picked her up, I couldn't bear to keep a very unhappy and scared Sneakers in the bathroom any longer, so I let her go the same day I picked her up. She didn't show up to eat for a few days, but after that everything was the same.

Roll Call: Alfie. Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total

 

[katie=^..^=]

It's hot hot hot!

I guess if you watch national weather, you know it's really hot here in L.A. and I live in one of the hottest areas. So far the electricity has held up so I have a/c.

My little outside cats don't though and I can't help but wonder where they go to keep cool. I can't even imagine a place that's cool in this heat. Tonight, when I went out at 6:30 pm, they were just trying to hang out in the shade on the sidewalks. They ate a little, but before I even finished getting their water, they were back in the shade.

The little black intruder was there, lounging in the grass. He looked a little more spirited than the last time I saw him.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red. 9 Total.

 

[katie=^..^=]

Zazie had joined Little Guy at the links below for 1-899-Find-A-Pet and Petfinder.com. Her pictures show her a few weeks ago. Her tiny face has grown big enough now to hold the amazing arrangement of colors she has. I hope she finds a loving owner very soon while she's still a kitten.

Today my kitties were waiting for their dinner when I got home from the doctor's. They saw me go in the front door, so when I showed up at the back, and called Kitty-Cats, Kitty-Cats, they all came running back to the feeding bench. They looked so beautiful! I love to see them in action. Only Oscar refused to run and his long legs were meant for running. I guess he thought he was fast enough trotting.

I was glad to see Sneakers show up because I haven't seen her lately. Don't know why she's gotten so shy about coming at dinnertime. She looked beautiful -- glossy black fur and sleek, not skinny. I miss her when she's not part of the group.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Loved Cats Altogether.

Little Guy is at http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...?petid=8133534
Zazie is at http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...petid=11162974

 

[cc12]

They are so cute and sweet looking. I am sure they will be adopted pretty quickly.
I always look on your posts to see if Mamie has been back but I guess she is a wanderer.

 

[katie=^..^=]

I hope you're right about Zazie being adopted soon! Little Guy has already been with me for two years so I know it won't be quick! He's a shy and sensitive guy and hides when people come over. One family took him home and brought him back the next day. They said they couldn't stand how sad he looked!

Mamie is okay. Actually, although she doesn't show up for dinner, I think she eats at night after all the humans have gone inside. I saw her about four-five days ago up on the roof of the rec bldg. She's a true beauty.

My neighbors are already setting off firecrackers and fireworks. My cats don't like that. I probably won't see much of them tomorrow.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total

 

[cc12]

One day is not enough for the poor guy to get comfortable.
People amaze me. For me to return a cat the cat would have to be truly insane or violent. Mary hid for the first week and slowly ventured out. She is the best cat in the world. People who have had cats for years even comment on how smart and engaging she is. They always say what a special cat she is. It is true. I would have missed out on her if I had done with that family did.
He will find a family.

 

[katie=^..^=]

I agree. They missed out on a loving and loyal boy. Even my cat rescue partner was surprised by it. She apologized to me for sending them. She said she was impressed because all of their cats were older. She thought it was because they took good of them, but actually when I talked to them, it turned out they had adopted older cats. You just never know.

As I expected, my outdoor cats are very nervous tonight with all the fireworks and firecrackers going off. It's not as many as in years past. I guess a lot of people have gone out of town because of the three-day weekend.

My little Blackie was just crouched under the feeding bench. When I reached under to pet him, he came out and set in my lap for awhile. He was purring. He seemed more upset than the other cats.

I live in a part of the county that isn't a city. Just county. It's against the law to set off fireworks in unincorporated county areas. I also have the county as my landlord, so it is strictly enforced here. However, right across the street is the city of Monterey Park and fireworks are legal there, so all around me there are a lot of them going off. The parking lot next to the fireworks stand is crowded with famillies buying them.

My inside cats are managing okay. I think this is the worst day of the year for our little pets.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Sneakers. 9 Total.

 

[cc12]

If I had room for one more I would take him. You aren't that far from me. But I am up to my eyeballs in kitties. Do you think you could keep him?

 

[katie=^..^=]

Thank you very much for your kind wishes toward Little Guy. He has become very much a part of our household. We love him to bits. He's got a home as long as I'm able to provide one.

My little outside cats were very happy to see me tonight. They were discomfited by all the noise last night. Dude is always affectionate, but today especially so. His little brother, Josesito, also wanted some petting. Dude never likes to share my affection so for awhile I was petting one with my right hand and the other with my left! Blackie also stuck close by me and after the big orange guys moved on, I put him on my lap and petted him, too. Louie also stuck close by, and although he won't let me touch him, he gave me big winks and looks of love.

I think I may have another stray boy. He looks a lot like Henry and Alfie. He is orange and white, but has a very rounded white muzzle. Even more round than Henry's. He's thin and scraggly looking like Henry. I have seen him eating twice now and today he was eating with the other cats.

The little black intruder hung around a lot, but I never saw him try to eat here. Maybe that's why I always thought he had an owner somewhere. I One night, I saw both the little black intruder and the white muzzle boy lounging on the grass when I came out. Neither of them tried to eat though. That was the last time I saw the little black intruder. I hope he is all right.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

 

[katie=^..^=]

I'm making an unusual morning post to tell you about last night.

I went out to empty the garbage about 2am. Except I didn't realize how late it was and thought it was only about 11! I saw the little black intruder, I wasn't sure it was him as first, but later I saw Blackie, so it was the LBI. He looked pretty good, but it was dark. He seemed pretty sleek and well-fed and happy.

Then as I walked toward the feeding bench I saw Mamie. I'm always happy to see her. Then I noticed that there wasn't much food left. Just a few bits. I decided to bring down more food, still thinking it was about 11 and seeing Mamie there and worried she hadn't gotten anything to eat. I put three cups of kibble in the 4-cup measuring cup and went downstairs.

To my surprise they were all waiting at the front door! How did they know I was coming back? Would they have just waited there until they got bored or distracted if I hadn't come?

I took the food back to the feeding bench with my escorts following along. I didn't see Mamie and so I just poured the food next to the bench. Then I realized she was under the bench where I sometimes feed her. I shoveled some kibble back into the cup with my hands and put it under the bench with her. Alfie immediately ran up and started eating it, so I had to shoo him away. Mamie went right for it and started crunching away.

I was glad to see both of them. I've been thinking about them.

 

[kluchetta]

So glad you got to see Mamie and little Black!

 

[katie=^..^=]

Zazie adopted

We put a notice for her on craigslist and the nicest woman imaginable answered and fell it love with our funny-faced girl. We are delivering her to her new home on Thursday after she gets all set up with litter, cat scatching post, food, bowls, etc. I know some people don't trust craigslist, but I can't see the different between using it and using Petfinder.com except that it's not as crowded.

My outside cats are being so adorable. Especially Dude. He is so affectionate. Tonight I walked over to the feeding bench and he came running across the lawn and jumped up on the back -- his favorite position to be petted. I had to pet him, of course. He's such a delightful boy. He would have made a wonderful housecat if he had not been born outside.

His sister, Sneakers, now. She's another story. Cute as a button, but don't touch! A little tomboy from the beginning. Their third littermate, Rosie was long ago adopted into a home, from a no-kill shelter. Rosie was a long-haired tuxedo.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

 

[katie=^..^=]

I neglected to call and set up Zazie's take-home Thursday. I'll have to call tomorrow. I hope it works out as planned.

I got a letter from Daisy today. She says: Dear First Meowmy, I'm having a fun summer. Papa is here and plays with me everyday! Second Meowmy and Papa have gone to San Diego, but they return after one or two nights! Papa insists that I "party" while they are gone. (tee-hee) Papa gets up early -- of course after I push his arm with my paws and get in his face! I wake up 2nd meowmy an hour later . Sometimes she won't get up. I can see future problems with her when Papa returns to school. I'll have to wait for her to get up! I'll write soon!! Love, Daisy.

My outside kitties are doing so well. They were all hidden away when I left this afternoon to get my hair cut. Only Oscar was lounging in the shade on the sidewalk. When I got back around 8:30pm they were nearly all there. I called for Mamie, Red, and Blackie and they all showed. Dude insisted on his affection. I look forward to our little conservation everyday. Oscar was talkative again tonight. He has quieted down some now that he seems sure that I know all there is to know about his adventure when he failed to show for dinner.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 11 Total.

 

[cc12]

I have a soft spot for Mamie and look for her name. I am so relieved when she shows up.

 

[kluchetta]

Originally Posted by katie=^..^=

I neglected to call and set up Zazie's take-home Thursday. I'll have to call tomorrow. I hope it works out as planned.

I got a letter from Daisy today. She says: Dear First Meowmy, I'm having a fun summer. Papa is here and plays with me everyday! Second Meowmy and Papa have gone to San Diego, but they return after one or two nights! Papa insists that I "party" while they are gone. (tee-hee) Papa gets up early -- of course after I push his arm with my paws and get in his face! I wake up 2nd meowmy an hour later . Sometimes she won't get up. I can see future problems with her when Papa returns to school. I'll have to wait for her to get up! I'll write soon!! Love, Daisy.

My outside kitties are doing so well. They were all hidden away when I left this afternoon to get my hair cut. Only Oscar was lounging in the shade on the sidewalk. When I got back around 8:30pm they were nearly all there. I called for Mamie, Red, and Blackie and they all showed. Dude insisted on his affection. I look forward to our little conservation everyday. Oscar was talkative again tonight. He has quieted down some now that he seems sure that I know all there is to know about his adventure when he failed to show for dinner.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 11 Total.

Awwwwwwww....Daisy's letter is soo cute. Isn't it amazing that so many people love their kitties as much as we do?

 

[katie=^..^=]

I love getting letters from Daisy. Her meowmy has retired now so she has plenty of time to spend with Daisy. Papa will retire after the next school year. They're both teachers so Daisy has a lot of company during the summer.

I have discovered a whole new cat world since I started taking out my garbage before I go to bed. (I discovered a roach under my microwave and had to clean up my ways.)

The cats are still hanging out in their favorite spot -- the feeding bench. Tonight I found Mamie in her favorite spot -- a branch on a nearby tree. She sits there and gives me a wise old woman of the tree look. She's not so old though, about 3-4.

The others act so happy to see me, even it's only a social visit. It's very nice.

I haven't got a call back about when to deliver Zazie so I think her new mommy may have changed her mind. It's probably the adoption fee. My daughter told me the vet's fee was $80 and so that's what I told her. That was probably too high for a young woman without permanent employment. Then I checked the vet's bill -- it was $65! Even that was higher than he ever changed before. He included a fee for the office visit which he didn't do before. I can't blame him, he has to fill up his car's tank, too!

Still, I wish I had checked the bill before I told Zazie's mommy-to-be the fee. Live and learn, I guess. My partner always took care of these things for me, but I wanted to list Zazie on craigslist because the response from the more established websites has gotten very sparse. My partner didn't want to take responses from craigslist. She has heard bad things about it.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie. Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 11 Total.