My Feral And Rescued Cats

[Lari]

tarasgirl06 Jcatbird I have a Benadryl stick

Dab it on bug bites and it cuts the itch without knocking you out. I think they have creams too.

 

[Buffster7]

Of course, many of these photos are meant to make you smile, but Banjo gave me the expressions all by herself. Always into something here and a true joy. All these kitties are. They give far more than I can return. I hope you found something here to make you smile.

Oh my goodness, these pictures!! They made my day!
I would like to sit down and read through this thread from the beginning. It sounds like you have some amazing kitty stories to tell. Bless you for opening your home and your life to so many of them. I would love to hear their stories, and if those stories are found in this thread then I need to go back and find them. That first picture of Banjo is just heartbreaking! The next two with Whistle make it better. And the last picture is nearly human!

You are right about the support on this site, it's really above and beyond. Great people! So glad that I stumbled across it. You have a wealth of knowledge and experience - I've been enjoying reading about your adventures. Thank you for all that you share with everyone, including the super pictures!

 

[Jcatbird]

More about last night.
The frog Prince showed up to offer comfort. He attached himself as a lovely hair accessory! Surprise! Heh! I put him back on the house!

I came inside for water and some comfort. BJ buried his face in my shoulder. Flowers was right beside him.

They definitely knew something was seriously wrong.

They looked sad.

Ears back and alert, they sensed my concern and probably knew Mitsy was still outside.

I tried to comfort them and....

They did comfort me.

The frog joined me on my last search early this morning. He stayed on the back of my head for the entire walk around the house. He seemed to be worried too. If a frog can worry?!?! I suppose he was considering that we were searching for the mother of Banjo. I kept expecting the frog to jump back off. He never did. I had to remove him myself. I suppose I had an escort and guardian. No wonder Banjo loves him!

After I finally had to stop searching, I left froggie at the door an returned to more kitty comfort.

Kitty love.

When I finally turned out the lights in the hope that this would bring Mitsy inside, Banjo and Whistle looked as though they were having a conversation.

First with each other ....

Then with me.
You didn’t find Mom?!?!

Please don’t give up!

It broke my heart.

By early morning I was up again. That’s one of the most likely times to see a kitty out of hiding. I walked for about three hours. I called and got on my knees to look under everything. I pushed through bushes and listened to the fussing of the Blue Jay birds and the Carolina Wrens. They have never failed me. They told me something was wandering. Was it Mitsy?

At last I saw Mitsy running towards me! She stopped some feet away. She was being pursued. Two hawks circled just above us in the trees.

Mitsy stayed put long enough for me to offer food. She didn’t take it. Then I approached slowly. She backed off. I called her and she came closer. I finally touched her. The hawks were in the trees watching. I couldn’t wait and longer because Mitsy was turning to find a place to hide. I reached out and picked her up as I spoke to her. She went limp in my hands this time. I put her into her carrier and brought her straight inside.

I let her out in the cat room immediately for food and water. She was acting as though her throat was dry. She was swallowing very hard. It made me think of the fact that she had been under the room that was just treated with pesticides. She drank and I let BJ in with her. He gave her kisses as I stroked her. She became calmer but kept meowing at me.

I brought her into the living room after she ate and I turned out the lights. She started snuggling with me so I laid down with her in my arms.

She leaned against me.

As I scratched her tiny head, I could feel her relaxing.

She began to push against my hand.

Then she purred.

She began to snuggle.

Her eyes began to close.....

And she fell asleep in my lap.

After resting, Mitsy returned to her carrier for a long and relaxed rest. When she emerged, she was greeted by kisses!

The other kitties began to relax too.

Banjo is back on track with going to spending time her frog Prince.

and Whistle can get back to snuggling!

All is well again at Chez Catbird! The fairytale continues! Thank you to everyone for their support! It always helps!

 

[Jcatbird]

tarasgirl06 Jcatbird I have a Benadryl stick
View attachment 293248
Dab it on bug bites and it cuts the itch without knocking you out. I think they have creams too.View attachment 293248

Lari That Benadryl stick is a great idea! Thank you for sharing that! I’ll look for it. Around here it would be a good thing to keep in my purse! The Caladryl lotion has Benadryl in it. It doesn’t knock you out either but is a great soothing lotion. I have some on a bite now! Lol

Oh my goodness, these pictures!! They made my day!
I would like to sit down and read through this thread from the beginning. It sounds like you have some amazing kitty stories to tell. Bless you for opening your home and your life to so many of them. I would love to hear their stories, and if those stories are found in this thread then I need to go back and find them. That first picture of Banjo is just heartbreaking! The next two with Whistle make it better. And the last picture is nearly human!

You are right about the support on this site, it's really above and beyond. Great people! So glad that I stumbled across it. You have a wealth of knowledge and experience - I've been enjoying reading about your adventures. Thank you for all that you share with everyone, including the super pictures!

I am glad you found the site too! I have been following your story from the beginning and hoping everything would work out for you. We are all
Rooting for you! I could tell you would accomplish your goal. You are a true kitty guardian!

Thank you for your support too. We all look out for each other here. It is a site full of good and loving people. There is a lot of knowledge among members and we all share what we learn as we go along. If anything I can pass on helps, that makes me very happy! You are very welcome! That is really why we are all here. I’m glad you like the pictures. I post most of them to share the love and joy the kitties give. Opening my home to them has provided me with lots of happy days. It’s worth the little I do to receive so much!

If you read the thread, ( all the kitty stories are here) I hope you’ll enjoy it. Bj was my final rescue here. His story is here but he also has his own thread about heartworms in a cat. BJ is a real Romeo, knight in shining armor and teddy bear! Many people have offered insight and smiles here. The thread is long but great for rainy days mixed with a little sunshine! Lol I try to give a grin every night or tell the story of each kitty as they came into my life. The story of the Gingerbread kittens was quite a story. My avatar here is one of those babies. Her name is Bright and she got adopted. I still miss all those who found others to love but, they are in good hands and homes. 77 kitties got adopted, the rest remain with me except for Twilight. 103 happy endings but one loss. That’s how I knew the odds for your little guy were very good. I still search for a few more homes but at this point, we are all family. I am working to set up a future for all the kitties here. I have entered the point of getting involved in county TNR and working for kitties in many places. A great many other people here do the same. Education about kitties is helpful to kitties everywhere. I have a feeling you will be sharing your knowledge on the site too! I came here just as you did. I was searching for information and help. I too stumbled on the site and was grateful. Trying to help so many kitties was difficult. Especially in the beginning. The support here often kept me going when I was stressed or exhausted. Last night included! There are some wonderful threads here by others too! A lot of the photo threads make me laugh! If you ever have a question, please come and ask. I am sure someone here will do all they can to help you. Be warned.... all the kitties everyone has posted on here will make you laugh and steal a part of your heart. Your kitties should join the others here if you get time. The photos I have seen of your rescued and feral kitties will steal more hearts!

 

[rubysmama]

The reunion with Whistle afterwards.

I didn't realize that pic was the reunion after their "adventure". Makes it even more special that we included it in your signature banner.

The frog Prince showed up to offer comfort. He attached himself as a lovely hair accessory!

That's crazy!

The frog joined me on my last search early this morning. He stayed on the back of my head for the entire walk around the house. He seemed to be worried too. If a frog can worry?!?!

Hmmm... maybe if you kiss him, he'll turn into a human prince. For you.

At last I saw Mitsy running towards me! She stopped some feet away. She was being pursued. Two hawks circled just above us in the trees.

Scary!

I called her and she came closer. I finally touched her. The hawks were in the trees watching. I couldn’t wait and longer because Mitsy was turning to find a place to hide. I reached out and picked her up as I spoke to her. She went limp in my hands this time. I put her into her carrier and brought her straight inside.

All is well again at Chez Catbird! The fairytale continues! Thank you to everyone for their support! It always helps!

Glad to offer support when I can. Hopefully things will be quiet for a while, though.

I am glad you found the site too! I have been following your story from the beginning and hoping everything would work out for you. We are all
Rooting for you! I could tell you would accomplish your goal. You are a true kitty guardian!

Buffster7 : I'm going to check out your thread next.

Bj was my final rescue here. His story is here

Here's the link to the post where BJ came inside. The rescue attempts started several pages before that.

but he also has his own thread about heartworms in a cat.

Heartworms In A Cat, Bj As His Story Begins.

except for Twilight.

Do you have a picture of Twilight? And can you share his story, if it's not too tragic and sad.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Jcatbird what drama! SO glad all is well once again.
That is a very special frog. Yes, I'm sure frogs have feelings. All living beings do, I am sure. We may not know what they are, but they must have them. Some scientific types believe cats are more sensitive than humans -- their centers for emotion are the most like ours of any other species, I've read. Certainly cats are more sensitive than most people I've met. That frog has an amazing relationship with Banjo and now, with you too!

Thanks for the suggestions on an emergency kit. I used to have some of these things but when I used them up I just haven't replaced them and yes, I should. The Benadryl stick is a good idea, Lari ! It takes a lot of will power not to scratch a mosquito bite.

The cat room is looking beautiful!

 

[Lari]

I just realized my picture posted twice. I was dead exhausted last night. Kind of still am, lol.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I just realized my picture posted twice. I was dead exhausted last night. Kind of still am, lol.

*Party hard, and pay for it the next day*, eh, Lari ?

 

[maggiedemi]

Is Mitsy BJ's girlfriend? Or is that Flowers? That little Romeo has so many girlfriends I can't keep them straight.

Anyway, I'm so glad she's back! Those little escape artists can really scare us sometimes.

I can't believe how tame that frog is, that's amazing.

 

[Lari]

*Party hard, and pay for it the next day*, eh, Lari ?

Playing with kittens and trying cake is hard work!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Playing with kittens and trying cake is hard work!

Yeah, it's a tough job, but someone has to do it, yes?

 

[Jcatbird]

I didn't realize that pic was the reunion after their "adventure". Makes it even more special that we included it in your signature banner.



That's crazy!



Hmmm... maybe if you kiss him, he'll turn into a human prince. For you.



Scary!







Glad to offer support when I can. Hopefully things will be quiet for a while, though.



Buffster7 : I'm going to check out your thread next.




Here's the link to the post where BJ came inside. The rescue attempts started several pages before that.



Heartworms In A Cat, Bj As His Story Begins.




Do you have a picture of Twilight? And can you share his story, if it's not too tragic and sad.

I would Kiss the frog since a Prince would be nice but with my luck, he’d jump on my face! Besides, I couldn’t steal Banjos love. I’m probably too old for him anyway.
It did seem weird that the frog kept jumping on me. I was surprised both times. Luckily, I like tree frogs. He jumped on me again today. Maybe he associates me with Banjo?


Indeed. That is the reunion photo of Banjo and Whistle on the banner! One of my favorite photos. Whistle looked so happy to get kisses from his beloved Banjo again. They had missed each other as they had never been apart before.

Thank you for giving Buffster7 the links to the BJ thread and his first night inside. That was quite a night! I thought he might eat me! It’s amazing that he has evolved into such a lover.

I do have a photos of Twilight. I didn’t post a lot about him because it just broke my heart. I didn’t have him terribly long but none the less, loved him greatly. He was a gently beauty. He was also the Father to the babies that Phoenix had. The foster took her and the babies soon after they were born. They were some of the first of the kitties I got fostered out. Phoenix was sister to Cally and the Kelly( Kelly was Mother of the Gingerbread babies). I know the family trees are confusing. Even the foster called me more than once to ask,” Now who is the Dad/ Mom /family of these babies?” A different kind of cat tree!
I’ll post about Twilight.

Again, thank you. I hope you know how much your support means to me.
Thank you to Ruby too!

 

[Jcatbird]

Jcatbird what drama! SO glad all is well once again.
That is a very special frog. Yes, I'm sure frogs have feelings. All living beings do, I am sure. We may not know what they are, but they must have them. Some scientific types believe cats are more sensitive than humans -- their centers for emotion are the most like ours of any other species, I've read. Certainly cats are more sensitive than most people I've met. That frog has an amazing relationship with Banjo and now, with you too!

Thanks for the suggestions on an emergency kit. I used to have some of these things but when I used them up I just haven't replaced them and yes, I should. The Benadryl stick is a good idea, Lari ! It takes a lot of will power not to scratch a mosquito bite.

The cat room is looking beautiful!

I am so glad that drama is over with!! The hawks really worry me and they have multiplied here along with the large owls. I love the birds but it’s not safe for a little girl like Mitsy. Especially without BJ to lead her to safety. I know she realized that and was afraid. Poor sweet girl.

That frog is so funny! I too believe that all creatures have feelings. I think that frogs have frog speak, just as cats have cat speak. I need to learn frog! Lol

I must have read the same research that you read about the brains and emotions of cats. I am sure, like me, that was something you already felt to be true. So many things about animals and nature seem obvious to me when “Scientific types” have to research it to find out. I suppose that is because they have to spend their time inside in a lab, while I spend mine outside with nature. I am always happy when they confirm my beliefs.

You are very welcome for the suggestion. I just got in the habit of keeping certain things and during the aftermath of a hurricane and an injury, I was very glad I had certain things. It was all simple stuff like guaze and bandages but probably kept me alive until I could get help. Sometimes the little things are the most important.

Thank you about the cat room. It seems like it is taking forever to get that accomplished! Way too many interruptions. The cats are waiting!

 

[Jcatbird]

Playing with kittens and trying cake is hard work!

Funny. I didn’t see double! Lol Maybe I need some cake too!

After my birthday, Banjo had birthday cake overload. All the cats got some cake made by a friend that was “kitty edible” cake.

Of course , she may have just passed out from blowing up so many balloons!

Playing with kitties and cake can make for a wonderful day! How was the cake? Have you chosen your wedding cake?

 

[Jcatbird]

Is Mitsy BJ's girlfriend? Or is that Flowers? That little Romeo has so many girlfriends I can't keep them straight.

Anyway, I'm so glad she's back! Those little escape artists can really scare us sometimes.

I can't believe how tame that frog is, that's amazing.

Hi! Very glad you are here! Yes! Mitsy is a girlfriend to BJ. So are Kodiak, Flowers and Thrasher. Here he is with the other two. Keep in mind that BJ loved ALL the kitties and ALL the girls! Both of these photos were taken today after I read your question. BJ does keep moving from one girl to another! Romeo posed for you.
BJ and Kodiak.

BJ and Thrasher.

That frog is cute. Banjo thinks he is handsome!

 

[Jcatbird]

rubysmama asked me about Twilight. Twilight is a kitty that I didn’t post about a lot. I brought him in with the earliest of the colony members. That was late November of 2017 and shortly before I started writing in here on thecatsite. You may remember his roommates, Eisenhower, Backpack, Man, Manny and Black Bear. That was the height of dangerous times for the colony. I grabbed up as many as I could house. Beauty, Uncle Mitty and a few others too. I had managed to adopt out the earliest kitten rescues but none of the kitties that were a bit older had left yet. I was getting kitties spayed/neutered and immunized out of pocket and as fast as I could. Boys were in one area and girls in another but some females were already pregnant and more kitties were waiting for help outside. It was a mad dash to do the rescues. A race against the threats to them and against time. I had not found any form of help or assistance at that time but I desperately wanted to save every one of these kitties. There were a lot of kitties and more showing up every day.
As I worked my way through getting kitties to the vet, I got to Twilight. He was a sweetheart and very grateful to be safe. We went to the vet and he got his blood work done. He was anemic. We started working to get him well. Special diet, isolation and worming etc.. His anemia got worse so more testing. The vet suggested contagious anemia. I was getting really worried. I spent lots of time with Twilight. We snuggled and he learned that humans can be loving. He got where he liked being held and we quickly grew very close. We continued vet visits. For a little while he did improve but then he declined again. This time I could see he felt bad. He wasn’t very active and slept a lot. Rush back to the vet! Everything was getting worse. For the next weeks we struggled to help him. He spent some days at the vet getting various form of treatments, IV fluids and medicine. More emergency vet visits and testing. Bartonella was suspected. Not necessarily a life threatening illness but in this case, it was. Twilight just hadn’t had proper care as a feral and his immune system wasn’t strong. He had arrived covered in fleas, full of parasites and I rescued him too late to build him up. Everything had taken a toll of him and the combination of stress, parasites and struggling for food before being rescued left him at risk. The last days with him were spent holding him as he purred. He seemed at peace. On the final day I took him in to the vet because he was showing signs of severe weakness and I thought he might be in some pain. Sadly, I was right. I held him at the vets until his last breath. He purred when I held him close. She sedated him and then he was PTS. His blood count was practically non existent and his kidneys were shot. He was suffering. I cried and so did the vet. Twilight had ended.
I returned home and put Twilight with the others I had laid to rest. Afterwards I cut flowers from Sarah’s garden and went back to see the vet. She was in her office and struggling with her grief too. I gave her the flowers and told her they were from Sarahs’ garden. She had known Sarah and understood the significance of me cutting the flowers from there to bring to her. WE started to talk about grief. She told me how hard it can be to work as a vet and that Twilight had really touched her. I told her how important she is to me and that , without her, Twilight would not have had a chance to get any time for love and comfort. She was able to smile a bit and thanked me. She had not had anyone bring her flowers after losing a pet. I wasn’t surprised by that but it ocurred to me that the vet suffers as much as we do during loss. Most just don’t let it show. I got a hug and gave a hug. Twilight had made a very big contribution to us both during his short life.
Twilight passed not terribly long after I started writing this thread. I mentioned his passing but wrote only a little that day. I was grieving but I also wanted to try and keep this thread as focused on the more positive side of rescuing as possible. Education and hope were the things I wanted to share, not grief. ( Even though I did post some difficult good byes when kitties got adopted out. Lol. Giving a kitty up is hard but good homes are always positive! )!Now I really want everyone to know that Twilight did make a positive mark in this world. When the day is done and the world is hanging between the sun and the moon, I remember the beauty of Twilight. I came back to post one more thing about him right after he died. I simply posted my favorite photo of him. Here it is again. Still love you Twilight! Thank you for giving me a part of your heart to keep!

Now I will post.....

a few more moments with a beautiful life.

He was such a skinny little guy when I got him but I was given the time to fatten him up and hold him tight! I will always be grateful for that.

Twilight left me in March of 2018 but he gave a lot in the short time he was here. When he had to leave he left he wasn’t alone and he left with love. That’s very positive. I would wish that for all living creatures.

Need a smile after that story? Read the next post!

 

[Jcatbird]

Banjo and her Frog Prince?

It’s time Mom! Lift me up. I see green up there!

Hello Froggie!

Huh?

Hold out your froggie foot!

Hmmm.

????

Maybe anothe angle....

Noooo.

Wait a minute!

Aiiiiiiieeee!

Mom! I’m going to nip you! What did you do to my Prince?

Did you kiss him and turn him into.....

A grasshopper?!?!?

I hope you are smiling again!
Positive pre furred!

 

[Lari]

Funny. I didn’t see double! Lol Maybe I need some cake too!

After my birthday, Banjo had birthday cake overload. All the cats got some cake made by a friend that was “kitty edible” cake. View attachment 293440View attachment 293441
Of course , she may have just passed out from blowing up so many balloons!
View attachment 293442View attachment 293443View attachment 293444
Playing with kitties and cake can make for a wonderful day! How was the cake? Have you chosen your wedding cake?

I did! I updated about the cake in my wedding thread, and made one about the cat convention over in Cat's meow. I also had dinner with my family Saturday night, so I think just being out and about all day really drained my battery.

 

[Jcatbird]

I did! I updated about the cake in my wedding thread, and made one about the cat convention over in Cat's meow. I also had dinner with my family Saturday night, so I think just being out and about all day really drained my battery.

Hmmmm. You should have brought some cake home to use as jumper cables! Very glad you got the cake picked out. One more task done?I’ll have to go to your thread and catch up on the latest exciting details!

 

[maggiedemi]

Banjo had birthday cake overload.

In that 1st pic Banjo looks like a hyper little human kid after they eat too much sugar.