My Feral And Rescued Cats

[Jcatbird]

rubysmama I think sometimes we all need a safety check. Some things just don’t occur to us until we need them.

tarasgirl06 Ah ha! Now the truth is out! Bj must have traveled here from the islands. He descended from the pirate ship cats. Funny that I was just discussing the lineage of some cats that could be exactly that. There are cats along the coast that are at high risk and most likely descended fronsailing ships. Hoping that maybe tracing the line might stir interest in saving them. Cat from one ship in particular were thought to have populated the area. Lots of six toed cats came from the line but that gene may no longer be active. I think we all know of the polydactyl cats in Florida butthey existed other places as well. I am hoping for a new viewpoint about these cats in order to make people understand they have value in many, many different ways. They are a part of our history and survival. We owe them a lot! Let’s appreciate them!

BJ the pirate cat keeps a parrot nearby and looks dashing in a hat and boots. The only cutlass needed is his claws! Yo ho matey!

M maggiedemi Thank you for that. I would try to help a lion. Lol I would look for the appropriate wildlife refuge though. I guess, even on April fool day, I shouldn’t be to my Dad.

It’s been a rushed day today because the upcoming week will be busy. I have company coming. Today I cleaned the cat room to get it nice and snuggly as the weather cools off. The kitties have kind of migrated back into the main part in the house so maybe it’s cooler out there. I still have to put everything back out there so I thought I would stop in now, while I have a minute to rest. I’ll try to get back tonight be the chances are slim.
Lady and Kodiak stayed to keep me company.

The others followed their stuff!

Whistle wasn’t budging.

He stays with the kitty pool....

And the toys. Lol

Muffin took advantage of me sitting to type this.

I guess the work was just too much for Lady.

If I don’t get back tonight....have a great night everyone!!

 

[tarasgirl06]

rubysmama I think sometimes we all need a safety check. Some things just don’t occur to us until we need them.

tarasgirl06 Ah ha! Now the truth is out! Bj must have traveled here from the islands. He descended from the pirate ship cats. Funny that I was just discussing the lineage of some cats that could be exactly that. There are cats along the coast that are at high risk and most likely descended fronsailing ships. Hoping that maybe tracing the line might stir interest in saving them. Cat from one ship in particular were thought to have populated the area. Lots of six toed cats came from the line but that gene may no longer be active. I think we all know of the polydactyl cats in Florida butthey existed other places as well. I am hoping for a new viewpoint about these cats in order to make people understand they have value in many, many different ways. They are a part of our history and survival. We owe them a lot! Let’s appreciate them!

BJ the pirate cat keeps a parrot nearby and looks dashing in a hat and boots. The only cutlass needed is his claws! Yo ho matey!

M maggiedemi Thank you for that. I would try to help a lion. Lol I would look for the appropriate wildlife refuge though. I guess, even on April fool day, I shouldn’t be to my Dad.

It’s been a rushed day today because the upcoming week will be busy. I have company coming. Today I cleaned the cat room to get it nice and snuggly as the weather cools off. The kitties have kind of migrated back into the main part in the house so maybe it’s cooler out there. I still have to put everything back out there so I thought I would stop in now, while I have a minute to rest. I’ll try to get back tonight be the chances are slim.
Lady and Kodiak stayed to keep me company.
View attachment 306445
The others followed their stuff!
View attachment 306446
Whistle wasn’t budging.
View attachment 306447
He stays with the kitty pool....
View attachment 306448
And the toys. Lol
View attachment 306449
Muffin took advantage of me sitting to type this.
View attachment 306450
I guess the work was just too much for Lady.
View attachment 306451

If I don’t get back tonight....have a great night everyone!!

*AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!*
Yes, humane education should be priority one everywhere, from the earliest educational level to the highest. EVERY cat has inestimable value! If people really knew how much good cats do for us and for the world, they would be rushing to scoop up every last one into safe haven and love. We need to help them get there.
I'm still absolutely enthralled by that soft aqua and white trim in the cat room. It's looking very nice!
HAGE/N all!

 

[Jcatbird]

tarasgirl06 I am trying to think “outside the box!” I think some of the historical groups might think cats from historical lineage should be preserved. All should be preserved but there has been resistance there so perhaps showing them the value in a different light might make them understand that their ancestors would have put great value on these cats. Truly worth their weight in pirate gold.
The history of cats on ships continues but there are some fascinating tails out there. I don’t know if people realize how many cats have traveled the world and even gone into battle with humans. I think dogs are seen as human escorts but cats have been just as vital in every aspect of our past. Maybe included in a larger variety of ways. Our little friends may have garnered less attention because of their smaller size, tendency to stay secreted away and to be quiet companions.
I know that Banjo looked up and posted about the cats in the White House but maybe I need get her do some more research to help the kitties.
I wonder if there is a “Cat history Day?” There should be.
Thanks about the room. I am still enjoying it myself. Easy to clean and cheerful. I love seeing the kitties lounging around out there and enjoying the view. I did get the kitty room filled with soft, warm things. The cats have abandoned me!
I still have three in here but the rest are all tucked away on totes, in carriers and cages. Oh, or in the kitty pool. Lol

 

[tarasgirl06]

tarasgirl06 I am trying to think “outside the box!” I think some of the historical groups might think cats from historical lineage should be preserved. All should be preserved but there has been resistance there so perhaps showing them the value in a different light might make them understand that their ancestors would have put great value on these cats. Truly worth their weight in pirate gold.
The history of cats on ships continues but there are some fascinating tails out there. I don’t know if people realize how many cats have traveled the world and even gone into battle with humans. I think dogs are seen as human escorts but cats have been just as vital in every aspect of our past. Maybe included in a larger variety of ways. Our little friends may have garnered less attention because of their smaller size, tendency to stay secreted away and to be quiet companions.
I know that Banjo looked up and posted about the cats in the White House but maybe I need get her do some more research to help the kitties.
I wonder if there is a “Cat history Day?” There should be.
Thanks about the room. I am still enjoying it myself. Easy to clean and cheerful. I love seeing the kitties lounging around out there and enjoying the view. I did get the kitty room filled with soft, warm things. The cats have abandoned me!
I still have three in here but the rest are all tucked away on totes, in carriers and cages. Oh, or in the kitty pool. Lol
View attachment 306461View attachment 306462View attachment 306463View attachment 306464View attachment 306465View attachment 306466View attachment 306467View attachment 306468View attachment 306469View attachment 306470

They love their special room, don't they?
Well, sometimes people forget that there is a lot of the world besides what they normally think of, and in that world, dogs are considered vermin and cats are loved and respected and protected for their hunting prowess, protecting humans' grain stores and keeping their homes and environments free of rodents, which we appreciate! *Not that I don't love little rodents. But they do pose a threat to grain stores. In the Mojave, they were everywhere outside, especially in the barn stalls where the chickens lived. They'd come and raid the dishes of rabbit pellet we kept out for the wild cottontails and jackrabbits. We loved the wild creatures there and respected nature.* The only creatures I couldn't abide up there were coyotes and the dogs people kept (and often let run loose).

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Well, SPIT! My pictures are NOT loading! Or, almost none of them. I did get to see BJ asleep, flat on his back, and that opossum, so All was not Lost!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Well, SPIT! My pictures are NOT loading! Or, almost none of them. I did get to see BJ asleep, flat on his back, and that opossum, so All was not Lost!

Hope that gets fixed soon, Mamanyt1953 !

 

[Jcatbird]

Mamanyt1953 That's awful! You would love the pictures of BJ as a pirate cat, the Raccoon and the looks I got from BJ and Flowers! I hate that you missed those! Just the photos from here or everywhere? I guess we need for a kitty to wear a Sherlock Holmes hat and investigate! Banjo says it must be a bug!

 

[Jcatbird]

tarasgirl06 They really do love their room. It makes it worth every bit of the time and work invested. Too bad I can’t make the entire house like that! Lol Maybe someday.

We had our company today. BJ stole the show, as usual. Lol He approved and immediately started trying to give head butts. He knows a cat person when he sees one.

I guess you did see all sorts of creatures in the Mojave. It’s so bad that people just let their dogs run wild. That brings out the pack instinct in them. Domesticated animals should be treated so much better. When I first moved I had a dog I had rescued from the middle of heavy traffic. She had border collie in her and was pregnant. Poor thing stood in a four way cross just shaking. I opened my cat door and called to her and she jumped right into the passenger seat as though she belonged there with me. Gentle and highly intelligent! Eight puppies later ..... lol. Kept one puppy and found homes for seven. Two cats then and two dogs. They guarded my daughter , (and every living thing here) as though she were a puppy and knew many dozens of words. The “puppy” I had kept went on to actually save my life later. They both lived to a ripe old age and were beautifully behaved. They were never allowed to run loose. Although I had not set out to get a dog, these particular two were very special and horribly missed when they passed. It’s all about responsible humans or irresponsible ones. I can’t imagine how domesticated dogs in the Mojave would survive without becoming a pack. Not good!!

 

[Jcatbird]

It may be Fall but Spring has sprung here. I started handing out the Spring toys and I already realize....... we’ll need more!!

Wanda Heart, I know you love Pooh Bear but look!

Red spring toy!

Tortuga likes it too!

Adding another......

Callie likes it too.....

Adding another. Lol

It looks like the kitties like them.

Sending it rolling!

The chase in on.

Hmmmm. The blue one.

Something different about the blue one.

Red is better Tortie!

I think you’re right Wanda Heart!

Red tastes better.

Alley! Get the blue one!

But Wanda Heart has a red one Mom!

Red spring in the kitty pool!

Rolls around a lot there.

It’s alive!

I killing it Mom!

Red wiggles!!

Did I kill it?

Don’t kill it WH!

All I got was this blue one!

Definitely not as tasty!!

Wanda Heart. Share the red.

No.

I’m taking it!

Wait! There was another and I missed it? Rats.

Any more?

If Tortuga leaves, it’s mine.

Leave some for me!!

Don’t kill that one too!

I’m claiming it Callie.

Mom.... need more.

Alley was waiting for a chance to steal it when there was a knock st the door.

Who is it? Answer the door Wanda Heart!

My chance to get it!

Well, that didn’t work.

Wanna share Wanda Heart?

Please?

Is that a no?

Yes.

Hiding it by the water dish.

The others will never know. (Tortuga is under the edge of the comforter! Lol )

Tastes good.

Knock, knock, knock! Wanda Heart.

It’s me, Banjo. What are you doing in there.

She’s got a red spring and she’s not opening the door.

Okay. Let’s see if I can fit UNDER the door.

You’re not going to make it Banjo!
I wonder if I can order these things in a giant pack of red ones? Maybe the kitties in another room will like blue......

It looks like we have a hit with the springs. At least the red ones! Red parrots are out though. You just never know. The kitties keep me guessing and life is never boring at Chez catbird. I’m going to have to make sure Banjo doesn’t really try to squeeze under that door. I hope there’s one more red one in the bag.
Uh oh...... the bag has been raided.
Banjo!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess I go under the sofa tonight.
The kitties give the red spring toys a five star rating!

Have a great night everyone!

 

[Jcatbird]

23 minutes later, all ten Spring toys are now missing. No, they are not under the sofa. I think Spring toys are related to feral kittens. You have to confine them to small areas so they can’t hide!

 

[Jcatbird]

Need tips on locating some ferals that may have been picked up! Hopefully! All feral rescuers or people with advice please check in here! Mamanyt1953 tarasgirl06 surya I’ve requested they start photographing the cats to keep track of them.

 

[surya]

Need tips on locating some ferals that may have been picked up! Hopefully! All feral rescuers or people with advice please check in here! Mamanyt1953 tarasgirl06 surya I’ve requested they start photographing the cats to keep track of them.

They will need to check all the shelters in person, if they are in Houston they need to go to BARC and Harris County Animal Shelter right away and see if they are there. Feral cats are put down right away. Are they ear tipped?

 

[surya]

The rescue that was supposed to take the three kittens did not materialize. So I am fostering them now, with the help of transporters. One of them, Willow is acting feral at adoptions. She is tame as can be at home, climbing all over me. This is worrisome, as I can not keep her. So I have my four cats, three fosters and three rescue kittens in the bathroom. There are two more to be caught. Help.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Jcatbird Surya has said it succinctly. And surya , I cannot offer anything at this time but heartfelt *PRAYERS* and the very best thoughts for them, and for you.

 

[tarasgirl06]

23 minutes later, all ten Spring toys are now missing. No, they are not under the sofa. I think Spring toys are related to feral kittens. You have to confine them to small areas so they can’t hide!

So green and red are favorite colors at Chez Catbird! I do expect the red ones taste good.
Wanda Heart is getting so BIG! She looks like she's almost the size of others there who are adult.

 

[NY cat man]

Around here, the light green springs are the toy of choice, and yes, Wanda Heart certainly seems to be filling out quite nicely. So much progress in so little time is just slightly short of amazing.

 

[maggiedemi]

The “puppy” I had kept went on to actually save my life later.

That sounds like an interesting story. Care to share it with us?

Callie likes it too.....

Nice to see pretty Callie again.

 

[Jcatbird]

N NY cat man Maybe green makes them all think of frogs! Wanda Heart looks like a domesticated kitty now. All her wounds have healed and she actually snuggles with Liberty! I am very impressed at her ability to win over Liberty as well as the others. Liberty has always preferred to have a little space. Wanda Heart has worked wonders with the girls. She really needed and wanted a family. She Wandaed into the right place. How are things with Miss Eleanor and the rest of you there? Getting cold?

surya Bravo for hanging on. I know that having any helper fail on you is a serious problem. I also know what it’s like to have extra fur babies on hand. Time for pictures? It never hurts to show everyone those precious faces.

tarasgirl06 It does appear that red and green are the colors of choice. We did have some springs return. I have no idea where the kitties had them stashed. I looked everywhere and even used a flashlight. I think we need toy tracking devices!

M maggiedemi Callie is a true beauty and such a gentle soul. She has always been a great help when a new kitty joined us. I’ll never forget finding her standing, horrified by the first time she had seen snow. She was very willing to be one of my earliest rescues. From that moment on, she helped with the other girls.

The dog? I don’t mind sharing about him. Be careful what you ask for though. It’s not a short tail. Of course the tails around here are never short. Hang in there until the smiles. Tails end with smiles.

Blue was a huge boy. The vet said some Mastiff genes. I once took him to the vet and while sitting in the waiting room a little boy kept staring. The child finally worked up the nerve to ask,” Lady, what is that?” When I explained it was a dog he replied, “ Oh! I thought he was a baby cow!” Yep! I always walk baby cows on a leash and teach them to sit. This was made even funnier to me because Blue ( at over 100 pounds) had a favorite toy. It was a tiny stuffed Happy Meal toy that he carrierd around like a baby and was always washing with his giant pink tongue. It was a little black and white cow. Lol

His name was Blue because he had blue eyes until he was a year old. I never intended to keep him but out of the litter of eight, he kept getting passed over at the adoption days at PetSmart. He never wanted to go to those things. Secretly, I was kind of happy he stayed with me. From the earliest days I worked to train the puppies. Mom, Annie, was so intelligent she picked up every instruction as though she understood every word. Blue was like that too. He understood, sit, lay down, move over, catch, move a little more, back, stay, here, hurry, check Sarah, out, in, up, down, back up, help me up, roll over, guard, check that, get it, and so many more. Play dead was something that always made me laugh. He was always a happy boy and when he played dead he would lay down and freeze with his front paws bent...... except for the very tip of his tail. It wagged like crazy. Just the tip! He and Annie were great about helping me with Sarah. They would go into her room regularly to check on her. I never needed to ask them, they just protected her. If I was holding Sarah in my lap and dropped anything, they would pick it up and place it beside me. Help me up was really just kind of a joke. I would be getting up out of the recliner while carrying Sarah and say,” Blue, help me up!” He would place his massive head under my arm and push me up. I had no idea that this fit of play with him would be truly helpful.
In 2002 I was preparing for work the next day and loading my van with all the supplies and crated of orchids that I would need to spend our usual Saturday in the city. This was the day of the week I devoted to taking Sarah to hang out with the College kids to socialize and I introduced the locals and tourists to unusual plants while Sarah had some fun. Sarah adored doing this so I looked forward to it each week. We had become a fixture there after showing up every weekend for some years. I loaded the van, bathed Sarah, dressed her, fed her, took care of all the animals ( besides the two dogs that included my two rescued kitties, previous ferals as kittens), watered everything in the greenhouse and did some chores here. We got through lunch too. After lunch I went outside and squatted down to smell a flower. I heard a pop and felt a tug in my back. It seemed like fireworks flashed behind my eyes. I got up and throughout the rest of the day I called friends to see if anyone could come over. I wasn’t sure what had happened but I was concerned. Pain started so I got a hot bath. My back felt sore so I got out and stretched out on the floor beside the place I had laid Sarah. Big mistake. I went into shock and could not get up. I could barely move and the phone was not near. No one called me back and no one showed up. My family was on vacation in another state. It got dark in the house and I tried to just keep Sarah calm and content by singing to her and rubbing her but I knew we were in trouble. If I couldn’t get up, we could both lay there for days undiscovered. I knew we would be missed in the city but would anyone do anything? Blue laid down beside me and kept me warm. Annie laid beside Sarah. Finally it was near 11 at night and the pain was unbearable. I told Blue to help me up. He placed his head down and I put my arm around his neck but could not get up. He kept trying to pull me up. Then I just held on and told him ,”over.” He pulled me across the floor some. I kept instructing him with words he understood to “move over, a little more, back, more.” He did everything I asked and when we stopped I was laying near the phone. I pointed to it and told him to “get it.” He did. I hit a button that automatically dialed a friend and customer who happened to be a doctor. Thankfully, he answered. He called an ambulance and another friend who lived near me. The friend came to help Sarah and the ambulance arrived. The EMTs were afraid of Blue but I told him to ,” back off,” and he laid down. He would not leave though. They got me on the gurney and then started to laugh. My giant golden boy was trying to sneak onto the gurney to go with Mom. Sometime around midnight I got to the hospital and went into respiratory arrest. I had been paralyzed from the waist down sometime after the spinal disc ruptured and sent the pieces into the spinal cord. I had not realized my whole body was swelling up. My airway was closing. I woke up again the next day and was told that if Blue had not gotten me to the phone when he did, I would not have survived. I also woke up with a half dozen of the people from town around my bed. I still don’t know how they found out but all that mattered to me is that they were there. They told me that there had been a group of people outside of the building where we normally would have been on that morning and they were gathered in prayer for us. I was told the paralysis was permanent. This all started on a Friday. After my condition was stabilized I had emergency surgery to remove the disc pieces. Damage had already been done. Little saw blade pieces had done some cutting as I had moved around. I had one incision in my back. When I awoke from surgery I got the news about being paralyzed. The nurse would not let me try to get up. As soon as she left the room, I tried to get up and rolled out of the bed. We never know what will happen unless we try. I have always believed in love and hope. I was bent double but managed to make it to the nurse station. On Monday, I returned to Sarah, Blue and the rest of my animal family. It was months of recovery but Sarah, Blue, Annie and the kitties helped me every day. I made a full recovery although no one can explain how it was possible. I think it was the love.
That’s the story of a hero named Blue, his mom and furmily. We lost Blue a few years later. The kitties after that and His Mom shortly after. Our home felt empty but I just didn’t think I could or should get any more animals.
A few months after that, the first ferals showed up. Dolly, Mackie, Smokey, Purry and others. Sarah adored them and they adored her. She drew them to her like a magnet. Lol Mackie started taking the place beside Sarah where Blue had previously stayed and Smokey stayed curled up beside her. The kitties offered us great comfort. A few years later Sarah went to find Blue, Annie, Kenty and B. kitty. I like to think they guard each other now. When one door closes, another opens. It’s all about continuing the love and hope.

Believe it or not, smiles follow! They always do.

All that talk about dogs gave me a Fluff tail!

You didn’t give us dog toys did you? I think I smell dog!

No Banjo!

I can do everything a dog can do!

Did you hear that story? Guard the door BJ!
Yes dear.

You wouldn’t get a dog?!?!?!?

Don’t worry Lady. This is a “Cat Room!”

No worries here. I’d just eat it anyway. Quiet now. I’m trying to sleep.

No dog could be bigger than me!!
If it was, I would just ride it.

That might be fun!! Could a dog bring me treats?

You had cats that liked dogs? Why didn’t they just take over? If you ever need anything, I’ll make the call for you! No dogs needed here.

Make sure everyone knows....
This post was not written by Banjo!

Just remember everyone, smiles always follow!

I like that. That makes me ,Wanda Heart Smiles!!!

Have a great night everyone! We send purrs and smiles.

 

[Lari]

That's an amazing story. I'm so glad Blue was able to help rescue you so you could be here with us today. He sounds like he was a really special dog.

 

[Furballsmom]

Big Baby Blue You did your mama proud