My Feral And Rescued Cats

[Jcatbird]

We left off yesterday as Lady came in from her walk. She was met at the door by a welcoming party of curious cats.

Would someone like to try a harness?

You’ve got it Banjo! Want to try it?

Sweet girl.

Okay. It’s on.

How does that feel?

How does it feel?

What are you doing Banjo?

I am removing it!

Now I will kill it!’

It’s a dress!

I will take the leash and....

take it away to......

Destroy it....

And put it where you will never find it again!
Well, what about a less feminine harness?

Hey Banjo, that one looks better. ( kitty snickering)

Whistle is laughing at me!

I will remove this one too!

Unh. Strong Velcro!

Ahhhh, I think my paw is stuck.

Rats.

I will roll out of it!

Ack! Get it off!

Okay Banjo! It’s coming off as fast as I can get it!

Human!

Now I shall destroy this one and hide it too! That’s okay Banjo! I’ll remove it. Maybe someone else would like to try it. How about your Dad?

How about it BJ? Want to dress up for the ladies and take a walk? You could try being an escort for Lady!

So, the story continues. Lol Obviously Banjo refuses to accept those two harnesses. Lol She is very particular about the things she likes to wear and I won’t push something she does not like. Funny how she likes to wear glasses but not a harness. Every cat is different. BJ does like to dress to impress the ladies. I wonder how this will go. Any guesses?

 

[Jcatbird]

Whenallhellbreakslose This is a site filled with wonderful people who share much of what we think and feel. They are a very generous and loving group. It’s a good place that you came to.
Thank you about my neighbor. I am hoping for him too. Sending sweet purrs back to you and all there.

rubysmama That is the one who was trapped. She was actually walled in under the house. Between the floor and the earth below. Fortunately , I didn’t have to break the wall down myself. Lol My neighbor was willing to break it out even though it had just been completed.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Whenallhellbreakslose This is a site filled with wonderful people who share much of what we think and feel. They are a very generous and loving group. It’s a good place that you came to.
Thank you about my neighbor. I am hoping for him too. Sending sweet purrs back to you and all there.

rubysmama That is the one who was trapped. She was actually walled in under the house. Between the floor and the earth below. Fortunately , I didn’t have to break the wall down myself. Lol My neighbor was willing to break it out even though it had just been completed.

WOW. Amazing story. Thanks god you got her out of there! What a precious Lady.
I can see you walking several cats in harness and leash out where people can see. My mom used to walk her cross-eyed, kink-tailed Seal Point Siamese boy on harness and leash and people would ask if he was a monkey. They obviously hadn't seen Siamese before where they were. He was quite a character. My attempts to walk my cats out in the snow like this failed miserably. My ex bought the harness and leash and wanted them to experience show. They had other ideas. I've still got the harness and leash.
Yes, *PRAYERS* and best thoughts for your neighbor.
I've always thought cat lovers are the best people. Nothing has changed that so far.
I was concerned that I might have to buy some cables for the setup but they are all in the box. ASUS makes the best equipment IMHO and they also give excellent value. I get all my IT stuff from newegg.com which is up in the (Silicone) Valley and so, not that far from L.A. That's why it got here so fast. IDK if my being a loyal customer had anything to do with it. But I'm very happy with the system and the service. I'm very attached to my systems, so I'm not really wanting to shut this one down. But it has to happen -- it gets very squirrelly from time to time now. So it will happen fairly soon, I guess.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

We definitely don't have armadilloes in CA, nor do we have woods like that... At least not where I'm at.

There actually are LOTS of armadillos in CA, not sure about your area, but there's a thriving service to remove and relocate them. My dad, who grew up in Texas, always called them "possum on the half-shell."

Lady certainly had an adventure!

OH, good news on the Scamper front! He is now using ALL FOURS to walk on! He still lifts the bad front leg to run, but he's walking on all fours with only a very slight limp!

 

[BellaGooch]

There actually are LOTS of armadillos in CA, not sure about your area, but there's a thriving service to remove and relocate them. My dad, who grew up in Texas, always called them "possum on the half-shell."

Lady certainly had an adventure!

OH, good news on the Scamper front! He is now using ALL FOURS to walk on! He still lifts the bad front leg to run, but he's walking on all fours with only a very slight limp!

I live in LA where the only “wildlife” we see around here are crows and pigeons and seagulls. I really don’t know how I didn’t know about the armadillos situation in other areas of CA
Good to hear about Scamper! Please keep the updates coming

 

[Jcatbird]

Any ideas anyone? Who knows how to get a cat from a high place? Our friend and rescuer needs ideas. Putting out the call to all kitty lovers

 

[BellaGooch]

I saw that!!! I don’t know what to do but I’m definitely keeping them in my prayers. Thank you for sharing it with this thread. I hope somebody will be able to see it and help.

 

[NY cat man]

If the cat is that high up, and hasn't come down yet, about the only recourse is to call in the fire department or power company, or maybe a tree service like Davey or Asplundh.

 

[rubysmama]

BJ does like to dress to impress the ladies. I wonder how this will go. Any guesses?

Hmmm... if he gets to wear a hat with the harness, it might go over well.

rubysmama rubysmama That is the one who was trapped. She was actually walled in under the house. Between the floor and the earth below. Fortunately , I didn’t have to break the wall down myself. Lol My neighbor was willing to break it out even though it had just been completed.

Oh, that's even scarier than I remember.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I live in LA where the only “wildlife” we see around here are crows and pigeons and seagulls. I really don’t know how I didn’t know about the armadillos situation in other areas of CA
Good to hear about Scamper! Please keep the updates coming

I'm in la-la land too, and we have oppossums, skunks, rats and mice, raccoons, lizards, and quite a few kinds of insects and birds including free parrot colonies!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Any ideas anyone? Who knows how to get a cat from a high place? Our friend and rescuer needs ideas. Putting out the call to all kitty lovers

There are cat rescuers -- there was even a series about some of them on Animal Planet a few years back -- so they might want to search the topic and see if there are any in their area.

 

[BellaGooch]

I'm in la-la land too, and we have oppossums, skunks, rats and mice, raccoons, lizards, and quite a few kinds of insects and birds including free parrot colonies!

Yes, the parrots!!!! A flick of them used to fly by my house every single afternoon!

 

[tarasgirl06]

Yes, the parrots!!!! A flick of them used to fly by my house every single afternoon!

We LOVE them here. They're so beautiful and talkative!
But in terms of feral and rescued cats, on the other hand, Baby Su and Elvis are rather quiet most of the time.

*Elvis: Parrots? What parrots? I don't see or hear any parrots! Bring some, please!*

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Who knows how to get a cat from a high place?

I recommended that they call Canopy Cat Rescue (the people who had the AP show, actually). Even if they are not in the area, those guys may be able to recommend someone near them to help.

 

[Jcatbird]

tarasgirl06 People thought the Siamese was a monkey? Obviously they had never seen a Siamese OR a monkey! Lol I know most people are not used to seeing cats on leashes. Maybe that was the confusion? I’m not sure how many I could walk at once since they seem to want to do in different directions. Walking in snow would definitely be resisted here. These cats have only seen snow once and didn’t like it. From feral to instant cat in my arms!
Dear Lady and her babies. I was so relieved when they came out voluntarily. My neighbor didn’t think they were under there so it was crucial that they show themselves.
I know you love your system. Work it while it lasts! I bet the loyalty did have something to die with prompt delivery. If not, it should have!
Elvis! I love, love that picture! I think Elvis did hear voices. I wonder if the parrots were calling ,” kitty, kitty!”

Mamanyt1953 Thank goodness Scamper is able to use his leg! That is wonderful news!!

BellaGooch Armadillos usually leave only a sign they have been around. Lots of little paths of upturned soil where they have been hunting bugs to eat. They are normally pretty shy. Very cute though. Bunny ears.

N NY cat man I see that the person with the kitty in the tree has gotten your suggestion and others. No response yet but I am hoping they have gotten him. Thank you to you and others who answered.

rubysmama That was a scary thing for Lady. She still watches that area like it is dangerous. Any noise from there and she suns to me or the door!

That’s a great idea! A hat with the harness. Lol He would certainly be handsome!

That would probably give my neighbors a smile too. I don’t think any cat thing I do surprises them anymore, but a cat on a leash in a hat might! I’m sure the children over there would love that.

Here’s what happened with BJ.

 

[Jcatbird]

We left BJ trying on the harness for the first time.

Do I look handsome?

Will Lady let me be her escort now?

I still want to win her heart too you know!

What is that noise?

Dad! Hahahahahahaha! You look like you are covered in Froggie bugs! Spots everywhere!

Look! Bugs on your back!

Ahhh! Bugs?

Lady won’t like bugs everywhere!

You’re right Banjo!

Help me!

I have to get this off before she sees me!

Pull Banjo!

Maybe I can rip the Velcro open like Banjo does.

You’ll need help with that one Dad!

I see what you mean!

Let me try pulling.

I’ve got it Banjo.

Is it coming off?

No!!!!!

Lets’s both try.

You get that end and I’ll get this one.

Now...... PULL!

It worked!

Now you know what me must do.

I know Dad.

First we destroy it...

Then we hide the evidence under the sofa.

Whoa kitties! Lol

Good girl Banjo. You accomplished another rescue! You saved your Dad. Now, let me have the harness because some kitties do like it.

Banjo saved BJ and I saved the harness. Thank goodness we do have kitties that like it. Maybe BJ just needs one without spots. AND has a matching hat!

 

[maggiedemi]

compassion, kindness and gentleness. If you don't have those, don't bother me!

Thanks for the reminder to be gentle with animals & each other. I think the world has forgotten about gentleness.

as long as I have work to do here, I want to do that work. I put myself in 100% Care of my Beloved Creator and know that as long as I am here, I am meant to be here.

This made me cry. I read it over ten times. I will try to do this.

No worries. I know you have first dibs on beautiful Lady.

Thank you for respecting my wishes, my fabulous friend. Hee hee.

She and her babies came right to me then and followed me home like a little row of ducklings.

Who were the babies of Lady, underneath the house with her?

Lady already thinks owns you. Lol You do realize that?

Lady is the owner of my heart.

Now I will kill it!’

Ha! Banjo, you've got that something special....Pizzazz I think it's called?

 

[Mamanyt1953]

BJ looked very handsome in that harness! Tell him those weren't bugs, they were beauty spots! Even boy kittehs can have beauty spots!

We have a new feral kitten. About 8 months old, and a dead ringer for Scamper! Has Our Boy been Up to No Good??? I have named him "Son of Scamper," which is a bit unwieldy for him, so I shortened it to SOS, or Sossy. He seems to like Sossy. Getting marginally braver, and often shares the Secret Feral Shelter with his dad(?)/older brother.

 

[Jcatbird]

M maggiedemi The kittens with Lady were Muffin, Sherbie, Jeremiah and Cheetah. They were such little kittens then! I had no idea they would grow so large. Lol

Banjo definitely has something! Lol Maybe it is purrzazz?

Lady has your heart but Muffin wants it too! She is a snuggler.

Mamanyt1953 Scamper has been scampering around? Dear little Sossy! Sharing a den with Dad or brother. He will learn from Scamper about the joys of being with their guardian. Scamper has probably been telling him all about how to tame a human.

 

[Jcatbird]

It is chilly here again. The landscape is wet and brown. I was outside today, scrubbing litter boxes to rid them of any gold dust, when I heard frantic calling from inside! I knew the voice. Banjo was calling me! I dropped the hose and ran inside to be greeted by Banjo. She continued to meow at me and was leading me towards the cat room. What?!? It felt a little like watching an old “Lassie” show. “Timmy’s in the well?” I kept asking Banjo ,” What is it?” I tried calming her with pets but she insisted that I follow her. So I did. As with all kitties, if we let them into our lives, they show us the world in a different light. The things that as humans we might miss, the kitties are quick to share with us. Leave it to Banjo to care about all living creatures.

Banjo stopped meowing and went to look out the back door.

One ear down...waiting for me to follow the eye of the cat. Lol

This is the “Quit photographing my ear fur and look!” Expression.

So....

Once I did look, I got the “Now do something”, expression.

We have a visitor.

It’s a young buzzard.

It flew away as soon as it saw me so I knew it wasn’t Damsel. Damsel is one of the buzzards that grew up here and visits when food is scarce. She is also the one that will tap on the back door for food and grew up with the colony.

Hmmm. I have a feeling that this may be a Damsel baby.

Poor bird huddled in the tree where Damsel always perches when she asks for help.

I watched a fairly long time and the bird just sat there.

Then I got my instructions from Banjo and Whistle. Go feed that poor baby!

When I put some leftovers out, the young one came down and ate. As I turned to come back inside, I saw Damsel perched in the front of the property. She let the young one eat all the food undisturbed. ( I did go back out to put food for Damsel/Dam bird) And so it is that another generation of wild creatures is taught by the elders. Refuge can be found here. This is a place where a cat will rescue you. Mother and young one flew off together with full tummies thanks to a cat (and her brother) with a caring heart.

Once the birds were fed, Banjo and Whistle were content. The relationships between ferals and other creatures never ceases to amaze me. Even though these kitties have been inside long enough to cease being called feral, their ties to all the creatures outside remain. As humans we often miss what goes on right outside our windows. I am still being educated by the kitties. After a bit of feeling grateful and enjoying the moment, I was able to go back out and finish scrubbing litter boxes.