My Feral And Rescued Cats

[burrgandy]

Thank you Surya! This kitten really needs to be with a cat person.


We are under Tornado threat. I may lose signal.

To everyone in Columbia SC, the State Capitol etc. ... be safe!
To those in Alabama and West GA, I hope you made it through okay! I know the tornado hit there. Sending hope wishes and prayers to all across these states that they and their families are safe, taking cover and will not be hit.

I hope you all stay Safe!

 

[Jcatbird]

Apparently all the excitement about a run for office is very exhausting. Last night I had to laugh at my sweet BJ. He was sleeping in my lap when I felt all his muscles totally melt into relaxation.

There was a progression from....that feels good Mom, to......

I’m feeling very relaxed.....to....

I’m going to lay on you Mom. To....

Cat asleep.......to.....

Melted sugar cat! I’m glad he trusts his Mom to hold on to him! Love you BJ!

Don’t worry everyone! I checked to make sure he was conscious and breathing! He slept very well. I stayed there long after my legs went numb!
It was worth every second to see him so relaxed! He can sleep safe and sound these days. Being inside is much more relaxing than standing guard outside. I think he got some, much deserved, snuggling.

Good night everyone!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I expect I’m going to be just the family pet if they make it to the White House. I just hope they don’t put me on a leash!

Purrsonally, I think you'll make an excellent First Person! No leashes, but don't pee in the rose garden!

 

[Jcatbird]

Purrsonally, I think you'll make an excellent First Person! No leashes, but don't pee in the rose garden!

Thanks! I’ll keep that in mind. It’s an excellent idea to stay out of the Roses..could be a sticky situation. No thorns, thank you!

 

[Jcatbird]

Last night was a bit rough as the storms moved over us. Kitty chaos! I was up and down all night trying to calm various cats. Early evening wasn’t too bad and the kitty rested by by the wee hours, we were all up!
I finally tried gathering everyone together with rare kitty treats!

Treats! Yay!

I’ve got mine!

Wait a minute! She gets them first?

She may be better qualified for President..........

But I’m still the watch guard of the house for now!

I needed the extra energy!

He ate the whole thing!

Don’t worry. Banjo got more treats. I just had to get BJ out of the way first!

I love the look Banjo gave me. These kitties keep me laughing. The expression says it all!

We are going to try for rest again tonight so.... goodnight everyone!

 

[Jcatbird]

I was on a vet site and saw a recall on Turemo hypodermic needles.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Jcatbird , if you haven't yet, could you post that recall on the "What's On Your Mind" thread?

 

[Jcatbird]

Jcatbird , if you haven't yet, could you post that recall on the "What's On Your Mind" thread?

I did.

 

[Jcatbird]

The kitties were started on something new today.
With a Posdible run for President in Banjo’s little fur mind, she came to me with some information she found online. That cat! She is always using my data!

My little feral has been educating herself! The surprises never end.

I found something Mom!

Could you help me with this?

You need to lift it up for me.

Yeah.

Like that is good.

I’ve got something I need to say if I want to be a President!

It’s the “Pleadge if Allegiance!” I ‘posed to put my paw up over my heart while I say it!

That’s nice Mom! Did I say it right?

I do love where I am Mom! It’s a nice flag.

You did great Banjo! I’m glad you love where you are.

I hope all kitties, everywhere have a pretty flag. I want to see some from other places Mom!

You can look that up tomorrow Banjo. It’s getting late tonight. Maybe everyone here can send you pictures of their rescued kitties with their flags!

Okay! That would be great! I’ll put this one back where I found it now. Tomorrow I’ll teach our other kitties.

Banjo did put the little flag back....... sort of. Lol It did end up back in the bookcase.

Where does this cat get such amazing thoughts? Downright weird since that flag has been in a vase on the bookshelf her entire life and never gotten her attention. I need to supervise this cat more closely. No telling what she has been looking at on the internet that I know nothing about. Better check my history! I think I’m very lucky she’s such a good kitty!

Lol Oops! I guess everyone here got flagged tonight!
Have a night of smiles everyone.

 

[rubysmama]

Maybe everyone here can send you pictures of their rescued kitties with their flags!

Guess I'll have to buy a little Canadian flag so Ruby can post a pic.

 

[Jcatbird]

Guess I'll have to buy a little Canadian flag so Ruby can post a pic.

Banjo likes that idea! She wants to learn about all the kitties of the world! She says she loves them all.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

She's going to make a FINE president! Spreading goodwill to the world!

 

[Jcatbird]

We had a neighborhood house burn down today. It was a terrible fire and a trauma for that family and the whole community. We are all exhausted and the cats are running around pretty upset by the smoke smell. It’s an overwhelming smell. The house was quite close and it burned completely. Vinyl siding it a sickening smell along with all the things humans keep in their garages, homes and yards. Very toxic stuff. I don’t think we’ll get much rest tonight. I am mostly concerned about BJ. I’ve got the house closed up tight and we aren’t running anything that will circulate air from outside into any systems indoors. I am warming the house now with small heaters and will unplug them just before laying down. I’ve got two air filters but it isn’t nearly enough to clear the air. I would wish for a cleansing wind but their are still hotspots in that house and the woods surround the area. The people there had ATV’s and other recreational vehicles so I expect there are fuel odors as well.

Everyone here is hopeful that the Mother is not badly injured. Although it was still early afternoon, apparently, the whole family was home. As far as I know, they did not have any pets. All humans escaped. Others there were treated for smoke inhalation. I am on breathing medicine. I’ve experienced this before.
How do you get smoke smell off of this many kitties? I’m getting out a pile of clean washcloths! Wish me luck!

 

[Jcatbird]

Not one cat has settled yet.
I thought I would show everyone what happens at 1:30 in the morning here if the cats are uneasy. Not one is asleep. Banjo and Whistle are hiding very well. I’ll be scouting them out before I go to bed. It seems that they have all decided to hide but since everything has the scent of smoke, no place seems safe. Except maybe...... my lap. BJ has that spot since he is most in need of it right now.
Purry and Smokey are constantly moving.

Dolly is staying up high but still shifting spots.

The two little white spots here are the tips of a couple of paws......

But even getting under a clean blanket wasn’t enough to keep Muffin satisfied. She is still roaming.

Lady has been staying near the carriers. I guess she would like me to take them all for a ride away from here.

Even Flowers is looking to me for help.

Now Purry is behind me. Lol poor kitties.

BJ is looking around at me, as if to say,” Why are you letting it smell so bad Mom?”

Don’t worry kitties! It is getting better in here.

I am so glad I have the room sized air purifiers. They do help. I just wish I had about ten of them! Lol I’ll need new filters by morning but these have really helped. I think they are probably a good thing to have around for any kitties that have breathing or lung issues. We’ve had a little bit of coughing but it seems to have stopped with everyone now. Including me! I also wiped down each kitty with a warm damp cloth. I didn’t want them licking any sort of residue off of their fur. I think some of them actually liked it!
I’ll try to get back to my regular posts tomorrow but I thought that posting about the kitties reacting to fire might have some benefit. Almost every cat in the house went into hiding. That’s an important piece of information to have in case I ever need to get them out of a similar situation. Luckily mine see the carriers as their “safe” place to go. It’s a bonus that they are pre trained to look to that as a good place to go. It could be beneficial in an emergency. I’ll be continuing to push that with all the kitties. Treats in carriers on a regular basis now. It just seems like a good idea now. Mom will always know where to look for them. I’m sure that if a window were opened, at least some would have tried to leave, but if they are ever caught inside, the carrier is the best way for me to get them all out safely. I think we’ll have kitty fire drills now! I had not thought of cat drills before. We’ll see how that works out!

 

[Avery]

I'm so glad that you and the kitties are OK. What an awful situation. Many years ago, I lived in a basement apartment next to a large house that caught on fire. I came home to find firemen dragging people out, carrying some of them over their shoulders like sacks of potatoes. I will never forget that horrible sight. I later learned that several people died. At the time, I only had two cats and I was able to take them to spend the night and part of the next day at a friend's house. But I know that horrible smell and how long it lingers and how scary it can be. Take care and keep us posted on how you all are doing.

 

[rubysmama]

Many years ago the house next to where we were living had a small fire in the basement. Minimal damage, but it took weeks for the horrible smoke smell to be completely gone from their house. So can only imagine what it must smell like after a major fire. Hope you can air your place out today. Also hope the mother will be ok.

I recently wondered what I'd do if Ruby and I had to evacuate the house in an emergency. Her carrier is in a closet in the basement, so not easily accessible. Maybe I should find a place to keep it upstairs. And seriously think about an evacuation plan.

 

[Jcatbird]

I’m sorry that anyone has to go through that. It’s scary and tragic.

Many years ago the house next to where we were living had a small fire in the basement. Minimal damage, but it took weeks for the horrible smoke smell to be completely gone from their house. So can only imagine what it must smell like after a major fire. Hope you can air your place out today. Also hope the mother will be ok.

I recently wondered what I'd do if Ruby and I had to evacuate the house in an emergency. Her carrier is in a closet in the basement, so not easily accessible. Maybe I should find a place to keep it upstairs. And seriously think about an evacuation plan.

I think we feel safe and don’t really consider evacuation plans. It’s a good idea to have a plan. As a child I always worried about it because we had a couple of small fires due to lightning. I have always kept evacuation items close at hand here because of tornados and hurricanes. I have evacuated twice before and it was nerve wracking but we got through it with all kitties safe. I think having a plan is place with animals and people I see just a good precaution. Most will never need it but at least you can relax that you know what you would do if needed. Safety first!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

OH NO! Poor kitties, poor you, POOR FAMILY!

I've been there...luckily, all of us, including the cat, got out safely! For them:

Treats in carriers on a regular basis now.

Starting this TONIGHT!

 

[Jcatbird]

OH NO! Poor kitties, poor you, POOR FAMILY!

I've been there...luckily, all of us, including the cat, got out safely! For them:
View attachment 276562



Starting this TONIGHT!

I’m so sorry you went through that too. It leaves us very shaken.

I think promoting kitty safety drills is a good idea for everyone. I did a practice, treat in carriers today. It’s kind of cheating for me because I’ve been using the cages, carriers and crates nonstop since I brought these guys in but doing it,” on cue” is different. It went well with a couple of kitties who just looked at me ,”What’s the rush?” I do have serious words I use with them. My emergency words are No!( as in the stove is hot) Stop!( as in another cat doesn’t like you biting their tail because it wiggles like a snake) and Now!( as in , if you don’t move quickly, I might not be able to get the heavy trash bag past you in time to avoid stepping on your tail because you chose this moment to rub against my foot) They tend to enjoy seeing my acrobatic moves to avoid stepping on paws and tails. I think they laugh at me but I can imagine it does look pretty hilarious.

By late this afternoon I was pretty sick with the smell here and having been up all night with frantic cats. The cats seemed to understand and were a great comfort. I took my albuteril and grabbed a blanket on the sofa. Lady sat up by my left arm to be my nurse. Banjo laid across my neck to monitor my breathing. Whistle laid on my heart to check the beat. Muffin kept my feet warm. Thrasher stayed by my right arm. Mitsy sat on the floor monitoring the proper positioning of the other cats. Smokey stayed on the coffee table to stare at me to make sure I rested. Purry and BJ took their positions above and on the top of my head and Purry watched from the top on the piano. Dolly and the rest stood by as back up. All the cats laying on me purred and I totally knocked out for about an hour. I slept better than I have in a very long time but I think it had a lot to do with the comfort, caring and purring more than being tired. I had wonderful dreams! My kitties really did a great job helping me out today. I felt much better when I woke up. Relaxed. Thank you kitties! I did wake up with every cat still in the same spot. If anyone had come in and found us this way it would have made a funny picture, I’m sure.

Some of these might be a bit blurry because I had just opened my eyes again but I had to get as many of the nursing staff as possible on record.

Yes! I’m still here.

Do you feel better Mom?

Mitsy is still worried about you Mom!

Oh! You do look better!

Are your feet still warm?

I’m going to go take a walk now that you’re better. Okay?

I need to listen to your breathing some more Mom. Don’t get up yet.

I think the purring helped her guys!

Mom?!?!? Mom?!?!? You awake Mom? It’s Whistle. Can you see me Mom?!?! Mom!

She’s awake. I think she’s gonna make it.

Well hey Mom! Feel good now?

Let me head bump to be sure.

Yep! Your heart sounds just fine. Purrrrrr. Banjo loves you Mom!

My wonderful kitties really took great care of me. Who could ask for anything better?!?!?! This really changed my day around. If anyone reading this ever debated getting a kitty or if anyone knows of someone considering it, this should be a deciding factor. They are worth more than gold and give love as great as any human heart. Perhaps more than some! Thank you sweet kitties for purring me back to feeling better and checking all my vital signs while I slept!
I could go for another round of this tonight! I guess it’s time for the kitties to rest now though.,
Sweet dreams everyone.

 

[rubysmama]

If anyone reading this ever debated getting a kitty or if anyone knows of someone considering it, this should be a deciding factor. They are worth more than gold and give love as great as any human heart. Perhaps more than some!

As I was reading your post, I was thinking my reply would include something about people not realizing how lovable cats can be. But then I read further and saw you already said it better than I ever could have.

So I'll just post this.