snow is gone...and so are Scooby and Shaggy!

Yep, a week ago, there was close to 20 inches of snow on the ground, and now, there is nothing left but a few small piles the plows left. I still can't believe it!


Scooby is all business with his ball.


Whatever Scooby has set his sights on better run!

Also hard to believe Shaggy and Scooby are gone. They both made weight, and went back to the shelter for Spay Day tomorrow. They both got to have some great play time running the hall, and playing in the tub this week. Both are adorable, and I don't expect them to hang around the shelter long. I think a friend of a friend is interested, and I let her know she best be on her toes, 'cause as soon as they go on view, they will be snatched up!


Shaggy looks worn out from a hallway romp.


Shaggy looks out from his condo perch.


Buddy's eye is looking great! Just a little hazy now.


Buddy also takes ball play very seriously.

As you can see, Elf's eye is almost completely healed. I can't believe how great it looks compared to how it looked when he first came here to heal, and be socialized. He was also a bit of a scaredy cat, and didn't like to be held. Now he hops into my lap same as the rest of them. He is quick to purr too, and loves to play. He started to venture out with the older boys into the hallway, but never goes too far away from the door of the "safe room." Oh yeah, and we decided to call him Buddy, after Will Ferrell's character in the movie Elf.


Big age difference, but not a big size difference.


Boz looking innocent.

We have had a breakthrough with Boz. He actually has gained weight, and is up to 1lb, 10.5oz! (Buddy is already at 1lb, 9oz!) The stomach chi he has been on seems to really be working. He did vomit today, but I had only given him one dose of the herbs. I dosed him a few more times this evening, and he is eating again with gusto, and seems to be happy. I was really about out of answers for Boz, so I am very excited about his progress. If you ever have "issues" with your cats, I highly recommend checking out this website, or contacting them by phone. They are extremely helpful. www.petsage.com.

The biggest issue I think I am gonna have with Bosley now is that I have spoiled him so much, he may just be rotten forever! I guess there are worse things. ; )

Happy Holidays!

Bentley, Buck, Ripley, Bishop and all the itty bitties hope you all have a great holiday season!


Bentley having a romp in the snow.

If you don't live "in these here parts," this past weekend we had quite the blizzard. Yes indeed, we got about a foot and a half of snow here! It was quite the scene! At least it was on Saturday, and no one REALLY had to go anywhere. Bentley had a blast in the snow, and the cats seemed to be happy they were inside where it was warm.


Front door picture Saturday night.


The front porch light on Monday.

It's been quite the roller coaster here at Itty Bitty Central. The Screamers are both doing great. They are happy, well adjusted and seem to have left all the poop issues behind them (no pun intended! OK. Maybe a little) They love to escape and run the hallway between the bathroom and the bedroom.


The Orange Brothers during a typical day.

Elf is growing and opening up more and more every day, and his eye is looking great! He has been known to venture out the door to see what the big deal is, but if something startles him, he high tails it back in and scampers under the wooden cart! He usually comes right back out, but it's pretty funny to see his mad dash under it.


Elf's eye is looking much better than I would have expected.


He certainly has energy to spare.

Boz is still a conundrum. He had a couple of bad days last week, and I really though that I might have to give up on him...but then, he had a burst of energy, and appetite, and gained some weight. I still think Elf may pass him in a week or so, unless he really turns it around. I have tired him on a raw diet, and he has not been able to keep it down. I have him on a chinese stomach mixture that seems to be helping. He still would rather have KMR, but does eat some of the canned food, especially in the morning, when he is really hungry. I have not seen any vomit today, or yesterday, and he has gained a couple of ounces. He is so happy when he feels well, and he loves to be held. He loves to hang with me at my desk while I am working. He sits on his haunches, and puts his paws on my chest, occasionally trying to (I believe) stick his head up my nostril. Quite the sight, I am sure!


During a better day, Boz chases his tail.

So, we muddle on, and see what tomorrow brings. Today, Boz feels good, and seems quite content. My Christmas wish is that he stays that way!

global warming?

Believe what you want...but it is getting warmer, for whatever reason. Why do I think that? Because every year "kitten season" gets longer and longer! The feral cats are reproducing further and further into the winter, and that means that at the week before Christmas, I have taken yet another kitten. sigh.... It's true. More about that little guy shortly.

Boz had a bad day last week, so I scheduled him for yet another vet appointment, along with Shaggy who had blood in his urine. Now, blood in the stool is pretty common, but I know better than to mess with blood in the urine, especially with a male cat. Blocked urethras can kill a cat in short order, so even though Shaggy was acting perfectly normal, he was going to see the vet.


Shaggy just got his face all cleaned off 3 days ago. Not that you can tell.

I got the carrier out, and opened the door and set it on the floor. I went to the other side of the room, grabbed Shaggy and Boz, and put them in the carrier. I went out the door, making sure not to let Scooby out of the room. I didn't see him, so off we went. The boys were pretty quiet, and I was just thinking about all the stuff I had to do, and how little time I really had to be running kittens to the vet, and dealing with Boz and his stomach issues. He really is high maintenance, STILL wanting a bottle, and getting it since he doesn't eat much solid food. So, I get to the vet, and reach over to pick up the carrier and I see not one, but two orange faces! All 3 of them were there! I guess Scooby went in when I sat the carrier down in the floor, and I never saw him. He got a field trip.


Shaggy says, "The vet is going to put that thermometer where??"


Scooby had a field trip, but is no worse for wear.

The vet gave Shaggy a shot of penicillin, and some albon since he was still having loose stool. (Scooby is back to normal on that end.) Then we got to Boz. The vet is stumped on what his issues are. Could be congenital, and if so, he COULD out grow it. He is definitely better than he was when he was really small, and he is growing...slowly. The vet says he is in good shape, other than being really small. Let's all keep our fingers and paws crossed that Boz does outgrow whatever this is. The vet gave me another vial of medicine and more syringes and needles. I have only used it once since his visit. He has been eating pretty well since, and I am going to TRY to wean him off the bottle. I may have to get some different food. He likes the really smooth stuff.


Boz is still pretty small. He is on a quart can of paint.

Now I am on my way home from the vet, again thinking about all the work I need to do when I get home, and my phone rings. It's the shelter. "I have a kitten here, who is pretty small, but seems to be weaned. He had a really bad eye infection, but the vet says he still has an eye in there, and we cleaned him up...but he needs a foster home..." Silence. All I can think of is how busy I am, and how much I DON'T have time for another high maintenance foster kitten. Then I said OK, and promptly turned around to go to the shelter to pick him up.


Meet Elf.

He was named "Elf" by the shelter staff, and I suppose for now that's good enough. He is pretty timid, but he will get better. I have to give him antibiotics 2 times a day, and eye drops and eye "goop" 3 times each each day. He is not happy to see me coming just yet! His eye does not look good, and he may still lose it, but don't feel sorry for Elf Man. He doesn't let that stop him. He will pounce on the bigger kittens without a second thought. He plays, and hops and does his kitty posturing all the time, and except for when I am sticking something in his mouth or eye, he is a happy little guy. He has already gained 2 ounces. I think he may pass Boz in a few weeks.


Elf take a cheap shot on Bosley.


You can see how bad Elf Man's eye is here, but the vet is hopeful it will heal.

semi normal

The Screamers are about back to normal. No more red angry behinds. Stools almost normal...a little loose, but under control. They are very cute, and sweet, although Scooby is still quite the screamer. There are now times I go in the room when there is food left in the bowl. I am happy that little guy found something else to be happy about!


Shaggy is still scraggly!


Shaggy has it out with the crinkly duck.

Shaggy is much less food intense. Don't get me wrong, he eats, but he is now more interested in running out of the room to explore than be the first one at the food bowl. Scooby still screams for his meals. I had to laugh, I needed to get the "numbers" off the charts to give to the volunteer coordinator, and realized they were not on the papers I was using. I dug through to get the photo pages, and looked at them and realized I was never going to be able to tell them apart! (remember, they were tiny when I got them) I looked again, and saw the squinty eyed scream on one of the faces, and recognized it as Scooby! He still screams like that!


Might not recognize Scooby without a scream emanating from him.

Bosley is still an enigma. He is so sweet, and he loves attention, but he is still vomiting, although not all the time. He eats solids finally, but he still wants the bottle, and the bottle is what he doesn't vomit up. It's weird. He is gaining weight, up to 1lb, 5+ oz, but he is way behind the orange boys. They are pushing 2 lbs now. I am hoping he out grows whatever it is, and he seems to be. I am willing to listen to any ideas anyone has on this little guy.


Bosley is hard to photograph, because he is usually on me! Here he is caught playing hide and seek with the orange boys.

Looks like I will have them all beyond the holidays. That's OK. They are doing well, and the pooping seems to be under control. The pumpkin did help some, although the poop sure was orange!


Buck helps wrap gifts while the itty bitties run loose.

poop storm

Well, Bosley had a great Thanksgiving. He was pampered, played with and did quite well. My niece is interested in adopting him too! He is now at 1lb, 3.5 oz. Amazing. Most of that was gained AFTER we got home!

Before we left, our 3 cats all had liquid diarrhea, and one was vomiting. I got them in Wednesday afternoon, and they were put on Metro, and some great probiotics. Buck had been on them before, but a different brand, and he wouldn't touch it. This was from a different vet, and all 3 of them loved it. Bosley is still all about the bottle, and I have been very hesitant to stop it, as he really couldn't afford any back sliding. I only had to give him 2 or 3 shots for the nausea while we were away, but I thought, what the heck. I dumped half a packet of the probiotic in his bottle. He guzzled it down like there was no tomorrow. No shots since. This morning, I added some probiotics to the Screamers food, and I looked over and Bosley was eating it too! Shocker! He loves the probiotic. It must be good. My cat Buck loves it too, and if I leave the empty packet out after adding it to food, he will grab it and run!


Boz prepares to attack.


Scooby says "Feed me!"


Is it just me, or does Shaggy always look startled?

The Screamers went away to "camp" with semi formed stools, but nothing alarming. When I picked them up, I was told they were having issues, and one had some blood in his stool. Before I got home, there was poop all in the carrier. Scooby was screaming, and so was Shaggy. I was shocked. I think I know what happened. When Scooby screamed, he got fed. I think in 4 days, they ate half a case of big food cans! I will admit, when he wants to eat (anytime you enter the room) he screams like someone is standing on him! But this was really bad. It was like a faucet of poop, with no handle to turn it off! I got them home, hit them with Metro, and gave them both a bath, which was not apparent an hour later. They were a mess, and their little rear ends were red and angry. I just didn't have the heart to take pictures of them like that.

After 3 doses of Metro, and NO canned food for a day, they are not dripping any longer, and are able to make it to the box without incident. Stools are still loose, and hind quarters are still red and they obviously hurt, but antibiotic ointment 3 or 4 times a day is helping. They got another bath Monday night, and they were so sweet. They were so nasty before, no one wanted to cuddle them, so when I held them each for 20 minutes or so drying them off, they were so happy. They were soft and fuzzy, and aside from the sore rears, felt so much better. We will keep giving Metro for another 3 or 4 days, and see how it goes. Tonight, although the hind quarters are still a little messy, and red, they managed to have a good "play time" with each other, and Bosley.


Orange kitten smackdown.


Scooby sneaks up for a blind side attack on Bosley...


...And then Bosley gives Scooby a dose of payback.


The Angels are on view. I was hoping they would be adopted this weekend, but I guess that was wishful thinking. I am pretty sure they won't have to stay at the shelter too long, because they are beautiful,and have great laid back personalities.

angels...short here and long gone!

The Angels go back to the shelter tomorrow. They have turned out to be 3 of the sweetest kittens we have ever fostered. I know Bosley will miss Dylan. She liked to clean the excess KMR off of his face after meals. They are going to be snatched up willy nilly. Dylan and Sabrina are such lookers, with those long coats, and Alex has the softest fur, one touch and you will be smitten. And she loves the attention.


Alex Chillin'


Dylan looks almost innocent.


Sabrina in mid-yawn is a bit frightening.


A more sedate looking Sabrina.


Alex and Sabrina play with the fleecy string.

The Orange boys AKA the Screamers, will be handed off to another foster home for the holiday weekend. They are fat and happy, and more importantly, healthy. They eat whenever they get the chance, and they love to be held. I betcha the temporary fosters will not want to give them back! Unless Scooby does his screaming non stop! He can really get loud. But they are snuggle bunnies, which is great, as long as you wipe the cat food off the faces first! I had to give Shaggy another bath...not that you can even tell. Look below, and you can see why it doesn't last.


Hard to tell where Shaggy ends, and the food begins.


Scooby is also in need of another bath.


Shaggy plays peek a boo.

What about Bosley you ask? Well, I have been given permission to take Bosley with me to my parents house for Thanksgiving. I just didn't think it was a good idea to hand him off to someone else while he was so fragile. I went to the vet yesterday to pick up more of the nausea medicine, and spoke to the doctor for a while. He also gave me 3 doses of penicillin injections, to see if that would help at all. They only had one tiny vial of the nausea meds, so I was really hoping we could make it through the whole weekend. Lo and behold, he has only had one dose, and that was early this morning. I have not seen any vomit (not that he couldn't have been leaving it in the litterbox, I caught him doing that Monday) but...drum roll...He is at 1lb, 1 oz! And that's not all...watch the videos below, and see how far the little guy has come. Keep your fingers crossed that he continues down this path! I was beginning to wonder if I was torturing him. I even mentioned that to the vet, and he assured me that I was not, and that we would get him through this. : )


Bosley stalks an invisible phantom.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

on a roller coaster ride

I suppose nothing worthwhile is easy. Little Bosley is a conundrum, for sure. He is sweet, seems happy most of the time, but keeps vomiting, and thus losing weight! The Orange Screamers are both now around 2lbs, 3 oz, and Bosley is still back and forth between 13 and 14 oz.


Bosley gets some TLC from Dylan while he sleeps on the warming disk.

He went back to the vet yesterday, and they gave him more meds for the stomach issues. He gets a shot 3 times a day, about a half an hour before meals. I think it's helping. I didn't see any vomit yesterday after noon, or this morning, and he was screaming for breakfast. Hopefully, he is eating when I am not around, because all he wants when he sees me is the bottle. I can't stop giving it to him yet, because he can't afford to lose any weight. I did try yesterday to syringe some Nutri-cal into him. Funny...turns out, he really likes it! He will be getting that 3 times a day too. He needs all the calories he can get.


Bentley seems to know Bosley needs some love.

The Angels are all doing great. All are up to weight, and should go back for spay day on Tuesday. They have now experienced the "outside" world of the upstairs that is outside the kitty room door, and Sabrina is always the first to run out when I come in. This morning they were running back and forth from the bathroom to the bedroom, while the screamers had their faces in the food bowl, and Bosley was sucking on the bottle.


Dylan and Sabrina get some toy time in before they run the hall.

Last night they all got to hang out with Bentley for a little while. The little 'uns have no fear, but the Angels were a bit tentative at first. Alex was more afraid than anyone, but Bentley has a healthy respect for any cat that "gets their back up" and he let her be. Eventually, she got past her fear, and was running the hall with her Angel sisters and the screamers.


Bentley gives Scooby a face washing...


...Now it's Bosley's turn.

Shaggy and Scooby are rolling right along, doing their kitten thing. Scooby has already figured out how to get on the condo. I suspect Shaggy won't be far behind. They both look all scraggly again, like they never had a bath at all! I guess it's because they tend to really "get into" their food. Aside from some loose stools, they are both doing great.


Scooby and Shaggy "get into" their meals.


Shaggy looks scraggly again.


Scooby figured out how to get on the condo.

Hopefully when I post again, Bosley will be rolling along, back on track. I have gotten quite attached to him, (as I always do when I have a sick kitten that needs a lot of my time and attention) and hope I can find a friend to adopt him.