Elephants Upstairs

Kittah-less New Year

2012-01-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

We start out 2012 with no foster kittens. I took Twinkle, Georgina and Ziggy back to the shelter on Friday. For the last few days, we had been letting them out for hours at a time, to run the house. They took full advantage of it.

Only Twinkle actually climbed the tree...but she didn't do any damage. They other two only batted at the low hanging ornaments. They did like to play amongst the gifts though. I only caught Ziggy actually trying to get into one of them.

Twinkle wants to be someone's Christmas gift

Twinkle plays hide and seek

Georgina is searching for a hiding Twinkle

"I know Twinkle is here somewhere"

All three of these guys were fine with Bentley, and the other cats, although Twinkle would initially freak out when I opened the door, and Bentley would come in. She would run and hide, but then come out and walk right up to him.

Can only get a photo of Ziggy when you
hold him. He never sits still long enough

We really miss these guys. Normally I am happy to send of each batch of kittens, but as these guys might be the last of them for the year, I am a little sad. I am happy they will have new forever homes though. They are all 3 nice kittens, and someone will be very lucky to have them.

Now that the room is kitten free, we will take the time to sand the floor and refinish it so it will be easier to clean up, and have a harder surface that will be better able to handle the "kitten abuse."

Check back in in a few weeks. Ya never know when there might be more kittens. The whole idea that there is a kitten season has kinda gone the way of the dodo! Kittens in the winter...ay yi yi!

final 4

2011-12-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

Holiday looks startled.

Well, I don't KNOW if this will be the final four for the season, but it sounded good, so I am sticking with it!

Ziggy flops in a lap for the Fleecy String.

As you can see, Ziggy and Holiday came back after my Thanksgiving break, but you may wonder why Twinkle is back. She was totally ready for spay, and she got it. What they discovered during that operation was that she had one very large kidney. They left it alone, and decided to send her back to foster to make sure she was ok. So far, she seems fine. She is a very sweet little girl. I hope this doesn't make it hard for her to find a home. I would totally adopt her. (except of course I already have 4...and 3 is my limit!)

Twinkle is back, and seems to be fine.

The new face is Georgina. She was in another foster home, and needed a new place to stay. She is just under 2 pounds, so she will be around until after Christmas along with Ziggy. Holiday is already at 2lbs, 8 oz, but she and Twinkle will probably be here until Ziggy is to weight. That's fine. After having 8, 4 is a break!

Looks like a smile to me.

When I picked up Georgina, and dropped off Gary and Gabby, I checked in on the others. Butters was adopted with another buff colored kitten. When I went to see him before, he reached out of the cage to grab me, so I am sure he charmed someone completely and was snatched up quickly. Axel and Grace were still there then, but I heard grace had been adopted. I was surprised Axel was still there, after being featured on ArlNow.org...So I sent them a note that he was ready to be adopted, with a photo and a link to the AWLA website. It was posted, and when I checked it, it had 39 comments! Oh, and Axel is not on the site anymore, so I think it worked! ;) Now I need to find someone to adopt the crazy Gabby. Looks like Gary was adopted already.

Georgina is a beauty!

chillin'.

Fleecy String!

More Fleecy String!

You can see Twinkle's shaved belly from her spay.

So, we will have 4 kittens through the end of the year I suppose. That's OK. These guys are pretty low key, and after the craziness of the 3G's (Gary, Gabby and Grace) it's a nice chill time. No Gary screaming as soon as he hears a step in the hall! No Gary and Gabby bouncing off my back like a springboard to the bed when I sit on the floor. They did get a chance to come out of the room and run around though, so now that ALL want out as soon as the door opens. Even 4 are hard to contain on that front. Eight was a hopeless cause.

Ziggy got a taste of freedom.

And had some fun with the packing peanuts.

Ziggy gives the packing peanut the what for.

Ziggy seems all better after his sickness. He was very dehydrated when I got him, and it took some time to get him up to speed. He's fine now! And a handful. Well, at 1 pound 8 oz, he's barely a handful! He is a funny little guy, and not afraid of Bentley, or any of the other cats here. Gary was very cute with Bentley, rubbing all over him whenever he was waiting at the door when I was going in. Ziggy just runs under his legs. Gary had to stop and give him some love.

This photo doesn't have a cat in it, but it's funny. My neighbors kids. They ALWAYS get in Bentley's bed! And look at Callie with his Nylabone! He's such a good boy!

Neighbors take over Bentley's bed...and toys!

heading out for the holiday

2011-11-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

We are going to be out of town for Thanksgiving, so the Crazy 8 will be heading out to another foster home for the weekend. I wouldn't saddle 8 kittens on just anyone, but I know who they will be staying with, and she is about as crazy as me, and can handle this group.

The whole crew.

So, they are all doing great, and actually Butters, Axel, Grace and Twinkle are already to weight! Unfortunately, there was no room on the schedule for this week, so they miss out.

Axel cooperates by sitting on the scale for his weigh in.

Axel poses, and you can see his eyes were changing color in this photo.

Gary is a BAD kittah! (Not really...just a crazy boy.)

Butters dares the mouse toy to move.

Butters eyes were changing too.

Gabby take a sniff while exploring the closet.

Grace poses for her calendar picture.

Holiday always looks a little like she is startled.

Twinkle peeks over my leg.

And prowls the hall.

Ziggy see a target...

And moves in!

I think I will be getting them all back on Sunday when I get home, and will probably be keeping Holiday and Ziggy for a few more weeks at least. If they have any more little ones, I guess I will be getting them too, since I will be home for Christmas.

Ridiculous. Am I a sucker? You betcha!

2011-11-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

So, I had the 4 Halloween kittens, and a couple of days later, I got an e-mail. "Can you take a couple more?" Well, being the sucker I am, I said sure. Then, they said, "Can you take 4 more?"

Yes, I have 8 kittens. (Not counting my own 4, and Bentley the dog) Talk about a full house.

So, besides Twinkle, Grace, Gary and Gabby, we now have Butters, Holiday, Axel and Ziggy.

Axel was found by a local firefighter under his truck, on the axel. He was pretty shy when he first got here, but he is quite lovable now.

Axel

Butters is the big guy, and very sweet. Looks an awful lot like my Buck too.

Butters (The big guy on the right)

Holiday is the shyest, but likes attention. She's not a big fan of being held though, and I have never heard her purr. (Update, she DID purr for me today)

Holiday

Ziggy is a tiny little guy. I think he was sick when I picked him up, but had not shown any real signs. We have since gone through the not eating, sneezing, runny eye and subQ fluids and antibiotics. He seems to be on the mend now, but only weighs 14.6 oz.

Ziggy

I am pretty sure Butters and Holiday are related, but I know the other 2 are not. It's interesting the patterns you see. For instance, they both stand on the rim of the water bowl to drink. No one else does. Is that hereditary? Who knows?

Holiday gets a drink

Everyone got to go see the visiting vet today, since at least 5 of them have some digestive issues. 5 kittens with loose to liquid stool is not a fun time, let me tell you! Speaking of that, I need to put in a load of towels!

Ziggy had a clump of matted hair behind his ear, and when they started to investigate, they found a pretty nasty sore under there.

Neck wound looks worse than it is

Not sure he was given much of an exam before he came to stay here, but they do try to get them out quickly. He is better off here, believe me. (Even fighting for attention with 7 others) He got some good attention for the last couple of days, and got to hang out with me while I was working.

Snoozing on my desk

The original 4 are all crazy as ever. They have really turned into purr machines. Twinkle is not related to the "G" kittens, and she is not a purrer either. (but today must have been a banner day, as I got her to purr for me too!) She is a funny girl, who loves shoestrings, and is happy playing by herself. She also likes to climb up my pants leg. Trying to break that habit now.

Gary goes all Catzilla on Grace

Size difference between Ziggy and Holiday

Hopefully, now that they are all on some meds it will help with the poop issues. Normal poop makes for a much more pleasant kitten experience!

Halloween kitties

2011-10-31T19:01:00.000-07:00

No more is fall the end of kitty season. I sent back my last kittens when I went on a 10 day vacation, assuming I was done for the season. Nope. I picked up 4 more kittens on Sunday. Meet the spooks.

What's Halloween without a black kitten? OK, Grace isn't totally black, but she is a striking little girl.

Gabby has a bit of black, but she is a cow-cat, with big black spots on a white coat.

Gary is the only boy of the bunch, an orange tabby with tons of energy.

Twinkle is a single that was adopted into the other litter. She is sneezy, but it hasn't slowed her down one bit! She is a tortie, with a short little tail.

It's hard to get a picture of them, as they never slow down. They took about 3 minutes to settle down, and start to really show off the major purr boxes. Grace has the loudest, and was the first one to actively search out a scritchy scratch.

They all seem to be fat and happy. Hopefully we can keep them that way.

but wait....there's more!

2011-09-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

I took Angel to the shelter for spay day 2 weeks ago, And a quick check of the website shows she is already adopted. (Unless she is in sickbay). She is a total spaz. I wish I had been able to get a video of her when she was full throttle, but I never had my camera in hand.

All the fun bunch have gone back, and the only one left here from that group is little Seamus. (AKA Squeaker) He is tipping the scale at 2 pounds 10 oz. now, but he has been dealing with an ear infection the last 2 weeks. It seems to be clearing up, but he still has a very pronounced head tilt. Otherwise, he is fine.

Seamus has a head tilt, but it doesn't slow him down.

Don't worry. Seamus isn't alone. When I took the fun bunch back, I picked up 5 more kittens. They are all very cute, and look similar, but not like Ashley and Mary Kate similar! I can tell these guys apart pretty easily.They are all going back on Sunday, since I am heading for a vacation on Wednesday.

We have the big boy, Dasani.

The exotic colors of Fiji.

The goofy orange head of Aqua

The relatively normal colors of Vassa (Although I don't know that brand...Maybe they meant Voss?)

And the really striking looks of Evian.

Oh, and these guys have a mom, up for adoption at the shelter. Her name? Aquafina, of course.

Seamus and Dasani are ready for neutering, but the girls may still need a few days more, so they will go with another fosterer until they make weight. Normally, I would not expect any more kittens this late in the season, but the last few years have been all over the place, so I will just wait and see what's going on when I get back.

In the mean time, I am hoping someone adopts Penny Lane and Martha! Both of them are still there. I don't understand why people don't adopt black cats. Martha is so full of personality, and yet she is the last of that group to go. Penny Lane is not so kitten like anymore. I someone will come along soon and see all her charms...Both of them!

here we go round in circles...

2011-08-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Shamus explores

Back to the vet yet again! The kitten formerly known as Squeaker (now known as Seamus) was dropping weight. This morning, liquid stool, and a few others obviously had some loose stool. Everyone sneezing AGAIN, and that's a trip to the vet for everyone!

The normal look...screeching!

Seamus is the bitching-est kitten ever. As soon as he hears ANYTHING in the hall, he starts. Then Martha get's going. It's bedlam! Anyway, Seamus is on Metronidazol, and I will keep an eye on Angel, as she was a bit dehydrated too. Seamus got fluids this morning, and Angel got some at the vet. Other than that, they are still crazy, playful and sweet kittens.

Martha found one of Bishop's mice

Stewart and Trinket both went back to the shelter for Spay/neuter last week. We were gonna try for Mary Kate, Ashley and Martha this week, but the sneezies put a damper on that. They will most likely be here for another 2 weeks now. They are ready to be adopted. I wish I could move them along, but I will keep 'em here. Maybe Angel and Seamus will be closer to weight by then. They both have to go back by October 4th. We will be taking a vacation for 10 days, so someone else will have to host them if they aren't up to weight yet. I am fattening them up as fast as I can! Damn diarrhea!

I know my shoes are big, but Angel is pretty small

My dog has cat toy issues

They got to play in the living area this week, and Bentley and Ashley had a major attraction to each other. I can't always tell Mary Kate and Ashley apart, but Bentley sure could. He loves Ashley, and it sure looks like she loves him too.

This looks like love...and exactly how Bentley and Buck play

Seamus checks out the deck

After about an hour of playtime, I gathered them up, and put them to bed. I am sure when I go up tonight, Seamus will hear me, and start the squawking all over again.

Bosley watches from a safe distance

Such is life here with Elephants upstairs.

sneezing, sniffling and the like

2011-08-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

So, Trinket is supposed to go back to the shelter this week for spay, and to be put on view. She has really blossomed into a sweet girl, and is going to make someone a very nice cat.

She's playful

And she's pretty

The only problem is, now everyone is sneezing and has runny eyes. The worst are the tabby girls, Mary Kate and Ashley. They have been the worst since I got them. Martha and Stewart are both sneezy and drippy too, as is Angel.

Not sure which is which, unless they are side by side

The URI didn't slow them down at all

I had to get Squeaker on Clavamox already, when he started to lose weight. Oh wait. You haven't met Squeaker yet, have you?

Being a good boy, in the box!

A good name for this little guy, although I didn't pick it! He is always squawking about something! He is bold, not afraid of the others even though he is much smaller than some of them. He is a cute little guy too.

I took them to see the visiting vet this week, so they could ALL get on Clavamox. They need a break from all the sneezing, even though they are all still eating OK. I did notice Stewart stopped eating, was lethargic and had lost weight, so I took it upon myself to start him on the Clavamox I had for Squeaker, since there was way more than enough...but I realized they all really need to be on it. Still, better to get him started than wait in my opinion. He is already back to his old self, attacking my shoe laces when I walk in the room. And now everyone is better.

Angel

Stewart feels better

Martha gives the stink eye

They love to run out of the room as soon as I open the door, and play in the bedroom. They chase each other under the bed, in the closets, and hide in shoe boxes they find.

One of the twins is quite the climber. Can't tell who it is

Angel peeks

Stewart ponders a pounce

Trinket gets a week to recover, so she won't go back until next week, or the week after. She's way ready.

The usual view of Trinket when she gets out

While I was there, I saw Tempest. I gave her some love, and she is still shy, but very sweet. I also found out Mayhem, AKA Butter, is also still there. Not sure why she was off the site for a while. Penny Lane is also there, in sick bay! She had a URI when I got her, but seemed to get through it fine, while everyone else came down with it. Oh well. Hopefully she will be back on view soon. She is a beautiful girl, so she should be scooped up quickly.

just some pix to show off

2011-08-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

Buck, so put upon

Bentley isn't a cat, but he doesn't know that

Bosley, the miracle cat.

I have another post for later today, I just need to find the card reader for my camera, so I can post the photos I have taken! Stay tuned. :) These are all from my cell phone.

later to the whirlwinds

2011-08-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

Tempest, Chaos and Mayhem all went back to the shelter last week. Looks like Chaos has already been adopted. Unfortunately, they posted them with their old (stupid) names. Mayhem is posted as "Butter" and Tempest is posted as "Temple." Oh well. Hopefully they will only be there a short time.

So, I took back 3, and came home with 5. Sheeze. I was never good at math! ;) I am taking Penny Lane and Trinket back today. Trinket has come a long way, and really revs up the purr engine when you pet her. Penny Lane is less friendly, and I am not sure why. She started out pretty laid back, but she was sick when I got her. She is doing great on the snotty nose end, all cleared up. Hopefully getting a room (cage) to herself at the shelter will help. And she is a really pretty cat, so she should get snatched up pretty quickly.

Penny Lane is a beautiful cat.

Trinket was in my lap when Angel climbed up and laid right on top of her.

So, we will be left with the newbies...5 very cute and sweet kittens, all of them sniffly. They came in all on Clavamox, but have finished the course. All are eating great, and seem fine otherwise. Lysine helps I think, and they get it daily.

We have 4 girls, and 1 boy.

Martha. She is tiny, and full of herself, as is her "twin" brother Stewart. No, I had no say in naming these guys! Stewart is funny, and a bit on the crazy side. Also the least sniffly of all of them. Both Martha and Stewart love attention.

Martha plots her next move.

Martha and Stewart attack the food cans.

Mary Kate and Ashley. Another set of "twins" and I really can't tell them apart yet. They look exactly alike to me, so the collar is the only way I can tell the difference. Both are cute, and neither are too keen on being held. Both are good eaters, and are a bit bigger than the others.

Twins Mary Kate and Ashley

Angel. This little girl has stolen my heart. She is a BIG eater, but the littlest of the crew. I don't think she is related to any of the others, but was added to the clan when she came in. She is funny, and looks an awful lot like Bosley. As soon as she is done eating, she climbs up in my lap (with her messy face and feet...as she likes to stan in the food while she eats) to clean up, then she gets her front paws up on my chest and wants to climb up onto my shoulder. Very Bosley like. I want someone I know to adopt her, so I can see her regularly!

Sorry these photos are not so great. These were taken with my cell phone. I will get some better ones with my real camera soon.

long time

2011-07-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Seems I have been bad again about not blogging about my Elephants! I will try to do better...although I know I have said that before.

All the Whirlwinds are doing fine. Tempest is no longer nursing, and should have probably already gone back to be spayed. I kept her around to try to get her a bit more socialized. She really likes attention, but is still scared. She has been really interested in getting attention in the last few days though. Even from Bentley. Humm. Maybe she is going into heat again. Better get her back ASAP!

Chaos and Mayhem are both fine, and about to weight. They are pretty sweet, and don't really fit their names, although they do like to climb up my back when I sit on the floor in their room. They like to run out in the hall as soon as the door opens. Chaos is afraid of Bentley, at least a little, and tends to spit at him. Mayhem on the other hand loves Bentley, and tries to grab his face. He is very good with them, as always.

The orange twins

I picked up 2 more kittens over the weekend who need a little TLC. First was Trinket. She was hissing and spitting and not wanting anything to do with anyone when I picked her up. She even spit at Chaos and Mayhem and Tempest! They didn't seem to know how to handle that, but after a day and a half, all was well. They still tend to sleep separate, but tolerate each other at least.

Trinket was not socialized at all...

She has since decided peeps are not all that bad.

Then I went back to pick up Penny Lane. I was supposed to get them at the same time, but she seemed to be coming down with a Upper Respiratory Infection, so they kept her another day and had the vet see her. I got her last nigh, along with eye goop, Clavamox and Flagyl. Poor girl has a lot going on. She is contagious, so she is residing in the basement bathroom, with the heated floors until I can integrate her. My guess is the Whirlwinds will be gone by then, and it will be her and Trinket.

Penny Lane is still looking a bit under the weather.

Bosley is still a bit jealous...As I type he is laying over my arm, and has been in my face for the last hour as I have tried to work. He and Buck went in for their yearly check up, and Dr. Brown went on and on about how good he looks. And he finally broke the 5 pound mark! I guess he is getting bigger, but when I compare him to the 16 pound Buck, he still looks small!

Bosley likes to hang on the deck with us in the sun.

little explorers

2011-06-10T06:06:00.000-07:00

The little oranges are growing like mad. They are both over 1 pound, and I can spend hours in there watching them. They are very funny. Neither one will eat the food without me actually putting some in their mouth first. Once they actually taste it, they devour it, but they never connect the dots until I physically put it in their mouths. Every time.

Nom Nom.

Tempest has gotten very affectionate, and loves attention. She is really blossoming now that the babies are older, and she is relaxing a bit. She is gonna be a great cat for someone, but she is still scared of people she doesn't know, and quick movements. Hopefully, she will get past that.

Chillin'

Bentley is always waiting outside the door. He wants to see the babies so bad! Tempest will have none of that. She caught a glimpse of him when I was going in to feed, and she was hissing and growling. Bentley knows to steer clear of that.

All the meds are done, the poop is normal, and both Chaos and Mayhem are using the litter box already. I am always amazed that they figure out how to use it when they are so small.

Smart girl!

Tempest is limiting their nursing time, but they still get a drink now and then. They have round fat little bellies (not from worms...they have had the first round of Panacure!) so the lack of nursing is not hurting them at all. They seem very happy and healthy.

Mama lets them get some nipple time in.

All that playing makes a kid tired.

I wish I could say who is who, but they look so much alike these days, I can't say for sure! (Thank goodness they are not both boys, or both girls!)

quiet on the home front

2011-06-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

After a busy last week, and another trip to the vet, things seem to have settled down here. A few days after I got home with the Whirlwinds, Mayhem started to show some of the same signs as Fracas. Dropped some weight, didn't seem to be nursing as well as she should have. I jumped on it. I got an appointment with my favorite vet, and gave them all the information about Mayhem, and Fracas. (A different vet). I left her there, which I don't really like to do, but I didn't want to wait until the next morning.

Mayhem gets her milk on.

They gave me a bottle of Flagel and I also picked up some panacure wormer for both of them, and got a good jump on this thing. 2 more rounds of SubQ fluids, and 3 doses of Flagel and she was already improving. Then Chaos started to show signs, so he went on it too. Both are doing fine now. Whew.

Feeling better

So, this morning I was watching them, and realized Tempest was already starting to wean them. She was not letting them nurse. I had opened a can of food for her so I tried to see if they were interested. Nope. Then, I actually put some in a syringe and squirted a little in their mouths. Wow! They both went nuts! They were sucking the stuff out of the plate. And trying to bite the edge of it. I had seen both of them take a drink of water, but I was shocked at how fast they jumped on the canned food. Mamas are always better at the tough love than I am when I bottle feed.

I had to take down the kitty cam to use my laptop, but I hope to get it back up shortly. In the mean time, Tempest is really getting friendlier with me. She isn't afraid, and loves attention. Now to get her used to others. Time to invite the neighbors to come visit!
Won't see much more of this.

Bosley gets jealous, and is always ready for lap time.

sad news

2011-05-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

I had to leave town suddenly on Thursday, and of course, I had to leave with a sick kitten on board. Fracas was not doing well. Eyes were bad, weight was dropping, and if you know about little ones, less than a pound, this is not a good sign.

The others had both gone through some sneezing and goopy eyes, but they got past it easily. Fracas was not so lucky. I was not happy to have to leave her, but there weren't many options. Another fosterer took them for the time I was gone. I felt horrible leaving her with a sick kitten, and I felt horrible leaving the sick kitten.

She passed away quietly Friday evening. I really wasn't hopeful she would make it. After a while, you kinda just know.

RIP Fracas.

Tempest, Chaos and Mayhem are back, and besides a little eye goop, they all look pretty good. I HOPE we won't be needing to make any more transfers again, until they all go back to the shelter. There are no plans in my future to travel, but this last trip was a last minute one too, so who knows?

Tempest chills while taking a break from the oranges.

I will get the kitty cam back up too. I need to see where they will end up, as I am sure Tempest is going to be a little frazzled with her travels, and could do some shuffling. Maybe we will get a spot with more light this go round. She seems to like under the chair at this time.

The new "nest".

Mayhem explores.

Dinner

on the move

2011-05-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

...But I am not happy about it!

Tempest keeps moving the babies. Not a big problem, but she keeps taking them under the daybed, which has a trundle bed under it, and there is very little room, and it's hard to get them out to keep tabs and weigh them.

So, I got some heavy duty plastic sheeting, and I wrapped the base of the bed, so she couldn't get under there! Haha! I thought I was so smart! Alas, not so much. At 2:30 this morning I woke from a dead sleep..from a kitten cry! I jumped up, (almost throwing Bosley to the floor, since he was asleep on my chest) and ran to the kitten room. I looked in the "nest" and counted 2 babies, and no Tempest. Grrr. I touched one of the sleeping babies, and got the desired result. A cry. Tempest gave a low growl, and then Chaos cried, so I found him pretty easily, close to the edge. I had to pull the plastic off to get to him, and to let Tempest out! I put Chaos back in the nest and Tempest ran in immediately. I went back to bed.

At 6 AM, I got up, and checked in. Fracas was missing. Found her close to the edge, retrieved her and put her back in the nest, and went to shower. I got dressed and ready for work, and went back to the room to fix the problem.

I know now to never believe a cat can be kept out of some place it REALLY wants to be...but I HOPE I took care of it. What do you think?

Yes, it is also taped to the floor!

So, this afternoon, I decided to keep an eye on them another way.

Live video by Ustream

I know the camera isn't all that good, but for now, it's the best I have! Anyway, except for some eye goop, which seems to be better...all is well with the Whirlwinds.

You can see some eye goop on Mayhem

Everyone wants to eat.

relaxing...a little

2011-05-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

It seems as though Tempest is relaxing a little. She is still a bit shy, and always alert to the slightest noise, and watches my every move, but she loves having her head scratched and her belly rubbed, when there aren't 3 babies attached to it!

I find it a little odd that when I come in in the morning that she is not with the babies. She has taken to crawling between the trundle bed and the blanket. The babies are always alone in the carrier, but asleep, and seemingly fine. They are all gaining weight, so I guess it's OK. I may start putting the heat disc in there at night. At least when I touch the kittens and they cry, she comes immediately to check on them. Both Chaos and Mayhem now weigh 7.0 oz, and Fracas is at 6.5 oz.

Taking a food break to mug for the camera.

Thursday marks the babies 1 week birthday! Mayhem (Joy wanted the girl to be Mayhem, so there was a name switch. She thought it was more appropriate for the girl than Chaos) has been sneezing since she got here, and although her eyes have been open for 2 days, they tend to get goopy and stuck shut, so I clean them out at least once a day. Chaos's eyes are open now too, and Fracas's look like they are starting to open.

Lunch Munch

Mayhem, goopy eyed, but they are open

Fracas looks like she is ready for siesta.

Chaos is ready to rumble.

Hard to believe Buck was this size when we first got him. His eyes were still closed, and we figure he was about 2 days old. Now he's 15 pounds, but still a very sweet guy. And still very food motivated!

The Prince, Buck-a-roo!

And yes, this is baby Buck!

Bosley seems a little jealous of my time. He is usually waiting outside the kitty room door, and is always close by...But I make sure I give him a lot of love. He doesn't like to remember when he was a little guy, and needed a lot of attention. He is doing so much better these days, although he still has vomiting issues, they are nothing like when he was a baby.

Bosley keeps an eye on my work.

they're here!

2011-05-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

I knew it was gonna happen soon, and so it has. We finally have kittens again!

We got the call yesterday, and we went to the shelter to sign the papers, and then picked them up directly from the vet around 5:00.

We only knew there was a mama and 3 babies, born on Thursday. That's all. We signed for them, and headed out...and Joy read the paper work. So we now know this cat came in as feral, and no one knew she was pregnant. The paperwork said they came in the next morning to 4 kittens, one deceased, and that she was not feral.

She is not feral, that is true, but she is very afraid. She already seems less afraid, but she needs some work. The names assigned to them...well, let's say they are changing! Mama came in named Temple. Not horrible, but not a keeper. The babies...Ugh. Peanut, Butter and Jelly! No. Not happening.

We decided on a theme. Temple will now be Tempest. She is a torte (as you can see if you have read down this far!). The other three we have decided on as: Mayhem, Chaos and Fracas. I like that theme. We all know how kittens are. ;)

So, without further ado, here they are...The Whirlwinds.

Mama Tempest hanging with the gatitos.

She isn't sure what to think of the attention.

Babies don't really care.

Tempest hears Bentley barking outside.

She doesn't seem to worried.

Not a whole lot to see just yet, but I will do my best to take some close ups of the babies tomorrow. The buff colored ones are 1 boy, and one girl. The big boy is Mayhem. The buff girl is Chaos, and the little black girl is Fracas.

No kittens yet...

2011-05-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

But there has been some activity at the shelter!

I was out of the country last week, visiting Spain! Beautiful place.
We stayed in Marbella, on the southwestern coast, and we had a fantastic time. Our "babies" were cared for by our friend, who also happens to be our contractor, they one who renovated our basement. They all know him, and love him, and he loves them. Sure makes it easier to relax when you are away when you have a great house-sitter.

I may be getting some kittens this week, but until then, here are some of the gang, and a couple from Spain!

Babies still enjoying the new basement!

This is a tiny...but LONG cat.

Bentley can sleep in some odd positions.

On a road trip while in Spain. (I'm on the far left)

A very cool village (Ojen) on the hillside.

Gibraltar, about a 45 minute drive from Marbella.

Did I mention the monkeys on Gibraltar?

Did I mention how friendly the monkeys are on Gibraltar?

fur-niture

2011-03-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

Not much to share these days, but we did get our new sofa yesterday, and it didn't take long for the "kids" to claim their spaces. Even the heated floor couldn't hold a candle to the soft new sofa.

Bosley and Bishop claim their seats. And yes, Joy did too.

I know...I suck!

2011-02-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

The Wedding Crashers have been gone for a LONG time! I have been busy, what with a basement renovation, and an office relocation to said basement, I have not had a lot of time to post anything!

As you can see, the new basement is amazing!

Where I work now.

So, I am back to it! One of Joy's coworkers adopted Jake. They adore him! I will ask for photos to post asap! Everyone has a new home, and since that was about the last litter for the winter, I have been working! On Work! OK. Mostly on the home stuff. I NEED to do more paying work! Heheh.

We got a new stove. The one we had was the one that was here when we moved in 18 years ago! It was so past it's prime...and it wasn't a very good one when it was new. So, we pulled it out, and we found out where all Bishop's toys went!

No wonder we keep buying new toys!

The rest of the hometown crew are doing well. Bosley had a rough patch there shortly after the Wedding Crashers left. He was throwing up a lot. More than usual. Took him back to see Dr. Brown (My hero!) who was just amazed at how well he has done. He gave him the once over, a shot of antibiotics for a drippy eye, subQ fluids, although he didn't think he really needed them, and a bottle of Reglan for the vomiting. It seemed to help, but got bad again a week or so later, but he seems to have gotten past it. Now he is back to his adorable self.

Yes, he is a miracle cat, and he gets whatever he wants...

And he wants to "help" me work.

My new office area rocks! As does the entire basement. My contractor is the best! He really did a fantastic job, and now all we really need is furniture. Oh, and the glass doors for the shower. As you can see here, the office is a big hit. I may need a bigger desk.

Good to know the office passes inspection.

Did I mention the floors are heated?

Bentley's friend Luna was here over the weekend. Her "parents" had to go away for the weekend, so we had her, and Bentley was so very happy. Mostly the cats were not phased, but Ripley took a few swats, just to keep her honest.

Bentley and Luna have a little tug-o-war.

Other than that, it's been a lazy animal sorta winter. I am sure there will be kittens soon enough!

Bosley never passes up a snuggle in the sunbeam.

Told you it was a lazy winter.

Welcome the Wedding Crashers

2010-12-20T16:40:00.000-08:00

The Whoos have moved on, and the Wedding Crashers have moved in. The boys are in their tuxedos, and the girls are dressed to party.

Meet Jake. He is the boy with the rakish good looks. All style, and cute and cuddly. Jake likes to be close, loves cuddling and has a great purrr. Sure to capture your heart, and the heart of prospective adopters.

Jake

Meet Billy. Billy is a little more laid back than Jake. He has that tie loosened, hair tousled, and sleeves rolled up kinda look, and he is packed with personality just like Jake. He's a lover, and will make a great family member.

Billy

Jake & Billy

Meet Lilly. Lilly loves to be in your lap, or in your arms. She likes being close, but she is not needy. She can hold her own with the boys, but would rather be snuggling.

Lilly

Meet Katie. Katie seems to be quite the alpha of this group. She is more a loner, preferring to sleep by herself on a shelf, while her sibblings snuggle together for a nap. She is very playful, and like the others, loves attention and purrs loudly when you speak to her.

Katie

Katie snoozing

Billy & Lilly

Katie & Jake

This group of partiers won't be here very long, as they are close to weight already, but they are sweet, and love attention. Hopefully, they will have an uneventful time here.

saying good-bye to the whoos

2010-12-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

The Whoos are going back tomorrow! Yes, they are all well past weight, and reasonably healthy. Sergeant and Martha May are sneezy, but no temps, and plenty of appetite, so I am not worried about them. Dosing daily with Lysine.

They are all very sweet, and will not be happy to be in a small cage. They have had the run of the house off and on for the last week. They cry and cry when they are stuck in the office. They do spend nights in there, and as soon as they hear me get up in the morning, the crying begins! Of course, they will be snatched up right away, as cute as they are.

Mayor Augustus Mayhew

Mayor Augustus Mayhew is the real noise maker. He has a very high pitched cry, and he is relentless! He will cry for an hour if he knows you are up there. Speaking of crying, Sergeant doesn't only look like a siamese, he talks like one too. Well, not the talking per say, but the tone is siamese. No one else has it except him.

Martha May and Sergeant

So, off go the Whoos, and in come...someone. I am picking up 4 more when I drop theses guys off. Hopefully I will get back to blogging more regularly. We are having a basement renovation now, and I have been really busy with work, and throw the holidays in there and my time has been stretched pretty thin.

Betty Lou Whoo

On another note, there is a dog at the AWLA who is going to have to have a leg amputated. Huge step for the shelter, as this is not going to be a cheap surgery. If you want to help Cannoli with her surgery cost, please write a check to the AWLA, and make the memo to Cannoli's surgery. She needs all the help she can get, and the new executive director at the AWLA can use the props for doing the right thing by her!

Cannoli

(You can find the information for mailing on the website, awla.org)

growing and going

2010-11-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

I have been quite the slacker when it comes to blogging. I seem to have no time or energy lately!

Betty Lou Who stretches out

Things have been fairly smooth with this litter, with the exception of Mayor Augustus Mayhew who got a little upper respiratory infection last week, and had to take a trip to the vet. He has been on antibiotics for a week and a half, and seems to be symptom free now.

URIs mean AD. Mayor Augustus Mayhew can't even wait until it's in the bowl

Everyone is at least 2 pounds now, and they are all going to be spending Thanksgiving at another fosters home, since I am heading to my parents house for Thanksgiving. They are all so close to weight, I may not be getting them back when I get home.

Betty Lou Who says "Boo"

The Who's have been fun, but I have to say, it has been difficult working with them in my office. As they got older they loved to climb and trust me, that only escalates as they get older. I was working downstairs on my laptop the other day, and was sharing the screen with the office computer. I was proofing an e-mail I was about to send out, and all of a sudden, I saw ccccccccccc////////////jjjjjjj[[[[[[[[[[[[[[. I realized someone was on my desk, walking across my keyboard!

Sleeping on the back up drive

This is Mayor Augustus loves to lay in my plastic paper rack. He does this because my little back-up drive lives there, and it's really warm! He is so freaking' cute. They all are, but since he was sick, we had some bonding moments and so he and I are tighter than the others.

Sargent Who-lihand

Martha May Whovier is a lap cat

They are all going to be scooped up as soon as they go on view. Speaking of being on view, I checked on the website this morning, and I didn't see Cindy Lou Who, so I hope that means she was adopted! I will check next week about that.

The 3 light colored kittens did indeed keep their blue eyes. Martha Mae looks like she will have grey-green eyes. Too bad not the intense green eyes of Cindy Lou.

The resident cats are hanging in there. Living with little ones can be exhausting, and as you can see, Buck is terribly worn out.

Buck has it rough

He and Bosley have to scrounge for food, and fight the babies for attention. They even have to share a lap on occasion. Truly a hardship for them.

Buck and Bosley have to share a lap

Bosley looking for dinner

Hopefully these guys will be in new homes by Christmas, enjoying free reign in their forever homes, and Bosley and Buck can rule the roost once again. At least until spring!

mama Who is going back!

2010-11-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, Cindy Lou Who is went back to the shelter Monday. The babies are pretty much weaned, and she is anxious to be away from them. The other night I left the door to the kitty room open, with the big framed print in the doorway so she could get out, but the kittens could not (and Bentley couldn't get in). She ended in bed with me! Buck was not pleased! She didn't stay long, but she came back twice. She is gonna make someone a great cat!

In the mean time, the little Whos are growing. They will all got their shots this week too. They are all beautiful kittens, although not as friendly as some I have fostered. They're getting there, but I need to spend a little more time on Martha May Whovier. She is still pretty timid.

They are all happy to crawl on me and climb on my desk while I work. Almost every morning when I enter the kitty room, they are all 4 jammed on my chair, asleep in a pile. I think Cindy Lou had a hard time finding a place to get away from them. I rarely saw her let them nurse at all anymore, so I doubt they are missing her.

These little ones are some of the prettiest kittens I have fostered, and I need to get some more really good photos of them. I have been in catch up mode for a couple of weeks, so I plan to get some good quality photos this week. I think these guys are calendar worthy!

blue eyes

2010-10-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

Looks like the little light colored Whos will be keeping their blue eyes. Martha May Whovier will most likely have green eyes like her mama, but the others will have siamese blue eyes. They will be scooped up as soon as they go on view.

To the top!

Head on a platter?

They are all very active now, and really into exploring. (i.e, making a mess!) They love the little scratching pole, and mastered climbing it early on.

Bishop claims HIS bucket

Who, me?

Bosley finally discovered that he liked the "bucket" on the kitty condo. Bishop spent an hour or 2 ticked off that Bosley was in "his" bucket. He finally decided to take it back. He was nice enough to share. We actually had to get a condo with 2 of them, because even if Bishop was in the bucket, Buck would lay on top of him. I would hear Bishop almost gaging, as Buck would pin his neck on the rim! At 15 pounds, Buck is a big boy! Now there are 2, and peace reigns again.

roamin' the office

2010-10-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

Martha May crashes in the crinkle hut.

The Whos are all out and about these days. They have found the crinkle hut, and they LOVE it. Even Cindy Lou likes to sleep in there.

Cindy Lou is officially done with the "potty training" and the little ones are using the litter box on their own. I cleaned the office a bit today, and found a couple of wet spots, so I put each one of them in the box, one at a time. Martha May used it to poop and pee! Hurray! Sargent Who-lihand used the scale bowl. Oh well, there are worse things. ;)

Tickle fight!

Everyone is growing, and Cindy Lou won't let them nurse as often now, so they are eating solids pretty well. It's nice to have a mama to help with weaning. They still try to overwhelm her to nurse. She has more resistance power than I do when a bottle is involved. ;)

Mayor Augustus climbs the post.

Sargent Who-li-hoop?

Martha May fights back.

Frankenkitty-Just in time for Halloween.

Pile on.

quick happy post

2010-10-08T18:41:00.001-07:00

Gadget got adopted! All I know is he was adopted, and is an only cat in this home. Hurray for Gadget!

More pix of the Whos tomorrow.

heading out of the nest

2010-10-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

Big first steps out

The Who's are starting to explore! They don't go far, but they are starting to venture out. They are also interested in what Cindy Lou is eating.

They do have teeth, and they know how to use 'em! They bite the crap out of each other! They squeal all the time, and I turn around and they are biting each other. I can't remember a litter that made this much noise, and that fought so much. They are either a tough bunch, or a bunch or cry-babies. I haven't decided yet.

Sargent Who-lihand checks out the food bowl

One thing I did find interesting. Most times when I get a reflection in cats eyes from the camera flash, I can't fix it with the normal photoshop red eye tool, because they aren't red, they are green. These guys all have red eyes in the flash....except for Martha May, the tabby. I wonder if that means they will have blue eyes? I think they will.

Smack down

More Stooges action

I checked the shelter's website, and Gadget is no longer listed. I haven't heard back from them, but I sure hope that means he was adopted, and not in sick bay.

Martha May Whovier

Mayor Augustus

Chow time!

Nap time.

cuteness prevails

2010-10-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Only room for 2! Take a number.

Cindy Lou and the Who's are doing well. Babies are all growing, and Cindy Lou is being a very good mama. The babies are growing so fast, they pretty much can't all eat at the same time. Cindy Lou is so little!

Both the boys (Sargent Who-lihand, and Mayor Augustus Maywho) love to fight! It's really funny to watch, since they are so young, and uncoordinated. One of them is a squealer...I think Augustus. And Sargent Who-lihand is a biter. They are always at it.

Sargent Who-lihand and Betty Lou Who

I went to the shelter and saw Gadget. He looks good. Seems to be less shy, and they have him with another kitten, who looks an awful lot like Bosley! She even had some of Bosley's mannerisms. I think Gadget will be fine, but there are a LOT of tabby's there right now. I hope someone sees him and falls in love with him, and maybe they will adopt his new friend too.

In the meantime, we will just keep doing what we do, loving these babies, and of course Cindy Lou.

A little 3 Stooges action

Mama attack!

I suspect it won't be long before these babies start to tumble out of their little box, and will be wreaking havoc all over my office. THEN we will have some good photos.

growin' up

2010-09-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

The Who's are growin' like weeds. They look huge compared to Cindy Lou Who, who is pretty small. I have a feeling they are gonna be way bigger than their mama.

Everyone belly up to the bar. Or is that bar up to the belly?

They are fighting over "belly time" and squawk and squeal to get a nipple! Everyone is growing, so I guess they are all getting enough time in at "the bar".

Yo! Bartender!

It's nice to have a mama cat around. Makes my life much easier. All I need to do right now is feed Cindy Lou, and scoop her box every day. Easy! The goopy eye seems to be going away, and life is easy...but it won't be long before they are all running around my office. Then the fun begins.

Checked on Gadget today. I was told he got a bit of a URI shortly after he arrived, but he is doing fine now, and on view. Might have to go see him this week, and meet the new Executive Director. I hear he is going to do great things there. I hope so.

Bye to Gadget, new digs for the Whos

2010-09-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

Bosley gives Gadget a goodbye wrestle.

Well, Gadget went back to the shelter yesterday, and should have a little something "missing" by now. ;) He was scared, but not too bad. They had him in a cage for holding by himself, and I asked him if he could go in with the sweet little black and white in the cage next to him. They said sure, and put moved him over in with her. She came over to see him and he promptly hissed at her. Oh well. I tried! I think once he settled down he would warm up to her. Oh, I also asked about Inspector, since I never saw him on the website. I was a little worried, and was hoping nothing went wrong during his neuter. Nope. He was adopted on Saturday!

Puddle of sleepy kittens

After I got back home, I commenced with the office scrubdown! Man, I have to keep reminding myself why I do this! It is a labor of love, that's for sure. I scrubbed the floor, wiped up poopie foot prints, scrubbed poop off the wall behind the litter box. Thank goodness for Nature's Miracle. Good stuff!

Looks like kitten peek-a-boo!

I got Cindy Lou back in the carrier with the baby Who's and brought them in. Cindy was a little apprehensive at first, but seems to have settled in nicely. She really is a good mama. I am a little freaked (just a little) because the babies are still a bit crusty eyed. I am wiping them with warm water at least once a day. I am not sure if I should start them on some antibiotic eye cream or not. I think for now I will just keep a close eye on them. They should start exploring soon!

Back to sleep

Gadget doing better, and the Whos get bigger.

2010-09-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

Little Gadget is doing really well on his week alone. Bosley comes in sometimes, and when he does, Gadget goes crazy. He rubs all over Bosley, who is really only interested in eating Gadget's food.

Gadget LOVES Bosley.

Sometimes Bosley will engage him. I guess it's nice for Bosley to have someone to play with that he is actually bigger than. (Not much bigger though.)

Game on!

Gadget still takes a minute to warm up when I go into the office, but once I pick him up, or pet him, he starts to purr right away. He is gonna be fine. He likes to play, and loves the feather, and my shoe strings! When he plays, he forgets to be afraid, and lets me pet him without cowering. He really is a sweet little boy. He is going back Monday, and I will miss him. (Yes, I miss them all).

Gadget plays with the feather.

Bosley and Gadget share a snack.

Gadget has to go back Monday to make room for the rapidly growing Whos. They are residing in the guest room right now (the former kitty room) but since I am having a guest arriving on Thursday, I need to move them over into my office. The office needs a good scrub down first. Don't want to pass anything on to the Who family.

The Whos nest.

So, as you can see, the Whos eyes are now open, except for one. I have been gently cleaning the eyes of the babies, since they have been a little crusty, but this little one just seems to be a little behind on the eye opening department. On the weight gain department, he is doing just fine. Everyone is gaining daily, so no worries there. I have been giving Cindy Lou lysine for the last few days, and hopefully that will take care of the babies too.

When I was taking the babies out to weigh them and clean their eyes, Cindy Lou was not too happy with me. They squeal and she gets very concerned. I put one back in the nest and go to get another, and Cindy Lou would grab my hand. She was gentle, didn't even scratch, but she was not happy with me and she was letting me know.

I also decided on names! Here they are...the Whos!

Meet Martha May Whovier.

Meet Sargent Who-lihand

Meet Mayor Augustus Maywho

Meet Betty Lou Who

Adorable.

Inspector heads out

2010-09-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, Inspector made his way back to the shelter yesterday, so he could be neutered today, and go on view tomorrow. I feel bad, keeping Gadget all alone in my office, but it's for his own good.

I noticed him making chirping sounds and mewing last night and this morning. Even though he still runs to hide, and makes me "catch" him, he starts to purr almost immediately after I pick him up. Let's hope this works! I want the little guy to find a great forever home.

We did have some quality quiet time with Gadget today. Joy had him in the bedroom, watching TV for a good hour this evening while I was in with Cindy Lou, weighing the babies. He was very good, and did the purr thing for the majority of the time. As I sit here now, he just realized Bosley was in the room, and he is all over him! I really do feel bad that he is alone all day. :( I still feel hopeful that he will be adopted, and will make a good pal for the perfect person.

Once Gadget heads back next week, I will scrub down the office, and get it prepared for Cindy Lou and the baby Whos. They are holed up in my guest room for now (the old kitty room). It's not a problem since the baby Whos are still contained in a carrier and still have their eyes closed. Hopefully Mama and babies will stay healthy...which is another big reason for a heavy duty scrub down. And my office needs it anyway!

I can see the Who's won't be contained for long!

Unfortunately, I heard some sneezing today. Cindy Lou seems a little sneezy, and at least one of the babies. I am going to put her on lysine tomorrow, and hope we head it off.

This girl looks a little like Hogan, from the Homies back in Feb of 09.

I also saw...a flea! I will take a flea comb to them all tomorrow too. Can't be having fleas here. No way.

The darkest of the grey ears.

meet the whos

2010-09-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Here they are. The Who's.
This mama, with 3 day old kittens, came here with the name Cindy. No offense to any Cindy's out there, but that name is just too...vanilla. So, since Cindy is very tiny herself, I decided to call her Cindy Lou Who.

Cindy Lou Who.

As you can see, she is a very lovely cat. (She looks a little mean, but she is very pretty) She seems to be a very young mother, probably from the wrong side of the tracks. I am sure she used her exotic beauty and clever wit to attract a very handsome "baby daddy".

The "Family Who"

She is a bit unsure, a sign of her inexperience. She wants love, but is very protective of her babies. She hisses and growls, while doing her best to rub all over me. After a day at Casa de Gato, she has little fear left, and is all about the food, and the love!

The lone kitten who looks related to mama.

By the look of 3/4 of this brood, the baby daddy is possibly some sort of Siamese cat...a traveling man no doubt. One baby looks a lot like Cindy Lou, while the other 3 are mostly white, with faint stripes, and some darker coloring on the ears.

Couple of really light colored babies.

I have no doubt this little family will do just fine here. Once the boys go back on Monday, they will move into my office for the rest of their time her...which will most likely put us into December! Once these little ones get a little bigger, and we can tell the boys from the girls, we will give them names!

boys is boys

2010-09-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

And the boys are still here. All 3 of the Island Girls have been adopted. Belize and Aruba went together, and Jamaica was adopted a week later. Inspector has been ready for a week or so, but Gadget is still very afraid. I have to "catch" him to hold him. Once I have him, he is pretty good. I can get him to purr (much more readily when Inspector is around, purring himself) and sleep, but as soon as he sees a chance, he will bolt. I am very worried he will never get adopted. I was hoping someone would take the 2 of them together, but I sorta want to keep him another week. Pretty sure if I do, Inspector will be scooped up, and Gadget will be left all alone. So, anyone want a couple of kittens, one that is sweet and loving, and the other...well, needs some help.

Too cute to be afraid.

Bosley has taken to leaping over the framed poster that I have blocking the door into my office, and hanging with the boys. He will engage them sometimes, but they really are very interested in him. Gadget gets much more bold when Boz is in there. He is less worried about me than he is getting close to Bosley.

Boz plays with Gadget

I figure I have a a few more days to try to get Gadget less afraid. They are supposed to go back Monday. Would not have any problem keeping them both another week, but I got a call today...Picked up a mamma and 4 babies. The babies are about 3 days old. They are now residing in the old kitty room, which is now the guest room. I don't want to keep them there for too long, but they can't move into the office until the boys are gone, and I clean the place up.

I don't have any pictures yet, but I will plan to take a bunch tomorrow. I will do my best to get them up by the weekend. In the meantime, enjoy the movies!

3 down, 2 to go!

2010-08-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

I sent the Island Girls back to the shelter Monday. They were doing great, so it was time to go get "fixed" and find their forever homes. I will miss them, and all their "help" in my office. Help like throwing papers off my desk, sending emails while walking across my keyboard when I wasn't in my office, and untying my shoes when I was. Oh, and let's not forget the scratches on my legs when they wanted to climb into my lap, even when I had shorts on! I will really miss them. They came a long way from the 3 hissy fits that arrived a month ago.

The Island girls nap together.

Aruba and Jamaica practice their event for the kittah olympics...Synchronized sleeping.

Jamaica plays peek-a-boo.

The boys are still here. They need more work. Inspector is doing better. I got a big purr out of him yesterday. He is coming around. Gadget is too, but more slowly. He doesn't hide when I come in anymore, but I still have to actually "catch" him to pick him up, or even touch him. Once I have him he settles down nicely, but he has a ways to go.

The boys hang out in a empty cat food box.

Inspector "shows his stuff".

Gadget was just too cute to pass this photo up!

The boys are very wary...

Inspector wants to be close...but not too close!

I got a call from another rescue group who needed help. last week, they said they had 2 persian kittens, but turns out the woman that was giving them up changed her mind. Then I got a call this past weekend, saying they had one that they needed to find a foster home for ASAP. Never heard back about that one either. Not sure if they will ever pull it together, but I will just keep doing what I am doing for now. These 2 boys need my attention right now, so it's all good.

The resident kittahs keep an eye out.

Oh, and we had a visitor the other night. It had been raining, and Joy thought she heard a cat out at the "cat house" where we feed a couple of feral cats in the neighborhood. Nope, but this guy, or some of his relatives anyway, comes by on occasion too.

Our friendly neighborhood cat food thief.

back by popular demand!

2010-08-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

I TOLD you not to call me here!

Yes, Bosley is back on the blog. He never went away really, but was on itty bitty hiatus. There is some jealousy issues with the Hissy Fits at first, but Bosley gets a lot of lap time in the evenings, so we have worked it out. ;)

Total cuteness.

The Hissy Fits are doing well. The "Island Girls" are fairly well socialized. Belize cries for attention, and is the least afraid of loud noises or sudden moves. The tortie girls are still a little "spooky" but once you start petting, they both turn into little purr machines, and can't get enough.

The Boys are still afraid, but less so. They were put on another round of Panacure, so they just haven't had a chance to trust me. Even so, they come out, and play even if I am in the room, so that is a plus.

The girls are about to weight, but I will keep them all together. Gadget likes to sleep with the tortie girls, and Inspector and Belize play together a lot, so I won't split them up just yet. I will have them for another couple of weeks.

friendlier on the home front

2010-08-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

The Hissers are done hissing, with the exception of Gadget, when I go to pick him up. It's not too much, and he settles down right away. It's a lot easier to gain their trust now that they are done with medication. The Metronidazol (flagel) did it's job, and all the stools are fairly solid these days. They will need another round of Panacure soon, but for now, I am just going to give them love...not nasty medicine!

Belize is ready for weigh in.

The 3 girls are much better as far as socialization goes. Belize cry for attention, and puts her paws on my back when I am not paying attention to her. The twin torties are not quite there, but they loved to be rubbed. Both will purr like mad when I brush or rub them, but they are still afraid initially when I reach for them.

Aruba enjoying the new toy.

The boys are a harder sell. Poor Inspector had antibiotics and Metro to take, so he just closes his eyes and rolls up in a ball when I pick him up. Working on just petting them now, and not even picking them up unless it's for weights. It can be a painfully slow process, but they are all making progress.

Inspector is ready to get in the bowl, unless I want him there!

Other than that, they are doing well, and love to play together. Gadget is quite a bit smaller than the rest, so he tends to get beat up a bit when they play, but he stays in the fray. He likes to snuggle with Jamaica when it's nap time, but always keeps a wary eye on me.

Everyone loves the door for some reason.

Everyone can get up on my desk now, and Aruba poses.

All in all, they are doing well. I will have them for another month, so that should give me enough time to get them all people friendly.

like old times...

2010-07-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I had a litter of kittens. I almost forgot how much work it is. Today, we got to go back to the vet. Now everyone is on Flagyl. (Metronidazole). Everyone has poop issues! Yeah, that's the fun stuff. After only 2 doses, it seems to be helping. 4 more days of that, and hopefully we will be done with sickness! It's hard to gain their trust when I have to squirt nasty stuff in their mouths twice a day!

Inspector plans a sneak attack of the fleecy string.

Inspector is doing really well. He has gained a lot of weight, and his breathing is better. Hopefully we have seen the worst of the URI issues. Next will be another round of Panacur. His belly sure does look big...but he eats and drinks a lot. Hope that's why.

Aruba has eye contact with the fleecy string.

They really like the hammock, but I had to take it down today. Someone threw up in it. I will be washing it and replacing it tomorrow. And this floor in my office needs a good scrubbing. Might try to do that tomorrow too.

Sleepy girls.

Gadget is the real hold out. Inspector and Aruba and Jamaica all settle down when I get them, even though they are still timid, and will run and hide if you reach for them and are not quick. They come out and play even if I am on the floor with them, but Gadget is really timid. He was a little easier to deal with today, but I think it was just because he didn't feel good.

Aruba & Gadget in the hammock.

Belize is like a normal kitten now. She climbs on me, and loves attention. She wins over everyone she meets, and has already tried to run out of the office when I come in. I am hoping she is setting a good example for the others to not be afraid.

No fear here!

backsliding

2010-07-28T04:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Inspector had a bit of a backslide. When I got home around 3, I sat down at my desk to do some work, and in a couple of minutes, I noticed I was hearing a noise. Turned out to be Inspector breathing! He was really congested, and his eyes were runny. I gave him his meds, forced some food (AD) mixed with a little water and some Nutri-cal into him. (He didn't appreciate it much). I decided to get some humidity going, to break up the congestion some, so I put him in a carrier and covered it with a towel. I nuked a cup of water to boiling, and put it under the towel with him. After all this, I gave him another 20ML's of fluids. Just hoped he would sleep. He seems better now, but I will keep a close eye on him.

Inspector feels well enough to bathe.

When I came home today I was greeted with a huge amount of very watery vomit on the office floor. Wasn't sure who the culprit was, but about 30 minutes after I cleaned it up, I heard retching behind me. I turned in time to see Aruba unleash a stream of very watery vomit. About 10 minutes after cleaning that up, she was happily playing with her sister, looking completely fine.

Some hammock play.

And 30 minutes later, they were done!

Serious tortie crash!

Belize is still the least scared. It looks like she will be a talker. Sometimes she wakes up from a nap, and cries! I kept thinking she was in pain, but no. Just looking for attention. Of course, when they hear the cry, all the others come running to see what's happening.

Belize is the fleecy string champion.

Jamaica joins in on the fleecy fun.

Of course, they all need serious socialization, but it's hard to give them all enough time, especially when one (or more) is sick. Inspector got a lot of attention yesterday, but I made some time to hold all of them today. I need to get my friends over to help!

Gadget makes a rare appearance.

all things in time

2010-07-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

In the week since I picked up the hissy fits, there have been a few changes. First, we have gotten past the hissing. They are still a little shy, but the fleecy string brings them out to play, and regular attention has made them less fearful. Belize doesn't hide when I come in the room, and likes attention. She still has skittish moments, but in general likes to be scratched. The torte girls are more fearful that Belize, but have made progress. Jamaica was the first to actually relax when held, and to purr. She still runs when you enter the room, but once you get her, she is ok being held. Aruba is a harder nut to crack, but we are working on her.

Jamaica strikes a pose.

Belize and Aruba wake up from a nap.

A couple of day after the hissy fits arrived, I got a call that the shelter had 2 more that were about the same size, also semi-feral, and could I take 2 more. I picked up Inspector and Gadget on Wednesday. Inspector wasn't too bad. Tolerated holding, and didn't struggle much. Gadget wanted nothing to do with it!

Inspector.

Inspector likes to put a paw in the water bowl while he drinks.

Friday, I realized Inspector was ill. I gave him 2 doses of subQ fluids, and forced some Nutri-cal into him. (He didn't care much for it). Saturday, I made an appointment, and took them all in, since I had been hearing all 5 of them sneezing. (I started them all on lysine on Friday). Inspector was still a bit dehydrated, and not eating. He was put on Clavamox, and given more fluids, and force fed some AD cat food.

Today, I have heard very little sneezing, and Inspector is eating, and seems to be feeling better. Looks like we dodged a bullet with all of them. (Fingers crossed)

Chow time!

This coming week, we give a full court press to Gadget. He is too cute to be feral!

The elusive Gadget.

meet the Hissy Fits!

2010-07-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

It has finally happened. I have my first fosters of the year. (In July??)

I got 3 very feral little girls. They are going to be hard cases. Picked them up yesterday afternoon, and they are showing no signs of wanting to be friendly yet. I have pick up and held them all, and I think they will settle down eventually. They have to live in my office, so I will be in there with them plenty.

Meet the girls. Belize, Jamaica and Aruba.

For now, they hide. They are coming out a little. The lure of play is strong. They are eating, but I did have to clean up a mess today. Someone mistook the basket of toys for the litter box. :/

Bosley is dealing...he seems a little afraid of them, since he was watching when we got a very intense hissy show. He still wants to be in the office with me though. There will be an adjustment period, for sure. And to make it even better, they have 3 doses of Panacure left to go. That will really endear me to them.

I wasn't sure they had not found some way to escape this morning. I could not find them. I looked in every nook and cranny...or so I thought. Then, I was at my desk, and I saw the littlest one (Aruba) make a run! She came from back in the corner, from a shelving unit, or under the wooden chest (although I had already looked there!). She was scared, but ran past me to the left underside of my desk. This is where she gave her sisters away. I sat on the floor and watched her climb up the back side of the file drawer! I pulled it out, and sure enough, there they all were!

Hidey Hole found!

Hopefully, I will be able to find them from now on. :)

spaztic morning

2010-07-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I have not posted for some time. You'd think I would have more time to post, since I don't have any fosters. Not sure what is going on, but no calls from the shelter, or the other group that said they needed my help. So, for now it's just Boz and the rest of the standard kitty crew...and Bentley of course.

Boz naps.

As the title of this post alludes to, Bosley is quite the spaz this morning. He hasn't felt great the last few days, but he has turned the corner on this round it seems! Running through the house, chasing Buck, climbing the kitty condo, and leaping down from the very top. Yes, he seems to be feeling much better!

Boz entertains himself with the umbrella decorations.

Bentley on his favorite spot.

Took a weight on him this morning. Haven't done that in a while since I am not that worried abut it anymore. I mean he is almost 9 months old after all! Hard to believe. Bosley weighs 3 lbs, 13 oz. He may one day get to 4 lbs, but he will always be a mini kitty. He gets by just fine as a little guy. He goes where he wants to go, that's for sure.

Alert for the next thing to pounce on.

We are heading to my parents place down in Southern VA next weekend, and although Bentley is coming with us, it will be Bosley's first time staying home without us. A big step for all of us! My great friends Deb and Lisa will be doing kitty duty for us while we are away (only 3 days), and I know they will take great care of Bosley, Buck, Bishop and Ripley. Not that the big kitties are difficult, but Boz is a little high maintenance. He eats slow, and likes to go back after a little while. If he walks away, Buck the pig will come and eat the rest of Bosley's food. He does NOT need to eat any more food than his one small can. Boz will eat crunchies if he gets hungry, so it'll be fine.

Buck doesn't need the chair, he has the box!

more lazy days

2010-06-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Let's face it. Bosley is a spoiled kitten. We did it...and we will do it again! Sick kitties here get whatever they want, and then we pay the price when they are better, and we have to retrain. I snapped this photo with my crappy cell phone camera when my nephew who was visiting took his eye off his glass of water. Boz likes the head in the glass method, while Buck prefers to dip his paw in and taste.

After a tough day of sleeping in the sunbeam, Bosley likes o snuggle up in the arms of someone...anyone, that might be warm. You can see he has a high stress life! I promise to get some better photos soon, but these were available.

Turns out I may be taking on some fosters soon. Got an e-mail from a friend involved with a rescue group that has 20 kittens of various ages that need fostering. No, I will NOT be taking them all! But I will help out and take some. I guess they will be spending time with me in my office, since the former kitten room is now a guest room. I will post any photos and info as soon as I have some.

road trip

2010-06-06T14:23:00.000-07:00

Been a while since my last post, but Boz has been fine. He has a few bad days in a row, then a few good ones. The good thing is the bad days are never as bad as they used to be, and they are further and further apart. He spends most of his days the same as most cats. :)

Boz catching some Z's and some rays.

Boz tears it up, sharpening his claws.

Bosley can't hide from the bath!

Took a trip up to Gettysburg last weekend. We didn't have a house sitter, so we took Bentley and Bosley with us. The "bigger" cats were OK on their own for one night, but I still give a little extra attention to the Boz man, so there was no way I would leave him on his own!

Bosley made sure to lay down close to his dog.

He seemed to enjoy it. He has never been afraid of much, and ran around, checking the place out with his tail high in the air! He spend the last 20 minutes or so before we went to bed running up and down the hall between the living room and the bed room, wide open! He even got Bentley going. Maybe having Bentley there helped him adjust. He does love his dog.

We did a bit of driving around on Sunday, and took some fun photos.

Moo.

I think I could afford this place!

Nice covered bridge near the battlefields.

Inside the bridge.

One of the many statues in Gettysburg.

boz love

2010-05-22T05:25:00.000-07:00

The Boz man LOVES Bently. Bentley loves Boz too. You can see the love. Who says cats and dogs can't get along?

OK, to be totally honest, Bentley dosent have the same relationship with ALL the cats here. All the cats here don't LOVE Bentley. Ripley for instance would love to rip his face off. (Bentley thinks it's great fun to play with her, Ripley...not so much). Bishop is undecided. Buck plays back, which is what they did when Bentley first arrived here, at 9 weeks old. Buck was 8 months old, and they were instant friends.

They all manage to live under the same roof with relative peace. It's always better when Bentley gets a play date or a trip to the dog park fairly regularly. If not, he likes to "play" with the cats. They are not big fans.

enjoying good times

2010-05-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

Boz continues to grab the heart of all that meet him. Being the tiny guy that he is, people are drawn to him. He got to meet a couple of his facebook fans in person last week, and I think they were smitten.

Boz snoozes on a pillow.

We still have some vomiting, but he is growing! I know he will never be a normal sized cat, which is OK. He gets along just fine. He can leap onto tall stools in a single bound! We were able to remove his "box" from in front of the counter, because he can jump onto the stool without it. He has gotten quite daring with his leaping skills. He jumps from the top of the kitty condo, down to the sofa! Even the big cats don't do that. I haven't weighed him recently, but I am pretty sure he is over 3lbs now.

Ripley sleeps in her favorite warm spot.

Bosley is about to leap off the top of the kitty condo.

Bosley tries to figure out how he got himself in this predicament!

Finally Buck leave so Boz can get down.

He still loves to hang out on the deck. He loves the sun, and is content to be where we are. If we go in, he stands at the door and waits to be let in. I wish Bishop was like that. If he gets out, he makes a bee line to the fence! He doesn't go far, and waits for us to come get him, but we are very careful to keep an eye on him when we go in and out.

snip snip

2010-05-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

I got in trouble today for not posting in so long. Shame on me! Have been busy lately, and just run out of time, and pictures!

Big step for Bosley on Thursday. He is getting neutered! Yep. Dr. Brown will be doing the deed. Boz is still not quite to 3 lbs., but he is close. I honestly wasn't sure we would ever see this day, but here he is, all grown up. (OK, maybe not ALL grown up, but 6 months old is amazing!)

We hosted Swaziland night here this past Friday, and Boz was feeling good, and having a lot of fun interacting with our friends, and with Lucy, my friend's little dog. I think Lucy was a little afraid of Boz, but Boz didn't seem the least bit afraid of Lucy.

Today, there was vomit in my office floor, and he seems a bit off today. I will give him a shot before dinner, and before breakfast tomorrow, and see how it goes. I don't think I want to put him under if he is nauseous.

He is still as sweet as he can be, and makes it hard to do work. He is laying across my arm right now. At least he isn't laying on the keyboard. He is known for that too!

I have to laugh. Anyone that knows Buck knows what a chow hound he is. He will worry you no end until he gets his food. He is also known to terrorize the other cats randomly by chasing and tormenting them. Well, when Boz is hungry, and I open a can of Buck's food, Bosley will dive in. When Buck comes over to eat, Bosley growls at him! The funnies thing is, Buck will back off. He will sneak very slowly back to the bowl to try to eat. Boz usually stops with the growling, but it is too funny to see little >3 lb Boz chase Mr. 15 lb Buck away.

Buck waits his turn after Boz growled at him.

more good days

2010-04-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Bosley has had some good days. Some bad too, but more good than bad. He is up to 2 lbs 10 oz, which means he is big enough to be neutered. He even looks better. Not drawn, and eyes clear. He is really doing well. I am almost afraid to say it! He has been so sick for so long, it's nice to see him really starting to thrive. He has even been going "cat brain" around here, running crazy through the house, off the counter, onto the stool, the box, the floor, up to the sofa and straight up to the top of the kitty condo! Quite the feat for the little guy.

Bosley is getting bigger, but he still likes to snuggle.

He has started to show his dislike of all the bathing, and will stand up to Buck and Bishop when he has had enough. I always wish I have a video camera in hand when I see him doing something like batting Buck while standing on his hind legs. Of course, I never have it. One day...

Bosley has been spending a lot of evenings on the deck with us. He stays close, only venturing down the stairs to check out the fish pond, and to pee in the mulch. He loves to leap onto whatever is near, be it a bent-over back, stool or passerby. He is still very sweet, and loves to be on someone. He is quite the snuggler. We don't mind.

Boz keeps an eye on Bentley while on the deck step.

Inspecting the stepping stones.

Bentley checks over his shoulder...

While Boz Man checks out what's happening on the deck.

moving on up

2010-03-30T15:55:00.001-07:00

Boz seems to have gotten past the last rough spot, and is back up to 2 lb., 5 1/2 oz. We replenished our nausea meeds, so we are set! He is eating well, and was on my desk chasing his tail again this afternoon. He's not 100% quite yet, but he seems to be holding his own.

Chillin'.

Buck was at it again, with the bathing. Bosley is not happy about it, but there are worse things! He seems like he is well loved in this house.

Buck! I need to answer my phone!

Buck loves Boz, and Boz loves...Bentley. We came around the corner to find this picture! It was too cute to ignore. Unfortunately, the battery was about dead in the camera, so we only managed one shot.

Bosley snuggles up to Bentley.

Something catches the boy's attention in the yard.

Other than that, Boz spends a lot of time snoozing in the sunbeam. He got his ears cleaned out today. He wasn't too thrilled about that, but he has been shaking his head a lot lately, and we have a bottle of ear cleaner, so we will be cleaning them out, and treating for mites for a week. I don't think he has them, but better safe than sorry.

Not happy about the ear cleaning.

growing...finally, but back to the see-saw

2010-03-24T03:52:00.000-07:00

Bosley seemed to have hit his stride. He had been doing really well, and I had even mostly stopped with his shots. He did have a bad day Sunday, vomiting 3 times, but after a shot Sunday night, and another on Monday morning, he seems back to the "new normal." Joy mentioned some side effects from the reglan in humans, so I decided to just use it as needed now. Of course, now I have been finding vomit (yes, even on my keyboard yesterday!) so I am back to the reglan routine again. 1/2 hour before every meal.

Buck thinks Boz needs his face cleaned.

Maybe a little dirt on his head...

Eating now seems to be the favorite past time of the little man. We moved the hassock from the living room chair over to the counter where we feed the cats, so he can get up and down easily by himself, and he spends a lot of time running and jumping up there when anyone goes by. He doesn't want to miss a chance to eat. It had made a difference too. 2 lbs, 5 1/2 oz. on Tuesday! Of course, now he has lost a few ounces with the vomiting, but we will get him back on track.

Bosley tries to fight off the bath!

Boz seemed to be feeling better too. He used to get on my desk, and curl up in the crook of my arm. Now he spends a little time scattering pens and paper around before he settles in for a nap. He was playing with a feather toy last night, and spent a little time chasing his tail, which was a lot of fun to watch. This morning he has been pretty subdued, but is now sitting between my arms as I type, purring.

Buck pursues Bosley to the top of the sofa for more cleaning.

Finally, Boz is all tuckered out from Bucks efforts.

He also seems to be fighting off a cold. His eyes have been a little runny, but not too bad. I think I will get him some L-lysine today to add to his food. That should help.

amazing

2010-03-13T14:10:00.000-08:00

Bos continues to amaze us. He is still doing pretty well. He has occasional bouts of vomiting, but he continues to eat and grow. He is still hovering around the 2 lb mark, and breaks out into play now and again, very unexpectedly. Today as Buck was giving him a bath, as he started to leave, Boz grabbed at him. Buck still thinks Boz should have a bath whenever he gets close to him. He also had a bit of tail chasing yesterday. His own!

Bentley and Boz take a nap.

Boz and Buck enjoy a meal.

Eating seems to be Bosley's favorite past time.

One thing I am concerned about is whether he is having reflux. My biggest fear now is aspiration. That could kill him pretty quickly. He has not had a fever, so I am hopeful he will continue this stretch, and stay healthy, and do some more growing! I think he will always be itty bitty, but I would like him to be a little bigger than 2 lbs!

My friend's dog Lucy, a long haired Chihuahua. Bigger than Bosley, but not much!

For now, we remain hopeful, and we enjoy the little man!

bosley 2.0

2010-03-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

Yes indeed. 2.0. It has 2 meanings. This morning, Bosley weighed in at 2 lbs even! I honestly wasn't sure he would ever see 2 lbs. It's been a long hard road, but wow, how exciting. :)

The other meaning is Bosley, round 2. He has been doing pretty well for a week now. That is the longest time he has ever seemed to feel well. He has thrown up maybe 3 times in the last week. There have been times when Boz threw up 5 or more times a DAY, so this is huge. We are just gonna ride the wave as long as we can.

Boz 2.0 seems to be more curious and cat like. He explores, plays and seems to be having a good time!

We give him his stomach chi from Pet Sage in the morning, when he seems like he is more acidy than any other time. Then a shot of Reglan, and 15 or 20 minutes later, he gets to eat. Another shot around 2, and then lunch, and another shot before dinner. Seems to be working.

Today I saw he threw up down the front of my desk, but still seems to be doing OK. I didn't give him a shot this afternoon, and he hasn't had one tonight either. We will see how that works.

fun with bentley

2010-03-07T15:19:00.000-08:00

Boz has had another good day! I am so happy that he is not only not vomiting, but seems to be feeling better. Good enough to engage Bentley in some sunbeam play.

Bosley begins to engage Bentley.

"Come on Bentley, let's go a round!"

I was bowling in a fundraiser for NOVAM today, and Joy got home from a conference and gave Boz some food. He vomited it up, but she had not given him the shot of reglan. I gave him his shot, and fed him more when I got home, and he seems fine again. Hopefully we have figured out a pattern, and can keep him on the right path now. I Hope, I hope, I hope!

Hands up!

This evening he has been very active, running across the living room, and back up to the counter to eat. If we can keep this up, that would rock. This is quite manageable.

Bosley shares his bed with Bishop.

so close!

2010-03-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post...
At weigh in a moment ago, Bosley was at.....
1lb, 15 7/8 oz!
Maybe after breakfast, he will make 2lbs! I honestly never thought he would make it.
Sorry, I wasn't prepared with photos...
Just have this one from last weekend, taken with my crappy cell phone.
Thanks for all the prayers and love!

Monorail kitty seeks the sunbeam!

good days

2010-03-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

Bosley loves the sun beam.

I hope that doesn't jinx it, but Boz has had a couple of pretty good days. He is eating now, for the third round this evening. He has been vomiting a bit, but it seems to be early in the morning, and then after he throws up, he goes back to eating, and keeps it down. I find myself looking hard for any kind of pattern. Not sure there is one, but I keep looking.

Need to get the belly in the sun!

For now, we just keep doing what we're doing, and hope he has more good days. Who knows, maybe he will get to 2lbs! We can sure hope.

Bentley and Boz snooze. Bookends...sorta.

Thanks to all of you guys for your thoughts and prayers. I think Bosley can feel the love!
Buck sometimes thinks Boz is his toy.

realization

2010-03-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

The realization has finally dawned...Bosley is not ever going to be "fixed." The vets have done all they can do. For now, we will do our best to keep him fed, and warm and loved...and someday in the not so distant future, we will say goodbye. He is almost 5 months old, and probably 4 months older than he would have lived had we not tried so hard to make him well.

Boz thinks he might want a little Nutri-cal.

I will certainly miss him when he is gone. I have gotten quite used to having him around. I watch where I step, worried I will kick the poor little guy! I won't miss the feeling of rushing home, worried all day whether he has enough food, if he needs me, if he feels ok. I wish there was something else I could do, but I think we have exhausted our options. He is a tiny little guy, with a huge personality.

Bosley ponders the question on the box. He thinks "crap."

As I sit here this evening, he is right in front of me, on my desk between my hands as I type. He has had a great day today. He has not vomited at all. (I thought he was going to when I fed him at 3:00, but he kept it down). I still can't tell if there is any pattern, or if anything I do makes any real difference, but I keep trying. I do know when he is hungry, he gets very lovable. His little belly is full right now, so he is content to sit and purr.

Bosley strikes a pose.

I am sorry it has taken so long to post! I know people have been worried, and I started getting e-mails from folks asking about Boz. I got one from Australia! Bosley has fan all over the world! I have a part time job, and a business, and networking and my 3 other cats and a dog...well, life gets a little hectic. I will try to post more regularly. Oh, and if you don't know about 50 kittens, check them out. They have week old babies there right now!

Ripley lounges on the counter.

Buck

fluoroscopy date set

2010-02-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

Well, the date has been set. Boz gets his scope tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 am. It's a little scary. What if they see nothing? What if they see something, but can't do anything about it? What if he aspirates? Ugh. I just have to think about good outcomes!

Boz looks shocked that he has a full belly!

Boz has had 2 pretty good days, after a couple of bad ones. I just KNOW he has days where nothing is getting to his stomach. For the days he can't get anything into his belly, he eats a little bit, then throws it up. It's hard to watch, because he is hungry, and wants to eat, but it can't get to his stomach. When it is getting through, he can eat a lot more, and his belly fills up. It is fat and tight tonight. That makes me happy, but I worry they won't see anything when they do the fluoroscopy tomorrow if he stays "open."

Bosley stretches out in the sun while Bentley gives him a sniff.

In the mean time, he is busy digesting. He ate and ate and ate, and has been all sleepy today. He ate when I fed him around 2:00 and spent the next hour in my face, rubbing all over me and purring. If that doesn't put a smile on my face, I don't know what does!

Full belly at the heated bed!

Check out the tail!

So, fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Bentley is crossing all his paws!

P.S.
I just heard crunching in the kitchen. I went in, and there was Bosley, eating crunchies! Not just that, but he got up on the counter by himself! I guess he jumped up on the stool first. Full belly, and still wants more. That's my boy.

the beat goes on.

2010-02-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

Boz seems to be on his good days, bad days cycle. We work through it as best we can, but he has not had any days as bad as the 3 day prior to his visit to South Paws.

Bosley leaping off the coffee table.

Since that visit, we had yet another blizzard here in the DC Metro area. We got 20" on Friday and Saturday, then on Monday we got 10 more inches! It was a mess, to say the least. We will probably lose most of the plantings we added last spring/summer, and I noticed yesterday the 16 year old japanese maple had at least 2 broken branches. I hope we don't lose it. The snow is still knee deep here, and they are calling for more now on Monday!

Blizzard in action.

Digging out.

I spoke to Dr. Brown on Friday. I told him what I was seeing, and what I thought, and he told me what he thought and asked me questions. What we decided was to go ahead with the fluoroscopy. He was going to have Dr. Fernandez set it up. They said they could do it on fairly short notice, so they could get it when he was having a bad day. I am excited, and nervous to have it done. If there is no hernia, or nothing besides the megaesophagus, then what? I don't want to think about it.

Boz tries to get my attention.

He wants to see what's so interesting.

But, on a more positive note, Bosley has become a regular part of the family. He eats with the others, sleeps with the others, and doesn't get put in a room by himself anymore when we aren't home. He is fully integrated.

All the kitties watching the birds out the front window.

I will keep you posted as to when they do the fluoroscopy and what they see.

rough days

2010-02-06T20:45:00.000-08:00

Boz man had some rough days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I'm not sure he kept anything down. I had to give him 30ML's of fluids, 15 on Wednesday, and 15 on Thursday. I made an appointment for him with the surgeon, to see if they could do anything for him. Dr Brown put into words what I already knew...He was circling the drain.

I managed to get an appointment at 11:00 on Friday, before the storm hit. Of course, On Friday, he was having a good day. Breakfast, no vomiting. Alert, almost back to "normal". We went to the appointment at South Paws, and met with the surgeon. She was awesome. She checked out the little guy, looked at his films, and consulted with another vet there. We sat down to discuss our options.

Boz takes a nap in his favorite spot.

Napping with Bishop.

Neither the surgeon or the other vet (sorry, I can't remember her speciality) was convinced there was a hernia. They both were leaning to the megaesophagus as the biggest problem. Both think that even of they fix the hernia (if there is one) that the congenital issue (megaesophagus) will continue to be a big problem. This is a very rare occurrence in cats, but with dogs, the low motility causes them to aspirate, and get pneumonia. They don't usually live long. Not great news.

They are willing to do a fluoroscopy, but think that they need to wait until he is having a "bad day" to really see if there is a hernia. If it is in, they won't see anything. If it is out, they will be able to see it. The risk is, he could aspirate on the barium. If he is not keeping anything down, and they have to lay him on his side and give him food with barium in it, if he were to aspirate it could kill him.

The hard part is, he was feeling pretty good on Friday, and Saturday. I guess at this time we just wait and see how he does. I don't want him to suffer, but I can't make that hard decision when he is feeling good, and eating. Friday and Saturday, there was no vomiting. Even on a good day that's unusual. Maybe I am being crazy, just getting more attached, when the inevitable is going to happen, but so be it.

Buck gives Bosley regular baths.

As for the nausea, I started him back on the stuff I got from Pet Sage on Thursday, and Friday he was a lot better. Just lucky? Maybe. But I am going to give it to him again, 3 or 4 times a day, as long as I think it's making a difference. I still believe there is a hernia. I don't know how else to explain how he goes from horrible, not able to keep anything down, to no vomiting, and seeming to feel pretty well from one day to the next. Nothing else makes sense. For now, we will just play this by ear.

Boz snuggles with Buck.

Buck sometimes forgets Bosley is not his toy.

Sunday, and another good day. He did vomit after breakfast, but I gave him a squirt of the Pet Sage mixture, and he ate again after a few minutes, and was fine. I can't imagine what else this could be but a hernia. I am sure we will be chatting with the vet about it again. He was just so cute and happy this weekend. Check out this video. He sure doesn't look sick!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vRjvFdj5BQ

a bit of a scare

2010-01-28T04:23:00.000-08:00

I arrived home Wednesday about 1:30, and as soon as Bosley heard my voice, he started the chattering to be let out of the kitty room. He is still too small to have run of the house if no one is home. I let him out, and he was already licking his chops, telling me he was nauseous. Sometimes after he moves around a bit, he feels better, so I didn't feed him right off the bat. I sat down at my desk to do some work. Then, I noticed something odd. Bosley didn't climb up onto my desk.

I got up and looked for him in the kitty room, and he was on his bed, in front of the heat vent. He heard me and came running over, but when I went back to my office, he didn't follow. Odd. I picked him up, and he felt warm. I assumed it was from the vent. I brought him in with me to the office and he sat with me for a while, but then went back to his room. I went back in and decided I best take his temp. 104.4! Yikes! I called Dr. Brown at Capital Cat Clinic, and told them what was up. Dr. Brown was with another patient, so she said he would call me back. About 2 minutes later she called and said bring him in now.

Bosley's new favorite downstairs place to sleep. Can you say "heat Vent?"

We got there, and we waited about 10 minutes until Dr. Brown got done with his other patient, and we went in to the exam room. The tech took his temp, still 104.4. Dr Brown came in and I kept putting Bosley on the counter, and he kept leaping back onto my chest, doing his best to climb up to my shoulder. Dr. Brown said he expected to see a really lethargic lump, so he was pleasantly surprised. He gave Bosley a shot of long lasting antibiotic, and I asked if we could get something for the nausea, because he was losing weight. (The weight was actually down an ounce to 1.11!) We chatted about it, and he gave me a vial of meds, and a bag of syringes.

I figured this surprise visit with meds was going to be expensive, but I didn't care. When we went to pay for it, it was less than a regular visit! Dr. Brown is my hero! I think that megaesophagus is pretty rare in cats, so this is a great study for them. The radiologist they sent the films to also want to do a fluoroscope, so they can see moving pictures of what is going on. They also will be doing it no charge.

Buck and Bosley wait for dinner.

So, today is day 3 with the nausea medication. Bosley still vomits, but he doesn't feel nauseous all the time, at least I don't think so. He isn't licking his chops all the time. Now when he throws up, it's usually because he has tried to eat too fast. That doesn't work so well. The hernia and the low motility keep the food from going into his belly too fast, and the megaesophagus means he just packs the food in, and it has nowhere to go, but back up. Now I feed him slowly, and it is working to an extent. Plus, now that he is on the meeds, even if he throws up, he goes back and tries again. Hopefully we have a system working now. I weighed him today, and he is at 1.13 1/2 oz, which is the most he has ever weighed!

Bosley looks like he feels better.

So, we continue to move forward. Boz gets fed about 5 or 6 times a day, and can get through about a half a big can now, with occasional KMR, and Nutrical regularly. We will keep our fingers crossed and hope he keeps gaining weight. I am thinking of a 2lb party, as soon as he gets there. I hope it's sooner rather than later.

bosley's big adventure

2010-01-24T05:10:00.000-08:00

Bosley spent the entire day at the vet's office on Friday. Dr. Brown sent the first set of films to the cardiologist last week, to see if they thought Bosley had a Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA). They didn't think so, and wanted to see another set of films. I dropped Boz off at 8:30 Friday.

I have to say, I really missed not having him here all day! I suppose I have grown a little attached to the guy. :) I did get more work done without having to fight to see my monitor.

Boz in his favorite spot while I am trying to work.

I managed to muddle through the day without him, but I was hoping they would call me early to come get him. I had a doctor's appointment at 4:00 myself, and was hoping to be able to get him before that. I didn't get the call until I was walking into my doctor's office. Ellen, the vet tech called to tell me they wanted to set up a 5:00 pick up and meet with Dr. Fernandez to go over the films. Perfect. Joy was meeting me there at 5:00.

We got there, and all of the staff could not stop talking about how cute and sweet Bosley was! Ellen had told me over the phone that she wanted to kid(cat)nap him and take him home. Both the receptionists were in love with him, and the other tech Chris, said he was so good and he liked to sit on his shoulder (we already knew that!)

We got in to see Dr. Fernandez, and the first thing he said was "That Bosley is such a sweet little guy!" Seems Bolsey charmed everyone there. I am not surprised!

We looked at the x-rays with Dr. Fernandez. I had done some internet research the last couple of days about PRAA, and Megaesophagus, another term I heard Dr. Brown mention when we were in last week. He had shown us a photo in a book about PRAA, and there was also a picture of a puppy that had megesophagus that was eating by standing with his front legs on a box. It said that it helped the symptoms by letting gravity help get the food to the belly. I decided then I was going to start feeding Bosley that way, and already it seemed to help.

Boz eats from the bowl on his elevated box-diner. Appropriate name of a game that we are using for his dinner station.

Dr. Fernandez showed us how Bosley's esophagus was very dilated, and it was very apparent in the films. You could see the narrowing of the path, then nothing, then you could see the barium in the belly. Dr. Fernandez said he is sure Boz does not have PRAA, and he does have megaesophagus, and possibly a hernia, which is causing the narrowing of the esophagus near the juncture of the stomach. He said he wants to send the film out to a radiologist to look at, but it's definitely not PRAA.

What does all that mean? Well, for now it means we feed Boz in a more upright position, and after he eats, I try to keep him vertical even longer. Not hard to do, since he loves to be held. He gets frequent small meals, and only Prescription A/D, which has more nutrition, and it's much easier for him to eat, as it has no chunks. So far, he is doing quite well with that. He ate a lot last nigh, and no vomiting! There may be a surgery in his future for the hernia, but there is nothing that can be done about megesophagus surgically. It is what it is, and there is no cure, just managed care. We can do that. Now we wait and see what the radiologist has to say.

Bosley naps with Bentley.

In the mean time, Bosley has integrated pretty well with the rest of the "family." Bishop and Buck both mother him, hold him down and bathe him. Ripley ignores him, and Bentley is pretty indifferent. I think he understands that he doesn't feel good, so he really doesn't bother with him. After a big dinner last night, today he has yet to eat. He had a couple of laps of KMR, but has no interest in eating. Hope he feels better as the day wears on. Gonna be hard to keep weight on him this way.

prognosis: good!

2010-01-20T04:16:00.000-08:00

Bosley has been enjoying his time hanging outside the "prison" of the kitty room. He loves to be anywhere we are, wherever that might be, He also likes hanging with the "big kids" who are fairly accommodating too, even Ripley, who really doesn't care much for any other cats.

Bentley is less curious of him, since Bosley is not afraid of him, and doesn't run, so he usually gives him a sniff, and then ignores him. (Buddy on the other hand couldn't be still, so Bentley was always wanting to chase him.) So goes the days here since we made Bosley an official member of the household.

Boz in his favorite spot while I am working at my desk. Yes, it does make it difficult!

We went to see Dr. Brown yesterday. The good news is, right off the bat he knew he didn't have a liver shunt. He was too active. He was up on my shoulder as soon as he could wiggle out of my hands, and was quite animated for Dr. Brown. We went through a few different ideas, and we decided that an x-ray would be a good first step. They took him upstairs, and we hung out in the lobby, chatting with the receptionists, and playing with the resident cat, Emmy.

Took a bit longer than I thought it would, but we found out they decided to do a barium swallow after they looked at the first 2 x-rays. We went back into the exam room and looked at them. The barium really showed something very interesting, but not surprising to me. You could see the barium in the top of his esophagus, and in his belly, but not so much right around mid-way. Something is constricting it, which explains his constant vomiting. Dr. Brown thinks it is possibly something called a persistent right aortic arch. Sounds scary, but it is leftover tissue from when he was a fetus that didn't dissolve, or fall off, or whatever it does when they are born, and it constricts the esophagus. He could outgrow it, but either way, it is correctable with surgery.

Dr. Brown was going to consult with the other doc there, and then with a cardiologist to see what they think. I should hear back today at some point. Until we know more, we just keep on with what we are doing.

Bosley enjoying a little bed time.

Boz actually seems to be doing better. He is still vomiting, but less frequently, and even after he vomits, he goes back and eats more. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will grow out of it!

buddy is ready to go

2010-01-16T04:58:00.000-08:00

Buddy hit the 2 1/2lb mark today, so he is all ready to go back to the shelter for spay/neuter day. Bosley isn't so lucky on that end. He is still hovering around 1lb, 13 oz. I sent an e-mail to my cats vet, Dr Brown, and asked to pick his brain a little about Bosley. Right away he mentioned something called a liver shunt. He said it would explain the low weight, and the vomiting. I did a little research, and that is not a good thing to have. It's pretty rare in cats, usually striking small dogs. A liver shunt is basically a blood vessel that reroutes the blood from going to the liver, and takes it back to the heart without filtering. Not a good thing. I am not convinced that is the problem, because Boz has not shown any other signs of this problem, like seizures, trembling, aggressiveness or lack of coordination.

I figure that Bosley is pretty much unadoptable with his vomiting issues anyway, and I know the shelter wouldn't have the funds to fix this problem, so yesterday, I adopted him. Yes, after all my hard stance on no more cats, I went and adopted a special needs kitten. Dr. Brown knows about my fostering work, and he told me he would see Bosley for free, and at least we have a starting point. He thinks an ultra sound would show a shunt if he has one. I hope it's something else! I think he is small because he can't keep enough food down. (At least this morning he had a decent meal and kept it down.)

Now my biggest problem is when Buddy goes back, Bosley will be alone all day. :( I can't let him run the house, since he likes to go downstairs. He is too little to be left with Bentley all day, unsupervised. Until he gets a little bigger, he is just going to have to deal with being alone in the mornings until I get home.

fun with paper balls

2010-01-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Well, things are going about the same here at itty bitty central. Buddy is growing like mad, and his eye is almost totally normal. I think it will eventually be 100%. He is quite the rascal, and loves to play with Buck...and anyone else that will play with him. He even gives Bentley a go. He is at 2lbs, 3 oz as of this morning, so it won't be long until he is ready to go back to the shelter for adoption. He won't be there long, with his good looks and playful personality.

Boz is about the same. He has good days and bad days, and his weight goes up and down. He has gotten bigger, so I am hopeful! He is still under 2lbs, so I need to work on that. Yesterday he had a rough morning, throwing up twice, but then in the afternoon, he ate, and he played, and he seems to be doing well! Today, he ate some this morning, and kept it down. This afternoon, he ate, vomited, then got some meds, and a shot, and a little later ate quite a lot for him, and kept it all down. I just wish I could come up with a reason for his nausea. Joy keeps saying he is just gonna live here forever. I say no...but at this point, he is never going to be up to 2 and a half pounds! Maybe they will just forget he was ever there...LOL!

Other than being small, he is in pretty good shape. I will make sure I get someone I know to adopt him as soon as he goes back. I have too much time invested in him to just not keep in touch! He is a little high maintenance, but he is so sweet, it's worth the extra time.

Here is a little video of the boys playing with the favorite toy...the paper ball. As you can see, Buddy has passed Boz in size now. That odd tone in the background is my Blackberry. :)

happy new year!

2010-01-04T04:12:00.000-08:00

As the new year rolls in, Scooby and Shaggy have rolled on to forever homes. Both are already gone from the shelter website. I will be getting an update this week as to where they ended up, but I am sure they didn't go together. Shaggy was gone from the site first, and Scooby was still there another day before he was gone. I'm sad they didn't go together, but happy they both found homes quickly.

If you didn't know Buddy had a eye infection a month ago, you couldn't tell.

On the home front here, Buddy and Boz are doing great. They are neck and neck as far as weight goes. (Right around 1lb, 12oz.) Buddy's eye is all better, with only a slight amount of cloudiness to it. I am amazed. He is a ruff and tumble sorta guy, who is always happy, and always moving. He will let you hold him if you scratch under his chin, but he loves to romp.

Buddy loves Bishop's new mouse.

Boz is starting to show some kitten playfulness too. He still has good days and bad days, but when he feels good, he romps just as hard as Buddy. They both were making me laugh this morning with their antics. This afternoon, Boz was not feeling great,but he seems pretty good right now. He ate some, and did a little running, trying to get to the door before I closed it! Perhaps a romp in the hallway is in order.
As you can see, it is difficult to get photos, since their favorite place to play is on me!

Bosley leaps over Buddy to his favorite spot. My lap.

A surprise attack is imminent.

Bosley defends the lap!

Boz prepares for the next attack.

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

2009-12-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-24T14:02:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-12-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-30T19:44:00.000-08:00

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.