2:36 PM Atticus - the little cuss

This is Atticus.  He's one of my foster babies for now.  Sometimes I look at him and forget he's not Efah, my little black kitten from last year.  He's just as cuddly as Efah was.  Then the "little cuss" will come out and I remember real quick.  Atticus suffers from the eternal fear that he's not going to be fed enough.  So breakfast and dinner times are a bit of a challenge.  Especially since Mariner has now decided that she has to mimic that behavior.  All of that should change, though, if he can score a forever home that will free feed.  And I'm sure he'll end up being a "fat and happy little cuss."

I don't know what it is about my sewing, but all the cats love to interfere with that.  You may recognize that fabric Atticus is on as the fabric I used for my niece's garb.  That's what I was sewing here.  Atticus just decided to plop down on the fabric and try to nap.  Of course, my attempt at removal turned into a game.

So then I decided to try to move the fabric I was working on.

"Oh Noes, it's MINE!"

"You cannot takes mah Fabrics!  I must Hoard dems!"

Yes, Atticus speaks in LOL Cats.

9:54 AM Archive Fridays

When I first started fostering pregnant mom's and their kittens, I began a blog over at Live Journal so my fellow fosters and friends could keep up with their progress.  I haven't posted on that particular blog since 1998 because of the confines of the Live Journal commenting rules.  I wanted to expand to a more public space.  Now the time has come to let that old Live Journal account go.  To be honest, I had almost forgotten it existed.

So in honor of my original foster blog, I'll be posting those archived posts over here as I move them over.  I'll post one every Friday until the entire story over there is placed over here.  I hope you'll  join me for my weekly looks down memory lane.

The first installment is here.  Foster Kitty Flo was a great first mama for me.  I adored her babies.  I hope you enjoy the story.

9:14 PM Household pictures

Efah being silly in the grocery bag. I'm telling you, the paper bag has always been the favorite toy in this household.

This is the one picture I got from Nimue where she isn't dodging my camera. I had to be quick. She dislikes the flash. And she's a smart cookie.

Sweet Taquita Banana. She's like a pretzel.

And Roz and Maizy are enjoying some couch lounging time. They are Both in my spot, but they're just so precious there together, I left them alone.

Lord Dunbar relaxing in his kingdom. Not from his Tower of Power, but from his favorite chair with his favorite afgan.

And the pretty pretty princess Nabisco. Mere moments from this photograph Efah hopped in my lap and plopped down right on top of her. She got really mad. He didn't care.

6:06 PM Efah's big day

Today Efah was doted on quite a lot by a lovely couple who have adopted two cats from us before. The moment we walked into the adopt a pet they saw him and just fell in love. They were so in love they contemplated taking him home. But they just lost one of their older cats to an illness the day before and they just weren't sure they should adopt so soon.

I happen to know both of the cats they adopted and so I know that one of those cats is just about as perfect a playmate match as it gets. I am so hopeful about the prospect of this couple adopting Efah I am nearly beside myself. When they left, there were a few positive signs that they might decide to adopt him. But I would love to have all of your prayers, candle lightings, energy work, and Adoption Dances to see if we can seal the deal. This family is Perfect! And y'all know that I only want Perfect for my sweet little Efie Poo.

And now comes the cuteness! I took some fun pictures of both Efah and Nimue at the adopt a pet on November 1st. I'm just now getting around to sharing them.


Nimue checking out the birds at Petsmart.

At this point, she wanted to eat one.

Efah had a moment of interest as well.

But he just was more interested in getting lots of attention from being on a harness. Isn't he handsome?

7:31 PM Efah's first Adopt-a-Pet event

Since Mr. Efah has recovered so quickly from his surgery, I decided to take him to his first Adopt-a-Pet event today. I am proud to report that he did Very well. He was nervous at first, and never did quite feel comfortable in his cage, but all of that is quite understandable. He would calm down when I was near and I would hold him off and on.

Efah also received his first collar. I got him one of those reflective collars so even if he did scratch at it a lot, he couldn't tear it up as quickly. And Petsmart has a new tag engraving system. So his tag is one of those plates that is riveted along the collar, not a hanging tag. It looks Great on him! And he's surprisingly not that bothered by the collar.

I'm so proud of how my little one has grown up!

I also spoke with a couple who is looking for a Russian Blue with some sass. Well, that's Nimue to the T! The guy used to have a sassy Russian Blue years ago and he wants another one. And get this, they have a Catahoula! How funny is that? We had a nice talk about 'houlas. I think they'll be perfect for Nimue. So let's hope they contact me!

Texas Pawprints had a great day overall for adoptions today. We adopted 8 and sent two out to foster. I'm crossing my fingers that we can keep the momentum going for next weekend!

10:59 PM New beginnings - on various levels

Previously I have discussed the various Courtyard Kitties in my apartment complex. Efah is a product of the growing population here. I have often said that I wanted to start trapping cats here, but I've never settled down and done it until now. I've had a trap for several weeks now and my neighbor had offered to help me. We just needed to get a chain for the trap so it couldn't be easily liberated from the premises. Apparently, traps have disappeared from our complex a few times, so better to be safe than sorry.

This week began our quest to trap and sterilize the population of Courtyard Kitties. And who was our first jail bird? Non other than Frankie, the cat belonging to one of my neighbors.


He escaped from her apartment immediately after she moved here and she's not been able to catch him since. Unfortunately, she also hadn't neutered him. Frankie is hanging out in seclusion in my bathroom at the moment while I figure out what to do with him. He's not feral. He's just timid. Outside, I never could get near him. In my bathroom, he lets me pet his head and he talks to me. Although he hasn't moved from that box of fabrics all day. Who can blame him, it's got to be cushy, right?

I've left a note with Frankie's owner and have yet to hear anything from her. Honestly, I don't think I will hear anything from her. She's been rather negligent with him thus far. But we're in Luck! Texas Pawprints is having a Neuter Day tomorrow! So he'll be packed off to the shelter first thing in the morning. They're already booked full, but apparently it's a general occurance that several of the cats can't be neutered for whatever reason, so he just might make the cut this week. Please cross your fingers for us!!! Because I can't trap anymore until he is recovered from the neuter and able to be released with someone.

In addition, I have news about Efah. In the very beginning I thought Efah to be a boy, but then changed my mind. Apparently I need to learn to trust my first instincts because I was right the first time. Efah is indeed a boy. And Very ready to be neutered. While I'm a little sad that I can no longer call Efah "Miss Efahline", this actually explains A Lot! He's scrawny, scrappy, and a down right little punk. A sweet little punk, but a punk nontheless. Efah's being a boy just puts new perspective on his kamikaze play. Efah will also be going to the Neuter Day tomorrow morning in the hopes that he will make the cut to be sterilized as well.


Please keep Efah and Frankie in your thoughts and prayers as even Neuter surgeries which are done many times every day still carry risk. Each time I send one of my kittens to be spayed or neutered, I think of my little Virgo and the accident which caused his passing.

6:08 PM Congratulations Tiberius!!!

Today Tiberius found his forever home! Someone else in the rescue fostered him over the weekend while I was out of town. I wanted someone else to see if they thought his upper respiratory infection was finished. It was, Finally! Goodness gracious we went through a time getting him over that. And he turned out to be allergic to the medication, so it was just that much harder to fix.

When I arrived back in town this afternoon, I called in to the adopt a pet event to see if I needed to pick him up or not and, as luck would have it, his adopter was making the final decision on him and wanted to talk to me to make sure she was making the right decision. So I had a nice chat with her and I am absolutely positive that he has a Perfect home now.

One black kitten down, one more to go. Efah's almost finished with her own upper respiratory infection. As soon as she is over that, she is also big enough to be spayed and go to adopt a pet events to look for her own forever home.

1:31 PM Efah meets the Vet

Today was a milestone in Efah's young life. She met her first Veterinarian. After Efah did not respond to any of the antibiotics we've given her, I decided it was time to throw in the towel and make an appointment. Metro Paws Animal Hospital has a working relationship with Texas Pawprints for more affordable veterinarian care of our foster animals. Thankfully, they were able to see her this morning on such short notice! The regular vets were not in, but the fill in Veterinarian was great with Miss. Efahline. And Efah was Really good about the whole process-except for the fecal sampling. But who can blame her for that!!!

As was suspected, Efah has a chronic upper respiratory issue. It's viral, not bacterial. And she also has ear mites, which was not expected. She hadn't been shaking her head until today. But the really good news is that she does NOT have any worms. The vet said it must be the new food upsetting her stomach.

So her treatment schedule is more Clavamox (from the vet), ivermectin for the ear mites (from the shelter), we're still going to worm her anyways just in case (I have wormer leftover from the shelter), and I'm changing her food back to Halo's Spot's Stew. I'm also to continue steaming her in the shower and syringing saline into her nose.

I really was hoping the Texas made BG food would work out because it is grain free, but she's not the only one who is gassy and having an upset tummy. The litterboxes are generally much stinkier since I changed. Halo's never upset anyone's tummy that I know of. All of my cats are young and healthy, so having a grain free diet isn't as big of a bonus as it is for Maizy. It would be nice, but it is not super important. And boy to they LOVE that Halo's Spot's Stew!!! Thankfully, Pet Supplies Plus has decided to carry Halo's now. So I can just pick it up anytime as opposed to having to order it. That's so much more convenient!

We sure could use some "get well" energy for Efah. And Tiberius too. He's still trying to get over his sniffles as well.

4:25 PM Taking "Mommie Nabisco" to a new level

Little Miss Efah is slowly getting better from her upper respiratory issue due to some antibiotics along with shower steam therapy. She doesn't like the steaming, but she tolerates it. Mostly she tries to hide under my arm. I really hope it is making a difference as I'd hate to put her through ththe stress of the shower for nothing.

Last night after Efah's steam Nimue came into the bathroom to clean and comfort her. Nimue was being very sweet about her bathing opportunity. Usually she is too rough and I have to separate her from whomever is the object of the mothering. I didn't get to that though because about halfway through the bath, Nabisco butted in and decided Efah needed to be removed from the situation altogether.

Efah is around 9 weeks old, so she isn't exactly tiny. But Nabisco actually attempted picking Efah up by her neck. Nabisco never did get Efah off the floor, but she still accomplished what she wanted as Efah walked in the direction she wanted to carry her. When they got to the bathroom door, Nabisco stopped and began a very thorough bath. And in between licks, she would shoot me this rather funny, "How Dare You" look. Apparently, I was overstepping some boundaries with "her kitten." Nabisco has been known to try stealing kittens directly from under mothers' nests, but I think that her protection over Efah has brought her "mommie" status to a whole new level.

10:25 PM Eeny, Meeny & Miney

These little ones will be in my home temporarily. We just got them in a few days ago. We're hoping my Nabisco will mother them a little. They may have a mommie cat who will adopt them, but so far they remain orphans. If they mommie cat doesn't take them in, they'll need a foster home. They're almost eating by themselves. They are eating wet food, but not consistantly. I'm syringe feeding them at times to get them going and supplimenting with a bottle.

12:27 PM Feral cats in the Courtyard

In my apartment complex we have many feral cats. Several of us in the complex put feed out to care for these cats. Some of them are altered, some are not. I was just beginning to get to a point where I was going to look into taking care of altering all that were known to not be altered already.

Today I identified one that needs altering ASAP! The little bob-tailed black cat who has been around for over a year flew by my this afternoon with a kitten in tow. With the help of maintenance, I managed to capture the little kitten, but Mom took off. And I am unsure if there are more kittens. While it upsets me that I may have only captured a partial litter, I have high hopes that there was only one kitten. No one who knows that cat was aware that she was pregnant, so there is a chance that she just birthed one.

My next challenge is to tame this little one, ascertain its sex, and find it a home. I'm getting help with trapping, altering, and releasing the cats in the yard soon. If there's anyone out there who would like to help, I could use a foster for this kitten as well as many other kittens within the rescue. They all need permanent homes too, but I'll certainly take a foster home situation for as long as can be offered!

She's finally tired herself out with being so scared. She's plopped down in the litterbox and nodded off, waking up every few minutes to cry and go back to sleep. Luckily, I'm off work this week. Hopefully, I can get the hardest part, getting her to trust me, taken care of before I have to go back to work next week.

4:29 PM Nimue vs Bernina

Nimue decided to come check out the sewing machine today.

She has this funny thing where she has begun to mimic behaviors of the other cats. This one is directly out of the Book of Lord Dunbar. After this display, she was pretty much all over me trying to get kisses, just like Dunbar. Then she lay down and went back to being Nimue and tried to bite me when I moved my hand with the sewing.

2:14 PM Did you say SWEET Nimue????

Yes, I did.

In the last week or so since I posted the video of Nimue showing so much affection towards me, I have seen a Drastic change in her regular behavior. I am happily surprised to see that she is continuing her affection and even attempting to play somewhat less violently with the other cats.

Not only that, but she has clocked more time in my lap than Roz, which is pretty amazing. As well as she has ousted my bedtime cuddler, Dunbar, from his spot on my bed each night.

She's still somewhat food aggressive - growling at anyone who has to eat next to her, but the growling is less and less and she also is Only growling and not slapping at anyone. She is also beginning to pay attention to her own food as opposed to running for whatever bowl I've just filled and thus displacing the entire herd multiple times during breakfast and dinner.

Now if only I can convince her to stop scratching my grandmother's chair, we'll be SET! I did catch her trying to scratch up the sisal rug I got the cats for Christmas and I praised the Hell out of her, so it is possible that she can be turned from the chair, it's just going to take some Work!

7:39 PM Nimue shines today

My kittens have both be adopted, but my work with this family unit is not quite done. I still haven't placed their mother, Nimue. Nimue is not going to be the easiest cat to place for adoption. She is dominant; she is sassy to a point of having an Abundance of attitude; and if she doesn't like something she is quick with the Tazmanian Devil Claws of Death. We thought that once she was spayed she would calm down a little bit. She did calm down a little. She quit attacking my dog. But she didn't quit attacking her kittens whenever she pleased. Then once they were adopted, she and Taquita started in on it with one another. No blood was drawn or anything, but it's enough to recommend to potential adopters that she be an only animal in the home.

On top of all of that, she's never really been very personable with people. She's very curious and has no qualms approaching people, but she's never been interested in showing affection. These are all things that are pretty big roadblocks for finding an adoptive home. Today, however was one of those breakthrough days where I am assured that Nimue will be a great companion for the right person.

Today, not only did she play with the other cats in the house (still rough, but it was obviously Play), but she actually showed real affection towards me. For the first time ever, Nimue hopped in my lap and kneaded the bread.




To say I was surprised is an understatement. I was shocked. This is HUGE! This means that I can actually tell people that she will be a loving sweet companion with the right patience! Before I had to tell people that she had quirks and they would have to read her body language to know what mood she was in. They'll still have to do that, but with one of those moods being displayed in the video above, that gives her only slightly more attitude than the average dominant cat.

I am so happy right now. This gives me so much hope for her to get a nice loving home!

12:57 PM One had flown the coop

Yesterday Charmin went to live with her new "dad." I was so proud of her. She behaved beautifully at the Adopt a Pet while waiting for her adopter to arrive to take her home.

This morning I received a text message from Charmin's new home saying that she spent all night last night in the lap and purring away. So I believe she is blissfully content. I'm very happy about that. Now we just need to get Lucey Lot squared away with her family.

And now for a picture update. I have a new laptop, so I am able to upload images at home now. Finally!

2:56 PM We welcomed a houseguest

Sunday was a fruitful day for several cats. We had 4 go out at "foster to adopt" meaning they are taken home by a prospective family that adores them but isn't sure how they will fit in with the other furry housemates and thus they're not sure they want to commit to an adoption if things don't work out with the current menagerie. We actually encourage this with a lot of people. It gives them more trust in us and they are less stressed about the cat coming home with them and the "what if it doesn't work out".

But we also had one adoption. Target (pronounced "Targ-jhay" think the fancy schmancy way of pronouncing Target) was adopted by a young man and his mother. But she needed her last round of shots and her final combo test since she was finally old enough. So last night she came home with me so I could drop her off with her vet transport today instead of her having to stay cooped up in a carrier all night at the shelter since all of our cages are occupied at the moment.

What a DOLL! Target had no fear about the new surroundings. She hissed at Maizy Once and then was totally ok with her. She slept on my lap until I went to bed and then she followed me up on the bed. All of the other cats were a bit upset wtih me over bringing her home, so it was just she and I on that bed. And by this morning she and LuceyLot were playing with one another as if they were long lost cousins or something! Watching she and Lucey play made bringing her home well worth upsetting a few other cats for a day. See, Lucey was put on hold Sunday for a family who has other cats. Lucey would be for one of their younger sons who is ready for his own cat. I was afraid she'd be a little anti-social or would play too rough as Nimue does exactly that with both Charmin and LuceyLot. Well, Lucey was very happy to play like a normal kitten with Target! Charmin, not so much. She pretty much hid from Target like the older cats did. But that's ok. Charmin's home will be with a man and no other cats. Now that I've seen this behavior, I am 100% at ease over her being by herself.

So now that both girls are on hold and just waiting to be spayed and delivered to their families, I just have Nimue and Roz to focus on adopting out. They're both tough sells, but we can do it. Eventually.

5:26 PM And now for LuceyLot

LuceyLot also has a serious inquiry for adoption now. I guess my apt will be Grand Central for Meet and Greets on Sunday.

Now to just get some brave soul interested in their crazy mother...

12:48 PM Charmin might have a home after Christmas!

I just put her and LuceyLot's profiles on Petfinder yesterday and today we've already got a hit on Charmin. I just left a message with a guy who has lost all of his animals in a Divorce and says he cannot function in life without a cat. He wants to meet Charmin soon. She and Lucey are scheduled to be spayed on the 23rd of Dec, so they can't go home with anyone until a week after, but he seems to be ok with that as I put that information right in their profile. Y'all keep your fingers crossed for me that when we meet he's a good candidate! Frankly, I'm a little shocked that Charmin got an inquiry before LuceyLot did. Lucey's pictures are way cuter. But you know, I'm glad either way. Frankly, it's harder to adopt out a brown tabby, so I'll be tickled pink if she goes first!

4:19 PM Petfinder bound

Well, it's official, the kittens each have their own Petfinder listing. They're not spayed yet, but we're expecting to do that soon. I'm hoping that the online exposure before Christmas will get them a good home soon. It would be wonderful if they could be adopted together, but I'm not holding my breath on that one. I got Incredibly Lucky with Lyra and Draco adopting out together. I'm not so sure that lightning will strike twice.

8:58 PM Surprises and Reunions

Today was a day of firsts.

Nimue went to her first Adopt a Pet.

Roz was outfitted with a harness for the first time because we ran out of cages for cats. She slunk around a bit at first, but eventually began to walk a little with it. Although honestly she was more concerned with getting back into her carrier than anything. Then when Cactus Jack went home on a "foster to adopt" Roz got a cage.

Then Nimue was able to come out of her carrier to see how she would act. So I put the harness on her. She didn't fight me first of all. Then she allowed me to hold her for the LONGEST stretch of time EVER! Then when I put her down, she didn't freak out. Well, she did roll a little and wiggle one of her arms half free, but she behaved Much better than I figured. Honestly, I thought she would be a case of total Tazmanian Devil evilness at Petsmart. That's why I had the vet go ahead and tip her ear in case we needed to re-release her back to my courtyard.

So anyways, a day of firsts.

Also of note today, I was introduced to some wonderful Pit Bull ladies and thusly Covered in sweet bully kisses! I just love pitts!

And finally, I was reunited with a kitten I fostered about 3 years ago. Marvin was one of two little black kittens I fostered when I lived in the loft. Some of you who read my Live Journal may remember that my boyfriend at the time had quite a connection with him. However, his brother wasn't having the cat. He was quickly adopted by a Russian chick and her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he was returned about 6 months later. Allergies was the excuse. Tonight I was putting away cats from the Adopt a Pet. I've not done that in over a year. I knew that "Starvin" Marvin was returned to the shelter and probably still there as he's one of about 3 handfulls of black cats in the building who all remove their name collars on a regular basis. But I hadn't seen him since he was returned as when he was returned he reverted to his skittish behavior. Well, tonight, I saw his face, that indisputable funny face and I knew it was him. And for the first time I actually was able to hug and cuddle with him. He never let me cuddle before, so this reunion was also a first. He really is a sweet boy once he gets to know you. He's just a little afraid at first. I so wish I had a home to place him in. I just hate that one of my kids is back in the shelter. And he can't come here. Firstly, I'm full. And secondly, Dunbar will not likely allow another young male in the house. I'm glad I recognized him though. Tomorrow he will get a new name collar when I go to the shelter for a couple of hours to tag everyone who has lost their tag. So now he will be able to start going to adopt a pets again. So there is a silver lining. Now let's just pray for a perfect home.