and then there were 4



Early Thanksgiving morning, while it was still dark

while we were hurrying to leave the house to head to our home in Galena

I found a precious kitten had passed away during the night

I cried so hard

We called him Artful Dodger...Artie for short

Rest in peace little one....

life is so unfair

where we are born
to whom we are born
the worth of our birth
so random
But Little kitty, you were loved by me
and for this I can take comfort
 

 

v-i-c-t-o-r-y

 

 

 

 

You can't imagine how exhausted I am

 

dead tired

 

 

but I got him...the last hold out

who sob sob spent the frigid night outside all by himself

 

I would tell you about the comedy routine it was watching the last two

try and get the food out of the trap without going inside

ha!...don't they know the trap maker figured that one out

 

but it was pure giggles watching it

 

Finally the little gray one just had to go in....snap!

 

I got him right away...but that sent the big one I call

Joey white toes

sent him under the deck

 

...until this morning

when he finally came out from under the deck

and he too let his hunger get the best of him

 

and believe me...he wasn't the last one trapped for nothing

what a toughie....I really had my hands full with that little guy

and scratches to prove it

 

but all is calm for now

they're eating, sleeping playing

 

and watching tv

 

Mom and dad....Fiona and Ralphie

are safe downstairs recuperating

 

and now to get ready for daughter in law and the kids to arrive tonight

 

..I told you I'm exhausted

 

thanks for listening

I'm sorry I've bored you about my troubles

..because I know most people don't care for cats

....but maybe you care about me

so thanks



 

I got two

one last night....it cried all night for its mom

an eerie sad call

My husband, of all people went downstairs and held it for twenty minutes

holding it and comforting it....now he thinks he's the cat whisperer

Early this morning I put out another trap

and phew the kittens came flying out of the igloo on the deck..ha ha

they are smart ones afterall...there's a warm pad in there

I put the trap out and bam I got one right away

I have trapped the two small females....hmmm

I picked up Henry Ralph and Fiona this morning

they are resting in a large dog crate.....cost me big bucks here

Now there are 3 traps outside

it is cold but sunny...and when I got back from the clinic

the three remaining kittens were running up and down my horsechestnut tree

 

I tell you....this has been the hardest thing for me to do...trap an animal

I am a wreck

but I have succeeded thus far

rescuing two adult cats from continuous kittens and hunger, disease, and injury 

and kittens who were doomed to have maybe an even harder life

 

through no fault of their own....dumb people who value nothing

 

OH....I got another one
bye! !!!!

 

I got 2

 

5 to go....but 5 little ones

 

This is not pictures of them, only what they look like

they are in traps in my basement and garage

that are draped in heavy blankets to quiet them in darkness

The kittens are alone outside

I was hoping to get them first, but I am happy to have gotten anyone

I guess sardines is the trick

I transport them tomorrow at 6:30 am to a low cost feral clinic

for spaying and neutering

I bought a large dog crate to house them in while they recover

and I hope to get the kittens tomorrow

 

Oh and my mom's test came back fine

She's in better health than me

It was a welcome distraction today taking her for her test

She is sympathetic about the felines

My son...who just arrived from California

thinks his mom is nuts 

 

maybe I am

but I'm too far in to turn back

 

gin joint

cats...

 

I didn't seek this or want this

 

I didn't let my cat out or dump it unspayed



to have kittens

in someone else's garden

other people did this to these poor creatures

 

But of all the gin joints in the town they walked into mine

 

When I was 12 I used to see this little boy on my walk home

He always waited for me and walked alongside of me the length of his block

It got cold and he showed up with a too short coat with no buttons

and he didn't have a hat or gloves

it was so cold that I took him home

I shutter to think of what I did looking back

asking a small child to come home with me

But I did

and I took him in the house, made him some hot chocolate

while I found mittens and a hat for him

and went into my mother's button tin and found buttons

to sew on his coat

Then I walked him back home

and I don't think anyone missed him

but he was warm and happy

His name was Mikey

 

I have not changed

 

Wish me luck today....I am setting up the traps

what I'll do after that...I am not sure

I hope I get the kittens first

they still have a chance at a home

The other two....they are doomed to be feral cats

But I am taking on the task

they will be under my care

and I don't know how I'll handle all of this

but these are the least of these

and like with Mikey

I will

 

 

 

It's going to be 1 degree wind chill tonight

11 degrees actual temp

 

and I have 5 little fur balls under my deck

who the mom keeps moving back and forth between my deck and my neighbor's

Finally she brought them to eat....showed them the food bowl

and they haven't stopped eating

they love the warm chicken I provide

 

I went to the feral cat class to learn how to trap them

....these women have been in the biz a long time

they talk about the cats like they are nothing

..to me ...I have an emotional investment in their wellbeing right now

...yesterday the mom cat was on to me and hid the kittens

....and then both my daughters showed up with kids

and there went that...

I missed this morning's spay appointment

try again Tuesday the woman at the clinic said

 

what if I get a kitten first....which I would bring inside and try to get it used to people

so it can have a chance at getting a home with a family

not to live its life outside as a feral

 

I am certain the mom will hide them from me or disappear

 

only.....I have the warm chicken

 

Oh I have a stomach ache thinking about all this responsibility

and to make things worse....what do I do with mom after I take her in

with entire belly shaved...in this cold...oh dear...

and My family is coming in from California for Thanksgiving and we are going to galena

what will I do with a cat or kitten if I catch it?

I know you can't help me....but I just have to get it out

 

oh dear...would you believe I just looked out my patio door and there is another

cat looking in?

 

 

yep,those be kittens

  ?

 

 

good golly

why me?

I thought she just looked Prego... then not

 

She continued to come around 3 times a day ...ravenous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but no kittens

 

until yesterday

 

when I looked out and saw four

 

then later the black cat escorted a little orange one over

 

from my neighbors deck

 

so far 5 little felines

 

Oh dear and winter is just around the corner

 

I am now in contact with the local feral cat rescue

 

I don't like to do it but I have to save the babies

and then I will take on caring for the two adults

 

who will be neutered

 

such a thing...I have to pay for all of this

 

good thing I have a wonderful husband who cares about animals

and me and my heart

The little gray one with two white toes on his back feet and one white toe on his front paw

has stolen my heart.....

But I have order in my house

and bringing in another one would possibly cause chaos

Remember that all the cats I have..3...

are rescued

and I had 3 summers of finding kittens homes

you run out of kind friends

And remember my beloved Handsome who I took care of for 10 years

and Beautiful ...and so many other wayward felines and two dogs

 

My family is coming for Thanksgiving from California

and I have to help my mother take her driver's test and some medical tests

and my daughter is sick and could use my help with Walter

heavens to Betsy......

and I am leading my book club discussion on Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

on Friday

 

.....it's all about love

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

woohoo





!