remembering MK

Today marks 6 weeks (42 days) since MK went missing. My heart still aches for him and yet I've come closer to accepting that he's not coming back. I'm guessing he might have gotten hit by a car or some such awful fate.

MK                                      July 12, 2014

The back porch was his home, he spent most of his nights here snuggled up with his papa, Oliver, and brother, Pierre. More than anything else, he loved spending time with his family.

 Family snuggle                                 May 13, 2014

Oliver started coming around in early 2011, by the late summer, I had built him living accommodations and a safe place to eat. In that time we started becoming friends and by late Fall, he was cuddling in my lap - to my delight, he had come to fully trust me. Apparently he trusted me enough to bring his kitts to my yard, to share in his good fortune.

One of Oliver's young kitts having some dinner             Nov 28, 2011

   Oliver, MK, and Pierre enjoying dinner in the Dining Hall           Dec 31, 2011

Oliver keeps watch

Oliver has always been more than happy to share his food and heated homes with his family. It's no wonder MK adored his papa so much, as Oliver has always gone to great lengths to care for his family.

  Oliver on roof with his kitts staying warm inside his heated home       Jan 12, 2012

It didn't take long for MK and Pierre to feel more at ease in the yard. Over time, they began hanging out here more frequently and eventually they were here more than they were not. When Oliver was around they always felt very safe and would lounge in the yard.

Jan 14, 2012

MK hanging out with his sister, Nora                   July 5, 2012

In time, MK began trusting me more and more. He loved to play with toys. I would bring fake mice out in the yard and he would go crazy, batting them around the yard. He particularly enjoyed a large stuffed rat-toy!

June 9, 2013

Family portrait                           Jan 15, 2014

MK was always willing to take more risks when Oliver was around. Oliver's presence gave him courage and confidence. If Oliver was coming inside the house, then MK would have to check it out too.

MK checking in on Oliver in his "room"                   Jan 21, 2014

It was common for me to check the kitty-cams and see MK zonked out in Oliver's House or his Guest House. Seeing him all safe, warm, and snug on a cold, rainy winter day always brought me great joy. 

MK and Pierre enjoy a cuddle together inside Oliver's House   Feb 6, 2014

MK and Pierre enjoying a cuddle         Aug 2013

I'll be the first to admit that I have a control issue. I'm the kind of person who likes to do everything I can to ensure my cats are safe and happy. Therefore, taking care of a backyard feral cat colony has been incredibly stressful, as there is only so much I can control. I've lost a lot of sleep over the years worrying about their wellbeing. I've worked really hard to create a feral cat paradise, so they won't wander and will be safe and secure. Care taking the ferals has also been incredibly rewarding, winning the trust of feral cats is a very emotionally intoxicating experience. Looking back, I probably was only able to touch MK just a handful of times, occasionally stealing pets while he was distracted and happily eating his wet food breakfast alongside his brother and papa. As soon as he realized I was touching him, he backed off, just out of my arms reach.

It's amazing how attached I can get to a cat that I've only touched a few times, however, I watched him live out his life in my backyard and back porch. Everyday I got to see his playful personality as he romped with his brother around the yard and cuddled with whoever was available. MK was certainly the silliest of his family, he was always doing something that made me smile and warmed my heart.

MK, I'm really, really sad that my time with you has been cut so short. I know Oliver and Pierre miss you too. My heart aches to see you again, free, happy, and romping in your yard with your brother. Thank you for gifting me with your beautiful presence. I did everything I could think of to keep you safe and happy, but in the end it wasn't enough, and for that I'm deeply sorry. Although I can no longer see you with my eyes, you will forever live in my heart. I love you MK and I miss you dearly.

May 8, 2012

 Summer 2011 - January 19, 2015

almost there

I'm grateful this long, dreadful week is finally coming to a close. It's not been a fun week. Ugh.

Meanwhile, while I'm slaving away at the office with what's left of this work week, Pierre and Oliver are enjoying a nice cuddle on the back porch. The life of cats.

I'm trying, trying, trying not to be jealous...

May your weekend bring rest and joy!

comfy snoozin

One of the joys I experience during my work day is to check in on the kitty-cams to see what Oliver and Pierre are up to. Oliver's been bringing me much delight lately, as he snoozes in his Guest House.

Jan 23, 2015 3:15pm

Jan 23, 2015 3:40pm

Jan 23, 2015 3:46pm

Jan 28, 2015 3:12pm

Jan 30, 2015 4:36pm

Feb 6, 2015 3:12pm

For those that may not know about Oliver's various homes, his Guest House is the smaller of his two insulated and heated homes that are on the property. This one is by the garage, whereas Oliver's House is on the opposite corner of the property, tucked under a tree. When the sun comes out again in the summer, I'll take you on a visual tour of Oliver's world - stay tuned!

Oliver's Guest House

When it's cold, rainy, and generally just ooky outside, as it is here all winter long, I LOVE seeing Oliver all snug and safe in his heated kitty-home. Seeing him so comfy makes me very happy.

senior privilege

Getting old must have some benefits...

YUM!

Buddy has quite the affinity for Amy's Mac and Cheese!

Hershey's 2nd Gotcha day!!!

Remember Hershey?? He was my first ever rescue cat that I rescued and found a home for - but he didn't just find a home, he got the most perfect home of all time! Mike adores Hershey more than anything and Hershey adores Mike more than anything! They are the perfect pair!

Mike hosted a gotcha day party for Hershey!! Mike, his girlfriend, Lynn, and Laura and I all celebrated two wonderful years of Hershey! What fun!!! Hershey was the star of the party for sure!

He is such a beautiful cat, he's gorgeous! And his fur is lusciously soft - wow!

Hershey wasted no time sniffing out the gotcha day gift we brought him...

Apparently he's a crazy nip-head!

Mike got him one of his favorite toys, a box!

And what's better than a new box? A box with a fresh nip-nanner of course!

Hershey's had a great year! He's looking as amazing as ever.

It brings me such joy to see how happy Hershey is with Mike and vice-versa. They are truly the perfect pair. Yea for Hershey, being rescued off the street and landing an amazing safe, inside home where he is cherished and delighted every day! A cat could not ask for a better home. A big thanks for Mike for preparing a lovely dinner and inviting us to share in celebrating Hershey!

feral buddy system

Over this past weekend I did some trapping. It had been a long time since I've gone out and trapped, I think since June when I scored Bert. I've been too busy to take on any projects, but in this case, it was a friendly boy who had showed up at a managed colony. My goal was to drop trap him and his less-friendly brother.

I got the friendly one about 30-minutes after setting the trap. Then I waited for another few hours and the brother never showed! Trapping is very much like fishing, a lot of waiting quietly with great anticipation. I did get to enjoy watching the two resident tabby ferals, a mom and her daughter, who feasted on the bait-food. While waiting, I managed to snap this cute picture of the daughter watching me through the sliding glass door, while her mom ate.

Meanwhile, Pierre survived his experience being trapped and worked over at the vet. He's now microchipped, which I'm very happy about, and fully vaccinated. I decided to have him sedated so all this could be done with less stress. The vet said he looks quite healthy.

Since I had him vaccinated for FeLV and he was sedated, my plan is to keep him captive on the back porch for a day or two until I know he is feeling 100%. The vet said he was fully awake and suggested I give him an extra hour in the trap just to be sure. I gave him an extra couple of hours and then released him to the back porch. I was horrified to see that he was very unsteady on his feet and had difficult time keeping his balance while also franticly trying to escape. Seeing him try to jump and climb while so wobbly really freaked me out as he could easily misjudge a jump and seriously injure himself. There was no way I could recapture him, all I could do is watch, worry, and pray. Thankfully, after some time, he eventually settled in with Oliver and they slept away the afternoon together in their heated bed.

happiness is...

being with Bert. This guy exudes happiness. He's over the top in love with the indoor life. Hard to imagine he was once homeless. He's still up for adoption and all of his silly antics are going to make someone very happy.

We spent some cuddle time together on Tuesday morning, he's such a love.

Blissed out Bert!

Something I discovered recently: Bert's not a big fan of being held, he tolerates it but doesn't really relax into it, however if you flip him over and hold him tummy-side up, he completely relaxes and loves it! What a silly boy!

On a different note, Wednesday morning I'll be trapping Pierre and taking him to the vet for a microchip and updated vaccines. This has been something I've been wanting to do for a long time now, and I really regret that MK never got chipped. This is going to be a very stressful ordeal for me and him and I'm quite anxious about causing him stress but I know ultimately it will be the best for everyone.