last visitor of the year

When I tried to get out of bed this morning, I lost my balance and fell back into the bed. That was the first sign that today was not going to go well. I quickly realized everything was spinning and I was dizzy - welcome back my friend vertigo. I spent nearly all day resting my head against a pillow, sleeping as being conscious was miserable. And sadly I haven't had a touch of alcohol! I even had to cancel my plans to celebrate the new year with friends. Sigh.

Even though I felt horrid, I did get to spend four hours this morning cuddling with my Oliver in bed. I also had the opportunity to look his injuries over in the daylight and his claws weren't as bad off as they first appeared last night. The claws are still in rough shape but at least they are still there! Seeing that brightened my spirits a little. I decided to hold off on the vet visit for now and to continue to observe him for other signs of distress.

Thanks everyone for the kind emails and comments. I greatly appreciate all the feedback. One follower mentioned Oliver might have internal injuries if he was hit by a car, which is something I hadn't considered. Seeing that he let me hold him many times today and I could touch him anywhere without him reacting, I'm thinking he's most likely fine, but again, I will be observing him closely.

Laura saw the white cat again this evening. It was visiting with Theo through the front porch door. Then a little while later, I saw it walking away from the backyard, it's really big. Apparently, the fight with Oliver wasn't enough to keep it away. Sigh.

Since it's been coming around more, I thought I should review the images from the back porch camera to see if it has come onto the back porch yet. And indeed, it showed up about 2:15 this morning.

As you can see, the visiting cat is wearing a collar. It's not a cat I recognize from the neighborhood. Oliver and MK are sharing the bed as they both intently watch this interloper.

The visitor rolls in the nip...

and plays with Oliver's toys. But it doesn't express much interest in the food.

Now I'll need to figure out what to do with this visiting cat. Next time I get the chance I will see if it's friendly and has any identification on the collar.

Isn't there some kind of superstition about the first unexpected visitor of the new year? Something about if they are a dark haired gentleman then you will have good luck for that year. I suppose it's good this visitor came before the start of the new year! I think this is the first lighter colored cat that has visited.

It's really hard not being able to fully protect the ones you love. I so wish I could bring Oliver and his family inside so they could all be safe and fully cared for, but with feral cats, it doesn't work that way. I obviously need more practice at learning how to do what I can to help and then to let go of what I can't control. Sigh.

I'll let you know a little secret, I'm working on a therapeutic approach to get Oliver to stop spraying so maybe someday he can be a full-time inside kitty! If it works, you'll hear a lot more about it!

Meanwhile, I'll focus on apprehending this collared visitor! But first, I think it's time for bed once again.

Brown Tabby Alert!

I might need some accountability here. I must disclose that at this moment, there is another tabby in the house. He is not staying longterm though. Just a guest cat. Well, make that a sweet, lovey, brown fluffy tabby guest cat.

He showed up on the back porch Saturday, so I trapped him and had him neutered on Sunday. Now, he's resting in the "recovery room" (office), where all the "new" kitties start off. Did I mention how sweet he is?!

I love his colorings!



I wired up a network camera in his recovery pen, so for a limited time you can see him recovering. If it's night time, it may be dark and you won't see much.

[camera image removed]

He wasn't microchipped and I don't recognize him from the 'hood. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with him, but for now, he's just hanging out, recovering from his surgery.

the welcome committee

More often than not I'm home before evening, however Tuesday's are the nights I get home the lastest. I usually roll into the driveway sometime before 9pm. For the last four or five Tuesdays now, Oliver has been out in the driveway waiting for me.

 We've developed a ritual.

I back the car in the driveway, turn off the motor and open the door. Oliver comes right over and hops up to my lap. He head butts me and proceeds to soak up the loves. After a few minutes of loving he takes off to explore the car. I have to watch him to make sure he doesn't spray inside the car! Before exiting he parks in my lap again for another round of loves.

I don't know if he's waiting for me or if it's happenstance but regardless I love it!!

Last night after Oliver left and before I got fully out of the car, I watched Brown Kitty approach me. I had the driver's door open and my leg was on the ground outside the car. I stayed as still as I could as he came near. He sat about at the front of the car and just watched me. I talked softly to him and he just watched. It was the closest I've been to him, I was hoping maybe he might come closer but then Oliver chased him away! ARGH!!

Thinking he might come back, I locked Oliver on the back porch and went back to the car to wait. Brown Kitty didn't come back but Oliver's daughter and son came by. They walked very close to me, which has never happened before. I again went to statue mode as I watched them do their feral cat thing. It was exhilarating to be out with them as they did their thing. It's like having a wild safari in your backyard, I love it! I might have to hang out in the car at night more often.

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The other night I glanced out the side window and saw this guy parked next to the catnip tree:

His collar and tag indicate he must be loved by someone but I've never seen him/her before. I started to go out to introduce myself, but rude Oliver attacked our visitor. I didn't see the attack, I just heard a squeal and saw the visiting kitty instantly jump the 6 foot fence. Sadly, that wasn't enough for Oliver, he chased it through the neighbor's yard. Oliver's unfriendly response didn't make me very happy. I'll keep an eye for this collared kitty and maybe next time I can get to it before Oliver.

bits and bobs

I can't believe it's fall already! These past few nights it's gotten darn cold, I've even turned on Oliver's heating pad! My plate has been running pretty full these past few weeks with work stuff, house stuff and cat stuff so that hasn't left me much time for visiting blogs or for loving on my neglected kitties. :( Hopefully, that will change after this weekend and I can resume my normal rhythm of life.

Lover boy Nahum, loving on Theo

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Late last night I posted up my long write up on my recent TNR project from last weekend. There are still a few loose ends to wrap up on the project (like trapping one holdout!) but the bulk of the work is done. You can read all about the adventure over at BackyardTNR.com. It was a lot of work but it was a great experience! I can't wait for the next one!!


In summary, the total census for this project to date: 6 boys neutered and 13 girls spayed, 14 of them were kittens. Three were pregnant, 1 at 1-2 weeks and 2 at 5 weeks. Two kittens were relocated to a good barn home and five are still in the process of being tamed with hopes of being adopted out. One kitten was adopted by someone who lives onsite and is reported to be taming nicely. Another kitten was
adopted by another property owner and will remain an inside/outside cat so he can hang out with his sister and mother when not cuddling with his new servant. One mom-cat remains to be trapped and altered.

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Laura and I are hosting a big party for everyone in the Community Cat Coalition. Oliver graciously offered the use of his yard for us all. I realize it's late notice, but you all are invited too! There will be at least a dozen people from all around the Puget Sound area converging in Oliver's yard for some good food, fellowship and a few cat stories! There will be a kitten exchange too! Several people who foster feral kittens like to swap their kittens every so often so the kittens get socialized with lots of people. Hopefully all the cats go home with people and don't stay here!

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As I was working on my project write up post late last night, I kept an eye on the porch cam and feeder cam. I happen to notice a different kitty having a late night snack on the back porch! Whoever this kitty was, Oliver didn't seem to mind, because he just watched from the comfort of his warm bed.

When it got up and walked, it became clear this guy is the Crooked Tail Kitty! I haven't seen him in quite a few months. The last I heard from the feral caretaker a few blocks down the street, CTK was hanging out at her place. 

Hello Oliver, mind if I take the bottom bunk?

I wish Oliver was this welcoming of the Brown Kitty!

Seeing the Crooked Tail Kitty come for a late snack throws a monkey wrench in my raccoon-proofing plan. CTK is old and not overly stable on his legs, I imagine his jumping days are over. So, if he's not able to jump into he raccoon-proof feeder he may not get food. I believe in an "every cat is welcome for a meal and safe, dry place to sleep" policy, so I'll need to figure out another way to have food down that CTK can access but not the pesky raccoons.

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I know I'm too busy when poor Mr. Oliver doesn't get his morning loves time. This morning is the first time in four days he got to come inside and get some morning loves on the bed. One of those four days, I went looking for him and he wasn't around. He's always around in the mornings, so I grew very concerned. When I got home from work that afternoon, I walked around the block looking to find him laying out in the road. But thankfully, no luck. I went back home and opened the garage to fill the feral feeder and low and behold there he was! He had spent the night and day locked in the garage! So glad he's ok!

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I was at a training class all day yesterday (and will be there again today - ugh!) Laura was home at the cats' dinner time. Usually the campaigning starts hours early and lasts up until 6pm, when they eat. On this night 6pm came and went with no signs of hungry cats. Very odd. Laura decided something was up, so she went looking for evidence. Sure enough, they had somehow gotten into Buddy's nugget stash we keep upstairs under the sink in the bathroom! All of the cats had so gorged themselves they wanted nothing to do with dinner. That was a first for Theo, seeing him sniff kibble and not eat it.

Even this morning, most of the cats have shown little interest in breakfast and they have been laying around with fully bellies. They must have really gone crazy with the unlimited nuggets!

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Not much new news on my mom's health. She has undergone two tests to determine if cancer is present in the nodules in her lungs. One test came back indicating no cancer and the other came back indicating cancer. So now she awaits a third test that will be more definitive. Prayers and purrs are still appreciated.

coon's revenge

The new raccoon-proof feeder is working great. Although I don't think the raccoons share my joy with how well it's working. A gang of black-masked marauding coons paid me a visit early this morning and trashed Oliver's porch to protest the new feeder.

The damage

The secured plastic bin of cat food which has a rubber seal and two latches was moved to the middle of the room and it's lid torn off. The water bowl had been tipped over and dirt was everywhere. The cats are always respectful of their shared space and would never do such a horribly rude thing. To be sure I wasn't making false accusations, I had to review the surveillance photos.

Sure enough, three of them - a full raccoon raiding party. Their black masks are a dead giveaway that they were on a thieving mission.

The one on the far left went right for the food bin while the others work their mischief.

This was obviously a well planned out raid.

Their intent is clear, these coons were not interested in peaceful exploration, they were bent on destruction and anarchy. 

Guilty!

They must not have planned well for the latches as it took some time to open the bin.

After the raiding party is long gone, MK surveys the mess 

Time to take "raccoon-proof" to the next level...

afternoon drama and EBK gets a name!

warning: this post is heavy on the pictures!

This afternoon I took a short break from work to check in on the feral cam as I sometimes do. Usually, I see Oliver sleeping soundly in his bed and that makes me very happy. Today, I was treated to an action packed soap-opera unfolding on my very own back porch - and I learned that Oliver makes a lousy guard-cat.

 4:11:47pm

Evil Bushy Kitty (EBK) lounging on the back porch with the feral's cat toys.

4:12:09pm

And sure enough, Oliver's in his his bed snoozing away. As far as I know these two are not friends. Last time I saw them together, Oliver was beating up on EBK for trespassing in his yard. I broke up the fight so EBK could get away.

4:12:36pm

EBK doesn't seem concerned at all that Oliver is sleeping just a few feet away.

4:15:09pm

4:16:31pm

These nipped filled homemade cat toys are fun!

4:17:22pm

Oliver continues to sleep...

4:21:02pm

EBK keeps glancing up at Oliver to see if he's been noticed.

4:22:24pm

Might as well have a snack...

4:22:53pm

and play with the food!

4:23:21pm

Ok, now what...

4:24:09pm

I'm bored.

4:24:39pm

Oliver still seems oblivious...

4:28:37pm

suppose I could take a nap too...

4:30:05pm

or, I might just have another snack...

4:32:17pm

this blanket blanket looks comfy...

4:32:26pm

4:32:57pm

4:33:22pm 

4:33:51pm

yea, this'll work.

5:30:12pm

 One hour later: zonkersville!

5:31:32pm

Meanwhile, Oliver's still snoozing away.

6:33:44pm

Another hour later, still zonkersville.

6:52:09pm

7:02:29pm

Stretch!! Time to get up.

7:03:11pm

All that napping's worked me up an appetite!

7:06:23pm

You see me yet Mr. Oliver?

7:07:53pm

nope, still sleeping

7:09:54pm

gosh all that snackin's made me tired...

7:10:13pm

time for a nap...

7:10:43pm

I'm kinda liking this place...

7:15:26pm

I might have to make this place a regular hang out...

7:17:08pm

Oh, Mr. Oliver finally got up.

7:17:44pm

He finally sees me!

7:18:14pm

Oliver: Uh, excuse me! What are you doing on my porch??

7:18:24pm

Can I help you with finding the exit?

7:18:40pm

Well, if you're not gonna leave, I guess I will.

7:19:05pm

bye.

7:21:49pm

EBK: I got the place to myself!

7:45:04pm

Sounds like something exciting is going on out there...

7:47:48pm

I better go check it out.

7:48:10pm

time to go...

7:49:51pm

bye!

Can you tell that I got a lot of work done this afternoon and evening?! Oh well, the work will always be there tomorrow.

As I was watching Evil Bushy Kitty lounge on the back porch over the course of the afternoon, I realized it's been a long time since I have seen him do anything evil. Maybe it's time to remove the 'Evil' from his name and return to Bushy Kitty once again. If you don't remember how Bushy Kitty became Evil Bushy Kitty, you can read all about it here.

As Bushy Kitty was walking away, I noticed he still has a nasty limp on his back right leg.

I actually got a little video of him limping, but it's too sad to post.

After seeing him hobbling so much, I gathered all my gumptions and went down the road to the house where I often see Bushy Kitty hanging out. This house has a cute little cat house and an empty pail of kitty litter on the front porch, so I was hoping they could tell me something about him.

I knocked on the door and asked the man who answered if he knew the big bushy kitty who frequented his porch. I learned that he and his family have taken on the care taking role for Bushy Kitty since they moved in a year or so back. He said Bushy Kitty's really old and has been a neighborhood stray for many years. Apparently the children who live in the house have really taken to Bushy Kitty and he's quite friendly with them. 

I explained to him about the limp and he seemed quite concerned. We happen to notice that Bushy Kitty was lounging in someone's yard across the road so we went over to him to check him out. He was quite content being picked up and handled by this guy even though he's never allowed me to get near him. This time I got to rub his head a bit - he's really quite sweet! We didn't see any visible wounds, so he brought him inside and said he would have his wife take him to vet to see what's going on. I'll follow up tomorrow to see if there's any news.

I learned that Bushy Kitty's real name is really Gilbert!