Your daily cat and kitten news

[Vintage Paw]

Don't wait, go get her.

It won't change how you feel about Charlie, but it will be a kitteh that can look after you for a bit if you know what I mean. She's adorable, I can see it working well.

I wish I could.

I really do need to finish sorting the house out. There's rubbish piled all over the place at the moment. When my aunt and nana died the collective contents of their homes came here, and I've never sorted it all out. Plus I'm a hoarder myself. I never got around to it while Charlie was here because of the disruption to him that would be involved, plus it's difficult doing a big clearout or getting work done while keeping doors closed to avoid an escape.

But wanting another cat is a powerful motivator, so I've been putting my back into it the past week. There's still a lot to do though, and I really do need to paint in here (haven't done so since I moved here in 99), there are scars all over the walls from a full rewire and the walls are dirty (scrubbing them only removes so much). The carpet needs cleaning in here, and a new one on the stairs. If there's going to be a home visit, frankly the state the house is in at the moment means I wouldn't pass. I don't drive, so getting rid of the rubbish is a slow process, a mixture of waiting for bin day and trying to coerce favours from friendly folk. In the meantime, I can barely get into the kitchen because of the black bags and boxes.

With so much to do, it's no place for a cat who is timid and would need calm and peace to get used to a new home, as much as it pains me and as much as I'd love to have her here. If she goes to a different home in the meantime I'm sure there will be another sweet little thing that would be a good fit here. I want to make sure this is the right thing for whichever cat I get, rather than the right thing for whatever my emotions are saying at any given moment.

 

[Epona]

I wish I could.

I really do need to finish sorting the house out. There's rubbish piled all over the place at the moment. When my aunt and nana died the collective contents of their homes came here, and I've never sorted it all out. Plus I'm a hoarder myself. I never got around to it while Charlie was here because of the disruption to him that would be involved, plus it's difficult doing a big clearout or getting work done while keeping doors closed to avoid an escape.

But wanting another cat is a powerful motivator, so I've been putting my back into it the past week. There's still a lot to do though, and I really do need to paint in here (haven't done so since I moved here in 99), there are scars all over the walls from a full rewire and the walls are dirty (scrubbing them only removes so much). The carpet needs cleaning in here, and a new one on the stairs. If there's going to be a home visit, frankly the state the house is in at the moment means I wouldn't pass. I don't drive, so getting rid of the rubbish is a slow process, a mixture of waiting for bin day and trying to coerce favours from friendly folk. In the meantime, I can barely get into the kitchen because of the black bags and boxes.

With so much to do, it's no place for a cat who is timid and would need calm and peace to get used to a new home, as much as it pains me and as much as I'd love to have her here. If she goes to a different home in the meantime I'm sure there will be another sweet little thing that would be a good fit here. I want to make sure this is the right thing for whichever cat I get, rather than the right thing for whatever my emotions are saying at any given moment.

Cats are happier when there are piles of stuff to hide behind, play behind, live in. A cat in a tidy house is a bored cat. Unless you get one that is blind, in which case make sure the main routes are clear so s/he doesn't walk into stuff and can learn the way through the mess.

Other than that, don't fixate yourself on having to get the place tidy -well at least make it tidy enough so that a visit from a cat rescue centre isn't going to report you to social services as being at risk (as in you yourself and the way you live) - but ykwim - my lot actually like all the piles of books and that, just make sure there is nothing toxic around (and I am sure there isn't)

 

[Epona]

Also, don't fixate on getting one from a rescue charity - if you get one from someone who didn't spay their cat and now has a litter to rehome, you are sparing a charity from having to deal with that. Those kittens deserve good homes too.

Radar came from a "free to a good home" ad, I offered to pay for his mother to be spayed but she had already had the op.

 

[Sea Star]

Chester has settled right in now!! Only took a few weeks and a lot of cat treats!!

 

[Epona]

Chester has settled right in now!! Only took a few weeks and a lot of cat treats!!

Awww what a cute cat!

 

[izz]

He looks very happy AuntiStella

 

[Sea Star]

He looks very happy AuntiStella

He never stops purring!!

 

[izz]

He never stops purring!!

How lovely, well done all three of you

 

[Epona]

Have you ever wondered what your cat thinks about his human pets?

Sonic: "The female human is sooo affectionate, she came over to me today and wanted to stroke my fur and made some odd vocal noises. I wish I could understand human language, it's almost as if sometimes she wants to let me know that she loves me. It's always on her terms though, sometimes she doesn't really seem to want me to knead on her or dribble on her face".

 

[StoneRoad]

Sorry to have to update this thread with my bad news from yesterday, I'm much later than I intended but as my 93yr old FIL took ill and we went over to sit with him before I was able to get back on-line (other than a quick post on another thread before I fell asleep last night).
As you've probably guessed, "Hilli" was given her rest at the vets just after 10am. I can't look at the snaps yet, but I took one of her curled up in her favourite cushion mode to remember. Maybe post it later.

 

[oryx]

Sorry to hear that. RIP Hilli.

 

[izz]

Many condolences StoneRoad

 

[toggle]

http://learnonline.cats.org.uk/content/ufo/

I'm starting off doing talks for Cats protection and this a link to the stuff I got asked to go through before I'm expected to answer questions on why cats do those odd things. I thought I'd drop a link here because I'm learning stuff I didn't know and I thought some of you may be interested.

 

[Bakunin]

In honour of today being International Cat Day:

 

[Puddy_Tat]

((((StoneRoad ))))

 

[Cloo]

Sorry to hear that StoneRoad

After 3 months here, we've finally installed a catflap... it was a bit tricky as the only two places to put it are our french windows (which I discovered are not wide enough and it'd cost a fortune involving new glass panels ) or a uPvC side door that we're probably going to block up by the end of the year. Going on holiday and visiting catsitter have necessitated a decision, so we've just stuck one in the side door, even if it's temporary. If that goes we think the only option is to have a 'tunnel' fitted through the wall where the door was, as we probably can't stick any kitchen in that corner anyway.

 

[toggle]

Sorry to hear that StoneRoad

After 3 months here, we've finally installed a catflap... it was a bit tricky as the only two places to put it are our french windows (which I discovered are not wide enough and it'd cost a fortune involving new glass panels ) or a uPvC side door that we're probably going to block up by the end of the year. Going on holiday and visiting catsitter have necessitated a decision, so we've just stuck one in the side door, even if it's temporary. If that goes we think the only option is to have a 'tunnel' fitted through the wall where the door was, as we probably can't stick any kitchen in that corner anyway.

I got quoted a cost of about 300 quid to put a flap through my back door (cause though it's a small glass pannel effect that's created with stuck on bits of wood over a single glass sheet so I can't just have one panel out like I did at my old place) and we can't go through the wall and the windows aren[t sash ones and we're not allowed to alter the front door (not sure I'd want one there anyway). so madamme has to yell at her servants to let her in and out for the foreseeable future.

 

[Bakunin]

I got quoted a cost of about 300 quid to put a flap through my back door (cause though it's a small glass pannel effect that's created with stuck on bits of wood over a single glass sheet so I can't just have one panel out like I did at my old place) and we can't go through the wall and the windows aren[t sash ones and we're not allowed to alter the front door (not sure I'd want one there anyway). so madamme has to yell at her servants to let her in and out for the foreseeable future.

She's good at yelling.

 

[Cloo]

Vastra's done some good yelling lately too, but think she'll prefer this. We've shown her the flap and she's remembered what it's for (my childhood cat wouldn't have, the thicko!)

I was told £250ish for new glass and fitting, but, as I said, panels are too narrow to take a cut out and still keep integrity. It could have gone in lounge window, but that'd be a jump up and down, plus would look ugly.

 

[Vintage Paw]

Reiterating my condolences, StoneRoad in case you didn't see them in the other thread. I'm so sorry. Hilli surely knew you were there for her and loved her <3

 

[Vintage Paw]

A friend came round to help take some stuff to charity today. She was asking how I was doing after losing Charlie. Then I explained I was trying to sort the house out to get another. I said I'd been looking at various shelter websites, which is a really bad thing to do

She said "you should let Iris' Cats in Need [a small local charity that does some fucking amazing work] know you want an indoor cat, and they'll be in touch I'm sure." Then she went and took the stuff for me.

Cue a couple of hours later. She calls. She's at Iris'. There's a cat. Approx 8. Been in and out of Iris' since 2007 due to a series of sad unfortunate circumstances incl. owners splitting up, owners moving away, etc. She's an indoor cat. She loves humans. She's been there for 6 months (difficult to rehome because of needing to be indoors). She's white with ginger bits. Her name is Peggy (my number one name for a girl cat should I ever be in a position to name one). It's international cat day. It's fate.

But but but... I still have so much to do that is disruptive (new carpet, new front door, painting).

I'll call them on Monday. Tentatively.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I'll call them on Monday. Tentatively.

 

[Vintage Paw]

This isn't helping

 

[Vintage Paw]

http://learnonline.cats.org.uk/content/ufo/

I'm starting off doing talks for Cats protection and this a link to the stuff I got asked to go through before I'm expected to answer questions on why cats do those odd things. I thought I'd drop a link here because I'm learning stuff I didn't know and I thought some of you may be interested.

I think I'll enjoy looking at this. We tell ourselves we understand why cats do what they do, but I bet most of us don't. I didn't used to understand why Charlie ran towards the front door when someone knocked on it... since he was trying to get away from it. There were plenty of places to hide downstairs, but he always ran upstairs, right past the scary noisy door. It didn't occur to me that their love of climbing things to feel safe translated to going upstairs too, but apparently that's the case.

 

[Vintage Paw]

Peggy:

 

[Mogden]

So sorry StoneRoad that Hilli has gone. Remarkable age. Purrs and hugs from Chez Mogden x

 

[Mogden]

As it's Caturday just a couple of shots of me and Mookie relaxing, I say relaxing, more my hemaphrocat is sitting on me purring and snoring and I trapped and with numb legs from awkward angles.

 

[Mogden]

A friend came round to help take some stuff to charity today. She was asking how I was doing after losing Charlie. Then I explained I was trying to sort the house out to get another. I said I'd been looking at various shelter websites, which is a really bad thing to do

She said "you should let Iris' Cats in Need [a small local charity that does some fucking amazing work] know you want an indoor cat, and they'll be in touch I'm sure." Then she went and took the stuff for me.

Cue a couple of hours later. She calls. She's at Iris'. There's a cat. Approx 8. Been in and out of Iris' since 2007 due to a series of sad unfortunate circumstances incl. owners splitting up, owners moving away, etc. She's an indoor cat. She loves humans. She's been there for 6 months (difficult to rehome because of needing to be indoors). She's white with ginger bits. Her name is Peggy (my number one name for a girl cat should I ever be in a position to name one). It's international cat day. It's fate.

But but but... I still have so much to do that is disruptive (new carpet, new front door, painting).

I'll call them on Monday. Tentatively.

It's totally fate. I look forward to lots more photos

 

[Vintage Paw]

In order to save those photos, I started a 'Peggy' folder on my computer.

It's only downhill from here.

 

[Manter]

Sorry to hear that StoneRoad

And yay for Peggy! My great aunt was called Peggy. Great name for a cat