I Miss Sammy

6/12/14: Sammy's Gone

Angel Sammy left for The Rainbow Bridge four years ago today, and I miss him still.  He wasn't well, and I tried hard to keep him with us, but he'd had enough and was ready to leave.  The veterinarian said that his mouth was 'a mess' when I finally trapped Sammy, and carried him in for a dental procedure.  She felt the kindest thing was to let him go, and as I looking into his eyes, he told me that it was his time.  The veterinarian cried along with me, as Sammy drifted off to Heaven.  However, I still have that twinge of guilt, because maybe we could have administered medicine, by mixing it with his food perhaps.  At that time, neither of us had any experience with pilling or medicating cats, since Chuck wasn't diagnosed with his heart and kidney problems yet.  And Sammy was feral, or the complete opposite of a house-cat.  So, Sammy, I love you and miss you, and hope you can feel my affection for you. 

💔💓Sammy 💓💔

Yep, It's Still Cold!

"Feels Like: -4 degrees F"
Yikes!

The Big Brrr has still got it's arms wrapped around us.  Last night, I held the front door open for Patty and Sweetie, and they ignored it. Couldn't they feel the warm air blowing out at them?  All that they wanted to do, was to herd me out of that door, and into the backyard where I would deliver food. Guess those two really are ferals, because you would think they would high-tail it inside at every chance they got!

This our window that overlooks our driveway.
It's frosted pretty good in this weather!

Patty and Sweetie, at breakfast

Frozen water bucket

I use the broom handle to break the ice,
and then lever it out

Ice was over an inch thick

Fresh, liquid water!

The graveyard of water bucket ice

Frost on The Cat Cat,
makes interesting patterns

Mind you, it is Winter, and we live in Michigan.  We know it's going to snow and get cold.  My thoughts are for the folks in The South, who really don't go for this kind of weather!  Stay safe, everyone!

My Feral Friend Hobo

Hobo, last weekend

Took a walk down the street to see if my old friend Hobo was out and about, and was delighted to see his furry face again!  I did not bring any food (Note to self: ALWAYS stuff some kibble in your pocket if you are out visiting cat friends!), so after regarding me for a moment, he turned back to the door of the home where he's currently residing in the yard.

I so wish I could sweep him into my arms and muwa, muwa, muwa on that boy, but he's never allowed any touching.  Since he's 'living' with someone else, I guess I just have to visit from the other side of the fence, and send warm, loving thoughts as the temps begin to drop.

Hobo, when I was his mama

Hobo was responsible for bringing Sweetie to our door.  Now, since 2009, Sweetie is a full-time resident, while Hobo wandered down the alley to someone else.  Probably he gave up his territory to Patty O'Malley, who'd just appeared as a young unneutered male in 2013.  Hobo stopped visiting us before I was able to TNR Patty.  Not that neutering Patty has changed him much; he's got an abscess from a bite wound on his back that appeared over the weekend.  You know I'm watching him like a hawk!

As much as I love my Patty O'Malley, Hobo will always reign in my heart, and I hope to stay in touch with him, even if it means being a weird stalker cat lady to the guy who feeds him now.  

Minibar's Mom!

Jackson Galaxy, the self-proclaimed Cat Daddy, has a television show that airs on Animal Planet: see info here.  I have been a faithful viewer since the program began in 2011.  The premise: people have a cat whose behavior is making their human family crazy.  One early episode ("Wildcat! originally aired May 21, 2011) has always stuck out in my mind; that of kitten Minibar, who was too feral and unsocial for her owners, Carre and Brian.

Jackson in glasses, Carre and Brian.

Jackson Galaxy helped the couple find ways to encourage Minibar to come out from under the furniture, with play and better access to litter boxes.  By episode end, Carre and Minibar had truly bonded together, even after a chase through a studio full of wood, shelving and tools!

Imagine my surprise, while watching a brand new show this weekend (you see how I waste my time?) on the DYI Network, entitled "Sight Unseen".  A California couple of Carre' Calloway and Wes Borland purchase an old mansion in Detroit, Michigan without actually visiting it first, and the episodes follow them as they renovate a once luxurious home.  More info can be found here.

The mansion

Wes and Carre'

Imagine my surprise when I recognised Minibar's mom!  Yep, the Carre from 2011 and Carre' from 2016 are the same person!  And it turns out, Wes Borland is pretty famous for his guitar music with the band Limp Bizkit, and Carre' is Queen Kwong, an indie rock band.

The Hubby was fairly impressed that I had remembered her face after all this time, and research on the internet then gave me the answers, (and all of these photos!)  Cats were mentioned in an episode of "Sight Unseen" but no cats were actually on camera, darn it.  

So, how cool is this?  Well, I don't know how cool it is, but I do know that this couple is severely pro-animal, they like cats, and they like Detroit. Makes them A-OK in my book, since I've lived in Metro-Detroit for my whole life, I'm vegan, and you KNOW that I lurv my kitties!

Droppin' Traps

Starts with a few pieces of wood called furring strips...and nope, I'm not making that up!

Build a couple of 3 foot by 3 foot squares

Add the uprights

Take a break from the hard work to visit Patty O'Malley

Screwed together!

Add slots for the hatch

This is a piece of deer fencing

Deer fencing wrapped over trap and secured with zip ties

Hatch is open...

Hatch closed!

Using hinges, we attach the board which is weighted
when trapping

End product!

The Hubby and I built a new drop trap for a family member over the long weekend.  Using a few store-bought pieces of furring strips, plus screws and boards that we already have, the project lasted for a few hours, with a lunch break AND a Patty O'Malley petting break, in the middle.  When a cat won't enter a regular, humane trap (they step on a plate, and the door snaps closed being them), a drop trap takes things to a whole new level. No need to withhold food, like regular trapping.  Just prop the trap up with a stick tied with a string, place food under the far edge, and get as far away as you can. When cat goes in to eat, you pull the string, and the drop trap drops around the cat.  This is why you've put a heavy weight on the board, because sometimes a cat will try rolling around or jump to get out!  Quickly cover the drop trap with a blanket, and place a carrier at the hatch.  Then, pull the blanket off the drop trap to cover the carrier.  Surprisingly, the cat will go to the darkest area, so the cat will walk into the carrier.  Close carrier, close drop trap, and transport feral cat to be spayed or neutered, and get their shots!

The Hubby built our first drop trap, by eyeballing one that I'd borrowed from a friend.  This time, he allowed me to handle his power tools, and I cut boards and everything!  A real team effort, and I hope many hard-to-trap cats are finally caught now.

If you would like to learn more about TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) or about drop traps, simply type 'TNR' or 'drop trap' into your search engine, and there is lots of information to discover.  Trust me, I am a big chicken when it comes to even remotely doing anything like this, but it's remarkably easy to trap a cat, once you've got a feeding pattern established.  They may be scared, but they are NOT hurt. Go out and trap, y'all!

My friend Hobo

Almost one year ago, I met up again with my first backyard feral, Hobo (read post here).

I love Hobo, and have missed him since he decamped from our feeding station about the same time Patty O'Malley appeared.  Yesterday, I re-discovered him at the same address as last year, so these folks are obviously feeding the cat, at the minimum.  I could not tell if there was a shelter for him.

There was no one around, so I gave Hobo a bit of kibble that I'd stashed in my pocket.  I will try to communicate with the people at this house, just to understand how they are caring for Hobo.  If they need a shelter, I'll build one!  The hubby and I are getting pretty good at building them, and I've got plenty of silver-wrapped insulation (for duct work) to use.

Hobo was not overly friendly with me yesterday, but he always stayed at arms length.  Yet Hobo blinked at me, which I interpreted as 'Hello, nice to see you again'!  What a wonderful way to end my evening walk around the 'hood.

I am happy to find Hobo again!

Cutie Cat Photos

Feral kitten near co-workers home

We are planning our trapping expedition to rescue this little one, his two siblings and the mama kitty in a few weeks.  The kittens are too young to try now.  I will borrow a few more humane traps from All About Animals Rescue in Warren, Michigan, then we will try to catch all of them for TNR.  My co-worker will feed them, since they live in the field across the street from her home.  We thought we had a barn where we could work on socializing them, but that deal fell through.  I will post more photos soon; maybe we can get them a home yet!  

Tonya

 Miss T. looks splendid in her new do!  Florida gets pretty hot, ya know.  She had a few mats in her fur, so a trip to the vet's office for a check-up netted her a spa day.  And she's healthy too...yay!

Sweetie Toes

Tried to capture the bits of white fur on Sweeties's back legs.  Look at those hooks!  She is just beginning to get used to me getting close to her with my phone.

I'm just chillaxin'; it wasn't me!

A nameless someone has peed over the side of the litter box recently. Just sayin'! 

Don't look at me; I'm too cute to pee over the side!

 Yes, my Angel...you are too cute!  And you have no shame either...

Dig that crazy nail polish...

Patty wants petting no matter what, no matter where, no matter when.

Who am I to deny him?

Niece on the Job!

Received a text from my niece, with the above photo attached.  The text read, "A feral cat started meowing outside our window today!  I thought about you!  I fed him and I hope I can take him to the vet to get him neutered and adopted!"

I sincerely hope she is able to complete her stated mission, and if one kitty is saved, then that's a GREAT THING!  My niece has volunteered at an animal shelter near where she lives in Ohio, and she works at a doggie-day care.  I am immensely proud of her, and am glad that a little bit of her crazy-lady-with-cats auntie has helped her to imagine helping an animal in her our backyard.  Her parents have done a terrific job in raising her and her two brothers, and my only wish is that I could visit with them more.  

Thought of Groucho Marx when I saw the photo; look at those big eyebrows!  Isn't it funny the way his tail looks like it belongs to someone else?

When I hear more, I'll pass the news along.

The Sammy Expedition has begun!

Drop trap with cover and extra stick

Patty is not afraid!

Here, Patty models how it works

Sammy says with this look, "You'll never catch me, copper!"

The game is on!  Drop trap in place, ready for Sammy to enter.  He hasn't yet, even though Patty and Mama Mia have.  It's only been 1-1/2 days, so patience, Grasshopper!  The extra stick is to give the contraption stability, since the pull stick is designed to move easily, and not be a table leg.  We screwed the trap to the top of the feeding station (read:  old picnic table).  A length of landscaping fabric is stapled to the top to further mimic the usual awning (read: old card table). As Sammy begins to drop his guard, I'll remove the extra stick, then wait for the opportunity when he is inside.  If another cat is in there too, then all will get a trip to the vet, but shhhh...don't tell the hubby; he doesn't know that part!

Sammy is constantly drooling, and has food and dirt stuck to his face fur.  He is wary of this new thing, and hasn't gone inside of it.  The theory is: Sammy goes in to eat, after he's lost his trap fear (he's a smart cookie, my Sammy is!), and we yank the string, the stick pulls out, dropping the trap around Sammy.  Either a cat carrier or metal trap is placed at the door (see it on top?), and the cat will voluntarily walk into the smaller space.  Then, I call the vet!  Hubby and I have set up a holding area in the garage, should need be, with tarp and blankets.

For now, we wait...Where did I put my pith helmet?

Chillin'

Sammy hiding under a hosta plant

Patty enjoying a post-lunch stretch

Chuck trying hard to fit in the Friskies box

Mommy & Kitten

The temps warmed up nicely today, and the 'o' cats hid in the shade and did not eat as much food.  Mia seems to be somewhat sneezy too.  I add L-Lysine to their food to boost their respiratory health.  The pollen count has been really high recently too, so every living thing is bothered.

Notice the last photo: I spied three kittens playing on the cement stairs at a house I walk by nightly.  When approached, the kittens retreat and hide.  Hmm, not like house cat kittens.  I drove by at lunch today, and there they were again; two black kittens and a black and white one.  No adult cat around.  I screwed up my courage and knocked on the door of the house!  A nice woman came to the door (at least I was wearing my work clothes!) and I asked if the kittens belonged to her.  She was astounded; said she doesn't have a cat and she knew nothing about any.  We both walked away, and the kittens came out of the bushes!  I gave her the Paws for the Cause Feral Cat Rescue contact information, as well as a card for All About Animals.  Gave her my cell phone # too (shh, don't tell the hubby!) in case she needed some help.  Let's hope she calls.  The photo is from this evening, while walking past.  Mommy cat is beautiful, and her little ones are very squee.

Friendly Ferals

Sammy

Mini Mia

Patty O

In between snow and sleet storms, I managed to hang out with the 'o' cats this weekend.  I marvel at how friendly they have become; even Mama Mia who hates the camera.  She often rubs against my ankles, and has a lovely purr.  Sammy has been shy a lot this Winter; preferring to hang out inside a warm shelter. And yet he hung out with me long enough to pose.  Patty O is just a nut, as he often races around in the snow, playing with sticks and leaves, and pretending to chase the squirrels. He chirps at me when I get out of the car, and he will always put himself between me and the other cats.

When the feral cats first caught our attention, we couldn't get anywhere near them.  That's why building shelters out of scrap wood and Styrofoam coolers made sense.  Now, they are my very dear friends, and this wild Winter has caused me to reevaluate the set up.  I've been shopping online for insulated shelters, and there are some spectacular cedar cat homes that have everything I would wish for...for some really hefty price tags.  I will keep looking, and may even go DIY.  I don't mind going in and out; I just want my friends to have the very best I can provide.  We are pals!

P.S. Happy February!  Are we getting closer to Spring?  Hmm, the groundhog said NO.