Eightball

Last Sunday morning, I noticed a plea from a neighbor, about an injured community cat.

I messaged, saying I have humane traps to share.

My neighbor lives two blocks away, so I dropped off the trap and showed them how to use it.

Image provided by neighbor.

I was texted that the trapping was successful, and they were on their way to the lost cost spay/neuter clinic nearby a day later.

Word was that Eightball's injury was severe, but some antibiotics, stitches, and a day or two of rest would do the trick.

He was also neutered, the 'N' in TNR.

I picked up the trap after Eightball was released Friday morning, with his info written on a piece of tape.

And surprise!

While on my evening walk that day, I spied Eightball a street away.

Black cat, with a huge shaved area...that's him!

I'll keep my eyes peeled for future sightings while out and about in the 'hood.

I've made a donation to All About Animals Rescue in Eightball's name; they are a important resource for our community.

I've turned off the comments for this post, as this was all handled by Eightball's carer; she feeds about four community cats, plus has four cats inside.

Our trap may have made it possible, but we did little to make this one cat's life better; our neighbor did the heavy lifting.

Purrs for Eightball.

***

The Hubby and I thank all who wished him a Happy Birthday!

😽

A Decade Ago in The 'Hood

A curious reminder appeared on my calendar.

6 August, 2013: Twin black cats were left behind when renters moved out of a house on Smith Street.

They were adorable, very chill, friendly, and my heart was broken that they were homeless.

The neighbors from all around gathered, and every one pulled out their phones to call folks in the hopes of finding these boys a home.

And it worked!

If I remember correctly, the supervisor of the dude next door wanted them immediately.

Perhaps shades of five years later, when Manny and Chili Bruce came to live with us...?

Now you know why I enjoy my 'hood walks; one never knows what will happen, and the folks who live here are good folks.

Except for those renters, but we'll never know that story.

💕💕💕

Goodbye, Pearl

Two doors away, there lived a beautiful black kitty.  She often greeted me as I began or ended my evening neighborhood stroll.  Never knowing her name, I called her Pearl.

Pearl liked to get pets and rubs!

She wasn't that fond of the camera

Gorgeous Pearl!

Last week, I'd noticed that Pearl was wandering around her home, but there was no human around to let her inside.  There were also bowls of kibble and water on the front porch.  Had she been abandoned?  The Hubby and I discussed it; if she was without owner, we'd take her in or find a new home for her.

On Sunday, there was a Rent-a-Truck in the front yard of the house, so I walked over to ask about Pearl.  Turns out, the in-poor-health elderly couple living there decided very quickly to move into their daughter's house, and son and daughter-in-law were clearing things out.  I introduced myself, and apologized for being nosey, then asked as to what was happening to the kitty?

Turns out, Pearl only responds to her momma's voice, and on the day the couple were leaving, Pearl didn't show up.  She is an indoor/outdoor kitty, but you see her ear-tip in the photos.  She was spayed when our city had a free spay/neuter deal going.  Her sister was too, but the sister cat disappeared over a year ago...sad to say.  I called her Opal.

The son promised me that momma was coming back Monday or Tuesday this week, to call out for Pearl, and take her to their new home.  After dinner yesterday, I walked the two doors down, and discovered no more bowls.  Pearl had gone to her new home.

The last photo I snapped of Pearl...

Yes, of course I know this is a GOOD THING!  Her humans did great; taking her along.  I don't count in this scenario; I'm just the neighbor who dotes on every cat she sees.  But Pearl is special, with her floofy tail, and high squeak of a meow.  I'll miss our tender snuggles, sweet girl!

Goodbye, Pearl!  Bon Voyage.

Tough Times In The City

Folks, yesterday I was notified that our fair city recently hired a new Animal Control Officer.  There were reports that this new person had begun a campaign to take away two fixed ferals from an elderly woman.  The reasons why were not made clear, so many of us began to worry that maybe our ferals were in trouble too, along with any pet cats that were allowed outside.

First off, I want to thank my informant, because she knows how much I love my cats.  Then, my sister emailed me with the same information that she gleaned from the internet.  The Hubby was promptly called at home, and he promised to keep an eye out for any city employee who might come snooping.  He assured me that it was all a tempest in a teapot, but no one messes with Patty O'Malley and Sweetie!  I texted one neighbor too, who has several cats.  I started planning a door-to-door campaign, advised everyone that for all these years, we've been allowed to TNR in peace, but the tables may have turned.

I was upset, to say the least.  Then, word came when my friend called the county animal shelter and found out that they figured there was going to be NO CHANGE in the way things have been all along.  So, we all could stand down, but we must be vigilant.  Those visions of trapping, and collars and fees paid, all swirled in my head.  I was a mess, in all honesty.

Sweetie loves this box!

Looking up Patty's nose...and he's missing an ear!

This morning, Chucky wasn't feeling very well.  Stuff came out of both ends.  The Hubby rocked him in his arms, and made me leave the house for work with the promise that he'd watch over Chuck all day. As of 1:45 pm, no word from home, and since no news is good news, I'm hoping that the cat finally ate something and perhaps got some water too.  As far as we can tell, there has been no change in food or ingestables for weeks now, so maybe he ate a bug or something. Will keep you up to date.

Two Again

These are the last photos taken of Aries, the neighbor's cat who lived with us all summer long.  See me smooching and hugging on him? About a month ago, Aries disappeared.  When I caught up with my neighbor last Sunday afternoon, she told me that both Aries and their other cat Persephone were now living, "...where they won't be living outside anymore."  She had rehomed them.

So a fond Farewell to Aries, with whom I spent a lot of time.  Since 2009, he was a staple in our backyard; only a resident this year.  I wish him and Persephone the very best, and hope that their new caretakers bring them to the veterinarian regularly, feed them the best they can, and love them both as much as I have.  Bon Voyage!

Sweetie and Patty O'Malley prefer playing duet, and it's easier to carry two food bowls rather than three.  However, both The Hubby and I tend to keep looking around for Aries, even though we know we won't see him.  Habits like that take time to change.

A Visit From A Floofy Tail

The neighbor's floofy-tailed kitty decided she wanted a few pets from me!  I am diligently trying to convince her and her sister that they can visit my house at anytime for lovin' and food.  It's not clear how well they are taken care of by the folks that own them, but I'm ready to take up the slack...whether The Hubby or The 'O' Cats are up for it or not!  Look at this sweet baby; why wouldn't a person want to snuggle with her?

Here is the story on the two floofy-tailed beauties.  I was told: the woman's son moved in with her, bringing these two black kittens.  She knew they needed to be spayed, so she contacted the local low-cost spay/neuter rescue, and they were dropped off one day to be transported to get their surgeries. However, both cats were treated as FERALS; spayed and ear-tipped, and then released one afternoon into her yard!  No one told her that was going to happen, so those two babies stayed outside for almost an entire day (during bad weather, too!)  After that, neither kitty wanted to remain indoors, so the people of the house let them out.  I spy them all of the time, but they tend to hang around their 'house' in the evening.  The people of the house used to let them in a window, but another neighbor says that often the cats just sit there and meow and no one in the house pays any attention. From what I see, both cats are fed, and they appear to be in good shape.  Actually, I never know which kitty I'm looking at, since they are so similar.  One day, they may decide to emulate Aries, and join my backyard cat club!

Aries: The Third 'O' Cat

Aries, with his own bowl

Sweetie eats on the steps

Aries, trying to ignore me

Patty O'Malley ready to jump up

Aries belongs to our backyard neighbor.  Have posted about him here and here, and several other times too.  However, he spends so much time in our yard, that I've been concerned that he's being neglected. Being bossy and nosey, I knocked on the neighbor's front door and found out that Aries has been a primarily outside cat, who lives under the front porch. They put out a supply of kibble for him and for a second cat who stays in the front yard.  A friend may take the other cat to live on their farm, but they will only take one cat.

I did not ask about veterinary appointments, or dental check-ups. Obviously, he's not getting much notice from the humans in his life.  The Hubby and I have been on the fence about how to handle this. Aries wants the food that I put out for Sweetie and Patty O'Malley.  I've tried giving him a handful of kibble, but he always breaks off of that to stare at and bully the others.  Now that I know he's only been living on kibble, I've tried setting out wet food for him.  He likes it, of course.

We don't have a lot of extra funds to be feeding a neighborhood full of cats. But we do have enough bowls for three.  Last week, we began feeding all three cats together; Patty and Sweetie on the feeding station top floor, and Aries on the second floor.  Now there are no more cats being pushed off their bowl, or stared at until they are forced to walk away.  Each cat gets wet food, and kibble twice a day.  And Aries eats every speck of his food.

I'll admit to being torn about this situation, however we'll just move forward as we are now.  The Hubby was the one to set out three bowls on the one day that I slept in last weekend, and he's not said a word about the extra bowl that he now washes up.  So glad I didn't kill him last week by tripping him down the stairs...