Thursday, October 30, 2014

Farewell, George







In 2008, when the security guards told me that someone had dumped a cat in the office parking lot, I searched for two days before I found him...and fed him my tuna sandwich. Every day before work, on my lunch break, and before I drove away for the day, I'd sit with George at the edge of the parking lot, on the walking path in the field.  It took many months, and several different humane traps, to finally transport George to the veterinarian, and to his forever home.  A whole group of co-workers and very friendly neighbors (P & M, you know who you are!) donated food, money, and/or their time to making sure George was cared for.  Sadly, George's family discovered that he was very sick, and last week, they showed their love for him by helping him discard his damaged body.  He had six good years with them, especially R with whom he was closely bonded.  

I cried when P and I delivered George to his new family, and I cried when I heard the news that he was gone.  We never knew if he was a stray or someones pet, but he had love and family, and I am so grateful for that.

George was named for the security guard who kept insisting that I name the cat, instead of saying 'the cat'.  I did not WANT to name him, because I foolishly believed I could stay unemotional that way.  HAH!  Finally, George the security guard demanded a name, so I said "He's George Junior, after you!"  Also, George the cat was polydactyl, at least on his front paws.  The top two photos were taken when George first arrived in the parking lot; the next two were when George and I romped together, and the last one was sent by his humans after he'd settled in.

Farewell, George
Purrs to R and the family

Monday, October 27, 2014

Sweetie's Old House is Gone

9/25/14
Today
No worries, Sweetie!
Years ago, I often noticed a small black cat in the window of a nearby apartment.  I am almost certain that that little cat was the hungry, pregnant queen who showed up in the autumn of 2009, at my deck.  How she got out, or was let out, we'll never know.  And there were stories about the guy who was later tossed out of those apartments, and he had multiple cats.  I've hated the thought of that guy for years.

Today, the new owners of the old divided-up-in-apartments-probably-fifty-years-ago house, had a wrecking crew come in and take it down!  Once the debris is cleared, the basement hole filled in, and the driveway removed, it will be a empty lot.  We have lived here for over twenty years, and there has always been trouble at that building, often involving the authorities.  Squad cars, ambulances, fire trucks...too close to our house to feel comfortable.  Now, it will be quiet and calm, and no more renters allowed to have cats that they later dump!  In the Spring, the neighbors hope to try some gardening, even maybe put in a community vegetable patch.  No worries, Sweetie...you will ALWAYS have a home with me!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Cats at the Office

See the little tail with a white tip?
She's got a cat face on her shirt

We held our annual trick-or-treat party for employee's children, and few cutie kitty cats showed up!  Aren't they just darling?  I was also gifted with a decorated pumpkin...with a kitty cat face!  How cool!