Straw=Love

Sweetie's got something in her fur!

Close-up

We first met Sweetie in the summer of 2009, when Hobo encouraged her to eat from his food bowl on our deck.  We quickly figured out she was expecting, and the hubby built a wooden cat shelter from a design found online; insulated and big enough for a whole family.  But Sweetie and her babies never used our shelter, even though I dragged it to different parts of the yard, thinking it was the location that they didn't like.  Over a year later, after taking a class in TNR and shelter building, I figured out the problem, and promptly stuffed that shelter full of straw.  Voila!  The cats began to sleep in the shelter!

Years have come and gone, and at first I would fret when I changed out the straw, thinking the ferals would run away!  They may have for a day or two, but they always came back.  Now, I'm adding to, or fluffing up the straw enough times a year that Patty and Sweetie sit on the deck and watch me, before heading back inside 'their' home.  Seeing a stick of straw in Sweetie's fur today made me realize just how much I love these kitties, and how pleased I am that they choose to live in the accommodations that we've made for them.  Yes, I am still fretting over this cold, cold Winter, and I dream of making them a home INSIDE somehow, but they are living here and I am grateful for that.

As Winter Continues

Before the hubby and I went out for a drive this morning, I got a few pics of Chuck and Angel, each enjoying their fur-covered sleeping spots.

Chucky

Angel

Then, when we were driving in Grosse Pointe, the sun peaked out of the gloom a little bit, and the amazing blue ice on Lake St. Clair looked almost lovely.  You cannot see Canada in these photos, but it's out there, beyond the horizon.

Update on 2015 Resolutions

My 2015 Cat Resolutions

Updates

For Angel and Chuck:

1) I resolve to put quality in our time together; toy play with Angel, and one-on-one with Chuck. Every day, I try new things with both Angel and Chuck - updates forthcoming

DONE! 2) I resolve to finish the transition to wheat litter, in hopes that it reduces Chuck's intestinal issues.  Only wheat litter in the boxes now!  No noticeable change for Chuck...drat!

3) I resolve to allow solutions to cat problems to grow organically with time, rather than jump to conclusions, or react with panic, or feel pressure to fix it NOW. Yeah, well...a little panic over sub-zero temps is normal, right?  Guess I'm still working on this resolution.

4) I resolve to find a new veterinarian, preferably a holistic practitioner. I think I've found one, but Angel and Chuck are doing well right now...will wait until late Spring to make appointments.

For the 'o' cats:

DONE! 1) I resolve to take both Sweetie and Patty in for veterinary check-ups in the Spring.  No more wishy-washy 'should I, shouldn't I?' about this.  Can't do it now, because we have no electricity for a heater in the barn as holding area, and it's too cold out now.  Adding to resolution: Get Sweetie back to vet for dental.  Another warmer weather item.

2) I resolve to TNR the elusive Wild Bill Russell.  Haven't seen this cat for weeks now, but I'm still looking!

3) I resolve to put Sammy's heart-shaped container in a place that I can see daily.  Where do I put such a valuable item?  When the flowers come up in the spring, perhaps I sprinkle his ashes in the memory garden I made for him; he lived out there, after all.  

For friends and family:

1) I resolve to assist The Paw Project, Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, Best Friends Animal Society, Paws for the Cause, All About Animals Spay and Neuter Clinic and others in as many ways as I can!  I hope to do at least one project for each this year.

2) I resolve to encourage all cat-loving people that I meet to give 100% of themselves to their feline family members.  Keeping my patience with co-workers who tell me horror stories about their animals, or by calmly fielding angry or insulting comments from people during adoption events WITHOUT turning bright red in the face...

For myself:

1) I resolve to work on my own health, so I can offer positive vibes and attitude to the hubby, my people and cat families, and to my co-workers. This includes physical exercise and mental relaxation.  2015 is my year for joy, humor, and growth!  Um...well, it's only February...and it's freezing cold, and the office move to the new location has hit eleventy million snags.

2) I resolve to re-establish electricity to the barn, by sweetly encouraging the hubby to GET IT DONE.  Arg, now he's thinking the money would be better spent on plumbing upgrades...got to keep him on track here!

Smilin' Sammy...how I miss your meows!