Feral Cat Behavior

The Cat Writers’ Conference in San Francisco was unbelievable! So much happened there. I made new friends, acquired work, networked at almost every turn. I was treated to a wonderful seafood dinner with two great ladies, Dusty Rainbolt and Susan Logan. Explored Fisherman’s Wharf walking clear out to the end of the pier. Saw an amazing sunset with the golden gate bridge and alcatraz in the picture. Met a force to be reckoned with in Cimeron Morrissey head of “Project Bay Cat” and just got my socks blessed off my feet every day. On Saturday night, I shared my table with Jim Edgar author of Bad Cat and my roommate Val, Joan Miller of CFA and other esteemed members of the group. I was honored in being awarded a muse medallion for a website I am involved in www.felinexpress.com The medallion is gorgeous.

My flight home was delayed by three hours, but that was fine with me. Fog is tricky to fly in.

I got home and got mobbed by the mob. Boy, did they miss me! I missed them too! Then the flu hit and I was immobile for four days- ugh! There was a point in time where I wondered if I would even feel like myself ever again. Next year, I take the dang flu shot!

I finished my current assignment for catchannel. I am going to sit on it for a few days in the hopes I hear back from the other vets I contacted.

I came home to overflowing litter pans, bless Mike’s heart. He did try but he was overwhelmed by the responsibility of so many animals. I need to go tomorrow and get 5 bags of Stall Dry so I can change out all the boxes, they are in dreadful need.

It snowed today, and is still snowing tonight. Not nearly as much snow as we got in Alaska and it is a bit bizarre to see people freaking out on the roads because of less than an inch of snow.

The best part of the conference was when I pitched my book and the editor was interested! I need to get her sample chapters and some other information within a decent timeframe!

The wind just started here along with slamming rain. All night long the kittens were in a stage of high anxiety while the older adults were also vigilant but not all that wound up.

The two barn cats are shut in now in the patio for safekeeping until this storm passes. Wouldn’t you know it? I fly out in two days, hope the storm wears out long before then.

Major flooding in the fields today. The horses spent most of the time in the stalls looking at me like I was nuts when I wanted them to come out (so I could muck the stalls out).

The kittens are coming of age. McKinley is trying to get his sister pregnant. They have an appointment to be spayed and neutered in two weeks, the quickest the vet can get them in.

My vet still refuses to spay and neuter early. He will only do it at 6 months old and the kittens just turned 6 months old. I have shown him all the information I can about early spay and neuter, but he is old school and refuses to change on this subject. I am sure that by the time I do take the kittens in for their spays that either Taylor or Sierra will be pregnant.

The kittens are turning into gorgeous cats. Rocky and Sierra are identical except in size and gender. McKinley, I swear he has some Persian somewhere in his blood, with his large, eyeliner eyes and soft fur that mats when you just look at him. Taylor is the smallest of the group, still the runt. She drinks more water than any other kitten I have ever had, but she is healthy and active. Everest (pictured here) is still trying to claim the highest parts of the house as his. I believe he will be the Alpha once he gets big enough to try and oust Prowler from the position.

I am glad to see the rain come. We sure do need it. I just wish it weren’t so relentless coming down.

Leave soon for the Cat Writers’ Convention. I am getting a bit excited about getting away for a few days to spend time with other people who are also crazy about cats and passionate about educating others by writing about them.

About six years ago, I adopted a cat through a shelter in Southern California. Maya was flown out here. She had spent the majority of her life in a shelter and she arrived here shocky. For several months she was upstairs and I was working with her. Gradually she came out of her shell and one day she went outside and became our shop cat. She loved it out in the shop, she would sleep in the rafters at night, and when Mike came down in the morning to work, she would climb down and snuggle with him while he worked.

Then we had a freak straightline wind and the shop (part of it collapsed) when a large tree fell over in the wind. We thought she had died, and mourned the loss. But tonight, when I went outside to feed the dog, Maya was sitting on the porch! There is no mistakenly the muted tortie colors she had. She stared at me for a few minutes and when I knelt down and called to her, she came over slowly. Just before she reached me, she bolted out the door!

I put food out for her, and hope she does come back

Gave Guinevere a bath today. She did surprisingly well with what I believe to be her first bath ever. She was so greasy must have been garage grease. I used a large rubbermaid container to bathe her in. I bathed her in the shower stall, a pretty good feat considering how tiny our one bathroom is. She clutched the sides of the rubbermaid container with her back to me all the time of the bath. Then she was calm on the floor while I dried her off. She only struggled the first time she was lowered into the water.

Now though, she is angry at me. I have brushed her, fed her and will leave her be for a few hours so that she can just chill out now.

A recent photo of Starlight- as you can see this rescued kitty is in prime health and happy.

Two years ago was when this cat, rescued by a good samaritan ended up in my care. We had him for 48 days before finding him the best home with a woman in California, where he remains spoiled, happy and totally indoors. Starlight is healthy and happy and doing well for which I am so glad.

Maverick has a wonderful home! The house is set way off any main road on acres of flat land. The ownerof the foster care facility was absolutely delightful. The home well-kept, no other cats. Maverick gets center stage.

I left the cat carrier with her, in case she needs a safe place to get away from whatever might frighten her. Right now she is in her own room, with all the necessary equipment and accessories that kitties need. Before I left, she had ventured out of the carrier and allowed Diana to pet her quietly. Diana thinks she is stunning, and she is, her pattern is quite striking.

I will miss her, but i know that here, she kept getting lost in the masses. The other cats sensing the pariah in her would beat her up repeatedly, especially my alpha Prowler. I told Diana that if anything happens and she doesn’t believe her home to be the right fit, that she must call me so that I can come and fetch Maverick back. But after spending time there, I left with a calm spirit, she will be just fine-