Cagney has been sick now for months! Everything they have tried on her have failed; several types of antibiotics, prebiotic powders, probiotic liquids. She is still sneezing multiple times and I cringe everytime I see her rubbing her nose vigourously with her paw, on the carpet, even on the edge of the wall. I have used L-Lysine with her, velvet deer antler powder, ran vaporizers all over the house and still her eyes water and she sneezes. She has done this ever since she has arrived here and her nose is just raw and sore. Poor kitty. I am taking her back one LAST time and hoping something else can be tried to give her relief. I’ve tried benedryl with her as well nothing is working. She must be highly allergic to something around here and those allergy tests are so brutal, long and expensive to perform on cats! I even put her in a room with litter pans with no litter in them thinking that she might be allergic to the dust, and still she sneezes. I feel so sorry for her. I hope to come up with a better alternative today-

Kitties are cleaning up this year! The elves just sent them puzzle boxes, cat posts, food, toys, a cat hammock and more trac balls. They are in heaven (and for the first time all year I mean that in a good way!) They already figured out how to disengage the toys from the pegs on the bunkbed and the play room and the toys quickly vanished inside the wooden puzzle box. I have angry birds all over the house with the kitties stalking these balls as if they really are birds of prey.

Roscoe went inside after the disappearing flutterby and challenged me to dare to stick my hand in and put it back on the peg!I declined the challenge!

Mike went back to his wound care specialist today and I am pleased to report that his legs aren’t as swollen or as “colorful” as before AND he has lost three pounds! He isn’t keen on his new eating program, but I told him if he doesn’t stick with it- I won’t be sticking around and watching him die.

Is that cruel? Probably, but it needed to be said. I love him to much to see him fail at life now. I think it stunned him, but he could tell I was serious…deadly serious.

Mike has suffered some setbacks in his legs and now we face some serious issues regarding his health. I kept telling his doctor (a GP) that something was wrong with Mike’s legs. I wrap them daily with soft gauze and ace bandages, but every time I sent him to the Dr he just looked at me like I was nuts and try to patiently explain to me: “Mrs. Miller, this is how some diabetic’s legs look.”

So a few days ago when I unwrapped my husband’s legs so he could take a shower, I was met with an awful stench and to my dismay necrotic tissue. I rushed him back to the same Dr. and this time, the Dr. paid attention. He sent us immediately to a surgeon who sent us to a wound care specialist and here is the gist of the issue.

Mike’s legs are a mess. Because of his weight and lack of circulation to his legs, his legs swell horribly, the leak and they bleed and they smell. As they swell, the ace bandages will cut into his skin (which is the equivalent now of tracing paper) and cause wounds. Sometimes, I will end up with the velcro on the back of his legs, so once again there is pressure sores forming and wounds. If there are any wrinkles in the ace bandages then again, we have cuts in his skin and wounds forming. It’s all pretty nasty and very scary.

So after three visits with three different doctors, this is the bottom line. Mike has been challenged to lose a pound a day. IF he does not lose this weight, he will lose either one leg or the possibility of both legs or even his life. Talk about scary. The new specialist (who I love) is older, he is very nice but very direct and he got tough with Mike. After he explained about the ace bandages cutting the legs, I started to cry and excused myself from the room. He followed me out and asked me why I was crying? I told him I didn’t mean to cause my husband this pain and trauma to his legs. He leaned in really close to me, put his hands gently on my shoulders and said: “Mrs. Miller, YOU did not cause this. The problem that exists is entirely your husband’s fault. His life choices he’s made up to this point, you are bearing the consequences. Do not put this on your shoulders. All you can do is your best. No one can change another individual. Then he walked back into the room.

Mike will now be going to wound care four times a week which I am so relieved about as I don’t want to continue to care for such damaged legs. I did tell the surgeon that I wish the GP had listened to me months ago, and the Dr. rolled his eyes and said he wished that as well.

I hope this turns out to be the catalyst that will put Mike on the slow road to health. Nothing so far has seemed to make a difference, nothing I’ve said or done seems to sink in to him. I guess as time passes we will find out if Mike can beat this and at least save his legs if not his life. Now, I need to write a very difficult email to Mike’s kids and let them know what is going on without ruining their holiday-

The weather has settled over the valley and ice fog blankets the pastures at night. The creek is frozen over and the barn cats huddle for warmth around the heat sources provided- and it isn’t even “officially” winter time yet!

Yesterday, I heard the chattering of excited kitties and I looked outside to see MK, Stalker, MCGee, Squirrel and Wild One sneaking up on the walnut tree. I looked over and was amazed at the rafter of turkeys gathered in the trees. I didn’t get around to raking the leaves this year, and there is plenty of bugs and grubs underneath creating a turkey feast.

Christmas Visitors

This afternoon- I was all smiles. The Sanctuary Kitties got prezzies! Beautiful pet blankets and a trac ball which is their absolute favorite toy. Even before I had the goodies unpacked they were on top of the delivery. Thank you to the elf who sent such joy my kittie’s ways. They would stop and thank you too- but they are busy right now playing with their latest toy!

Christmas Early

For every like on their facebook page- PetSafe will send one toy per like to a needy dog or cat waiting to be adopted in shelters across the United States. Many of these cats and dogs are bored, cage-restless or in kennel shock and I am sure the toys would help them alleviate their behavior issues. Please spread the word through social media and lets see if we can help these dogs and cats have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Mew Year!

On a personal note, we finally have water (although not to use my washing machine). But cold water and hot water is now flowing freely in our home. I have a ton of cleaning to do and I had to just now send Mike to his doctor because his leg looked horrible this morning. 🙁 I think it is because he was on it so long in the last three days. We couldn’t have survived what we went through without the help of good friends here- otherwise, I doubt Mike and I would have water right now. I just pray it isn’t as bad as it looks. I know he doesn’t want to spend another day in the hospital ever again.

Patience has resurfaced and she has brought a new friend with her. He looks like a grown up Bentley. He is a manx mix and he is skin and bones. He is eating and quite skittish. They seem to like each other and thankfully, he is neutered. Although she is spayed as well.

I generally feed at this time of morning when the weather gets rough, but this is a bit ridiculous! I did manage to get myself up and go and feed but it was bite your face cold. Our chest freezer in the garage is now frozen shut (and full of food) It isn’t giving it up very easily. Our pipes froze last night and I can now say, I have had the pleasure of scooping frozen cat poop! At least it clumps together! Part of our home is dark- some sort of power outtage on the road, but a partial outtage? Which I have never experienced. Computers work, phones don’t and we have flipped and re-flipped breakers only to talk to our neighbors and find out they are experiencing much the same thing.

I worry about Phantom and Patience as they are the most frail and I put out all sorts of alternative heat for the cats last night and only hope they found the warmth.

This is just off our back porch in the un-insulated portion-

Drinkwell

I have been asked to test a new feral cat house for the winter. It is manufactured (entirely in the United States) by felinefurniture.com It is waterproof and warmed by insulated foam. The foam inside when the cat barn comes into contact with sunshine, retains the heat of the sun for the majority of the day and night. It also serves as a reflector for the cat’s natural body heat- keeping kitty warm and away from the wind and rain/snow.

When the package arrived, I slid it quickly out of the cardboard box- the barn is fully assembled except for additional eaves you can add to give kitty a weathertight porch. Immediately, six kittens ran into it to try and figure out what Mom got so early for Christmas! There are two doors provided, so the kitties had a bit of tunnel play while I figured out where I am going to actually put it outside.

Bentley and Sophie checking it out

I decided to finally tuck it under some pine trees and pile straw around it so the kitties would accept it faster. McGee took immediately to this warm place for which I was grateful as she usually sleeps under the deck and it is going to snow tonight and tomorrow.

McGee Squatter’s Rights

It’s big enough for two cats to share, so perhaps Turner will join her sister when the temperature starts to drop again.

Recliners, are not by nature nasty beasts. They sit, rather unassumingly in our front rooom and occassionally serve as a receptacle for claws and paws as kitties mark their territories. On rainy days, they offer comfort and support when wrapped up in a blanket, I can lie back and have kitties pile on top of me for added warmth. Knowing, from past experience that cats and kittens can get underneath the recliner and sometimes come to great harm. I have provided for that by putting pillows underneath and always checking the floor before I un-recline (if that is even a word?) I thought I had it all covered…I was wrong.

Recently, we bought two new recliners as our old ones were starting to show wear and tear. They are quite comfortable and we got such a good deal on them, that Mike’s is actually heated. I diligently stuffed every part I could see with pillows and blankets so kitties wouldn’t get caught in dangerous situations. Like I said, I have it all covered….Hmm well maybe not.

Last night as I lay back watching television and enjoy the kitty pile-up on my lap, I kept hearing a noise behind the chair. Mike, who was parked next to me, turned on a flashlight and looked (at my request) to see what kitten was scratching the back of the chair…nothing, nada, zero, nope, he assurred me, no kitten in sight. Hmmm

Again, the sounds and the vibrations along my back. It felt strange, like the recliner was possessed. I got the kitties to scramble off my lap, shooed them out of the danger zone and tipped the recliner over. All pillows securely duct-taped in place, no kitty in sight. I poked my hand up through the pillows because we all know how small a hole a cat or kitten can get through. Nothing, nada. I tipped the chair back and sat down and told myself I was being silly. That I was just over-tired and my mind was playing tricks on me.

As I sat down, I felt the claws at my back. I sprang out of the chair and went to take the bottom cushion off the chair but it was attached securely to the chair. Gone are the days of removable cushions (I guess) I stuck my hand down the sides of the cushions, nothing but dust and a small cat toy. Frowning, I stepped back, then plunged my hands into the main back cushion on the side. The kitten, undoubtedly terrified by being up-ended several times, bit me! It took us about 45 minutes to figure out how she got inside and to get her out took some doing. I finally (after dodging claws and teeth) was able to scruff her and bring her out through the front because the bottom of the chair (we discovered when we removed all the pillows) was sealed up tight.

No, recliners by nature are not nasty beasts, but I suppose in our case, mine was hungry for kitten. I am glad that no kitten was harmed during this experience, only miffed because I had the audacity to remove her from what she figured was the neatest hiding place in the house!

Just a reminder, if you are shopping online- you can go to adoptashelter Search for Oregon then Caring About The Strays. Designate this as your shelter of choice then click the shop now button. Anything you buy while on that website as us as the designated shelter, my cats will get a % of your purchase. They have amazon, ebay, travel sites so many merchants contributing to rescues there.