Miss Hiss threw 3 girls and 1 boy. I had to do some quick kitty wrangling upstairs to try and figure out what is coming down the road spay and neuter-wise. This year I have had more spays and neuters than I ever remember. It’s frustrating because the previous owner of Miss Hiss whoever they are- didn’t do the right thing by her. If she did, I wouldn’t have these totally unsocialized, darling Siamese mixes to find homes for! The boy almost has a curly coat similar to a Devon Rex- it’s quite striking.

Now I really start concentrating on gaining their trust so I can get them neutered and into good, loving homes- But at least now I know who is a boy and who are the girls.

This morning as I leaned over to put on my shoes, Jordan, my once shy hide under the bed Siamese kitty reached over and gave me a forehead rub! It was heaven! I put my shoes on and she jumped on the bed, so I leaned over and closed my eyes and dangled my head just above her body. To my delight, she rose up on her haunches and marked me again- we did a bit of weird eskimo kisses (just not on the noses) This means that she can go up for adoption now although I may hold off because I am also making strides with Drama her brother, and I don’t want to set him back. I can advertise they go together and see what happens. But I am smiling today big time. I have been so sick these last few days not much got done. I have a full day of straightening the house, cleaning the cat enclosure- we had a bad wind come through and knock the heck out of the furniture there. 56mph winds for over three hours last night! If this rain continues, it is likely the enclosure may flood which would be a first for that to happen.

I’ve changed Clarity’s name to Ms. Hiss because that is how she greets me daily. She then knocks me over with headbumps and surrounds me with purrs in her attempt to love on me. Silly girl-

I was gifted a gift card this year and instead of using it, inspired by the 26 random acts of kindness campaign, I stuck it in an envelope with a message for the finder to use it if the need is great, but if not to pass it on in memory of a fallen angel Charlotte Bacon of Sandy Hook. I dropped it in the shopping cart of an elderly couple yesterday at the store.

We should all be kind, even if we don’t feel good and I think that was why I did it. I was so sick, I was horrible to Mike for a few days. I am surprised he is still living in the same house with me! But he is- and we soon celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary so I guess you might say he is long-suffering!

Well be kind in your day and hug your kitties- I’m off to do some much-needed clean-up

Salem has started to poop and pee on the bed of the new owner and instead of trying to figure out why; could it be the pomeranian that explodes every time the doorbell rings, or the addition of the new kids she is now babysitting? Probably both, instead, she just gave him back. I can tell he is stressed. I have him for the moment outside in the intro cage that is inside my enclosure. It is large, roomy plenty of litterpans and a heated cat bed so he should be okay for a few days before releasing him into the general population.

The gal who has Promise, her mother just passed unexpectedly and so now she has two new dogs and two new cats- so Promise will be home the day after Christmas. I do the best I can for these guys, so next time, I will do better and find a home in salem’s case with someone who wants to work through any issues instead of simply not willing to try.

I am now able to get close to all of Clarity’s kittens and pet three of the four. Clarity is so funny- she is such a formidable hisser and when she hisses at me, I think I take her by surprise by not paying attention to the bluff. She loves to be petted so much and has calmed down a lot. I think I would miss her “Hello Hiss” if it went away though.

That’s what I asked the woman behind the counter of the jewelry store yesterday. The look on her face was priceless (to say the least) She looked at me with a “Huh?” expression and asked me to repeat myself. Which I did, and she replied that she didn’t quite understand the question. That’s when I told her about Rayne, my little mackeral tabby (emphasis on little) with a little-kitty syndrome and a passion for watches. She is famous (or infamous) around our home for stealing watches and taking them upstairs and putting them into the litter pan! Let’s just say that the last time she did this was late at night and in the morning when I found the watch, I didn’t want it back!

I did give the woman something to tell her co-workers and friends though and we had quite a laugh. I left with a watch for under $6.00 but it runs, it looks fine and hey, it is going to end up in a poop pile at some time anyway! lol

I am feeling so mean this morning. It is spay day- Clarity, Napoleon and Braveheart are getting neutered. The only way to stop them from getting food since 8:00 last night is to take up all the food for all the kitties. So everyone is looking at me this morning, wondering IF there is any food for them! I’ve learned over the years that confining the cats before their vet visit generally just amps up their stress factor. Removing the dry food is a much better option.

Speaking of such, I better get going. I wish all of your smiles this day and joy. If you happen to find those, then I encourage you to pass them on- as they are contagious.

Merry Christmas!

HA! Fooled you! He’s still on my back porch but the local paper ran a story about me and Cyclone and this morning when I went to the grocery store, people were looking at me so strange, I thought I might have something between my teeth or toilet paper stuck to my shoe! Turns out, there I am dead-center in the local paper holding Sir Cyclone and there is a story with bits and pieces of the article I wrote about Cyclone on the front page! There is also a follow-up story about CATS Inc., and my cats.

The story is decent although he got a lot of the facts wrong- and he did something I pleaded with him NOT to do- he told people where I am located. I suspect more “strays” will be showing up soon- sigh and I literally have no room in my house or wallet to take in another cat. I turn them down daily- but when they are dumped in my yard- that is another matter entirely.

But, what I hope this article will do is get the awareness about cats into the public eye. That they will “see” stray and feral cats differently than before and for awhile at least-the topic of cats on a good note will float around some of the water coolers in town. That those who have lost cats and are still waiting, can gain hope and others might be inspired to adopt an older cat if not from me from other sources.

Reprinted with permission:

CONTACT: Robin Olson, 203-744-9CAT (9228) or info@kittenassociates.com
NEWS – For Immediate Release

“Kitties For Kids” Program Offers Warm Fuzzies to Return Smiles
to Faces of Area Children in Tragedy’s Wake

Sandy Hook, Conn. – Kitten Associates, “The New Breed of Cat Rescue,” is a home foster-based cat rescue group located in Sandy Hook, Conn. To counter the recent tragedy in their town, Kitten Associates is opening their doors, by appointment only, to residents in their community of Newtown, and especially in Sandy Hook, from Dec. 19 through Jan. 31.

“We know the healing power that time spent petting a cat or watching kittens play with a toy can bring to a child, his or her parents, and even first responders and other adults who feel emotionally overwhelmed,” says Kitten Associates founder, president and award-winning pet blogger, Robin A.F. Olson. “Because animals have no hidden agendas and kittens aren’t threatening, it’s a special kind of healing you just can’t experience any other way.”

Each kitten visit will last for 30 minutes, with the ability to request longer periods or repeat visits. To ensure the safety of both children and the cats, Kitten Associates can only allow children over the age of 4 to meet their foster cats and kittens, and they must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

After children visit with the kittens, and for younger kids 2-4 who can’t visit the live kitties, the organization will be giving each child a free plush kitty. Those particularly affected will receive a K.T. Cat, a super-soft, cuddly play and sleep mate designed to help children express their feelings. The plush will remind them of the comfort of the real animals.

“Kitties For Kids is a way for us to give back and say thank you to the people of Newtown for letting us be a part of this wonderful community,” says the group’s vice president, Sam Moore. “We believe the plush kitties and K.T. Cats will be a small but lasting source of comfort in the weeks and months to come for these kids.”

“Though our mission is rescuing cats and kittens and placing them into loving homes, right now we’re also here to help rescue childhood innocence and put smiles back on the faces of children in our area,” Olson explains. “We hope in this small way, we can do that.”

For more information about the Kitten Associates, a nonprofit organization, visit their website at kittenassociates.org. To set up a visit, request a free plush for your child, or to donate to the plush kitten purchase fund, interested parties should email Kitten Associates at info@kittenassociates.org or call 203-744-9CAT (9228). To learn more about K.T. Cat plush toys, visit http://www.ustimefun.com/kt-cat/.

All my barn cats have been missing all day. I pray they are safe and will return home soon although they are forecasting heavy snow tonight which is rare in this part of Oregon. There is a major blizzard up on the pass but we are down in the valley.

Turner, Crash, Lincoln and Suede, please be safe and come home soon.

I have sat back in the last few days is stunned silence, praying for the people in Newtown and avoiding the television because the tears won’t stop flowing.

When I lost my son Jeremy, the loss was unbearable and he was only 18 hours old. I can’t even begin to imagine what it feels like to lose a child you have touched, hugged, loved and invested time and passion in. I know God must do splendid activities with these angels unaware but it doesn’t stop the ache I feel deep inside.

And yet, the earth still revolves, life continues to cycle and we just have to find a way to keep going in the face of such evil. I fear that unless more people return to the basic Bible values and learn to love everyone that more evil will be showing up soon.

Cyclone took a turn for the worst and I once again raced him to the vet where he spent three iffy days trying to survive. They put a feeding tube inside of him and kept him going. He is back home now, no feeding tube needed- he is weak, but he is a fighter and he is still with us and I am grateful. He just stopped eating, no reason, no alarming bloodwork, urine was good- he just didn’t want to eat. Now, he is eating- deli-sliced chicken and cream cheese balls. I am grateful he is eating but wish his menu items were a bit easier to obtain. It has to be the fresh sliced chicken not the type that comes in the package. Silly kitty-

He lost a pound a day and once again the vets are puzzled and are chalking it up to either something bacterial or viral.

When he first arrived here and I gave him fluids, he would turn into a sprinkler. Now, he is returning the favor and turning my fingers into sprinklers when I give him fluids as he bites quite hard!

Clarity and her kittens are coming along. They will come out to eat when I am in the room and as much as I want to hug the babies, I don’t make a move. Just sit on the floor so they can get used to my presence. Clarity will go in this week to be spayed- she is getting quite fat and I don’t think it is because of the groceries!

Her coloring is stunning it is almost a lavendar color when the light hits it right. She will have to go to a home where they have no other cats though as she won’t even let the other cats near her door- of course that could be her mothering instincts taking over and the spay may calm that down.

We had a wild storm last night and this morning there is no sign of the barn cats anywhere. We have trees down and another storm waiting offshore. I am grateful the roof is still attached.

Mike is starting to feel pain in his legs now. The pump seems to be working and itis a mixed blessing. What he is feeling, the doctor told me Friday is phantom pain from the amputation but he also has an infection going on so they put him on antibiotics. For him walking is strange because he feels his feet for the first time in years and says it is hard to walk because it hurts so much. I just keep telling him, we will just take it one step at a time and just thank God it isn’t worse.

Hug your children tight and give your kitties an extra rub or two. There is sadness this holiday season and so many families have to learn how to say goodbye to loved ones big and small.

I am still unable to touch them, but they are slowly starting to trust me-

I love this poem in its simplicity. I wish to share it with you now-

If you look for me at Christmas time
You won’t need a special star-
I’m no longer wandering Bethlehem
I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of me amid the celebration.
You’ll have to look beyond the stores, and all the decorations.

But if you take one moment,
From the list of “Things to Do”
And stop, and listen to your heart,
You’ll see I’m shining through.

You’re the one I want to be with,
You’re the reason that I came-
You’ll find me in the stillness,
as I’m whispering your name.

My Christmas wish is that everyone who reads this, finds it in their heart to pass the kindness and love of this holiday season onto someone or something in need.