It’s all about the cats!
We love cats and we are not afraid to admit it. If we could afford it we would rescue many more stays and give them a loving home.
Emotion is our oldest (1992). She has always been the nervous type, which gives her the airs of being aloof. But since the introduction of many other cats in her life she has learned to purr. She had even come to be friends with Puddertat!
Pud died too young. (May 1997 – 16 Apr 2005) She was a stray until her third year. She hid continuously for the first three months my mother had her. Then one day she just decided to come out and be as loyal and friendly as any dog. Never forgotten.
Augustus Eves was rescued from starvation by Puddertat. She alerted us to his presence while at her post doing her squirrel patrol. He was just weeks old and literally a bag of bones. I am thankful we never found the owners of ‘Gusto’. Ever since the arrival of Ash and Coal, he has grown from a rambunctious kitten into a mature cat.
‘Molly E. Cule’ came as a package with our house. She is prim and proper. Except when trying to give her any medicine! Then she has the strength of 100 tiny cats! Initially from a single cat household, she never was comfortable with the other cats. When she is bold enough, she will storm up to other cats like a gorilla with her chest all puffed out. Unfortunately her stubby arms preclude her from protecting herself. She now lives downstairs, comfortably, with my mother in law.
Ashley Grey is the twin brother of Charoal Grey. It is hard to believe that these two were never adopted for the first year of their lives. Ashley is the more energetic of the two and he could play until he passed out. He keeps the house clear of flys. He is more monkey than cat. He can climb wire fences and catch birds in mid air.
Charcoal Grey is the twin brother of Ashley Grey. Coal is the lover boy of the house. He is very similar to Puddertat in temperament and size (20 lbs). He is a gentle giant who just wants to be friends with everyone. Sadly he seems to be the odd boy out during playtime. A bundle of hugs
Sowen is another stray who is a real sweetheart. We were worried the boys would terrorize tiny Sowen, as they do the other girls. She just ignores the boys and actually tires them out during play time. Coal is in love with her because she plays with him. If you look closely she looks like Oscar the Grouch with tiger tail colorings.
Tahl came to us through the unfortunate death of his previous owner. Tahl has one good eye but he sees better than most. He is the smallest, but is the alpha cat. He has the uncanny ability to make peace between the others. When he sticks his tounge out he looks a lot like ‘Bill the Cat’.
At one time, Neko is the youngest. He has FIV but is healthy and happy. Shannon met him in the U.S. , fell in love with him and brought him home. He is a real charmer and loves to cuddle. He has the softest fur I have ever felt.
Cardigan (formerly Lexus) was with his brother Trolley (formerly Tippet) at Furry Friends in Barrie for 6 years with hundreds of other cats. I can’t believe they were there so long. They are an amazing pair. When we went to pick them up Cardigan was caught easily. We actually got Trolly in the cage, but as we were closing the carrier door, with inches to spare, he slid out, climbed up the side of a cage like a ladder where he remained for days until they could retrieve him. He has proven time and time again, if he doesn’t want to be caught, it is not going to happen.
No, they are not cats. We got these two when a co-worker was going away for the summer and asked us to look after them. We agreed on the condition that we would keep them. She had gotten them as her friend had to leave the country. When we named them we did not know their sex. So we misgendered Westley. We have spoiled these two with a huge cage, fleece pads, fancy hay and vegies, treats and toys. Although we love them, be aware that caged animals take up a lot of time and money if you are going to give them the best treatment possible. Large cage, daily cage cleanings, feedings, play time, etc… Westley has since passed away from bladder stones and age, a common issue with GPs. Although GPs should not be alone (they are heard animals) we did not intend to have GPs forever. So Princess was alone for many years. We try to compensate with pampering her with extra attention and keeping her in the living room. We think it worked well as she seemed healthy and happy for her remaining years.
In Memory of Westley and Princess
Both Friendly and Rusty were considered a bonded pair by Furry Friends. They were being fostered when we got them and Rusty would not leave Friendly’s side. Friendly (a misnomer) could care less about cats but loves people. For whatever reason, Neko and Friendly got off on the wrong paw, and they would have cartoon like cat fights. Fur everywhere! Today, they tolerate each other. Rusty is still a bit nervous but has overcome his fear and gained a lot of weight. But at least he is active. Friendly will play on occasion, but is a couch potato by nature.
We kept a box of clover in the garage for our Guinea Pig. Sept 2022 We found a stray cat sleeping in it. He was a capable hunter and was quite comfortable outside. For a year we left out food and water for him and even had a heated pad for him in the winter. We had hoped that through continual contact he would domesticate naturally and just jump into our arms. That did not happen. In the fall of 2023 we spent more time trying to hand feed him. Eventually sardines betrayed him and I caught him in a cat carrier. We were surprised at how well he did after he was caught. He was about 2 years old and never been indoors with people before. Other than playing a little rough he seems quite a well behaved cat.