Miss Aggie, a little Peggy Sue & family, and a big bunch of catch up

Forgive me, I'm going to be very wordy here. There's a lot to catch up on.

This weekend I've been working on updating the blog. I've put up links to two more MD adoption blogs to which Martin referred us. My apologies... I meant to do this a month ago, but work and family (including my feline family), not to mention the fosters, have kept me busy. 50 Kittens and Elephants Upstairs are now listed with Catonsville Cats. All of these folks have been fostering and volunteering lots longer than Space Paws so, as with reading IBKC and Pitter Pats, I've been learning from them. Go on over and see what a terrific job Martha, Ted, Jamie and Caroline have been doing (and most of you know Laurie and Sue, having come here from their blogs!).

Now for the main event: Poor, photographically neglected, Miss Aggie has been doing well. She's housed in the den & spare bedroom so she's got plenty of run room and I automatically spend time with her here. :-) She is socializing with the other cats very slowly, but she and Bitty (one of my 4 residents) are amicably sharing the living room as long as Aggie is on my lap or in the crate. No more hisses or growls, but they are keeping a respectful distance of at least 3 feet. The other residents (Chester, Annie and Winnie) won't even come down if Aggie is out because of her early aggression. As you might recall, when #1Son was alive, she escaped the confines of her quarters, under the influence of maternal hormones, a couple of times, and went after the residents. Those hormones are finally calming down.

Aggie is very, very active - she's not much more than a kitten herself and it's hard to get her to slow down long enough for a good shot (I have got to learn how to use all the features of this camera soon!!) or even, as I learned today, for a video. But here are a couple of stills, one while she was cuddling (have I mentioned cuddling is her favorite thing in the whole world) and a couple while she was resting. I'll shoot for more next week! (Hannah, do you recognize the shirt in the first pic?)

The last pic is Miss Aggie, monitoring to make sure the kitten name selection is on the up and up. Yes, naming the kittens is actually going to happen this week, and part of it involves putting all names into contention, so stay tuned!!!!

I've also had a chance to catch up on the blogs of our visitors... I just want to take a moment to tell you what a truly amazing group of folks you are! Thank you again for all the support, especially at the sorrowful times!

I haven't known quite how to share this additional piece of news (or even if I should) since I just wasn't strong enough to mention it on the blog when it happened. Sorrow seems to come in waves. As you know, #1 Son died on June 4th and my wonderful Aunt Margot passed away 10 days later. The piece I omitted on the blog was that my precious Morticia slipped away, here at home, 24 hours after Aunt Margot - just before I left for Florida to be with the family. Tisha's death was not unexpected, as she had health issues, but it was earlier than Doc Andrew and I thought. Doc A was keeping her comfortable and content and was watching her carefully. We were blessed that the end came quickly and I was able to be with her at the last. Tish was a joy in my home for 14 years. I'm sorry I didn't share at the time but processing it all was difficult. Laurie posted a piece today that somehow said I should share - especially now that the pain is gone and good memories of all three of these special friends have replaced it.

Keeping busy with family, work and the fosters has been good therapy. This week I'm going to start working on local print publicity (fliers and cards for vets offices, churches, etc.) because Miss Aggie will be ready to adopt in 2-3 weeks, after spaying, and the kittens in only 4 weeks!! Time is flying! Momma Peggy Sue may be with us about a month longer in order to have her spayed before she goes.

So here's signing off with one shot each of Peggy Sue and the kittens to leave you smiling!!

Lisa