Kayla and Zimmer Update from Ali

Oh, I was so happy to see the inbox this morning! Ali called last night for a chat and said she'd send a few pics our way! Yay! So, without further ado, here are the former Aggie and Percy!

"Biker Cat": Zimmer seems to have a leather obsession. He will rub up against my purses, and when I left one of my leather jackets on the couch one day, I came back to find him rolling around inside of it and rubbing up against it.

"The Laptop-Top": Kayla loves to cuddle, but she also loves to sit on my laptop instead of my lap, sometimes. I really should get one of those software programs that blocks "cat like" typing...

"Humans Are An Excellent Heat Source": When we had the cold spell here in DC last week, the heat in my apartment building wasn't turned on...The cats wisely decided to seek out the only other heat source in the apartment. Also, out of view in this photo is the TV, but from the direction the cats are looking they apparently find "Burn Notice" episodes quite engaging...

"Peace In Our Time": After 10 months of living here, FINALLY Kayla and Zimmer can occasionally be seen sleeping near one another or engaging in mutual grooming. :)

Zimmer continues the trend begun when he was born the largest kitten in his litter, weighing in at an impressive 14 pounds. More ladylike Kayla weighs in around 9 or 10. They are spoiled cats who are wonderful companions and whose main role in life is to sit on the couch with "mommy" and cuddle and get pet all night, then follow me to bed and sleep next to me all night.

So, how do you spell lucky? Ali, Kayla and Zimmer, that's how! Great to see the guys again! Thanks, Ali!

Torqued Tuesday

Well folks, I have pics and video for you but I can't get them off of the camera because there is a thief among us!! SOMEONE HAS STOLEN THE CONNECTOR!! I suspect Kayla, actually. She never used to do this, but several times I've caught her nibbling at cords and once she tried to abscond with my iPhone cord. I will look around the house again tomorrow. I can't find it anywhere in the vicinity of the desk. Grrrrrrrr.

Tomorrow Kayla and Zimmer (Aggie and Percy) will go back to Ali. Maybe.

OK, I'll do it only because she'd cry or get mad or something... but it sure has been nice having them back... especially this last week when we've been just one big happy. I never expected to be able to spend a bunch of quality time with them again when they went off to Ali's - this was a real blessing. So I'm going to head off to bed, and shut the door to the bedroom and have one last night of cuddling with just the two of them.

Since I don't have any pics, I'll just leave you with this reminder....

Only 25 days left folks.... Let's ROCK this fundraiser.

Just a couple of shots from the last week

It's been great to have a ton of time with the kittehs this vacation week. So I have lots of great content for the blog, right? Nope!

Did something really radical... I've been luxuriating in just being with them. Playing, napping, petting while they relaxed on my lap and I read. Did I mention napping? No running around looking for the flashy box. In other words, really taking a vacation! And, as you may have noticed, I mostly "unplugged," too.

We've got 9 right now... my 4, 3 fosters and 2 for summer camp. Kayla and Zimmer (Aggie & Percy) got the run of the new kitchen/dinning area after Marley went home last Saturday. And they joined the General Population on Tuesday... absolutely no integration problems. I suspect the GP got comfortable with them through the glass.

Kayla immediately took over the computer desk.

Does she look like she's at home or what? Do you think she remembers her days here as Aggie? Probably not, but I'm glad they relaxed in so easily.

As I mentioned, there was a lot of napping going on. Here's a blind shot during one nap with the cell. Trudy is a cuddler extraordinarie! The cuddle trust of the little ones always swells my heart.

Trudy really wants to cuddle with the big cats. As yet none, including Winnie (who does do some mothering), will snuggle down to sleep with them. She is eternally hopeful, however. Percy was relaxing on the table and Trudy jumped up. Pretty soon I could see she was moving closer and closer.

Here you can see her edging just a little closer (it was dim and I didn't want to miss this so sorry about dark pics). The two stayed like this for quite a little while.

That's construction material from the renovation behind them, by the way. The guys have really liked the old table I'm using as a credenza, while we're in progress, and absolutely hated it when the plywood went behind it, cutting off easy access to the staircase and their ability to cavort between the rails!

It's been the hottest week of the year, so far, here in B'more (leave it to me to pick a sweltering week for vacation). There's no central air so we've largely been taking it easy at the Casa. Hmmmm... maybe there's a benefit to living without all of the modern conveniences - it really has been a lazy summer week!

Murph & Rancho J2 Updates

We got an email from new mom Pati today!

I promised pics and here's a slightly fuzzy one to get started...Murph has perked up a lot overnight and seems to be more relaxed. Our others know something is going on behind the door and sit just on the other side. This morning, we opened the bathroom door, so Murph could venture into our room for a bit.

More pics to come over the next couple days as he gets some grooming done. His whiskers are crazy and his neck fur is almost a mane!
Pati

At Rancho J2

Socializing Whiskey and Tango continues. As with most socialization, it's a slow process but those small gains mean ever so much. Whiskey was treated for mastitis, and everyone is feeling much better after their surgeries.

Catnip...mmmmmm Whiskey as stoned kitteh (brother Tango had worn himself out).

And their quarantines are over... so happy to be back together again!

The Casa should be renamed "The Circus"

The cats are keepin' me busy... sorry there aren't any pics. Marley has suddenly decided to start chasing poor Winnie. *Sigh* He did this last night, too, but then left her alone all day... he's in time-out in my bedroom right now. Last visit, he got along with everyone. I suspect the crowded conditions, and the little ones keeping things stirred up, may have prompted some of this.

Generally, today was a bit more relaxed. The older kittehs are ignoring the youngsters more often, instead of warning them off every time they cross paths. The dweebs are a riot but, except for Winnie, the older cats do not seem amused. I, however, am eating it up. Now if only I could figure out a way for someone to pay me to stay home and play with them. ;-)

Kayla and Zimmer (Aggie & Percy) have chilled out as well. Today was almost like old times with Kayla draped over my arm and Zimmer curled up beside me while I read. I hate the the fact that they're segregated in their own quarters but, frankly, I don't think the GP could take the addition of two more new personalities right now. I split sleeping last night, starting out in the bed upstairs and finishing the night with them in the basement. Tonight that will be reversed.

Tomorrow will be the first day at work since the visitors arrived and the kittens have been out of quarantine... and I think I'll put Winnie and the kids in my bedroom to avoid any problems when I'm not here to referee. But, if things continue to mellow at the rate they did between yesterday and today, everyone should be getting along just great by the time Marley is ready to go home... LOL!

Murph is in His Furever Home

Hi folks, spoke to Pati today. The family drove down to MD and picked up Murph this afternoon. He's now tucked in their bath in order to have some time to relax and adjust to his new surroundings. They'll give him a few days of "just family" interaction to let him get acclimated before they introduce him to his new furblings.

The kids are very excited about the new addition to their family (they know all about proper treatment of cats, having lived with them all their lives) and accompanied mom and dad to pick Murph up today. Murph was quite anxious on the drive so they carefully let him out of his carrier to sit with the kids. Murph settled happily next to young Ian... but after a while Ian lamented, "Mom, I think I'm going to need a new seat... Murph is crowding me out!" How sweet is that!

Pati reports Murph had been brought current on his shots and is still experiencing a little bit of after affects. He's enjoying the cool of the bath tiles right now. He's also going to get a lot of gentle grooming over the next weeks to bring his coat back to it's lustrous state.

Congratulations, Murph & family!! Wishing you many long years together... and we'll be waiting anxiously for more news and pics.

More Needs on the Interubes

Please do check the right sidebar and click through. Love & Hisses has posted two AL situations: One is an owner death, necessitating quick adoption of three shy kitties, and the other is SNAP needing funds to spay and neuter a colony of feral bobtails. Amy of the House of Cats has let us know about six Meesers in KY, in a high kill shelter due to another owner death situation.

We can't always help personally, but we can link, post, offer our purrayers and support and maybe a green paper or two!

Back at the Casa

Well, in the flurry of activity surrounding Murph's rehoming, I didn't report that the babies got their first shots on Tuesday!! Doc gave me some ointment for Lawrie's left eye, which has been a bit irritated. Other than that, they're a hale and hearty little duo.

And, since they'd been with Sonia a couple of days before they came to me, Trudy and Lawrie came out of quarantine on Thursday. Winnie took right to the little guys. The other residents, not so much.

No overt hostility toward the babies, but plenty of warning off from Annie (no surprise), Peggy Sue (disappointing, but not surprising, since Peggy Sue arrived Friday and has had to adjust to being back at the Casa) and Grey (big surprise... he's usually a teddy bear - maybe just too much change all at once with Peggy Sue coming back and the babies coming out). Bitty has been keeping to the catwalk and higher regions of the Casa and has been quietly watching the interactions. Poor little kittens, they're getting used to hisses a lot faster than I'd hoped.

But the babies do have one friend and champion. Forgive the loud fan in the background... it doesn't seem to make that much of a racket in real life... LOL!

There is officially no more room at the inn!

Kayla and Zimmer (Aggie and Percy) are installed, in their own quarters, in the finished basement for the next 3 1/2 weeks while Ali is traveling for work (more on that tomorrow). The gang, however, seem very aware they are there. And handsome Marley is back with us for a week and will spend nights in my bedroom to give the General Population some down time from all the newness. Everyone is adjusting but there's been a bit more hissyness than usual among the GP.

Since I wasn't expecting to be fostering kittens when I said "yes" to visitors, or that Peggy Sue would have left and then returned, I'm praying this isn't too much change, too fast, for everyone's nerves. I'd hate to think this is overloading my sweet gang - especially Grey. The babies will spend tonight in the bathroom, just to give the adults a break. Hopefully tensions will ease over the next couple of days as everyone gets used to the new cast of characters. Fingers crossed!

Well, finally!!!

I can't tell you how happy I am the Baltimore woman finally got my post done! (OK, yesterday she had an acceptable excuse 'cause helping kittehs is always good... you have voted today, haven't you???) Anyway...

Welcome to my new home! Let me show you around! First, this is the stack of boxes that mom bought just for us. Me really, but Zimmer is allowed to live here, too, now and I am a generous first cat. (And, no, it does not count that we lived with the Baltimore lady together. I was here first, and now he has to earn his place. ) Anyway, this is one of the many boxes in the stack that mom keeps free for me to rest or play in.

This is my coffee table. It is in good proximity to the box stacks, as you can see. And from here I can make sure mom works diligently at her computer. The crooked table is not as good as her lap (they call it a laptop for a reason!) as it means I can't work at the same time. Beans! Always trying to do things themselves. When will they learn everything is better when I can show you how to do it.

I keep track of all of mom's paperwork for her, too. Mom doesn't call me Madam Secretary for nothing!

No, Zimmer, your help is NOT needed with paper protection!

And this is my vertical entertainment center. I share it with the boy cat because, as I mentioned before, I am the soul of generosity. From here I have an excellent view of mom's activities.

The room behind me? That's the nom room. Also mine. 'Nuff said.

One of my most important functions is quality control inspector for the new toys mom buys for my entertainment.

Yes, this one looks quite interesting. It should also help keep the flab off of the boy. When I let him play with it.

OK, mom! You chose well!

Beans, as you know, must be trained. I now reward mom for choosing well. Positive reinforcement means she will be more likely to repeat the desired behavior.

This bean shows some real potential, don't you think?

Yes, I think I'll keep this one. She excels at the abject devotion to which I am entitled. And I love her, too. (But don't tell her, just yet. I'm not done training her!)

It was nice to see you all again! Mom says we'll see you in June, too!

Kayla

I Has A Complaint!

Exactly when am I going to get my photo spread? It's been days and days and days. The woman keeps promising and it keeps not happening! Zimmer is really starting to lord it over me! He says nobody wants to see me. Stupid mancat.

The woman says stuff has come up. Computer problems. Family stuff. Friend stuff.

Hrrumph!
OK, she promised again that she will post me tomorrow. Hold her to it, 'cause if she doesn't we're not going to be friends much longer.

Kthxbai,

Kayla

Photo Hunt (and Rerun)

Cruising around the cat blogosphere this morning I saw a number of "photo hunt" shots featuring threes. Well, my favorite photo posted to date is a lousy cell shot but it does feature three. :-) More important, it just makes me all mushy.

You may remember Miss Aggie wasn't really social when she came to us in May. In December we had a breakthrough with her allowing other residents and fosters to lounge near her (sometimes touching!!!) while contentedly purring up a storm. It's only a still, but when I shot this, I could distinctly hear grand dame Winnie, perky Percy and (formerly) antagonistic Aggie each rumbling away! It was a very good day.

Integration update & Snow makes Kayla and Zimmer quite happy!

Ahhh... it was too good to last. ;-) Lilo's been hissing and growling a bit when other kittehs come too close for her comfort, but actually the vocalizations are still less than other new adult fosters when they first meet the General Population. No altercations just polite distance at this point.

Update on Kayla and Zimmer

Well, Ali's kittehs have been in 7th heaven with all this snow - their bean has been home for 6 days straight! They've gotten quite used to having their resident pet machine at their beck and call. Enjoy it guys, it'll probably not happen again for quite a while! Here are some pics from mom, Ali:

Why, yes, I DO own the place.

We love the cat tree!

The purrfect bureaucat.

I know the mice are in here...

Catnip bliss.

A true Washingtonian... wears his tags 24/7.

A Letter to the Purrez and a PSA from Jan

Some items just in, so we'll save our Kona & Jasper update for tomorrow...

(Actually, I'm just being selfish with these lovely ready made posts!)

A Letter to the Purrez

Dear Mister Purr-sident: We encourage you to close the government down more often, so that our pet, Ali, can stay home and serve our every whim, as is only proper, instead of working long hours, as she usually does. And while we usually would shudder to do the bidding of a *dog*, we feel obliged to mention that your own owner, Bo, feels the same way...

Kayla and Zimmer

I'm sure the kittehs here at Space Paws would like to express the same feelings to the administrators of STScI. :-)

Good Samaritan Laws for Animal Rescue?

Our friend Jan just did a post regarding a lady who is being prosecuted for trying to help two clearly neglected dogs. It doesn't appear Ms. Thayne was intrusive or ridiculous in her suggestions for improved care. It's a shame that the organization will need to spend its time and resources defending reasonable actions instead of devoting themselves to education, awareness and help. PA readers, take note!

Say, "Congratulations, Percy!!"

Yep, our little boy has found his furever home!!

And you know his mom, Ali, already!! That's right, our Percy and Aggie are together in DC with an outstanding mom! They are now officially Zimmer and Kayla. :-)

Well, she seems nice! I like the cuddling!

I know, I know... you want the back story! OK, here it goes...

When Ali adopted Kayla, she said that ultimately she'd like a pair of cats and talked about adopting a kitten. Less than a week later, Ali called and said she'd was thinking a companion was a good idea sooner rather than later. She wondered what qualities she should look for in a kitten to make a good match with Kayla. I said, a kitten who is self confident, won't cower from a growl or hiss, likes to play and engage other cats... kind of like Percy.

Uhhhh... light bulb moment!

So, the weekend before last, I packed up Sir Percy and we headed for DC. Ali and I know that group dynamics can change things so we agreed to keep the arrangement quiet until we were sure the two would make it as a "couple." (Holding on to this news has been killing me!)

Uhhh... where are we going, pray tell?

They'd only been apart a week, but you'd have thought Percy was a perfect stranger when he arrived. Yes, there were growls and hisses and much consternation. Percy did a very un-Percy like thing and actually hid! I'd seen rocky reunions many times before, when a resident had a stay at the vet, so I wasn't unduly worried, but it reinforced our decision to see how it went.

Percy starts exploring as soon as he escapes the carrier.

Hissing'n'stuff stopped after the first day, but they were cautious around each other for a while. Kayla's nose was a bit out of joint at first (she'd gotten used to "Empress of the Universe" status)... she even shunned cuddling with Ali for a while (gahhhh!)... but over the last ten days the two have relaxed and started playing, sleeping near each other (even touching!) and Kayla is finally back to her snuggly self!

Play! I want to play! What do you mean, "Your string????"

Ali called today with the tremendous news that she's comfortable that they're going to make a happy family! Whoa, did I ever do the happy dance!! And, darn, I wish they were closer so I could have given them all big, sloppy hugs!! But mom Ali will just have to do the honors with her furkids for me!

OK, I'm ready for more 'splorin' nice lady!

You know, this time saying goodbye was so much easier because I've gotten to know Ali (we've talked every few days for the last 2 1/2 weeks!). We'll be visiting in a couple of weeks and will bring you more pics of the dynamic duo that Ali has brought into her life! Here at Space Paws, we couldn't be happier... these two have been lucky enough to find a wonderful bean who will pamper them within an inch of their furry little lives... as they (and she) so richly deserve! :-) Congratulations to Ali, Kayla and Zimmer!

Tomorrow, I'll bring you the video of our boy's last night here at Space Paws.

Kayla has a new look

Well our little Aggie is sporting a new name and a new look. Here she is in her new home with some bling! Looks like she's settling in very nicely with Ali, doesn't it? Ali reports the big cat tree is up now and Kayla is doing the jungle jim thing from time to time. All of the residents here took time to get used to their new cat tree, too.

You're lookin' good sweetie!

On the home front, Lilo got sprung this morning - it was clear she'd used the litter pan over night, so today sh'e crate free. She's still a bit jumpy and the cats on the other side of the French doors are clearly not appreciated yet.

It's kind of funny, actually. She's got the bedroom for a retreat, but keeps coming back to the den and sitting at the glass doors... and growling when someone comes up. She's now coming up to me and asking for pets, so that's good. Of course if my hand strays more than an inch down her back she warns me off. But we've got progress and a little each day add up to a bunch over time.

My Fair Aggie

I knew she would go one day, really I did. And I'm very, very happy Ali and she are making a forever home together, really I am. Maybe this is just how it feels when children grow up, marry and move away.

It surprised me how hard it was to say goodbye... poor Ali saw some tears last night. But they were those good kind of happy/sad tears I assume the mother of the bride sheds. Sounds silly to say the house feels empty without her, with six kittehs still in residence (3 mine, 3 fosters), but it does. Lerner and Lowe's words flashed through my brain today, so with apologies to them...

I'd grown accustomed to her face.
She almost made the day begin.
I'd grown accustomed to the purrs that
She made all night and noon.
Her smiles, her frowns,
Her ups, her downs
Are second nature to me now;
Like breathing out and breathing in.
I was serenely independent and content before we met;
Surely I could always be that way again-And yet
I'd grown accustomed to her look;
Accustomed to her purr;
Accustomed to her face.

I miss you Aggie, sweetheart! And I'm so very happy for you and Ali, too! I'm looking forward to our visit this summer when your mom goes on vacation!

Celebratory Saturday!!!

Yesterday was "Forget about you Friday." I totally and deliberately blew our gentle readers off on Friday. Why, you may ask? It's because I was in need of some heavy duty snuggling with a certain kitteh, in preparation for today's celebration...

Yes indeed, it's time to meet Aggie's new Mom, Ali!!

Aggie has been adopted!!

I know, I know... you want the back story. Well here it goes... and the best part... it was YOU, Space Paws friends, who brought Ali and Aggie together. Let me explain...

Ali came to Space Paw from Love & Hisses. We first visited Love & Hisses because Martin Hooper dropped us an email telling us to check them out. Martin first hooked up with us from Itty Bitty Kitty Committee & Pitter Pats of Baby Cats, who let their readers know about us. And Robyn at L&H let her readers know about us, too. Sooooo... Robyn, Martin, Laurie and Sue... you ROCK!! Ahhhh... the power of kitteh lovers and the intertubes (and this was an inter-state and international success story... folks in Alabama, Washington state and the UK set in motion an adoption in MD and DC)!

Ali contacted us and told us about herself. She hails from Minnesota where she grew up in a cat lovin' family with four felines. She's been in DC for three years and just moved into an apartment of her own. She was looking for a real snuggler, especially since she's been deprived of feline companionship for such a long time, and asked if we might have a foster who fit the bill.

Have one??? The queen of snuggles, Miss Aggie, has been waiting for someone who wants to get them as much as she loves to give them. So Ali and I called each other, chatted a while, shared some info, and arranged for a meet and greet tonight.

I like to visit potential adopters in their homes and I've got to tell you, I had such a good feeling about this, I packed up the usual "adoption kit" for someone who doesn't have a cat yet, just in case my intuition was right. (Thanks, Sharon, for those wonderful bags you've brought goodies in when you've come to visit Grey... one has now been recycled as an adoption goodie carrier!)

I plunked the kit next to the door and when I brought the carrier up, what did I find? Miss Aggie, waiting patiently for me, as if she knew it was time to go.

Here's the last shot of Miss Aggie at Space Paws.

Aggie was a great traveler, snuggling in and sleeping most of the way down (it's a 50+ mile trip).

Ali was ready for Aggie... she didn't really need a kit! Looks like she was thinking "adoption" not just "meet and greet," too. I should have taken a picture of the pile of food, treats, toys, grooming aids, etc. She'd even bought a water fountain for Aggie!

Ummmm... do you think Aggie relaxed quickly??

Aggie, queen of the new digs! (Yes, Sonia, your peacock feathers are now in two homes "out of state"...LOL!)

Aggie is going to be one pampered kitteh, folks!! Ali showed me the picture of the totally incredible cat tree she's ordered. Better yet, once Aggie is comfy in her new quarters, Ali is planning to adopt a kitten, too! And Aggie is ready, thanks to Percy's indefatigable playfulness. Aggie was slowly socializing until we had a breakthrough in December. Once "comfort contact" had been made, not just playing, she's been just a sweetie with all the residents.

Aggie and Ali, we are soooo happy for you!! Here's to a wonderful new life together!