Ahhh...at last, retirement !!!

The stray cat becomes my cat

He's been hanging around for several weeks.
Maybe it's because I feed him.

He has several favorite places to relax.

I named him George after an old family friend. 

He finally got used to me enough to let me pet him. Then I could even pick him up.

So I was able to get him into a carrier to take him to the vet to be neutered. He's an outside cat (so far) so I don't want him impregnating the neighborhood.

I thought he would hate me after all that but he's been friendlier than ever. He sits with me for two petting sessions every day.

My friend, Don came over yesterday in his golf cart. We were sitting in the kitchen chatting when I looked out the window and saw this...

Maybe he'd rather go home with Don.

Or maybe he can drive. I notice Don left the key in the ignition.

My stray cat

I certainly don't need another cat but I can't stand to see an animal go hungry. He doesn't allow me to get near him but comes every day for his breakfast and dinner. One time he sniffed my hand. He's very "talky" and really sounds like he's carrying on a conversation.

I'm going to contact the Feral Cat Society and see if they can trap him and get him fixed.

Sitting on the planter ledge ( two stories up) outside the living room window.
Who could resist?

Looking quite content.

Making himself at home on a broken bench on the deck off my art room.

A ceramic cat at Al and Linda Brandli's house. I think Al might have made it. 

I wonder if my stray cat once lived down the street at the Brandli's? I must call and ask them.

Rescued kitten

My neighbor, Don, found this abandoned baby kitten. He told me he found it in my driveway. Probably so that I'd feel more responsible and would be more apt to take it in. He didn't really find it there but the ruse worked. I couldn't resist.

I certainly didn't need another cat. At the moment I have 4 plus a stray that I've been feeding. My neighbor, Paula, came over to help and had called a friend who might be interested in taking it.
The friend came and brought some kitten formula but said her husband wouldn't let her have it.
I guess that's another reason I don't have a husband!!!

Paula suggested the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary might have some nursing mother cats who could maybe take it in. I didn't really want to burden them since I know they are up to their eyeballs in cats.
I bottle fed the kitten for a couple of days. Luckily it slept all night. I called and emailed everyone I knew but no takers.

I went to the sanctuary and asked them. They knew of a sanctuary that had nursing mother cats and abandoned kittens. They had someone who was going to take some of their kittens there that afternoon. They also said they had wonderful success with finding them homes. She told me it was 100 percent. Hurray! I was so happy. I left them a very large contribution. I left with a few tears. I had already gotten a little attached. One more day and I would have had a 6th cat.

R.I.P. Abby

At the office.

Casting a "no" vote for Sarah Palin.
(Tails- you lose)

Casting a "yes" vote for the Olympic swimmer.

Keeping hydrated.

Abby and her daughter, Sassy. Reluctantly sharing her basket.

Waiting to go home with Nancy and Tootie after the Fallbrook fire evacuation.

She loved to come to our book club.

Getting some sun.

Last photo.

A long and happy life!

A few of the cats and dogs in our life.

You can lead a dog to water...

Time for the beauty salon!

Living on the edge!

Could you get me the next size up?

The new cat houses are built and ready for occupancy.

 

 This one is right outside the office.

This one is off my bedroom...

...with a beautiful view. I hope Chloe and Zoe appreciate it.

R.I.P. Ebony

Ebony went to her final reward the day after Osama Bin Laden. I don't know whether that means anything but she was a way better cat than he was a human being.

My friend, Robin, always called her "Mama Kitty" because when she first showed up at my door she was trailed by 5 kittens. ( I still have one of them, called "Baby Kitty" by Robin, but Jeri always called him "Linus"). Jeri has her own name for Ebony, too. She calls her Molly. So Ebony has three names. But like most cats, doesn't come when she's called anyway. So, what's in a name?

Robin and Jeri both knew Ebony (Mama Kitty, Molly) well. Robin often babysat for her and the rest of the cats.  Jeri shared an office with her, the rest of the cats, and Nancy and I. Besides Jeri's other office duties she usually fed Ebony (and the others). She often babysat for her, also.

The thing I'll remember most about Ebony was her beautiful, graceful walk. It was exactly like a model on the "catwalk". I think that must be where the name came from.