Sunday, August 28, 2011

It Starts With Us

A couple years ago while on a walk, John and I noticed a slew of cats at this house. Soon after that I stopped to ask the residents if the cats were spayed/neutered.

An elderly couple lived at the house and had started feeding a cat. Then another appeared and another. Eventually there were over 18 cats and we found out none were spayed/neutered. I knew we had to do something or they would continue to breed and eventually pay with their lives.

So I talked with them about humanely trapping, neutering and returning them. I let them know that we would pay the costs and all they had to do was give us permission to be on their property. They agreed.

So the trapping began and John and I successfully trapped and neutered them all. Mission accomplished.

A friendship developed between the four of us and we frequently went to check on this elderly couple. Sometimes taking food and gifts at Christmas. They loved the visits and we enjoyed being there.

Now fast forward to today. Sadly the woman passed away 2 years ago and her gentleman companion was left. He continued to care for the cats and we continued our visits.

Unfortunately 2 weeks ago he felt he needed to return to Ohio where his son lived. He moved but the cats remained. There was no way he could relocate them, which we knew. Sadly though the cats were not just going to stop showing up each day for food. They had been fed for many years now and the routine was embedded. John and I knew we had to step in.

So we have taken over the job of feeding this colony. My heart breaks because I know they must wonder where their previous caregiver is. And to make matters worse, the daughter of the deceased person who now owns the house…. plans to put the house up for sale.

I am more than distressed. Once this happens we will lose access to the yard to feed. So now I’m in the process of trying to find someone with another colony or a barn and some acreage that we could relocate them to. I haven’t had any luck yet but I am hopeful.

In the meantime, we will continue to provide food for these cats. The daughter refuses to feed them but does let us access the yard, which is good. She wants to have the cats euthanized. Sigh. That’s not in our plan.

We need prayers and hope. This situation is of no fault to these animals. It just breaks my heart. Hopefully with the current real estate market, we will be afforded the time needed to find a solution.

Spaying and neutering is of utmost importance. It prevents situations just like this one. There are low-cost options available everywhere. Please help those that cannot help themselves.

Until next time (when I hope I have better news),
Hannah




Sunday, July 24, 2011

Catching Up

It's been forever since I've posted.  Got sidetracked.  But here I am with some new pics of the feral kids.  

Tipper used to be all skittish and scared.  Wouldn't let anyone get near him.  Typical feral.  But as I went out each day to feed he decided we weren't so bad and let me pet him.  Now he loves the petting more than food and will wait to eat until his head is scratched and he is thoroughly petted.  So cute. 

His fur was so bad and now look at this handsome guy.   All beeeeutiful. 

Next is Gordon.  I've only recently been able to pet him.  Just once.  He'll let me get closer to him so there is progress but he continues to keep his distance.  He dances around like he really, really wants to be loved on but he is just too scared.  Bless his little heart.  

Anyway, he looks good and we're happy to be able to watch over him, know that he has good meals each day and that he is loved. Isn't he a handsome boy?  He does wear too much eyeliner but what can you do? ;-)

I'll have pics of the rest of our gang soon. 

Until next time, 
Hannah

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Time Flies

Holy smokes! Where did the time go?  I can't believe my last post was in September.  Apparently I got so caught up in the holidays I lost track of time.

So here it is February and it feels like spring is on its way!  I spent some time outside today starting to get the garden ready for planting.  So much to be done.  I got so tired just looking at all needing to be done that I almost had to sit and rest a bit.  But soon I got busy moving some plants out of our makeshift greenhouse, giving some plants some much needed fertilizer and planting some onion bulbs.  Junior helped with this.  Ok so what he did was jump in the soil where I was planting and throw himself down wanting to be pet.

This is the first time I've planted onion bulbs. You know the green scallion ones. Typically I start with seeds but I tell ya, that was always a bust.  It takes FOREVER for the dang things to grow and then it always seemed the season had ended and no real onions to speak of.   Just short little green tops with barely anything but a root.  Such a disappointment.  Anyway, so I'm hoping for better luck with the bulbs.

Tipper has come a long way since my last post.  He nows sits on the deck rail peeking in the screened porch to the kitchen reminding us it could be time for breakfast. Or supper.  Or maybe a snack!  And now he loves to be pet.  When he was first on the scene he kept his distance and would hiss and carry on in a dramatic way when we'd go out to feed.  Then when he was distracted with his food we would quickly stroke his fur.  He'd look up in a hurry and try to slap us and then hiss.  LOL!!  We kept this up for several months.  Now he headbutts us to pet and scratch him.  He's too cute.

Here he is peeking in the screened porch.  The picture quality is not so hot (I think my camera has the flu) but you get the idea.



Well that's it for now.  This girl is tired and I need to start supper then call it a day.

Until next time,
Hannah

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