29th January - Darcy

I’ve had to go back to basics with Darcy. It was entirely my fault as I had rushed the process too much. Its always so tempting. She was so wanting to come out of the pen, and so I let her out. But it was a mistake. Stupid of me. I should have known. Anyway, the result was that she was having a great time running around the room and playing, but wouldn’t let me near her. She thought the beams were some kind of giant climbing frame, and kept running up them, then looking down on us in triumph.

She also didn’t want to go back in the pen, and as she wouldn’t let me pick her up, that was a bit of a nightmare. Having built up their trust, the last thing you want to do is to grab them and put it all back.

She was also not reliably using her litter tray once she came out. She started out so well, but then was going in the corners. Fortunately I had put things down just in case, but then I spotted her about to go on the sofa.

So, she had to go back in the pen. I’ve borrowed a larger pen from Mark and Stella, with a better door. That way, I can feed her in the pen without her leaping out.

Bailey had gone in to play with her on Sunday night and she gave him a black eye. At least, that’s what it looked like. It was only in play, but she caught him with her claws. Poor baby, he looked so sad looking up at me with one eye half closed.

I took him to the vet today as it was a bit red. It set me back £20, but best to be safe as eyes can get infected so easily. I’ve got drops to put in 3 times a day for 5 days. He is not impressed.

He was even less impressed with the lamb that he came face to face with in the vets. The lamb was baa-ing loudly and Bailey was miaowing back. It got quite noisy in there for a while.

26th January

It's been an eventful couple of days for the kitten. The move went very smoothly on Sunday, and she is now in a pen in the sitting room. She has been out in the room today, and having a great time playing and running around. My cat Bailey is so good with kittens and he has been showing her how to play.

He looked so funny, tipping his head on one side and crooning at her with his paw outstretched. She then went and sat on the sofa and copied him, turning on her back and looking at him upside down. She stretched a bit too far and then fell off the sofa, which scared her and she ran off to hide for a bit.

She came onto my knee to eat some food, and later sat herself down on my leg. Not exactly cuddled up to me - but huge progress all the same.

She has such tiny feet that she looks like a ballerina standing on point. So we've decided to call her Darcy. And if it turns out that I'm wrong and she is a he, then we can just put a "Mister" in front of it. She has to be a she though, she is so dainty and pretty.

Darcy is fascinated by the television - especially when a DVD was ejected. She sat for ages waiting for us to send the DVD drawer in and out. Which of course we did - couldn't resist. We will probably break it - all the in name of entertaining a kitten.

She is back in her pen now, as its safest for her at night time.

The two big boys went to their new home today, so I've got some cleaning out to do. They will be living in Meifod. They have been very well behaved, but I think they will be glad to be in their new home.

24th January

Thought you might like to see a photo of this kitten. She had just woken up here. The worming course was finished today, and she took it so well. She is getting more friendly every day. She purrs when I go in, and rubs against my hand. She has been playing with a toy mouse and batting a ball around.

When she uses the cat litter, every time she piles it up into a neat pyramid shape - amazing. Mark says perhaps she's got Egyptian Mau in her.

Yesterday she was wanting to climb out of the pen, so I think its time she was brought into the sitting room, where she will be able to come out. I've been over to Mark and Stella's today and borrowed a small cat basket. I've put this in the pen with her so that she gets used to going in it. When she is okay with that, I'll use it to transfer her to a pen in the sitting room.

I've been kitten-proofing the room ready. I've put wires out of reach and placed cat beds in all the corners so that she isn't tempted to pee there - at least, that's the idea. In the pen she has been really good with her litter tray, but she may be a bit scared the first time she comes out.

I went across to Argae Cottage today and took photos of all the new cats that have come in. These will go on the website soon. Thank you so much to everyone who has given a home to one of the cats recently. It is much appreciated. And also for all the other help and support that you give.

If anyone has any old duvets that I can use for making cat beds for Mark and Stella to sell, I'd be very grateful for them. Or any fleecy or furry material.

22nd January

The kitten is making amazing progress. When I go out to her now she is ready and waiting to see me. She lets me stroke her and purrs and chirrups, rubbing her head against my hand. I have to make sure she sees my hand coming though, as this evening I touched her when she wasn't looking and she jumped in the air with all her toes spread wide.

I've put some new toys in, which she loves. When I am in the kitchen I can hear her batting her ball around.

I thought I'd better start the worming treatment as her belly is so round. I wasn't quite sure how best to approch it. No cat that I have ever known will eat the paste mixed into meat. They turn their nose up at it and shake their paws in disgust. With tiny kittens its relatively easy to just hold them steady, and dispense the paste into the corner of their mouth. If you then hold their mouth shut they will swallow, or at least that's the general idea. If you don't get this bit right they spit it straight back out all over you. The first time I ever tried I got completely covered. It was at that point that I checked the information leaflet in the box which said in no uncertain terms to avoid skin contact with the stuff. Its a bit late for that when its dripping off your nose. Still, at least I'm not likely to suffer much from worms.

Anyhow, I tried the usual trick of holding her head to put it into the side of her mouth. Predictably enough that totally freaked her out. I should have known better than to try. Not wanting to upset her when she is just getting used to me I decided to try mixing it with her food. I fully expected her to take one sniff and back off, so was amazed when she put her head down into the bowl and scoffed the lot straight off. She then sat back licking her lips and looked me straight in the eyes saying "Well why didn't you just ask me in the first place."

I just hope its that easy tomorrow. Its a three day course. It also tends to give them the squits - so we've got that to look forward to.

The other two boys are doing fine. Herbie seems to think I keep forgetting to let him out in the evening, as after I have fed them at tea time he miaows and miaows. When I go to check he's okay, I find him sitting at the front of the pen, huge green eyes staring at me, trying to communicate with the stupid human to Let Him Out. "I always go out at this time, can you not understand?" I've tried telling him that he can use the litter tray but he says its not the tray he needs, its the Hunting.

These two are incredibly good natured cats. Here they are, cooped up in a pen together when they have been used to having complete freedom. And apart from the intense looks and the miaows, they are very gentlemanly about it. I'm glad they have got a good home to go to. Only a few more days.

20th January

Made some huge leaps forward today - she accepted me stroking her whilst she was eating. That was wonderful. She also looked more relaxed today. Her face has lost its frown, and she was sleeping all stretched out on her side, which was so nice to see.

Tonight I stroked her again at meal time, and she began purring away.

She was interested in some of the toys I showed her, so I made one from string and newspaper. That got a real response and she patted away at it. She has really tiny paws.

When I go to stroke her, her immediate response is to duck her head and cower, but when she realises its friendly, she then arches her back into my hand.

I spent ages with her, with a silly grin on my face. This is what makes it all worth while.

19th January

This morning the kitten had brought back a load of meat and was looking very wary. She wouldn't come near my hand when I offered food, so I left her some to eat in peace. She had used her litter tray though which is a vast improvement as yesterday she had gone in her bed.

Tonight I fed her from my hand, which she accepted so long as I kept fairly still and moved my hand slowly. She starts purring when I feed her, so all the signs are good. It just takes patience.

The two big boys are settled in well and are eating and drinking fine.

18th January

This morning the kitten had really trashed her pen. There was litter everywhere, and the bed was overturned. At least she had eaten her food. She was back to sitting in the litter tray, having somehow managed to throw all the litter out. I put new food in, and cleared things up as best I could without disturbing her too much. She is still in freeze mode - just sits very still and watches me with worried eyes. She keeps her head still, only her eyes move. Obviously she wasn't in freeze mode all night, from the mess she had made.

This stage is always very hard. I feel so desperately sorry for her. Living outside was rough for her, and here she is warm and well fed. But for the next few days she is going to feel very scared of everything. Poor little thing.

If anyone has any suggestions for a name I'd be grateful to hear them. You could email it to the old cat people's admin address. As I don't know if she is definitely a female, it would have to be a name that would do for a girl or a boy.

I've also got two new ones here, that arrived this afternoon. They are quite huge - Fluffy and Herbie. Herbie had very kindly brought up his tea in the cat carrier, and also evacuated his bowels on the way here. Lovely. I can see I'm going to have problems with their names, as Herbie is much fluffier than Fluffy.

They are now cuddled up together in their pen, having had some biscuits to replace what was lost.

Their owner is moving to France and has found it very hard to part with them. They had quite a few cats, mostly ones they had rescued, and couldn't afford to take them all to France. I understand its not terribly cheap to get pet passports. So they are taking some of them, and two are going to Argae Cottage until homes are found, and these two are here until their new owner can have them, in a week's time.

Why are so many people moving away? Is this weather getting to everyone?

New Kitten in Foster Care

Today I picked up a new kitten to foster. It had turned up on a lady's doorstep and she had been keeping an eye on it for some weeks, and putting food down. She had checked to see if it belonged to anyone, but no-one seemed to know anything about it. She thought it might be about 8 weeks old, which worried me, as I couldn't imagine how it had survived all that cold weather by itself.

I went down today, with a cat basket. Having seen the kitten I would guess it is probably about 4 months old. It is black and white, and quite short legged, so appears very small. The lady who had found it thought it might be a girl, but isn't sure as she can't get close to it. I'll call it 'she' for now. She was very shy, but we managed to coax her into the basket, with the help of tuna. The lady would have kept it herself, but they live near the road. She did offer though to help with the cost of neutering. People are extremely kind aren't they.

The kitten is now in a pen in my conservatory. At first she just crouched in the litter box, with that incredibly worried expression that cats get, and keeping very still. I've been in to speak to her a few times, but its best to let her settle in. I've put a blanket over most of the pen so that she will feel safe, but can still see me in the kitchen. While I was preparing the meal tonight, she was watching me, so I pretended to ignore her.

I've just checked now and she has eaten the kitten food I'd put out, and has moved from the litter tray into the bed. There is a heated pad under a fleecy blanket in a box, so she should be much more comfortable tonight than she has been. She has been sleeping in the lady's porch, huddled up to the flower pots.

I'm so glad we got her in today, as the weather has turned awful tonight - rain battering against the window and its blowing a gale. We even had thunder.

My cat has just come in to tell me to go to bed so I'm off and I'll see how she is doing in the morning.

17th January - updates at Argae Cottage

This week has been a busy one for OCP. A number of cats from Argae have found wonderful new homes. This is really great, as some of them have been waiting for a permanent home for some time. If you were one of the people who offered a loving home, then thank you so much.

There are always so many waiting to come in, and a further 10 have arrived at Argae. Sweetpea and Pippa, who's owner has gone to Australia, have moved in until they can be find a new owner. They are settling in well. It must seem very strange for them to see many other cats about. Their owner was really distraught at leaving them, but she will keep in touch, which is great.

There have also been a number of younger ones come in - four kittens of about 4 months, and also a small ginger female found under a car, in a bit of a state. She is being treated at the moment and given lots of TLC.

Joey

31.10.08
Mark rang today to see if I would foster a kitten till he was old enough to be homed. The lady bringing him in had said she thought he was about five weeks old. He’d been abandoned by his mother. Five weeks is usually fairly easy, they can feed themselves, so no bottle feeding, or getting up every two hours through the night. So I said yes.

I arrived at Argae Cottage just after the lady had dropped him off. Stella picked him out of the carrier and he sat in the palm of her hand. His ears were still down, his eyes were a misty blue, and as he opened his mouth to mew, we saw just 2 tiny teeth.

Stella and I looked at each other.

“Does he look 5 weeks to you?” I asked.

“More like 3 or 4 at the most.”

I thought about it for a moment as the significance sunk in. If you have ever done it you will know what I mean. Hand rearing kittens can be quite tricky. They don’t always co-operate terribly well. Some find the bottle hard to get used to. It also means being there to feed them every few hours, day and night. Oh well, I’d said I would look after him, so was committed now.

“Okay, where’s the bottle?”


He was also pretty dirty, his fur all spiky where milk and food had dried into his coat. Poor little guy.

After we got home I warmed his milk and sat him on my knee to feed him. I’ve got Cimicat from the vet and goat’s milk from Mark and Stella’s goats. He screamed a bit, searching frantically for the milk he could smell. Then he latched straight onto the teat and sucked away, his little ears going rhythmically as he sucked, his paws kneading against my fingers. Oh wonderful. He is going to be easy.

He used his litter tray like a pro, covering it all up like a good boy. Then he settled on my knee for a cuddle.

Later on I settled him into the pen in the sitting room. He has a heated pad, a hooded bed and a soft toy to keep him company.

My two cats know there is Something Strange in the sitting room. Raffles, the older one, is keeping out of the way, but Bailey is dying to go see. I don’t want to let them in just yet. Best give him some space.

I’ve decided if I stay up late to give him a late feed and then get up very early morning it won’t feel like I’m getting up in the middle of the night.

1.11.08
Up very early to make sure he is okay. I didn’t like leaving him in the pen last night, but its the safest place for him. He is so tiny, and very wobbly. His legs don’t quite work properly yet, but that doesn’t put him off trying to run.

Tried him with some meat mashed up with milk. I put it through the sieve for him but he made no progress at all– just got very messy, and frustrated. So I’ve decided to concentrate on getting plenty of milk into him. Meat can come later.

He is still very dirty. He has this huge round tummy. I’ll ask Stella how soon I can worm him.

2.11.08
Tried to clean him up today, but he wasn’t keen and I don’t want to stress him, so I didn’t force him.

3.11.08
Been trying to decide on a name. I know that once he is homed the new owner will likely change it, but I have to call him something. He has four grey circles on his back, so maybe Domino.

4.11.08
Domino just didn’t seem to stick, so tonight I tried ‘Joey’. I called it to him and he looked up with his big blue eyes. ‘Joey, is that me? I like that’. So, Joey it is.

5.11.08
I let Bailey in to see him today. He was totally fascinated, and sat gazing in wonder as Joey trundled about the room.

Joey’s motions are very pale, but I guess that’s just the milk. Started the worming too. Poor little guy, it tastes horrid and he pulled a face and smacked his lips together in disgust. Bailey wanted to know what he was getting, so came for a sniff. He obviously didn’t like it all as it made him screw his nose up, blink his eyes and run off.

7.11.08
Bailey has been playing with him and they look so cute together. Bailey is huge and fluffy and to see him laying on his back and stretching a massive paw out, so gently to this tiny creature, is very sweet.

Tried him with meat again today, and he did much better with it this time. Whiskas in gravy. He’s got more teeth now and seems to like the little chunks. So does Bailey, so I have to give him a few pieces too. He is still having lots of milk. Bailey wanted to know what he was having, and kept trying to nuzzle in. When Joey had finished I held the bottle out to Bailey and he tried licking the teat, which flicked it, so he ended up with milk drops all on the ends of his whiskers.

8.11.08
Last night Bailey sat close up to me watching Joey who was asleep on my lap. Suddenly he gave one of those inward gentle noises that you hear mother cats give. Next minute, he was licking Joey to try and clean him up. Joey loved it and purred his head off, eyes shut in delight.

10.11.08
These two are so funny. Bailey is teaching him to play, and Joey keeps trying to bite Bailey, but all he gets is a mouthful of fur.

15.10.08
Now he is gradually getting cleaner we can see what a beautiful kitten he is. He is white, with grey on his head and ears, and four grey circles on his back. His nose is pink. His big round eyes are still blue, but clear now, and he has the sweetest expression. With his white face and big round eyes he has the look of a baby polar bear.

20.11.08
I love this little kitten so much. He is just so incredibly sweet. He wants to be with me, and loves to sleep on my knee, or on my shoulders under my hair. I’m not sure how I’m going to let him go.

Usually I’m okay about that. I worry about finding the right home. I get sad just before they leave, and mooch around a bit after they have gone. I often worry about them after they have left. But I just tell myself that if I keep them all I can’t help the next one. If I find the right home, its best they go where they will be loved, and then I can offer a temporary refuge to the next waif and stray.

But this Joey – he’s got right into my heart.

22.11.08
I had a coffee morning today to raise money for the Old Cat People. Such nice people came along, and sat chatting by the fire. Joey was gorgeous as ever and fell asleep on Stella’s knee.

24.11.08
The worming has given him diarrhoea. It often seems to do. Its so important to worm him, but seems a shame to give him the runs. He’s not bothered by it, but is going to his litter tray fairly frequently.

He will be around 8 or 9 weeks on Friday, so could be homed soon. I am not really ready to let him go. This is going to be such a hard one.

28.11.08
A girl rang tonight to ask about him. I asked her loads of questions about whether she would keep him in at night, where they lived, where he would sleep and so on. Poor girl. Anyway, she sounded lovely, they live in the middle of the countryside, and will keep him in at night. They are coming to see him at the weekend.

1.12.08
Joey has gone. The family came to see him and just loved him. Well, of course they did, he is adorable. So they went away to buy toys and beds etc, and now he has gone to live with them. They were really nice people which makes it a bit easier. But he was still incredibly hard to part with. Bailey is looking lost and has taken to washing a small cuddly toy. I am looking a bit lost myself. Good job I’ve still got my two to cuddle.

Hello!

Welcome to the new blog. I sometimes foster cats and kittens for Mark and Stella and thought you might like to hear about some of them.
Thanks for taking a look.