Am…musings

Did you know baby mourning dove can hatch then grow enough to be self-sufficient AND fly in a week and half? One of babes was born a day earlier than the other … it left Thursday … along with momma, leaving this poor guy by himself …

And when I came home Friday afternoon, the nest was empty.

Then today, the Stray Rescue foster kitty, Ollie … who I didn’t even have long enough to blog about … went to what I expect will be her forever home. I picked her up from the vet Tuesday. The adoption application came Thursday. I checked references Friday and went for the home visit today. The couple is awesome, and they have a nice home (I’m a sucker for big, white-railing front porches) about two minutes from D’s. As long as Ollie does ok with their cat Abby, we’re in business. She is a super sweetie and a cutie …

so I’ll miss her, but didn’t really have much of a chance to get attached in the few short days she was here.

I began the New Year with one less animal … waking to an empty fishbowl where Jackson, the pretty blue betta fish, should have been merrily swimming.

Because you’re smart, you’ve probably deduced from the title the foster kitty, Miss Tiger Lily, was the culprit. Jackson’s person (yeah, that’s me) also must take a fair amount of the blame for her stupidity and underestimation of said kitty. I’d even been warned by my neighbor, who cared for Tiger Lily while I was on vacation, that she’d been trying to get the fish.

He was on a high-ish shelf in the bathroom so she wasn’t having much luck (I’d read betta’s like warmer temps and figured that was the warmest room in the house). However, his bowl was funky when I returned so I moved him to the kitchen for cleaning. While the fresh water reached room temperature, I set him far back on the counter, thinking he’d be out of sight. Most pathetic of all … I had lamely placed an envelope over the bowl opening. Seriously? What the heck did I think that was going to do?!

Honestly, I’ve never seen her jump on the counter (must be a new trick learned while I was out of town). She’s also the clumsiest kitty ever and I figured I’d hear her knocking over glasses and other items I’d hastily left on the counter in prep for New Year’s Eve at the neighbors.

Is a dead fish worthy of eulogy? Maybe not, but Jackson was kind of cool (for a fish that is) and very pretty. Also, there’s the guilt and my need to come clean about playing a part in his death . RIP Jackson.

Somehow Miss Tiger Lily, the Stray Rescue foster kitty, has gotten herself in a bit of a predicament. One minute she was fine. The next minute a quarter of her body was covered with a huge shipping/price tag sticker – I assume from the bottom of my new living room furniture (the digital camera is dead so this is the best pic I can get with the iPhone … but at least you can sort of see my fantastic new furniture too!).

The enormous sticky thing on her side has her a little freaked so I’m having trouble getting close enough to try to help. It’s only worked once and it’s so stuck to her I pulled out quite a bit of fur on one little corner. I feel awful because it reminded me of the waxing strips when I have my brows done, and I know that hurts.

If she were a dog, I’d just grab her, but cats are squirmier and stealthier. Plus, she has her claws and I’m afraid of puncture wounds given the pain I imagine I’ll be inflicting. I guess I’ll let her calm down a bit and try again. Although, Chewy’s been trying to help by licking and pulling at it and she’s letting him. I’m hoping it works … regardless, it’s the cutest, sweetest thing to watch.

It’s nearly the one year anniversary of my first Stray Rescue fosters. The number one question I hear is whether it’s hard to let them go. I’ve always been able to say “yes, but really no” before. Yes, because they become a part of your life and it’s always a little sad. No, because before Tiger Lilly, I’ve always fostered puppies and they are A LOT of work and hassle … crying at night at first, making messes in the house (when they are super young they are so silly and excited that they often step in it requiring baths), digging in the mud (also requiring baths), needing to go out rather frequently.

Not so with the kitty. She’s quiet unless her food bowl is empty or she wants a little attention. She uses a litter box so no messes in the house, mud or running home to let her out. And she’s as sweet as can be. I forgot how cool purring is … it makes me smile. Of course, a dog is always happy to have attention, but with a kitty, it seems like you earn their appreciation and are rewarded with the sound of a running motor.

Yeah, I’m thinking it might be harder to give this one up.

My newest Stray Rescue foster, Tiger Lily, was still under the futon when I woke up this morning, but started purring the minute I got on the floor and lifted the cover. With a little coaxing she came out for some petting, more rolling on her back and even some cuddling.

After work, I took Chewy for another play date and lured her out with the feather toy. She’s jumpy, scrambling toward the office any time I move, but she usually stops short of going under the futon and slowly ventures back out. She even lets me hold her and jumps up on my lap, snuggling up and purring all the while. Poor thing … I think she’s starved for interaction, but is just scared … she was in a kennel at the vet for most of her life.

And here she is …

PS I’m still toying with nicknames. In her comment on yesterday’s post Deborah used T-Lily. It sounds a little rapper-esque, which is fun, but I don’t think it fits the little miss (I’m not sure what she weighs, but if it’s five or six pounds I’d be surprised).

I brought home my newest Stray Rescue foster last night … this time a cutie kitty. I haven’t had a cat since my early college years … five (ok, eighteen!) years ago. I’m so out of practice I had to query my roommate from back then, who has had cats since, on the proper supplies … I would have totally forgotten toys, treats and the so very important litter scoop (thanks Deb!).

When we got home, Tiger Lily (a big name for a very petite 7-month-old Tabby … although she does resemble a tiger) seemed totally laid back and cool, lounging in her kitty carrier as Chewy was being an overeager spazz trying to greet her. I took her into the office, closed the door and expected her to coolly walk out of the crate and casually greet me, aloof cat style. Instead, she darted … and I mean fast … into the closet that was slightly open. I later lured her out with treats and she let me pet her for a bit, but something spooked her and she was quickly under the futon.

I shipped Chewy to the neighbors’ for a playdate with their dog Timmy and I convinced Tiger Lilly (ok, this cat needs a nickname!) to come out of hiding with a nifty bouncy feather toy. She was purring and rolling over for me and even gingerly made her way into the kitchen. Then … here’s where I begin to question my smarts … she grabbed the feather toy that I’d stupidly left on the floor and took it under the futon with her. Now, how was I going to get her out? I had to get on the floor with a broom to get the toy and totally gave up on getting her out again for time being.

So stayed tuned for pics … when I get smart enough and she gets better settled.

P.S. If you know anyone looking for a Christmas kitty, Tiger Lily seems totally cool (despite the name and the darting, which I have no doubt she’ll get over due to her penchant for petting and feather toys).