Three Cheers for Sox!

Tags

animal shelter, cats, HOKAFI, Sox, special needs, Surgery, volunteer

Sox had his surgery last Thursday to remove his right eye. After the update from Kim earlier in the week (see the comments section from my post last week),  who indicated that it would be  touch and go for a while, and that he was very tired, I tried not to have any expectations today when I went in.

I arrived in SP#1, and after Billy Bob’s usual rush to the door, I went immediately to the “recovery condo” to see Sox.  He peered up at me as he always does, with his same darling, spunky expression.  He stirred, and stretched, and got up for some food, and then started meowing for me to “LET HIM OUT!!”

I didn’t realize until Kim came in that he was allowed to come out under supervision.  We opened the door, and he made his way immediately to the sink for a big, long drink of water.  Then he started running and playing about like he always does.  Then, after he wore himself out, he settled down for a nice nap at the top of the tallest tree with a nice lookout.

It looks like he’ll be back to his old self in no time!  Yay for Sox!  And a big thank you to the vet and VMTs, and all of  the staff, and volunteers—his many caretakers—who have seen him through this surgery and are continuing to care for him during this period of recovery.  Thank you, too, to those who donated to his care to make his surgery possible.

Sox playing with his favorite mouse

Sox's "MOUSE" (sorry it's a bit blurry! He was trying to escape the mighty claws of Sox!)

Sox hanging out, after chasing Billy Bob's tail.

Sox looking cool, taking a bath

Sox on top of the world (well, the tallest tree house in the room)

Although I have been keeping up with posting every week, I am behind with my blogging in that I have not managed to announce, in the official and appropriate manner required, that I and the kitties of SP#1 have been recognized by the one and only and very wonderful Pedro (of  
http://pedrothecat.com
 renown)  for the “Wonderful  Blogging Award.”  I hope to follow through with the requirements for receipt of this blogging award on behalf of the kitties SP#1 in the near future, but wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks to Pedro, especially from [C]atarina, who feels so wonderfully wonderful to be honored in this way.  Thank you, Pedro!

A Zest for Play

Tags

animal shelter, cats, HOKAFI, Katarina, play, special needs, video, volunteer

A quick post today with more to follow (I hope) in the next day or two.

I’ve noted before what a complex creature sweet Katarina can be.  She yearns to be the center of attention, longs desperately for a lap (well, and mostly a shoulder and neck), reveals both heart-breaking insecurity and spectacular authority (depending on her mood), and most of all, demonstrates a wonderful sense of play.  I’ve learned to recognize the signs for when one of her—how shall I refer to them—“episodes” is coming on.  It’s a sort of self-willed attack of the imagination.  Her ears perk up and her claws dig in, and the event begins.  I arrived a bit late this time with my Flip, but here are a few of the clips that capture the moment.

Katarina Gets Her Wiggles Out

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What Happened to the Rules?

Tags

animal shelter, cats, HOKAFI, Rascal, Sox, special needs, Tiara, volunteer

As promised, I’m back with more from SP#1.  Today, I bring you two Flip Clip videos, the first featuring Sox and friends at the sink.  Sox has really changed the dynamics in the room.  There was a clear rank before, but he is either totally unaware of it or absolutely uninterested in obeying the law the land.  He basically just does what he wants, when he wants, without an offensive attitude:  he just does it and gets away with it, and without setting off the others (well, they might be slightly irritated, but it’s nothing serious).

Traffic Jam at THE SINK

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This second video features Sox in the few seconds that I let him outside (he was out less than a minute, but he was clearly thrilled to be out there).  It was a very brisk afternoon, but he was stir crazy and climbing the walls, excited to play, so I opened the door to the porch to give him a chance to get some air.  We brought his mouse along with him.

Sox Gets Some Air

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What a little love he is!

See you all next week!

Kitty Laser Soccer, Anyone?

Tags

animal shelter, Billy Bob, blind, Cassidy, cats, HOKAFI, Holly, play, Sox, special needs, video, volunteer

I had an incredible day in SP#1 today.  So much was happening that it will take me more than one post to share it all (so I will be writing an extra post this week to get everything in) .

All of the cats were doing exceptionally well. I had so much fun playing with them, and brought along my Flip (video camera) to capture some of the action.

Before I post some videos, I want to offer a brief update on Sox and Holly, in particular, since people have asked me about them.  Sox was FULL of energy today and has fully adapted to the room.  If he eventually moves over to the “adoptable list,” he will surely make a wonderful companion for someone.  He is a loving, boisterous little being who is eager for interaction.  (My post later this week will feature a video with Sox.)

Holly (the blind and deaf cat who arrived a few weeks ago) is also doing well.  Although she is hanging out by one of the water bowl areas and has claimed this section of the room as one of her territories (which she heartily defends when she senses that other cats are around), she longs for attention and leans into a head and neck rub with her entire body.  I wish I could sit there all day with her, just so she could feel safe and not worry about bumping into the other cats.

There were two BIG highlights for me today.  One was seeing Billy Bob play for the first time.  Kim told me in a comment here on my blog last week that she had gotten him to play with a laser light and suggested I bring one in.  Well, I did, and I saw with my own eyes what I’ve been hoping to see for months.  I don’t know if we can really call it playing, since it’s more like he’s “chasing” or, rather following and pouncing on the red light,  but he is, as you’ll see in the video here, definitely in a mode I’ve never witnessed him in before.  Usually so watchful and reticent, he actually demonstrates a bit of enthusiasm.  What a delight to see him leap outside of himself a little bit.  I just adore Billy Bob.  Here he is in action with SP#1-mates Dixie and Angel.  For the best viewing experience, let the video load entirely before clicking play (if you’re having buffering issues).

Ever Heard of Laser Soccer

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I was also beside myself when I discovered that Cassidy, of ALL cats, showed some interest in the laser.  I love Cassidy, and my humor in the title of the video below is just for fun.  I think Cassidy is actually one of the most self-possessed and sanest cats in the room.  She comes across as grumpy sometimes, because she doesn’t like people (or other cats) getting in her space (but you have to consider her circumstances).  She is beautiful cat and today I had the great pleasure of giving her a few minutes of entertainment and a break in the monotony of her day. I also discovered (and I am VERY happy about this because it’s something I can easily do for her in the future) that Cassidy likes to have her eyebrows gently massaged (in a certain direction that I can’t quite describe, but somehow I figured it out intuitively):  she was completely relaxed and purring like I’ve never heard her purr before.  I love it when I discover something like this:  it can mean a complete change in my relationship with the cat.  Here is Cassidy playing with the laser light:

Cassidy Rises for a Moment of Divertissement (A Lovely Bout of Laser Light)

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I’ll be back later this week with another post about the kitties in SP#1.  Thanks for tuning in!

A Quick Post Before the Post-Holiday Collapse

Tags

animal shelter, cats, HOKAFI, Kitties, special needs, volunteer

After traveling back to town from a wonderful family visit in Maine (only to be met by colder weather here in Central PA than what we had north of Acadia National Park), I found the kitties in SP#1 warm and cozy, and some of them ready to play with the new toys that I discovered lying around the room.  Someone must have remembered the kitties for the holidays!

Dixie is a cat in the wild when it comes to play.  Her whole body transforms as she races and leaps around, pouncing on her “prey.” Somewhat on the chubby side, she magically morphs into a swift, sleek panther right before my eyes.  There is no question:  sweet, pudgy Dixie can hunt with the big cats.  What a beautiful creature.

Dixie

Angel was in top form today, too, keen to have her turn with the toys, and, of course, the towels.

Angel

Sox, the adorable newbie in the room, was all over the place.  As I said in an earlier post, it is hard to believe he is a “senior” cat… He behaves like my one-year-old cat,  getting into all kinds of mischief and tearing around like a kitten.  He finally wore himself out and settled down for a rest (which is what I’m about to do!)

Sox Yawning

Happy New Year to all!