Before the launch.  (Look at his silky fur, by the way.)

(This mouse never had a chance.)

Cleaning up after the kill.

The whirlwind begins again.

Was that toy looking at me?

Take that!

Sox was hanging in there today with his cone. I got lots of purrs out of him when I groomed him and rubbed his neck.  He had on a nice comfortable, cushy collar to which the cone was attached  this time, to make it a bit more comfortable for him.  I think Kim and Linda try to give him a little time without the cone whenever they can.   Pedro, we’re on the lookout for the care package you sent, and we’ll be sure to take pictures of Sox playing with his new toys once it arrives.  You are such a generous and caring kitty to send such a thoughtful package.  I talked a lot to Sox about you, Pedro,  and gave him lots of love from you while I was there.

The rest of the gang was enjoying the warmer weather today.  Everyone took a tour of the porch.  Holly really enjoys the porch; I think she must love the fresh breeze.

I am happy to report, too, that I have, for three weeks in a row now, found the “sweet spot” in between Cassidy’s “eyebrows.”  Cassidy is not a kitty that likes to be petted, but she purrs now when I gently massage this small area between her eyes.

I love that I am finding ways to connect with each cat in the room and bring some pleasure or comfort to their day.  They are a precious bunch, just as all the cats are at the shelter,  and I feel so lucky to have the time that I do to spend with them.

I was surprised to see that Sox had a protective cone around his sweet head today when I arrived in SP#1.  A note was posted indicating that he had been back to the vet to have his eye socket re-sutured…, poor baby.  You can imagine he was not happy about the cone.  He still made his way up to the sink to have his turn (although he seems to understand now that Tiara goes first).  Katarina and Rascal waited patiently while he had big drink of water.  I held the cone back for him a bit so he could get his tongue under the stream (otherwise he couldn’t get his face under the water without the water also filling the cone…)  But after his drink, he wore himself out banging around the room trying get past the cone.  He really was exhausted, and after looking out the window for a few minutes on the top perch, he slept the entire time I was there.

Holly seems to be doing really well.  Although she naturally has to be somewhat on the defensive, just to protect herself when she accidentally bumps into other cats, I noticed she was sitting more in the open and lying on the floor away from her usual “home bases.”

It’s funny because when I vacuum the room, the other cats scramble to wherever I’m not, to get out of the way of that awful noise (except for Lady Cassidy who is totally “chill” believe it or not and just stays sacked out where she is).  Holly, on the other hand, follows me.  I’ve suspected that she can hear the vacuum or feel the vibrations and knows that a human operates it, and she likes to be wherever the  human in the room is.  She purr-purr—purrred a lot today.

Katarina was her usual BIG BABY self and kept leaping (literally) into my arms, even when I was not expecting her to.  If I look available in anyway (i.e. if I’m not cleaning or occupied by another cat), she makes her move.  I know I’ve said this repeatedly, but I just adore her.

Rascal and I have reached a new level in our relationship.  I “get” him now in a way I might not have before, or maybe he “gets” me… Whatever it is, something has changed, and we have big, long lap sessions now.  He seeks me out several times during my visit to let me know he’d like some attention. He would make such a wonderful companion for someone.  He does have asthma but he does not require treatment for it.  The main thing about Rascal is that he needs to be the only cat in the house.  He is a beautiful, loving cat.  I am going to try to devote some video time to him next week to share here, and maybe through this blog, we can find a home for Rascal.

As always, I spent one-on-one time with each kitty:  Dixie, Cassidy, Tiara, Lucky, Autumn, Angel, Nutmeg, and Billy Bob are also doing very well.

Hope everyone had a Happy Valentines Day!  Kisses from the Kitties in SP#1!

So, I’m going to share a few of the many videos I have of the cats from some of the other rooms at the HOKAFI shelter (Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation, Inc.).  My ultimate plan is to create 15-second videos for Petfinder (15 seconds is the maximum) for those cats at the shelter that are adoptable.  But, of course, my videos are much longer, and so I have to edit them.  In the process, I also string a few clips together (just because it’s fun and I can share them with you here).

When I first started this project, I went to The Virginia Room, where I met, and immediately fell in love with Nike.  I did not notice at first that Nike only has three legs.  He moves and plays quite fluidly, and so it was only until I heard him walking that it occurred to me that there was something different about him.  But he is incredibly interactive and eager to play.  He followed me everywhere in the room, and clearly wanted to be the start of every video.

First I’ll show you the 15-second version clip of Nike. (It goes so quickly! It’s too bad we can only offer 15 seconds at Petfinder.)  And the second video shows Nike playing a game of ball with Lucy (at least, I think it’s Lucy, and trust that Chris or Kim will correct if I’m wrong).  Lucy was just adopted last week, very soon after I took this video.

Now, I’d like to present the completely adorable Hickory.  How this sweet cat has not been adopted already, I don’t know.  All I can say is what an absolute LOVE BABY:

And finally, the most mischievous cat in the room who also is graced with the most innocent looking face:  Naomi!  As you’ll see in the video, she was quite fascinated by my Flip Camera case.

Who can resist these sweet babies?

I am delighted to say that Sox was looking great today:  out and about and far along in his recovery.  As Kim mentioned in a comment earlier in the week, he should be getting his stitches out on Friday.

All of my camera cards and video FLIPs are filled to capacity at the moment, as is the hard disc on my computer!  This means, I’m STUCK!  I have to offload things onto an external hard drive before I can upload the MANY new videos I have of all the kitties in some of the other rooms at the shelter, as well as the photographs I’ve taken.

By the way, I have another blog (launched a few weeks ago) devoted to photography, and THIS is one of the causes for the space problem.  My RAW photographs are hogging up tons of space on my computer.  (If you’re interested my other blog address is:  lemonygregghead.wordpress.com)

One of my favorite bloggers  (http://rumpydog.wordpress.com/), whom I discovered through this Lemony Squeezes blog, has been a loyal visitor of that blog:  THANKS, RUMPY!!

If you’re interested in knowing a little bit more about me, there is a recent post there where I tell it all!! Not really, but you can at least get to know me a little better, and it might explain (at least a little) to sweet Pedro (http://pedrothecat.com) why I’m so behind in accepting awards! (I’m super busy! But I will GET there eventually!)

ANYWAY, all of this to say that I don’t have photos from today.  I do have two photographs from last week that I took of Angel.

I’ll get back in gear when things settle down and my data storage gets sorted out.  In the meantime I wanted to say that having the opportunity to volunteer at the shelter has made me more aware of potential health problems that might arise with my own cats.  Having seen Sox just go through eye surgery that became necessary from untreated glaucoma (when he was still with his former owner), I actually took my cat Serafina to the vet, after noticing that one of her eyes was slightly enlarged (ever so slightly).  Fortunately we caught the increased eye-pressure early, and the condition is treatable with drops (three times per day for the rest of her life).  But the awareness one can gain through the exposure to so many animals is just another great reason to volunteer!! You may learn something that will be a real benefit to your own pet!

I’m going to get busy now and start making space for new data! I’ve made some great new friends in the other rooms at HOKAFI.  I can’t wait for you all to meet them!

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!

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.

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.

What a little love he is!

See you all next week!

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).

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:

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

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!

Lemony