13 Monday May 2013
Posted in HOKAFI KITTIES
Tags
animal shelter, cats, Finn, Helen Krause, HOKAFI, Lucky, Nutmeg, Russel, Rusty 2, special needs, Tiara, volunteer
Hi, everyone! Just a note to let you know we’re still here. We’re just very busy resting.
Here are some iPhone pictures of us taking it easy. 
Best wishes to everyone!
~Lemony and the kitties of SP#1
01 Wednesday May 2013
Posted in HOKAFI KITTIES
Tags
animal shelter, cats, Helen Krause, HOKAFI, Rusty 2, senior cats, special needs, Tiara, volunteer
Today, I was eager to see how things have sorted themselves out in SP#1 with the “situation at the sink” (see yesterday’s post for more info). As you can see, Tiara is completely stressed out.
10 Wednesday Apr 2013
Posted in HOKAFI KITTIES
Tags
adoption, animal shelter, cats, Helen Krause, HOKAFI, Katarina, McGee, Rascal, Toby Town, volunteer
I want to thank everyone for the comments you wrote after my last post (two weeks ago). I was very touched by your words of support and the kind words you sent to sweet Alexander and Lucky. I have fallen behind lately in replies, but your visits and words mean a great deal not just to me, but to others at HOKAFI. We pass on all of your good wishes and love to the kitties.
Today I met McGee down in Toby Town (a separate building dedicated to cats, visible from the SP#1 porch). After hanging out for so long with my senior SP#1 gang, I had forgotten how challenging and funny it can be to try to photograph young cats. I spent quite a bit of time just following McGee, watching how he moved, trying to figure out what my angle would be. If I crouched down at all, he would be up in my lap in a flash (along with twelve other cats). This happened several times, and of course I was a sucker every time, thinking this time maybe he would stay put. I have lots of photos of a pink blurry nose launching into the lens.
We had 80-degree weather today, and so many of the Toby Town crew were enjoying themselves on the porch. I thought I might be able to snap a few shots of McGee lying down in the sun, but he is much to busy to lounge around. I did get this shot before he leapt into action:
My strategy in the end, to keep McGee’s attention off of me, but still engage him, so that I could capture his face (without him charging the camera) was “the leaf game.” A lot of the images on my camera card turned out like this 
:
And this:
But in the end, I did get a few pictures of this precious boy:
From what I understand, McGee was brought to Toby Town to learn from some of the grown up cats how to follow some of the rules of the cat world. Rule #1, McGee does not rule the universe and cannot boss around the other kitties. Although he does have issues with other cats, he is a sweet, sweet baby (and he will even let you hold him like one). He loves to play and is the “resident-helper,” assisting with various tasks around Toby Town. I enjoyed my visit with him today, and will maybe bring a different camera next time to take images from further away.
Back in SP#1, we spent a lot of time just sitting out on the porch. That extra vitamin D just knocks some of us out.
Until next time!
~Lemony
20 Wednesday Mar 2013
Posted in HOKAFI KITTIES
Tags
animal shelter, cats, Helen Krause, HOKAFI, Izzy, senior cats, SP#2, volunteer
I often have the impression that someone is watching me when I’m doing my chores in SP#1, and lo and behold, someone is! It’s IZZY! She’s often peering with her giant eyes at me through the window between SP#1 and SP#2. Full of energy, affection, and play, Izzy is an utterly irresistible cat!
28 Thursday Feb 2013
Posted in HOKAFI KITTIES
Tags
animal shelter, cat adoption, cats, Confetti, Corner Room, Helen Krause, HOKAFI, Katarina, Ryan, volunteer
Corner Room at HOKAFI is teeming with young, healthy, rambunctious kitty rascals. I could almost not believe my eyes when I saw Ryan, not because he is a polydactyl (because he does proudly sport some adorable extra toes), but because his eyes are the most unusual color I’ve ever seen: a splendid deep honey-amber-red. My photos, taken with my iPhone, do not quite capture the color accurately. I also realize, on days like this, how important it is to have my regular camera with me. These cats are on the move: I need some built-in help to control the blur !
Ryan is attentive, curious, affectionate, cuddly: everything a hopeful cat-owner is probably looking for in an animal companion. He is the rare kind of cat that lets you cradle him like a baby (on his back).
Confetti is one of Ryan’s roommates, and exhibited many of the same characteristics he does: she’s playful, inquisitive, affectionate, and ADORABLE. When I was trying to take pictures in the room, Confetti and Ryan both kept leaping into each other’s picture (Photobomb! ) or bumping my arm. They also played with each other, which suggests they are both comfortable with and enjoy the presence of another cat.
Two sweet cats waiting for a forever home!
Meanwhile, in SP#1:
I hope everyone is having a great week!
~Lemony
