Catnip Hill

A Cat GOes To Heaven. Goodbye Young Man

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:52:08 GMT

HE HAD NO NAME

He appeared from the mist of morning like a shadow. He looked just like one of our cats and I went out to call him in from his escape. It was then I knew that he was a wayfaring wanderer. This big black and white tom was healthy and robust and comfortable to be wild and free.

He had no name but he lived here on the farm and kept the population of rabbits, mice and rats down. He loved to sleep with the goats and sheep, nestled in their warmth during the winter. We tied our best to talk him into being one of our cherished pets but he was the "Cat Who Walked By Himself" type. He eluded every humane trap we set of him. Obviously he felt he didn't need the cat food we used for bait.

His fur was always dazzling white and deepest shining black. When called, Kitty Kitty, he would turn and survey his domain and go about his business. For almost a year he shared his life with us here on the farm.

I could not persuade him to come in from the cold or rain and now I never will be able to try again. His lust for hunting and females became his downfall. We spotted him several days ago. He was dirty and walking on only three legs. He looked so sick. His dazzling white fur was dusty and unkempt. We set the Have A Heart trap in hopes to finally catch him. He had eluded that trap for over a year. Three days later we finally caught him. His inablilty to hunt and hunger got the best of him. We rushed him to the vet. He was so wild that he had to be sedated in the trap before the vet dared to touch him.

The evaluation was heart breaking, his injuries severe. He had a broken femur. Considering his feral lifestyle and his total fear of people we decided that a long term rehab, trapped in a cage with constant human contact would be cruel and inhumane. He was all ready sedated so I finally got to caress his beautiful head and tell him he was so beautiful and then I let him go to heaven. At least he left this life with someone who cared about him right there at his side.

I urge anyone who has a cat that goes outside to seriously think about what happened to this beautiful cat. Whoever dumped him at our farm thought he would be happy. He was fearful and terrified of people. He lived a rough life and his injuries had to be extremely painful for the few days while we tried to catch him. A well rounded house cat is at bigger risk than this big guy was and he was only about three years old. Such a short life for such a beautiful boy.

Be at peace young man. Although you were wild and untrusting of us we loved you. See you someday at the gates.

DBDustbuny

Smokey and the Squirrel

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:47:56 GMT

If Smokey had his way the squirrel would be a hot lunch. Thanks to the thick glass in the picture window, the squirrel is safe. The squirrel LOVEs to harass Smokey.

Lazarus: His Tough Life

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:46:37 GMT

Lazarus lives such a tough life here. Poor fur kid is kep extremely busy. Here he is in one of his very busy moods.

Tess is at The Rainbow Bridge

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:46:08 GMT

Contessa was a stray that came to us as a rescue. She was a quiet and sweet natured animal but very ill. Yesterday she winged her way to the Rainbow Bridge. Now she is healthy and happy and feels the glows of love that we send to her. Goodbye Sweet Tess. We will miss you.

Lazarus: Alive and Lovin It!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:42:50 GMT

We found Lazarus laying in the road. He was a 10 month old tom cat with a wandering eye for the ladies. Obviously he didn't know enough to look both ways and was clobbered by a passing truck or car. When we came down the road we saw his body laying there. I pulled over and put on my latex gloves so I could move his sad, dead body.

Imagine my surprise when he opened his eyes and looked right at me. I scooped him. The neighbor of the owners sneered and told me to just leave him there in the road. He was dead and good riddance.

After a fast trip to the vet, I found out that they couldn't treat him unless he was a stray or the family signed off on him and gave me possession. The other choice was to get the owners to sign for his treatment. I rushed back to the spot I found him and checked the house across from the nasty neighbor. The woman told me that he was indeed their daughter's cat. Her feelings were that cats were a "dime a dozen" and she would not pay to have him treated. She did however call the vet and give the cat to me.

His injuries included a badly broken jaw, a broken eye orbit and bumps and bruises. His jaw was wired shut and he had a food tube inserted into his side. His medical bills were high but worth it to see him improving each day. After a week he was allowed to come home to live with me forever. For the next six weeks this cat, who didn't know me, allowed me to feed him through his food tube and treat him for his injuries. He purred and rubbed and loved every minute of attention.

We named him Lazarus because he arose from certain death. Now "Laz" is a happy cat full of life and love. He enjoys to ride in the van and goes to help pick up the mail. If you ask him if he would like to "go postal" he comes running to be harnessed. He also loves to go to Pet Smart, Tractor Supply and of all places, the vet office. He has fans everywhere. We are volunteer firefighters and Laz is Mouse Control Officer and Moral Officer. He loves to go to the fire hall and check things out.

As he has aged his jaw has grown a bit crooked and he looks like he has a Popeye squint. He is now loosing his hearing but he is just as sweet and loving as he always has been. His former owner has no idea what she has missed. A year ago she contacted me to tell me she wanted her cat back. No chance! Laz is glued to us forever.

Sabu: The Clown Prince of My Life

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:39:03 GMT

Sabu came to us as a three week old orphan. Now at over two years of age he is his momma little boy. Because he was imprinted on me he has stayed here with us and will be our "forever" cat. He really is a laid back guy and lets me do all kinds of crazy stunts with him. Here are some of the more crazy looks of our dear Sabu.

How to Handle a Pushy Sister

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:08:23 GMT

I am the great and all wonderful Sabu. I rule my sisters and momma is MINE! When my sister decides that she wants momma's attention I just settle the whole deal by muscling in on her. Momma is MINE there sister, and I'm gonna Squish you FLAT! Starring in my little movie is ME the Great Sabu, and my sisters Mandy Loo Hoo and Willow Sioux. My other sisters, Starina, Molly and Fizzgig will star with me some other time. Kitty Chow for now.

Photo Memories

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:01:05 GMT

Just wanted to share some of the photographs that have been taken over the years. Sometimes it is fun to just dig the photos out of moth balls and enjoy them. Hope you enjoy them too.

Danube

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:54:40 GMT

This is Danube. He was found by a lady who was considered a "collector." Although I tried many times to take him home she would not let me have him. When he became very ill, she would not take him to the vet. I offered to pay his bill with the understanding that Danube would come to me if she ever decided to get rid of him. I monitored him and the other cats as well.

At one time she had over 150 cats and then she brought one home that was feline leukemia positive. Because of the over crowding and stress the cats started to die out so very fast . I was sick at heart as each time I visited there would be several cats less to watch over. I rescued newborn kittens when I could but this collector went from over 150 cats to just 47 in about a year.

I got a call one day to come and get Danube. The collector was going to call the humane society to pick up all the cats and the three dogs. She had just had enough. I rushed over and picked Danny up. He was thinner than I had ever seen him and looked so sad. I was so glad that I had demanded that he have his Feline Leukemia shots and boosters and all his other shots too. The collector promptly left the doors unlocked and moved everything out of the trailer where she was living. As she left the trailer she called the humane society and told them to come and get the cats and dogs.

Danny is a happy guy now and has a forever home here with us. He is now pushing 16 yrs old and is starting to show his age. He is loosing weight and had other major health issues but is my happy boy for the most part. He sends purrs and head butts to you all.

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:54:48 GMT

How To Photograph A Cat

-Put the cat on a pillow.

-Set up your camera.

-Put the cat back on the pillow.

-Get a bowl of food and put it next to the pillow.

-Put the cat back on the pillow.

-Grab the food bowl and follow the cat. As you run, hold the bowl in your cat's face, tempting her to eat.

-See if the neighbours will come over and pick up the sofa while you snap a picture of the cat underneath.

-Cross the names of your neighbours off the guest list for your next party.

-Put the cat back on the pillow.

-Place a catnip-stuffed mouse in front of your cat and wait for your cat to go crazy.

-Decide on a family portrait with the cat instead.

-To stop the argument over which child gets to pose with the cat, agree to take pictures of each child holding the cat on her lap.

-Tell each child that it doesn't matter who holds the cat first because you'll shuffle the pictures after they're developed.

-Get more cats (one for each child) and go back to step one.