A Christmas miracle

Later on Christmas day, both Sadie and Lucy sat on my legs.

Then Benny came up too, so I had Jim take a photo.

This was the best Christmas gift of all!

Happy birthday, Benny and Sadie!

Today, Benny turns 12! I can hardly believe it; he's such an active boy. And Sadie turns 4!

Ann from Zoolatry designed these birthday graphics for us.

In unrelated news, I was in our backyard last night and saw Graystripe! I was so excited; I hadn't seen him (or her) in about 10 months. He was heading toward the food station. I was able to talk to him for about 30 seconds, and I checked his ears. Neither were clipped (the sign that a cat has been altered). I may need to revisit the idea of renting the live trap again and see if I can catch him for neutering/spaying.

Enjoy some previous years' celebrations too:

Sadie turns 1 and Benny turns 9

Sadie turns 2 and Benny turns 10

Sadie turns 3 and Benny turns 11

Friday flashback and more updates

Today's Friday flashback is from December 2006. I had forgotten Jim had taken these photos of Tucker. It was the Christmas he'd had pancreatitis. He was a very sick boy that month and spent weeks in the animal hospital. I will never forget that time, but I'm so thankful he pulled through.

In other news, my father-in-law is finally home from the hospital, after staying there 12 days. Sadly, they couldn't give a diagnosis, so they left there with few answers. My mom is slowly healing. Her wound is healing "ok," according to her surgeon. 

Lastly, I'm going to borrow a live trap tonight from the local animal shelter and try to trap Graystripe for spaying/neutering next week (I still don't know his sex). They have an outdoor feral program and he will be altered, given a rabies shot, and have his one ear clipped (as a sign that he's been altered). I know some of you have done this before, but this is my first time, so I'd appreciate some purrs. Graystripe is an elusive cat, who won't be happy to be trapped, but it's for his/her own good, so it needs to be done, especially before the spring kitten season.

A special package for Graystripe

Our friends at Pip's mailed us a special package for Graystripe (the feral we feed)--warming discs for his shelter! I had no idea they were so nice. They are heated in the microwave and stay warm up to 12 hours. They are called Snugglesafe and have nice fleece covers that are removable for warming. I tested one on Tucker, and he gave it two paws up (especially when I put it under the Christmas tree skirt)!

Thanks so much, Pip!

Benny had to inspect the package.

A shelter for Graystripe

This past summer, I noticed a gray tabby lounging on our patio chair. Then a few days later, I saw him eating some stale bread I'd put under the bird feeder. It broke my heart to see this cat reduced to eating bread. . so I've been feeding him.

I named him Graystripe, after a cat in Erin Hunter's series of Warrior Cat books. I'm not sure of this cat's sex; he is so elusive and I've never gotten very close. I'd see him maybe once per week.

With winter on its way, I was concerned for his safety, so I bought a plastic storage organizer to make a shelter. I removed the shelf and tipped it on its side.

I used a brick to make an overhang, and put a blanket and food bowl inside. To my delight, he is using the shelter to access his food daily. It gets dark early here, so I don't see him much, as he comes at night. Tucker inspected the shelter before I took it outside.

I know several of you have trapped and spayed/neutered ferals, and I hope to eventually do this.