Mamacita and Family

I grew quite concerned when I lost sight of Mamacita. She has been gone for quite awhile. A few days ago I found her in the barn with her family. She has thrown four kittens: two Siamese, one mackerel tabby, and one tuxedo. Her mackerel tabby baby is quite unique. She is pure black, but you can see the mackerel stripes on her when you get up close and personal. She’s a good mom. She’s very protective. She drops her guard if I give her a few Temptations treats to distract her. All the kittens are female.

When she disappeared, I assumed she was nesting, preparing to have her kittens. When she didn’t reappear in an appropriate time, I was afraid something might’ve happened to her and the family. We have a very nasty male coon running around and he is so brazen that he will dart behind my wooden fence hissing and growling at me. If I pass the side of the fence - he charges the fence! 

I’ve had a lot of coons on my property over the years, but not one like this. This boy really scares me. Nothing appears to faze him, not bright lights, nor loud music playing. Not even an airhorn will scare him away. Worried that he might’ve gotten her during such a vulnerable time, I was so relieved to see her and see her babies.

My friend Bethany has a cat-rescue on the coast. She’s coming tomorrow to pick up the family and take them with her. I called in a few favors with her and she was kind enough to agree to take them, and get mom spayed when it’s time. Once the kittens are also spayed, she will find wonderful loving homes for them. She’s been doing this more years than I have.

Her rescue is quite unique. I met her years ago. She lets her cats free-roam; no cages in her sanctuary except in the hospital and the nursery.

This will allow me to concentrate on getting better. I only have three more weeks of physical therapy before they say if I’m ready to be released. Sure hoping I can drive soon.

I am going to use the same technique that I did with Mamacito to capture Scribbles. Scribbs is still hiding from me. Just trying to get  a photo of her is extremely challenging.

Our Hike in the Mountains

Tuesday was so nice. The bus took Kota and me up to Cascadia Park up on the mountain. We spent three hours up there. It was my first time at this park. I tried to get up to the falls that they have there which I hear are absolutely glorious. But early on, I realize there were too many trip-factors on the trail. So we just turned around and walked the park. I can’t afford to fall again. My doctor recently told me that if I fall one more time, I’m going to break my hip and I’ll be dead in a year. That was pretty daunting to hear.

We met some really cool people up there. One of the women I met Tuesday is a ranger up there; I asked her if they had a dog-park because Cascadia is a huge park. She said they did and she told me where it was, but my bus was coming in a half an hour so she was kind enough to allow Kota and me into her golf cart. She drove us to this dog park, and it is so nice. It’s big. It’s full of trees and it’s a huge field, with There’s no fences or anything. It’s just tucked in the back of this park, and it is amazing. Next time I go back, it’s where we’re going to be spending most of our time. 

It was so funny though, because Kota did not fit in the passenger seat of the golf cart. He had to stay between my legs, and I had my leg wrapped around him so that he wouldn’t fall out when we were turning corners. But he was a champ. The woman was even amazed that he was so well behaved.

One of my friends gave me as an early birthday gift: a backpack for Kota. Now, when we go out on our walks, I don’t have to carry a purse, or his treats. Everything goes into the backpack. Kota doesn’t seem bothered by it, either.

Kota is so tired. So am I. Kota isn’t the only one who had a full day yesterday. I am pretty tired as well. In more ways than one.

Cats, and What Needs To Be Done

Scribbles has been here for over a year now. Initially, I assumed she was a he. (I was mistaken.) I saw her for the first time clearly last week. She is either heavily pregnant, or carrying a full load of parasites. (I am hoping for the latter).

Scribbles always appears with a second cat. Both of them are marble tabbies. They appear to be the same age. When Mamacita had her litter last year, she had eight kittens - these two, I believe, are the only ones that are here. I haven’t seen Mamacita in about three weeks. I assume she’s somewhere adding to her family.

As far as I know, I have no tomcats anymore in my clowder. I suspect that he is crossing over the highway to get to these females.

I feel a little bit helpless at this point. Even if I could manage the traps and get them in, financially I just can’t afford the outrageous prices that the vets are charging right now for the neuters/spays.

Last week I went and saw my surgeon. I’ve developed further issues with my right hand. I am looking at a second surgery (this time only on my hand) to correct the issue. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to this. However, having four trigger fingers that misfire at every opportunity. I know I have to go through this surgery.

Thankfully, this one is done in the office with only a local. That makes it a bit easier to handle. It does make me inwardly cringe because they put a steroid shot in my hand on the last visit. I embarrassed myself by screaming so loud. The doctor told me that he’s had some of his patients faint, even throw-up. He said he’ll take my reaction any day. I’m glad he’s happy about it. Wish I could say the same.

Cricket (above) and Flash (below)

Gibby (left) and Flash (right)

Pigeon

PITA

Twist (left) and Kota (right), best friends

The Elusive Mother-to-Be

This is as close as I get to Scribbles much of the time.