Keeping Up With The Cohens

Come Back, Little Quincy

We made the decision during the summer to let the cats go outside if they chose. I know there are risks in this. Outdoor cats are more prone to getting hurt or sick. But it's been a very successful foray, with Quincy and Zoe palling around together inside and out, Fred being outside all the time, and Oscar and Zander going out for short periods of time. I love working outside with the cats around. They keep me company and we play and all get lots of sunshine and exercise.

Of course, the downside is that you worry when you haven't seen them in a while. Last week, Zoe was gone for 4 days, and I was sure we had lost her. But she showed up early one morning, looking for food, all perky and lovey like she always is. 

But I have seen neither hide nor hair of Quincy since Friday morning, when I let him out before I left for work. I'm a little worried, because he's never strayed too far from home. Of course, this is the risk to letting pets roam outside. However, I stand by our decision to do this because the cats are clearly happier and healthier, and life in the country is less hazardous (in my opinion) than living near a busy highway.

So we are keeping our fingers crossed that Quincy will wander back soon, because we miss him. Come back, Quincy!

Where's Waldo?

Or in this case, Quincy?

Did I see my mom today? YES. Did I take pictures? NO. So what do I do? Post another crazy cat picture.

But honestly, Quincy took me by surprise and made me laugh out loud. I went to put the laundry away, and all that was poking out was his head. I don't even know how he got in there without upsetting the basket. 

Guess that's what I get for leaving laundry around!

My Shadow

Zoe is growing up fast, but she is still a kitten in so many ways. She's my little shadow, so much so that I find myself tripping over her as I walk across the yard or across the kitchen. She's so spunky and loving, with a great big purr that doesn't quit. In the picture above, she is "helping" me weed. She helps a lot by rolling around in the weeds in front of me, begging for a chin rub. She also, as you can see, likes to nibble. These are not mean-spirited bites, merely nips that say, "I love you so much, Momma, I can't stand it!"

We are down to five cats now. We needed to downsize, unfortunately, because we found we were spending more money on cat food and litter in a month than we were on our own groceries. Spike has found a terrific home with our in-laws, Paula and John. He's doing great, and from what I hear, has become John's football watching buddy. Indiana found a home with four University of Tennessee students. The girls rent a house and wanted a new kitty, and they found our ad on Craigslist. They fell in love with Indiana from the moment they saw him. And of course, Fred's other two kittens, the boys, found a loving home with our friends Kim and Dallas and their two kids. I just love happy endings!

So, we are down to five kitties, who all get to go outside as often as they like. Despite my original, ahem, panic about letting the boys outside, it's actually been working out gangbusters. Quincy has taken to it the best, spending most of his time outside with Zoe. They get along terrifically. Fred is all outdoors, all the time, having exhibited a bit of a temper around the other cats. She hisses and swats no matter how relaxed the atmosphere. I haven't seen her in several days though, so I'm not sure if she's run off or just taking advantage of our neighbors' hospitality. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, we have a manageable budget for kitty food and litter, and four (or five) very happy cats.

And two much relieved adults. Whew!

Status: Short Round, AKA Annie

Remember this little orphan?

 

Our friend Cynthia adopted her and little orphan Annie (we called her Short Round) is now doing amazing. She's gone from a mere 2.2 pounds (and filthy!) to 4.4 pounds and sparkling white in Cynthia's loving care, and was just spayed on Tuesday. She's doing great. Last week, when Bradley was home for the long weekend, we visited Annie so Bradley could see her. Here they are together:

 

It was so cool to see them reunited. Annie/Short Round is doing very well, and seemed happy to see her former "daddy." Sooo cute! And we took this little video of Bradley playing with Annie. Check it out:

Indiana

Look at this gorgeous boy! He's such a sweetie, but unfortunately, we need to find him a new, loving home. He's completely overwhelmed by the other cats in our household and is bottom of the pecking order. He needs to be someone's only animal, and he needs peace and quiet. He's a bit shy and timid, but I believe he'll warm up quickly once he has people of his very own whom he doesn't have to share.

Any takers? He's a year old and has been neutered and has his shots. Let me know. We hate to see him go, but he's clearly not happy with us.

Our Zo-Zo

They grow up so fast! She gets spayed this Friday. Such a cutie.

A Happy Ending For Short Round

Remember the scrawny little kitten that found her way to our house? My friend Cynthia adopted her and the kitty is doing GREAT. Cynthia is such a wonderful mommy and Annie (Bradley called her Short Round) is getting bigger and is as playful and loving as all get out. She is clearly thriving in Cynthia's care. I visited Cynthia, Annie and Daisy (Annie's new "big sister" cat) last night, and it was such a hoot. Cynthia is my knitting buddy, and of course we had a blast knitting and trying to keep the cats out of the yarn. Here's Annie cuddled up on my knitting book, which was also on my lap:

I am so grateful to Cynthia for taking Annie in and giving her such a good home. I don't know how this kitten came to us, but however that was, she's in a very loving home now. Yay! Happy ending!

A Forever Home For Short Round

My friend Cynthia adopted the stray kitten who found her way to our house last week. We had Short Round tested for diseases and all that good kitten stuff by our vet, and she's completely healthy, other than being very underweight (only 1.4 pounds!). Here's a great photo of Cynthia meeting Short Round for the first time. It was love at first cuddle! And Short Round's name is now Annie, which I love. She has gone to live with Cynthia and Cynthia's gorgeous long-haired tuxedo kitty, Daisy. According to Cynthia, other than a little hissing from Daisy, all went well. Annie is adapting just fine and seems right at home. Yay! I'm so happy for them all, and really, I can't imagine a better home for Annie. I love it when things turn out so well!

"Will You Be My Mommy (Or Daddy)?"

Yep, that's yet another abandoned kitten left in our neighborhood. She's ADORABLE and very affectionate. Loves to be held (as a matter of fact, hates to be put down), very vocal. She's super thin and has fleas, but we are feeding her and just put Revolution on her to take care of the fleas and mites.

We are trying to find her a good forever home, as we don't want to take her to the pound. Please let me know if you are interested! She would make someone a terrific companion.

Zoe Update

She's getting so big! And changing color. It seems like every day she gets more orange on her. She started out almost completely gray, but now is truly tortoiseshell. I need to get some better pics, but she moves around so much! She's a lovey-dovey girl, and although she doesn't like to be held ("no, don't wanna!") she loves to be petted and she'll come when I call her. She is her mama's daughter in that respect. Fred is doing well, too, although she's still allowing Zoe to nurse. I hope that stops on its own. I assume it will. Meanwhile, our fierce girls patrol the yard and are starting to make a dent in the rodent population. Good girls!