Santa sighting!

Alexander waits patiently to catch Santa on a practice run before his big night. Check out how surprised Alex was when he actually saw the big guy and all the reindeer too!

Baby Seal thinks he's a kitty!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10772980

I've heard of neighbor cats, raccoons, and opossums coming in cat doors in Seattle, but here's a story from New Zealand about a charming little seal pup who cuddles up on someones couch! Just so you don't worry that he was harmed, he was fetched by the wildlife services and pup back in the frigid water. At least the fish will be fresher there...

Sweet 16

http://www.felinecrf.org/

You heard a lot about kittens in the last few posts, however the majority of my clients are senior kitties. Alexander the KittyStar is actually considered a "senior" at 16. Many (most) cats who live long enough suffer compromised kidney function in their later years. I started my kitties on a raw meat diet along with canned food after I had several male cats, including Alexander, develop feline urological syndrome (FUS) over 14 years ago. My understanding is that the acidity of a mainly raw meat diet prevents crystals and blockages from forming. The high water content in a raw and/or canned diet versus exclusively dry food can also help prevent or slow kidney disease. Many conventional vets now recommend canned foods over kibble for this reason. The low protein concept in treating kidney disease is controversial and not one that I have chosen to follow for my kidney kitties. In addition to subqutaneously hydrating your kitty, here are some ideas to keep your cat well-hydrated: gradually add a little extra water to the dish - more "gravy" which to some cats is the best part anyway; a favorite treat of Alexander's is turkey or chicken baby food mixed smoothly with warm water; snacks are important because kidney kitties can feel nauseous (ask your vet about small doses of Pepcid to help with this also); keep water dishes all around the house, especially the bathroom, and use china bowls because these keep the water cool; a lot of cats like either running water from a faucet or fresh water as soon as you refill the bowl so do this frequently. If your kitty has been diagnosed with kidney issues, check out the great resource I listed above. Senior cats can offer wisdom, solace, affection, all without climbing the curtains like kittens! As Eckhart Tolle commented, "I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them cats."

Exhausted just thinking about the Holidays?

My foster kittens (see previous blog entry) were adopted this past weekend from the Humane Society of Seattle/King County! In honor of the good work the Humane Society, Purrfect Pals, MEOW, and the Feral Cat Spay & Neuter Project all do, I want to suggest that if you celebrate a gift-giving holiday in December you consider these fine non-profits or perhaps another animal-friendly charity. You can donate via their websites, Amazon wishlists, or send an old fashioned check in your recipient's name and not have to worry about buying more "stuff" your loved one doesn't really need. A friend of mine sponsors a permanent shelter resident at Purrfect Pals via monthly donations. The Humane Society also runs a pet food bank for low-income seniors and people living with AIDS if you are able to coordinate a workplace donation drive. Some employers match donations so your money goes even further. The need for monetary and food donations is great during these rough economic times when shelters are overwhelmed with companion animals people have given up due to losing their house or because they think they can no longer afford their care. Give a gift everyone can feel good about!

Kitten cuties!

Thanks to everyone who helped socialize Rebel, Liam and Ruth-Anne! As precious as these babies are, spay/neuter is the only way to drive numbers of homeless and "euthanized" companions down. Accidental litters happen all socioeconomic levels; witness one of my friends who works at a major employer on the Eastside with highly skilled and highly paid employees. One of her coworkers was giving away free kittens their cat gave birth to for a second time! She counseled him about having the cat spayed and perhaps fostering for a humane organization if he wanted his children to see kittens. Unfortunately she was told to mind her own business and that "having kittens isn't against the law." No, it isn't against the law but neither was dog and gamecock fighting in many parts of the country until very recently. Until just a few years ago owning an exotic wild animal as a "pet" wasn't illegal in Washington State either (ie. the shocking and sad incident in Ohio last month where these animals were legally kept by a private individual). If you have friends or family who insist on pedigreed companion animals, tell them that a good portion of the dogs and cats sitting in shelters ARE purebred and buying from a breeder just continues to support the burden "kill shelters" bear. It's up to people who care about animals to speak up, advocate for them and keep fighting the good fight!

Cozy Kittens leaving nest soon

My beautiful foster kittens will be going to the Humane Society in a few days to be adopted. The littlest one and only girl RuthAnne was the first to purr and adjusted the fastest to people. Her look-alike brother I named Rebel, since he is having the most difficult adjustment to "socialization." The pretty boy of the bunch, Liam, is tabby and white with wide set eyes. He just started purring this evening! It's very hard to not get attached and probably the main reason animal lovers don't foster. Will they end up with guardians who will be patient and sensitive to their innate shyness, which will in time give way to their darling little personalities underneath? Will they be cherished and cared for no matter if a new baby arrives, a younger animal gets adopted, a divorce happens and a move is required, a new boyfriend or girlfriend shows up with "allergies," or a life-threatening illness befalls the guardian? These are the times you need a companion animal in your life the most! "Pets" are not accessories meant only for when you have the extra time, income, and space; they are lifetime partners who do not care if you can afford a new car or cable or even if you brush your teeth and change out of your pajamas. It is percisely when you've lost something that your cat (or canine) will bestow upon you what matters most, with a head butt or a tiny paw, he or she will let you know that you are loved... and will you please stop feeling sorry for yourself and feed me now.

The Squirrels are back!

Remember the litter of 10 day old squirrels that fell from a large tree into my back yard one summer night? I recently picked them up from Sarvey wildlife center where they had been cared for until old enough to be out on their own. Sarvey is located in Arlington and it turned out to be a beautiful day for a drive in the country. I saw the variety of amazing owls who live there due to permanent injuries that prevent them from being able to live in the wild, plus two eagles in rehab. My squirrels rode in a carrier in the car and made squirrel noises the whole way - they were eager to get out and get ready for fall by securing food and secreting it away!

This photo was taken of two of the little guys climbing my apple tree a few days after they were released in my back yard by Bao Mitten.