Panther got adopted!

Sunday, we had an exciting visitor!

 
Tabby: I'm going to miss you, Panther!
Panther: What's a forever home, Tabby?
Tabby: You'll find out very soon!  That lady who was just here wants you to come live with her and her other cat.
Panther:  Really?

Monday, she came back, and Panther was ready!

Foster Mommy says it's time to get ready for going to my new home!

Down the ladder I go!

New life, here I come!

Now where is everyone? I want to say goodbye first!

Goodbye, Tigress!  Goodbye Tabby!  Anyone in the living room to say goodbye to?

Goodbye, Foster Mommy!  Goodbye, Foster Daddy taking the picture!  Now, could you put me on the floor again, please?

New mommy Cai came over and Missy wanted to horn in on the attention!  After she realized Cai was focused on me, Missy decided to leap up to the table tray.  This is her getting ready to launch herself off to the table tray.

Hi, new mommy Cai!  I like how you pet my tummy, but I'm not sure about coming closer for attention right now.

Missy:  What do you mean, I have to move?  Didn't she bring this portable cave just for me?
Panther:  Nope, it's for me!  I'm the one leaving!  If you go, then who will snuggle with Daddy when he sleeps?
Missy:  Oh, I didn't think about that.  I don't want to leave my daddy!
Mommy:  *scruffs Missy and pulls her out, with Cai's help to keep her from holding onto the sides with her claws*
Panther:  Ok, now my turn!
Mommy:  *makes Panther get in the carrier by putting him seat-first through the door when the carrier is on-end*
Panther:  *cries*  Why did you have to put me in there like that?  I do want to go to my new home, but the car ride is a little scary and I don't like being cooped up in this carrier.  *scrabbles at the sides and door, trying to get out*
Cai:  It's ok, Panth!  I'll let you out to explore once we get home.

I have a new brofur!  His name is Beastie, and he's a fluffy white kitty.  He swatted me once to tell me that he's the alpha cat in the household, and otherwise hisses or ignores me.  Within two hours, I was snuggled at Mommy Cai's feet while she and Beastie took naps.  I actually took a nap, too, because all this excitement wore me out!  I like my new home, but it's weird not having the others here.  I looked for them and called to them, but they didn't come out of hiding so I guess it's just the three of us here at this new place called a forever home.  I like my forever home!  I've been sticking to Mommy Cai like velcro, following her from room to room and talking non-stop.  This bothers Beastie, so he's been pouting, but Mommy Cai gives him a lot of attention, too, so he feels included.  She says this is the best transition she's ever had for a new kitty!

Mommy Cai is friends with Foster Mommy on Facebook, so Foster Mommy can share updates on how I'm doing.  Everyone's sure that it won't be long until Beastie and I are great friends!  I love you all, and thank you for being friends with me!

Mommy Cai and Foster Mommy told me that I'm a very special kitty who was sent to Mommy Cai for a reason.  Mommy Cai had a black kitty "visit" her, walk down a hallway, and disappear.  That was a couple months after I got over my pneumonia and became available for adoption, so Foster Mommy told Mommy Cai about me.  Mommy Cai had another kitty, Spot, but Spottie was really sick so he needed round-the-clock care.  Mommy Cai couldn't bring a new kitty into her life (and the household) while she was providing hospice to Spot.  After Spot died, Beastie cried for him for hours on end.  While Mommy Cai and Beastie are still grieving for Spot, I hope I can help ease their grief and lonlieness.  I can also provide playtime for Beastie!

Very Exciting News!!!

Miss Marble writes:

I've decided that I like to be petted!  I come up to the glass door and stand up on it, putting both front paws as high as I can reach, asking to be petted.  The man or lady come and open the door, then reach down and pet me as I rub against them.  I am a bit bitey, but it's just love bites, not hard bites.  I've also learned how to lick their fingers to groom them!  My sister and daddy can't figure out why I like being petted, so they stay back and watch, but they accept that I like it.

My brother Hemming is doing really well at his new home, the mommy says.  He sleeps on his new mommy's face and shoulder at night and is "aggressively affectionate".  We're all so glad that his new home is working out that well!

Missy Kitty writes:

Guess what?!  This thing called Christmas has boxes!  It also has ribbons, which are big strings.  But, the most important thing about Christmas is that it means that I'm in my forever home!  I got adopted officially by Mommy and Daddy today!  And, my third birthday is tomorrow:  New Year's Day!

Happy New Year from the PDX pride!

Wishing you all the best in 2012!

Hemming got adopted!

The PDX pride Mommy writes:

Well, Hemming's at his forever home now!  He did really well, but kept calling and looking for the other cats.  He let Kayla pick him up and snuggle him, and played for a couple minutes with a feather wand.  He investigated the covered litter box and scratched in it, so we know he'll be fine with using that.  We cautioned them about the garland and ornaments on the lower branches of their tree, so they'll be moving things up on that.  But, all in all, it seems like a great home for him!  When he came out of the carrier, he didn't scoot or run, but walked out and investigated things, then made his way around the edges (walls) to the bathroom and hopped in the tub.  He looked at windows, trying to see his sisters, and looked at the mirror, thinking his reflection was another kitty.  By the time we left, he had rubbed up against Kayla also and wasn't as stressed.  He'll do just fine there once he gets used to it and gets used to being an only cat.

Lots of changes and a Christmas tree!

Hemming writes:

Whoa, what is that thing up there?  It's got shiny balls on it, pretty ribbons, and lots and lots of branches.  It looks like a tree, but what's a tree doing inside?  It doesn't smell like my apple tree outside, the one I used to use to trim my claws.  In fact, it smells like plastic, not like any tree I've ever smelled.  It certainly doesn't smell like the forest I was born in, just a few yards away from the house, where there are trees that look like this one.  But if this is a Christmas tree, then I guess that's what it is.  My foster uncles and foster aunties all say that it is one, even though Uncle Heimdall and Auntie Freya only saw a little tree last year in this house.

The tree went up a week ago, with all of us investigating and "helping" put the branches into the trunk, then watching in surprise as Foster Mommy put the top on and put a cloth around the bottom of it.  Freya and I batted at some of the ornaments and were told "no".  Foster Mommy took some pictures of the tree and of us gathered around looking at it (and tasting it, batting at ornaments, etc.), so I'll post those here in a slideshow:

This free digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

What is this thing called Christmas?  Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy say that I'm a Christmas kitten for my new mommy.  What's a new mommy?  I thought I already had two mommies:  my momcat and my foster mommy!  I'm going to meet this new mommy and this place called a forever home this afternoon.  Everyone's excited for me, and the others are saying this is special, but I'm not sure about it.  I think once I'm there, I'll hide like I did at that other place.  I'll find a good hiding spot to watch what's going on in this place called a forever home.  My foster parents say that's ok to do, and that my new mommy understands.  Good!

I wonder if she'll have a Christmas tree?  If I'm a Christmas kitten, then don't I belong under the tree as a present?  That's what Auntie Tabby says!  After our tree here was up, Foster Mommy supervised us for a while then went to sleep.  She woke up because she was dreaming about playing ping-pong.  Well, guess what the ping-pong ball was?  I had an ornament and was playing with it, down the hall, into the bathroom, bouncing it against the tiles!  All the ornaments are kitten-safe plastic and cloth, so she laughed as she went to retrieve it, wash it, and put it back on the tree.  Soon, I was at it again!  A few days later, she found one of the bows in the middle of the hallway.  Guess who?  Yesterday I tried to climb the tree, but it fell over!  I guess it's not for climbing.  When Foster Mommy was editing the tree pictures on the computer, I tried to get to the tree!  Yep, I'm a tree-obsessed kitten!

I'm also 7 months old today!  Wow!  I told my sisters that, through the window while they looked at the Christmas tree, and they love that we're all a month older!  They don't know what this Christmas thing is either, but as long as it involves food, water, and talking to the inside kitties through the window, it's ok with them!

Hemming's at his potential adopter's

The PDX pride Mommy writes:


We brought Hemming to his potential adopter's house this afternoon.  As soon as we let him out of the carrier, he scooted around the house and then hid somewhere.  He hides well!  We couldn't find him, even after an hour of searching!  The family has had many, many cats and now has two cats and a 10-week-old German Shepherd puppy.  Their cats mainly live upstairs, so they wanted Hemming as a playmate for the puppy.  The pup is adorable, well-mannered, calm, and happy, so when Hemming emerges and starts figuring out the house and its inhabitants, he's going to love playing with the pup.

We talked for a while with the family, told them Hemming's life up to this point, and gave them his paperwork from the clinic.  They're going to call us when he emerges from his hiding place, and we're going to talk with them in a week to see how it's going and how he's adjusting.  If he isn't doing well, then we'll take him back.  If he's doing well, then the adoption will be official.

Happy Gotcha Day to Meeeeee!!! :)

Today's my Gotcha Day!!!! Last year at this time, I was a scared outdoor kitty who had been living in Mommy & Daddy's basement after being abandoned by their neighbors. They brought me inside, then had me spayed the next day. As soon as I was brought home from my spay, Skylar curled up with me to reassure me and keep me warm. He looked at me, looked at Daddy, looked at me again, and snuggled close to me. Daddy said to Mommy, "Well, it looks like Skylar wants to keep her!" And that was that! :)

Now, a year later, we are in a new, bigger house, and I have a little snuggle buddy of my own: the new kitten, Spooky. I'm not sure what he wants me to do, but he snuggles close to me, and sometimes right up against me. I'm ok with that, but sometimes he lowers his head and Mommy says he wants me to wash him. I don't know how to wash another kitty, never having had the opportunity before. My purrents are sure I'll learn eventually.

I love my family!

Love,

Starla.

Goodbye & Hello

Trailer Kitties write:

Our trailer's gone! The people in the green house left, took all their stuff, and took the trailer! There's just a bare patch of brown grass where it was. We can still go into the basement to hide and be dry, but it's not as convenient as the trailer was.

The lady and the man said they'd miss us all, but they were moving to a bigger house in a different place. We'll really miss them, and our daily two bowls of food.

Love, forever,

Grey Kitty, Tux, Dot, Outdoor Fluffy Buddy, the siamese from the next street over, Spongebob (neighbor's pet cat/welcoming committee), and all the rest.

Shadow writes:

The people in the green house haven't been around in a while. They don't come home anymore. Spongebob's dad, George, said they left a note with him that they really wanted to have me come live with them, but they would have to trap me to do that. They asked him to help them trap me. He hasn't called them back about it.

The lady who types my diary for me is the lady from the green house. I'll let her tell what's going to happen next.

Karen here:
We're going to let Shadow stay with Sponge & George, because she's happy there and she and Sponge are best buds. George will feed her and take care of her the best he can, and hopefully she'll learn to trust him more. Scott's going to go over and talk with him one of these next weeks and explain what techniques we were using to get her to trust us more, and so hopefully those will work for him as well.

It breaks my heart to give her up, just as it breaks my heart to give up the rest of the Trailer Kitties, but it's best for them to stay where they are. We'll never forget you!!!

Love,

Mommy/the lady who lived in the green house.

Spooky writes:

I'm at my new forever home! No, I didn't go somewhere else. I got to stay right here with my foster family, who are now my REAL family! Mommy and Daddy had a serious talk tonight, and they told me that my new last name is the same as theirs now. Yay!

Happy snuggles,

Spooky T.

Cloud's Adoption Day!

Cloud had a home visit yesterday morning, and everything went very well! I'll let him tell you about it, because at the moment he's the only kitten awake (and on my computer desk), while his brother Squishy sleeps on the desk next to him and his brother Little Guy sleeps in my lap.

Cloud writes:

I went to visit a nice lady called Becky yesterday! I was very, very scared when Foster Daddy and Foster Mommy took me out to the truck. I was stress-purring really hard, and shaking all over! I had been in the truck on a ride with them when I was 4 weeks old, but I barely remembered that. All I knew was I didn't understand what was going on, and I was outside!

We got to Becky's house very early, so that gave me time to calm down before we went in. I climbed all around on Foster Mommy's lap while she and Foster Daddy talked to me and petted me. Then, Foster Daddy picked me up and we all three went up to the door.

When we got inside, I climbed onto the top of the futon and hunkered down, getting my bearings in this strange place while Foster Mommy and Becky talked. After a while, I felt comfortable enough to let Becky sit by me and pet me. She wanted to pick me up right away, but I wasn't ready for that yet.

Foster Mommy put me down on the rug, because I was looking down but couldn't judge the distance properly. I'd never seen or felt a rug before! It took a few minutes to get used to it, but then I was off exploring underneath the futon and behind the electronics. Foster Mommy and Becky sat on the floor, while Foster Daddy stood watching me. Becky got a shoelace and everyone tried to get me to play with it. Nope, not interested in that; I wanted to explore more! I climbed back up the futon cushions, then jumped down again.

Finally, they got my attention with the shoelace by dragging it slowly around on the floor in front of me. I pounced after it, stalking it then swiping. I saw Foster Mommy's hand, and went running over to head-butt it for pets. Then I sniffed Becky's shoes. Circling her, I rubbed against her and meowed a little. She reached out her hand and I stretched my head up, wanting her to pet me, too! She did, then picked me up to give me kisses and cuddles. I wasn't expecting that, but let her. Then, I decided to climb onto her shoulder and then on her back. Luckily, Foster Mommy told her that's what I was going to do, so she leaned over and let me walk on her back to the floor. I circled around to have her pet me again.

Everyone was impressed that I wasn't at all scared of exploring this new place. I walked tall, with my head up, and didn't shy away from the new furniture, smells, or sounds! Becky got supplies yesterday afternoon, and called to say she was ready for me to come for my week trial period today! So, my foster parents will drop me off at my new home today, where I will live for a week and see how it goes!

Here are some pictures from after Cloud got back home. He loves this yellow bucket, burrowing into it like there's some kind of trap-door in the back that he can get out! That's Mama Little Bit's whiskers getting in the way of the first shot.






Foster Mommy is still writing Cloud's Catster page until he gets permanently adopted. It's here if you'd like to visit.

Boo and Michelle have been adopted!

Boo and Michelle went on an extended home visit to their new home yesterday! Their new people have some questions (mostly because of having had a bad kitten experience before/feral kitten they didn't know was feral), so we're treating this like a trial period for now, but we think that once everyone settles in they'll love them so much that they'll decide to keep them. If not, then they'll come back to us.

From Boo:

Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy brought my sister and me to our new home this morning! We rode in the truck in a carrier bag, but didn't like it. We kept trying to get out, and Foster Mommy kept saying, "No." We got there early, so Foster Daddy and Foster Mommy let us out in the truck so that we could stretch and explore (and relax).

Our new people were out getting the last of the supplies they needed for us. When they came back, they parked next to the truck. When our new lady saw us, she knew exactly who we were and smiled!

Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy brought us inside and handed us to our new family. They liked us right away! They petted and held us for a while, then set us down so we could explore. We could smell that there had been another animal there, but couldn't tell exactly what it was. The people said it's something called a ferret. We've never met a ferret. We followed its scent trails all around the house. I went up the stairs and got lost, so I called out to the humans. The lady came and got me, carrying me back downstairs. She said I was in the teenage girl's room. All I knew was it was somewhere I didn't recognize.

Our new people are happy to have us here, but still getting used to us. That's fine, because we're still getting used to them! It will take a bit to settle in. Michelle already wanted to play-bite, during the visiting time, and both of us tried scratching the couch. We're kittens, so that's normal for us to try. We didn't get very far, though. These people know to snap their fingers to teach us what to not do, just like our foster parents did.

From Foster Mommy:

Their Catster pages are still being kept by us until this adoption's permanent. You can visit Boo here and Michelle here.

Kai is Gotcha'd!

Our little Cousteau, now named Kai, is going to his new home in the morning (Friday morning) FOR GOOD! The mommy/foster mommy has been crying all day, because she's happy-sad, and the daddy/foster daddy is happy for him to be going to such a good home. :) We'll post pictures of him at this post on Friday afternoon (most cats' evening, probably just after 5:00 pm Pacific Time).

Kai's Catster page will stay the same: here. His new mommy promised us she'd keep it updated with pictures and the blog so everyone could see how he does in his new home and as he grows up! :)

UPDATE!!! Pictures are courtesy of his new mommy, with the caption:
"I think he's settling in well!"

On the coffee table, sound asleep wrapped in a throw

Happy Adoption Day, little Kai! WE LOVE YOU!!!

It's our Gotcha Day!

Four years ago today, Mommy and Daddy were on their way to Long Beach when Mommy saw a sign at the feed store in Clatskanie, Oregon. "Free Kittens". All the way down to the beach, Daddy kept on saying, "I want a puddy. We've got to stop on the way back to get a puddy. Don't let me forget."

So, on the way back, they stopped. Clatskanie is Daddy's hometown, too, even though he lives in Portland now. The feed store was closing, but Daddy saw a cage with two little kittens in it. Mommy saw a rabbit in a cage, and knew it was meant to be because she'd seen the rabbit in a dream. Of course, the rabbit didn't come home with us, but it was included in the dream when Mommy saw us coming home.

The lady at the feed store got us out of the outside cage, and Daddy held Carbon while Mommy held Tabby. Carbon immediately climbed up to Daddy's shoulder and perched there, while Tabby snuggled into Mommy's arms. Then they switched us around, and we snuggled in. The lady got a big cardboard box with holes punched in the top, and we were put in it.

It was sooo hot that day, and Carbon got sick in the box from heatstroke with his black fur and being outside. Mommy cleaned it up. Tabby wanted to climb all over the truck and sit on Daddy's shoulder while he was driving, so Mommy had to corral her in the passenger's side of the truck to look out the window most of the way home.

When we got home, the box was set in the middle of the living room and we were allowed to explore. Carbon immediately found Daddy's smelly work boots and dove headfirst inside, taking a little snooze. Tabby saw Mommy sit down on the couch and wanted to sit with her, but Mommy was eating a bowl of birthday cake. Tabby walked over on her unsteady legs, got up there, and dove headfirst into the cake bowl!

Later on, after we played and explored a lot, we went into the bedroom while Daddy and Mommy were watching a movie. All of a sudden, they realized it was much too quite in a house that had just gotten kittens, so they went looking for us. No kittens in the kitchen. No kittens in the living room, or in the bathroom, or the office room. No kittens on or under the bed. Daddy thought of the dresser, so they looked there. Sure enough, Tabby was in the top drawer sleeping, and Carbon was in the next drawer sleeping. We woke up when our drawers were pulled open, yawned, and looked at our parents like, "Well, what did you expect? Now can we go back to sleep?"

Tabby was 4 weeks old, and Carbon was 5 weeks old.

Happy 4th Gotcha Day to us!!!

I'm in my new home

Smokey writes (via telephone):

My new mom and dad came and got me, and trapped me in the cat carrier. In the car, my new mom opened the carrier a little and petted me to try to calm me down, because I was holding my whole body rigid.

Once I got to my new home, they opened the carrier right by my new litter box. I explored all over the house, except the little human's room, then hid under the bed. I'll explore later, but right now I know I'm safe under here.

My new mom called Foster Mommy and told her all of this so she could update everyone.

Adoption Day!

Smokey writes:

Today I'm going to my new home! I don't really know what that means, but Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy are happy-sad about it, so I guess it's a really good thing. I'll get to bring one toy with me: a wand with a big fleece string on it, and it chirps like a bird when it gets waved around. It's my favorite toy in the whole house, so they said I could take it with me. My new purrents, Erin (Skylar's other mommy) and her boyfriend Brian, are coming to get me after 5:30 pm.

Karen writes:

Smokey's Catster page be transferred over to Erin and will continue to be updated by her.