The Latest on Lan

Happy Sunday to all!

Miss Lagniappe the Beautiful is doing pretty well. We are learning more about each other as we go. Turns out she was an inside outside cat before, which explains why she wants outside so much. She even got outside the other day! She was quite surprised, so I was able to scoop her up easily. But now she has a collar, as you can see. I think the color suits her nicely. Later today I am getting her a tag engraved. I think you can still do that at Petsmart.

However, she absolutely cannot go out my door, though we are considering some backyard adventures on a horse lead and cat harness now. I'm rearranging later today, to open up the front window space for her. The space by the door will be used for other things now. 

Today's event was her first outing in the big house. Vina was escorted to her office and Brekke went to the beach to celebrate her Gotcha Day, so it was a good time. She was rather confused at first, as you can see above. Just another step in the co-mingling of the Fur Folks.

**Vina is doing very well, physically and emotionally. I hope in time her peace of mind will be completely restored. I don't think we are quite there yet.

Sylvina Grace

 

Dear friends, we had something truly awful happen last night. Vina was attacked in her own home, by a guest's male pit bull. She was closed up in the bedroom but this foul beast pushed open the door and tried to kill her.

It had to literally be pulled off of beautiful Vina. She lost some fur but otherwise seems to be physically unharmed. It was so close! A few more seconds and that would not have been true.

Emotionally she's suffered a great trauma. I got to see her late last night. Her eyes... she looked so shattered, distraught. So would anyone who had their sense of safety at home destroyed. 

Even worse, Brekke was in that room too. It's unknown, but most likely pack instinct would have kicked in. They have always been on good terms, and it's heartbreaking to think Brekke could have been part of something so terrible.

Happy Caturday

 

Fall is almost here!

Excellent day for a croissant.

Just ask Lan.

Sunday Blog Hop

Welcome new furriends from the Sunday Blog Hop!

May I present Lagniappe, 14, my recently adopted foster cat. 

Her mom was 94 and had to enter hospice care. So Lan and I formed a new family.

She has a passion for her Turbo Track.

and her nip carrot too. We also have a crossiant around here someplace.

She's a very sweet girl; we are still learning each other. 

The rest of the story....

I'm happy to have an opportunity to take care of this gentle ladycat, but I was not expecting to adopt due to my current financial circumstances, and especially not a cat who is also medically needy (liver problems). The lady's petsitter asked me to foster her for two weeks while details got sorted out, and well, here we are. There really is no better home for Lan than with me among the people we know, but honestly we could really use the help. The link to our GoFundMe with more details is below. We have already used about half of what we have raised so far. We appreciate whatever our visitors might be able to do, including prayers for her.

https://gofund.me/4837e2e5

or search GoFundMe for Lagniappe Tallahassee

Happy Caturday

 

A full tum, a cat tree and an open window.

What else is there?

Enjoy your weekend, dear furriends.

Not EXACTLY A Fail

 

Good morning! So when I said I would not be a foster fail, I meant it. There are several very good reasons why it's not a good idea.

May I present the newest member of my family, Lagniappe.

The petsitter and I made an arrangement. Technically the cat belongs to her; she will take her to the vet and pay for medical care. She will live with me and I will oversee her daily care, as I have been doing. This is a good arrangement, in fact the only workable one.

Lagniappe did go the vet on Monday. Bloodwork shows elevated liver values. Could be inflammation, could be cancer. She is on medication now, will recheck the liver in two weeks. If needed, an ultrasound. If it is cancer, our time together will be short, but she will know love and care with me, and a minimum of stress. 

I've started a GoFundMe to help with expenses. The last thing I had in mind at this stage of my life was to adopt a cat, because it is expensive and I have difficulties of my own. All donations would be welcome; also, please share with your own social media if you are so inclined. I don't know that many people so my reach is limited.

https://gofund.me/c19b3930

Update

 

Happy Friday!

I was looking at her yesterday and I swear her coat is softer and shinier than on Sunday. 

It seems improbable but her coat was so dry and dull that day, and now it just isn't. 

I have to handfeed her everything; right now she loves Tiki Cat Creamy Tuna and Temptations treats. This morning she gobbled up the Tiki and demanded treats for dessert. 

Also, I noticed that Little Miss will in fact eat her regular kibble (if I'm not looking). There is a noticeable dent in the kibble population now. She does it when I'm asleep or she thinks I am. There is just this tiny little crunching noise..... In reality I think, I hope, her appetite is being stimulated by the constant feedings, and she's getting hungrier.

This weekend the petsitter has been invited to meet with the family to discuss her "temporarily" assuming care. There is a neighbor/friend who would check on the pets and knows Allison, and supports this plan. I think that will do a lot to convince them. Because if not, this cat will not survive if she goes back. 

A Surprise Foster

 

Allow me to present the lovely Lagniappe.

Lovely, but painfully thin. 

Today I was asked by my roommate, who has a friend who petsits, if we could foster this ladycat. Because of Vina's stern disapproval of other cats, she needed to be kept in an isolated space. As you can see, I said yes.

Very sweet, very friendly but has an undiagnosed illness. The suspicion is thyroid. She has been to the vet recently for fluids but not bloodwork! She doesn't want to eat, and the usual options have been tried. Tuna, baby food, Whiskas wet... I got her to eat a bit of baby food from my fingers. But not nearly enough.

Miss L lived on a lake with her 94 year old mom, who went to New Mexico. She is in the hospital there, they are not sure what her illness is. The likelihood of her being reunited with her cat is tiny, and frankly, she needs to be with someone who is willing to get her vet care, and will surely need medication. The lady is unlikely to be capable of that.

I'm pretty sure the vet care has been worked out. Long story but I do believe the bills will be taken care of. I hope she gets an appointment this week, because she desperately needs to eat. I had problems with my two occasionally but nothing like this.

My role is to monitor Lagniappe, try to get her to eat, and above all, buy time for decisions. Most likely the petsitter will adopt her. She is a long time vet tech as well as petsitter with the ability to handle advanced care. At the moment she is petsitting in a client's home, and can't take her right away.

I was thinking of getting a plastic syringe tomorrow, and seeing if I can get her to take a slurry, if she doesn't want to eat directly. 

And no, this will not be a foster fail, for several reasons. I am glad to be able to help, and hope that I can get her to eat enough til the vet appt.

Update on Gargoyle Giving

 I thought everyone could use a nice happy thought for today.
Frank's human posted the latest numbers on what his admirers have given to date....

Total  $297,077

$35,680 for the Cinncinati Zoo from Team Frank merch. (inspired by Fiona the Hippo)

$10,485 for Leashes of Valor, part of the Gary Sinese Foundation

The remainder went to the Dayton Hospice for a bed, and several food banks.

And all because of one disagreeable woman - and another who has a giant heart.

In other news, Vina would like everyone to admire her magnificent tailio.
Seriously, she wants you to admire deeply!

Frank the Christmas Gargoyle

This is the story of Frank, a porch gargoyle. Frank has been guarding his human's house for three years. A neighbor - a "Karen" - complained that Frank should be taken down because he isn't "festive" and is not what she considers "in keeping with the Christmas spirit." And that, my friends, kicked off an epic prank war that Frank's human will never lose, because she is amazingly awesome at this. It culminated in a fierce, no holds barred battle between the porch denizens. You will be relieved to know that Good prevailed. With help from Chris Pratt and a terrifying weresloth. 

She's a veterinarian, with cats, so we here in the Cat Blogosphere already give her two paws up. But she wasn't content merely to entertain (most of) us, oh no, she took Frank's fame and channeled this into good works for others. She asked for donations for area food banks, which has raised well over 100k (the money was given directly to them, she has no part in this). 

Frank is known throughout the land now, with multiple news stories. Even George Takei weighed in! 

Frank can be found on his Facebook book. Well worth the read through all posts, beginning mid December.

Oh Vina. Dear Vina...

 This week's feline escapade brought to you by....

Miss Vina decided some time ago that she no longer cared to share one of the two water dishes with her doggo sister, and demanded separate accomodation. Her mom obliged with her own cup of water in her office.

All went swimmingly until two days ago. When she of the magnificent tailio knocked over the water cup..... splashing all over her mom's Mac laptop. The one she uses not only for rec purposes but also for her PhD studies, and for her teaching job.

This sent the laptop to Davy Jones' locker, permanently. Another EXTREMELY expensive Mac laptop was procured, but a week's worth of work was unfortunately lost.

At last report, Vina remained unrepentant, as only a feline can.

Happy Friday, and may your kittehs be less expensive in their naughtiness!

Happy Caturday

 

This very strange picture is what Brekke looked like yesterday, playing outside, with a freaky filter applied. My roommate couldn't get Vina to stay still long enough to try her.

Happy Easter !

1 Peter 1:3: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 

Beaches & Barfs

 

Miss Brekke went to the beach on Sunday, an activity she very much enjoys. And yes, she is wearing a life vest. Safety first!

I love how this dog has a very full life, even in the midst of a pandemic. She has doggie play dates, goes on outings.... all kinds of things. 

And now for the barfs. Vina has always gone into MY bathroom and used MY rug, bypassing all else of her mom's. So... should I be honored? I am very confused.

Today she had two rounds on my rug. 

Finally Friday

Happy Caturday

 I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

In my last post Vina's picture showed her taking in a stroll around the backyard. She has become... addicted... to being outside. No desire to run off, just enjoy the dirt on her dainty paws and the breezes in her lovely furs. Her mom takes her outside on a regular basis, but it's never quite enough. She will sneak out through the dog door if she can, so that has to be carefully monitored. 

Brekke was given two sweaters as Christmas gifts. Her uncle sent this one. She is *very* proud of these. 

There is ALWAYS time to be a goofy girl though.

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome 2021

 We expect you to behave yourself a LOT BETTER than the last year, ok?

So last night, my roommate and I are watching a few minutes of Yule Kittens on tv. It's just an hour of adorable tots with a Christmas tree background doing what kittens do. Much oohinng and awwwing ensued. And that is how this story begins.

WE may have been enchanted by this fuzzy display but Princess Sylvina definitely was not. In fact, she was so outraged by our shamelessness that she gets up from the ottoman, goes to the tv stand and perches herself right in front of the view. 

She wanted us to know that she IS the view.

She has never shown any interest in what was going on with the tv before, ever. We all know that cats are excellent communicators, and I think it's very clear what this feline was thinking!

This will be tucked away in my book of memories as one of the funniest things I have ever seen.