Claudette Update...

Brynwood Needleworks - Claudette's Trip Home

 

I spent most of yesterday making sure Crystal was safely ensconced in her crate with her babies, and that Mrs. Katz was staying close to home. The weather drizzled and rained on and off, which perfectly reflected my somber mood. I just couldn't whip up any enthusiasm for my late-day task.

 

By mid-afternoon, I was resigned to my trip, planning how I would get my charges safely to the rescue, and exchange them for Claudette. I hoped the rescue had the logistics figured out because I was a bit stumped. Then, I got a message, telling me the transport was going to be coming in early, so I could bring the ladies and babies an hour earlier to avoid the chaos that occurred with all the people there to pick up their newly spayed/neutered pets. 

 

I went outside, closed the gate on Crystal's crate and then went to get Mrs. Katz, who'd been in the barn all day. She wasn't there! I stood outside calling for her, and nothin'! I told Handsome it would just be Crystal and her kittens on this trip and left. 

 

Crystal was not happy. She kept trying to bust out of the crate and she meowed the entire trip. The only time she'd quiet down was when I sang my silly kitty song to her. I told her that she and her babies would be safe, and they'd all end up in nice homes.

 

I got to the rescue and we took Crystal into her new accommodations. She was a bit stressed, so they turned off the lights and closed the door to let her calm down. I told her I loved her and walked away before the tears might start falling. Then, I went to my car to wait for the transport to arrive with Claudette.

 

They told me I could just keep her in her transport crate to take her home, and bring it back when I came with Mrs. Katz. 

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Claudette's Baby Boys!

Claudette's kittens turned out to be all boys! They're all adopted and will be picked up tomorrow by their new owners. They already have names, too! Left to right: Maxim, Jacques, Pierre, and Quincy. They're so cute!

Claudette rode home without making a peep. I sang the song she knows so well, and she flopped right onto her side so I could put my fingers inside the gate and she could feel my touch. Now, I started thinking about Mrs. Katz and how I was going to deal with them encountering each other for the first time. (Mrs. Katz didn't show up until after Claudette left.)

Of course, Katz was in the barn when I came home. I fed her and explained that Crystal was away now, but her mama was back. I kept Claudette in her kennel for the night (because of the spay surgery), and took a little food to her. Katz followed me, and when their eyes met, the hissing ensued. Swell! 

I took Katz to the bench on the other side of my potting shed and fed her, all the while reminding her that this was a Demilitarized Zone, and stood petting her for a long time. I finally went inside, knowing that they couldn't do more than talk smack to each other from opposite sides of the gate on the kennel.

Later, it occurred to me that Claudette might need to air out, so I went to the barn to try to puzzle out the best plan of action. As I was walking across the yard, two eyes glinted in the reflection from my headlamp, and...what the heck? It was Claudette! I apparently hadn't closed the door securely, and I'm sure she'd taken care of business while loose. Vet's instructions said restricted activity for 48 hours. Apparently, Claudette can pick locks, but she can't read. sigh

I met her back inside, where she jumped onto the workbench, rolled over, and wanted petting - which she promptly got. She looked toward the barn door, and I saw another set of eyes. I called to Katz, but when the cat came into the barn, I realized it wasn't her. Leo's back! Dang it! 

Well, Claudette wasn't having anything to do with him either. Before I could stop her, she was all puffed up, jumped off the bench, and went into the main part of the barn to square off with her son. I opened a can of food, which got her attention, and she came back to the bench. I covered her with a handy beach towel so she couldn't scratch me, and took her back to her kennel. This time I made sure the gate was securely fastened. I didn't see Katz at all.

I'm hoping Katz will reappear for breakfast, when I'll love her up and then take her into town. I can't have the girls injure each other, and now that Leo's showing his face again, I'll have my hands full with him and his mother. I admit, I'm not very good with the kitty drama. More is definitely not merrier!

 

So, wish me luck today. I hope the jail break didn't result in Mrs. Katz being driven off or injured. Once she's safe at the rescue, I'll release Claudette from her confinement (assuming her incision looks okay.) We'll see.