Definitely Not The Gentle Arts...

Claudette and Crystal On Their Favorite Perch

I did get to do a little needle dancing yesterday, but not until the evening. During the day, while the weather was a bit warmer (in the 50s) and kind of nice, I decided the barn needed cleaning. Specifically, the area I call the "potting shed". At least, that's what its function was prior to my squatters moving in.

Before winter fully set in, I made it a haven for the girls. Of course, Smelly Cat (aka Leo) moved in about a month ago, and I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to do some serious deep cleaning.

When I walked into the barn, the girls were on their favorite perch (which drives Handsome crazy). I actually put their bed up there a couple nights ago, because when I had it in the usual place, Smelly Cat crawled into it when it was popped up (like a little igloo) and soiled all the bedding inside. The girls refused to use it in that condition, so everything went into the laundry - including the "igloo".

Once everything was cleaned, I put it up where the girls usually cuddle and Leo never goes. They've been perfectly content to use it since then. 

The Feeding Station

The area I used to use as a potting shed, is now a feeding station. All the climbing up and down by cats, opossums, and Heaven knows what else had it all muddy and gross, so I took a bucket of safe-for-animals disinfectant and scrubbed that puppy 'til it fairly shined. I cleaned all the dishes, and refilled the fresh water and food (which I do every day).

The Solar-Loading Station

Then I turned my attention to the really messy parts. I moved all the yard furniture out (which Handsome and I store there for the winter), and put it in the main part of the barn. That left plenty of room for me to rake up marsh hay, sweep everything out, and then scrub the floor (well, as much as I could a barn floor).

I cleared everything off the table in front of the window, and cleaned that up as much as I could, too. I tried to clean off the shelf where I'd made a beautiful, warm spot for the girls to sleep in the cold weather, but they hadn't used that since Leo checked it out. 

When I went to pull out the dirty blankets, I disturbed Big Grey (the opossum). I had no idea he was in there, but I'd awakened him. He looked at me as if to say, "Do you mind?". No hissing or make believe ferocity to attempt to scare me off. Just a look like, "I was sleeping here." I apologetically covered him back us so he could go back to sleep, and didn't hear a peep out of him the rest of the time I wrestled things around out there.

I Was Being Watched

By the time I was finished, my back was aching, my knee was sore, and I was done in. I sat for a bit and cuddled the girls, and then went back to the potting shed to turn off the lights. Yes. I had one more watcher the whole time I was out there. Most of the time, he was up on the perches in front of the window, but as it appeared I was finishing up, he moved over to the food bench and peeked at me from his hiding place.

That's okay. Next week, there will be a live trap set up on the table. I'll strap the door so that it doesn't close on him, so he can get used to going in and out of it to eat. I made an appointment for him to get vetted and "snipped" the next time the rescue is making their group run. He's going to be on that transport, which means I'll have to catch him. He'll come back to the farm minus his "ground tackle", vaccinated against rabies and fleas/ticks, and bathed. Mostly bathed.

Kittens Drinking Milk

I haven't really every taken care of cats before, so I didn't know I wasn't supposed to give them milk. (Do you know how many images I've seen since I was a kid, showing kittens drinking milk? Picture me giving myself a face palm here.) I found that out yesterday when I spoke with Renee at the rescue. It may be the reason Leo's been having gastric issues that have fairly coated the barn. I've immediately stopped the daily milk, and will only give them cat food from now on. I'm hoping that takes care of his problem, but just in case, I'll take a "sample" to our vet and make sure there isn't something else going on. I don't want to have to deep clean their accommodations again anytime soon. I was exhausted by the time I was done. I'd much rather be doing needlework!

Tuesdays With Tag - A Tale of Two Kitties...

It's All Her Fault

Hi, Everybody!

I hope you'll read all the way through my post today. It's not the usual kitty rant. This has an interestin' twist at the end. Really. I hope you'll be as surprised as we were.

It all began a couple of years ago when Miss Shelly told us about the local feral cats havin' kittens up at their house. Actually, I think Claudette had her kittens under their lp tank, but it doesn't really matter. There were three kittens in that litter, and another mama cat had kittens, too.

One of the kittens disappeared. Miss Shelly thinks the other mama adopted that one, and they all went off into the woods after they got bigger. Claudette (named Groucho at the time) stayed around the farm with her kittens.

Then, winter came that year. At Christmastime, the kittens showed up on our porch to play in the snow. We watched them through the window. Leo and Crystal were the cutest! Of course, Boo and I were very curious about them.

Lyin' On The Driveway

Fast forward to last spring. Leo lived in the barn with Claudette and Crystal, and he never got the message that he shouldn't do the nasty with relatives. Shortly after, we found out that Claudette was expectin' - and a little later, so was Crystal. It was about that time that Leo took off for the summer. Gone with the wind.

Late last fall, Leo showed up again in the barn, but he looked real sick. He was poopin' all over the place, and it was gross. Claudette and Crystal didn't want to have anythin' to do with him, and soon after, he disappeared. Truthfully, Mom was pretty sad thinkin' he'd gone away to die. As for the girls, life went on.

Whenever Mom walks down to get the mail, her entourage follows. She turns around to see what looks like roadkill on the driveway. The girls flop down hopin' she'll stop to pet their bellies before she goes back in the house. (She always does.) If I'm out there with her, they chase me!  Crazy cats!

They've Taken Over Dad's Tractor

Over the weekend, we all got a surprise. The girls love sleepin' on Dad's tractor. He's not particularly thrilled with this. That's not the surprise, though. Mom started puttin' an old sheet on the tractor so the seat didn't get dirty. They don't seem to mind one bit.

She Is NOT Pleased

But then, she saw somethin'. Look up in the loft. Big Grey (the 'possum) left the barn a few days ago when the weather was real nice, so Mom was wonderin' who was makin' a mess of the workbench where she feeds the girls. Now we know who the culprit is. 

He's back! That's LEO up in the loft. He survived the winter (who knows where), and came back to the barn. Just what we need. Another freakin' cat!

"Tag, What have I told you about using bad language?" - Mom

"I'll quit sayin' it about the cats when Dad does."

Dad was not happy. He's not a fan of the cats, and they haven't even swatted him on the face or butt like they do me! He only tolerates them because Mom loves them. If he had his way, they'd all be on their way with little suitcases.

He's Back!

So, here Leo is again...eatin' the girls' food, sleepin' in their beds, and gettin' hissed at when he gets too close to them. Don't say anythin' out loud, 'cuz we don't want him to get wind of this, but Mom's gonna befriend him again. He was the first one to rub up on her and be all sweet when he was a kitten. Then he went all wild. So she's gonna have to earn his trust again, but she's done this with Claudette and Crystal. She can do it again with Leo.

Once they're big buds again, she's gonna get him tutored, vetted and cleaned up. No more kittens from this Tom boy! Then, she'll release him again so he can follow his muse. 

We're all happy that he's not dead, and Mom is glad to see him again. Dad, Claudette and Crystal? Not so much. Seems Dad has somethin' in common with the Barn Girls. Imagine that!

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Seems Like Just Yesterday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Crystal Kitten - Winter 2020

 

Last New Year's weekend, we were celebrating a late Christmas with our younger son and his family. We looked outside to see the Claudette had brought her two kittens onto our porch to play in the sun and snow. I took photos of the kittens, instantly smitten with this sweet girl. You see, I didn't know she was a she, but her face looked like a beautiful, little girl to me. 

She stayed around the farm with her brother (that scamp!), and her mama all winter, and I took care of all of them. Claudette went to The Home For Wayward Cats* last month, so she could safely care for her litter of kittens. Crystal and her brother, Leo stayed here. Leo has been off sowing his wild oats (again, that scamp!), but Crystal has stayed close.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Crystal - Spring 2021

 

She was the most shy of all the cats, so with Claudette away, and Leo on walkabout, I've had the opportunity to work my "Snow White" magic on Crystal. She's become friendlier and friendlier with me, and often comes running down from the wood shed when I sing my little, "Meow, Meow, Kitty, Kitty..." song to her at feeding time. It seems she feels safer in the wood shed, rather than being alone in the Compass Barn.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Crystal - Asking For Cuddles

As soon as she gets to the barn, she jumps up onto the workbench (where I feed the cats), and flops down for a massage session. It's during these sessions that I noticed she was getting bigger and bigger - and realized that LEO is the father (that bloody scamp!). Doesn't he know he's not supposed to do that with his sister?!!!

 

Well, when I realized she was in a family way, I again contacted The Home For Wayward Cats to see if they had room for this little lady. They said they were full due to kitten season, but when I pick up a newly spayed Claudette to come back to the farm, I could drop off Crystal. 

 

I was actually contacted yesterday morning to let me know that Claudette will be spayed on Friday, and I can pick her up that evening - and take Crystal to move into Claudette's previous room.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Crystal, The Mama - May 19, 2021

 

I didn't see Mrs. Katz yesterday morning, and Crystal didn't run down from the wood shed either, so after I put out their food and milk, I walked up to the wood shed to check on my little girl.

 

Anticipating that she'd be giving birth soon, I'd taken Claudette's straw-filled kennel up to the wood shed and placed it next to her favorite perch on the wood pile. I covered the vents and door with a nice, big towel so she'd be warm and secure and hoped she'd move in.

 

That's where I looked for her this morning, and sure enough, she'd made a nice, secluded nest in the back of the crate. She was in there, meowing to me, but with no interest in leaving her spot to eat or cuddle. From what I know about dogs giving birth, I know that they frequently go off their food. I assumed it's the same for cats, so I talked to her for a while and told her I'd be back later to check on her. 

When I went back mid-morning, there were four kittens - still wet - and being cared for by their mama. When I returned at 5:00 pm, there was a fifth kitten. Mama was stretched out, and when I peeked in through the kennel vents, talking softly to her, she actually rolled on her side so I could see all her babies. She had her front legs extended and she was "kneading" them and pulling them close. It was very sweet.

I'm so happy she did well, but I'm also a little sad. I know she and her babies will be safe at the rescue. They'll be placed in loving, forever homes - including Crystal, if they determine she'd be a good candidate as an indoor cat - but I've grown so fond of her. She was actually the one I fell for when I first saw her. So, it's because I love this little cat, that I'm willing to let her go to a new home. 

Being a "community cat" in the country isn't always an easy life. I've made these cats more comfortable, but it's not the same as living in a cushy home. I want that for all of them. They won't have to worry about farm machinery, too-fast cars, coyotes, or hawks and owls. They'll sleep on beds at night, and have warm places to sleep when it's cold and wintry outside. That's what I want for them.

So, I'll take her to the rescue on Friday - and bring Claudette home (she's been an outdoor cat for too long to adjust to indoor life, and if she ever got out, she'd try to make the dangerous trip back to the farm. I'll continue to take care of her here.). 

Equally sad for me, is that I'll be taking Mrs. Katz, too. I really don't think Claudette will get along with her as a newcomer, and I'm certain she was a house cat before she showed up here. She cuddles right into me when I hold her, and she's actually tried to follow me into the house, not knowing that the black dogs that chase her live inside. I want her to find a new home where she'll have all the comforts, too. It's going to be a difficult day for this caretaker, but I know I'm doing what's best for all of these sweet souls. Please tell me I'm doing the right thing.

*The Home For Wayward Cats is actually Critter Junction Pet Rescue in Fond du Lac, WI. It's a 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter. They place every single pet needing a loving home.