Tuesdays With Tag - Update...

Artwork by Mary Sparrow - Herdin' Corgi

 Hi, Everybody!
I thought you might like a health update today, as I saw the vet again yesterday. 

If you've been followin' me on Mom's Facebook page, I've been havin' a few little issues that concerned Mom, so she figured she'd better get me to a professional. I'm sharin' this picture, because the vet tech decided she needed to take my temperature while I was there. Good times. Not!

After a checkup and some bloodwork analysis, the vet said he thinks I might be havin' intermittent, little seizures. Mom's supposed to journal any new occurrences, and she'll be keepin' in touch with the vet. I haven't had any more episodes since last week, so that's a good thing.

I have a kitty update for you, too...

Remember the cats that Mom took to Critter Junction in Fond du Lac? I'm talkin' about Crystal and her six babies, and Mrs. Katz...the sweetest cat in the whole, wide world, and Claudette's four kittens. Mom got a text from the lady at the shelter to let us know how they're all doin'.

Mrs. Katz was adopted by a couple yesterday who will shower her with love and affection for the rest of her life. Crystal and her babies have all gone to new homes. Two of Claudette's boys found homes already, but two of her boys are still at the shelter.

Renee said that she'll be really sad when those two boys leave. Apparently, they're really sweet, and they're "training" cats. When unsocialized kittens come in to the shelter, it's the job of the two little kittens to acclimate them to kennel life, and get them socialized. It's important work.

Mom and I were really happy to hear all about all our cats and kittens. She hasn't said anythin' about them lately, but I could tell they were all weighin' heavy on her mind. She's so happy to know that all those beautiful cats and kittens have found their forever homes. We're glad they're happy and loved. They deserve it. We can sleep better at night now.

 I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

Tuesdays With Tag - InCorgnito...

Brynwood Needleworks - InCorgnito

Hi, Everybody!

This isn't gonna be very long this week. I just want to tell you what I was up to, and to let you know I'm sure earnin' my keep around here!

Just last week, Mom and Dad decided to tackle a little yardwork. Talk about watchin' two ol' farts! sheesh

One wielded a shovel, and the other one mostly pointed and barked orders about where to dig. In fairness, she managed to pull a bunch of weeds, too. They have to help each other, because there's no way Mom could do this alone. If she managed to kneel with her bum knee, Dad needed to help her get up again. It was really pathetic to watch.

I sat in the garden as lookout for any stoopid cats. Mrs. Katz went to the shelter on Saturday. Mom is still teary-eyed about it. Seems Mrs. K was a sweet as could be on the fifteen mile trip to the rescue facility. Mom talked to her and explained that she wants her to live in the house, and all that other good stuff. Katz didn't make a peep, but she did keep rubbin' all over Mom's hand. Yeah. That didn't make it worse, or anythin'!

 

Also, Mom forgot to tell you that Crystal had SIX babies, not five. Mom was told that Crystal and her babies are going really well. In fact, we saw a picture of her from today. See?

Brynwood Needleworks - Crystal and Her Six Babies

Claudette has been stickin' close to the barn since she got back. Mom checks on her often durin' the day. She was recently spayed, after all. Of course, the day Claudette came back, guess who arrived to visit...

You got it. That little Casanova! Yep. Leo showed up, and has been back every night since. Mom wants to tame some of the wildness out of them. You know what will be next, right? She'll win him over. I'm confident about that! Then, there will be an appointment. Snip!! Snip!! 

Don't worry. Whenever I see those furballs, I bark! LOUDLY... She'll know for sure whenever they're in our yard. In the meantime, I'll sit here and be on the lookout while Mom and Dad do fun stuff like 

weedin' out the gardens. Lots of luck with that! 

 

Oh, look! There's that yummy grass! mmmmmmm Gotta fly!!!

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

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.

When I Wasn't Outside...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Farmhouse Block for the "Everlasting" Quilt

Handsome and I mowed our lawn yesterday. It typically takes a couple of hours (even using two riding mowers!), so we had some nice time enjoying the outdoors. 

Of course, I spent time with Crystal and her kittens, making sure Crystal has plenty of food and fresh milk to support her babies. They're nicely situated in the dog crate, so it will be easier to transport them later today without too much disruption. (Don't get me started or I'll start crying again.) I also got in some great cuddle time with Mrs. Katz. She's such a sweetheart. She loves the attention.

When I finally came back inside late yesterday, I started stitching on my Farmhouse block. I'm finished except for the porch rails and a little stonework. I'm just contemplating how I want to stitch them. I'll figure it out later today.

The kitties all go to the rescue at 6:30 tonight, when Claudette will be back from the Madison vet who provides the spay and neuter services for their rescue facility. I'll be babying her to make sure she heals well, and it will help keep my mind off the two girls (and kittens) leaving. Wish me luck with that, okay?

Once my farmhouse block is finished, I only have one flower block to go. Maybe I'll show you all the blocks together tomorrow! We'll see...

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.