Adopt Senior Animals

Kitty IQ Gone to the Dogs

This cool photo found on Rants and Giggles on Facebook

Don't Fret - Our Animals Stay With Us

Because Love is the greatest power in heaven or on earth.

Animal Holiday Cheer - Times Ten!

Well, if you want to grin, and have that grow bigger and BIGGER into a huge SMILE, showing ALL your teeth, then turn into a chuckle to boot, press PLAY. This is sure to cheer you up. The fish, parrot, turtles, the ferret, the shark and a few of the dogs and cats -- their voices, the little pranks that creep into this will make anyone who is the least bit stressed or blue cheer up INSTANTLY!!!

PRESS PLAY - AND SHARE THIS LINK ON YOUR WALL to pass all that goodness along.



***There is a second of a squirrel***

Black Cats Advantage.

The Cat and the Dolphin

Oh for joy. Joy is what you will feel three seconds into watching this video. I am completely envious of this cat. At first I thought -- oh, look at that. They are communing, because they both know they are animals (and somehow of kinship). I thought the cat was on a boat and here comes this random encounter with a friendly dolphin. Then I saw a human with a training whistle, and thought, oh, these are trained dolphins. None the less, it is still beyond delightful to watch. And then I thought - that cat likes them because they smell like FISH. Enjoy.

Meow!

Beware!

THIS is Why

I carry catfood (and nuts, water, chick feed, cracked corn, towels, plastic bowls, a net, thick gloves and various sized carriers) in my car...

I took my first few boxes of gifts to be mailed off to the post office and when I came out I saw two furry but a bit raggedy cats. Couldn't tell if they were emaciated because they were long haired. I assumed they were feral because they looked quite scared and dodgy, though when I approached them holding a handful of dry cat food they looked at me, wheels turning as to whether or not they could trust it. I figure that spelled hunger. So I got as small as I could and moved very slowly, holding out my palm. When I got too close, both scampered behind the fence but didn't run away. They were too interested in what I might have. I quickly poured the food onto the ground (then was upset with myself that I didn't do it where they could be more hidden while eating), and backed away.

The white cat came more easily but both took a few bites. Meanwhile I searched my trunk for anything that I could put a little fresh water in, since they might be parched after the dry, salty meow mix. When I brought a little blue bowl over with water, the black one leapt up on the fence post mostly hidden behind a wall of leaves. It took a long time before he came down.

I watched until the black one came down, though he stayed quite jumpy the entire time he ate. I took a movie of him jumping down and eating and looking nervously around while the white one sat nearby, licking it's chops and looking satiated. But it won't load -- tried it several times. So for now, a few pictures of the same scene.

I admit, I had many things to do but I sat in my car until they were done. I was parked right in front of them so I could shield them from anyone else coming along before they could eat. Had y been able to view the movie-that-wouldn't-load, you'd see that the white one is more relaxed, compared to the black one who stopped, looked up and around every few seconds. They both sniffed the blue bowl several times, but weren't interested in drinking. But it's there in case they needed to go back to it when I was gone. There was enough food for a second meal, which I hope they got in before the rain came in torrents last night.

Lil' Sweetie's Chinny Chin Chin

One of the few squirrels I actually named was a female Gray. You don't want to think of the wildlife you are rehabbing as pets, or get too attached as you are returning them to the wild as soon as you can get them well and big enough.

But this one got a name kind of by accident.

She was so delicate and feminine. Instead of the usual rambunctious scrambling that happens when it's feeding time with squirrels, she'd settle into my hand to eat. When I needed to refill the syringe with milk, instead of the usual panic that food seems to be going away and the frantic hunting all around as I try to reintroduce the nipple that's standard behavior, she'd stay in my palm and calmly accept the next course. The little pumping motion they make with their paws was extra cute because she pushed very gently with the pads of her paws, her long, thin little fingers held up like a little lady with a new manicure. I found myself calling her Lil' Sweetie and it stuck.

Here she is as a weenie little babe.

THAT is a lil sweetie if I've ever seen one... don't you agree?

There was something else that was special about her. If I scratched her on her neck, she'd pull her shoulder back and lift her chin at an angle to get the most out of it. It is too hard to get movies of much of the adorable things baby squirrels do. I have only two hands and they are very active... and when they are sleeping, you have to snap quick, since they jump in their sleep and move 360 degrees at the slightest sound. Not to mention shooting through the glass of their tank, etc.... so I figured I'd never record this phenomenon.

But this was so much a part of Lil' Sweetie that to my surprise she even did it when deeply asleep. Here I was just filming her and went to give her a little love and... well, see for yourself.

BTW, squirrels jump and startle in their sleep like she did when I petted her paw whether you are touching them or not. I have no idea how they get any rest. They must have wired up little nervous systems that later account for the antics that amuse us when we watch them scurrying around trees or leaping from branch to branch.

I've since had a few who like their chins scratched... though it usually sets into motion an automatic scratching motion with their back leg. Don't dogs do that?

One last picture of her sleeping. I just love their little paws. When they put them on your hands, it feels just like a human hand... cat paws are more fur than skin and dogs paw pads can be a little rough, so when a squirrel puts it's little hand on you, it is always a big of a shock to feel the soft and warm skin against yours.

Stop back for more of Lil' Sweetie... !

Partial View

In New York, you often get your view blocked by crowds, trucks, other buildings... And scaffolding everywhere.

You make do. You do this so well, you start to forget there is even an obstacle there.

This kitty is a New Yorker, for sure.

Meow

Picture of the day: While out looking for houses one day I was greeted by this pretty kitty. I took a picture, thinking you might enjoy seeing her as much as I did. The photo speaks to her beauty, softness, curiosity and charm far better than my words could.