The "Eyes" Have It

Momma says she loves working at the shelter, socializing with the kitties and taking their pictures for Petfinder. She says it is a "happy sadness" when one is adopted. We don't understand what she means, how can you be happy and sad at the same time?

There was a kitty in the shelter that was gray, with the most gorgeous eyes Momma has ever seen. She says her name was Spazz and she got adopted (along with her best bud and sibling) almost immediately. Luckily, Momma got a good picture of this beauty. We are sharing it with you on a gorgeous Sunday morning in the Big Piney Woods. Happy Spring everyone.

A Crime In The Big Piney Woods

We have had a goose napping!!!! The story goes like this:

Mom and Dad goose #1 hatched out 7 babies on our pond. Later that day Mom and Dad goose #2 came by with 2 babies. Geese, after they have their babies, hang close to each other, but protect their little ones. However, Mom and Dad goose #1 decided 7 wasn't enough and goose-napped Mom and Dad goose #2 babies, so they have 9 now, and Mom and Dad goose #2 are very upset. Our Daddy says he has never seen this happen before. Momma feels bad for the poor parents. I wonder if they want a ransom. Maybe a sack of corn? Possibly Harley, with his Secret Agent 007.5 experience, can shed some light on this caper.

~Patches Lady~

Mittens Tells All

Yes, we are still all here in the Big Piney Woods, happy and healthy, after a long winter. Momma is working at the shelter A LOT and planting her flower pots. Her tummy is good and she has lots of energies (evidently not for blogging.) She says she needs "time off" to pursue her hobbies and extra curricular activities. Derby suggested a fairy watching party; anycat that wants can come over as they are out of hibernation. Mistrie says they are making beds out of her shed furs. Happy spring to all!!

~Mittens Pollypaws~

Big Piney Woods Update (finally)

Momma has been so bad about letting us blog, she uses the excuse "busy."

The following things have happened:

Momma's stomach is real good and she is eating like a normal person now, not eating soup all the time. She has cat-a-rack surgery coming up next month.

Momma is at the shelter a lot!! They had their big grand opening and last night an auction. She bought stuff, but she says it is going to stay at the shelter. It is all kitty stuff, things to decorate the walls in the kitty foyer. She also ordered a huge cat tree for the kitten room and purchased a tile to go on the outside of the building. It says "A purr is music played to the heart" with her name on it. She said she is going back to three days a week now.

The snow continues. It is looking like a Christmas card AGAIN!!!

We are all fine. Below is a picture she took of a big boy cat called Davey Jones (blind in one eye) giving a bath to the newcomer Bush. DJ had to hold him in place, he is a rambunctious one year old.

Momma Is Sad

Momma had a favorite kitty in the shelter. His name was India, a sleek black beauty with golden eyes. He was still a kitten, but in the three months she has been there, hadn't put on any weight and never played. She told the techs there was something wrong, and for a while they said, he was just "laid back." Momma knew better and would hold him, but he seemed so frail and wanted to cuddle the other kitties.

Yesterday, when Momma went to the shelter, everyone was sad, and they said little India had to go to Rainbow Bridge because he got terrible sick, he couldn't even stand up. He was suffering. Momma knows it is for the best, but she misses her black beauty.

~Patches Lady~

What Is Goin On???

Momma puts on a strange outfit, with kitties all over the front on it, she calls it a "scrub" and says it is to protect us. When she comes home, she doesn't even say "hi" but rushes upstairs to change. I can still smell something, though. It smells like other cats! Is she two-timng us?

~Patches Lady~

Health Update

Hi everyone:

Well, I found out why I have been so sick. It is a bacteria in my stomach called "bacterium Helicobacter pylori," the same bacteria responsible for ulcers (which I probably would have gotten.) It seems this bacteria is in many of us, lying dormant since childhood. It was verified with the biopsy they took during the endoscopy. I am on very heavy doses of antibiotics (two kinds) because it is very resistant. I have 10 days worth of pills, then a month to see how I feel, and an appointment with my Dr. at the end of March, when I, hopefully, get a clean bill of health.

I can actually say "I am glad" that is what it was, easily treatable and now I KNOW. Now, I feel I can get on with my life, (I will probably have ups and downs) and feel great today, although I know it is too early for the meds to be working.

Getting back to a regular routine at the shelter is so important. I have learned many sad facts about humans, mainly that they aren't very humane! If the way we treat animals reflects on what a society we are, it is very disturbing. So many animals are "owner release" or just dumped in the hallway or outside (we have a waiting list because we are a "no kill" facility.) I am not going into details, it is just too upsetting and heartbreaking, however on the flip side, I do meet many wonderful animal lovers.

Thanks to all of you for being so supportive in this long ordeal of mine. You are all wonderful friends and the CB means so much to me. Hugs to all.........

CalioMom Toni :)

Pee Ess: The girls are all fine, and Mistrie came through the winter fat and sassy and waits every night before supper to come inside and rub noses with Patches, then runs out to "her domain."

Health And Shelter Update

Health Update from CalicoMom Toni:

Hi and thanks to all for your concern. Here is what has happened so far:

My GP sent me to a Gastroenterologist in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, (60 miles from home) last week, who did an endoscopy yesterday. He said my stomach was red and irritated and took a culture, checking for the presence of Helico Bacter (the bacteria responsible for ulcers.) Tomorrow I go to our hospital for an ultrasound of my stomach. He also did blood work, involving my liver and pancreas. As soon as I hear something, I will let you know.

I have been doing volunteer work at our shelter, and try, if I feel up to it, to go in three days a week. I do everything for Cat Petfinders now, taking pictures and posting them on Petfinder's website. I have about 100 cats I have done, so far; many have been adopted. There are about 60 viewable ones, right now. I also love to spend time socializing the cats, and whatever clean-up is necessary. You can see Panhandle Animal Shelter's Cat Petfinder site HERE. The first entry I call "The Kittens" and it is a work in progress, as it changes almost daily.The work is so rewarding and I really love it.

LOA

CalicoMom here: Due to ongoing health issues, I need to take some time off. As most of you know, I have have bad stomach issues for over a year now. I have a Drs' appointment, for a full physical, on the 26th, but find everyday tasks right now, almost impossible. I will be back!!!

Snow Sale And Baby

Dear cats who ordered snow:

All snow orders have been shipped. It is a good thing, too, because the rains came and turned the snow into slush. I doubt that would sell. Momma calls it slop.

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On the grandbaby front: Tessa Dawn entered the world at noon on Momma's birthday. She has a head of black hair and blue eyes, and her Grandma (our humansisfurwhodoesn'tlivehereanymore) says she is gorgeous. I think all Grandma's say that. I have never heard one say, bald, pie eyed, ugly brat. I do know one thing, all kittens are adorable and cute, so maybe human babies are too.

~Patches Lady~

Happy Purrday Momma

From us girls to you, Momma. We won't tell anyone you are old now, and legally so, cuz you have something called Medicare. We luvs you!

Patches

Mittens

Mistrie

Precious

Calico Mom Toni here: It looks like I am going to be a great grandma today! What a birthday present. Little Tessa is due anytime (my granddaughters' first.)

Snow.....For Sale

I am taking orders for snow. Right now, I can only take orders in the northern part of the country, until I can get a frigermated truck. Here are the amounts, with prices.

• Small Box (Enough to make 100 snow balls)........50 cents
• Medium Box (Enough to make 300 snow balls)...One green paper (two 50 cents)
• A TON (Enough to cover your yard).....................Three green papers (six 50 cents)

Send orders to: Patches Lady
Big Piney Woods
Far North Reaches
Idaho, USA

My New Glider

Funny, Momma thinks this is her glider, but I have claimed it. I even like the way it moves.......back and forth................ back and forth............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

~Patches Lady~

Happy New Year!

Napping On My Catnip Pillow

while it snows and snows outside. I got this wonderful pillow from

A Safe Haven For Cats. Jeri is a wonderful lady who saves kittens.

~Patches Lady~

It's Time

to take all the flashy lights and tree down, Momma. I want the house back to normal, except leave my snow bear, please. Thank you.

~Patches Lady~ (the most polite cat in the house)

Merry Christmas

To all our furriends

From The Big Piney Woods Cats!

Monday Mews

The following things are mewsworthy (at least to us cats.)

• Momma is going in to learn Petfinders at the new shelter. A nice lady by the name of Helen, who does it now, is going to help her get started.


• She is also going to help with the new look of the website, which is being redesigned. She has a new design all ready, but so has someone else. She says it doesn't matter, she just wants to be involved and on the committee.


• She is shopping for a new camera. So far, she likes the Canon 10 MB, 20X Zoom. That means more pichers of us!


• It is so cold in the Big Piney Woods, it reminds her of Minnesota. ( I think that is a bad thing.) Snow snow snow, cold cold cold, wind wind, wind. She hooked up Mistrie's electric heated water bowl she got from MomRobyn. Thanks MomRobyn.


• Her tummy is being bad again (she thinks it was some matoes she ate) and she might have to go have some tests done.

~Patches Lady~

A Picture

is worth a thousand words.

Minding My Own Bizniss

Momma thought I was deep in meditations, but, I was really listening to her on the phone machine. She was talkin and talkin to somebody she called Helen. Then she said yes she would do that. So, snoopy kitty that I am, I looked into her emails and found lots of them to and from the people at PAS (Panhandle Animal Shelter.) Now I know....... she is going into the kitty rooms and is going to take pichers of them to put on Petfinders! I used to complain she took too many pichers of me, but now I am a bit crabilated! She is going to be seeing and handling and petting and loving on lots of other kitties. Yes, this is definitely big time crabilation!

Important information: Momma heard on TV this morning that Outlook Express is compromised by a Trojan virus and you shouldn't use it until a patch is developed (they are working on one.) I guess it can steal your passwords and get into your bank accounts.

UPDATE: MS has a patch on their update site. Thanks to Cat Crosssings for that info.

~Patches Lady~