From Karen –
I volunteer with a small rescue group near Raleigh, NC named Alley Cats and Angels. We were recently contacted by another group looking for help with a very bad neglect situation. We took in three kittens and three adults, all in very poor shape. They’ve all been to the vet now, and though at first one vet thought at least one of the adults might be too far gone (she feared the foot wound infection had gone into the bones), we are now hopeful that all will be able to make it with proper care. But we could really use some help with the medical expenses for these cats, so have started a chipin campaign.
Our blog will be updated with ongoing status for these guys as they progress. The initial post about them is here.
Once again, the ChipIn for these poor kittens and cats is here. If you can help out, please do. Always remember that every little bit helps!
Vote for Gracie! It’s the last week of voting. Gracie’s currently solidly in first place, and I’d like to keep her that way. After Friday, the three judges get to decide who wins, so it’s not in the bag for Gracie even if she gets a bazillion votes – but it certainly won’t hurt!
I am very sad to report to you that this morning, I am taking Buster to Petsmart. I am hoping and praying that the right people come along and fall in love with and adopt him, the sooner the better. He is a super awesome cat, but this is not the home for him.
From the beginning, when we let him out into general population, he’s been very aggressive toward the other cats, especially Spanky. (Except Jake. Everyone just LOVES Jake, pretty much without exception.) If it were just a slap fight, I wouldn’t be so concerned – but Buster’s been going after Spanky for real, and Spanky is an old guy who really can’t kick butt the way he used to. Buster tried going after Alice, but Alice turned around and said “Really? You want to mess with ME?” and she showed him she’s not scared to stand up for herself. After that, Buster left her alone.
I know that some of you are thinking of any number of things we could try, but honestly we’ve tried everything. I feel terrible taking him to Petsmart, but this is truly not the home for my sweet Buster. He’s a people lover, and I think that if there were only a couple of cats in this house – cats who could stand up for themselves – he’d be okay. But the number of cats in this house stresses him out, and nothing we’ve tried changes that. He needs to be in a home where he isn’t constantly being stressed out and where he can’t ride roughshod over the other cats.
Like I said, Spanky’s an old guy. I think he deserves to live out his last years in peace. I’ve been truly concerned that Buster was going to hurt him, and I can’t let that happen. I’ve been sequestering Buster in the bathroom when I’m not here to be sure he isn’t going after Spanky, and that’s been stressing Buster out, too. It’s time to let him find his true forever home.
I understand if you’re disappointed in us (hey, wasn’t I super-judgy about the woman who gave Buster up? This is what I get! I wonder if this, and not her doctor telling her she shouldn’t be cleaning out litter boxes is the true reason she brought him back to the shelter.), but it’s a final decision on our part. I love Buster an awful lot, but I think that sometimes loving them means knowing when they’re not in a situation where they can be happy. I hope you understand.
“Am I not beautiful?” You are, Buster. You definitely, definitely are.
(And then he turned around and went after Corbie. Sigh.)
Watching the birds out the porthole window.
Hanging out on the dryer.
See the light spot in the middle of all the dark? I call that his angel’s kiss.
(It’s just the angle. His face isn’t quite that big!)
Bye, sweet Buster. I’m going to miss your goofy face, your drama queen complaints, how excited you get at snack time, your insatiable curiosity (“Hey, what’s up HERE?”) and your loud, loud purr.
On Saturday, Fred and I left the house for PERHAPS twenty minutes. We drove up into town, dropped off a movie, and came home. In the time when we were gone, some fucking DOUCHEBAG drove his STUPID FUCKING ASS off the road onto our property, hit the utility pole, and then FUCKING LEFT.
Well, THAT doesn’t look safe.
At ALL.
Fred called the emergency number to let them know. A while later a utility truck came along, and the guy checked it out. Another utility truck came along a few minutes later, and the guys stood out there and talked it over, and then left. Then… nothing. Yesterday morning, another utility truck parked in the church parking lot, and the guys came over, looked the pole over, stood and talked on their cell phones, and then left.
Still, nothing.
I imagine that before they get around to replacing the pole, it’ll get windy, the whole fucking thing will fall over and THEN IT WILL BE A BIG FUCKING MESS.
You’ll remember – or maybe you won’t, in which case I’m reminding you – that about a year ago (possibly longer) some fucking DOUCHEBAG drove down the road, swerved off into our yard, took out the mailbox and just. kept. GOING. What the fucking fuck is up with fucking assfucks not stopping and fucking, I don’t know, AT LEAST FUCKING APOLOGIZING FOR FUCKING UP OUR PROPERTY?
There was also the guy who swerved off the road, flew across our property, went across the ditch, and finally came to a stop on the church property. Fred saw him very early the next morning, and tried to help him get his truck moved back onto the road, but had no luck. And then there was the guy who drove into the ditch between our property and the church property and had to be towed out.
I am thinking there’s maybe a reason the people who owned this house sold it.
And I know that four (there might have been one more I can’t think of) incidents in five years is not so bad, but mark my words – it’s only a matter of time before some stupid fucking douchebag drives off the road and into our HOUSE. Or into the garage. Because there’s always some douchebag douchin’ along being douchey.
AND PROBABLY TEXTING WHILE HE’S DRIVING.
The pond guys showed up bright and early yesterday, and except for a half hour lunch, they worked hard all day long!
The first thing they did with the dirt they dug up was to dump some of it in the pig yard. The pigs have rooted up that yard but good, and when Fred mows out there, the mower gets stuck in the ruts. Once the pigs go off to freezer camp (at the end of the month, by the way), Fred will spread the dirt out and even out the yard.
The pigs reacted to those piles of dirt like they were piles of the MOST AWESOME STUFF EVER. They rooted around in the dirt, they ran up on the hills of dirt, and then they rolled around on their backs like dogs.
George and Gracie snoopervised all day long and thought it was the MOST awesome thing EVER.
I took this picture around noon:
Fred took this one around 4:30 (I was off taking Tommy to the vet) :
Fred stood in the trench that is the beginning of the long side (I think. Unless it’s the short side? Hell if I know.)
At the end of day 1, the pond guy guesstimated that the pond is less than 1/3 dug, and that we are going to end up with far, far more dirt than we need. Luckily, he knows a guy who’s building a house and may be interested in taking the extra dirt off our hands.
Update on Tommy’s eye: Last night I took Tommy to see our other vet for a second opinion (the one I really like the most, but I hate to put the cats through the half hour drive up there). She took a long look at Tommy’s eye, and then said that she thinks it’s iris melanosis – in other words, a “freckle” on his iris. The patch of discoloration is flat rather than being like a growth and isn’t affecting his vision. Also, I brought the pictures of his eye from 2009 and 2010 to show her, and as the spot hasn’t grown much in two years, she doesn’t think that we have to worry about it being melanoma.
Of course we’ll keep an eye on it, and if there are any changes in the spot, she’ll refer us to a specialist. So – for now, at least – Tommy will keep both his pretty eyes.
(But there’s not any reason he couldn’t still go as a pirate for Halloween!)
Molly totally looks like she’s in a Logitech ad, no? “When MY sister annoys me by sniffing at my back end, I take a deep breath and remember I have a Logitech mouse, and it’s all good.”
::pbllllt::
Molly and the Ears of Annoyance.
“WHAT. What you want, lady?”
Molly loves loves LOVES to be held on her back like a baby. She was purring up a storm when Fred snapped this picture.
Patty Peppers, keeping an eye on the goings-on.
“What’s going on over THERE?”
She’s the quiet observer, our Patty.
“WHAT.”
“Wait. We’re ALLOWED to do that?!”
Um, no. No you’re not, Miz Poo. And neither is he. Not that it stops him any!
Previously
2010: Back from Myrtle Beach!
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: he’ll find them on his hard drive under “Memory Stick, October 18, 2007, Motherfucker.”
2006: I hope I mean that in a good way. I’m not sure yet.
2005: For at least five full seconds a big cartoon question mark appeared above my head and my brain flipped frantically through the instruction manual trying to figure out just what the fuck was going on.
2004: No entry.
2003: No entry.
2002: Poor, deformed Miz Poo.
2001: Ya gotta love the Poo.
2000: Remember that episode?
1999: I just love it when I don’t have to cook.
In our area, folks who live in spots where people tend to careen off the road and into their yards line their road frontage with big-ass boulders, lean back in satisfaction and say “yep, that’ll stop ’em!”
I was going to suggest the big-ass boulders for the douchebags also.
Growing up I lived on a rural dirt road that had a popular apple orchard at the end of it. This meant semi-trucks and lots of traffic at certain times of year, even though they were supposed to take the (longer) paved route. Anyway, my neighbors all had some sort of barrier like boulders, logs, etc. lining their yards near the road. Some people would put logs in the road to make people slow down too (it worked, the township didn’t care!) Fences didn’t work because people would blow through them, but logs and boulders did. We had some huge oak trees out in the front of our property, and my dad used a huge pole set and reinforced with concrete to hold the mailbox. The two times people ran off and hit it resulted in major car damage, haha.
I was totally going to comment that y’all should look into getting a couple of large boulders! Apparently the internet has spoken, Robyn, and you need some big rocks.
thanks for those Miz Poo shots – had me quite the giggle the morning!
I actually have a “freckle” on my iris as well. I’ve had it my entire life and it has never gotten any bigger nor has it affected my vision at all.
Sorry to hear that Buster is leaving you. It is for the best, although I know it is breaking your heart.
I don’t think ANYONE would EVER judge ANYTHING you do when it comes to cats. Sure, we’d judge you on your house, your clothes, your cooking skills, your picture taking, etc. but NEVER about cats! (You know I’m just teasing right? It’s because I love you!)
I took in my Simon from a woman who had many, many cats because he was stressed. He didn’t attack, he hid (my brave boy) but he was very unhappy. And while he tolerated Fergus, who was here when he arrived, Simon has finally achieved his lifelong dream of being “only cat” and, while I ooah and aaah at every kitten, I don’t have the heart to bring anyone home.
Buster will be far happier being “only cat” and I’m sure he’ll find someone who loves him almost as much as you. You are absolutely doing the right thing for both him and the Anderson herd. I’ll miss seeing his beautiful little face and I’m praying he finds his someone soon.
Anyone who knows cats (dogs/birds/pigs) will think the higher of you guys for giving up Buster. With that many cats, my own technique of yelling, “STOP FIGHTING YOU HORRIBLE LITTLE SHITTERS” probably would not work so well to restore harmony; and if there’s unhappy cats, something has to change. I mean, feel free to call your cats horrible little shitters if you think that will help. Mine don’t even take any notice any more, they just scatter and bite each other more quietly out of earshot.
Also I love the huge drifts of George and Gracie hair in the foreground of the dirt shots. We never brush our dog inside, never never never, because we get that same pile but blonde. And then we sculpt another dog out of it and offer it to the gods. Well I can’t spin or knit, what else am I going to do with it?
It sounds like it’s the best decision for all concerned. Once Buster finds the right place where he can be king of the castle, he’ll be fine.
I still want to come back as an animal on Crooked Acres.
Jebus Gay, Robyn, anyone who’s read even ONE of your posts knows you would never just “get rid” of a cat. Judge you? Are you freakin’ KIDDING me??? I’m with Dez; if I have to come back as an animal, PLEASE let me live on Crooked Acres. And that’s any kind of animal, including pigs. If Buster is unhappy and you and Fred, of all people, can’t fix it, then no one can. He’s a gorgeous cat, and there IS a Forever Home for him out there.
Onto other topics: could Miz Poo even GET that kind of altitude??? 😉
I have followed you for many, many years and I know you did everything you possibly could for Buster to help him integrate into the kitty-crew. I am so sorry that you had to do this but everyone else in the house will be happier and I am sure that when Buster finds his forever home, he will be happier too. Hugs!
I think it is very honorable that you care so much for his well being. It isn’t a good fit – that is okay. It is very different than he is simply an inconvenience becuase he wants to be fed or some ridiculous excuse people give. This is about his health and the health and safety of all of the other cats you *hoard* 🙂
You have to do the best for all of them and sometimes that is not an easy war to wage. We still love you and respect you and will always come to you for cat advice.
You know what? I’ve always been so shocked that you seem to have kitty harmony with all the cats, so to read that you’re having to re-home Buster makes me sad because I know it has to be a VERY hard decision to make. I think you’re making the right one, btw.
We have 3 kitties. Izzy and Bella (brother and sister we brought to our home a year ago, when they were 4 months old, because they were strays that a friend tried to take care of, but with the allergies she and her daughter have, it was miserable… I was supposed to help them find a home, but once I saw pictures, I had to have them for myself!), and our sweet kitten, Abby, that we got in August, and they all get along FABULOUS. Abby is bold, beautiful, and so sweet… Izzy and Bella LOVE her and take care of her, and I’m over-the-moon happy with the kitty harmony in our home. Abby needed a forever home, and I wanted her, sight unseen, immediately. So, we have 3 orange and white kitties. 🙂
I know Buster will find his perfect home – maybe as an only cat with people to love on him and admire his beauty. Everyone will be happy!
Boy, cats all have different personalities and quirks, don’t they? My Yenta teeters on the borderline of too agressive like Buster, and I think her only saving grace is she’s the smallest of 4 cats. Maybe that’s why she’s agressive? I don’t think so, she would rather be an only cat, the Queen of the House all by her lonesome.
Like everyone else said, I can’t believe anyone would judge you harshly, and if they do, let me (us) know and we’ll kick their ass!!!
Love ya, Robyn, hang in there!
Someone out there is waiting for Buster!!!
Ah, Buster, these things happen :(. You and Fr3d are so caring and conscientious about your animals that making this decision must have been a heartbreaker. In the end, you’re making the right decision for everyone and our fabulous Buster will find a happy forever home, I just know it (hey, lobby for “picture visitation” from his new owners…Buster’s loyal subjects demand it, lol :)!).
Buster will be just fine, someone that will love him {almost} as much as you do will come along and give him a good home.
I know exactly what you mean about Buster. We have a greyhound, had lost one, decided we had room to help foster another. Loved that foster dog, she was great, and she and our old resident male dog did NOT get along, which was a huge surprise. Great dog, but she is not the dog for us and we are not the home for her. Our old guy deserves to finish up without that kind of stress in his own home. You did the right thing and Buster will get a great home.
My 14yo cat has had a brown spot on his green iris for about 10 years. It started out as a tiny spot and is now about 20% of his iris, and the vet has been watching it, but his eye is fine. So I wouldn’t worry.
Robyn, nobody here is going to judge you. We all know what a hard decision this must have been for you and Fred, and I have nothing but respect for your consideration of Spanky’s peace and safety. We had to do almost the same thing a few years ago, when we adopted a female dachshund to keep Charlie, our little-old-man doxie, company. The difference in their energy levels was such that Charlie was so stressed out that he puked up every meal he ate. Plus, the thing Charlie loves above all else is his tennis ball, but the little girl doxie wouldn’t let him have it, ever. Our decision was made easier by the fact that she just went back to her foster home, where I knew she was adored and pampered.
And awww…Ms. Poo looks so pretty! She’s got the most expressive little face, and her body shape always cracks me up (sorry, Pootie!).
Yay for melanosis and not melanoma! I thought about you and Tommy all night hoping that I was just being the Henny Penny of melanoma.
It sucks about Buster, but it’s what’s best for him to have a happy life and that’s the important thing. I have no doubt that you and Fr3d have tried everything.
I love the picture of Miss Poo, she’s got the cutest face. Very smooshable.
I’m so sorry to hear about Buster, but you are doing the right thing for all concerned. He needs to be somewhere there aren’t so many kitties for his own peace of mind. He is such a gorgeous cat, someone will fall in love with him for sure. Robyn, you know you and Fred have like a million karma points in the cat rescuing department right? Like others have said above, if I came back in the next life as a Crooked Acres cat, I know I would be living on easy street!
It takes a real loving and caring person to do the right thing with a cat. I have no doubt you’re doing the right thing in this case. It’s obviously still heartbreaking I’m sure, but in his own way he is telling you he needs a different type of home so everything will work out fine. I’m imagining him being adopted by an older person with no children in the house. He’s so dang cute I’m sure it won’t take long for him to find a home. If you were selfish you would keep him. But you’re not. :)I think everyone who reads here understands that.
I had a peaceful 3-cat house a few years ago. When a fourth, young George, showed up, we adopted him. George never harmed a thing but he totally changed the environment here. Suddenly no one remembered where the cat box was. I put cat boxes in 2 other rooms and they wouldn’t use them. For years my house needed constant cleaning and there was hissing and swatting daily. Sweet Georgie was the only one who never did anything wrong and he was such a cuddlebug we would not let him go. Last year we lost both George and our other male Charley to medical problems. Now we just have our two girls, ages 14 and 7. The 7 year old still mispoops, even though I’ve had the house cleaned from stem to stern and keep it that way. If I had to do it over, I would have found George a good home at the first hint of trouble. So I understand your dilemma with Buster entirely. Have you ever wondered how that lady who keeps The Cat House on the Kings manages with almost 1000 cats? Maybe there are so many they’re all CATatonic and just lay around in a trance all day.
Robyn, I was glad for Tommy and sad to hear about Buster. I know it makes you sad to give him up and no one is judging you. Know that someone out there will give him a home and will love him as much as you do. Like others have said here, in another life, I’d like to come back and be a cat at Crooked Acres. 🙂
LOVE the pics of Miz Poo! Sorry about Buster! He will find a good home.
Except for a few judgmental assholes, your readers all know that you make the best decisions for your kitties, Robyn. Really, you’re doing the most unselfish thing to see that Buster gets placed in a more suitable (for him) home.
Buster just needs a place where he can rule all by his bad self.
Yay!…for Tommy and for getting the pond dug.
I’m sure Buster is acting out because he’s stressed, and I think you’re making the right call about this not being the best environment for him. It just means there’s a better place out there for that beautiful boy, but I know it makes you sad!!
Aw, I’m sad about Buster, but totally understand where you’re coming from. I have 3 cats (I know, slacker), all of whom came from the same litter (actually, they *were* the litter — I got them from a “cat lady” and her house was so gross I couldn’t stand to leave behind any of them). Two of them get along really well with each other… the other one gets picked on. I think my male cat just wants to play with her, but she doesn’t want to… but her sister? She’s downright mean to her and it’s made her a pretty jumpy cat. I do what I can to keep them apart, as I don’t think I could bring myself to give up any of them… but it makes me feel badly whenever they get into it. So yes, I understand :::hugs:::
🙁 Sounds like Buster was living up to his name. My cat Gus was named Naughty when I got him. He felt it necessary to live up ot his name so I promptly changed it!
Not all kitties can live in a colony of kitties. I’m sure as gorgeous as Buster is, he will find the perfect forever home.
val
Yay for Tommy! I know his ‘good’ diagnosis was the result of all the positive vibes sent your way. Come on Bitchypoos! Let’s get those good vibes going in Buster’s direction!
Buster has been my favorite foster since his first photo. Wish I lived closer…
Robyn, I will chime in with the rest who have said that there is absolutely no judgment in you deciding that Buster needs another furrever home. That your house is as harmonious as it is with all the personalities within is nothing short of phenomenal. You’re right that Spanky needs to be able to live without constantly looking over his shoulder and that Buster will make an absolutely fabulous cat for the right people. I’m still living in a house divided, myself, but I only have 2 of them and it hasn’t been that long. I’m still holding out hope that one day I’ll be able to take down the gate and still have some peace. For now, I just split my time betwixt them and I’m ok with that. I do wonder sometimes if I am doing a disservice to them but they each seem happy in their respective places so until one of them learns English, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.
Thanks for the Miz Poo pics, too!
My sister cat Spike has one eye. She lost it when she was 17 after a long battle with herpes (don’t ask) and adjusted quite quickly to the loss of vision. She looks kind of cool, actually. Still, I hope Tommy doesn’t have to have his eye out.
No one would EVER think you would give up a kitty for no reason. Buster will find the right home, and he just has more people in the world who love him. That’s not a bad thing