RIP, sweet Archibald

Archibald, also known as Archi and Archibald MacLeish, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Nov. 1.

He had been in somewhat failing health for a good part of this year, and things took an awful turn on Tuesday morning.

The decision that we had been dreading making was basically made for us.

We could no longer put off helping him make this journey.

Archi had shown up at our house with his "brother," Argyle, on a snowy Nov. 2 morning 14 years ago. He was about 2 months old and the veterinarian figured that Argyle was about 5 months old. We put up posters and tried to find their owners, since they obviously had been house cats, but to no avail.
So they became part of our family.
Archi was always a small cat, never weighing more than 7 pounds. One of the vets said he was the "cheetah" of our family.
But his illness robbed him of even more weight and his decline was difficult to watch.

This is Trick. She had arrived at our doorstep about a month before Archibald and Argyle did. She actually became Archi's mom, as apparently he needed a mom and she needed a kitten. Even though she was only about five months older, she took on the role like a champ, even "nursing" him. Our veterinarian said it wouldn't harm either one, and when she was finished with the role she would let Archi know. She is still with us, as is his Argyle, shown at the left below with Archi curled up next to him. 

I know his suffering is over, and I'm sure he's frolicking with our other kitties who have crossed over.
Be well, Archi. We'll see you again one day...

Feral kitty day!

Today is National Feral Cat Day.
You can click on the link above for more information on this important issue and what you can do to help.
Having taken a chance on more than one formerly feral kitty, I can attest that it can be a wonderful experience.
Othercat is our most recent kitty to have joined our family.

He was feral, but a few years ago we were able to trap him, get him the medical assistance he needed, have him neutered and vaccinated.

Now he is a true sweetie, although he does not like other cats!
So he is our outside cat who sleeps in my unfinished basement at night in a comfy bed filled with straw.
He is very, very happy, and loves to be petted, weave in and out between your feet when you walk, and demands back scratches.
He's a great mouser, even bringing us "gifts" from time to time.
He certainly is no longer feral, but loves his daytime independence!

But now he gets regular checkups and vaccines, internal and external parasite protection -- and lots of love.

One of our local rescues, Stray Cat Blues, can help provide information and assistance if you are interested in aiding feral cats.
Take a chance, do your part. Help our furry friends.

Celebrate black cats!!

It's Black Cat Appreciation Day! 

And to draw attention to these very special creatures, I'm featuring a few photos of our crazy black cat, Wednesday.
Because of silly superstitions, black cats have the hardest time finding homes when they end up at a shelter. And that is such a shame! Wednesday may be silly, but we could not love her more. 

She came into our lives at 6 weeks of age and will turn 2 years old on Aug. 20. She has brought so much fun!

So please consider adopting a black cat. One great local rescue to check out is Stray Cat Blues. They'll be happy to help you find a black cat.

And remember, you'll have your own private panther, full of love!

Happy Birthday!!

Today is a big day! It's Wednesday's first birthday -- at least the day assigned as her birth day. It's kind of hard to tell with foundlings and rescue cats.
But this little "darling" is officially marking her first year today, and as you see in the photo below, that can really wear you out!

So what else is there to do? Celebrate and cat nap!!

And maybe dream of that first day with us, so many months ago, when she wasn't even yet two months old!!

Bid for the Blues, aid the kitties!

At my new job at a veterinarian's office, I see so many very, very loved pets. Just today I got to hold one of the kittens that a woman was bringing in for a checkup and vaccinations. He and his brother were obviously very well loved, and the woman was just gushing about them.
They were so cute and it was great to know they had a fantastic home.
But not all kittens and cats are as lucky as those two brothers...
or as lucky as my many cats, including this sleepy love bug...

And that's where a very special event being planned by local cat rescue group Stray Cat Blues comes in.
On May 10, Bidding for the Blues will be held at PineCrest Country Club in Montgomery Township. You can buy tickets and attend. Also, you can contribute items to be auctioned off that night or you can start to bid now.
There is plenty of information available on this great event at and I hope you will do all you can to support this cause ... and to help the kitties.
I'll be writing more about this in the coming weeks, and you also can find more about it in The Reporter print edition and at  thereporteronline.com
Every kitty deserves a forever home.
Please do all you can to help!