Today I hung out in the cat enclosure most of the day with the cats. It’s probably the coolest place when the mercury is on the rise. Set underneath the centuries old pine tree and situated so that it catches even the slightest wind, I love spending time out there. I discovered a new toy that kept me entertained and the kitties cool. I have a really old turbo tracker. The cardboard center has long turned into shredded sweet under the manipulations of so many claws. The ball that should stay in the track has long since disappeared, because a feral cat can out think any smart toy created. So today, I took the darn thing out and gave it a good scrubbing. As I watched the water fill the track, an idea started to form. Dragging the hose into the enclosure, I carefully filled up the outside track with water and took a ping pong ball and floated it in the water. Once the water spitting monster had been safely stowed away, the kitties discovered their bravery and came to investigate this cool new toy. They chased the ball in the water, their paws making ripples which coaxed the ball to perform more water manuevers. I was happy to see a few even drinking out of the track, in this heat, the more water they consume, the better I like it.

I put Madison downstairs today with Guinevere. Guinevere, clearly insulted that HER space was being invaded, hobbled over to the side of the bed and wedged herself between the bed and the wall, no easy feat for her. Madison would come close to say hello only to be met with an evil growl and formidable hiss. Maddy would back up and finally spent the majority of the day under the cat hammock. This evening, it started to cool down, so I put Maddy upstairs again. Tomorrow it is only supposed to be 70 versus the 91 that it reached today.

I had a lady call about a kitten, but she flunked my phone interview. She wants to declaw, doesn’t see anything wrong with it and would ask her vet to all four-paw declaw! I can sometimes go along with front-paw declaw (in circumstances that don’t involve saving the furniture) but no self-respecting vet I know would four paw declaw! I almost told her where she could put it, but I held off.

I heard from the last adopted parents and they are thrilled with their companions. Monroe has been renamed Kobee, and Lei is excelling in obedience class and subsequently destroying anything she finds laying on the floor at night while her new owners slumber. I need to warn them to keep her away from cardboard boxes!

Well it is sticky-hot and I am going to sign off for now. We are staying home this Labor Day Weekend- I can’t even remember the last time Mike and I went anywhere together for a few days. When you have so many animals, it is difficult to find someone responsible enough to care for them like you do. I know when I was out at my folks for those 8 days, I worried about all the animals even though Mike was home caring for them.