Jack and Jill - coming up the hill

Jack and Jill have slowly been gaining weight and getting more and more affectionate and funny.  Their kennels are open now as they are both eating well and not hiding anymore.  Jack is more openly affectionate and likes to have his belly rubbed.

Jill is more reserved and cautious yet.  Her ears still seem to bother her when touched.  There is a yearning I sense from her though and I think when she starts to trust me more it will be magic.

They are both filling out a bit more and look less gaunt and scary.  They've stopped wolfing down their food and guarding it from one another.  Jill has started to groom herself too, which is a wonderful sign and she's showing affection to her brother.  She looks a little grumpy though...maybe soon, she'll smile.

I have a silly little wish stirring.  I feel a lump in my throat when I think of them separated.  They've been through so much together, probably since birth.  I know these are feelings I'm imposing on them and maybe/probably they'd be fine apart; but that just seems wrong doesn't it?

Jill will have her spay stitches removed this weekend.  I wonder how many litters of kittens she's birthed in her life....5, 6, 10?  I wonder where they all are and if they survived and are safe and loved.  Both Jack and Jill will need booster distemper shots and continued treatment for ear infections and mites.  They had been so neglected for so long there is some extensive build up in their ears, maybe years worth....never again.  If it weren't for the supporters and volunteers in this little rescue, stories like these couldn't be told.  I'm anticipating a fairy tale happy ending for Jack and Jill.  Maybe they'll be ready for adoption in another month or two.  They still need some care and time before then.

Workshop

Many of these old "character" homes have workshops in the basements.  They are small rooms that may have been used by handy-folks to fix stuff and tinker.  I think I've put my workshop to really good use...as I fix stuff and tinker.

Taffy got here last week.  She had a large mass on her shoulder and needed somewhere to go to recover.  She's not quite ready for adoption yet.  So, until then she'll hang out in my workshop.  She also "Squeaks", which is adorable and endearing.

Don't worry.  She isn't too lonely.

Otis Spunkmeyer is in a large kennel.  He was neutered yesterday.  And just wanting to lay around and heal.  Otis is a pretty lucky cat.  Oars was asked to take him because he tested positive for FIV.  FIV is largely misunderstood and Oars has a small adoption room at our pet adoption center with FIV+ cats.  But - we retested Otis and he was negative.  So, Otis should just hang out in foster care for a month or two while we rule out whether or not he has FIV.  Learn more about FIV

Otis and Taffy don't ask for much.  Just a quiet, warm, safe place to heal and wait until they are ready for adoption.  I usually have the honor of hosting 3 or 4 foster cats.


Jack and Jill round out this Motley Crew.


Jill is in rough shape.  She's so thin her legs shake when she walks.  She is missing patches of fur and has some rotten teeth and her ears were infested with ear mites.  She has suffered years of neglect.

Jack and Jill are sealpoint siamese mix kitties (I think).  They came from a hoarding situation and may have been used for breeding.  Jack was neutered on Monday - Say "Hi" Jack!  Jack's not much better off than Jill, but equally affectionate and sweet.  They both came from a humane society that was short on longer term care options.

Both kitties are eager to leave their quarters and explore and snuggle.  They are eating a lot now.  Jill will be spayed on Friday.  They will be so beautiful when they are healthy and happy!  Jack gives kisses.

Some of the Oars volunteers have a spare bedroom or a laundry room where they might host a kitty who feels under the weather.  It's an amazing way to turn a little extra space into hope and life for those with no other options.  I'm grateful for my little workshop and its temporary visitors.

They listen to a little Jazz music during the day.  And I visit with them each morning, afternoon and evening.  This group needs a little extra TLC, high quality food, daily medications and attention.

I love tinkerin' and fixin' -- quite a hobby....

Nicole B