Farley has learned a new trick. He showed it off this evening, but it was clear that he’d been working on it. He zooms up the cat tree, then leaps across to the grate of the Jiro Palace. He climbed up further, climbed down, then leaped back to the tree. The first time, he landed on the tree perfectly. The second time (video below), he miscalculated a bit and went all the way to the floor. I suppose back at the farm he would have been falling from the barn rafters or hay mow. At least here he has carpet to land on!
Category: Front page
All washed up: Mamba and Snippet
It’s so nice when your offspring reciprocate your caring. This is Mamba (sometimes known as Queen Blep) and her son Snippet enjoying the comforts of giving each other a thorough bath.
Hazel starting to play
Mama Hazel likes toys to play with, which will be very helpful in convincing her that humans have her best interests at heart. She is cautious, but tolerates me being closer if I have a toy.
She is so beautiful! She has a world-class scowl when she feels you’re invading her space, but at play she’s so cute! I think she’s between 2 and 4 years old. She has lived around people, but in a barn situation where it was never up close and personal. She seems to like her new life, and her kittens were born and raised here. Now that they’re older, it’s time to develop a better relationship between her and humans, and then find her a loving home.
Always a good toy: the paper bag
Every so often, a plain grocery bag is a great new toy for the kittens – not to mention adult cats! Because the handles pose a risk (if a cat gets their head through they can freak out and injure themselves), I either take them off or take off one end so it’s no longer a loop.
Playing in the water
Blaze is a menace with the water! As far as I could see, the light was such that he was casting a shadow into the bowl, and it seemed to him like something moving under the water. He tried really hard to get it! We have the water bowl on a shallow tray, but it was not enough – he splashed water two feet away! We’ll be putting the water in a bigger tray. We started putting the water in this big, heavy bowl because someone kept tipping the previous one over. I think I might know who!
Hazel’s family – August 17
Hazel’s family were born here, on April 23. They grew up here, and are very people-friendly, even though she was a semi-feral barn cat and not quick to trust. They fought giardia, which she brought from the farm with her, as well as an upper respiratory infection, and also being bombarded with the medications those required.
Now they are nearly 4 months old, and finally strong and healthy – and ready for loving homes. They are playful, athletic, and highly entertaining! Puck is the most outgoing and adventurous, but Smudge is not far behind. Farley is the strongest and seems to act like the oldest brother. Charlie Pie is the smallest, but well able to run with the pack, and fierce in defending her toy!
Puck (male) 
Smudge (female) 
Farley (male) 
Charlie Pie (female)
Cleaning day
We cleaned the “office” today, and had lots of help. Hazel and her kittens live there, and the kittens are getting used to the vacuum and the excitement of things going on. Hazel herself found a place to hunker down, and stayed there. She’s not a fan – but handles it pretty well.
We opened the door to the hall, and even tossed toys that way – but the kittens opted to say in the room. Their reaction varied, but none of them was super freaked out.
The most brave is Puck. He found the vacuum scary, and yet there he was, following it, sniffing at it when it wasn’t moving, and generally enjoying how scary it was.
But everyone’s favorite was the broom. They seem to love brooms! They chew and bite and tug and pounce. When it’s in operation, they run towards it on the pull stroke and dash away when it comes back at them.
My granddaughter recently commented that Puck looks like Gigi, the wonderful cat in the anime Kiki’s Delivery Service. Playing with the broom he really looked like Gigi. So I lifted him up so he looked like he was flying on a broomstick, and snapped his pic.
Guest portraits
Our granddaughter, Katherine, stopped by today, and got some good shots of some of Hazel’s kittens.
Meet Mamba
Black Mamba is a beautiful, solid black kitty, mother of our five youngest kittens. She arrived here on June 6, when her kittens were a month old. She came from the same farm as Hazel, and I suspect there was not quality nutrition available. Mamba is a small cat and her kittens are small for their age.
She’s a suspicious kitty – and of course she’s a mom – but she would like to trust people. We hope to give her enough reason to trust that she will become adoptable.
Hazel’s kittens ready for adoption
Hazel’s kittens are ready for forever homes! There are two boys and two girls, and we’d very much like to see them go in pairs. The kittens are happier and the transition is easier – plus they are so much fun to watch!
Hazel’s kittens were born here on April 23.
Farley, male 
Puck, male 
Smudge, female 
Charlie Pie, female
Hazel thoughtfully had one of each color, so they’re easy to tell apart. Farley is the biggest, and in some ways the most confident. Puck, however, is the most curious and people-oriented. Smudge and Charlie Pie have the most distinctive markings. Smudge is a light orange tabby, but she has grey and black smudges on top; she looks like she got into some soot. Charlie Pie is a calico, but also a tabby; wherever she has color she also has stripes, including her tail.
These guys have been through a lot. Smudge and Charlie Pie had trips to the kitty ER, as they tried to fight off both giardia and a virus that left them dehydrated. They deserve a warm, happy environment where they can fully blossom into the loving kitties they are!