Monday, December 29 evening

This is a week of visitors! FFRC thoroughly enjoys visitors. This weekend, Alex/Tabbycat and daughter Lauren arrived. Today Beth/eaglewatcher, Kathy/justme and Deb/deb11111 arrived! This is just wonderful!

Construction has now started on the Mail Room/store! So exciting.  The cabinets, countertop and cupboards are already moved from the store area to the Mail Room area. In the store area, shelves will be rearranged and reorganized! Fun and exciting items coming in.  Tomorrow the beginning of the new wall will start.

We have a couple thanks to give!

Stacy G from TX---donation to FFRC thru PayPal

Michelle M from FL—donation made in honor of Francine D who is a cat lover.

You can find low cost spay/neuter programs in your area. Just check out this site:

www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter    Thanks to Dave/wolfpatch for this reminder!

As you may know, Trucker is involved in a contest. All it takes to win are votes. Please visit www.kingpet.com/cat/4188485564130808-Trucker/   I’ve just realized that votes can be “bought” but please….if we are to win this contest, let’s do it with clicking votes.  Trucker prefers that too! Thank you.

The lost is found! You may already know---Leonard went AWOL last Monday. We were all so worried about him. We searched and searched and searched. Yesterday, Lauren spotted him in the parking lot. He’s safe, he’s back after being gone for almost a week and he’s grounded forever. Seriously though, we are not sure what happened. It just seems odd that after many years of never having trouble with the whereabouts of our cats, two were recently lost. I’m so thankful that both are safely back home. Parking Lot cams may soon be in place. Won't be much longer until the name tags are here and we can get those on the collars. 

Here is a story I would like to share:

Once there was a cat rescue that was loved by many. The cats and kittens that were part of this rescue center had much love and friendship for one another.  Fun was had by all and a genuine family-feeling was always felt. It was wonderful. Those that could look into the Rescue Center could sense there was much peace. Then one day, a cat named Cyber said something unkind about another cat. It wasn't long until 14 other cats started adding comments. One by one, an unkind remark was added. It seemed as if once they started, they could not stop themselves. Cats who usually showed such friendship and love for one another were squabbling, hissing at each other and generally causing sad feelings. It was quite shocking. And so hurtful. Derecho took this all in stock. It saddened him to his very heart. He spent time thinking about this and came to a thought about these actions. In this world of cats, why, when they have a choice of friendship and kindness or being picky and hurtful, would some choose to be the later? It was quite a mystery to him. It seemed so simple to him---goodness grows goodness but being unkind also can grow more unkindness. The matter truly was in each cat’s heart to decide how to act. Well, Derecho decided there was a way to fix this problem. He was going to show them---kindness can cover unkindness and help happiness to grow again. One by one, he went to the squabbling, picky cats. He went right up to Cyber and gave a hug and a purr. It truly took Cyber by surprise. At first he was going to clobber that Derecho. But, then, a warmness came over him and his heart grew. That felt really good. As he sat there feeling the love that was always there, he saw Derecho go to 7 more of the squabbling, picky cats. They each got a hug too. Same reaction—wow, that was rather a nice feeling! Derecho needed a bit of a rest. Before he could hug and purr on the last 7, the first 7 went to the last 7 and gave them a hug and a purr. Peace was restored. Forgiveness was given. Friendships were mended. Derecho just sat there and smiled. But, soon, a meeting was called. Derecho challenged them. Why----oh why did this happen? We are a nation of cats here—not blood related, but bound by love, friendship and heart. When a difference of opinion comes up, what would be the better decision? From the very middle of the group of cats was little Amazon. She raised her paw to speak. Derecho called on her. With her littleness, she filled the room with a big message. She said a very simple message---acceptance of one another and love. Alma then spoke up. She said she had already learned that lesson---we are all different and with many opinions. But, that can be a good thing, especially when accepted with love. It’s ok to have a difference of opinion and to be different. It actually makes the world quite exciting. Just accept each other with love! What a smart girl Alma is! And then Coralie raised her one whole paw and spoke up---lean on each other and it will draw us together. We all need someone to lean on. Don’t let negative actions get in our way of being a friend-family. We will all have a problem sometime and we can help each other get thru it.  We can help each other to carry on. I only have one whole hand, but all of you are welcome to it. Come on, cat nation---let’s be a family of friends!  Let’s lean on each other! And with that, Derecho smiled his wonderful smile! They had learned their lesson well.

Saturday, December 27

A short blog today. Have a bit of a busy morning and this afternoon need to get things ready for our Christmas with our family! 

Bounty has become my desk kitten now. She is either napping or chasing the mouse. I've had to raise up the monitor to help me see over 4-5 cat bodies when they nap! Bobbi and Betra/Cricket also love the desk. Coralie, Derecho, Bender, Cayden prefers the lap---one at a time! 

We had BOXES last night--so very kind of you all. Your generosity is much appreciated.
Mary, volunteer from Archbold--2 inch packing tape (which I confiscated already for my desk!!), 2 cases of pop, 10 spatulas, 2 sink strainers, Senses Turbo toy, cat toys, kitty collars, pokie dot cat bed and some Appetizers for Joline
Anonymous Friend--12 rolls Bounty Paper towels, lots of Huggie kitty wipes, 6 Clorox wipes & 12 rolls of TP!
FaithyMD & Bobby--kong kickeroo
Mudjie with Oh My Guinness & Henry R Peepers--Kitty Christmas card
Jacksmom from MA--Christmas card with donation
Helin from UK--Christmas card
Annette B from NC with Elsie, Quinn & Lucky--Christmas card & donation
Elizabeth & Leonard O from NJ--Christmas card and donation
Roberta & Harold L from OH--Christmas card & donation
Alan C from UT--donation for FFRC
Jeannette B & FurHaven kitties--Chritmas card
Susan ST from Defiance--donation
Tom & Linda C from IL--donation
Barb/Laeo & Steve C--Christmas card & donation
Mary & Troy S and Michael M from FL--Christmas card & donation
Walter C from OH--note, donation in honor of Skippy and Aunt Mart
Ron R from CT--Christmas card and donation for Feliz Navidad Fund
Michael R from OH--donation in honor of Tom & Cindy Rettig on behalf of their sales staff!
Connie & Craig A--Christmas card and donation
Louann W from PA--Christmas card & donation
Michele & Frank--volunteers & day visitors--6 gallons vinegar and 4 cases of water
Scott & Selena W--donation thru PayPal for FFRC and Ada Jane

Lucy Ann is a sweetie--she is building more confidence all the time and so loves her chin rubbed. Joey is a nut about his snackers! Cozarelii will also come out for snackers. Walter is doing great--his meds are kicking in and helping to keep his circling at a minimum. August too is out and about more and more. 

The Covies had their run-about day yesterday. They so love it. I peeked in the window of Porchie Haven and there were 5 cats all snugged in! So nice to see. 

Today the Christmas Tree will come down. The needles are quickly falling off. They have sure loved their tree. We will place it under the bird feeders for the birds to rest in. We have been filling the feeders about 3 times a week.

Emily is working on finding a home--she comes out more often when visitors are here. Corby is impatiently waiting for his Cat-Go-Round Wheel to be back out (we put it away while the tree was in place).  Remember when Honor and Noble first came in---they were so shy? Not anymore! They purr just looking at them--so very sweet.

We had 2 adoptions yesterday. Little Ichabod and Screech went to their new home together. The new mom/dad didn't take long to zero in on these two babies! It was an immediate "these are the two we want". A good home with lots of love to give them! We've heard about Nobbin--all is well there. And also heard from Missy Maloo's new family. Sounds like happiness all around. Missy Maloo is relaxed and is enjoying all the playtime!

Myth: A cat's sense of balance is in its whiskers.
Fact: Cats use their whiskers as "feelers" to determine widths, but not to balance.

Myth: Cats that are spayed/neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough, or both.

Did you know it's about 3 months to spring? Cats will go into heat cycles soon enough. Please....now is the time to get those girls spayed and the boys neutered. The right time to do this is BEFORE they have a litter. You can help make a major impact on the cat overpopulation problem. Grab a cat and head to the vet's! 

Friday, December 26

The kitties and cats are happy---they enjoyed another turkey based breakfast! They also had a ham bone last night, compliments of Pat and Ellen. Lots of new catnip  toys made their day! I am so thankful for our volunteers--the cats were not lacking as many volunteers still came. I'm amazed and grateful for their love and compassion. We truly have a gift of volunteers---they care, they love, they give their time and the cats love them! 

Betra/Cricket is a gem. She's here on my desk, soaking up all the head pets she can get! Little Ichabod is laying beside her. Coralie is curled up in my lap, putting my leg dead asleep again! She comes over to my chair and just sits there. THen she turns her head up and with those big big eyes....she blinks and blinks. You've all seen "the Coralie look"---so, I have to comply. Up in my lap she comes! 

On Christmas Eve Day, we opened BOXES early in the day. So fun. And I am so grateful for these donations.
Faithy & Bobby--2 packs of smarty cat toys
Dave S--2 lg. bags of Purina One kitten dry food
International webcam friends---FFRCNation card, jingle bell balls for the kittys
Widdletigger--2 packs TIKI can chicken for Jemima, 4 boxes of kitty snackers
Mimibren--3 cases FF can food, lg. bag Purina One dry cat
Vanessa Q--2 cases Friskies pate can
Caren F--2 cases Friskes pate, 4 packs kitty snackers
Pam L & Twkitty--pink button down kitty shirt (very nice), fudge, pop tops for Kellen, kitty snackers, Keurig cup varieties, lg mesh tunnel, FIsh Bed, lots of can foods /appetizers
David with Joop, Rietje, Bruno the dog from Netherlands--riger bed, great Netherlands candy!, kitty snackers, kitty can food, kitty toys, Magnifikat book, camper toy set. 
Carsten H--donation thru PayPal
Canton & her cat Chance--made a donation thru PayPal for FFRC. THis wonderful Chance bought a scratch ticket that turned into more money. He told his mama to donate it to the FFRC kitties! What a sweetie! 

We also had a box from Yaiza and Sonia-paws, from Spain!
A letter and picture of kitty Jasper. Derecho,Bender, Trucker, Thomas, Alma, Milo, Cayden and Vern received special blankies and toys. Trucker also received a collar with a name tag! Sonia Paws sent very nice bracelets and earrings for us to sell.  There were also a box of assorted biscuits, a box of goodies for Steve, Jacci & volunteers, a rudolf stocking with kitty snackers. Bag of mice and kitty toys. A special blue rug for Derecho, pencils/blue kitty slippers. I thank you for the angel tokens and the special foam/clay sculpture you made which was totally awesome! I love it!

We also had ENVELOPES! 
Lillian/xenamolina--2 Christmas cards
Barbara W from IA--Christmas card and donation
Joan Y & Richard S from Maryland--Christmas card and donation in memory of Abby, Chessie, Haggis and all past pets
Buddy--Christmas card, donation and Chief tapes
Joann Z/jz-ny and kitties--Christmas card and donation

Next, we had 3 lovely boxes from Rosemary. Rosemary has given such beautiful afghans to FFRC, all the way from South Africa. These boxes held 10 stunning afghans---all different design, different collars.  Just beautiful and I am so grateful for her generosity and giving to FFRC.

I have now ordered the tags for the Covies/Porchies collars. They are from boomerangtags.com and should be very nice. Because of the quantity that were ordered and because the owner likes cats, they have given us a nice discount. These tags are not the dangle tags, but flat tags that will be directly ON the collars. They will not come off and they will not get stuck on anything. As soon as they arrive, we will get to work on them. Thank you for helping us with this project---it means a lot to me.

Bounty and Columbus are good friends.  They sure like to tussel. Floyd likes the Christmas tree---I've seen him in it several times today already. You might have noticed Cozarelii is having a bit of fur issue. He has received treatment for it and hopefully his fur will start regrowing in those areas again. Felicity is out and about more--she seems to like the kittens and plays a bit with them. Mogo loves the bird feeders---he so enjoys chirping and watching the feeders out the Kabana windows. 

The Porchies are doing great. We have these two wonderful protected boxes on the porch between the main door and the Mail Room. Austin loves them and is always snuggled in there. No wind, snow or rain can reach him! I personally thinks he likes it there so he can keep track of the door and people going in and out! Whiskers has such a sweet face. He's a big cat! Jimmy James never misses a meal! Big Al is showing his age--he's become thinner in his older years. He sure can eat though! He continues to be free of ear problems since he had his ear surgery. 

The Covies are also doing good. Rolland especially loves the heat lights. We have heat beds for them too. They also received a Christmas ham bone last night--it's such a treat for them. Thanks to Pat & Ellen for this bone too. Anony, Honey and Rory are snug-friends! Today is the Covie-turn-out day. As soon as their breakfast is done, they get to run and explore. They always seem to know what day it is--as they are ready to zoom out!  

Weds., December 24

On the first day before Christmas, the FFRC kitties gave.......a big giant thank you and love you all to our FFRCNation friends! Merry Christmas Eve day! It is truly a blessed time of year.

We had an ENVELOPE day yesterday! Many thanks given! 
Val S/kismet from WI, Jason/Dawn G from NC, Vern & Mich from MI, Cheryl & Jim L from WA, Phyllis B/kittysmom from MI,  Kristi W from PA,  Anita S. from NY, Julie & David, Suzanne & Andre from NJ, Terry M from IN, Debbi C/lostgirl from NJ, Mary/oldgraymary, Ann/ad86 & Sherry/sillysticks, Peggy/leggygal, Ton & Cecily R from CT- --Christmas card

Carole R/Zen--donation to FFRC
Matt & Darcia, Nicholas, Brendon S from MI--card photo of FFRC kitty Ruby, donation in honor of Dawn S
Susan/Schinn from Maine--photo of Cleo & Ralph, donation to use where needed
Tom & Nancy G/Kerswill from MI--awesome letter from Domino & Amber, Target gift card
Julie C from IN--Christmas card & photos of FFRC kitty's AnnaMarie & Mellow & donation
Margo F from Nebraska--Christmas card and donation
Susan M/macandcheese from MA--Christmas card and donation
Shona C from Scotland--Christmas card and donation
BoPeeps from FL--Christmas card and donation
Cindy and her wonderful kitties from Nova Scotia--Donation and stamps and Christmas card
Judy/doodles, kitty Hank from BC--Christmas card & donation
Shawn from Georgia--donation for drink and snacks for the volunteers
Blanche A from PA--donation to use where needed
From the FFRC cats--a card to Jacci with lots of stickers!
Clark, Jessie and rest of family--birthday card for Felicity!

Helene B from Germany--donation thru PayPal for FFRC
Joanna H from FInaldn--donation for FFRC thru PayPal
Lori N from NE--PayPal donation for FFRC to be used wherever needed
Herta B from IN--donation to FFRC
Kelly L--donation to FFRC
Lynne W from CA--donation to FFRC

Today is Felicity's birthday! She is now 2 years old and is a cat with mild CH. She's so beautiful. A very peaceful cat. We took her in 3/12/13 from Minnesota. Shamballie's birthday is tomorrow, Christmas Day!He too will be 2 years old. He arrived here 11/20/13, had been a HBC, with multiple injuries including a severely fractured leg. After surgery, leg being pinned, he's recovered 100%. He especially loves Beth/eaglewatcher. 

We had so much fun this morning! Our gift for the kitties and for our webcam viewer friends.....was a real life Christmas Tree, decorated with cat toys! It's about 7 feet tall and a beautiful tree. It's very sturdy and will not fall over. The kittens and cats can climb and climb, which is what they've been doing. The "star" at the top was a real sardine. Tabitha found it and ate half of it! Vernon was even at least half way up the tree, clear inside! Elizabeth put a ramp up to the tree and now Trucker can even have some fun! Fun times for the kitties---enjoy them! 

Tomorrow, Christmas Day, will probably be a laid-back day.  Cleaning will be as normal (must have a clean rescue center for the cats!), but we're not expecting any visitors.I wish for all of our volunteers and our FFRCNation, friends/family,  a very blessed day. Merry Christmas! 

Tuesday, December 23

On the second day of Christmas, the kitties gave to me.......2 big Jonah hugs! Jonah is doing much better today. Yesterday he pretty much laid low---sleeping alot. But today he is up and about and ate a very good breakfast. Still purring too!  We now have collars for all the Porchies and Covies. Next is to get their tags engraved.

When Bender sees you coming to him, he drops and rolls! Ove he goes for a tummy rub! We all know that Debut doesn't like to be picked up, and that's ok. But she sure loves to be petted.  I love how she comes up to us, backs up and stands there--she parks herself! That's her signal to scratch her back, pet her lots and lots and to rub her ears. She really is a sweetie.

We had BOXES last night and Envelopes! So many thanks given for your help.
FaithyMD--story about Jonah, ball toys, case of Friskies
Oilsandsgirl/Sheila--feather toy, 2 cat dancers, 2 cases catnip infused Fancy Feast !!, sugar free Jelly Bellies, tower of boxes full of goodies (yum!), bag of Science Diet & 2 dinosaur dental chews for the doggies.
Ella & Oilsandsgirl--100 of the 9 inch foam plates, bonito flakes
Julie P--Christma card, coupons and 5 super bags of kitty snackers, butterfly stickers, milk rings, 2 Angel ornaments
Eartheyes--2 big bags of Precious kitty litter
Phil & Judy--our Sunday visitors/volunteers--300 nine inch plates, 100 six inch plates, kitty snackers, fancy feast can, cookies for the volunteers, RC baby kitten dry food--they sure love this!
Pamela C--donation to FFRC
Lana H--donation in memory of her beloved Miranda who passed away 1 year ago.
Carla--donation to FFRC
Carla--Snickerdoodles, Almond Toffee, 6 layer bars and a neat Matchbox ornament
Madisonpepper--box from Spoiled Rotten--kitty toys, catnip markers and lots of differnt yummy kinds of kitty snackers (2 for breakfast today!)
Brian B from NY--donation to be used where needed
Great Aunt Julie/tigercat54--2 cases Fancy Fest Kitten, big bag of Purina One dry cat
Maryann O/Merry_Marvin--coupons, food for truckers & friends, 6 bags of kitty snackers, 6 cans of Weruva. A book--My Kittens First Year. Bag of Lindor chocolates assorted, Reeses PB cup
Elizabeth/widdletigger--for Jemima and friends--2 cases of Appetizers
Kathy/Kathy310 & John S with Milo, Sybil, Sherlock, Mycroft, Madison, Simone & Heidi--Christmas card with note, box tops for Caryn, cards with envelopes, fold/mail pads with kitties on them, yummy Chocolate walnut fudge, pralines, spiced pecans, Magic cookies, pecan pie bars--oh my---so delicious! kitty stickers, 4 cans Sheba, 6 cans Friskies, big bag of kitty snackers
Kelly R/littleonemine--Christmas card with note, mylar balls, box of 8 kitty toys, 4 bags sugarless candy, bubblegum, snickers, Brachs nougat, Ghiradelli peppermint choc.

Then we had Envelopes! Wonderful envelopes--we're grateful!
Chris & Kim W from Ohio--donation
Janet S from IA with Toby& Harley--Christmas card with pics of Toby & Harley, Donation for Feliz Navidad Fund
Gloria L & Linda M from GA--Christmas card with donation
Victoria Ob from WI--Christmas card with donation for Feliz Navidad Fund in memory of Tabby
Josh & Kimmie S--Christmas card with picture of Scribble
Neil M--our MO friend!--donation and a much welcomed funny letter!
Rebecca & Darren H--Christmas card
Suzie M from OH with her 17 yr old Angel--Christmas card with note and donation
Mike G/sophieandlucysdad from MI--Christmas card and a Coldstone gift card
Carol R from VA--Christmas card
Cynthia M--Christmas card and pop tabs for Kellen
David & Toni T from Archbold--Christmas card
Clark, JEssie, Glenda, Mystery, Lucy, Vicky & Pat--Happy Birthday Shamballie with $5 for birthday treat and a whisker from Clark!!
Diane D from MI with Teo--Christmas card and $5 for the chicken fund!

I'm not sure what happened, but I believe I missed 2 days of opening cards, so we have quite a bundle to open yet! How exciting! So.....today, we will try and get the rest of the cards opened. Will do that this morning!  That way they will get all opened before Christmas and we can hang them up!

We had two adoptions yesterday! Jambrew left in the morning. The mom was so excited--she had 2 girls at home that were going to be so so happy with this sweet kitten! The second one was Missy Maloo! We had a lady come in with Missy Maloo in mind, but she wanted to make sure that Missy wanted her to adopt her. So, they spent some time in Cat's Corner together, emerged happy and adopted her!

We now have collars with all the Covies and Porchies--all break away collars. Next, I need to get the tags done--this will take a little bit of time, but we'll get to it quickly.Azar was here last evening--redy to fill his tummy again! He's our traveling Porchie! Whiskers has also been here every morning--he's another Prochie that visits a neighbor on the other side of us, but he's found all the heated beds and likes that! 

Murphy loves to run the wheel.  Yes, Walter has been circling again---alot. His new meds obviously are not working, so we're trying another one.  Give him a few more days for improvement! Merri loves to climb way way up and get on top of my desk. Kiara can be found often in the warm clothes on the yellow table. Trucker figured out how to use the ramp and get on the ledges to watch the birds! Jarvis so enjoys playing with rain drops on the other side of the window! Teagan is a loverbug and is hoping for a home soon! Love all these cats! 

Remember today we will be opening up cards--will try to get them done this morning! Tomorrow sometime early, we have a surprise for all of our viewer friends! Keep an eye open! I believe you will love it! I know the cats will! Christmas morning the cats will have a special breakfast and sometime during the day will have a fresh cooked turkey!  Merry Christmas to you all! 

Monday, December 22

On the fourth day of Christmas, the kitties gave to me.........four kitties on my desk at all times to help me work! How so sweet of them! I can honestly say my work is a bit slower, a bit mis-spelled at times and a bit choppy at times--all because of these kitties! I love it though! They just look so darn cute all sitting here ready to grab my fingers and the computer pointer!

We had another adoption yesterday! Our sweet Nobbin finally got to go to his new home. His new family (Connie D's daughter and grandkids) have been waiting a long time for this boy. They've loved him from the very first when they found him. He is a bit of a mush in their arms! What a lucky cat he is! 

On Saturday we had 4 adoptions! A great day. In the morning, Dawn and Luigi went first. They were tentatively picked out one day last week. A phone call came that both were wanted! I think these two will love being in the same home.  Also Merlee Jo was adopted. The kids in the family and their dad was so very excited! It was nice to see that. She is such a beauty. Then Moose was adopted. He was first chosen because of his beautiful eyes, yet they had not met him yet. Once they arrived, Moose was waiting for them and there was no hesitation. Moose was going home with them! 

We had BOXES yesterday afternoon! We had 6 Boxes from Conii and knew she was home. She said she could watch, so Boxes were done early! 
Many thanks to Conii and Elliott and Izabellah!  Kitty Christmas card and a donation to FFRC. Hammock scratch pad, 2 bowl scratcher beds, 4 fleece kitty pads. Lots and lots of kitty toys, cuddle pads,  and a triple tunnel. Also a triangle/tent scratcher. 6 cave beds, 4 blankets with kitties on them and 2 blankies and 4 bags of doggie snackers for Janie and Camie. 6 mega snacker bags and 6 tubs of kitty snackers too! 
Painteddaisy/June for Trucker! A truck with his name Trucker Moss printed on the sides! Now, we must make sure he gets his license!
Andre & Suzanne, visitors from NJ--a big box of kitty wipes!
Yankeechick---pizza for a special meal on Saturday

We also have donations from PayPal to give thanks for:
Mark S from UK--donation to FFRC
Gisa Z from Germany--donation to help with the cats with CH
Mindy R & Marsha S from ME--donation to FFRC, in honor of Schinn, their friend! 

As many of you know, we lost Jonah on Friday.The Covies were allowed out for their Friday Run About at 11:00 in the morning. It was a devastating thought to know that he did not come back for supper when the Covies were called to return to Kitty City. Our boy was missing. We spent Friday night, all day Saturday and all of Sunday morning looking and looking--searching everywhere.  No Jonah. I called the shelter on Saturday to alert them of our missing boy, but he wasn't there. On Sunday, we received a call from them saying a man had found a tiger/white cat, male with 3 legs.  It HAD to be Jonah. The man was en route to the shelter with him, so Steve and I jumped into the truck and headed there. The first thing they told us when we entered, was that they didn't think he was our cat because the color description didn't match. But, when the door opened, out popped Jonah's head---it was him, it was him! Glorious day! Jonah was safe and sound. He purred, rubbed, purred some more, all the way home! It was wonderful--I was so fearful something bad had happened.  

To find out more of the story, we stopped at the person's house that found Jonah. Apparently he showed up in the early evening on Friday. He spent Friday night and Saturday night under their tarp. There is no way Jonah could've walked that distance. It was 7 miles from our driveway to theirs. It's obvious he was given a ride--in a vehicle. He meowed very loudly to alert them that he was there. Sunday after finding a carrier, Jonah was transported to the shelter.  We are grateful for the return of him--he is very loved. Jonah is the original Covie--the reason Cat's Cove was made. We love him so much. 

We are in the process of going thru our collars and will fit each Covie and Porchie with a collar and a tag with their name on it and the FFRC's phone number. We've elected to do this instead of microchipping.  If someone finds one of our cats, with a collar it is obvious that he/she belongs to FFRC and it will give our phone number. A microchip won't help unless someone has a reader.  Your support thru this time has been much appreciated. We do indeed have a wonderful FFRCNation--compassionate people galore! Thank you. 

Saturday, December 20

On the 6th day of Christmas, the kitties gave to me.......6 cookies!  Cookies you say?  Yes, these would the cookies that they confiscated from Wolfpatch's delivery. The pile is going down fast---has to be the kitties eating them that fast and now they feel guilty (not!) and will return them. Those rascally cats! 

Our Raffle is over and I so deeply appreciate your support. I know this was awfully close to Christmas, yet you raised $2,500 for FFRC.  So wonderful! Here's the winners of the items:
A.  Cat on a Fence, made by Pat C    108 tickets = $540  won by LeslieLaPurr
B. Granny Squares made by Mona    100 tickets = $500  won by Jacksmom
C. Rosemarys Beauty made by Rosemary  63 tickets = $315  won by Ladydoc
D. Grumpy Cat Basket by Lisa S.  102 tickets = $510  won by Arden & CHarmaine
E. Fruit Punch made by Pat C  56 tickets = $280  won by Joco
F. Christmas by Ruth D  40 tickets = $200 won by Martha our volunteer
Total $2,345  then Beth and Joco bumped it up to $2500.  Much thanks to you all!

Our Consolation prizes were Christmas Runners made by Bagobear, FFRC cards by Kikimycat and a snow leopard Blanket donated by Pat and Ellen.  Winners of these were: Deb N, Echomist, Peggy S, Dizzy, Stan Ad, Jamiecat, Schinn and Jznyc    Congrats to all!

I got behind a bit on thank yous for BOXES, so let's do 2 nights of Boxes here!
Faithy & Bobby--12 cans of Tiki cat food
Karen C from KS with Sunny K--Christmas card, 5 mega kitty snackers, 5 bags of Christmas candy
EarthEyes with Shamballie--2 bags Precious Cat Litter, 2 cases lg cans Wellness, 2 cases small Wellness, 3 cases Fancy Feast kitten, 5 lb Wellness Kitten and a large bag of Wellness too
Conii and her kitties--a tower of boxes from Harry & David--goodies, goodies, goodies--lots of very yummy Christmas goodies!
Eaglewatcher/Beth--Happy Birthday to Shamballie for 12/25. Box of FUssie Cat for him and Porchie friends, 5 bags of kitty snackers to share with Porchies!
Ingrid B & Erik J from Chicago with note, box of appetizers, 2 bags Greenie snackers, Lots of cookies--wonderful cookies that has already been taste-tested and rated super good! Thanks!
Mary H from Archbold, volunteer--Christmas card with donation toward medical bills in honor of Callie the Calico Kitty and a wonderful door mat

Many thanks to the following:
Wanda, our portrait maker--a donation for a portrait order
Sally / eaglespirit--donation for FFRC and for chicken for the kitties!
Anonymous Friend--donation to be used half for our spay/neuter fund to help others and the other half to go to FFRC wherever needed.  A special thanks to you
Lu-Little and Benny--donation to FFRC

BOXES from Weds. night. You are appreciated! 
Annoyed Cat/Gina, Tim and furbabies Lonny & Lucy from FL--Christmas card, candy to share, dry food for kitties, kitty toys and 3 beautiful pin angels made by her mom
Barry and Lori P from IA and furbabies Walter & Peter--Christmas card, calendars to share, assortment of kitty toys, 4 lg. cans can food, 12 variety of smaller Science Diet can food
Mykatkat/Deb from AZ--Christmas card, kitty snackers, candy to share, packets of FF broth, Fancy Feast, book 101 Cataclysms for the Love of Cats--very nice!
Pam T--for Jacci, Sunbeam Renue Relieving Heat Therapy Pad--I love it
Julie P--6 cases of much needed baby food
Conii, Elliott & Izabellah--2 boxes of Harry and David pears--so delicious
Painteddaisy/June--2 boxes of goody bags for volunteers--has lots of fun things in them--have already started passing them out!  For Joyful--a Princess lunchbox with 8 cans kitty food, snackers and toys. She says a big thanks too!
Gusti--spring toys--cats love them
Pat L in MI--Christmas card
PSW--envelope of gift cards from Amazon for volunteers---so very nice
Betz--card and Flash payment
Cindy D from IL--card and donation to be used where needed
Patricia from IL--Flash payment
Neuromom/Sherri/David from NY--Christmas card and Walmart gift card

We've weighed some of the cats recently. Good news--Mr. G is maintaining his weight--he's staying about the same, which is good.  Bender has lost a pound which is what we were hoping. His frame is smaller than Mr. G. We just don't want a fast weight loss--easy does it for cats. I believe the reason he has lost some weight is because he's more active.

Yesterday we had an adoption. Little Tenacity went to her new home. She was purring as she was leaving---what a wonderful kitten. There's a possibility of 4 adoptions this Saturday. I always find Christmas adoptions are hard for me. I never want kittens or cats to be adopted just because it's Christmas. These kittens need lifetime homes, so this makes me a bit "fussier" when it comes to December adoptions. We want to be sure these are really thought out adoptions.

Jersey has just walked by me 4 times, just checking things out, with his tail up and happy. Remember when he just curled up and wanted to be left alone? Not anymore--he's joined us in his mind and spirit! Solee is here also, rolling around on the floor with a catnip toy. She just loves her baby kitten snackers. Asha seems to be possibly doing another color change--the fur on her head is getting lighter. She is a mystery to us how she does this! I had two people notice it yesterday. Asha just smiles at us--she loves attention.

Thomas is doing good. For the last 2 weeks, we've added a medicine to try to keep his urinary tract infections at bay. We don't like these UTI's and they also seem to lead him into a seizure. So far, so good these 2 weeks!  Teagan is a handsome boy---so sweet, so playful and still looking for a home.

We are going to go thru a bit of a change in our Mail Room/Store. We're excited about it and will fill in details as things are firmed up. I do believe we are now ready for winter--all heat lamps are up, heater beds are in place, kitty barns are cozy, electric water bowls are in place. Even in the barns, the hay, bedding and grains are enough to get us thru a couple rough months if need be. Now, if it could ever snow without getting on the roads, parking lots and sidewalks! 

A cat meows, right? Sounds simple enough, but for those that are cat-owners, most people realize there are a whole variety of miaows that differ in pitch, rhythm, volume, tone and pronunciations. Cats do talk---we just have to listen! It's quite amazing their range of communication. There can be greetings, grumbles, whimpers, singing and so on. Listen to what your cat has to say!