Cats of the Farm: The Pride Goes On

[dressagetraks]

We’re having the first winter storm of the season today, and neither the outdoor cats nor I really felt like a photo session out there. They are fine, have shelter and insulated boxes, and are doing well. They came out to all meals. None of us wanted to linger, however. I’ll get some pictures on a better day.

Here is the group indoors tonight, very glad to be on the new couch in the new house and not outside.

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And here is a neat action shot I got a few days ago. Satin (outside) has killed something. Pilgrim and Atticus (inside) are watching. It was as riveting as any action movie.

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[CaliforniaDreamer]

Your writing and cat family always brings on a smile. Thank you!!

[Rain]

Cats always seem extra-luxurious on cold wintery days! (meaning, having cats around to pet and snuggle!)

[dressagetraks]

I’ve got an elliptical in the office. I really prefer to put in some time on the project farm each day, but on days of poor weather or schedule insanity, I try to put in some time with the elliptical to get some activity that day. I just heard it and looked over from the desk to see Atticus on it. Atticus, I really think you get your daily exercise in the cross-house dash.

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[dressagetraks]

Speaking of amputations (see three-legged thread, possible new one; at least I’m getting a sales pitch on her), here is a picture this weekend of Cory. Cory is the one who had the horrible sore that never would heal on her ear, and the vet finally recommended amputating. Said we could do biopsy, etc., etc., send off to the big lab for a better verdict, but after it had failed a few different rounds of meds, we were getting into expensive territory, and if it was a cancer, which is what the vet was thinking, she’d still probably lose the ear anyway.

She’s doing very well. Doesn’t seem to miss her ear at all; it was bothering her more present than absent. But the white protective tuft has grown back out, just like on the other side. It doesn’t know there isn’t an ear there anymore. She definitely has an odd look to her now.

That’s Bagheera’s dusty back below her. Bagheera loves to roll in dust. Also wins the Fastest Bath Award, though. I see Bagheera all the time looking dusty, then five minutes later back to glossy black.

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[dressagetraks]

A feline feast for Thanksgiving last night when I got home from the family trip. Melody, Satin, Bagheera, Cotton, Rascal, and Cory.

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Pilgrim reposing on the end table.

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Mystery - and tail - watching the rain. That tail always seems like it deserves its own billing.

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[dressagetraks]

Gorgeous sunset last night, and I got to playing around with the camera and Cotton. Cotton is the most compliant cat I’ve ever known, provided it involves a tree. You can get him in any tree on command, and you can request different branches of it. Yes, I set up this shot, didn’t just happen to walk by him already there. Thanks, Cotton.

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I did put a Christmas tree in the new house. I haven’t had a full-sized tree for ages, just a little 1-foot ceramic, but the new house wanted a full tree. I went about this with some trepidation, but to my surprise, the cats are behaving very well. The tree is hooked to a square of plywood and has cement blocks on that to make it unflippable, so it has a rather odd appearance around the tree skirt. But the cats have not climbed or chased it. They just like lying underneath it, which is fine.

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And it’s approaching feeding time at the zoo. Here we have Cory (at the window), Rascal on the mat, Bagheera on the rail, and Satin and Cotton on the deck.

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And finally, Bagheera on the Bench of Purring.

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[Zu_Zu]

Love your cats !

Bless you for giving them such a good home ~

‘Mr. Cotton’ is something special !!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

[CanadianTrotter]

Great pictures, especially of Cotton.

I’m not surprised how compliant you say Cotton is, he’s a red cat and they are so intelligent(especially the males) and love to interact and bond.

[dressagetraks]

Sigh. Bagheera is on three legs today. Will put weight on the fourth but really doesn’t want to, and it’s swollen all along the leg, not just one specific area. I can’t find a wound.

If he’s no better in the morning, I’ll take him into the vet clinic and drop him off at 8:00. The 8:00 drop-off is really for their scheduled surgery patients, but they can usually fit in an urgent exam if they have the critter there available whenever one of the docs has a moment. I sure hope he hasn’t fractured it. That would be a challenge, because he is completely outdoor and very active. Of course, I’d bring him in if he winds up in a splint or such, but my indoor tribe is young and active themselves. Not ideal circs to introduce a new cat into the grouping.

Prayers and jingles for my mini panther. He is such a perfect mini panther. He’s jet black like Pharaoh, his full sibling, but he’s more muscular and athletic and really looks like a jungle cat, while Pharaoh does not. Pharaoh had a rough beginning medically for a few months and has never caught up to what you’d call robust in appearance, still a little lean and slinky.

[Rackonteur]

Jingling and purring for Bagheera.

[dressagetraks]

I was just digging through my office trash can in search of something prematurely discarded. Note that this trash can specifically is for burnables and paperwork. Nothing icky in there. I use this one for fire-starter when I’m having a bonfire to burn storm branches.

Atticus is a trash can digger and is particularly fond of this trash can, the only one he can get into. (Trash cans with more icky things are beyond his ability to pilfer from.) I do not approve of his trash can diving in the office trash can, and I have scolded him for it many times.

So while I was industriously digging away in there, though removing things neatly instead of his preferred paper storm, I looked up, and there he sat watching me. His expression was priceless.

You’re right, Atticus. Life isn’t fair. As Mom used to say, get over it.

[Zu_Zu]

Jingles & AO for Mr. Bagheera ~

• perhaps it’s just a bite that’s infected requiring an antibiotic shot … the long lasting shot ~

[dressagetraks]

Dropped Bagheera off at the clinic, and someone will see him when they can squeeze him in. He was on the porch rail (about 3 1/2 feet) waiting for breakfast this morning and then jumped down, which I thought was encouraging. He hesitated a few seconds on jumping down, but he did it. Still very lame and swollen leg, but I doubt he would have jumped up there and then back down with a major fracture.

[peedin]

Fingers and paws crossed for Bagheera.

[dressagetraks]

Call back on Bagheera. They started off by shaving that leg for a close look under that black fur, and the vet did find a bite mark. Didn’t think it looked like another cat, but he definitely had a run-in with something. It was infected. Cleaned that up and debrided it. She didn’t do x-rays at this point, accepting the obvious injury as the problem, but she did palpate all along the leg, and she said she couldn’t feel anything wrong bone wise. So he’s all topped off on antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain meds. He was up to date on his rabies in the first place, so he should be good to go. I’ll pick him up this afternoon.

[shiloh]

Whew! Glad it was nothing terribly serious for Bagheera. Hope he heals up soon.

And I totally feel Atticus’s pain. “How come you can do that, Mom and I can’t?” lol

[Mukluk]

Love your kittehs and the Kitty Quilt (adorable)!!!

[Polydor]

Glad to see the relatively good news on Bagheera.

P.

[Zu_Zu]

Glad to read your update …

Jingles & AO for Bagheera’s quick and full recovery.

Bless you for taking such excellent care of your tribe !