Update Central

For those of you who are not on Facebook, we have been receiving Emmy (Mae) updates throughout the weekend.

From Saturday:

"I'm just hanging out with my Mom, making biscuits, watching The West Wing on Netflix."

And in the comments under the photo: "Shortly after this photo, she moved over to the cat tree in front of the window, took a bath, stood on her hind legs to get a closer look at some bug friends on the other side of the window and kept watch on the goings on out front."

From Sunday:

"This ribbon is really fun!!"

And again from the comments: "Girlfriend was chilling on the cat perch in the window when I came home from the market. She's definitely feeling comfortable in her room. I think she knows she's home."

Gee.... Ya think? Love love love love love :-)

Additional updates from an alumnus not named Emmy:

It seems that someone has discovered the top of the kitchen cabinets at his house.

Get a load of that tail!

"WHAT? I should not be up here?"

I guess it's only fitting that our boy Grizzly found his way up to the highest place in the kitchen.

His mama was pretty fond of the view from on top of my cabinets too.

Clara Update, Already?

Because she's the best mama ever and wanted to make sure you didn't worry about her...

I received a lovely e-mail message from Heidi on Saturday. Instead of paraphrasing or picking and choosing the  perfect passage (because they're ALL fantastic!), Heidi gave me permission to share her message with you. So...

"Clara is doing great! I suspected so before, but now I am sure -- I have hit the kitty cat jackpot!!! :)

What a gorgeous, loving, sweet, inquisitive, fuzzy -- and oh did I mention sweet -- girl!!! Everything you had said about her is absolutely true!!

The drive home yesterday went fine. It ended up taking about 5.5 hours overall (Kelly's note: Did I mention that Clara is no longer a Michigander? I think I forgot that part. THAT's how awesome this match is... her new mama came from out of state to collect her!) since I stopped a few times to let her use the litter box if she wanted (she didn't) or eat a little snack if she wanted (she didn't). As I drove I did hear a few meeps and mews from time to time, but really barely anything at all, and mostly in response to me talking to her. She seemed just fine -- I think I was more worried than she was :)

When we got home, I showed her where the litter boxes are, and then gave her some time to have a good look around the condo. Then I opened a can of food in the kitchen and she was very interested in that, after which it was bath time on the living room rug, and when I sat down on the sofa she jumped up for a good snuggle. She continued that pattern throughout the evening -- exploring and then coming back for some love. When I went to bed, she followed right along as if we'd been doing this for years. I'm not sure if she stayed in the bed all night (I'm guessing not and that she did some good old fashioned night exploring), but she was definitely there when I woke up, and she was just a rolling, purring, stretching bundle of love!!

Today so far she has been very interested in watching people come and go outside, as well as keeping an eye on the birds and squirrels. And all has been going well on the eating, drinking, and litter box front -- I have seen the first two things happen, and I have evidence of visits to the latter :)

The only thing so far that she hasn't liked is the noise (admittedly loud) of the coffee bean grinder this morning. But even then, although she started to turn tail and flee the kitchen, she didn't leave entirely, just kind of crouched and folded her ears back and looked at me as if to say, "What is THAT?! Are we going to be ok!?" :)

She truly is a lovely, lovely girl. Given her sweet and loving nature, I imagine she would have been happy in a number of setups and would welcome any loving attention -- but I am so glad and thankful that it is MY house that she is in, and that it is on ME that she can shower her unreserved and unstinting affection. My cup runneth over... truly it does.

Thank you so much for entrusting me with this wonderful, delightful girl. I will send more updates -- and pictures -- next week!!

Heidi added that she wanted to answer so many of your kind comments on Friday's blog post but she has trouble commenting from her computer at home. She is able to comment from work, so we might hear more down below. She IS reading though... and feeling your love.

Now I guess we just sit back and wait for updates. Whatever shall we do while we wait?

"AHEM!"

"What are WE? Chopped liver?"

"You could start paying attention to US, you know."

"YEAH! What HE said!"

"Please, pretty please... Blog about US now!"

Oh, I don't know... Do you think there is an audience for kitten antics on the internet? ;)

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I would be remiss if I didn't pass along many thanks to the people who helped Clara find her way home...

First, this would have never happened without those of you who helped share her photo and information across the interwebs. I lost track of how many times I saw her pretty face flash across my computer screen while being shared by you. That is, in fact, how Heidi found us... on Love & Hisses where she was shared by the amazing Robyn Anderson. (That doesn't make any of the rest of you any less amazing, just giving credit for where Heidi was hooked)

Second, your support both in the comments and behind the scenes in my inbox sustained my spirits when I sometimes thought Clara's family was never coming for her. The extra bits of information about FIV, the leads on places where we might share her story, the cheering us along... it all meant a great deal, probably more than you know.

Third, I am grateful for a rescue community (and this rescue in particular) who didn't let a three letter diagnosis deter us from our mission of finding Clara's forever home. In some places, those letters mean a death sentence or (at the very least) giving up on the animal. It was never a thought, for even a single moment, that we couldn't or wouldn't find Clara's family. Finding another place for her was never discussed. She was ours until she was someone else's... permanently. 

Fourth, I am thankful for a wonderful six months with Clara. Even though she rarely had anything to say out loud, it still seems quiet here without her. Roo seems a bit lonely too.

**Here endeth the "acceptance speech"**

When One Chapter Ends, Another One Is Just Beginning

If you missed last Thursday night's post, read here first and then check back with us... okay? We'll wait for you. Make sure you're singing when you come back because the music picks back up below...

(fade back in and... cue music)

It's time to get things started.

Why don't you get things started?

It's time to get things started on the most sensational...

 inspirational...

 celebrational...

 Mama-tational (!)

This is what we call The Mama Show!

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When Mama Clarice moved into the front foster room (WAY back in January), we kept her sequestered away from the rest of the house while she raised her babies and we educated ourselves on all of our options in regards to her FIV+ status.

When Mama Clarice moved into the upstairs family room (in mid-February), we kept her separated in order to protect her from the ringworm that had invaded the foster room... and her kittens!

When the kittens healed and moved on to their individual forever homes (seriously now, we're talking about March), we still kept Mama Clarice segregated from the permanent residents because we feared for her potentially compromised immune system with Norman's various health issues running rampant.

When I finally opened her door to freedom in April, Mama Clarice expressed a clear preference for remaining in her upstairs family room domain.

It was May before she moved to the hallway.

It was late June before she put a paw on the first floor.

It was July before she walked more than two feet past the bottom of the stairs.

It was last week before she traveled as far as the kitchen (and then to the garage!).

It was last Thursday that she joined the permanent residents for mealtime downstairs.

Today marks the beginning of yet another journey. Or is it the end of the one we started together nearly six months ago?

Today, our dear sweet Mama Clarice took the journey of all journeys... the journey to her forever home... her forever and ever and ever home.

I received a message from Heidi about three weeks ago, expressing interest in our Mama Clarice but wanting to take her time to think and do her research. We chatted by e-mail. We chatted by phone. I told her about Clarice. She told me about her kitties who had gone to the Rainbow Bridge and how much she loved and misses them.

I'm having a hard time explaining exactly how and why I know that Mama Clarice is going to the perfect home for her. I'll let Heidi's story of Mama's new name tell you everything you need to know:

If  you remember the book (or the Shirley Temple movie) "Heidi", you'll also remember that the main character Heidi has a best friend named Clara. Clarice's name is being modified slightly so that our main character Clara now has a very best friend named Heidi.

Clara met her new friend this afternoon. It was a love fest from the first moment. Tears were shed all around and much affection was shared. Clara loves her new mom and her new mom loves Clara. It's a match made in heaven.

And so, with the exit of Mama Clara from Teeny Tiny Tabby Town, a chapter in my foster life ends. The Madisons have ALL left the building (finally!). It was a long time coming, but I shall definitely miss my Upstairs-On the Stairs-Downstairs-All Around the House Mama.

The most important chapters of Clara's life are still to be written. Happy Life, my sweet girl.

I guess I gave enough away earlier in the week that people were starting to guess, or at least hope that this is where things were going. The extra photos were to keep her mom happy until she could get here and claim her new kitty. Oh... and Chris? I giggled like a fiend on Tuesday when you said "I wish someone would adopt her already!"

Happy 4th!

Wishing you an amazingly special and immensely colorful 4th of July.

Roo likes watching the neighbors shoot off fireworks.

Charlie runs in nervous circles until they are done.

My little dog client Tilly needs to be carried outside if there are fireworks in the vicinity.

It makes dog sitting extra special this week.

It will be a quiet holiday here. Rest, cleaning, and hanging with kittens.

I just wish I had a picture of a cat with a flag.

Oh wait...

I do... Kind of.

Have a great holiday. I'll be back with a bonus post on Friday.

Round and Round and Round It Goes

Becoming Downstairs Mama has it privileges.

Clarice discovered the track ball on her way to the kitchen!

"Esscuse me, Lady. Did you know that is RUBY'S track ball?"

"Um... Lady? That really IS Ruby's track ball."

"What do you mean, Ruby has to wait her turn? Perhaps Mama Lady should go back upstairs where she belongs instead!"

"Nope... Not happening. I'm having too much fun downstairs."

I'm a Tease

I admit it. I'm a tease... a horrendous tease. And sometimes it comes back to bite me, like today. I had an incredible surprise for you today, but life happened and short-circuited best our best laid plans. The surprise is still happening, just not today. Not telling you what it is yet, either. Just that it's beyond huge, beyond special, and worth waiting for. As penance, I will forego teasing you a second time and just surprise you after it happens.

To make it up to you, I present Upstairs Mama as Downstairs Mama. Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back on Sunday evening.

"Nothing to see here. Just a cat sitting on a piece of furniture in the living room."

"And on top of the kitchen cabinets."

"And across the room on top of the other kitchen cabinets."

"Don't tell anyone else I'm here. They might try to join me."

"And Mama's scoped out this spot all for herself."

"What do you mean, you might as well keep calling me 'Upstairs Mama'?"

"Sigh... A Mama's work is SO unappreciated."

"Who IS that pretty lady?"

"Nothing to see here, kid. Not Upstairs Mama and definitely not YOUR Mama."

The Watchers

Miss Garnet Mayweather has requested a postponement in her special day on the blog. She's feeling a bit hissy and uncooperative at the moment. While we work on improving her disposition, Teeny Tiny Tabby Town presents...

The Watchers

I always feel like...

Somebody's watching me-e-e-e-e-eeeeeeeee!

And I have no privacy...

Oh-oh-oh...

Who's watching me?

"Upstairs Mama" is becoming more and more "On the Stairs Mama" as the weeks progress. She sits on the stairs and watches through the banister spindles. On one very important morning, her feet touched the first floor. She marched all the way to the kitchen and demanded her breakfast along with the chorus of other cats in the house. And then she ran back upstairs to show me her empty bowl. Progress comes in small steps (and stairs, apparently) but I don't expect to be calling her "Downstairs Mama" any time soon.

Someone else is feeling a tad bit on display.

"Perhaps if he didn't hide in the clear box, he would have more privacy...

Poor little fluff brained kitten."

But the kitten doesn't have any box but clear, so...

They always feel like...

Somebody's watching them ;)

I'll see what I can do to bring you a weekend edition starring Garnet. As soon as I can convince her that I'm not always watching her, that is.

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Available for Adoption

Meet Myles.

Myles is a foster cat who lives in my vet clinic. He lived there as a kitten before being adopted into what he thought was his forever home. Through no fault of his own, Myles is back at the vet clinic looking for a forever, forever home this time. 

He tends to get overlooked because it's kitten season, and kittens get adopted faster than adult cats. But Myles is a spectacular young fellow who deserves a home of his very own. 

Myles is one-year-old... playful, rambunctious, and a kitten in his own mind. He loves playing with the kittens in the clinic. He's well-adjusted and tolerant of the many dogs that come in and out through the door. He's also pretty darn tolerant of my playing with his toes while he was trying to sleep. 

Myles is currently living in Macomb Township, Michigan. If you would like more information on Myles or how to contact his caretakers, you can e-mail me at teenytinytabbies AT gmail DOT com. I'd be happy to put you in touch.