Friday, April 4, 2014

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2014 - Letter D

The typical line up for food a few years ago.

Hello, Old Friends and New and Welcome to

April
and my 3rd year of  blogging in the Challenge. 


I love cats. I can't remember a time when there weren't cats in my life. Sometimes one or two, most times lots more. My husband, Gary, and I seem to be magnets for strays. Consequently, I have many photographs of cats and kittens that resided outside our houses and of those who, by the luck of the draw or paw, made it into the inner sanctum of feline luxury, our home. I have also written poems and stories about cats that I will share for the next 23 days with you. I am also looking forward to visiting your blogs to see what interests you.


Heated houses and water dishes to keep them cozy in the winter. Some preferred sleeping in the big, old barn next door.

D is for Details...


So, you may ask, how did you end up with all these cats?

When we bought our house about twenty years ago, my husband and I did not realize that this area was a magnet for stray cats. We are located in farm country and shortly after we moved in, cats of all sizes and styles started to wander onto and off of the property. Soon females would stay and have babies and once you see those babies, you have to put out some food for the moms so the kids will be healthy and then put food out for the kids so they can stay healthy. And then provide heated houses so the colony (for by then we did have a colony of feral cats) didn't freeze in the really cold winters we get. Cats would leave and other ones would show up.
More recently.

We have much less than this now.

This is Lovey, one of the few who loved to be handled and give kisses.









We took as many of them that we could catch to the vet so there wouldn't be more kittens and gave any of them that were friendly to friends and relatives and some to the shelter. Lots of them spent their whole lives living on our property or in the big old barn next door. A few lucky ones we just had to bring inside with us.


























Now, we are down to a handful outside where they will stay until they leave for Kitty Cat Heaven. They are content and well cared for and we hope that no new ones show up to take their place. But, like Motel 6, we'll leave the lights on.

What about the cats you have inside?

As the days go on, you will meet many of our indoor cats. Some of these photos are old (we've been married for 50 years this December and have never been without a cat or cats), so not all the kitties you will see are still with us. They are still very dear to us, though.
At present, we have 3 siblings, 2 siblings, boys and girls, all neutered and spayed. Our oldest is 14 and youngest is 8 months. Not giving out any numbers, and that is all I'm saying about that.

See you tomorrow for the Letter E.




Thank you for stopping in and I hope you enjoy my pampered cats.


Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - 2014

11 comments:

JoJo said...

that's so sweet the lengths you go to keep the feral cats safe, fed and fixed!!! I saw a lot of tips on FB over the winter about providing a feral cat shelter in one's yard b/c of the crushing cold and snow.

Heather M. Gardner said...

I'm not saying a word.
:)

HMG

Unknown said...

Visiting from the A to Z sign up post (not my first visit.) Your cats are lucky to have you looking after them, and you, in turn, are lucky for their company. Enjoy!

Best regards,
Elizabeth

Kathe W. said...

wonderful loving care- bless you! We just have one stray who adopted us- Lucy lives inside 24/7. Cannot let her out. She was quite feral but now is almost a lap cat! Cheers! love your blog!

Anonymous said...

That is so wonderful. Although I am not a cat person but still I adore them. And all these years you are doing such a wonderful job.

Would look forward to what you would sharing further during the challenge.

- Kripali
(AJ's wHooligans)
Sumptuous Living
A2ZFiction

Clare Davidson said...

That's a lot of gorgeous cats! And very lucky ones to have found such a lovely, caring home. Thanks for sharing the photos of them with us :-)

Visiting via the #AtoZChallenge

HB Redbird said...

What a wonderful person ... not letting them suffer and struggle. Those cats are so lucky you care! (visiting from A to Z challenge)

Andrea said...

I am fascinated and impressed by your efforts! Meow!

Phoenix said...

We love cats at our house, we have 2 that claim us. I will definitely be back to read your A-Z posts! Glad I found your blog! :)

Sunday Visitor said...

Nice blog and lovely blogpost!

Anna (herding cats-burning soup) said...

Aw sweet babies! That's such a great set up yall put together for them :)

Happy A to Z-ing!
~Anna
herding cats & burning soup.