Feral Toronto

Feral Toronto

Goodbye Graybee

My 'other' cat,Graybee,died yesterday. He was about 8-9 years old. Old for a feral cat. The colony now numbers 6.

Graybee was one of the first to figure out that I was his friend. When I rattled the dish,he came running. When I shook the treat bag..he sprinted.

And when chicken was involved?..well,..stand back..he charged!..

He was one of the smartest cats I have ever known. He would pull the dish away from the others, closer to HIS feeding spot!

He was very affectionate with me,even allowing friends to pet him once in a while. He would move into the warehouse when the weather got cold and wet. Preferring his little bed,his own dish,and litter box to the great outdoors.

He had been losing weight over the summer,and in my heart, I knew this was his last summer. He was always a bit frailer than the others,so I treated him to lots of good chicken,turkey,and beef bits.

I brought him home on Thursday,he refused any water or food. Preferring to just sleep,and have me pet him,purring always. He seemed to know that he was always safe with me,and once he was in the house,seemed to just let himself go,relax and accept he was going to be crossing Rainbow Bridge,with me by his side.

He died quietly,purring...

Good bye my little friend. So glad to have met you...and loved you...

Mom.

Here's a new trap designed especially for TNR...(trap-neuter-release)...from Tomahawk...it's on line at Neighborhood Cats website..

Cat City Video

Cat City Video

Jody crossed Rainbow Bridge

Ode to Jody

Wiry haired,a "slinky" walker,and loved being brushed.

He was the last kitten born into the colony,along with his brothers Jamie and Joey. Joey was caught as a tiny kitten,and went to a good home. Jamie dissappeared in August '05,as my grandmother was ill...and I was away. Thought I might be able to get Jamie a home upon returning,hopefully,he found his own ,as he was very friendly.

Jody was skittish,but still I could pet him,and pick him up a bit. But he was a lesser member of the colony. So was relegated to the 'back of the line' ...

He loved to hunt. I suspect he was going to the rabbit field when he was crossing the road. He didn't make it.

He was 4 years old. Average life span of a feral cat..but he was more than average to his family.

Hobbs seems to be out of sorts...Jody was his sleeping buddy...

The colony numbers only 7 now...down from 23 in '03-'04..

Will meet again little guy...someday..

Spring approaches..

Last couple of days have almot been "warm-ish"...about 10C at the height of afternoon..

We will bid winter adios soon..

YEAH!!

We are a little winter weary,but hope springs eternal..

And Spring will soon awaken Mother Nature from her slumber

Once again we will standing in a circle,rejoicing in the Circle of Life.

From Robert's colony..

No new members for almost 2 years. Then suddenly there are 4-5 more?? The lumberyard nearby is temporarily shutdown from snow damage...are these some of theirs??..or the nearby clearcut ??..something has changed,and where is the female..?

Off to the vet tomorrow for these 2..

Robert has yet to name..

What a difference a month makes...

Had an avalanche off the metal roof...FWOMP!...

Down to the garden below...4 feet of snow,on top of the 2 feet we already had on the ground..

Lots of damage,but have been able to salvage most of the shrubs around the house..

And then it was gone!!!...good riddance,and don't come back...ever!!!

Since Victoria received 4 feet of snow in one night in the winter of '96-97...the natives get

easily spooked by the mere mention of possible snowfalls now...

The grocery stores are packed,the lineups are long...the gas stations are busy..

Everyone getting prepared for the worst..just in case...

But then again...it is Victoria...

Snow shovel??

What's that??...

Putting salt on the road??...what??...not on your popcorn??

Wear pants??...you mean I can't wear my shorts everyday??

Spring is on the horizon....

It Never Snows in Victoria...

So it snowed....for weeks...

Big Chill..

Winter has hit the Island. Tempatures way below normal,way below what we are used to here in the Pacific Northwest ..I'm sure T.O is laughing at us,as we shiver,and they have record temps in the higher end of the scale..gggrrrr!!!

Makes life tougher for everyone involved. No one wants to leave the house behind the wheel,so try and get a taxi in this kind of weather!.Ha!..

Driving can be nerve-wracking,as the young and foolish spin out of control around corners,and elderly drivers who probably shouldn't be out in the first place..are overly cautious...

I fed the kitties earlier today,as the food freezes in this weather..

Graybee has moved into the warehouse..he's no dummy!

Josie Wales and the rest are outside in the hay..too shy to come inside..

they will be OK,all are healthy..even Hobbs gave me a "meow" today..

So far so good at work..the Christmas rush is still materializing in the courier industry..

But things could change in the coming days,as people leave town and can't wait for packages,or don't want to leave the house to pick stuff up...

Saw an intersting show about "Affluenza"...seems EVERYONE who has kids is suffering from it..

I knew there was a reason why I didn't do that,'cuz I knew I would not be able to afford all the toys and stuff..."get a job kid,buy your own stuff!"

We are all like crows its seems,drawn to the shiny stuff...

and the constant need for new stuff...

Will humans ever be happy with what they have already??

It Starts,then snowballs..

Christmas is coming they say...

Shop 'til you drop..

Spend money you don't have,

Visit with relatives you don't particularly like,

Eat more food than you need,

Drink more alcohol than you should,

Open gifts you don't really want or need..

This is what Christmas has become for alot of people.

My friends and I have stopped all that nonsense.

I can really relax now,and enjoy the winter solstice

Instead of some day,fabricated by mankind.

Bah Humbug!

Life is what you make it...

Ode To Mrs Burlap

Life was good in summer

Harder in winter

You were the most beautiful

Rest in Peace,sweet thing

Bastet

Welcome to the Island Mon!

And everything here is done in "island time"...It's a big island,but it's still an island.
I grew up on a very small island.
People constantly complain that there seems to be something wrong with islanders,they don't want to work,they do poor work,on and on...
They just don't know how island culture works.
Always try to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you complain about something.
Islanders are usually always friendly,and willing to help out.
They will "trade" with you...
Recently,we visited Salt Spring Island. The car broke down. We stopped,the hood is up and husband is bent over the engine--fixing away. Not 5 minutes passed,an old truck stops,and a young face looks out the window,"you need any help?" comes the voice.
Luckily,we had a spare belt and tools,so "no,we got the parts and tools here,thanks anyways"....
"Well,OK"..comes the reply,''you have a good day after that!"..
Salt Spring is hippie haven,but the developers are moving in,..fast.
Hopefully, "Island Time" will continue,long after they leave.
Welcome to the island,mon...