So in October 2013, someone tossed three tiny two-week-old kittens into a dumpster in Greece...
These three little angels came into the care of a wonderful woman named Joan, who runs a cat sanctuary on a beautiful Greek island, helping the many poor feline waifs that cross her path. Even though it was difficult, because she already had some many cats in her care, she took in these three.
But they needed a permanent home, and Joan really wanted the three sisters, who shared a strong bond, to find a home together.
For a year, she kept trying to find them a home, but it's hard to find someone to adopt three cats all at once, never mind the logistics of getting them out of Greece.
But after six months of planning with Joan, I can now say that the three girls will always be together...
...because Buttercup, Daisy and Honey now live with us! To make a long story short, Joan's husband flew with them from Athens to Montreal, where we picked them all up at the airport. And here they are!
Honey is super-affectionate, but they are all utterly lovely cats.
I just love it when all three of them sit on my lap at once, purring away.
Daisy approves of her heater! The sheepskin came with her from Greece. The three kittens have slept on it for a very long time and it is truly theirs.
So yes, we now have 13 cats, giving Katnip Lounge and The Maple Syrup Mob a bit of a run for their money.
Remember Mootie and Pip, two more needy kitties that we adopted a little while back?
They are doing great! I think Mootie is Queen of the Barn!
Every day, she comes out of her shell a little bit more, and every day, I give her what she wants most: a good brushing! She ADORES being brushed.
She does look very much like a feminine version of our Julius!
Pip is doing great as well...
She likes running around with Redford a lot.
The ponies?
They love to roll in the mud! As soon as I get them brushed and cleaned, they simply roll in the mud again.
BRING ON THE SNOW!
Finney photo-bomb.
They are cuter than cute.
So yes, 13 cats. We couldn't be happier!
Pee Ess: SEVEN of our cats are ornj!!!
PS: Joan welcomes donations in support of her excellent work. Visit the God's Little People Facebook page or blog to find out more. You can also sponsor one of her Greek cats on a monthly basis, which helps pay for food, vaccines and medical care.
What a destiny those kittens had! Fly all the way from Greece to Canada.... wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalie! You should receive an award!
You are so kind. I feel like we already have our award, three more beautiful, loving cats. :)
DeleteThose cats LOVE your barn! The word is getting out there, in kitty-cat world! Rumour is that the upper floor is full of mice-Krispies! :-)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha YES!!
DeleteLove this. Love those babies! So happy that Mootie and Pip are happy too. Yippeeee!
ReplyDeleteYou GOTTA meet the new babies!!
DeleteIt breaks my heart to see the eyes of little thrown away kittens. Who could be so cruel? You are wonderful and your husband must be a saint! So glad you have all those cats! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt happens everywhere, of course, but things are so desperate in Greece right now that people can't afford to look after themselves, never mind cats. :( I'm glad there are people like my friend Joan doing such good work there, rescuing cats in need!
DeleteLovely photos . I am so glad they all have found a forever home with you guys , they are well looked after .and loved there ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good weekend !
ReplyDeleteThe trio is just wonderful. you have a great weekend too!
DeleteI love nothing more than 'a happy ending' when it comes to cats. Mootie and Pip look so content now. It didn't take long, eh Natalie? That's because YOU put the time and effort into it. Thank you for that. The kittens are adorable. They are safe, sound and now they will have a love-filled life. Ornj you just lovin' all these kitties? :)))
ReplyDeleteDeb, Mootie is really coming out of her shell. I am so proud of her, and I brush her every day. She is just the sweetest angel. Pip is so spunky and adorable. I'm so glad we took them in!
DeleteLOVE IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteCome on,Natalie...you're lagging behind,we are at 14 (although not one orange floof)!
Jane x
PS Always remember that you cannot be called a crazy cat lady if you are married!
DeleteJane x
JANE! HUSH! Because I can't even think about what's going to happen when another stray shows up. Please let me exist in denial for a little longer!! :)
DeleteI love an ornj cat, although black and whites get to me, too.
ReplyDeleteI would love a black-n-white one day!
DeleteWhat a marvelous story. It reminded me of Hans Silvester's "Cats in the Sun" photo books shot in the the Greek Islands. Your three little newcomers might well be descended from one of the cats he photographed!
ReplyDeleteI must check out that book!
DeleteOh Natalie! This the most wonderful news ! I'm jumping for joy and crying at the same time! The kitties are adorable! And home! They have a forever home where they'll be loved and cared for.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's only 0800 here and I've had some pretty difficult events happen already. Your blog and it's happy news has renewed my spirit! Miracles happen every day! God bless you all!
Aw thank you, Kari. We feel lucky to have these wonderful cats. :)
DeleteMy heart has little sparkles dancing around it after reading about your 3 orange girls ♥
ReplyDeleteThey really are very special.
DeleteNat, you and Gordon are the best people I have ever met. The animals are blessed to be with you. I looooooooove what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteOh come on, you two are pretty awesome too! Dutch would probably still be at the shelter if it weren't for you! xxoxox
DeleteThis just made me grin from ear to ear! You need to write and illustrate a book about their story, Natalie. Seriously. In your "spare time," of course! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I'd love to do that!!
DeleteOh Redford... Such a shame that your balls are gone, with Pip presenting herself like that... Still, I expect some dim remants of an old inkling may still inkle in you my lad (don't ask me why). Enjoy the scenery.
ReplyDeleteHe's still got a bit of inkle in his winkie... ;)
DeleteOMG YOU HAVE SEVEN ORNJ CATS?!?!?!?!?!??
ReplyDelete::totally jellus::
Concatulations on your new kitties!!
I do and I can barely keep them straight!!!!
DeleteBeautiful cats and ponies. They obviously adore you. If I'm ever homeless, can I move into your barn? ; )
ReplyDeleteHell, YOU can move into my guest room! :)
DeleteI read where Joan said the gingers we're going to Canada but we are so glad they are with you! We look forward to continue hearing their stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteSounds like our story with our newest trio! So there is a support group--sign me up, XOXO
ReplyDeleteHahahah we need to start one, Susan!
Delete13 - you are aweeeeeeeeeeeeesome!!! What wonderful people you are for taking on so many of these abandoned lovies and giving them a good home with warm beds, food and love. You are good people.
ReplyDeletejulie and poppy Q
Awesome or crazy, opinion is divided! :) But we're definitely happy!
DeleteA baker's dozen of barn cats!! What a wonderful odyssey your 3 Greek kitties have had. You have a true heart of gold, taking in all of these wonderful animals. Hip hip, hooray!!
ReplyDeleteAnn, six indoor, seven barn. Which means for a baker's dozen of barn cats, I can adopt SIX MORE! Hey, I like the way you think!
DeleteThese ponies like you. I can tell.
ReplyDeleteANdrew, they are just the greatest. I'm completely smitten.
DeleteWhat a wonderful ending for the 3 castaways!
ReplyDeleteHave you considered a walk-through pony wash :-)
Hahaha sounds like a good idea!!! They are looking a bit better now that the ground has frozen up again and I've given them a good brushing.
DeleteAhhh, a happy ending story. Just imagine the odds of those dumped kittens surviving, let alone travelling all the way to Canada to find their forever home!
ReplyDeleteCrazy, isn't it?
DeleteSo absolutely wonderful. My nephew and niece-in-law have 13 house cats. My niece-in-law's mother has about 15 house cats and perhaps 35 barn cats. So I guess there's hope for you yet
ReplyDeleteMitchell, nice to know I am currently under-achieving. I'll remind Gordon of this when the next stray cat shows up. :)
DeleteLove happy endings ♡
ReplyDeleteMy mom-person would love to have moore cat's , but my dad-person is a bit allergic so he say's it's enough with on floofball :)
XOXO
Ah, allergies can certainly be a problem! But you are more than enough handsome floofball for anyone, you lovely boy.
DeleteMootie is very beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteShe is really special to me. She's had a very hard time of it in life: many months in a shelter, had all her teeth removed after a terrible bout of gum problems, was adopted but had to find a new home (with us!) because her owner had health problems. I am honoured to be winning her trust, day by day. SHe just adores being brushed.
DeleteGood Heavens, I recall reading about those three a year ago on the God's Little People blog. One of my regular readers directed me here, but I know your blog because I read the Just Cats blog of your friend, Deb. What a small, bloggin' world. Anyway, I am very happy that the three small Greeks are now with you. I know God's Little People fight an uphill battle over there.
ReplyDeleteI'm real-life friends with Deb now, who lives a bit over an hour away from me. You meet the greatest people through blogging! And "Mr" God's Little People was wonderful company at our house for several days after he brought the Greek girls. :) Thank you for stopping in!
DeleteOMG - I can't believe you adopted those three! I was following their fate on Joan's blog - how totally awesome you took them in, and that they could stay together - brings tears to my eyes. A wonderful Christmas present :)
ReplyDeleteAnya at http://catwhisperer.blogspot.ca/ (no way to choose my blogger account in drop-down box)