Monday, June 01, 2015

Critter-filled Sunday

I throw up my hands!

Archie...



Barn cat? House cat? Happy wanderer?


Daisy and Honey...


... well, at one point they were both barn cats. Then Honey nixed that. Now Daisy is trying it out.



Me and the "barn cat" Daisy! Well, she's still at least a part-time barn cat.

But Mootie...


The towel has been officially thrown in. I always intended to move her into the house. She's a sweetheart. And look, she helps vacuum. And every time I photograph that damn floor, I remember how much I want to get the downstairs floors refinished. I was hoping that would happen this summer but I'm not holding my breath at this point.

Meanwhile Annuk...


...comes in and out a bit but seems pretty content sunbathing outside!

And here's why I no longer fill the birdbath...


Daisy and Archie came from the same dump in Syros, Greece, but at separate times. I really wonder if they are related. Or do they know they're both Greek?


Not that it matters!

Here's that barn cat Daisy again...



And not just the cats are spoiled. We picked up a  watermelon for the rescue pigs today:



And here's the guy who used to resist every single pet I tried to add to the family...


He's the one who let Mootie in! And as you can see, she's very grateful.

Archie is trying to brainwash me...



And I have the CUTEST DONKEY IN THE UNIVERSE!


The sweetest, too.


And I love his smile!



And his velvety nose.


And for the record...


...these cats DO get fresh water every day! But Annuk thinks rain water is better.

While Redford...


...is quite frankly jealous of every other cat that comes near me! He will swat them away if he's getting cuddled and they come near us.

And these sisters...


...are very bonded! Buttercup is also their sister and she too is closely bonded to Daisy and Honey, but she was off adventuring somewhere when I took this.

And here's Gordon being all soppy with his Mootie...



Mootie is the one with no teeth. She turns 9 this year and no way am I letting her grow old in the barn. She spent many months in a shelter labelled "unadoptable." You can read more here.  She is unspeakably sweet and it has been a real privilege earning her trust over the past several months.

And can I ask for some good thoughts for our dear cleaning lady, Rosemary? She became very ill with a serious infection several weeks back and spent a week in hospital. She is slowly healing from that but is having many tests and there is fear that something more sinister is behind the infection. She's still losing weight and she didn't have any to spare to begin with. We twice sent her flowers and cards while she was laid up. Today she showed up with a rhubarb crumble cake she'd baked for us, plus two jars of rhubarb sauce and a lovely card. We were so touched that she was spending time baking for us when she's still not feeling all that great herself.

She is not only an awesome cleaning lady (I hate that term, because she's more than that!) but a very kind person who is constantly putting others before herself. Now she's facing some very difficult health challenges and we are just so hoping all will be well for her. If you could send her some healing thoughts, zen, prayers, whatever you like, that would be great!

Hope you all had a great weekend. I am well on my way to become a certified grand master crazy cat lady... and here all those years I thought I was a dog person. What the hell happened 




42 comments:

  1. Sending lots of good thoughts to Rosemary. Maybe you could lend her a cat or two for some healing purrs.

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    1. She'd like that! Alex is her absolute favourite. She brings him treats!

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  2. Natalie,I am just blown away by your love and kindness to all these animals. You and Gordon are fantastic! Sending prayers for Rosemary. She sounds like a lovely lady.

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    1. Aww thank you so much! That is so nice to hear. Some people just think we're nuts. And thanks for the prayers for Rosemary. :)

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  3. Lovely photos and video ! Our Miggs prefers rain water to tap water to lol . I do hope your house helper gets well soon . That was lovely of her to bring all the wonderful rhubarb made goodies YUMMY ! Thanks for sharing have a good day !

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    1. "House helper" that's it, that's a perfect term. She feels like part of our family.

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  4. Love the pics!... especially the bird bath ones. When Rose turned up in our yard, she would lay in the bird bath outside the back window and drive our inside cats crazy. Yes, crazy cat lady fits...or maybe it should be crazy critter lady? That donkey is pretty cute too. Sending good thoughts and prayers to your house helper too!

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    1. Yes, I think maybe crazy critter lady... nine pigs is a lot too! :) Thanks Rian.

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  5. I have to say you have a bunch of spoiled critters. Just one watermelon? Chickens like them, too!

    So sad to hear about Rosemary. We pray the doctor(s) will get a diagnosis soon and she can return to good health.

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    1. I know, I know!! One watermelon is insufficient for nine pigs! :) And thanks for the prayers for Rosemary.

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  6. I just had to laugh out loud at the cats in the birdbath. My husband is probably in the next room wondering if I've finally gone around the bend.
    Rosemary sounds to be exactly the sort of person that bad things should NOT be happening to. What a caring, thoughtful lady.

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    1. She has had a pretty tough life, and she works hard. We gave her big hugs when she came with the cake. So worried about her... thank you Marty.

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  7. The kitties certainly know how to work you both around their velvety paws =)

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    1. I am helpless against them! :)

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  8. All good people deserve kind consideration. It seems Rosemary deserves a double helping. All the best to her.
    I remain amused at the cats who worked their way indoors. Do you have a cat door, or a door man?

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    1. I'm the doorman! :) This time last year I had, what, six indoor cats? Now I've got 15 cats and my indoor cat plan has completely gone down the toilet.

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  9. Looks like everyone is having a great life on your farm, thank you for giving them the chance. Sending healing thoughts to Rosemary.

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    1. There seems to be an endless supply of needy animals, sigh. I wish I could help them all!

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  10. I suggest you just re-designate your house as officially "a barn", thus retaining some semblance of adherence to the rules.

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    1. I like the way you think, sir!! YES!

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  11. They are beautiful animals !!
    Fantastic pictures !!

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  12. I had a feeling all of your barn cats would fail!
    That is one cute donkey :)
    Prayers are going up for your kind cleaning lady, hope she feels better soon!

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    1. They can't all fail, because somebody out there is doing an excellent job of ratting and mousing! :) Thank you for thinking of Rosemary.

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  13. Now I feel positively DENUDED of kitties...you've got me beat, right? Your crew look so happy--Gordon too!

    I'll keep Rosemary in my thoughts. Ill health is so not fun.

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    1. Since Archie and Annuk don't seem to be going anywhere... it's FIFTEEN!!!!!! And thanks for thinking of Rosemary. :)

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  14. Hey , the cats are in control! They get exactly what they want. Watch your money with this gang!

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  15. All your kitties are gorgeous and I am glad they are liking the indoor life ( at least some of the time) . My hubby was the same way, I had to fight him to get every one of my 15 cats. I will pray for Rosemary.

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    1. Gordon has now officially collapsed into a soggy ball of cat-loving un-resistance. I do believe he has become softer than me in that regard! Only took 26 years.

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  16. ALL of your animals are incredible! You need to make a picture book, you are sitting on a gold mine. Your photos are incredible. Some of the proceeds could go to helping feed your kitties and the kitties still in Greece. I would help share it (wink).........the bonding of the sisters in these photos is just too beautiful. Your donkey too, and the kitties in the bird bath? This is all priceless!

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  17. Oh dear, just saw the part about Rosemary, I was so taken with the animals that i missed that. I pray that all will be ok. I have someone who cleans that is like family to us, she is like a sister to me, so I totally "get it" xoxo

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    1. THank you Caren! SHe's been off work now for about six weeks and it's just weird not having her here every Friday morning. I miss her, and I don't just mean for her cleaning help (she lined up a replacement for us anyway, not that we asked her to! She's so thoughtful.)

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  18. Sending positive thoughts for Rosemary, I hope the doctors are able to find out what is going on behind the infection.

    Love all the photos, and laughed out loud at the two in the bird bath. Silly cats! Have a great week!

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    1. Lots of tests for her, sigh. You have a great week too!

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  19. Anonymous11:11 am

    I just knew it would only be a matter of time before all the cats were ensconced in your house! Sending healing thoughts for Rosemary...

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  20. Keeping good thoughts for Rosemary. She sounds like a wonder... and A perfect fit for your family. I love all the love!

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  21. Rosemary sounds like a gem. I hope she hears good news and soon.

    That donkey looks like he has something he's just bursting at the seams to say!

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  22. Our prayers are with Rosemary. May she be surrounded by positive energy.
    All kitties deserve to be inside kitties if that is what the kitty wants.

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  23. Healing thoughts for Rosemary. It's scary when one has a hard-to-diagnose illness.
    Love all the cat news and pics. I ESPECIALLY love the cats in the birdbath!

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  24. um, yeah, your bird bath is overflowing :)

    Im sorry to hear about Rosemary, I hope they can figure out what is going on with her quickly

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!