Thanks Anne!

A few posts back, Anne Boleyn made notice of Maureen's particularly splendid guard hairs. Of course, I too had noticed those sticky outy things, but had no idea that's what they were called. Heck, I didn't even know they had a name.

So thank you, Anne! I do love adding to my vocabulary.

In case you hadn't noticed (which is beyond imagination), here they be. And as you'll see, Dusty isn't the only lad who's smitten.

Sklurp, Sklurp

Can you hear it? And that high pitched wheezy noise is Dusty's nose whistle.

Big Big Small

The boys are so big now. They're over 4 months old and much larger than what I'm accustomed to. I could have made Dusty available for adoption long ago, but couldn't bear to separate them. So while we were resolving Rusty's eye issues, brother was always by his side. Seriously. Always.

It's been just over a week since we saw the opthamologist. We'll call in a report at the two week mark and unless there is more to be done, but boys will be officially put up for adoption.

I don't know that I will keep them here with me. They may be going back to the shelter to find their new family. The vet is on site and can answer any questions that may come up. I've never done that before and it won't be easy for me, but I know they'll be fine and it's probably the best thing for them. We'll see how it goes when the time comes.

And wee Maureen officially passed the one pound mark today! She hasn't gained as much as I'd hoped by now, but she's active and healthy and at least the ounces are going up rather than down.

It's been my experience that little ones can sometimes go downhill a bit initially, no doubt from the shock to their little systems of being taken off mom so abruptly. I was prepared for that with Maureen, but she's been slowly and steadily gaining which makes me so proud of her.

I often marvel at how lucky I am to have the time, the space and the opportunity to care for these little ones. I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but if you haven't done it you cannot imagine the rewards.

I am blessed and I am grateful.

Early Release for Exceedingly Cute Behavior

I don't normally let the babies out of quarantine until two weeks have passed. And honestly, I don't recommend it. But I did it. It's done.

Maureen has met her extended family and they've accepted her as one of their own. I have no regrets. But I do have some pretty darn cute video.

I couldn't decide which of these to post, so I didn't.

And in This Corner!

Weighing in at fourteen and three quarter ounces! The one, the only, Tacoma's own Marmie Marauder! It's Mo-reen! The purring cham-peen!!



I'm seriously down for the count.

Precisely How Little is Little?

It's Maureen. Please Enjoy.

Ed. note: Did you notice that my camera no longer makes that static-y sound? I have no idea why. I believe it's a miracle. The humming noise that cuts off at about 1:00 is the furnace.

Rusty's Trip to Seattle and We Love Dr. Sullivan

This is as good a time as any to share with you a gift I received the other day from my friend Laura. You've heard of her before. She and husband Roger have adopted four (4!) pitter pats from me.

She sent the following photo in an email with the subject line, "Why my dishes are not yet done today.." Clearly she had more important tasks to accomplish. Dirty dishes be damned!!

For those of you who might be pop-culturally challenged (as I most often am) click here for enlightenment. Yes, those are actually Rusty's little paws and face. And check out the tail! Brilliant.

Now then. We took a little road trip to Seattle today for our appointment at the Animal Eye Clinic. My sister Jean rode along so she could cuddle and coo, freeing me to concentrate on the drive.

And here is where I pause again to tell you that should you ever find yourself in need of a veterinary ophthamologist, hie yourself on over to see Dr. Sullivan. I don't care if you're in Seattle, Salt Lake or Timbuktu. What a kind, caring, dedicated man. He goo-gooed over the boy, smooched him more than once, told him he had the most beautiful tail in the world, and talked kitty talk to distract Rusty's attention from the gizmo used to look into his eyes.

While some of the information is a little confusing, it basically had to do with Upper Respiratory Infections and their causes. Rusty's affected eye is just fine, and the inflamed conjuntiva is in the healing process. He will likely have chronic recurrences of URI symptoms, i.e. runny eye, but the doc proclaimed him "VERY adoptable", and prescribed an anti-viral medication to help speed up the healing process. We are to check in again by phone in two weeks and proceed from there.

It's my dearest hope that by that time the boys will be in a new, permanent home but I'll play that by ear. I may decide to not make them available for adoption until Rusty is through with his medication.

He was such a good boy on our outing. I think the only problem he had with the whole thing was being away from his brother for the first time ever. They love each other. They missed each other. They washed each other's paws. May they never again be separated.

Words Escape Me..

A little red-haired girl in a kitty cave in my bathroom.

She's seriously workin' me.

Reminder: Rusty has his opthamologist appointment on Monday. I hope to have a full report for you on Tuesday.

We both thank you sincerely for all the good wishes. As for maybe losing his eye, I don't really think that's a possibility. The issue is with the conjunctiva partially covering the eye, not the eye itself. But hey, I'm no expert. We'll see what the nice doctor says.

And a very special thank you to some very generous donors who helped to cover this expense. The Humane Society does not have the resources for this, but luckily for Rusty he has some dear, dear friends.

xo

Late-Breaking St. Patty's Day Blessing!

'Tis Maureen!

All 12 ounces of her.

Warm Fuzzies

I have been remiss in expressing my gratitude to those of you who have offered advice with regard to Rusty's eye. I'm very appreciative and have gained some valuable new information. Thank you.

It has gone from being completely obscured pre-surgery, to mostly visible afterwards, back to nearly covered again, and then again a bit better.

With permission from Dr. Robbins at the shelter, I decided to schedule an appointment with a veterinary ophthamologist to be sure there isn't something more to be done. I have every confidence that Rusty can live a happy, normal life with his eye just the way it is, but I wouldn't be happy unless I covered all the bases.

So he and I are travelling to Seattle next Monday to see Dr. Sullivan at the Animal Eye Clinic. He comes very highly recommended. He may very well tell us to just let it be. Of course, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again for caring about him. He's a happy, busy little dude. Even - as my friends Laura and Roger would say - sporting a little eye patch like Captain Rusty Sparrow. Dashing!

Aww... OH!!

PSA - Japan Needs Us All

facebook users, please help.
For more information and to make a difference, click here.

Thank you.

That's What Little Boys Are Made Of

The Eyeball Report - Such As It Is

As mentioned yesterday, Rusty had a visit with the shelter vet today to check on the progress - or lack thereof - with his eye.

While it clearly has a ways to go before approaching normal, the doctor said she saw some improvement and to give it a little more time before making any decisions.

Trust me when I tell you that he's not the least bit uncomfortable. There is a tiny area where the eyeball is not obscured by the conjunctiva, so he does actually have some vision in that eye. And the way he and his brother chase each other around here like a miniature bullet train, you'd think the boy had super hero vision in both those dreamy eyes.

So we'll give it another week or so and see what happens. In the meantime, be assured that Rusty is well taken care of and happy as a clam.

Rosie's on the job.

Okay, There We Go

Finally, the boys are back in the spotlight.



Rusty's eye hasn't healed like we had hoped. We'll see the shelter vet again Wednesday or Thursday and let you know what she says.

He's such a little trooper. A reminder that animals have a lot to teach us about tolerance and perseverance.

Good grief, they're sweet boys.

Do You Sense a Theme Here?

Yes, you're quite right. Rosie has been a bit of a camera hog lately. After all, this blog is supposed to be about the little ones. Not the (endearingly) mischievous elders.

I'll see what I can do to remedy that.

Thank you for your indulgence.

Rosie Instructs the Boys in Her Own Special Brand of Bad

Rosemary has always had a certain fascination with the 'bag drawer'. Some long-time followers may remember this. As a result, I always try to be sure it's completely closed, thus preventing the inevitable brouhaha of bags thrown hither and thither about the floor.

This day I was less than diligent, and eagle-eyed Rosie pounced on the opportunity to teach the boys her wicked ways.

Observe.



At this point I took pity on her and stopped filming to open the drawer just a wee bit further.



Ah, success. These final two are very short. My very special Rosie is very self-satisfied.

The Boys and I Wish You a Love-ly and Restful Weekend

You Little Sew and Sews!

Seems I'm never short of helpers when it's time to make more kitty beds. Thank you boys.

Tailio!

Check it!