Mama Returns !!!

This morning Mama Cat returned! She looks to be in good health. We are sooooo happy, since by now we had become very concerned.

More Snow

More snow fell; and our cats were tummy deep in the stuff as they trekked across the back yard, which is now littered with tracks. The cats seem to love the stuff, but perhaps they are also looking for Mama Cat, who has not yet returned. We, too, are getting worried.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Special things were happening at the cat colony on Christmas Day. For starters, the eagerly anticipated dishes of food served each morning came out topped with appetizing little morsels and were readily devoured. Alex probably communicated to them that these are special cat treats (that he, as the house cat, gets every day). When gifts were opened, there was a special blanket gift for the cat colony. The roof of the condo, a favorite perch, now looks like such a cozy place to sit thanks to Aunt Jenn and Uuncle Rob. (Unfortunately, nobody is showing a desire to jump up there. In the evening magical snowflakes began to fall, something none of the kittens had ever seen before. The only damper on the day was the absence of Mama Cat, who disappeared immediately after her return to the colony two days ago.

Mama Cat is Back Home

We brought Mama Cat home late in the afternoon today. She was very quiet and rested comfortably on a blanket at the back of the cat carrier. We set the carrier outside by the condos and cat food dishes and opened the door. Nothing. We left the door open, but she did not seem ready to leave. The light gray kitten came up and checked out the carrier, and then went inside, but Mama Cat did not move. The gray kitten left. Shortly thereafter Mama Cat was gone from the carrier. We did not see her go. At least we know that she had the opportunity to establish rapport with one of her kittens. It's raining here, so we hope that she is smart enough to spend the night in her heated condo. We'll be watching. Sorry, no reunion pictures are available. We waited with camera in hand for over an hour. She didn't leave until we, and the camera, were gone.

When All Else Fails

Last evening we were surprised to see the light gray kitten up in the tree in front of our house trying to get to the suet and seed we hang there for our woodpeckers. Harley was on the ground, presumably giving instruction. Perhaps Mama Cat has instilled this last resort action in all of them, and they were practicing - just in case. Oh yes, the kitten shimmied down the trunk of the tree with ease.

Mama is recovering

We got word from the vet that Mama Cat had surgery this morning and is on the road to recovery. At 2 PM she was awake and huddled in the corner of her cage. Because she will be returning to live outside, she will stay at the vet an extra day so she has more time to get back to normal. We're planning to bring her home on Wednesday.

Possum Visits the Colony

We've been taking the catfood inside in the evening, since after dark the raccoons like to visit and have a little dinner. Last night I opened the back door and a possum looked up from the food dish. He ran away slowly - probably because he is so fat. We think he has been eating out at the colony restaurant for some time.