Re: 10/30 Paisley AMPS/328, +4/306, +8/187, +9.75/167
+9.75/167 Gave her food which she ate. She's been sleeping beside me for a while.
Celi,
I try to feed raw. The recipe I was using called for whole chickens and after my wrist was re-injured it kept getting harder so I'd put it off and feed canned. I made a big batch last night (2 chickens). I found Dr. Lisa's recipe which uses only thighs so I'm switching to that. It will be so much easier on me and better for them. Scottie is the only one who doesn't eat raw when I have it. She will eat a little when I make it but that's about it. She eats Wellness canned. She has kidney issues so I'd really like to get her on a good raw diet. Most of the cats hunt or have hunted in the past, including Paisley.
Cinnamon was a barn kitten the vet's daughter just had to have and then didn't want because she wasn't cuddly. They were going to put Cinnamon back in a barn but I took her instead. It took a lot of time and patience but she is now a very affectionate cat. She loves to hunt and is good at it.
Little Brother (and Big Brother - GA) were found at my uncle's house on the family farm, along with a young black lab who looked to be abused. The kittens were so tiny. I brought them back home with me because they would have died otherwise. LB loves to hunt or at least be outside. I'm not sure how good he is because he'll come in the house and inhale food. He loves zucchini. My raw recipe called for some veggies and zucchini was available from the Farmers Market. Although it's a summer squash, some store well. He ate part of my zucchini stash. ohmygod_smile
Willow came from a friend who got her from a couple who had to give her up. Turns out we know the husband (wife GA this spring :sad: ) and my DH got Willow's history. They got her as a tiny kitten and nicknamed her "Pig" because she stood in her food dish. She was very young when they found her. I expected that as she kneads my shoulder and drools on my shirts. She's a good hunter but I don't think she eats what she catches. Up until last year she would leave her kills on the porch or steps. Barry was thrilled with that. The chicken who had been eating them wasn't as thrilled. I don't think she's been doing as much hunting this year. She has a vet appointment Tuesday for her teeth and I'll have blood work done.
Scottie (and Becky - GA) were rescued from a family where the wife had asthma and ended up in the hospital with strict instructions that the cats must go. A coworker of mine was the sister and was afraid the husband would shoot the cats. I took Spotty and Blacky (yes, I changed their names to something more dignified) and my friend took the Persian. Both S & B were completely declawed. Scottie did a bit of hunting in her younger days but is content to snag something brought by another cat. She has kidney issues.
Barry's history and age are not known. But he had a rough life at some point. His teeth were so damaged that the vets could only make a guess. His ears had been frostbitten, one quite severely. He was taken to the shelter as a stray. He has such a great personality that I'm sure he must have lived with people at some point. He doesn't hunt but he loves to partake in whatever someone brings. He's OTJ since 10/23/09.
Paisley was an owner relinquish at a shelter downstate. She's an amazing hunter, although most of what I've seen her catch has been young and she doesn't play with it. I tried keeping her inside but she'd slip out so that says something about her history. If there was a mouse in her bedroom, which is possible, she would have no trouble catching or eating it.
We have a strict "no live prey in the house" rule which is routinely ignored. It's also getting cold and we've had mice move in around this time of year. They don't stay long.
"One cat just leads to another." Ernest Hemingway
