Autumn update & introducing 2 new members to the family

[MommaOfMuse]

I just realized its been awhile since we checked in over here.

Sheila I'm so sorry to hear Beau isn't doing well. Autumn and I are plugging along she keeps flirting with remission but just can't quite get rid of that last drop of insulin and still maintain normal numbers.

In November the Fur Gang unexpectedly grew by two. First was little Mariposa, who the guys at Jon's work found thrown in a dumpster, then lost in the shop only to refind after she rode to Kearney and back (75miles each way) in the glove box of their work truck


Three days later roughly Casey joined us when I got the call about a hansom Red Tabby at risk of euthanasia if he couldn't find someone to love this super sized extra sweet guy when his mommy got too sick to care for him. He was living in a basement, being shot blind, eating dry MD and being given 11u yes 11u bid. When I picked him up he tipped the scales at 37lbs!!! He was a red watermelon with feet. Today we're still at 27lbs but he at least as legs again.First day he arrived. He's also a Levemir boy.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[MommaOfMuse]

and Casey today

 

[Pam & Alley]

Mel, you are amazing. I, too have not checked in here recently, lots of health issues with our guys. Just plugging along as best we can. When I read your exploits it gives me strength' These two new additions are beautiful. Casey already looks so much better after a short time in your care. Lucky kitties.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Mel, you have a knack for adopting the most gorgeous and handsome kitties!

Autumn is such a beauty and is doing so well. How is her temperament? Is she playing yet? There seems to be a line they cross suddenly where they finally let go of the "I am afraid of being dumped, so I can't relax here" and become one of the family. You find them lounging in the middle of the rug in a spot of sun or playing with a toy they ignored for months. Cami is like that now. She is even OK with me telling her "No" when she tries to steal someone else's food - not happy, but not freaked out either.

Mariposa is beautiful too. A silver tabby? How old? She looks a little scared in that photo. How is she settling in? I can't believe people dump animals in dumpsters. Are you sure she wasn't looking for food or shelter? Anyway, not a safe place to be, that's for sure. I saw her name and had to laugh. I knitted a shawl pattern called "Mariposa" a couple of years ago. You come up with great names too!

And Casey. How sad is it that someone feeds there cat crap food until they are 3 times their normal weight? Would they plunk a human child down with bags of chips and cookies and let them eat all day long? So, you have to tell me how you are getting his weight down. Cami is getting huge (13.5 lbs now) and I am trying to limit her food for the first time. This isn't going over too well. She is confused that there isn't food available all the time and in multiple places. I always thought that you could free feed low carb food and their weight would settle out at the right place. At least that was my experience with the five cats previous to her.

Looks like Casey might be a big cat (long/tall). What do you think is optimal weight is? And how is his BG? What dose do you have him at now? (sorry if there was a SS link - I forgot to check).

Good to hear from you! Hope you are doing ok.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

OMG - just saw that Casey is only getting a couple of units bid and is in the greens with that. I can't imagine what 11u was going to him! That poor cat. The dry MD probably saved his life. That's like Beau and his 7u of vetsulin (before I was home testing). Dry food was probably saving his life on a daily basis too.

Thank God we found this place, right? I think in the last 6 years and 3 FDs I have only given one shot without testing beforehand and that was because I was so sick I could barely get out of bed.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

As always with me there is a story behind Mariposa's name. We got her November 14th the anniversary of Onyx's passing. Her name means butterfly.Since the Dakota indians have a legend that butterflies are the spirits of departed loved ones coming back to visit. And she has a white perfectly shaped butterfly marking over her mouth. Butterfly kisses. When we got her judging by the fact her eyes were still blue she was only about 4-6 weeks old. Now they are a rich deep amber. And she's huge, not fat just long and tall. She's as big as must of my adult girls. She's a busy bee and with the cats she's awesome but it's taking awhile to trust the beans but she's getting better.

Autumn has turned into a snuggle bug and will every now and then play with catnip. But she has back problems so doubt she'll ever play much and she's also ancient nearly 18

As far as getting weight of Casey...well he has limited portions and Mariposa. She runs him ragged. He's only 8 years old. Yes he's a BIG guy ideally I think he's gonna be about 17-20pounder. He reminds me of your classic American Red Tabby Shorthair. The Thomas O'Malley type.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[Carol & Yoshi]

Gosh Mel, you really are amazing. So glad these creatures found you and your hubby as they surely needed some goodness in their lives. No doubt they know they found two earth angels :smile:

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Oh, Miraposa's a baby! Babies don't get in dumpsters themselves, that's for sure. What the h*ll is wrong with people?! Great name. Great story behind the name. I can see that butterfly on her upper lip.

Casey looks like he is as big as a Maine Coon. I just can't think of any short hair types that are that big - except Savannah's and they don't come in red do they?

Well, Cami is looking like she wants to play with the younger cats, but doesn't know how and they are afraid of her and run away. Maybe she will learn to play and they will let her run around with them so she can get some exercise. For now the most she does is walk to the kitchen :roll:

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Yes, Mariposa is a tiny baby...now here's the kicker the dumpster she was found in is in the same alley as the one I found Angel in 5 years ago at about the same age. Angel had been tortured before she was dumped, someone had used a cigarette to burn her paw pads and ears as she had a couple dozen perfectly round burns all over her ears and paws. Mariposa wasn't tortured but she has been clearly abused by a man. She ducks and fliches when you reach for her. And while she warmed up to me fairly quickly, she's still leery of Jon. At least now he can pet her if she's laying on the bed without her cowering and wetting herself.

Kinda makes me wonder if Angel and Mariposa aren't related. Both are long haired greys just Mari is silver and Angel is charcoal.

Yep if Casey was long haired I'd think Maine Coon as well. He's bigger than Maxwell. Gotta tell ya my first thought when I saw him was Acro especially with that 11u bid until he walked out of the carrier and I realize his belly was dragging the ground.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Thanks God those two babies found you guys. I just can't get my head around humans that inflict pain on other humans or animals.

Did Angel's burns heal up ok? Does she let Jon handle her?

When I got my two youngest from my vet they were about 14 weeks old. One of them had all her whiskers cut off and was covered in paint thinner. Now, they were found at a building that was being rehabbed so maybe she got into paint and someone who didn't know any better tried to clean her up, but.... of course I think the worst. The other one seemed ok physically, but she got freaked out if I tried to play with her using my hand - still does sometimes. She leans away and flinches and will smack my hand really hard with her paw and run away. And I have had her over 5 years and she cuddles with me all the time, but sometimes it just sets her off. Makes me wonder.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Angel healed up wonderfully a testament to the resiliencey of youth. She is even a daddy's girl. Her favorite game is beating him to the railing to the basement so she can jump on his shoulder and ride to the bedroom then jump on his dresser then tell him all about her day while he changes clothes.

Of course when she joined us I was still working 60 hour weeks and he had been laid off so he was the one that did most of the changing of her bandages and would carry her around in a baby sling.

This is her today at age 5

I'm even a smoker and that never seemed to phase her until last year on our anniversary when I struck one of those long fire place matches to light some glass candles. She lost it...she had been on the table helping mommy arrange the flowers and sniffing the unlit candles just being her normal inquisitive self then I lit that match, she let out the most blood curdling yowl and took off like a shot. Took us two hours to find her huddling under the china hutch. Since then all matches are banned in the house. Something in that sulfur smell must have brought back all the bad memories for her.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

She's another gorgeous girl. Very regal looking.

Who's on the sofa behind her? Looks like Beau. Don't forget to add Mariposa to your signature - or are you out of characters? I am out on mine and have to edit greatly to make additions.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

That would this guy.

Bert a.k.a. Pica Boy.

Have paper will shredded and eat...then hurl...lol

He's the only one here that wasn't adopted he was born here to a pregnant momma the step daughter drug home.. And hid in the garage. We have his brother as well Casper who is a flame point that was adopted out and then returned because of a new human baby and suspected domestic abuse.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Oops looked again at the cat behind Angel and that isn't Bert it's this fellow


Amon Ra.

He's my oldest meezer. He was also my bottle baby after a pit bull killed his whole family except him and his sister.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

They are both extremely handsome! ALL of your cats are gorgeous. How do you find such perfection over and over again?

Amon Ra looks JUST like Beau - except for those white feet!

I was at PetSmart yesterday and looked at the kitties up for adoption. There was a beautiful girl that would fit in so nicely with your crew - she was a medium long hair brown tabby with thick white eye liner. I keep telling myself that when Beau is gone I will stay with three, but I swear I wanted to take that girl home last night!

 

[MommaOfMuse]

That's just it I don't find them, they find me. Autumn is the only one I've ever actively sought out. Even Maxwell and Musette Venita called me about. Everyone else just showed up. The more I swear I'm keeping it to a certain number someone else shows up lol

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[Grayson & Lu]

That's just it I don't find them, they find me. Autumn is the only one I've ever actively sought out. Even Maxwell and Musette Venita called me about. Everyone else just showed up. The more I swear I'm keeping it to a certain number someone else shows up lol

Mel and The Fur Gang

Sounds like my world. Once they started coming, it was like flood gates. But they're all wonderful, and they're mine! Everyone (even Grayson), happy & healthy. You're an amazing mom! Congrats on the new additions and successes with those already there!

 

[IloveLarry]

theyre all so adorable! 37 lbs! OMG! that must be close to the record for heaviest cat. i dont see how he walked glad they have u.

what kind of meezer looks like that? she looks like my Baby, who i thought was only part meez. she came to me as a stray. i had the typical looking meez growing up and they really dont look much alike. mainly just the ice blue eyes, and all the talking.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

They're Applehead Siamese well at least Amon Ra is Bert is a mix and we think daddy was the neighbor's Birman although no one knows for sure mom was solid silver.

Mel and The Fur Gang