Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy

[Wanderlost]

On 18 Dec, a very large cat showed up at our house. It was late and cold, and he looked in the door and made it clear he wanted inside. Well, since we have two cats already and he was a stranger, we could not let him in the house. WLToo walked out and the cat ran to him, so he walked the cat into the garage and into the climate controlled room out there.

He was extremely hungry and thirsty, but in otherwise good condition and very clean. We fixed up a bed for him, set up the feeding and elimination stations, and went to bed.

Next day, we worked in the garage all day, while the big guy slept or supervised. We found him to be an intact male, no sign he's ever worn a collar, and he has a strong need to be in the general vicinity of humans. For an intact male, he's remarkably mellow - I don't think he was the alpha cat in his previous home.

Have had zero responses to the "found cat" notices around the area and online, so we'll be working with the local rescues to get him neutered and all his shots, then find him a home. We can't keep him because he's just too big for our two cats to share our small house. Alex would have another emotional meltdown, and I don't want to go through that mess again (long, ugly story).

For now, we're calling him Spot, not that he answers to it (does answer to "Kitty, Kitty"). No idea how he travels; we'll find out when we take him to the vet on Tuesday.

If anyone knows of someone who would like a large (about 15-18 pounds) cat who needs to be with people, please let me know. No cat novices, please; this cat needs someone who knows exactly how to handle an adult cat of this size, especially when he's feeling frisky.





We're at Canyon Lake, TX, so if there are any Winter Texans nearby who would like to meet him and maybe give him a home, that would be great.

[Wanderlost]

Got the music room cleared of WLToo's hunting gear, just in time for the piano tuner to get here. Left the door open for the first time since the kittens arrived, and they took advantage to explore it thoroughly. A little while ago, I heard Kitten On The Keys, but not the one by Leroy Anderson; rather, this piece was composed by Czarny. Then he sat inside the raised lid (it's a baby grand) and thrummed the strings, until I convinced him that it's not at all safe in there. Closed the lid and the keyboard cover.

Then both cats decided to sniff the new Christmas tree. It's a tall, narrow one, better suited for the one location we can put it. We've not yet put the new, kitten-resistant decorations on it yet.

A local nursery turns its uninsulated buildings into a giant Christmas market, with trees and all manner of decorations. While we wandered though, looking for those kitten-resistant ornaments, three of the eleven cats who live there decided to either escort us, try to trip us, or flat out insist on being carried around. Oliver was particularly huge -- I suspect a fair amount of Maine Coon Cat in his lineage. Luckily, he did not want to be carried. The 12-year-old Rottweiler was a best friend to anyone who would pet her in just the right spot.

When we got home, Rudy sniffed us over pretty thoroughly, not looking particularly happy that we smelled of other critters. Meanwhile, he comes up every night to share my chair with Czarny and me. Then he jumps his brother and they zoom for a bit, then retire to the love seat.

I put their toys back in the basket each evening. In the morning, we remove them from the shower before turning it on. The kittens think the shower is a wonderful play space.

They're calling me to come play. Later, y'all.

[Dashonthedash]

Hannah is a riot, she tries to bite the vacuum.

[magnusfide]

Wanderlost wrote:
Well, we did it. We released the Kraaken yesterday. Could not video either cat, as all we saw was a ginger and a black streak as they vanished into another room, under the furniture.

The second time it ran, Czarny was terribly brave, standing by my chair and staring hard at the evil beast waking up. But when it began to turn around, he realized the Kraaken would see him, and he was gone. No video again.

The third time, they were already somewhere else. No video.

I doubt these two will ever decide to ride it, or sit still and ignore it, as did Spotacus. He made it go around him.

Kind of like what happens when the dogs come in. Instant disappearing act.

Sir Spotacus knew how to deal with monsters :c

[mitchmitchell16]

Well Spotacus was a special kind of cat -- he knew how to put those lowly machines in their place! LOL.

[Wanderlost]

Well, we did it. We released the Kraaken yesterday. Could not video either cat, as all we saw was a ginger and a black streak as they vanished into another room, under the furniture.

The second time it ran, Czarny was terribly brave, standing by my chair and staring hard at the evil beast waking up. But when it began to turn around, he realized the Kraaken would see him, and he was gone. No video again.

The third time, they were already somewhere else. No video.

I doubt these two will ever decide to ride it, or sit still and ignore it, as did Spotacus. He made it go around him.

[magnusfide]

PURRFECT PLAQUE!!!!

[Wanderlost]

Will try to remember to video the Kraaken/Roomba, Mitch. That's probably not until at least Thursday now. Seems my schedule filled up suddenly.

This evening, Rudy decided he needed to lay on my lap. No, between my legs. No, up my torso. No, between my legs. No, time to play with Czarny. He's getting there...

WLToo placed Spotacus' plaque on his cairn today. Looks pretty good.



If you can't read it, it says:
Spotacus, 1 Jul 2009-7 Nov 2018. Best traveling cat ever. We miss you, Christmas cat.

Lots to do tomorrow. Best get some sleep. Later, y'all.

[mitchmitchell16]

Oh please video of the introduction of the Roomba to the kittens! For them I'm sure it will be like the release of the Kraaken...

[Wanderlost]

That is fabulous, Magnus. Spotacus would be so proud. Well, he was proud to begin with, but let's go with it.

Mitch, thanks for the info. We know very little about FitBit, but are looking forward to accomplishing something with them as coaches/nags. Don't think I could stand having friends/family adding to the nagging, though. Would feel too much like I was back in the Army...

Rudy has definitely decided to share the recliner with Czarny and me. I was even able to hold him for about five minutes of cuddling, before he strolled onto the side table. He's coming along nicely. Both kitties are fascinated with staring out the windows at something we can't see. Czarny is getting interested in going outside, but that's not on our list of good things for them to do anytime soon. They are both still a little timid, reacting with fear or hyper alertness when they hear a new noise. We've not loosed the Roomba since they got here, waiting for them to settle. But it's going back into service tomorrow -- can't stand the grit under my bare feet anymore.

Presents wrapped, boxed and ready for shipment or placing under the tree. Editing job is about half finished, so I have to crash on it tomorrow. Monday WLToo and Tall Friend are going to the range while I take Mom to a medical appointment. Dern it. One of these days, I have to get to the range and practice myself. There's skeet needing a shotgun blast out there.

Looks like Tuesday is the earliest for Christmas decorating. At least I added another album to my huge collection of Christmas music. William Shatner put out an album of Christmas music, with a number of well-known singers and instrumentalists. It's actually quite enjoyable, at least to this formally trained musician with a bent sense of harmonic humor. If you have iTunes, wander over there and preview each song. It's going to be a love it or hate it album, no in-between. I'm firmly in the love it camp. But I like Bob Rivers' Twisted Christmas albums, dogs barking Jingle Bells, carols played on shop tools, and cats meowing The Chipmunk Song. However, I just played that last one, and the cats ran under the bed -- no Jingle Cats this year.

Back to edit one more chapter before bedtime. Hopefully, Czarny won't help this time, being under the bed. Cleaning out his "footprints" this afternoon was a mess...

Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

I remember kitten-proofing. BTDT. Our daughter and son-in-law adopted a ten-month old kitten from their local animal shelter this week. He's a very loving spotted gray tabby cat and of course they had to name him Spotacus. Spotacus' legacy lives on!

[mitchmitchell16]

Once you get used to your FitBits, try the FitBit Aria scale -- it will *really* nag you - but I've managed to lose 25+ lbs with it (wish I could get rid of 100lbs!). It uploads the data so your friends can see your progress if you want to let them nag you too.

[Wanderlost]

I do, magnusfide, but he's not listening just yet.

Another hefty progress on Rudy's part: this evening, he joined me in my recliner. Didn't stay long, but he did come back again and again. He's still figuring out just how close he wants to be. Right now, he and Czarny are sleeping on the love seat, which they have claimed as their own.

Got all the Christmas presents wrapped. Now we need to find boxes for shipping and get them out of here.

Leoghaire came up yesterday. We had some celery getting limp, so I gave it to her. WLToo really needs to reload the feeder.

Tall Friend and WLToo took me out for a birthday dinner, to a restaurant we'd not yet tried. Blech. Won't be going there again.

Have an editing job to finish this week, then it's time to get out all the decorations and get busy. WLToo plans to put his shot bags around the Christmas tree base, to lessen the chances of the cats making the tree fall when they climb it (and they will). I think a blanket underneath, then the tree skirt, might lessen the chances of a decoration breaking when they knock it off the tree. Sigh. Haven't had kittens in so many years that remembering how to kitten-proof for Christmas is a bit of a lost art.

Czarny's awake and demanding I play with him. Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

Tell WLToo that hiring help for the pole barn is a lot cheaper than hefting those poles by himself and the resultant hospital bills. :w

[Wanderlost]

It got positively nippy last night, down into the 30s, although not freezing. WLToo turned the heater on. Reminds me: we need more firewood. It's dead still outside, which is unusual, but ensures there's no wind chill factor to deal with. Also supposed to warm into the 60s, so when I head to the airport to pick up Mom, a flannel shirt will be all I need.

While cousin was visiting, the doe herd did its evening stroll. Reminded me of the early years here, when we also had a buck herd. Now we're lucky to see two bucks. Cursed poachers! Anyway, cousin has lost over 100 pounds, still has another 100 to go, but she's looking so very much better. Her knees need replacing, so as soon as she's below 40% BMI, she'll get that done and finally stop having to use crutches. Makes my needing to lose 100 pounds look paltry -- don't need anything replaced, just lose the fat. Hence, the FitBits for Christmas -- we both need the nagging those devices will provide.

Yesterday, my dermatologist looked at all the scabs on my left arm and shoulder and raised an eyebrow. I said, "Kittens." He replied, "Nice tracks." Otherwise, skin check was good. Done with doctors for several months now.

The RV dealer has been keeping us informed as to Obi-Wander's repairs status -- mostly on how long it takes the parts to get to the dealer. I'm convinced warranty repair parts only get to the dealer via the dealer's next RV order, so when the RV is driven down, our repair parts are loaded. Can't see any more logical reason for why it takes so long. I do hope we get her back soon, though. We need to use her residential refrigerator through the holidays.

Meanwhile, WLToo has been designing a pole barn to put Obi-Wander under. Because the parking spot is slightly tilted and on top of a limestone ledge, the concrete pilings will all be at different heights. The mechanics of boring the holes for the concrete pilings is really the hardest part. Well, that and he thinks he can raise a 16' high pole barn all by himself at age 65...riiiiight.

Between that and designing some smaller side tables for our great room (which isn't really all that large), he'll be busy all winter. He just finished making two coin displays, one for us and one for Warrant Officer 1 Nephew, now in flight training at Fort Rucker. Between the two of us, we accumulated 30 commemorative coins during our military and military civilian careers. WO1 Nephew could accumulate many more, so WLToo made his display larger. Both are in walnut with tung oil finish -- beautiful wood.

Both cats got me up a little early, desperately needing to play. Now they're off napping somewhere and I'm seriously considering one myself. After breakfast, though. There's some hot herbal tea and oatmeal calling my name.

Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

It's a great life!