Feline Friday 3/29/13

One of the things I enjoy doing on Fridays when I volunteer at STAF is taking time to visit the kitties in the vet room.

Today, I learned that my buddy Leroy was not doing well this past week and made a trip to the vet.  Surprisingly, he was able to return to the shelter but no longer is able to roam the halls, he is in his own cage.  Being deaf, he didn't know I was there to visit with him.

After a few shots of Leroy sleeping, I reached through and petted him.  He woke up and did his best to visit with me...he's such a good boy!

 

He seems quite weak, but he was able to get up and get some good drinks of water.

 Looking at bit more refreshed after his drinks, this was the last picture I took of him today.  I hope he'll be there next week when I go back, but I'll just have to wait and see.

 I also visited with Jimmie J who is still continuing to improve after his surgery.  He's is such a handsome boy and has such a great "smile"!

Some of my new friends in the vet room that I'd like to share with everyone.

Here's Pope Francis II - love him and his cute little name tag.

Here's d'Artagnan...doesn't he have the sweetest face?

Here's Cappuccino, still quite young with the sweetest little meow!

 

One more picture of Cappuccino.  Look at his eyes, I think he's dreaming up some mischief to get into.

My last picture of the day is Wilbur.  He's an old friend from Room 8.  He looks a little sinister in this picture, but he's really a sweetheart.

"Love Birds"

A recent spring like day I came across these two sweet little "love birds"...well er...ducks along the trail.

Here sits lady duck catching some rays, probably for the first time in many many days.  She looks so pretty as she suns herself.

Mr Duck pulling himself up to join his pretty lady.

Now they're ready for some preening and showing off their pretty tails.  I love the reflection of the trees in the water.

 On my second lap around the trail, I was pretty tired...I guess they were too.  Sleeping together in the water.  I like the way they're sleeping face to face.  So sweet.

New Design & New Name

I've been working on my blog tonight trying to give it a new look and title.  So far, I've gotten further than I thought I would in one night...I'm a slow learner.  :-)

My friends, give my blog a good look and let me know if you see any glaring goofs.  I am having trouble deleting one of my Cincinnati Animal Rescue links that is no longer in business.  The form keeps telling me I have an error...so I'm lost on that one.

It's time for me to get other things done, so I must quit for the night.  Hope all is well with everyone!

Feline Friday 3/22/13

I love all the cat and kittens at Save the Animals Foundation where I volunteer on Friday mornings.  However, there are two that have really captured my heart.

Leroy has always been a favorite of mine, he is deaf.  Over the last year or so his health has been failing.  The shelter and all of the volunteers there take good care of him and all of the other animals.  He's looking very rough around the edges and he's moving quite a bit slower.  However, he still has an appetite and in these two pictures he had just finished eating. 

Each Friday I look for him...and  I think he looks for me too. 

Leroy has free roam of the shelter, but he's usually around the vet room.  He likes to sit by the sink and watch the running water.

Jimmie J is a new kitten around the shelter.  Jimmie J is a 4-month-old “colony kitten” who, until a few weeks ago, lived behind a Wendy’s dumpster. One night, while trying to make it across the street, he was hit by a car. At first he lay in the street, traffic running past him. But finally an employee of the restaurant saw him and came to his rescue. His x-rays showed two broken legs, and a pelvis fractured in two places. To ensure he can walk again, he needed a $2500 emergency surgery for the right leg (the most extensive of his injuries), and pelvis. Without the surgery, the odds of Jimmie running and playing like a kitten should, were slim. He was in a little pain and confused that food came so easily, but definitely happy to be at the shelter. 

Jimmie J has had surgery and is recuperating quite well.  Of course, I was thrilled that the shelter could help him, but I also liked him because he is named after my favorite NASCAR driver, Jimmie Johnson.  Here are a few shots of Jimmie J from today.

Jimmie J is up and out of his bed!  Of course he still has some recuperating to do, but he was interested in playing with my fingers...such a cute little guy!

 

What a handsome face!  No wonder they named him after Jimmie Johnson!

Good Grief It's Been a Long Time!

Yes, I know I've been away for a long time. 

Sometimes life just gets too busy and you have to decide between all the things you love to do and the things you HAVE to do.  Unfortunately, for me, I have too many things I love to do, and I have to decide what I need to do most for myself at the time.  So, I took a break from blogging.  After today's entry, it may be awhile before I check back in again...you never know.

Today, I decided to post some pictures of some interesting sights I've seen over the last few months.  They may be common to all of you out there, but to me they were exciting and fun to see.

Here are a few shots of several hawks I spotted.  The first two pictures are of two different hawks who appeard in my yard in December.  I've never seen hawks before in our yard.

 

This next picture was taken while I was hiking in nearby Winton Woods...about two miles from where I live.

Two days out of each week I participate in a bird count for Project Feeder Watch associated with Cornell Lab of Ornithology.    This past weekend I was very excited to get this next picture of a Common Grackle with leucism. 

Leucism is relatively unusal in birds.  From 2000-2006, Project Feeder Watch participants reported fewer than 1000 leucistic birds.  Given that participants report about 5.5 million birds each season, the percentage of leucistic birds being reported is very small.

Typically birds with abnormally white feathers do not survive long because they are so much more visible to predators.  Those that do survive may have trouble attracting a mate.  Consequently, the mutated genes that cause leucism are less likely to be passed on to a new generation.  If you are ever fortunate enough to see one of these oddly plumaged birds, consider yourself lucky!