Living in Harmony with the Squrriels in the Chimney

A few days ago, I suddenly spotted a big hole in the side of my chimney. Since it’s really a big wooden frame around my actual “chimney” (which houses a Heatilator ®and a pipe), the outside “box” is apparently fairly empty. Or it was until something gnawed a hole the size of softball in the side … Continue reading →

Yes, Compassion Can be Crazy at Times.

Neighbors may have wondered what I was doing digging in the deep snow along the street curbs this morning. Many stray cats, kittens and other critters take refuge in the storm drains during winter (because they remain warmer than the surface). I realized last night that many drains had been deeply covered by snow plows. I … Continue reading →

Cruelty Reigns in Ohio as Police Officer Kills Kittens

Called by a homeowner to remove feral kittens living in a woodpile – supposedly because they were causing fleas in her house — an Ohio police officer solved the problem by telling her the shelters were full and then shooting the kittens in front of the family. The mother cat apparently escaped. There simply isn’t a … Continue reading →

Our Litte Brothers and Sisters, the Animals.

St. Francis of Assisi called the animals, birds and all creatures on this planet “our little brothers and sisters.” In his day, people lived closer to the natural world, and the animals.  Yet, their view of animals was a lot like that of people today.  Many view animals as somehow lesser in value than human beings, but … Continue reading →

Stray Cats Update: “Oliver” pix!

For anyone wondering how the little tabby cat is that I rescued not long ago (the one who’s Felv+), “Oliver Twist” is doing quite well, although we’re having quite a battle with his determination to hide behind the washer whenever anything happens outside.  That includes the neighbor driving into his driveway, a lawnmower within four … Continue reading →

Stray Cats are Everyone’s Responsiblity!

Well, I did it again.  A young tabby cat came to my yard and asked for help, so what could I do? After trying to just feed him outside, I felt bad when he disappeared for a week. When he turned up again, he was limping and subdued, but still friendly and gentle. So I … Continue reading →

Animal Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church

After the death of Patience (see my earlier post on the death of a little stray I was trying to care for – Tristan’s mother, in fact), I felt the need to do something to honor her and her struggles in this world., and all the other little ones who die unnoticed, unknown and alone. … Continue reading →

The Circle Of Life

It’s been a hard week. For the past two weeks, I’ve been trying to care for an outdoor stray who’s been coming to my feeding stations for almost two years. I’m talking about the mother of Tristan, my number 7 cat. Back in the summer of 2010, I first noticed a new female with a … Continue reading →

The Best Christmas Present is a Furry Kiss!

Christmas has come and gone again.  In years past, it used to be an endless flurry of shopping, making cookies, parties, planning meals, sneaking around with secret gifts, shrieks when someone opened the door while you were wrapping — and of course the last minute gift run for presents for the cats and dogs. In … Continue reading →