I think I need some TLC

(Before photo-TLC on left hanging out in Mom's office)

I will warn you now, if you have a weak stomach you may want to just leave now and spare yourself the heartbreak and pain. OK, if you didn't leave, consider yourself warned.

I have told the story before of the wild events that usually lead to animals coming to live at my home (ok-Zoo is a better word). TLC(short for three legged cat) came to live with us last summer when we discovered him and his litter mates living with Mom in the backyard. We couldn't view too closely for several weeks as Mom kept relocating them if we did. When we finally got a good look, we discovered that this one only had a partial back leg, but walked fine etc. Princess wanted to adopt him (famous last words like-but I will take care of him-NEVER happens). I was concerned as I become very easily attached to this kind of pitiful critter, so we took him to the vet for a full exam to be sure the poor little boy didn't have additional major anomalies that would cut his life short. Long story short, he was an otherwise healthy kitten. The vet was pretty certain that in fact, he was not born like this (right rear leg intact until about mid shin area then missing the rest), but had likely had some sort of trauma right after birth. He was sure somehow the leg had been "chewed off" by another animal. See, told you you may not want to hang out for this post. Anyway, we knew the likely father was a VERY mean black cat known to haunt our neighborhood, and Mom was another stray that showed up every once in awhile, but was totally sweet and people/animal friendly. Mom was also fiercely protecting these kittens so we guessed Dad may have done this at some point. ANYWAY, he got around just fine etc, but the vet did say we should leave it for now, but the potential for additional amputation in the future was there if he developed trouble given the length of the leg.

Well, last Thursday I was in the kitchen surrounded by the herd who all think a human in the kitchen must mean food. TLC is very affectionate and rubs the leg of anyone standing still. I looked down and initally thought he had a bit of food or something stuck to his fur on his peg leg. Closer inspection revealed that in fact the bone was protruding through the pad that had developed on the end of his leg. Placed a frantic call to the vet, only to learn all the vets were out of office, but to come in the next am unless we wanted to go to the emergency vet. Now, our vet knows our animals inside and out, the emergency vet here is relatively useless as we learned in the past. So, Friday we went to see our vet and he felt the surgery needed to be done. He scheduled him for Monday with instructions to continue pulling the free skin over the exposed bone as needed in the mean time as we have been doing. So, the surgery went well, but he had to spend the night in the office to protect him mostly from the rest of the zoo and for medication. When we picked him up, they hadn't tried to walk him yet so that was left to us.

Good news is, the minute we opened the cage he ran across the room on three legs without any trouble at all. Doesn't even miss it as long as he goes fairly quickly, more difficult if he tries to walk slowly. But goodness, the most pathetic soul you will ever see.

TLC with his Mr. Conehead impression. Let's just say he is NOT happy with his new accesory!

TLC now. I told you not to look if you have a weak stomach! They had to remove the entire leg into the hip joint which leaves and incredible looking scar. He has massive sutures and still has extensive swelling from it as you can see.


Callaway on right, TLC on left.

Callaway, "Seriously Dude! What the heck did Mom buy you that ugly hat for?"

TLC, "Hat! Ancient torture device! Now, be a pal and pull this thing off will ya?"

Callaway, "Not on your life! Mom will make me wear it and shove that nasty liquid medicine down my throat for even thinking about it. You are on your own buddy!"

So, the poor baby is beside himself. We were given pain meds to give him along with antibiotics and he must wear the collar for 2 weeks until the sutures are removed. Pretty sure that ordeal will look a bit like Edward Scissorhands, but I personally plan to refuse to participate in that little party. Instead I get the pleasure of trying to shove the nasty, sticky medicine down his throat! Let me tell you, it TASTES terrible!! How would I know you ask? Taking kitty drugs? No sir, I learned the hard way during the first dose upon arrival to the house, that unless you literally shoot the dose from the syringe into his little throat, the stuff will come flying back at you at the speed of light-followed by violent head flinging that rains droplets of the stuff EVERYWHERE. Yeah, lesson one-don't drop your jaw open while watching your cat have the human equivalent of a two year old temper tantrum or you WILL not only have it on your face, eyes, hair, walls, ceiling, etc, but the crap will end up in your big ol' mouth! It not only looks bad, it tastes bad too.

Needless to say, it has been a full time job the last few days trying to keep him calm, scratch where he can't itch, keeping him from getting his incision dirty, etc. He MUST sleep next to me on the bed, so I mainly get a few minutes sleep at a time before he jumps up startled. Just don't want him to freak out and fall off the bed. It is worse than taking care of sick kids as they can't even tell you what is wrong and want you to make it better.

So what is the price for being the ultimate sucker for animals you ask?

Price for Surgical amputation of leg=$600 (vet gave us a discount out of pitty for the stray guy)

Emotional price of caring for a "special kitty"=no sleep for two days now, medicine in my eyes and mouth, sacrifice life to become a human scratching post, countless scratches and such all over my body

Complete and total love from a animal who would have otherwise not have lived=Priceless.

So, if you don't hear from me for awhile, just know I'm a little tied up right now.

Here they are...

First I wanted to share my new sign purchased at the craft show on Saturday. I was so proud of myself at finding this as it is so perfect for our home. Little did I know, the "stray momma" cat from the last litter that brought us TLC, was at that very moment leaving me a present in my favorite chair on the back porch!

SIX LITTLE KITTENS! When I arrived proudly showing Prince Charming my new sign, he muttered "Yeah, better have a look on the porch and put the sign up quick!" Out I go to my favorite chair (recently equipped with new cushions and snuggle blankets for the cooler evenings I might add) to find poor Mom still in the midst of labor from hell. It was so chilly outside and she was just too exhausted to do more than push. Had to run in and get some towels and help her start drying off this little furry bundles. Apparently Prince Charming was out back early and noticed Mom laying on the concrete pavers under his work table and saw she was in labor. Being the sweetest cowboy around, he promptly picked her up and laid her on MY CHAIR to make her more comfortable. Wasn't sure whether I should just hit him with the new sign or hang it around his neck at first.... Guess I'll forgive him though since he is such an old softie and all...

I mean really, look at that face! You can see the tip of Mom's nose and whiskers to the left as she was getting a bit irritated with all my oogling her babies by this time and she just wanted a nap.

Now, let me remind you again, these are NOT my cats. I have never refused an animal in need that has appeared at our door in my life. I refuse to bond with these tiny critters. For crying out loud I still have a three legged monster from the last litter climbing my curtains as I write this!!!!! So, I'll do what I can to keep them safe and warm for now, but eventually they ALL will have to go find a new home. Period. NO exceptions!

I repeat, NO EXCEPTIONS! I refuse to love that cute little furry face, or that one, or that one, or that one, or that one, or especially that one. Enough already!

I thought I would share a couple pictures of our new family addition, "TLC" (Three legged cat!). He is kind of like trying to photograph a hurricane but I did manage to get a few. He is really very cute, although I'm not certain if my furniture or curtains will survive his antics. He is slowly learning his place in the animal kingdom here, but most often seems to just get his way.

My daughter got her official driver's license yesterday. I knew she would do just fine if her nerves didn't get the best of her. Poor kid had to retake the written test again as her permit had expired, but the DMV had given us the first available and assured me it would not be a problem due to their tight schedule. Wrong! She took the written without even studying and did the drivers test with flying colors. All total we were only there for less than an hour and a half! The biggest drama is she is unhappy with her picture! Such pity I had for her. My best photo on the license has never looked as good as her alleged "bad" one. So, she has had 3 solo drives so far and slowly getting used to it. Unfortunately the traffic is out of control in our area due to road construction etc. so at least she can't go fast since everything is going at a crawl. She drove in the dark and rain last night that was a bit freaked out about, but did just fine. One of her friends was in a terrible roll over accident during school (closed campus no less and he was off campus). The driver swerved to avoid a collision, hit the curb, and rolled his car. He was ok, but the passenger was not wearing his seat belt and is now in ICU and rumors are he is not doing well. We had the same talk again of using care, staying at school, etc. etc. I reminded her this is exactly why I am on pins and needles every time she leaves my sight. I feel so badly for the driver of the car and his passenger. I'm hoping it all turns out well, but you never know.

Life is just too short for wasting time with petty crap. Hug your kids, pets, family, whatever you have and remind them just how much they mean to you. You just never know which second may be the last. I've had too many occasions of this happening in the recent past, and regret every time I just didn't take that extra second to tell them I really do care. Go do it right now!

Welcome to my new adventure in blog land! I have admired so many fine blogs created by others that I decided it was time to give it a try myself. I was so inspired by Tracey at http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/ that I wanted to have a place of my own too!

There is nothing more wonderful than having a quiet moment to myself to pursue my "creative side". I love a good book, long soaks in a bubble bath, making cards, scrap booking, painting, cooking, baking, gardening...the list is ridiculously long of things I like to do. Now, finding the time to actually complete something is an entirely different matter. The downside to being a working wife and mother I guess, but I manage to sneak in time here and there anyway. Perhaps one of these days I'll be brave enough to share them with you here.

My other weakness is animals. You see, I can't seem to stop at just one, or two, or three. At this time I share my home with 2 dogs. Ralph is a miniature poodle (so named when he decided to throw up in my lap on the way to his new home). He has been with us for about 10 years now. Gidget (technically dear daughter's dog) is a chihuahua that came to us last Christmas. Having dogs is really just like adopting more children. You step on the toys that are strung everywhere, they beg continuously for whatever you have, and they are constantly demanding more attention from you. Plus side is, they do want to snuggle and keep you warm at night and will kiss your tears away when needed.
As if this were not enough, I currently have 5 (yes I said 5) cats in my house. The first was Captain Hook who adopted us when he was already grown. He decided to crawl in a set of tires and rims on the porch and couldn't get out. Covered in grease with a long tail that was broken in the middle so it hung like a big hook-hence the name. I have to admit he has been one of the best cats we have ever had, kind, gentle, and loves to snuggle. He is now a senior citizen, and I just like to be grateful for the time we have left with him. The second was a pound rescue. Forced upon me (yeah right). You see, my mother had decided after many years of not having a 4 legged companion that she wanted a cat. So, she calls and demands that I take her to the Humane Society to get one. I go making her swear she will kill me before I am allowed to bring ANYTHING home. Well, she narrows the choice to two, one a fluffy Persian kitten and another large, long hair, grey beautiful girl. So, Mom chooses the kitten (I warned her, but would she listen-NO) and we leave the poor grown cat there, sob, alone.. Well, I get home and proceed to cry and whine about the cat left behind, and finally Prince Charming relents and takes me to get the cat!!! (Did I mention that Prince Charming spoils me rotten?) So, now we have Foxy Lady who decides to no longer be friendly and hide at the slightest movement or noise. My cat then claims Prince Charming as hers and will not have a thing to do with me for several years. Go figure, save her and look at the thanks I get!
So, our humble home is content for a few years. Then, quite unexpectedly my brother in Idaho dies from a sudden heart attack. He had a large hunting dog, and this stray cat that he had rescued from the golf course where he worked. The small town where he lived had provisions to keep the dog while we sorted out the arrangements for my brother, but not the cat. Long story short, I went to the pound and took one look at the cat and knew we couldn't let her be put to sleep. Piercing green eyes begged for my help. Off with the cat to a vet for boarding for the week it took us to do arrangements and return home. Her name is Calloway (for my brother's favorite golf items) and what a treasure. She will love you, purr, play with the dogs, and snuggle at length. Down side, if you don't wake up when she is ready, be prepared for bites to the face and licking of eyelids until you get up!
Ok, fine, now we have 1 dog and 3 cats inside, getting a bit crowded, but manageable. Then, another tragic twist of fate claims my Mother's life to cancer. Again, only the cat left behind. What's a girl to do-return it to the pound from where it came? I think not, so here comes that cat too. Caeser is a love who loves to scream at you if you won't give him instant attention or food. Crazy thing learned to play fetch with a ball by my Mom-swear to God he is part dog!
Count 4 cats, 1 dog. Oh no, ex-hubby decided the dear daughter needed another pet so he sends Gidget down from Wyoming with my son-at Christmas time no less! Can you say Petting Zoo!!!! I know what you are thinking, this chick is nuts. Well, good news, you are right! Because this doesn't include the large amount of strays that have come and gone from claiming my yard as home. The latest is a beautiful Siamese who just had 3 kittens, and one poor boy only had 3 legs. So, guess what-we now have him in the house as well. He is so cute, only about 2 months old, black and very curious and isn't bothered much by having only 3 legs. Got his first shots yesterday and spent his first day here without being mangled by the others.

OK, enough for the introductions. Thanks for dropping by!