We celebrated Val's birthday this year at Shambala Preserve. Shambala is a sanctuary for exotic felines who have been mistreated or neglected. Mostly big cats - lions, tigers, etc. We did their "Sunset Safari" and it was pretty amazing. They prefaced our tour with making sure we understood that these cats aren't there for entertaining us, which is good. These are not trained animals, they are wild animals who have been rescued from some bad situations, and who are being allowed to live their life as nicely as possible. The preserve just opens up very infrequently to allow small groups to walk through - under close supervision - and maybe see some of these stunning animals. Being an owner of housecats, I was not surprised to see that some of these amazing creatures wanted to ignore us (status quo for our housecats). But we were still amazed at what we did see of the majesty of these incredible animals. These are some shots of what we did see. It was a very hot day, even at dusk, and the cats were not very active in the heat. Still, you can see how stunning -
Just look at those paws!
A serval! I didn't even know what that was! Trinity the gorgeous Cougar
Pretty she-lion. The he-lion was there too, but dozing on the side. they said she is very protective of him. Good girl.
They are family members, surrogate children so to speak. Fur babies. We are pretty good about staying on top of vet care and our cats are very well cared for. In my next life, I want to come back as one of my cats (not even joking).
We are not novices at taking care of old or ailing kitties. We survived a couple of ill, elderly cats and our next generation is already 13 years old. You name it, we have probably been through it with our cats at one point or another.
One of our current kitties, Smokey Jo-Ella, is a bit different. She was a feral kitten when she adopted us, wanting to be around us but not wanting to be touched. She has grown into a happy, pampered housecat and we love her, but from afar. I have had to cancel vet appointments because I just couldn't catch her at the designated time. Medicating her is something that better be a one-dose thing because once you do it once, you will not catch her again for several days at least.
Smokey Jo-Ella has needed to have a couple of fatty lumps removed for a while now, but because of her issues we had put this off. Then we had a conversation with our vet. I explained the reality of the situation and the problems I knew we would have. First, I knew we would not be able to medicate her at home after she returned from the operation. She would already be freaked out and I probably would not even see her for a couple days after. Second, I knew she would not wear a cone. Any other time she needed one it lasted on her for all of about 10 minutes before she expertly got out of it and hid for days. If by some miracle she did manage to keep it on, she hides in places where she could be stuck with the cone and I would not be able to get to her. So aside from her stress level, there would be considerable stress on us as we could do nothing to help her.
First, she was able to close Smokey Jo-Ella's incisions with sutures that were under the skin. Thus, nothing for her to bother if she were to get to the area. No cone, no problem! This is one of her 3 incisions, with no visible stitches.
Second, she was able to inject Smokey Jo-Ella with not only long acting anti-biotic, but long acting pain meds. No need for us to dose her at home!
The result - Smokey was acting normal within about a half hour of coming home. She looks funny with her shaved back and incisions, but was not stressed, and was not fearful of us trying to catch her again, and doesn't seem to be in pain.
This may seem like a little thing, but trust me, it is HUGE. This little fearful kitty not having to have days and days worth of stress and fear is a big BIG thing.
All the kittens are now in their forever homes. This has been such an amazing experience. All good things must come to an end and now these babies are starting their own lives in the best homes.
I would like to thank the staff at The Cat Doctor who not only saved the lives of momma and the kittens, but who also helped with the marketing and finding homes. These kittens actually developed their own following on Facebook!
This video is of the last night they were all together...............
They went in pairs which makes me feel better. Momma is still here with us and dealing with some ongoing health issues. The theory is that she will thrive now that she won't have those huge babies to nurse. They were over 2 pounds each at the 7 week mark - sheesh - she fed them a lot !
OK - now for life to get back to normal. so much chaos with the little ones around.
I don't know how they to it - but these babies keep getting cuter and cuter. They are big enough now they just run and jump onto us. So much play happening. Our time with them is ending as they will be going to their forever homes before long. But for now - enjoy the photos -
These 2 get to grow up together - they will be going to the same forever home -
This little orange boy sure does love his momma -- and I think he's her favorite too. These 2 also get to grow up together in the same forever home.
BITE! Lazy sunny afternoon. This little girl is pure cat. and oh my is she fiesty.
This little guy carries toys all over the place. This toy has been at the nursing station frequently. Tastes like.....cat tail............
The kittens are 6 weeks old now and continue to amaze us. They had their first vaccines and the vet said she would have pegged them at 8 weeks because they are so .....um....."plump". That's momma cat - she's such a good momma. Some are eating solid food. And all are completely expert at climbing. More kitten proofing has been required because their imaginations are much better than mine.
Just 2 more weeks now before they go to their forever homes. They will be going in pairs to two lovely couples who were referred from my vet. Enjoy these too cute photos of the babies at 6 weeks ...... they grow so fast !
Do you still sleep with a teddy bear ? This little girl does.............
We are now at the 5 week mark and I continue to be amazed. These babies are growing and learning and trying new things each and every day still. It is truly an incredible thing to see.
They have been climbing everything they can find - including our legs - so we make sure to wear long pants in there because they don't seem to mind if it's bare flesh they are climbing on! Have you ever had 4 baby cats dangling from your legs?
This is Number 4. He is going to be a good looking tom cat.
Number 1 and Number 4. Very cute brothers.
Number 2 (the only girl) loving on momma. She is so precious.
Number 2 getting momma. "What would happen if I put my claws ...here?"
Momma loving Number 2.
Number 3 and Number 4 chasing a toy. They are very interested in toys already!
Number 1 biting Number 4 foot. There is so much biting going on while they are testing teeth.
Number 4 getting a toy. He was carrying this thing across the room. Too cute.
Number 3 telling a story to the rest of the litter. "I swear, it was THIS big".
Number 2 getting Number 3 after hearing his story.
Number 3 trying to get away from Number 2...... But Number 2 is too fast......... Number 3 trying to get Number 2. "I.....think......I ......can.....take.....her......"
The time is flying by - We are at the 4 week mark and these babies are still getting bigger each and every day. It is so amazing. Serious play is going on - there is much swatting and biting and tackling. And momma cat is even joining in which is too precious to see.
This is Number 2. She is the only girl (we think). She is so sweet but can still hold her own with the boys when they wrestle – and she is also the first climber. Precious.
And here she is trying to get my finger – Playtime!
Number 1 is pure Tom Cat.Here he is sleeping on momma.
And biting his sister's nose.....
Here's Number 4 winning a wrestling match with Number 3. Number 3 is tattling to mom (I think he's momma's favorite)....... She loves him..............
I've been slow in posting - but these photos were taken at 3 weeks. The eyes are open and the wrestling has begun! They have even started grooming themselves - so cute to watch them clean their own little paws. And they have outgrown their play area so we had to expand.
Seriously - these kittens are getting cuter each and every day! Don't those eyes just get you ?
Oh my goodness these kittens have grown so quickly. Every single day they are getting stronger and bigger. Today is the 2 week mark. We've had some milestones - eyes opened yesterday and today - we had our first escapee from the box - and play time is starting to happen ! People talk about how good Val & I are for taking in this very pregnant stray - but we feel truly blessed to be a part of this little family - it is so amazing to witness. Enjoy the photos - aren't they precious ??
Here they are - this is what we call a kitten pile. Aren't they precious ?
We have two white-footed girls, one grey tabby boy, and one orange tabby boy. We had some trouble getting them all in the world, and mommy Sasha ended up having a C section. She has been amazing through this and is happily taking care of her babies now.
I've got to tell you the girls are the most active and they are so cute crawling over each other.
This one is my favorite - look next to momma's face - under her arm.
