Where I've been and what we've been doing... (you know me, this is long ;) Oh - and LOTS of picture

Treebie and Bean were crated this morning. I was SO surprised I got Bean, he watched me use the drop trap on Treebie - and then went right in to eat the sardines. :lol3:

Treebie is hiding in his box in the cage at the new home. Bean is at the vet, being neutered tomorrow. I'll "release" him into a cage next to Treebie. :heart2:

It's pouring rain now. I hope that tent holds up to it. We left the house around 3:00pm and did not plan on going back tonight. It had been raining a good chunk of the day, but a steady rain, not the downpour we just got for the last half hour.... :cross:

Smokey is alone here now. He showed himself to me this morning, but stopped short. Normally he runs up the deck, jumps onto the picnic table. He stopped in front of the RV. I talked to him, and then he darted underneath (it wasn't raining yet). I fed him tuna. But then I trapped Treebie, and had to grab the crate on the deck. He heard it, and bolted to the back of the RV, into the woods.

Smokey, you big lug, you cannot stay here by yourself. We can move into the new home as soon as you decide to join us. Our bed arrived today....

Yea! Getting closer to Dance of Joy time! 

I hope you can get Smokey and PB. You still have time...

I am so glad you and the crew are back and with such great news all around (except that darn Smokey).

Can not wait to hear mire stories!

Thanks for the good wishes. It was pouring at the evening feeding time. I went out and did the usual routine - I wouldn't expect to see Smokey in this kind of rain under normal circumstances.

I put the crate inside a storage box. It's in the correct location, but he can't see it. It's supposed to rain tomorrow morning, but then be nice the next few days. I think I'll just stick to routine, walk and play with and pet Smokey (assuming he came back and is just hunkered down under the RV! :heart2: :cross: ) and try again Friday night or Saturday or something. Maybe Sunday.

I have some pics from yesterday. I didn't take new pictures today. Everyone (other than Treebie) is feeling more comfortable today. Froggie was so freaked out, I didn't snap a pic of her yesterday. But she accepted pets today, flopped on her side. And started eating right away. Khol came out of her box - she'd pushed the bed up to make herself completely insulated from "outside." :lol3: She was headbumping my hand, purring up a storm, and came out and started rubbing her cheek on everything. Ellen's been talking to them. Baloo is already ready to go explore his new territory and claim it as his. Um, don't think so. He'll get to mark it up at the same time everyone else does. I think Khol gets it. And I'm sure the rest will come around.

The view out our bedroom window now



What you can see of Khol. :lol3:



Dottie (she doesn't look very relaxed here, but she was when I went in)



And Baloo

Oh Laurie, you are doing such a fabulous job of taking care of your fur family! 

I so hope you get Smokey!  

Thank you Medora. We're just keeping our promise to them. :heart2:

I so hope we get Smokey, too. In fact, not getting Smokey is not an option. I'll bring that tent back here if necessary.

OH MY I don't know where to begin!!! As you know I am OVER THE MOON that you have Dottie. I smiled REAL BIG seeing her picture above too. YAY One by one they are going to arrive and be one "happy" :lol3: little kitty family under that wonderful tent you have set up. PERFECT tent too. I couldn't picture exactly how it would look so thanks for posting that picture. :bigthumb:

I am laughing out loud over the neighbor's names too. Lori and Gary........... :shocker: REALLY REALLY - are you kidding me. WOW. And, yeah, no prob on forgetting names. How wonderful they sound, Laurie. Just awesome neighbors. So cool that they love cats too and would be willing to help if needed. YAY!!!!!

AND - POOR GARY !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thinking you were gone for over four hours and sent the police after you. olice Car: I really, really, :cross: hope/pray that he is feeling better by now. I am not surprised that this whole process has taken quite the toll on him. You know how I feel about you - but will say again.... I am in awe of your strength, courage and unending energy to get through all of this. I can't - CANNOT - wait for the picture of you both sitting by the fireplace with the crackling of wood, sipping something good, and sitting back with that BIG SIGH........... OUR NEW HOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND - ALL of the kitties enjoying their new, larger space in the house, and snuggling up right along side both of you there in front of the fire. YUP - that WILL time will come.

In the meantime, more these - my dear SS :heart3: :sun: :heart2:

AND some for SMOKEY to soon join the tent party. arty4: AND HE WILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cross:

Oh, Lauren, I love your heart-felt posts. And I completely agree with all of it.   

It sounds like it's all going so well. Isn't it nice when those kitties cooperate? I love that cat camp site you've got set up, It's such a good idea.

Mega vibes for Smokey's successful trapping.

I love Lauren's heartfelt posts too! :heart2:

I appreciate everyone's good wishes.

Smokey.... Oh Smokey!

Smokey did come home yesterday, and was under the RV during the storm last night. He came out this morning - but not the deck side as usual. He followed me to the car (where I get the cans of food), but stayed out of reach. He would not come to the picnic table to eat. He would not come close enough for pets. I kept the routine, though I'm only putting out 1/2 a can of food at each station now. He flopped down in the middle of the yard, and rolled around, stretching, relaxed.

So I went for a walk out into the field. This was our normal routine (Baloo, Smokey and Khol always came for "walkies" with me). I called him, and he did come jogging. I kept telling him, no crates today. I told him we didn't want to move either, but as we had no choice, we found a place we would all love, and that we can all call home and enjoy forever. I also told him if he makes it too difficult, I won't be able to bring him, and he'll be here all alone. No people. No Baloo. No Gary, no Laurie. No food. No RV, no home, no nothing, not even garbage. I told him over and over how much I love him, and that I really want him to come with us to the new home. Yes, it will be scary at first, it is for all of us. But it's beautiful, and we will all love it there. :heart2: :rub:

We had a good, long pet session. I tried to play with him, but he only wanted pets. LOTS of belly rubs. And when I went to leave, he followed me only to the edge of the field. He wouldn't come back to the property. So I grabbed food and a bowl, and fed him there. He wouldn't approach while I put out the food, but ate as soon as I left.

I have no idea what, when or how the Smokey transfer will happen. But it is going to.

Aw, what a sweet conversation!  Smokey's a lucky little guy.  I'm sure he'll be back with his tribe soon!

He's just taking his time getting used to the idea.

My first rescue cat, Mu has moved house with me 3 times now. I always tell her where we're going and explain how much better the new house is going to be. She always disappears for a day or two before the move and I always think she's gone for good, but then she comes back and moves with me.

Even the slightest little change to your regular routine gets noticed, so other cats suddenly disappearing, furniture being moved and boxes and crates being loaded must set huge alarm bells of for them.

I hope Smokey listens to you and decides to come along too

LDG said:

So I went for a walk out into the field. This was our normal routine (Baloo, Smokey and Khol always came for "walkies" with me). I called him, and he did come jogging. I kept telling him, no crates today. I told him we didn't want to move either, but as we had no choice, we found a place we would all love, and that we can all call home and enjoy forever. I also told him if he makes it too difficult, I won't be able to bring him, and he'll be here all alone. No people. No Baloo. No Gary, no Laurie. No food. No RV, no home, no nothing, not even garbage. I told him over and over how much I love him, and that I really want him to come with us to the new home. Yes, it will be scary at first, it is for all of us. But it's beautiful, and we will all love it there. :heart2: :rub:

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Oh Laurie. :touch: Your words above brought tears - big ones - to my eyes. I know how much you love Smokey - he IS special. It breaks my heart that he is feeling the change and probably very concerned that his friends are all missing - gone. I think he understands, sweetie. I only hope that he gets up the courage and willpower to allow you to put him in that cage. I think he knows it must be but is very, very scared of the big change. As you told him, it IS scary for ALL of you but at least you will all be together in the new "scary" place and that it will only be "scary" for a short time until they realize how wonderful, beautiful and peaceful it will be living there. I pray/hope that Smokey realizes this and gives in very, very soon - today. I think your loving walk and talk will get through to him. :cross: :cross: :cross: :cross:

Yes - it WILL happen - Smokey will give in to his fear because of your deep love for him and his for you. :heart3: :rub: SMOKEY :cross:

Well, he didn't give in yet. :lol3: I have the drop trap set up where he would eat, but he wouldn't go near it. I used Feliway (again), Rescue Remedy AND the Jackson Galaxy Safe Space. Did the normal morning routine, walkies, lots of pets.... the same chat again...

I have a crate set up on end in the field, in case he'll go walkies again. If he does, as he lets me pick him up there when there's no food around, I'll see if it feels right to scruff him into it.

:heart2:

Bean's neutered. We'll pick him up tomorrow and bring him to his cage at the new home.

IF we can get Smokey!

And this is Peanutbutter. She may show up again if we can remove Smokey. (She's in front, sitting up).

FYI, this is what Smokey looked like ONE MONTH after showing up here (I can't believe they neutered him, actually, a month before this!)



This is what he looked like earlier this year (with winter fat and fluff! He's a big boy, but not this fat now. :lol3: ) :



I take Smokey to the vet at least once a year, usually 2 or 3 times.And it usually takes a day or two to crate him. He obviously senses the difference now. But he hurts himself, gets abscesses, rodent ulcers, URIs. Smokey needs us.



Come on, Smoke!

He's gorgeous! Chanting for Smokey (and you).

Laurie, I'm absolutely elated at the progress you've made and the anticipation of positive experiences yet to come.

I know it's a lot to juggle right now. You've already been rewarded for your hard work. It's all there, just ever so patiently waiting for you to be able to sit back and enjoy it. 

Sending warm wishes to you all, healing thoughts to Gary, and an earnest plea to Smokey for his cooperativeness.

 

Thank you.

Right now, I'm just feeling exhausted, deflated and flat.

Smokey is more wary than ever. I'm sure all the activity in the park it's last weekend of the season isn't helping.

I put all the traps and crates away.

Spoke to park owner. We'll have until Wednesday.

So we'll just "reset." When I give the inside kitties "too much" attention, they ignore us. When we ignore them, they seek attention. That's the approach I'm taking with Smokey right now. Just routine, walks if he wants to come. No crates out, no traps out.

Well - drop trap out. But back in its spot. Peanutbutter was back this morning, so we'll see.....

LDG said:

Mohican Cats 2014.jpg

• ldg
• Oct 17, 2014

IF we can get Smokey!

And this is Peanutbutter. She may show up again if we can remove Smokey. (She's in front, sitting up).

_PeanutButter and PBT.jpg

• ldg
• Oct 17, 2014

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:heart3: :heart3: :heart2: :heart3: :heart3: TOTALLY darling pictures. And, I am hoping for PB as well. Looks a bit like Chunky Monkey's coat markings. :cross: :cross: :cross:

LDG said:

This is what he looked like earlier this year (with winter fat and fluff! He's a big boy, but not this fat now. :lol3: ) :

_Smokey on back 140115am.jpg

• ldg
• Oct 17, 2014

Come on, Smoke!

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:bigthumb: :high5: YES - Smokey needs you guys and you WILL get him, sweetie. I feel the toll this is taking on you just when you need the energy for other things. This IS the hardest part of your move and I am HOPING AND PRAYING that Smokey gives in so you can focus energy elsewhere. For now, this is just the way it has to be until you get that boy AND YOU WILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!! :nod: :cross: :cross:

LDG said:

Right now, I'm just feeling exhausted, deflated and flat.

Smokey is more wary than ever. I'm sure all the activity in the park it's last weekend of the season isn't helping.

Spoke to park owner. We'll have until Wednesday.

So we'll just "reset."

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Hold on, hun, this will all work out but I am so sorry it is taking this long to get Smokey and taking such a drain on you emotionally/physically. I am sure he is wary from all of these changes in the park, the flurry of people leaving, and his friends all missing. Hopefully that hunger will take over and he will go under the drop trap. :cross:

Glad that Ira gave you some extra days. As he well should.

RESET - is good even if you have to do it over and over for the next day or even hours. Resetting gives new life and energy. :Shooting Star: :Moon: :sun:

:cross: :cross: for PB too. :rub: But - first - Smokey :cross: :cross:

We are all pulling for you and the kitties here. Just know that. :grphug: :grphug2: :heart3: