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

Aww! All of your kitties are so adorable!!

Best of luck with Smokey, there's always gotta be one who holds out, can't have things go too smoothly now can we....ever?!!

This is a wonderfully interesting thread.
You're a.very string woman doing all.this
by yourself.
Ihope you will bebible to catch

Be able hto catch

Chunky Monkey's coat markings. :cross: :cross: :cross:
: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:
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:[/quote]

I.hopebl all goes well with.catching smokey and the final move.
Thet say moving id

Is oneoof the most stressful things to do and a great reason for heart attacks.
good luck with everything

Smokey remains wary, but when we go for evening "walkies" in the field, he's fine. I can pick him up - repeatedly.

I was chatting with Carolina, and realized the problem isn't Smokey, it's me. It's my panic about the "deadline." I've crated him numerous times - it's just "this" is different than the vet. And I just have to let this go and get over it.

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.

_Smokey on back 140115am.jpg

• ldg
• Oct 17, 2014

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!

Click to expand...

Geez, hard to believe this is the same cat in both photos.

*phew* Got Smokey this evening! Everyone ready for a giggle? Given the problem was my stress, not Smokey's...

1) I took Rescue Remedy five or six times today. Just drops under my tongue.

2) I sang. I am not a singer, I am not creative. But on the drive home from feeding the ferals caged at the new house, I started singing

He's my Smokey Cat, and he's OK
He hunts all night and he sleeps all day
He's a kitty-cat beyond compare
I love him so much and he has blue hair
(Sung to the Monty Python Lumberjack tune)

I sang that over and over and over. I sang it the drive, while feeding the kittens at the dumpster (and they came over to eat while I was putting out the food, so that boosted my confidence).

I got out of the car singing, called the "cats" for the meal, and just kept singing. Smokey is no longer eating in my presence, so I finished putting the food out (Peanutbutter called to let me know she was there), and then I followed Smokey into the field. Singing. I've had the crate sitting (open) in the tall grass, and I've been petting on him and loving on him right in front of it since yesterday morning. We had our pets and loves, I kept singing. I picked him up, and my heart started roaring, and he bolted out of my arms. I kept singing. I squatted, and let my heart slow back down. Smokey came back over, was rolling around for belly rubs. I kept singing.

And I heard Carolina telling me - JUST DO IT.

I kept singing, I picked him up and put him in the crate and slammed that top down so fast I didn't even know it was closed. :lol3:

And man did he start yowling. And I started talking to him, telling him how much he was going to love his new home, and that Baloo was going to be so happy to see him..... and he settled right down.

Now for Peanutbutter.....

Fantastic news.



I know exactly what you mean about your heartbeat. Whenever I'm trying to trap or get one of the harder to handle cats in a carrier my heart starts pounding so fast I feel like it's going to jump out of my mouth.

I bet they can hear it, that's what makes the job so difficult.

Good luck with Peanut Butter.

That is the most incredible story.  And such fabulous new!  I'm so happy for you--and Smokey!  

Now, come on Peanutbutter!!    

Yay!

So glad you got Smokey! 

The story of you singing made me chuckle. I sing to my cats all the time and I swear the neighbors can hear.

I am so happy that you got Smokey.  It definitely sounds like he needs regular vet care.  Is Peanut Butter still around?  

GoHolistic said:

So glad you got Smokey! 

The story of you singing made me chuckle. I sing to my cats all the time and I swear the neighbors can hear.

Click to expand...

I do sing to the kitties when we're having alone time. I've never used it as a tool to calm me before!

Denice said:

I am so happy that you got Smokey.  It definitely sounds like he needs regular vet care.  Is Peanut Butter still around?  

Click to expand...

Yes, she was here tonight! I hope she's back in the morning. :cross:

Woohoo! OK, now Peanutbutter, get your fanny in that carrier! I love that she tells you when she comes to eat.

A SONG soothes the hearts of everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, who hears. I sing :anon: :anon: Mr. Roger's Neighborhood song when I need to chill. OH Won't you be my neighbor............. :lol3:

As you already know, :heart3:, I have been jumping for joy and over the moon on this news all night long. :Moon: :sun: :high5: :music: :music2: SUCH a HUGE relief. Now he will understand and finally be reunited with all of his friends, especially Baloo. :rub:

NOW, yes, for PeanutButter. :cross: :cross: KEEP ON SINGING !!!!!!!!!!!!

YEY!!!!! So happy to hear you got Smokey in the carrier!!!!  "One more to go." 

There are four sets of two cages with small isles. :lol3:



Smoke is settling in. He was calmly grooming just before I took this pic.




Treebie is getting comfortable. Enjoying the open windows today.



All-in-all, there's a lot of purring going on. :heart2: :rub:


Peanutbutter wasn't here this morning. They were doing some work on the electric line, which terminates at our site. So there was heavy equipment rolling around right near the drop trap. Maybe tonight! :cross: Knock wood. :heart2:

Wow!  The tent set-up is fantastic.  I couldn't visualize it but it really works.  Those kitties are so lucky to have found you!