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

feralvr

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LOVE the Lion door knocker!!!!!!!! Truly fitting. ;) :heart3: SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY for you and Gary AND all of the kitties!! :D :happy3: :sun: :high5: :dance: WOW - the kitties are going to have a ball running and playing inside their new home once they are all acclimated and adjusted. It is truly a beautiful, lovely home.

:vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: GINORMOUS ones for moving all of your feral kitties. :cross: :cross: :rub: :vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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ldg

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Thanks. :)

Moving - especially with ferals - is not easy.

So here's where things stand. We're still in the RV, but the storage locker has been emptied, and most of our stuff is over at the house.

1) Bed. We had to buy a mattress on Saturday. Our bed.... long story. It doesn't exist anymore. :( It was huge, so we gave it to our friend we bought it from (owned the furniture store), it was stored in his warehouse. He sold the company a few years ago - the bed went with it. He really should have compensated us for the used bed, but Gary never dealt with it at the time, and I don't think it's fair to call up three years later and say something. So we found stuff online we like - and we know where to go locally to order it. But who knows when it'll be delivered. So we bought a mattress and box spring as those come with a frame, so at least we have something to sleep on. We missed delivery today. Delivery has been rescheduled for Wednesday.


2) The movers were great. We moved out of the house into the RV in stages, and wound up with three storage units. The facility manager recommended her son and two of his friends to consolidate them. We'd known her since it opened, we'd met her son and daughter - they seemed like such good people. The boys were only left alone one evening, when she couldn't be there with them and Gary was really not well, so we had to go.

And one of our safes was broken into, and they'd tried to break into the other one. Weird things are missing - a baker's rack, the captain's chair to our shaker eat-in-kitchen table set. The glass on the curio is broken, and we already knew they'd dropped the shade to the fake (but still very expensive) Tiffany lamp.

So that sucked. Not sure what else may be missing. At least the artwork was there, and my limoges collection. But rather a let-down.

:sigh:

We are running so behind. Gary is 100% wiped out.

3) The ferals. It's supposed to rain all week, so I wanted to crate the cats this morning. We didn't get the tent set up yesterday. The plan was to crate, let them wait in the car while we put it up. I got Baloo, Khol (YAY) and Froggie. (Khol has been skipping quite a few meals recently, so *phew*). Smokey slipped out of my hands (he's gone to the vet a lot, he's difficult to crate, it usually takes a few days) - but Dottie... :bawling: Ellen, my animal communicator, had talked to her. Dottie wants to move with us. But she hadn't been here for a week. I told Ellen last night, we're going to move them this morning. And Dottie shows up! I don't know WHAT I was thinking. I picked her up, and tried to walk her over to the crate I was going to use for Smokey. It was too far. She was very squirmy by the time I got there, and she got away. I KNOW better. I was so, so, so upset with myself.

I told Ellen. I don't know if she can do anything to help or not. I hope Dottie doesn't wait a week - or weeks - to come back. I was beyond inconsolable. It's been so stressful, I just started weeping. I went and sat down where Dottie normally eats and talked to her. I apologized over and over again.

Oh - and Smokey took his stress out by chasing Peanutbutter relentlessly, and he treed Bean (a "new" one - he's been here off and on since July, I think. Nice kitty, friends with Treebie). When we were first told we had to move, I told all the feral cats. Out loud. Peanutbutter hadn't been here since winter. And within a day or two, she showed up. Every meal. Then as time dragged on, she left. This is normal for her. So we buy the house, and I start talking out loud again - if they want to come, they have to be here. So who shows up yesterday? Peanutbutter. And how does Smokey relieve his stress at the narrow miss of being crated? By going after her. :bawling:

So tonight at dinner, Treebie was the only one here. :( I will have to use the drop trap for him, I can't pick him up. I've had it out all summer though, and use it as a feeding station when it's not raining, so I hope I'll be able to get him.

We DID get the tent set up today. And it stank of new plastic and chemicals. :( So Baloo, Froggie, and Khol are in crates in our kitchen. :lol3:

We're not living in the house yet - no bed. Delivery was rescheduled for Wednesday.

I can't wait until everything is at least consolidated over at the house. The last day the park is open is this Sunday, the 19th. And I REALLY hope I can get at least Treebie, Dottie and Smokey before we move the RV.

I HATE THIS.

I know the excitement will come, but it sure isn't here yet. Just complete mental and physical exhaustion, and a sense of betrayal regarding our things.
 
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catwoman707

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Aww Laurie! You need hugs :)

And help would be nice too!

I understand the sense of betrayal, been there.

I think being good people who would never do such things to others are hit harder by this in a way, nobody likes to be betrayed, and the thought of thieves going through YOUR personal items is sickening. 

As for Dottie....gosh I've been there too.

Hindsight......well you know.

We know good and well that it's risky to walk her like that, but for whatever non thinking moment, we do and sure enough....times I've wanted to just beat myself up for not using full precautions. I SO get that. Dealing with ferals is so touchy......

The trouble is, she will be shyer with you because of this incident, for a minute anyway, but there is not time like that, and I know once your RV is moved, this will cause very unsettled feelings with the cats.

All you can do is your best Laurie. Despite the chaos you're dealing with now, along with a tight time frame, sounds so stressful, but all will fall into place.

Try to take a step back for a minute, remember that stressing out and worrying like mad doesn't change the outcome, never has.

I have a good feeling it will all turn out just fine, even though it's almost impossible to see now.   
  

 
 
 
  
 
 

angels mommy

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Aww, Laurie, I'm so sorry to hear about all that has been going on. Catwoman is right though. It will all work out & settle down. Having your animal communicator is a huge plus!

I'l keep you guys in my prayers, & pray the kitties all come when you need them to.  Sending lots & lots of big hugs!!  
 
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ldg

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Thank you. :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

Yes, it'll work out, I'm sure. I have to believe that. And we're only 20 minutes away.

I told Ellen (our animal communicator) what happened. She chatted with Dottie. Dot isn't upset, she's laughing at me. She wants to come, she can't help her reaction to the crate. Ellen told me to put drops of Rescue Remedy around all of the feeding stations, and bake a chicken with the windows open. :lol3: Gary is so wiped out, we weren't planning on doing much of anything tomorrow. I guess we'll bake a chicken. ;)

I think rather than using the top loader for Dottie, I'll stand the same crate (soft-sided) I used with Pawley on end. That way I can scruff her, cover her eyes, and it's harder for her to get out. And most importantly, being soft-sided, it makes no noise to set up.

Did I tell you there are five kittens (and at least two adults we've seen) down at the dumpster? I don't know how far away it is - but we're going to try to pull the kittens and S/N the adults. We have a black cat, just neutered, at the vet now. We're leaving him in boarding until "our" cats are gone, he was disrupting the feedings. He had a URI, so I think some good, regular food and treatment will help him heading into winter (he's born spring of 2013, so survived last winter on his own).

So the feeding routine is now: the feeding stations around the RV, drive over to the dumpster (short drive, very long walk), feed the cats there - and now I get to add driving to the new home and feeding the kitties there. :lol3:

I really do hope we're able to bring Smokey, Dottie and Treebie before the RV leaves the park. :heart2:
 

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I can't wait until everything is at least consolidated over at the house. The last day the park is open is this Sunday, the 19th. And I REALLY hope I can get at least Treebie, Dottie and Smokey before we move the RV.

I HATE THIS.

I know the excitement will come, but it sure isn't here yet. Just complete mental and physical exhaustion, and a sense of betrayal regarding our things.
I know how you feel.



I had a really tough time moving as well, even though I knew I could go back and pick up any stragglers when the time was right. Cats hate change and seeing them stressed out just makes you feel worse, on top of the exhaustion and all the other hassles of moving.

It might seem hard to believe right now, but in a short time you'll be settled in, the cats will be acting like they've always lived there and you'll be getting ready for your first Thanks Giving and Christmas in your new home. Think how awesome that is going to be.

I'm sitting out on the deck now and the cats are all chasing each other around and enjoying the sunshine. Knowing they've got a safe home to spend the rest of their days in makes it all worth while.

Good luck with those last three kitties.
 

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When I was reading your post it hit me to suggest this to you.

It might be helpful.

When a carrier or cage looks intimidating and they resist going/being put into it, try a pillowcase.

SO simple to get them into it. Close up the top with a quick tie or knot it until you can set the case inside wherever you want them, loosen the top and that's that!

It seems to make them calm too, lack of being able to see I suppose, but almost like they feel secure in a way :)

Good luck!
 

feralvr

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I am SO glad that Ellen was able to contact Dottie and, sweetie, she WILL come back and you WILL be able to take her along with you. :cross: :cross: I LOVE the pillow case idea that Lisa suggests. WOW - I never heard of that before and it does sound rather easy AND on top of that then they have a little padding in the crate after they get out of the pillow case :lol3: . Boy - learn something new everyday. :D

I am so VERY sorry about the movers stealing from you that way. Really, REALLY makes me so angry that we just can't trust anyone and people like that have to be watched the whole time during a move like this. Just makes life so much more stressful when in times like these you need people around you that CAN be trusted. I only wish that you had some of your friends like US there to lend a helping hand. :Hand: :hugs: These vibes will have to do for today in the hopes that you return here with some great news on Dottie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: :cross: :rub:

p.s. I knew this would be the WORST part of the move for you and Gary - the feral kitties - BUT, you WILL get them all. :nod: HEY - just had a thought. I wonder IF IF IF Ira would allow you to stay on a few days more (and I know you don't want too but) IF you don't have the kitties all gathered up by the 19th?? OR is he adamant on closing the gates that day for good for the winter. That way the RV would still be there and may make it easier for you to trap them rather than it being gone. Either way, honey :hugs:, you will be successful in trapping them and relocating them. YOU ARE DOING THE BEST YOU CAN!!! And, the life they will have once relocated at the new territory will be SO much better for them too. It will BELONG to all of you! :happy3: :nod: :bigthumb: :vibes::vibes:
 
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raintyger

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OMG!!! I'm just coming across this thread right now. I wondered where you were. Well, congrats, you certainly deserve it. The house is gorgeous, if it were me I'd buy it in a second.

Sorry about Dottie, but it's not too late yet! She'll come once she realizes kitty haven is down the road.
 

angels mommy

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Ah yes! Baking a chicken sounds like a great idea!!  The pillowcase is a good idea too.  Some Rescue Remedy sprayed around the area is a good idea too, or even some Feliway, or comfort Zone spray maybe too? 
 
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ldg

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:hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

Dottie was here for breakfast. She ate, and just let me pick her up and put her in the crate.

I didn't have any rescue remedy, but I did have Jackson Galaxy Safe Space. I sprinkled it EVERYWHERE. :lol3:

So Dottie is in a cage, in the tent, at the new home. :heart2:

We moved Baloo, Khol and Froggie out to the tent. Gary got a fever this morning while this was going on. Neither of us realized it. He was at 103.9 by the time we got home. (For those that don't know, Gary has fever events where he heats up to very high temps over a few hours, then cools back down over another 6 - 7 hours).

I missed getting Smokey in the crate again this morning. I don't have a pillow case large enough for the crates I'm using. I'll figure something out. I am having Ellen chat with Smokey.
 

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GREAT news about Dottie!! Yay! One less thing to stress about!  


The pillowcase can be used when you are able to get ahold of a cat, even if it's not actually holding it, (which of course helps!) by  scruffing and pushing down to keep cat in place, and depending on how feral the cat is, possibly needing a second person to come and put the pillowcase over the cat and your arm before letting go.

It can also be used in a sneakier way, say to get a cat into a carrier for a vet trip, as we all know is a joke for some cats, open case up and coax cat to sit on it more or less, for a treat, etc.

(a couple pieces of tuna work well) then simply pull it up around them fast.

They don't suspect foul play at all as they would a crate or carrier.

Cat can even be taken to the vet this way, it works great with ferals. I know my vet says it helps in handling them too, rather than trying to reach into a carrier and grabbing cat out, cat can be scruffed right through the pillowcase and uncovered :) Or not! One feral I took in was given a shot right through the case, very cool. Less trauma for kitties too.
 
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denice

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I am so glad you got Dottie moved.  So you have just one more feral that you need to get moved?  You still have several days so I am confident that it will happen.
 
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ldg

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And for the next installment.... ;)

Gary started getting ANOTHER fever. This is only the second time this has ever happened - a new fever before the first one ever resolved. Well - it was time to go feed the outside cats and head to the house to feed the four kitties there! I didn't think to write down the time on a piece of paper for Gary. He understood I was leaving to go feed the cats at the house. But his fever went up fast. And he thought I'd been gone four hours, not 45 minutes. He called the police. (We know them all, so even though we don't know the dispatch people, when he started going through the list of "is so-and-so on tonight?" she contacted whoever it was. they weren't busy so did the drive-by).

...and I WAS on my way out! But the neighbors we can see from the driveway were out, and we hadn't met them yet. So of course I stopped to say hi. And get this - they are Gary and Lori! :flail: Won't be hard for us to remember each others' names! :lol3:

They have two dogs, don't let them run loose. Used to have a cat. Two grown children - oldest is 18. They are so nice, thank goodness! They offered to feed the kitties up in the tent until we're living in the house. How nice is that???? :heart2: Of course, I got to explain just how medically challenged Gary is when the police showed up. :lol3: Everyone was very understanding.

So the kitties at the house are fine. Dottie is relaxed. Baloo is rubbing his cheeks on everything. Khol wanted pets, and ate if I held the dish for her. Froggie is freaked. :( I'm having Ellen chat with Khol and Froggie now. And she talked to Smokey. Hopefully he'll be less scared of the crate tomorrow. And hopefully it won't be pouring in the morning.

So two left to go. Smokey and Treebie.

I'd like to take Peanutbutter and Bean. I'm not as worried about getting them before the RV leaves. If we don't have vehicle access to the park, we can park down on the road and I can walk up here. It's a short walk. And I can leave the feeding stations in place for a few weeks, I don't need them at the new house until we're going to release the kitties.
 
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ondine

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I've said a quick couple of prayers that Gary feels better.  Hopefully, when all the fuss of moving settles down, he'll be fine.

Such good news that so many have been moved already.  I can't tell you how much I admire you!
 

angels mommy

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I hope Gary feels better soon. You guys & the kitties have been in my prayers!  That is so great about the neighbors!! 
 You can't ask for better than that.  So funny you guys have the same names. I think it's a good sign!  
   Especially that they are also animal people & offered to help. 
 
 
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