Oh, swellerific. A blizzard is coming

4theloveofcats

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I am sure the feral have found shelter elsewhere. They know where to go and shelter in place, no matter how hard ou try to keep them near you. It is the 'wild' instinct.
Right after I posted my frantic rant, I went outside and the feral was sitting under the outdoor cat tree against the house. I definitely called him a bleep word. LOL.

So I spent an hour creating little paths around the shelters and deck. At one point, I saw another cat run screaming from under the deck and shimmy up a tree.

Warmed water, dry food and some wet, stinky food(placed on the snuggle heating disc) have been scattered around the yard. 

I am now spent and just enjoying heat inside. Fingers crossed everyone's power stays on !

Looking at high winds all night.
 

Norachan

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Those are some really lovely snow sculptures @Draco  Can you push the snow off your windshield? One of our neighbour's windshields cracked under the weight of the snow a few years ago. Only if it's safe though! Don't go out if it's too dangerous.
 

muffy

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I live about 20 miles outside DC. We received 12 to 18 inches and it is still snowing. My neighbor cleared my driveway and sidewalk this morning but it covered over again so I don't know when I will get out of the house. I have plenty of food, cat food, food for the birds and squirrels, diet coke, water and bathroom paper and my lights are still on. I'm 66 years old and have arthritis really bad so there isl no way I can get out and shovel snow. I hope everyone makes out alright. 
 

bbdoll22

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I live 60 miles from NYC in Hudson valley of NY we got 1 1/2 inches. A town 5 minutes south to me got 5 inches. Go figure.
 

Norachan

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My cat door keeps freezing shut.



Does anyone have any idea how I can stop it doing that? I've just sprinkled a little salt around the flap, but with this many cats running in and out all day I don't know if that will work.
 

DreamerRose

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So glad to hear from all of you and to know that you are coping. It will take a while to dig out tomorrow, but you can do it. Those of you sheltering ferals deserve some extra kudos.
 

jtbo

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My cat door keeps freezing shut.

:sigh:

Does anyone have any idea how I can stop it doing that? I've just sprinkled a little salt around the flap, but with this many cats running in and out all day I don't know if that will work.
You could try to take one cardboard box, open one end and put it against the door/wall so that it covers cat door, cut opening on top of the box for cats to come out and go in.

In theory it should limit amount of damp indoor air going to door and limiting amount of ice forming to cat door.

But if cat door is so that no warm inside air reaches it, then I guess it is outdoors side that needs a box.
 

catapault

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First, clean the edges and the frame of the cat door, @Norachan. Then oil the frame and door edges. Cooking oil, or smear on some Vaseline. something cat safe in case they lick it. (You never know what cats might do!)  Ice cannot stick to oil.
 

Norachan

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Thanks @JTbo  and @Catapault 

I've just been looking for a cardboard box but I think Mr Husband must have taken them all with him in case his jeep got stuck in the snow. I'll try the Vaseline trick.

It's -4C here, at 1.20 in the afternoon. I think it's going to get down to around -10C tonight. Hopefully that will keep all the cats indoors.
 

fyllis

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First, clean the edges and the frame of the cat door, @Norachan. Then oil the frame and door edges. Cooking oil, or smear on some Vaseline. something cat safe in case they lick it. (You never know what cats might do!)  Ice cannot stick to oil.
That also works to keep your car doors from freezing shut! (Don't forget to do your trunk and hood in case you need to get them open!)
 

artiemom

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Wow---you guys really got hit with snow! 

That was us, last year. It never ended. I feel bad for the people in the DC area. You are not equipped to deal with this.

It is massive.

For me, there is 6 inches of snow out there. I would like to go to church, early mass, as I always do; however I do not know if I can get out of my building. It is on a tiny dead end street which is off of a main mini-highway. They always forget to plow the street, especially the entrance. 

it will be an experience.

I hope they had some one plow out the parking area; although I did not hear a plow during the night. sigh

They are so cheap on snow removal. I am glad it is only church. If I cannot get out, I will stay home. 

I do have to get out later to pick up some cat litter. I really stock up during the winter. For some reason, Precious Cats litter is always sold out at the pet stores. 

I feel so bad for you guys... I cannot imagine 30 inches of snow at one time! Last year, we hd an acclimation of snowstorm and one blizzard after another. I think the most we got was 16 inches at one time. 

Please take it easy when shoveling the snow. Do not do too much at a time. you can get hurt very easily. Pace yourself. You can always come in, put clothes in dryer, take a break and then go out again. If you can find someone to help you, then by all means, please do so. It is not worth pulling your back out or worse. 

Be Careful....((hugs)) to all.....

Glad you guys still have power...
 

Winchester

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10-12 inches around here. We have some drifts; the wind was unreal. It just roared around the house. The plow guy is coming sometime today to do the driveway, then we'll just shovel around the cars, sidewalk, and another path for Jackie. Rick would shovel for Jackie yesterday, but as fast as he shoveled, the wind would fill it back up.

Norachan, I hope you can get your cat door to stop sticking....good luck.

Those of you who really got hammered, please be careful when shoveling!
 

fyllis

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Just a word of caution for those of you who are able to get out and about in your cars -

When you are parking and back into a space, be very careful that you don't back into a snow drift! The snow will pack into your exhaust pipe and as your car cools down, the snow will freeze and you will have a solid tube of ice in your pipe and your car will NOT restart until it thaws. 

I had a friend do that at work and when she got off at 7:00 A.M., her car wouldn't start. Several of us stayed with her to dig the snow from under her car, then we took turns getting down on our knees (I was MUCH younger then!) and heating up her tail pipe with our cigarette lighters until the ice melted! You really do NOT want to have to do that!
 

Draco

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Just a word of caution for those of you who are able to get out and about in your cars -

When you are parking and back into a space, be very careful that you don't back into a snow drift! The snow will pack into your exhaust pipe and as your car cools down, the snow will freeze and you will have a solid tube of ice in your pipe and your car will NOT restart until it thaws. 

I had a friend do that at work and when she got off at 7:00 A.M., her car wouldn't start. Several of us stayed with her to dig the snow from under her car, then we took turns getting down on our knees (I was MUCH younger then!) and heating up her tail pipe with our cigarette lighters until the ice melted! You really do NOT want to have to do that!
very good advice!!
 

nurseangel

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Wow, we didn't get anything near the accumulations some of you guys got.  

Sadly, there were some weather related deaths in my state.  And a good Samaritan was shot trying to assist a stranded motorist.  I don't even know what to say about that...it just breaks my heart.  
 

dennis47

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Wow, we didn't get anything near the accumulations some of you guys got.  

Sadly, there were some weather related deaths in my state.  And a good Samaritan was shot trying to assist a stranded motorist.  I don't even know what to say about that...it just breaks my heart.  
Oh no! Did the samaritan die?
 
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