Cats of Colonia de las Rosas

Opilot, can you please accept a PM?

You guys are kind beyond belief. I once attended a group for depressed people and discovered that they are often the kind,est, sweetest people. You are both kind, sweet and good persons. Thank you.

I don't want to take medicine because it dulls ALL my emotions, and even my creativity. I'm hoping to pull out of this funk, soon. This is strange, but I started taking fish oil for inflammation and it helped the depression tremendously. That's how I got off the meds. If you can, and you're depressed at times, I recommend giving it a try.

I called my cat's names tonight and our march was a little more lighthearted. Yes, they can tell. It seems that Louie-Louie is very sensitive to me. When I walk around the garden, even to come back to the entrance he follows me, and I can see his concern in his eyes. It's touching because Louie-Louie won't let me get closer than four feet! Blackie and Dude have also come to let me know how grateful they are.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Sneakers. 9 total.

Vitamin D and sunlight has been helping me, but I'm not sure that my depression has been chemical at all. I've had a ton of misdiagnoses over the years, and I seem to have more of a problem with anxiety than depression. If I get hit again (post-partum?) I'll try the fish oil to see if it doesn't help. Is that an amino-acid deal? I'm going to be taking supplements while nursing anyway!

I'm glad you were able to give that bit to the cats tonight, hon. I'm sure that they are concerned for you -- that's very understandable. We're concerned for you, and for them, as well, and hopefully we can help you find somebody here at TCS who is able to help.

If there's anything that *I* can do, even if it's just helping you to draft a letter or a script, please let me know and I will be more than willing to do all I can provided that the baby doesn't come unexpectedly.

Katie: A while back I was severely depressed - turned out I was having thyroid flaring and not functioning right... speeds up then slows way down.

I thought I was nuts, and they wanted me to take drugs - I insisted on seeing 3 docs before I found one who figured out I did have thyroid issues!!

I took something called SAMe and also more L-Tryptophan (sp??)... got them at GNC. In combination, these worked so well I actually got euphoric!

SAMe helps with liver functions and also with depression and chronic pain. And depressed people often are low on L-Tryptophan, which is used... to make seratonin (the neurochemical that helps elevate mood!).

So diet is a definite factor. I take fish oil anyway for my inflamation issues, and it helps also with other problems including... depression!

I will send you the exact products so you can look them up. Definitely recommend the SAMe though.

And Ghostbeck, I've cleared my messages so you can PM me.

Hi Everyone -- thank you so much for all your encouragement. It's hard coming to this thread -- it all comes up.

Tonight I went out and got home a little past my usual feeding time. As soon as I came in the gate I started calling softly, "kitty cats, kitty cats." Little Alfie came barreling out of a garden patch, so fast I almost tripped over him. He was disappointed when I went inside -- but that's where the food is!

Yes! Again!
!!MAMIE!!


She sat and looked at me while I talked to her for awhile before I went inside.

Red is there four nights out of five now -- waiting on the sidewalk -- and joins us on our celebration march.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie-Louie, Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 11 Total.

!!!IT'S RAINING!!!

Not so good for my little cats, but what we pray for in So. California. The fire season is over: It's raining!

Of course it always astonishes us to see the first rain. Everyone drives faster to get out of the rain! Then all that slippery stuff that's been sinking into the roads comes up to the surface and makes IT slippery.

The TV news is It's raining! Followed by all the accidents.

My poor babies, though. When I took out their food I had to put it in the small space by the rec bldg that stays dry. When they came they were all wet. I tried to pick up little Alfie. He must not have realized it was me at first because he was so busy eating. When he did, he squirmed and wiggled out of my hands.

He was wet on top and bottom. His legs and tummy were wet. I hope that Louie-Louie shows him somewhere dry to sleep and lets him cuddle up.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar. 7 total

It's still cold -- well, I'm not sure what cold is to the rest of you -- to us its cold at 50 degrees and tonight is going a big lower according to the weather report.

Everyone was waiting at the door. I met neighbors on my way out, and they told me, "they are waiting for you."

I used to love it when they told me that. Now I'm trying to decide if I should keep a lower profile.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie Oscar, Sneakers. 9 total.

Katie, those neighbors might be support though?

I've lost my voice on what to say to you any more, and I apologize for not being more supportive. I think I have an uncanny ability to put myself in your shoes, and right now coming here is making me feel quite sad.

Katie: So long as they support you (neighbors) go for it! They love you those babies do, and you love them. Keep that chin up and battle on.

Have you tried the SAMe I suggested? You aren't taking a drug, its a diet supplement and they use it with great success in Europe. I seriously would looki into trying it. a dose of 2 pills 2x for 4/5 weeks to see an effect.

With the Ltryptophan. It sure worked for me. Can't say for your situation.

Meantime, we all love you here, and we aren't giving up on you....

Thanks opilot. I just saw the title of your thread on Titi -- congratulations! It's a good feeling to know they will be cared for. I'm glad you reminded me of the Ltryptophan. I have it right in my cupboard. I give it to my Gracie because she has a herpes virus -- only when she sneezes, though! Did you know it was good for that? For humans, too.

When I got home from shopping tonight, the cats were waiting for me. They were on and under a bench near the door and hiding among the plants. They were very discreet about their hiding places. As soon as they saw me they got excited.

When I came back out they were waiting at the front door. We had our joyous walk to the feeding bench while I called their names.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Sneakers. 9 Total

Ordinarily I would be pleased as punch 'cause both Red and Mamie came tonight. Mamie came after I called her.


But little Alfie was not there.

I called and called, "here kitty kitty here kitty kitty here Alfie Alfie Alfie" but he did not come.

My kitten that ate potato chips from my hand. That almost let me pick him up. That let me stroke his back as he ate. Alfie. My Alfie.

Roll Call: Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 total

!!!ALFIE IS OKAY!!!

Yes! Yes! Oh, Yes! I heard a tiny meow and went looking and answering and found him in a drainpipe in the garden. I couldn't get the grate off and went to another grate near the building and called and he came. I couldn't see to the bottom, though. I decided to go upstairs and get a flashlight.

As I was leaving I could see Lady Day meowing at the opening. When I got back, there he was running to the food!

We were all so relieved! Blackie sat in my arms purring and kneading my shoulders and Louie sat nearby watching me. Henry was there, Lady Day and Oscar came, too.

By the time we quit congratulating ourselves, little Alfie had finished eating and left. I guess he did what cats do when stressed. He found a comfortable spot to settle down and sleep. Sleep tight, Little Alfie!

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 total.

All the fuzzy wuzzies were there tonight except Mamie.

I forgot to call out their names because I got a phone call from my beautiful and intelligent daughter.

It is supposed to rain later tonight. The last of the storm that flooded the northwest. I hope all the cats find somewhere warm and dry to sleep.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 total.

P.S. It is now 3 in the morning and raining. I just went out to see if the cat's food got wet. I found Dude, Blackie, Oscar and Louie all cuddled up under the eaves of the rec bldg trying to keep dry. It's dry there, but not warm. I didn't see Alfie -- I expected him to be with Louie. I hope he's okay.

It has quit raining although the weather report is for 20-30% chance of rain for the next few days.

After seeing my little boys all pushed up against the rec bldg wall last night, I had to do something for them today. I went to a big drug store and was looking for a plastic container to make a shelter. I told the workers what I wanted and asked if they had something to cut the plastic with. They were all young and got real interested in what I was doing. They helped me find the right size container and the young man even cut the opening for me!

Then he thought of a way to make a flap door with the piece he cut out. I was very happy! When I got home I made another by emptying one of my daughter's containers. I know, my bad.

I put them in places I think are fairly inconspicuous in the garden of the woman who lives next door. I'll have to talk to her tomorrow.

At least I know 2-6 cats will be out of the wind and cold tonight.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

It's nice that they will be out of the rain!

Hi kluchetta, I didn't know you were following my thread.

Cats: they are beautiful, delightful, funny, heart-warming -- and so darn frustrating!

Tonight I checked the boxes I had put out and it was obvious no one had used them. The cats here are used to being chased out of boxes that the gardners put out for their own uses, so I guess they have gotten skittish about all boxes.

So I put some of their kibble in the boxes -- lids off -- hoping they would hop in and eat. Ho-ho-ho! No way! they all just walked around trying to figure out what was wrong with me.... finally Louie put his front paws on the edge of a box, looking longingly at the food....then the box toppled over!!! Finally he got the nerve to tiptoe up to the box and lo and behold! there was the kibble! He started crunching away and was joined by Alfie and Josesito. No one else would come near.

There was no interest in the other box. I finally picked it up and went to the feeding bench and put it down where they usually eat. I retired to a bench nearby to watch. Henry finally got up the nerve to jump on the side of the box. Without tipping it, he put his front feet in and crunched. The other cats sat watching. He ate in that uncomfortable position for awhile and jumped down. Then he came back, but this time the box toppled over.

He started munching on the spilled kibble now on the side of the box, and the cats were taking turns eating. I started getting cold and went over and put the kibble back in the box, and took it back to its hiding place halfway under some plants. Some of the cats followed me so they know where it is and there's food in there. I did the same with the second box and put it behind the gas meter apparatus.

I put some kibble on top of both the boxes so they at least might jump up on the boxes. Small steps. Small Steps.

Then I, the Great Goddess of Food, Water and Petting, put down the rest of the kibble in the usual place. Gave them fresh water and left for my Olympic heights.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 11 total

Silly kitties, what if you put blankets or other camoflage over them?

A blanket.......hmmmmm.......I have to think about that idea. The thing is the gardeners here have all sorts of boxes, containers and plastic stuff that they stack in the corners of their gardens. Sometimes the cats try to take shelter in them, then when they are discovered they get rudely chased away -- sometimes with hoses.

So they are skittish of these nice hidey places I have provided them. I'm afraid the blankets will just look like more of the gardeners' paraphernalia to them.

When I got the boxes out, I saw that the food in the one hidden under the plants was mostly eaten! Just a few pieces of kibble left. Yaaaaaaaaay!

Now to continue hidey box familiarization. I put both the boxes where I usually feed them with the lids next to the boxes. I put food in the boxes and on the lids. They had no problem eating the food on the lids. By the time I got too cold to sit watching them, it was mostly gone. I put both boxes back, with food inside, and on the lids.

Then I poured out the rest of the food for them to eat. I think we are making progress. I had an idea while I was sitting tonight (feeding Alfie potato chips). Tomorrow night, I'll put real human tuna in the boxes. Yeah, that.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 10 Total.

How could they resist human tuna? Also, maybe some KFC - but that might be kinda expensive...

Had to suspend the shelter familiarization program today. I spent time with my daughter and didn't get home until 9:30 p.m. I left them 2 cups of food at 4:30 when I left and the food on top of the boxes was gone and the food IN one of the boxes was eaten.

Still, when I got home I put down the full amount I usually feed them.

Roll Call: Alfie, Blackie, Dude, Henry, Josesito, Lady Day, Louie, Mamie, Oscar, Red, Sneakers. 11 Total.