CATS AND WILDLIFE

There has been a lot said in the news lately about cats and dogs and their danger to the native wildlife.  Some suggesting getting rid of all cats, others that they should be contained at least at night.

Prior to my moving in with Doug (a year ago next week) he built a cat run on to the side of the house with access to the main bedroom.  For the first few days Kim was kept indoors and the cat run until she got used to her new home.  Because Sophie (Labrador) is very possessive of her food we have kiddy doors giving Kim access to the main bedroom, lounge and cat run and during the day to the front lawn whereas Sophie has the rest of the house and the back garden.  Kim, of course, can get to the back garden if she wants and has been going there more often lately.

Kim has settled very well and is, I think, happier here with her run at night than she was in my previous property where she could go outside at any time.  Prior to my moving I had a new neighbour with three cats and they seemed to think that my section was theirs and were quite dominant. 

At night Kim spends a lot of time in her run but never cries or "asks" to be let out.  She is quite content.  This means that she is not a danger to any wildlife wandering at night.

The run also makes a good place for my streptocarpus and other plants that are not on display.

SUNSHINE

This morning our weekly Parkinson's walk was on the road around the airport at Onerahi.  The weather was perfect.  Just wonderful after weeks of rain.

To keep the warmth in during winter Doug installed a couple of cat flaps on internal doors for me.  One between the living and sleeping areas and the other (below) between the laundry (where the cat flap going outside is situated) and the hall.

The magnets on the flaps were quite strong and I found the noise of the cats coming and going in the night a bit much so Doug removed the flaps for me.  It still keeps the warmth in but is silent.

This is the face that greeted me when I went into the hall this morning.  Kath was in the laundry looking into the hall.

Kim

Last night I couldn't find Kim - searched the house and then, as I was closing the spare bedroom door I noticed a lump under the duvet.  I hadn't realised it was that cold.  I pulled the duvet back from her face to take the photo - she was completely covered.

Feeling slightly better - hope I am on the mend.  When I phoned the Rest Home yesterday I was told that my lovely hubby is doing well and not as confused as when he went there from the previous Rest Home.

Cat Flap

When we purchased this house there was already a cat flap in the laundry door.  Very handy.  A few months ago I noticed that the hair on Kath's back looked as though it had been shaved in a strip about 11/2 inches wide at the bottom of her spine.

The only cause I can think of that is the cat flap.  A friend was staying and he sanded the top of the flap and I put some duct tape on the bottom and it appeared to be solving the problem.  I have since put more tape at the top.

When I took her for her "Warrant of fitness" about 5 weeks ago I mentioned this to the vet whose only other suggestion was that she could be over licking it.  Of course, it was a lot better at that stage.  I have never seen her licking her back and it recently started to get worse again so I have blocked off the cat flap to see if it improves.  It has now moved higher up her back and is in small patches.  She seems to be completely unaware of it so it is not itchy or sore.

Kim doesn't have this problem but she is smaller and has much thicker shorter fur.

The way the cat flap has been fitted I am unable to put a larger one in but if the problem clears up with the flap blocked off I may have to buy a new one and see if that is better.   It could, of course, be something else, or somewhere else such as a fence she goes under.

Missing her "Dad"

Ever since M. has been in the rest home Kath has been missing him and spends most of her time on a dining chair situated in the lounge.  Have never seen her there before but she hardly leaves it.

The rest home has been very good and are trying to keep M. occupied.  I went to see him yesterday (and collect his washing) but he was out on a bus trip.  He will be at the Alzheimer's Club again today.  Unfortunately, they tell me he is very confused.  I will walk down again today after he is due back to see how he is.  When I phoned he was having difficulty - not sure whether it was hearing or comprehension.

Keeping Warm

It has been cold in the mornings here this week but Kath knows all the places to go to keep warm.  The photos are not the best but at about 6 a.m. our new Econoheat panel switches on and when we get up in the morning she is sitting next to it keeping warm.  Then I go and light the pot belly stove which gets very hot but she just loves getting in behind it to get the warmth.

Have spent this week trying to get medicine to correct M.'s low blood pressure - finally today I took him for a blood test - he had to be in town by 8.45.  The traffic was very heavy but luckily I got there just in time as it would have meant a trip back tomorrow.  Looks like the results won't be through till tomorrow - he was prescribed fldrocortisone on Tuesday but the doctor then decided he would check with the geriatrician first hence the blood test.  Tomorrow he comes home so I have my fingers crossed about his health especially over the weekend when most things shut down.

Ferns

A short while ago Cro asked about ferns surviving in pots for a long period.  When we moved here two years ago we brought a lot of plants in pots.  Among them were three ferns that were completely pot bound.

To make life easier I decided to plant them out to save having to keep watering the pots in summer.  The maidenhair fern was chopped down to ground level and went in front of the shed.

The "piggy-back fern" and a more hardy fern that was self-sown went in the area that I have cleared of Wandering Jew.  Of course I had help with all of this in the form of Kath and Kim.

A good day for a sleep

Although the temperature is 21 degrees C. the weather is variable with constant showers and thunderstorms.

Cats always know when it is a good day to just stay inside and have a nap.

Here is Kath's "sister", Kim who woke up when I took her photo.

However Kath slept on.

No baking today but here is the loaf I baked on Sunday - only enough left for breakfast so must bake a fresh loaf tomorrow.