CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[awsum140]

The photos are nice Rave. Who says Indiana never had beach front property, just a little while back though. I have a love/hate with fall and winter. I love the colors, hate cleaning up the leaves. Love the cripness, hate to have to wear heavy clothes. Love the cold, dittio the clothes and hate shoveling up and blowing the snow. Well, variety is the spice of life they say, just a little less spice (leaves, sold and snow) would work a little better for me.

Blues, you are something. I like animals, a lot, but don't think I could give them a house. It's folks like you that renew my faith in the human race, maybe we will survive afterall in spite of ourselves.

 

[1st Officer]

Found on the rug in front of my downstairs bathroom.

Cool, I had to keep rocks in my Boa's aquarium so he could shed his skin. That looks like a black snake skin, a little one too. I bet you don't have many mice! Best way to keep the snakes out of your house is to sprinkle moth crystals around the foundation, they don't like those a little bit and it won't hurt them and you don't want to hurt them, they are necessary in the grand scheme of nature as are all creatures.

 

[1st Officer]

Yea well, there's a "crack" in the .... somewhere. GEEZ !!! That thing could have been sleeping with you in your bed Rave !!!

Na, they don't like the heat that much, My Boa "Lucifer" would hide under the couch and scare the S*** out of company but he was harmless, just looking for love. He used to get out all the time and then one day he just disappeared. I was promised by the wife no foul play was involved but she might have had her fingers crossed. I had that snake for over 5 years and he was getting big. Never once did I find him in the bed, he always went for the couch or the bathtub. All this talk about snakes has me missing the old boy... sniff

 

[rave]

Cool, I had to keep rocks in my Boa's aquarium so he could shed his skin. That looks like a black snake skin, a little one too. I bet you don't have many mice! Best way to keep the snakes out of your house is to sprinkle moth crystals around the foundation, they don't like those a little bit and it won't hurt them and you don't want to hurt them, they are necessary in the grand scheme of nature as are all creatures.

Nice idea! I'll try that. I like snakes, but I'd prefer not living with them in the house. We do have black snakes. There's a rather bigun that likes to sunbathe in the turnaround. I keep worrying that he'll get clobbered by the mail carrier delivering vape mail.

 

[Bluesman]

it didn't get lost - I was reading that while you were posting pictures.
I saw a program where a lady had a house given over to rescue cats - sound a lot like what you are describing. They were all happy campers. However the cost of feeding them was a challenge. Everything taken care of in that regard for you Blues?

Starsong, your scope is too limited. This place goes beyond the cats. The farm, the reserves, the pastures, and the animals are all a part of this place. Rest assured that the financing and the operation of this place will go far beyond my life. I have made sure of that.

 

[starsong]

Starsong, your scope is too limited. This place goes beyond the cats. The farm, the reserves, the pastures, and the animals are all a part of this place. Rest assured that the financing and the operation of this place will go far beyond my life. I have made sure of that.

I was merely commenting on what you said:

The house has a kitchen, bathroom, and laundry and storage in the basement. But the rest of the house is built and sectioned off to accomodate cats. There are large windows and sunrooms with lounging cats.

Besides, I do tend to focus on cats

 

[Bluesman]

I was merely commenting on what you said:


Besides, I do tend to focus on cats

Oh, no, starsong. I didn't mean to insinuate anything. Since you like cats, I'll tell a cat story first. You might want a tissue.

 

[Bluesman]

I've told this story on another thread.

Mitchell had been shot and left for dead. I don't know who did it. I don't know why they did.

Someone found him and took him to a vet and then left. He never gave his name. They never saw him before. He made no attempt to check back.

The vet happens to know me so he called. I asked what chances Mitchell (he didn't have the name Mitchell at that point) had for a close to normal life. The vet said he would have to amputate his right rear leg and go from there. Mitchell was emaciated and that was going to play a role in survival and recovery. He could not be sure about infection. I told the vet to start immediate work on Mitchell and I would be there soon.

On the drive to the vet hospital, I named him Mitchell. Nothing behind the name. Live or die the cat needed a name. He was now Mitchell.

Mitchell lived through the surgery. He spent a little time at the hospital and then came to the ranch. I didn't put him in the cat house. I kept him with me in my house and he stayed with me his entire life.

There was immediate recognition. Mitchell knew. And so did I. It was an unspoken understanding.

Mitchell loved everyone. He liked the other cats. He liked dogs. He liked people. Mitchell walked with an imbalance but he always got where he was going. He would walk up to someone (cat, dog, person, whatever) and sit. Mitchell had a crooked sit due to the missing back leg. He would look at whoever it was and with his bright eyes say, "Hi. I'm Mitchell."

Mitchell liked to go outside with me. He would sit and let the breeze blow in his face. He would raise his chin, absorb the sun, and feel the breeze. I never let cats outside. They don't belong there. But Mitchell lived in harmony with the world. He would never chase a bird; he would listen to it sing. He would never chase a rabbit; he would attempt to do his "Hi. I'm Mitchell" routine. Same with squirrels, horses, cows, you name it.

Mitchell always enjoyed what he was doing. Especially when I was with him. When I traveled, he would stay in my bedroom; only seen when he was hungry or had to use the litter box. When I came home he was waiting at the door.

He had his stubborn and determined side. Nothing stopped Mitchell from doing what he wanted to do. Often times I would find him somewhere and I would ask, "How did you get there?" Mitchell would smile at me with his head raised and eyes glowing. Proud of himself.

The only time his eyes were not glowing was when he was determined to do something. Then his eyes were a solid black. Strong look on his face. His tail would twitch.

Mitchell and I had a wonderful life together. He was happy. He had someone he loved and someone he could talk to. I had a miriacle of a friend. He told me alot and taught me alot.

In the end it was his heart that took him. Physically weakened by everything he had been through. But I held him on my lap when he passed. The last of his life given to me. His last breath taken with me.

Mitchell is my friend. He will always live with me. What a wonderful guy he is.

 

[rave]

I was hoping that you would tell about Mitchell first. His is a great story. He makes me smile.

 

[awsum140]

Heck, I'm not a cat fan at all and I almost needed a tissue. You are very lucky to be able to connect with animals that closely and that easily Blues.

 

[rave]

Sometimes it's easier to connect with animals than it is with people. Personally, I've never really fit in amongst homo sapiens, but animals are more accepting, and far less judgmental. *present parties excepted, of course*

 

[lilac7779]

Sometimes a pet I have had in the past will cross my mind and I still feel that tug on my heart strings. It never goes away. "sniff"

 

[Can-Can]

Sometimes a pet I have had in the past will cross my mind and I still feel that tug on my heart strings. It never goes away. "sniff"

Ditto, dear Lilac. I think of all the hearafter theories the one that makes me smile the most is the Rainbow Bridge. What a glorious gallop that would be.

 

[proudlion]

I think the shared love of creatures is what draws me close to this community

 

[Basilor]

<<<<<<<<< He is 12 1/2 now. Doesn't look much like that pic anymore, face is mostly white. He has skin tags, lumps and a bad ear infection.

And, he's my baby boy. I have steps on the side of the bed so he can come and go at night, although most nights he's in bed before me. Not many things better than grabbing his little .... on my day off for a nap on the couch.

Aside from him, I have a mutt rescue that is the same age my ex and I got for his companionship when they were both about 8 months old.

He is getting a little hard of hearing. The two have never fought in 12 years. Although the Basset is definitely the dominate dog.

I also have 3 tortoises about the size of large footballs. They chase my Basset around when I put them together. Currently they are outside all day.

And since that's not enough, I also have 17 aquariums spread around the house, most raising exotic strains of guppies. Along with a small pond in the tortoise enclosure filled with solid red guppies, that I will need to remove soon.

So, I guess I kinda like critters also.

Mark

 

[1st Officer]

Sometimes it's easier to connect with animals than it is with people. Personally, I've never really fit in amongst homo sapiens, but animals are more accepting, and far less judgmental. *present parties excepted, of course*

Change the Sometimes to Most times and we'll be on the same page.

 

[1st Officer]

Coffees Ready, I'm starting to think I might be the only early riser here?

 

[awsum140]

Coffees Ready, I'm starting to think I might be the only early riser here?

View attachment 138948

Nah, finished my first cup, 16oz, and on my way out to walk Bo.

 

[Bluesman]

Coffees Ready, I'm starting to think I might be the only early riser here?

No, 1st Officer, I'm up before the (as Raven likes to say) .... crack of dawn. Things start early around here. I appreciate that you have coffee going once I get a chance to come inside and enjoy a cup. Thanks, man. You make good coffee.

 

[Esoterica3]

Mitchell liked to go outside with me. He would sit and let the breeze blow in his face. He would raise his chin, absorb the sun, and feel the breeze. I never let cats outside. They don't belong there. But Mitchell lived in harmony with the world. He would never chase a bird; he would listen to it sing. He would never chase a rabbit; he would attempt to do his "Hi. I'm Mitchell" routine. Same with squirrels, horses, cows, you name it.
.

Loved your story!

But every cat I've ever known loves to go outside! When prevented, they become neurotic and just plain uncomfortable. Most turn into lunatic cats. Once allowed their freedom, they're once again lovable beings.

Every cat I've ever known that has been forced to be an indoor cat, show great signs of emotional stress.

As an aside, I had no Idea that there were PMU farms! I applaud you in your endeavors and will remember all when the time comes for me!

I lived for awhile with a family in Asharoken NY, and they were a wildlife foster family for birds. The house bordered a rather large wetlands area on a peninsula off Long Island NY. Their whole back of the house was plate glass windows so they could see the whole area (beautiful) (I was working at the time with their son, a bit further down that beach road, on a full featured Riding school).

They went away for a weekend once while I was there (no rescues at that time needing care), and all of the birds out there in the wetlands, just came out and up to the porch that first AM ( just like Hitchcock)....They were looking for their feed!

Quacking, screeching, making ALL kinds of noise...My friends forgot to tell me to go and feed the critters, but the critters weren't shy at all about letting me know what was up!