TIME FLIES

Wow! January is long gone and February is over half gone, too. Time does fly when you're busy, doesn't it? What have I been doing? A lot!!!

First I rescued some kittens from the backyard who had upper respiratory infections and have nursed them back to health. Shawn and Belle along with their big brother, Squeaker, all had varying degrees of the infection with Shawn being the worst off. Shawn's infection had gotten into his left eye and he had to go to the eye vet for some medicine. It seems that things are healing well and the eye vet is very happy with the progress. 

Squeaker

Squeaker, about 6 months older than his sibs, has been like a second mother to the others and is very, very sweet. Our local Humane Society just had their annual "Fix Felix for Free" day this past Wednesday and I was able to get Squeaker in for a free neuter. The lines were long, but I think it was worth the waiting time to get him done for free with $5 for the rabies shot. And it seems it was done just in time as it appears that Belle has matured earlier and is now in heat! 

Shawn

I've always thought that Shawn was a boy until lately when I realized he wasn't "developing" the proper equipment. After close inspection, it seems that Shawn is a girl as well. I'll have that confirmed by the vet this week. Either way, Shawn is so sweet and affectionate it's hard to believe he came from a feral mom. 

Belle

His mom is Callie, a cute little calico girl who I also was able to get spayed about a month ago. Her other daughter, Belle, is a calico, too with more white and it just as shy as her mom. 

Callie

In the sewing studio, I've been working on a new product - a wristlet. I wanted to make something that could be an accessory to the tote bags and finally settled on a pattern with some slight alterations and have listed a couple in my Etsy shop. There will be more with some tote/wristlet sets, too. I've also decided that in the future I'll make the wrist strap detachable for versatility.

L'il Cowpoke wristlet

I've also been working on the old family tree and I'll recount the new stuff in a later post. It's getting interesting again!

Well, it looks like spring is on it's way, but I wouldn't count out more cold weather in the meantime. I mean it is Houston after all and the trail rides and bar-b-que cookoff is coming up and it is almost always cold and rainy for that. 

I hope everyone is having a good late winter/early spring. 

BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK MAY 1 - 7

I just found out that this is "Be Kind to Animals" Week and it's been celebrated since 1915. Did you know that? I think it's lovely to have a week to emphasize kindness to animals, but it's something that should be practiced each and every day. And to ALL animals, tame and wild, pet or food provider. (Ok, here's where I get on my soapbox.)

I love animals, all animals, in their proper environment. After all, they are our brothers and sisters. I must point out that I am a carnivore and Ido believe that some animals are here to provide for our sustanence. Having said that, I believe that we can treat these animals with kindness and give them a good death. They don't have to be treated cruelly just because they are food animals. If you don't believe that this can be done, you should watch the movie "Temple Grandin". It's about a woman who is autistic, but manages to make a place for herself in the world of the rest of us. Her "specialty" is creating humane slaughterhouses for cattle. I know that sounds oximoronic, but it involves creating a space where the animals don't feel panic, where they are calm. Just watch it to see what I mean. There are other ways to provide a better life for food animals like chickens and pigs and the like. We need to treat them like the living, breathing, feeling creatures that they are. Treating animals badly scars our own souls, too.

Ok, the soapbox is closed. Sort of. I will spend today with my indoor kitties and the outdoor kitties and thinking about what I can do to help them all have as good a life as I can provide for them. What will you do to promote kindness to animals this week?