Ottawa Cats know how to stay cool.....

(Left)  There's our handsome big plush grey marshmallow boy, Kaju.  He, like many solid grey kitties, loves to curl up for a snooze on a person's back, if it's on offer.  This is normally a 'grey cat thing'.... I now need to revise that, as our visitors Benny, (orange tabby) and his sister Dutchess (calico), have the same knack... Actually, Dutchess seems to prefer using one's back as a spring board, more than a make shift bed... Our boy Kaju just left yesterday.. we'll see him again before too long.

(Right) Parker (white/orange) is always easy to smile for the camera... My little head butt-er here, will be staying on for a bit.  He's been visiting regularly for the past year+ .  I know his folks weren't pleased to have to leave him for so long this time... He's doing just great... He's getting a kick out of the young duo, Benny & Dutchess.... they keep the entertainment flowing along....

(Left) Tessie! (dark tabby/white) You're getting so tall my big cutie.... Are you wearing high heels or something?!?  Oh, I see.  You're on your tippie toes... This gorgeous girl loves to clown around....  Tess returned back home to her country stomping grounds yesterday....

(Right) My handsome ZappiDoo (orange tabby) arrived yesterday for another holiday... It wasn't that long ago that we saw this little Mister.... Zapata seems to be adjusting nicely to the new baby (2 legged) at home.  Everyone in a household has to 'shift' and 'expand' to make room for this kinda change... It's never just the people who have to learn a whole new routine.... Whether it's 'growing pains' or 'stretch marks', change is gonna happen!

Twinkle Bedinkle...What pink toes you have!

(Left) There's a long time familiar face for my regular readers... KeishaWeisha (white/dark tabby) has been visiting the B&B for pretty much the whole span of time that I've been in operation.... This gorgeous girl tends to stick to her favorite pillows and look outs... I expect that she'll be returning home this week.  Keisha is a sensitive little gal and loves lots of attention...

(Right) I wouldn't describe our boy Carl (siamese) as a sensitive boy.... not a whole lot phases this handsome cutie...He gets into his own world and, unless you want to jump in there with him, like FDR did, he'll just play on his own.... He's not bothered... play is play!  It took FDR and Carl a couple of days to get in the groove together, and it was nothing but non-stop relay racing from then on... It's too bad that Carl and his sister Cleo couldn't stay for the full duration of FDR and JFK's holiday... They had an absolute blast together!

(Left) I know our gorgeous girl Zaria (white) looks a bit serious in this pose, but if you know her, or have seen enough past pictures of this little one, you'd soon realize that she doesn't 'do' serious, very often or for very long... Life's too short!, right ZarZarBeans!!  You're just a cutie, regardless of which expression you've pulled out of the 'furry white hat'....

(Right) There's my little twinkle toes... Benny's (orange/white tabby) mom was concerned that this little boy may be overly shy and stressed during his B&B first visit, with his sister Dutchess... I explained that he's one relaxed little boy, once he gets himself familiarized.... He's still not a huge fan of masses of new people but he's been building his tolerances up, for such situations....the rest of the time, he's all stretched out, without a care in the world...

Wed May 25th, and all is well....

(Left) 'PeppyWeppy', (black/white) isn't this cutie's real name, nor is 'Peppers' or 'Pepperoni', but she's not fussy, she knows you're talkin' about her... and she'll come out of no where, head butt-ing and rubbing up against everything that's in her path, as she makes her way over to you.... Peppy (real name) has turned into quite the schmooze... She had a great time with her playful friends this past weekend..

(Right) This is a much larger, more masculine version of Noel, from yesterday... This handsome big lad is just as social and playful as Noel... He will be staying on a while longer... They are calling for rain over the next few days, so I doubt that he'll mind a bit.... He is a true outdoor lover.... I'm just guessing that he's a 'fair weather' kinda guy... I could be wrong.. I should really ask him!

(Left) My little Dimi-kins!... (orange tabby).... again, not his real name.. This is just one of my favorite nick names for Dimitri... Our little old boy joined us for the long weekend, and then some.... He sends out a big Salut Maman et Papa, to his folks overseas... He's doing great..

(Right) And, to round out our furry feline foursome, this is our gorgeous girl Bailey (muted calico).... She certainly was shy her first day or 2 in, but nothing was going to stop her from taking advantage of all the fun and interesting things to do while at the B&B... Following the scent of fishy wet food, surely landed her in the kitchen twice a day, at the bare minimum.... the rest of the time, she didn't need an excuse to venture around...

And now, a little rest...

(Left) So many kitties were picked up yesterday.... it thins out in a hurry when you have multiple sets of 2's and, in the case of Microbe (dark tabby/white) here, a furry family of 4 going home.  This gorgeous girl and her sister Bailey (calico) loved to sleep in the train cars... not on the same level inside the car, but together just the same.   It was fun getting to know these 4 newbies for the first time.

(Right) This little handsome guy looks a lot like Mushu, from last week... he looks like Mushu and acts like Mushu... both cuties loved to climb to the roofs of my treehouse apparatus...  Sammy (dark tabby) here, is also a bit shy with strangers.  They could easily be twins...!... both boys have big, gentle hearts and warm up to new people after they've had a chance to properly check them out.

(Left) There's our little firecracker Lacey (grey/white tabby) again... this time with her older orange brother Taffy (floor).   Lacey is quite an athlete and loves to socialize with everyone and everything... Taffy is a little more shy/cautious... We had some fun trying to find Taffy when it came time to pack them up yesterday... Lacey on the other hand, posed no challenge at all to catch... she wasn't exactly enthused about getting into her carrier though.

(Right) Oh, big scary wild cat!!  Whoa, wait a minute... that's Noel! (grey).... No, she's not grinning and baring her lethal daggerlike canine teeth.... That's right, it's just a yawn!!  She's really not scarier than that...This playful girl had a great time with Lacey, Zaria and Sharpe, mostly... She knows how to have a good time!

Happy Holiday....

(Left) Our boy Jake (black) is visiting for the 3rd time in the last few months... He'll be exploring his new home for the first time this week.  He's an impressive sized cat, and oh so gentle.  He loves people, attention and is social with the other felines too.  He has a wonderfully adaptable nature and will do great in his new diggs.

(Right) Handsome Kenai (Ragdoll) and his 3 siblings/house mates, are getting rather used to a lot of change too... This big guy was social and interactive from his first day at the B&B...  Ragdolls are typically a laid back, playful breed.   This kind of interactive play group is right up his alley...

(Left) If you ask Dutchess (calico) what her favorite pass times are while she boards with us, she will undoubtedly list 'fishing' in her top 3.... right up there with 'bird watching'.... and 'meeting new people everyday' to round things out... She's a charmer.... the kinda kitty that would follow anybody home...

(Right) Tobias (grey/white) loves the treehouse that we've installed for him... This gentle marshmallow has the loudest purr machine going... He loves to cuddle up and give/get lots of attention... anytime is the best time!

Meet some of my Lion Kings and Queens....

(Left) This handsome grey & white cutie is Stanley.  For a 'shy' cat he sure is curious and seems to really like water.  He and one of his sisters, Microbe, were the first 2 kitties of the family of 4 to go 'on tour'... He's very gentle, all 4 kids are... They are visiting for the first time.  Their sister Bailey is, so far, the most shy... brother Kenai is everywhere!  They only arrived yesterday afternoon and have settled in already.

(Right) Sharpe (grey/white) and his twin brother Wolfgang arrived this morning.... They are regular visitors at the B&B.  Our adorable 9 month old girl, Lacey (grey/white tabby) and her brother Taffy (below) started their holiday yesterday.  Give these 2 kitties another day and we'll find them playing together... Lacey is inquisitive and so far, seems to like height...

(Left) Our adorable JFK (siamese/himalayan mix) was stretched out on the top deck of the space ship yesterday afternoon observing me as I went about my business.  It took me some time to realize that he was even up there.  He looked so calm and happy, as he groomed himself... Once he saw that I had discovered him, he sunk down into the carpet up there and tried to be invisible... He's not a huge fan of the camera thus far....

(Right) 'I saw a movie a few years ago.... Aviator, I think it was.. There was this guy, see....I watched him twist and turn one of these blue propellor thingies, just like I'm doing right now...You know, if you do it  for long enough, they'll continue to turn on their own.. and then, then we'll really be flyin'!!'  Oh Carl (siamese).... you never stop thinkin, do you?!  or moving!  I think his mom was right... he has mellowed out a bit since I last saw him.... but, only a bit!  He's still our boy Carl!

(Left) Taffy (orange/white tabby) sought out his usual 'high ground', after he arrived yesterday... with his new little sister, fire cracker Lacey....  Partly, you think that Taffy is being shy, by climbing the 'highest peaks'..... on the other hand, he's clear out in the middle of the room, and in the open... so, he can't be that shy!  My own personal theory is that he just wants to re-aquaint himself with BigBird1....        Ya, I'm going with 'C'.... 

Such a colorful weekend in store....

(Left) It is 'interesting cat breeds' and grey/white cat weekend.... We saw this handsome cutie the other day... A slightly smaller version of FDR (left) arrived yesterday.  Cleo (below) and her brother Carl are both Siamese.  We have another Siamese mix and now a Ragdoll too....  FDR has turned into Mr Social... we find him everywhere.... and, as I predicted, I found his shyer brother JFK out in the open this afternoon already... He was snapped flying around atop the spaceship.... I knew it!

(Right) Gorgeous girls Alley (dark tabby/back) and her sister Naomi (dark tabby/front) are no strangers to the B&B.... They have vacationed with us all winter and have a ways to go yet... We often get long term cats at the Pet B&B.... Weeks and Months are not uncommon....We seem to have picked up a steady stream of kitties that are selling or moving house too.... The Ottawa housing market looks red hot so far this year.... from where I'm standing anyway....

(Left) Buttons (grey/white) and Tobias (grey/white) and Lacey (grey/white tabby) and Stanley (grey/white tabby)..... should I continue?!?  Too much grey and white cuteness, too much grey & white goodness... Actually, Lacey is visiting for the first time with her brother Taffy, who has been visiting us for years...Stanley is visiting with his 3 extended family siblings too... It is the first time for those 4 kitties...

(Below/Right) Our handsome brothers Crash (right) and Siren have decided to stay on through the long weekend now... Crash has turned out to be a real 'head butt-er'... Siren still hides out in the kitchen cupboards mostly, when people are about.  Crash loves to sleep up high, on the big stuffed pillows.. This has become a favorite snoozin' spot for our shy new boy Benny too.

(Left) Yes, it's our adorable little Cleo (siamese), back for another visit.  We haven't seen Cleo and Carl since last year.... She also starts off her stay by hunkering down, in the lower kitchen cabinets, during the busy day... She also will eventually find her way up to the big over stuffed pillows.. Seems like she'll have lots of company up there, this visit....

The calm before the party...

(Left) This gorgeous calico arrived with her brother Benny, earlier this week.. They had quite a cross country drive before arriving for their new life in Ottawa... Dutchess here, is a social charmer.  She preferred to sleep up on top of the bathroom cabinet her first day in... She's all about adventure now.   She loves attention and has the softest coat...

(Right) TobyTobias (grey/white) is visiting again and, like his dear friend Lincoln, who returned home this week, he loves checking out what's going on in the great outdoors... This gentle and calm cutie can be a chatty boy.  He'll be visiting for a while longer.. Always good to see you again Tobias!  He sends out a big Hiya to his folks over the big pond.

(Left) Mushushu (dark tabby) returned home earlier this week too.  I was surprised to hear that he's not that into 'height' at his home.  For large portions of each day, I'd find him perched atop a 7' treehouse (that's right.. not inside, but on top) ... It gave him a great panoramic view of the large outdoor group area and he could even see straight outside, through 4 sets of windows, when he wanted to.  Mushu can be a real suckup once he knows you a little bit.  He did great as he always does.

(Right) Oh, there he is!  Actually, our shy little boy Benny (orange/white tabby) wasn't difficult to find this particular morning... He made it easy for me this day, while I did my routine 'head count' of all of my furry friends... He has the biggest, widest eyes... and is such a sweet heart.  He's settled in nicely already.  I have many 'shy-ish' cats in right now.... Not to worry, Cleo & her exuberant brother Carl (Siamese) both just arrived this morning... That should get everyone into a Festive Long Weekend mood leading up to the influx of old and new guests arriving on Thursday &  Friday....

(Left) This gorgeous little ZarZarBean (white) is always in a social, festive mood.... when loads of attention are on offer.  Zaria's striking little pink ears and toe pads re-enforce her whole 'girlie girl' personality.. She's such a shmoozie one!  She's staying on a bit longer as well... biding her time, while the warm weather finally finds us in Ottawa... almost cottage time my little ZarZar!

High Fives, All Around!!!

(Left) Olaf (dark tabby) and his sister Cajsa (black/white) were being very playful for me and the camera.  Olaf was sure that his folks would be logging on to see their little darlings so he decided to send them a big 'Hi 5' .... that, or as Andrea saw it, Olaf was saying..... 'No. Wait! Hold that thought!'... You guys are too cute... They are both expected to return home later this week after an extended spring vacation....just in time for the fragrant blooms... I can just picture these 2 kitties smellling mounds of blue Forget-Me-Nots.... and Cajsa sampling one or two...'Mmmm, fresh of the day!'

(Right) I was snapping a few new pics this morning.... FDR (Siamese) was curious to meet Andrea for the first time.... 'Oh boy.  More sets of hands = more neck scratches... Perfect!'  He's such a hamm for the camera... I have a nice selection of FDR's twisted facial expressions, as he head butt-ed the sides of the rocket door opening... That's our handsome big boy Moxie (dark tabby) getting up & in on all of the fun.... Mox still enjoys sleeping inside of the rocket some afternoons...FDR and his brother JFK, below ( as their dad put it... The Presidents) are both doing great. 

(Left) That's our gorgeous girl Cleo (dark tabby/cab) and her new pal Coco (black/tabby/window), enjoying some of the fleeting sunshine that we saw last weekend.  Coco just returned home yesterday after his first visit but we are looking forward to seeing him again later this summer.  Cleo has been a guest at the B&B for many years...  She's a cutie!

(Right) One, Two, Three... Stretch....  Our handsome little rubber spine boy here is Mr GenieBeans (orange tabby)... When my boy Eugene is not doing his ground work out, he's visiting all of the neighbours in the area... From the sounds of things, no building is too tall, no window is too narrowly ajar... the residents don't even need to be home, to get paid a special visit by this little charmer.... 'Oh.  Dinner's at 6!  That'll be fine.  I'm IN! (no pun intended)....

(Left) President JFK (siamese/maine coon cross) is more shy than his brother FDR but is as equally open to affection and neck scratches.  This handsome boy loves to hide out and now, hang out, in the train cars where he can play 'invisible' when he wants to.... I think that this will start to change in the coming days and that we'll see him get his courage and confidence up, to be spotted 'en plein air'....

Cat Rescue Networking Fundraising Event - Great Glebe Garage Sale May 28, 2011

                           Calling all Cat Rescue Network Volunteers, Friends and SupportersThis year CRN will be participating in the Great Glebe Garage Sale. http://ottawastart.com/glebe.php

Cat Rescue Network Fundraising Event - Great Glebe Garage Sale - May 28, 2011

  

We have never done this before but thankfully we have a volunteer who has agreed to coordinate this event for us. This event will be a big undertaking so we hope you will be able to help us out.

The first thing we need is for you to go through your cupboards, basements and attics for those “no longer used” items taking up space and collecting dust. Below is a list of "stuff" we could use and all we ask is that all items are in good condition and good working order.

The second thing we need are volunteers to help us on for the day of the event. This is an all day affair so we have set up three shifts.  If you would like to help us on the sales tables please let us know which shift you would like to cover.

Early Bird Shift        -  6:30 am to 10:30 am

Mid Morning Shift    -  10: 00 am to 2:00 pm

Afternoon Shift        -  1:30 pm to 5:30 pm   

  

The set up crew will have to get to the site very, very early to reserve a "spot", deliver the “stuff” and set up the tables, so we will be in the Glebe by 5:30 a.m. Ugh! You’re welcome to join us if you are a very early riser, just let us know...

"Stuff" we need for the sale

Books - CD’s - DVD’s - VHS Tapes

Shoes - Handbags - Costume jewellery

Baby Clothes - Toys & other baby items (no car seats or cribs)

Linens - Dishes- glasses - Pictures (framed or not) - Picture frames                   

Small appliances - other electrical stuff - lamps

Sorry, we don’t need clothing items as we are told they just don't sell at these events.

  

Please remember to make sure everything is in good condition and good working order (especially important for electrical items as people will not be able to try them out).

If you can let us know if you have "stuff" to donate we will let you know where & when you can drop it off.  The coordinating committee will need time to price all the donated items before the sale so the sooner we can get it the better... We are hoping to get as much "stuff" in by April 30th so we can start pricing

If you can help with a shift and/or you have "stuff" to donate please contact me at dorothy.bell@3web.net.  

Please share this with your friends, family and colleagues, maybe they have “stuff” they would like to donate too...

As a friend of CRN you can help make this fundraising event a success by donating, volunteering or by just coming out to see us on May 28^th.  Look for us on Fifth Ave between Bank and Lyon. Maybe you can pick up a bargain or two... 

Thank you all for your continued support of Cat Rescue Network and the stray, abandoned and feral cats and kittens in the Ottawa area.

Dorothy Bell

Cat Rescue Network

613-820-4951

www.catrescuenetwork.com

Today's Activities include.....

(Above/right) I snuck up on our gorgeous girl SophieWophie (dark tabby/white), who was all sacked out in her favorite haybail.... She and her brother Lincoln  (from yesterday) have returned for a spring holiday.  This little cutie can be shy/ aloof/ friendly and/or a big hamm, all at the drop of a hat... or, a scratch of the neck... That's our girl Sophie... Don't change darlin!

(Left) Our adorable girl Olivia (grey/white tabby) returned home this week after her couple of weeks of vacation.  It sounds like she had as much fun on her holiday as her folks did.... I'm sure that she's lying under a cedar hedge somewhere outside, as I type this... Gorgeous girl Naomi (dark tabby) isn't often lounging in the haybails like this.... I'm guessing that the Kitty Cabs were occupied...

(Right) Our cutie Zaria (white) was on her way up, way up, to the top bunk, for a snooze... but, when she got there, she discovered that huge boy Mwenzi (orange tabby/Maine Coon) had beaten her to it... She's such a smooth, graceful little one.... She simply put it in reverse, and descended a 'floor' to the mid level bunks... Mwenzi was none the wiser... He would've loved the added company....He's the gentlest of giant kitties... That's A Lot of Cat!  If you check back in the last couple of weeks pics, you'll know what I mean!

(Below/Left) Magic Carpet Ride, anyone?!?  The morning 'Musical Pillows' routine usually ends kinda like this... One or more of our big cushies ends up in a new resting place, with a gorgeous kitty, just like this one... and most often THIS one, or her daughter Catou, on board.... Can't you just picture Maman (grey/white tabby) floating around the room all evening, on her Magic Carpet... then, she pulls it in for a landing, just as she hears Andrea or myself unlocking the front door.... She is a Magical little girl!

(Right) I have caught Romeo (dark tabby) up on the loft a few times, with his mother Maman, from above.... This classical pose of my handsome Alpha Romeo easily speaks more than a thousand words about what he's all about... The 3 kids are having a fine time on their holidays and are getting excited about seeing their Mom again in a few short days... It won't be the same around here without them... Not to worry, they have more upcoming vacation time booked at the B&B...

Wild and Free at heart...

 (Left) My little CocoPuff (black tabby) is a most unusual looking kitty.  He's almost a charcoal black with stripes and a light undercoat.  I've never seen another cat like him.... and I've met my fair share of cats... He's adorable, social and sooo friendly... He's visiting for the first time.   He 'hit the ground running' and instantly acclimatized himself to his new environment... He's been having fun playing with Alley & Zaria...

 (Right) An old friend has returned for another visit.... handsome Sunny (Himalayan) started vacationing with us back in 2003.   He's about 19 years old now...and boy, does he ever look good!  He always did, but he hasn't changed much over the years... Nice to see you again SunnySunshine!

(Left) Another of my long time old friends... Moxie (dark tabby) has been coming in since 2002.... He's going on 15 years old... He doesn't jump as much or as high as he used to, but he's still such a handsome big boy.... He sends out a big Southern Hello to his mom in the sunny south...  It's always great to see you again Mr. Mox!

(Right)  A true adventurer and explorer at heart, Lincoln (grey) could spend vast parts of his day surveying the great outdoors... looking for his next prize, or conquest... Sounds like this charmer is quite the hunter... He's agile, athletic and can be a real schmooze... Don't worry Linky... there will still be some wild and free critters out there once your folks get back...