Foster Care for Cats and Kittens

Who could help but love this little guy? Three months old and full of fun and curiosity, he grabbed my heart strings the first time I took his photo on October 2nd at the Metro Animal Services shelter in Puyallup. www.metroanimalservices.org/ I'm there frequently as a volunteer photographer to take photos of the cats and dogs for the shelter's website. (There has been the occasional rabbit and one memorable day - a turkey!)

In the last couple years, there haven't been too many animals who "hooked" me right away. Charlie, our MaltiPoo, did that when I met him in January and he's now a member of our family. Perhaps with this one, it was because he reminded me of our beloved cat who died about a year ago.

 

So it was painful to see "Calvin 2" last Saturday at the shelter's open house. He had contracted the feline respiratory illness which tends to spread rapidly once one of the cat's gets it. This little fuzz ball was sneezing and his eyes were watering. By today when I stopped by, he had stopped eating. 

 

I know a lot of the volunteers and other rescue organizations provide foster care for animals from the shelter when there are too many for the shelter or, as in this case, the animal needs some special care. I told myself that it wouldn't work for us to provide foster care because we already have three other rescued animals, a Siamese cat, Riley; and our two dogs, Charlie and Bella, the lab/greyhound mix. (As I'm typing Riley is curled up in my lap :-))

 

But in talking to long-time volunteers, Dian and Chris, who provide foster care, I was convinced (easily I might add) that I could take care of the little guy in my downstairs bathroom. So guess who came to dinner?! And yes, he's even eating the canned kitten food I bought. I heated it briefly in the microwave and because it smells to high heaven, he could actually smell it and he scarfed down half a can. He's drinking water too. All good signs.

 

What a lover! He has a huge purr motor and loves to be scratched and held. He is quarantined away from Riley, so our home boy doesn't get sick too. There's also a towel at the bottom of the door, so the two cats don't play footsie and Scott will just have to make an appointment to use the downstairs bathroom for the next week or so. I only have outdoor shoots instead of in the studio in the next couple weeks, so we should be able to get Calvin 2 back to health and available for adoption in 10 days or so. Know anyone looking for love? They'll certainly get it from this little guy. On the other hand, if you or anyone you know is interested in providing foster care, the shelter is always looking for volunteers. You can call 253-841-5595 for more information.

 

 

 

Red, Purple - Just Because

Just because. Not because it made sense. Not because there was a lot of forethought. Not because I'm going through mid-life crisis (I've done that). Just because...

I was in Michael's buying paper stock for a project. Going through the checkout stand, I was waited on by a very nice woman with short red hair. I liked it. I complimented her on her hair and found myself saying, "I've never been a redhead. I think you've inspired me!"

An impulse was born. I ran the idea past Scott and the girls. My husband has always been supportive of my "hair-brained" ideas. The girls, on the other hand, gave me mixed reactions. Courtney just smiled and Kendall thought I was nuts, but said if I changed my hair color, I should be a brunette. (I've done that). I'm not sure why I asked for opinions. I had made up my mind walking out of Michael's. I called my hairdresser, Louise. I let her know at the next cut, it would be color time too - red! She asked me to send a photo of the color I had in mind. Do you know how many shades of redhead there are!! And every woman I saw online had alabaster skin too. I'm not so lucky, but knew I was going through with it anyway. 

And so it was - on the day before Thanksgiving, I became a redhead. I came home a little in shock because of the drastic change, but Scott surveyed the new locks and gave his approval. The next morning, however, when I walked into the bathroom and saw myself in the mirror again, I was ready to speed to Safeway, buy a mousy brown color and douse the flames! But I didn't have time to change my hair color before we left for Thanksgiving dinner with family - and the unveiling of my new do. Frankly, the only person I was worried about was my 14 month-old grandson, Ben. If he ran away screaming, I might have to head for mousy brown before seeing him again!

I passed the Ben test, although while feeding him, he was studying me very carefully. But then again, he's a cheerful, risk-taking little fellow (takes after his Nana B), demonstrated by the delight he got and gave as he pranced around the room with a plastic bowl on his head. He definitely upstaged me!


Other family members were wonderfully indulgent about the new look. My brother-in-law even told me I didn't look as tired! Thanks, Jon!

Today, I took pics of my new locks for the record. And if you're asking whether these photos have been retouched... You betcha! I use the same magic lens cream for my own photos that I do for others who wish to defy time a little longer.

I'm not sure how long this impulse will last, but for now - I'm color coordinated with my cat, Calvin. And as Jenny Joseph said in the last stanza of her poem about growing old:

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised 
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple. (Hair, just like my grandmother's). BonnieKingPhotography.com

Cats, Classmates & City Council Candidates

Calvin is our seven year-old pink Siamese. This is a cat with ATTITUDE! He loves running water and even though I've spoiled him with his own water fountain, he prefers drinking from the faucet in the bathroom sink. If I'm in the bathroom, so is he. And if the water isn't running, I get the cold shoulder. He'll sit on the counter, facing the corner with his back to me, and his ears flat. Reminds me of the tactics some people use to get attention. When he does get his way, I'm usually trying to brush my teeth. That's why I often have a cat with Crest toothpaste cinnamon-flavored ears!

Last Wednesday, I drove to Centralia to have lunch with high school classmates who had driven from Vancouver/Portland. I had seen Bev Farr and Barb Church at our 40th class reunion (about which they had to remind me - and I promise I wasn't even drinking!). Barb had pictures to prove I was there with Scott and his Harley Davidson. I had gotten it in my head I'd only gone to the 20th reunion. That one I do remember! What is it they say about long term and short term memory as you get older? I don't remember.

I also had a chance to catch up with Russ Alway. Found out he had a crush on me in high school, when I only considered him a good bud. He remembered my mom and dad very well - which I found touching, commenting on how much I look like my mother. He said my dad was like a friend to him.

We talked about our families - everyone is married, if not necessarily to the first spouse. The exception is Barb, whose been married nearly 40 years. We shared pictures of children, grandchildren, enjoyed good food and even better company at McMenamin's Olympic Club in historic downtown Centralia.

This week has been the week for taking pictures of municipal city council candidates. It was interesting to find out what motivated John and Phyllis to get involved in local politics. John Palmer is running for the second district position on the Puyallup City Council. The position is being vacated and he's been the chair of the Puyallup Planning Commission for a number of years and wants to stay involved. Before he left, I ended up with a campaign sign in my front yard. With a smile, I told him that was going to cost him extra!

Phyllis Forister is running against a long-time incumbent for the Renton City Council. She's motivated by library issues about which she feels very strongly. We'd met last fall when I was taking photos at the Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) apartment complex where they live. She said someone had asked why she didn't go to JC Penny's to have her photo taken. I was flattered when she told them she wanted a really good picture for the campaign.

Unlike my cat (hope they'll pardon the comparison), these are not people who stand in a corner until they get their way. They are making their voices heard and getting involved. I wish them both the best of luck. BonnieKingPhotography.com