Thank you and Happy Birthday Mo!
Everyone here at Colehaus Cats wishes to take a moment to wish this very special friend a very special Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday, Mo! May your day be filled with special wishes, many thank yous, much love, and countless purrs.
And Thank You, Mo, for all you do for so many of us all year long. Thank YOU!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Itty – Photo courtesy of West Columbia Gorge Humane Society, 2016
Wednesday we introduced you to Itty, a ginger girl in need of care and in our foster care for 2016. She has a great purr that comes easy. But she also suffers from occasional nightmares, starting with whimpers in her sleep that sometimes turn to loud howls. Luckily, a soothing voice seems to help on that front.
She also has trust issues, given her upheaval to and from the shelter, away from her owner who, turns out due to a medical disability, was no longer able to care for her, Itty’s hesitancy and caution are not hard to understand and sympathize with.
We’ve given her an unofficial middle name of “Ms. Growly-Pants” since every little thing sets her off growling. Then again, we’re also beginning to think of this as just another form of communication for her, not necessarily a negative form, but perhaps one of discovering unfamiliar things and activities. For example, just yesterday, she discovered the scratchy posts of Ruby’s tower. And while she was sharpening her claws, Itty was growling. See? Not a bad thing, this growling at all.
That should be it, it’s enough, but it’s not. On top of growliness and distrust, this sweetheart comes with something else. We’re calling it her special feature: Itty has ear polyps.
Itty – Photo courtesy of West Columbia Gorge Humane Society, 2016
Itty has suffered chronic ear infections since her surrender in 2014 and probably had them for years before then. Surgery in 2015 removed a non-cancerous mass and soon after, the ear infection returned. An additional surgery will likely be scheduled this summer, for the polyp has grown back, and paid for by the shelter through an arrangement with their terrific veterinarian office. It is possible she may eventually lose her hearing in her left ear.
As you might imagine, all that attention to her ears has left her cranky and skeptical of the intentions of most people, hence her distrust. She requires daily ear drops, twice weekly ear flushes, and is currently on a strictly monitored, tapering dose of Prednisolone. We’d be fibbing if we said she really looks forward to receiving any of those.
Feisty foster Itty – 2016 – © Colehauscats.com
She’s also on a strict diet that is thought to help quiet the inflammation that feeds infection. We know ginger girls usually are a bit higher strung than most and run a high level of anxiety as the norm. In the shelter setting, a free-roam environment, she had her favorite nap spots but still needed to maneuver amongst and around a few other cats. And she was unable to stick to her special diet. Here, while bunking with ever-so-quiet and very accommodating Ruby, Itty has run of the room without feeling the need to “stake a claim” and has taken to her diet like a champ, though wet food is definitely something she wants little do to with.
Itty love her foster dad. Already! – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
She already loves her foster Dad (ALL the ginger girls here do) and probably not surprisingly, she has mixed feelings about her foster Mom because Mom is the one who best administers those medications. And Mom was TREMENDOUSLY GIDDY over discovering firsthand Itty came with very well clipped claws.
Itty likes being read to – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
Now we’re all settling in, finding daily routine, and learning about each other. Itty loves to be read to… which is good because with her clipped claws she’d have trouble turning the pages. We just finished reading, “The Devil in White City” and Itty gave it a partial thumbs up. We think that’s because she missed the first half of the book.
Itty goes growly-pants crazy over catnip – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
And another growly-pants thing: She goes Growly-Pants crazy over catnip and then gets all whappy paws.
And she needs a good Furminator brushing because she has a very dense undercoat that has pilled up, but because of that trust issue we mentioned, Itty isn’t keen on having anything below her neck touched so, our usual nightly brushie routine, the one everyone else loves, hasn’t won us any favors with her yet. But no worries. We have patience and we believe she’ll open up to that eventually. Patrol Sergeant Zuzu had the same feeling toward brushing in the beginning and now, she’d jump through flaming hoops to get her nightly brushing fix.
Love Itty – 2016 © Colehauscats.com
That’s our new foster. Itty is a beauty and has special features that we’re hoping to help her with over the next 4-6 months. We also hope you”ll continue give her a big welcome as we did and send her soft purrs on occasion!
Itty is just so beautiful, and has been through so much, the sweet darling. I would so much love to take her into our home (of four male former stray cats…but hey, who’s counting?), but we’re on the other side of the pond here in Ireland. What I will do, of course, is to send her lots of love and keep her in my thoughts, knowing that her foster mom and dad will keep her safe and warm, comfy and very loved until the wonderful day comes when Itty will find her forever home.
Thank you for taking her into your home and into your hearts, and taking such wonderful care of this lovely girl.
She is such a beautiful girl. Bless you for taking her in and tending to her with patience and love.
Awe, what a pretty girl! I can see where she’d be kinda growly, hope she gets over it soon though!
She’s a beautiful girl. We know she will open up thanks to your love and your patience. Purrs
Poor Itty, she does have some problems and we can’t blame her for growling. We sure do thank you for taking such good care of her and we are sure she will get to feeling better as soon as those ears are straightened out. Thanks again.
Itty is such a pretty girl and we hope she stops being scared and starts to get used to being with you all. Maybe Zuzu would be a good companion for her as she was slow to join in with you all at first.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
It is wonderful that she found your house for love and help. She’s lovely and you can’t blame her for being growly (at least for now).
Itty, you are a gorgeous orange kitty girl, and we are sending you lots of purrs and prayers that you will build confidence and trust in your new loving foster home. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
When I first adopted Miss Annabelle, she was very skittish too! Lots of love and patience and she’s a total love-bug now! I know Itty will learn the same thing once she realizes you love her and are doing things to make her veel better. 🙂
poor sweetheart. She has had A LOT to contend with. I feel bad for her owner too, the person must be heartbroken. So glad Itty is with you, she couldn’t be anyplace better! She is gorgeous! catchatwithcarenandcody
Pobrezinha ela ainda sente-se insegura, mas tenho certeza que o amor e paciência de vocês mudar isso, e ela vai ser muito feliz!
pretty girl. we know she will come to trust you in time….she is in great hands and paws!!
itty….we can send soft purrs, de blessings oh st francis, ham samiches & trout !!! we R sorree ya’ve had such a time oh it, but if therz any houz that can make ya feel rite at home….itz colehouse ….take yur time settlin in…coz ya can… & heerz two a flathead sculpin kinda week oh end two all ♥♥♥
She is *such* a sweetheart and so lucky to have you caring for her! (The Devil in the White City was pawsome!!!!!!!!!!)
Oh my cats! Itty darlin’ just one of those issues would make me a growly pants too. Mom told me ear infections are baaaad in humans so I expect in a kitty they are twice as bad.
Sending sweet nothings and healing kitty kisses
You have landed in the purfect foster house
Hugs
Madi your bffff
I’m so glad Itty is spending time with you guys – you sound like the perfect humans to help her through her issues.
She’s such a pretty girl!
Hi Miss Kitty and a warm (but quiet) welcome. You have a wonderful foster family and will be fine despite the various eardrops and brushies. My cat had repeated ear infections and it turns out that he has a food allergy to chicken imagine that. Enjoy your story time and we look forward to updates!!
Itty is a lovely ginger girl cat and we know she will also be a cool cat one of these days 🙂
Aw, sending lot of purrs to sweet Itty. She is in the right and perfect loving place and hands with you as her foster, how wonderful.
Awww, purrs and pawhugs x 7 for pretty Itty from the HighCats.
I think with all the love around you, you will get healed in no time, Itty. Healing Pawkisses and purrayers 🙂 <3
Poor Itty has had some rough times. I hope she will relax and enjoy the love you have to offer.
Itty, you have found the purrfect place to help you become less growly. Though we think it’s kinda cute that you do.
Itty is beautiful. She has found a good and loving foster home with you, and hopefully she will relax and enjoy her life without needing to growl at everything.
You have made me happies and mommy too with this wonderful writing about this beauty’s welcome into the family and some of her personality.
She is truly beautiful. If there is a place that is perfect for her temporarily it is with you. thanks and keep on writing about her.
Emma and Buster
Itty is such a pretty girl! We’re sure you guys will be able to help her.
We think she will adjust and figure out things, in her own time of course. Itty is such a pretty girl and we’re all sending purrs her way.
We send soft purrs to Itty. This was such a wonderful post and told us so much about her. It’s so kind of you to foster this girl. She’s not without her health problems but what a great and pretty girl she is! We’re sure she’ll come around with all the care and love she receives from you.
Itty is special just being a ginger girl!!! Thank you for working with her issues. We have all special needs so know what is involved. It is well worth the effort.
Itty you’ve been through a lot and I can understand how upsetting it is for you. YOu need some stability and you will learn to trust. WE will love gettin to know you over the next months.
Poor sweet kitty.
She will do fine with all the love she is getting now…
Noodle and crew
Itty sure has been through a lot. THANK YOU, dear friends, for taking this beautiful ladycat in, and giving her the love and care she needs.
Happy belated birthday Mo and welcome beautiful Itty!!!
Thank you Carol and Steve for taking in and loving and caring for Itty. I am so thrilled this girl is out of the shelter and beginning to settle in to a great life where she will be able to heal. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Thank you for allowing us to help Itty become the best kitty she can be!
Oh Miss Itty you have come to the purrfect home for TLC and help to get better. We are sending POTP and luvs from our house to you.
Marty and the Gang