The Year of the Tiger

The year of the tiger…if ever there was a year for us, this has to be it! Out to ARK for Christmas, and then back to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s keeping as low a profile as possible. We were in desperate need of some time to refresh and regroup, and though the New Year’s holiday is more important for our Japanese friends, Christmas is the one holiday that has the most meaning for me and David. It was really nice for us to be able to enjoy Christmas Day with friends. Also nice for us to be able to catch up on some rest, in the days afterward, and to go out to see a movie. Of course all of the usual things had to be done, but it was good letting go of worrying about some of the details for a short time. Now it’s a new year and a fresh start, so hoping to find the positive energy to go forward with that. Good news right away, on New Year’s Day, from the couple that recently adopted Wednesday and Hansel, now Cha-cha and Co-co. The above picture is of them! Sounds (and looks) like the two have settled into their new digs nicely.

Sharon, our new volunteer, was certainly a big boost. She came out for a visit and left with Tricky and Gretel to foster. Tricky had returned from his long stay at the vet’s clinic, and we were so pleased to get him into a home environment right away. He’s doing well now, but there are always many things he could pick up staying in the shelter, and we think he’s the weakest of his bunch. Gretel was a perfect friend to go with him, and Sharon says they were instant buddies. Sharon also took on Suki while her foster family is traveling for the holidays. Since we already have Rose and Daisy back for a short time, it was a huge help finding an alternate placement for Suki. Rose and Daisy do seem to be enjoying their home away from home! They love snuggling on the bed together and watching birds perch on the high temple roof outside our window. Daisy talks and talks to the birds, but never seems disappointed when they are not fooled and do not come any closer. It’s amazing to see the energy these two beautiful cats have…they run, jump, and chase each other up and down the stairs! Sometimes with their little bobbing tails, they look more like miniature deer than cats. We so very much hope for the best, for these two dear survivors. Perhaps life in a home with Amanda will roll the dice in their favor, and give them the lucky lives they deserve. I have to admit, I’ll miss Rosie’s quiet little snuggles…she creeps into my lap and curls into a ball (as she is right now), before I even know she’s there.

Bruce’s wound is almost completely healed, and he has turned out to be a big friendly bear of a cat. However, George and Sasquatch our resident kitten care taking big boys would beg to differ. They’re just grumpy about having to compete for the biggest baby title. Bruce was staying in the kitten room for his rehab, and started going out into the kitten enclosure, when he was feeling better. His immense size causes him to yawn (literally) when any of the other cats growl or try to boss him around. I did see little Skippy swat at him for crowding the food dish (in Bruce’s defense, his one really is a crowd!), with no response, so I don’t think he is an aggressive cat. We don’t want to return him, given he was injured at the Biwako site, and we have yet to get final approval on the new shelter to go up out there. We just have so many adult cats currently looking for homes here, not to mention the kittens. Then there is Nigel…not the friendly boy he seemed to be when trapped for neutering. We now think he was probably just too terrified to resist! He’s one of those sad “duckers” who lower their heads as if they are preparing to be hit, when we reach out to pet him. I guess he’s not been treated well by people, sometime in his past. He always seeks out a place to hide, preferably outside in the kitten enclosure, when released from his cage for playtime. We would need more help than we currently have, in order put a good effort into trying to re-socialize him. As is, he’s just not happy here or adoptable, so we’re still thinking about what to do. Maybe a kind soul will want to take him on soon, as a foster!

Excited to be starting the year off with a good stock of cat and kitten food! We had some nice donations of food this month, as well as some cash that we used to make an additional food order, from an online sale. We were able to find Sumi’s liquid diet at half the price we had been paying at the local shop! Perfect timing, as we were getting very low on supplies, and the growing kittens continue to eat more everyday. Hoping to be able to process some new adoptions soon, now that the holidays are over, and folks are returning to their homes. See last month’s pictures on December’s photo page…