Sir Tigger's big journey...sweet passage, old man

Sir Tigger as he begins his solo journey last night

Sir Tigger has died. He was 20+ years old.

Tigger was an important cat to me and I told him this often this week because I knew he was getting ready to go on his journey. He came to us from the shelter in 2016 and along with Anna and Yume were the first cats we adopted out of the shelter. He was important because when we arrived in Maine I was excited but was also mourning my old Oregon farm -having Tigger in the barn felt like home and he truly helped in my transition. He also looked like Big Tony who came with us from Oregon and went onto live another year. So after Big Tony died, Tigger also helped me.

Tig started failing this year and a couple days ago it was clear he was dying. He was in no distress and yesterday morning I held him and knew he was hardly there. I put him in a basket and checked on him all day. When I left him at dinner I said goodbye knowing he would be gone. He died shortly after from all indications.

Tigger came to us after his elder owner went to a home. He lived another 4+ years and had a peaceful passing. He was his own cat, never one for snuggles, but accepting scratches and a hug or two. In the end,, he was so tiny, he was like a wisp of his former self, like little old men you might see walking who barely have a waistline anymore. I am grateful he could die in his own terms-that is so him, to be on his own terms.

Sir Tigger last year

When women merge with cats

This is the current sale piece at the shop. It is called "Woman Merging with Cat". I know many of my readers have merged with cats and are perfectly accepting of the situation.

I also caught these photos a couple days ago from the Elder Cat Suite.

Sir Tigger sits as Noritsu's shadow lurks

Noritsu

The old cat gets older

Sir Tigger, who was one of the first elder cats we adopted out of the shelter once in Maine, has turned 18. He was the oldest elder for a long time but last month we brought on Gilda a twenty year old and her 15 year old son. Tig doesn't mind, he takes life pretty casually, hanging back from the crowd, not fearful of anything but not a bully either. He will let you know when he is not in the mood for what you might be in the mood for.

He came with the name Tigger, and I added the Sir to it...it is fitting and if you ever meet him you will understand.

If you like our work with the elders, consider a donation, or visit our Wish List page where you can buy cat food for Tigger and friends. {Thank you}

Old cat ballet

The sun comes in the elder cat suite in a vibrant way. They have panoramic views of The Wood. They all love to gather, and sun.

There is something so beautiful about the way a cat can sit, and sit, and sit, and then make a slight adjustment to his stance and it creates another beautiful pose, or gesture of emotion, like ballet.

{If you like our Elder Cat Suite, please consider a donation or visit the Apifera Farm Wish List too. Thank you}.

Happy 17th to Sir Tigger

Today is Sir Tigger's 17th birthday. He and fellow elders in the Cat Suite got a special bunch of cat treats sent by friends of Apifera. Tigger spent over a year at the shelter after his owner passed and he was a favorite of many of the employees there. He's a wonderful, stoic guy, doesn't take any gruff but likes a good scratch, on his terms. Every morning when I enter the cats have their posts, and they all get greeted and petted and held. I always pick Tig up first.

I also want to thank everyone that sent cat food in the past couple weeks! Wow, our delivery box runneth over. I am so grateful! We have enough for a couple months at least and it really helps. I took weights today and was disappointed to see that little Maxine had lost 1/2 pound which is a lot for her tiny size. I think I will have to sit with her while she eats, or even crate her in morning to make sure she is getting all her food. She seems a little depressed to me. Coincidently, The Magnificent Maurice Mittens went up 1/2 pound. Hmmmm.....

IF YOU SENT CAT FOOD, please let me know-not all the boxes had gift tags in them, which is easy to overlook when you order. I know most of you, but let me know so I can be sure to get you on the Meow List for year end surprises.

Conversation of old cats

Sir Tigger, was 17 when his owner went into a home and he ended up in the shelter.

"She is on her way," Sir Tigger said as he kept his nose close to the bottom of the door.

"She's late this morning!" said Anna.

"There be others she cares for besides us's, or is it we's," said Yume, in her broken English. Yuma was born in Japan and was a stray, so her English, and grammar, are still a work in progress. And learning a new language at an elderly age becomes a longer process for most.

"I got to sleep more, this was good," said the tea cup cat, Maxine.

And then there was a loud thud on the ground.

It was The Magnificant Maurice Mittens who had recently been returned to the shelter for reasons unknown. He arrived with the name Mittens but was grateful his new caretaker adjusted is name,

"as I am more magnificent than a mitten!" he announced.

Maurice Mittens sauntered over to Sir Tigger, and stood behind him. The two got along, but there was a feeling in the air that Maurice could take over if he wanted to, bt he didn't want to. And Tigger liked to stay out of trouble by backing off of any body encounter with another felines.

The door opened, the sing song woman voice said the usual,

"Good Morning! What a great day to be a cat!"

And she plopped down a big box.

"Look what came for us?" she told them all.

They all gathered, except Yume and Anna who watched from their perches.

Inside were cans and cans...and they knew exactly what was in those cans...judging by the tail swishes and humming purrs.

"I hope it's the Seafood Combo," said Maurice.

So you see, dear readers, when you send a gracious gift of canned cat food to the senior felines, a conversation does happen, and appreciation is shown via tail swishes and grrrrr's.

{Apifera Farm is a 501[c][3] and all your donations are tax deductible.}

The Magnificent Maurice Mittens had been returned to the shelter for unknown reasons

Anna was loved, but sent to the shelter in her elder years reasons unknown. Yume  was born in Japan and lost her owners due to another oversea job change and they could not take her.

Maxine is 5# and on thyroid for life. She was sent to shelter at 12.

Anna sent to shelter for reasons unknown

Apifera opens our heart to more elders!

The very petite, thin and elderly Maxine

I brought home two more needy, elderly cats from the Lincoln County Shelter today. I had been watching to see if Maxine would be adopted, but knew it was doubtful. She's been at the shelter awhile and has a thyroid condition and is on twice daily meds. She is very petite and thin with very matted hair. But what a sweet cat she is. I'm glad I went and got her and she is fitting in well. I try to find out why animals are relinquished to the shelter when I adopt them. Many times an elderly person dies, or becomes unable to care for themselves let alone an animal. Some times it is an unexpected life change or trauma. All of these situations deserve our empathy. But it's getting harder to be empathetic to people that simply grow weary of caring for an elderly animal and relinquish them. I of course don't know the entire story, just what the intake papers say. There was an article today that I read about how there are now way more elder cats in shelters versus kittens.

But Maxine is here now, and I will do right by her. I also brought home a beautiful big man named 'Mittons". I'm sorry, as much as I like the name, I was saying "Mitt" and that just won't do for a whole bunch of reasons, so Mittons needs a new name to coincide with his beautiful gray color and fabulous physique. He is very sweet and after spending his first half hour in the corner, became more active. The other elders-Anna, Sir Tiger and Yume-have been gracious. I hope that continues. You just have to let them be at some point. I spent a good hour with everyone and it was peaceful. To think Yume spent her first month in a box with Anna hissing at her, now they rub noses and coincide-as long as food barriers are met.

I had a real calling to do this today. I had not planned it. But I awoke and just started thinking about getting more elder cats to Apifera. I am getting to know the people at this particular shelter too and they are passing my name out to animal control officers who need to find homes for goats and other creatures in emergency cases. So I felt I was meant to go there today.

They were kind enough to send me home with some canned food. Tig is now on it which means I have t give a smidgen to Yume and Anna. But now Maxine needs it so...I was grateful. If anyone wants to donate canned cat food to Apifera, it is greatly appreciated.

I would also like to ask for your donations for our continuing animal work. Any amount helps. My goal is to build a real war chest per se, so I can have a good base for feed and vet calls. I also found a new vet I want to bring out for the cats. She is highly recommended by many and I'm excited to get her out here and meet her. So your donations will help me do that. Someone recently gave a nice donation so I can get every Apiferian vaccinated for rabies-there have been rabies cases nearby and Maine has an issue with it. Of course our equines and dogs/cats have had the shot, but I never had to do sheep, goats or pigs. SO I was so happy to get that generous donation and rabies shots happen in two weeks.

You can donate here at the blog [if you want to send a check, or canned food, contact me]. Again, I love what I do, but it is expensive and your donations help a lot of animals, and help me to continue. Thank you.

This photo does not do this big man justice, he is a beautiful gray

Sir Tigger the giant sloth toed magnificent feline

Anna now sits politely with Yume

Cats and books, cats and books

The new Itty Bitty & Big Etta books are scheduled to arrive tomorrow, pending good weather for delivery!

I am always nervous to get new books. No matter how many times I check and recheck for errors, there is usually something I am not happy with. I seem to learn new techniques and tips with each book though. So, fingers crossed for this little gem to arrive safely.

I imagine it will also bring up some buried emotion I have about Itty herself. I really do miss her and still have sadness that she is not with us. But every time I hear a car go by on the very close busy road, every time I come in the house and know Itty would have been right there ready to sneak out, I know what happened was probably for the best, because she would have been unhappy inside 24/7. Big Tony on the other hand, happy as a clam.

When I get those feelings, I focus on what is here...now...the animals that are in my charge need me, and are beautiful creatures too. There will never be another Itty, or another "insert name of any Misfit of the past, but there are many Misfits to come.

And the current elders living in the Elder Cat Suite are bringing me lots of happiness. I have much to do in the to make it extra healing for cats and visitors–although the current perches seem to be very acceptable to the cats. There is plenty of room for more residents, but there is no need to rush. The right cats in need will present themselves. I still need to paint the murals, find an area rug that is durable, and find a farm table for guests. Money is always tight, so we will make do as we go along. I'm hoping by summer I can have some Elder Cat Suite .

So, with the new book's arrival, please note that any donation of $50 or more gets you a book. People have asked me to post a list of needs, but right now, money is really the best gift–for litter and food.

The healing and healers are settling in

A video posted by Katherine Dunn / Apifera Farm (@katherinedunnapiferafarm) on Dec 9, 2016 at 9:02am PST

The newly arrived residents of the Healing Cat Cottage are settling into their new routine. Like most elder cats, they enjoy long naps, a good dish of food, some sun streaming in the windows with views out into the trees. We have room for more and I have my eyes open, but for now, I am doing communings with the cats, reassuring them by strokes that they are in a safe spot.

Tigger is opening up. He is 16 and his owner had to go into a home. Heartbreak of a story heard over and over. Tig is independent, allowing the other cats to sit near him, but he seems to be more of a solo guy. He has started to get up when I come into the room, a good sign. He likes to be petted, but when he is finished, he lets you know, not in an aggressive way, just by saying in body language,

I am finished now, please let me be.

People have asked what they can donate to the Healing Cat Room. One kind person sent a brand new crate, since I had to leave mine behind in the move as I had so many. Another sent a cat felted cabbie basket. Right now, the barn is evolving and I'll post if there are needs later, which there will be. Money is the best gift now-food, vets, litter, etc.

The first Healing Cat Cottage residents!

On Friday we went to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. I had had a talk with the supervisor on the phone about my goals here, and when we arrived, it seems the employees had all heard about it and were happy to meet us. The people there were very nice, I was really impressed and am so glad I could take on some elders. We have room for more so I will be keeping a close eye on their intakes. It was hard to leave any of them behind, but they are being well cared for by staff and volunteers. People have asked what they can send me for the Elder Cat Suite which I really appreciate! I will be honest, the best gift is always...money. It allows me to purchase the most necessary things-litter, food, meds, and possible vet needs. I plan to have small reading days there so people of all ages can visit with the cats, and Misfits, drawing days...all sorts of things with one simple mission-bring animal and people together for mutual healing.

So, please meet the first residents of the Elder Cat Suite:

Anna was loved and cared for and originally came from Virginia. She is over nine and has had most of her teeth removed due to infection. She is on a special needs diet due to her intolerance of certain foods. Anna's photo made my heart skip a beat as she reminded me of Itty Bitty, but upon meeting her I realized Anna is...her own cat. She is Anna and is very personable.At this point she is the greeter in the cat suite.. She loves to held and petted and shows no signs of aggression or ill-use. She is currently independent of the other two cats.

This 16 year old gentleman is so handsome and came with the name Tigger, but we added a "Sir' to represent the respect we have for him.  He definitely responds to his name. His owner had to go into a home and could not take the cat–a sad story we all hear too many times and somehow the system could do better on this, couldn't they? I am always a sucker for this story, it is a dread we all have of having to go into a home, especially one without animals. So Tigger is getting lots of love right now and reassurance. He is quite independent, so far. He does respond to petting and on day three, today, we had a nice long morning rub down, which he really liked. He also has extra toes, but hates to have his feet touched, so far. He is in very good shape and also lets the very shy bob tail cat sleep near him.

This 13 year old bob tailed calico is very shy at the moment. She came with the name Money Penny but I am searching for a new name for her because she has a very interesting past. She was born in Japan and came to her owner as a pregnant stray. Due to her job, the owner relocated and brought her cats with her to the US. Another job move to Sweden came upon them, and the cats could not come. The two cats that lived with this girl were adopted already, leaving Money penny alone and scared. When we went to the shelter, she was hiding behind cages. Upon arriving here, she immediately hid so well I could not find her-she was buried in some straw. She lets me pet her, and this morning we had a long love session together, while she hid under a blanket. I massaged her with long, slow back strokes and had her purring up a storm. I think in time she will come around. Her intake papers say she is independent and I think she will remain that way...but you never know. Time is what she needs. She is 13.

Donate $50 or more and you get an Itty Bitty & Big Etta Book [due out February 1, 2017 or choose between "Donkey Dream" and "Misfits of Love".

Add any amount below you'd like. {Email me if you want to pay in another way}.