Tag: Zander

RIP Zander-Kitty

Always so hard to say goodbye.

Zander-Kitty (Z-Man)
2011 (??) – 2024

He came to us in 2013 and immediately made himself everyone’s cat.

Everyone was his friend – if you were in the house, he came to you for pets and to observe whatever you might be doing – repair person, dinner guests, clients – didn’t matter.

He loved his garden time, never left the backyard, and always came when called. He was very dog-like. His size and feet made us think he was at least part Mainecoon. The first week he was here, I cannot tell you how many times I counted his toes – his feet were so big, I was sure he was polydactyl.

He wasn’t allowed on the table, but he broke that rule often. Loved to be petted, but never picked up. But he was always by my side or sitting next to my shoulder, just within scritching distance.

He had liver cancer and I feel blessed we had him around for six pretty healthy weeks to adjust to his eventual departure. Still hard.

Here he is with his best friend Gabe, may they romp through the grasses of heaven together now.

So photogenic

Welcome Little Willow

Willodene Jolene has landed.

 

She’s about 6-7 months old, which completely goes against my “oldest/longest kitty in the shelter” rule. After fostering a mama (Missy) and her five 1-day old kittens (Jake!) I swore off kittens forever.

But this girl picked me, so who am I to refuse?

Once it’s determined my new additions are healthy, it’s difficult to keep them separated. Zander found a way to sneak out the second day. Gabe barely lasted a day before he was out, sleeping on Bixby. Sully lasted 3 days and was glued to my lap after that, and this little one insisted on meeting everyone by the morning of her third day here and hasn’t looked back.

She thinks the dogs are just big friends. And has been known to walk over them on the couch. She follows Zander around like a little sister. He was a little annoyed at first but now seems to take great pride in it.

She and Sully play reluctantly. He’s still a little miffed…but she’s hard to resist.

I got him a new bed to make up for it. He appears to be appeased.

She has been claiming the couch…much to Scout’s annoyance.

The ducks fascinate her (and please forgive the drool covered window, you can imagine how difficult it is to keep up with cleaning it off).

She and Trixie had a nice game of hide (in the box) and seek the other night.

I had forgotten how much more work it is to train a kitten! And they are kind of stinky, LOL. Today, after I took her off the table for the third time (in a row) she sat at my feet and mewed pitifully, so I picked her up and snuggled her for a while. I’d say her training of me is coming along just fine.

She’s just what this house needed.