The major "downside" of owning a pet is dealing with their poop. Purrsonally I don't mind scooping the poop. One of the reasons I'm not really a dog purrson is having to pick up poop **without a scoop** and then carrying it around until a garbage bin can be found; but I digress. As a Cat-Sitter I have been able to experience all of the litter options out there and I'm here to tell you there are a myriad of litters! The question I get asked the most is which litter is the best litter? The answer to that question isn't as easy, as I believe that the best cat litter solution varies from home to home. Ultimately you don't want it to be too stinky and you don't want it tracked all over the place but most importantly your kitty needs to like using it. There's no point having a litter that everyone says is great but your cat ignores. Once the pooping or peeing outside the litterbox habit forms it is a bugger to break. Kitties are intelligent creatures and purrfur fastidiously clean places to toilet. When they decide they don't like the toilet you have provided for them and poop or pee outside the box they then watch with amazement as their hoomans go to great lengths to clean it up. Aha they think, that's what I'll do in future....problem solved (for kitty - not for the hoomans). Eeck. Not all litters are created equal. Gone are the days when there were no real choices other than, "do I want purrfume in my clay litter?". The answer to that easy question is NEVER - I'll explain why as we go through the list. Following is a list of the different options out there now and my rundown of the Pros and Cons. I will give them a rating of 1-10 1 being bad,bad,bad and 10 being the premium option. Now remember this is only my opinion.....kitty may disagree. To research this blog post I looked at other sites that rate litters and it was pretty obvious to me that most people rated litters based on how much of a kickback they get from affiliate links. Why you ask? Because most of them list Clay based litters as the best litters out there and that is just patently untrue. Let's start there - Clumping Clay Litters Rating 1 (Bad, Bad, Bad) I lost a kitty once, 20+ years ago when the only litters out there were clay based litters. She developed a mass in her abdomen that was basically the consistency of concrete. Nothing could get past and nothing could really be done by the time we realized what was going on. Clumping Clay litters are designed to absorb fluids and form hard concrete-like clumps that are easy to scoop out of the litterbox by using a specific kind of clay called Sodium Bentonite. Now think about how your cats clean themselves. They lick themselves clean. So, inevitably the clay gets onto their paws as they dig around in the box and then as they clean themselves they ingest this concrete like substance. Over time this builds up in their colons and causes blockages or at the very least, Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Which makes all the litter box "stuff" so much worse. Diarrhea, stinky poops, the list goes on. And..... kitty feels miserable. Then there is the environmental travesty that comes along with strip mining all this clay. According to a Stanford Study 75% of all clumping clay litters have Sodium Bentonite in them to create the clumps. This stuff is "harvested" by strip mining. Ugh. But that's not all.....The industrial footprint involved in the physical process of all this mining includes enormous energy costs. First mining the clay, then baking it dry, then crushing and rolling it to achieve the desired litter texture. And finally this stuff is heavy! So..... shipping it around the world has a huge carbon footprint in itself. Then there’s the matter of what happens after kitty has pooped and we have scooped. Clay (and silica-based) litters are not biodegradable. It doesn't break down because it is already in it's final form. Instead, it sits in our landfills, piling up and creating mountains of poop that doesn't decompose. According to the Washington Post, in the United States, there are 5 billion pounds of clay mined each year to be used for kitty litter. And, the real kicker, as soon as there is any humidity in the environment - weather is changeable y'all - the clumps don't "clump" but create sticky gross smelling sludge that sticks to the bottom of the litter box and to kitty's paws. I've found this sludge in all sorts of places, including on pillows on the bed. Yuck! It also makes litterbox clean up sooooooo much more complicated than it needs to be. The non-clumping clay litters also get a 1 - because they are always wet so therefore stink, kitty can still ingest them and cause havoc and all the environmental travesties remain. So purrleaze, consider moving away from Clay based litters. For everyone's sakes. And perfume, Just NO! All is does is add extra chemicals for Kitty to ingest and they don't make anything smell better. In fact, in my opinion, perfumes do little to mask the smells but they do make it smell worse. Cloying sweetness with Poop just doesn't go together. Silica Based Litter - Rating 2 (Bad) The biggest drawback for Silica Based litters for me is that it doesn't clump, which means the pee just sits around getting stinkier and stinkier until you completely change it out. And I don't know about you, but can you imagine what fastidious kitty must think about walking around on it's on own pee. The silica gel is sodium silicate sand that is processed with oxygen and water and turned into "beads" with tiny pores in it. Apparently it can absorb about 40 times its weight in liquid. It's similar to desiccant “do not eat” packets you find in all manner of things that need to stay dry - mainly medications and leather products. The "good news" is that silica crystal litters are specifically formulated to be safe for cats and do not contain crystalline silicate, which can be harmful to cats if ingested. However I find the silica litters to be really dusty - they get my sinuses running more than any other litter. I always silently think of them as being akin to asbestos - little shards of glass that can only do harm...no matter what the marketing tells me. And speaking of marketing. The oh-so trendy Pretty Litter that is out there now - the one that turns different colors depending on the pH of your kitties pee is an example of very clever marketing, preying on cat owners insecurities and "promising" to keep kitty safe. Frankly if you're scooping the tray daily you'll soon know if there is anything up without the need for fancy litter that changes color. Blood in urine for example shows in every litter if you actually look at it. Finally the environmental cost of mining the silica is just as bad as for clay litters. My opinion - move onto another option. There are plenty! Paper Based Litters - Rating 4 (Getting There) I remember being so excited when these first hit the market. I was living in Europe at the time and there were no options other than Clay based litters. After our experience I rushed in head first. I liked the idea of using recycled paper; Environmentally friendlier - check. No concrete clumps - check It is supposedly three times more absorbent than clay litter with “effective” odor control and is 99.7% dust-free. It comes in both pellet form and clumping form. It has big draw backs though, the major one is that it gets wet and stays wet. Once again kitty is walking around on her own pee. And in my experience it STINKS. Hard Pass for me nowadays but I did use it for years. We put the litter boxes in a room we didn't hang out in too often and changed it out completely every 5-7 days. Grass Based Litters - Rating 6 (OK) No, it's not actual grass like you would use for your bunny. It's grass that's been made into little pellets. The major drawback for me is the price, I would say it's the priciest option out there as it does need to be changed out a lot. Once the pellets start to dissolve it doesn't really do it's job any more and can get stinky really quickly. When it is fresh it smells a lot like hay. I grew up on Dairy farms so quite like that smell but I can imagine that some people (and kitties) might not like the barn-yard aspect of it. One way to combat the barn-yard smell would be to mix it with another litter with Pro-Biotics in it. I do this at home with my corn based litter which can also smell a little bit like the hummus you find on the ground of a forest. A natural smell but not so "fresh". Now we're getting into the territory of biodegradable litters that manufacturers often market as being "flushable". While they can be flushed. please don't do it. I'll explain why later. It's sustainable - Check It's Biodegradable - Check It's natural (no added chemicals, dyes or perfumes) - Check It's lightweight - Check It's affordable - Check My opinion - give it a try and see what kitty thinks. Wheat and Barley Based Litters - Rating 7 (Good) Wheat and Barley based litters are very similar in almost every way to corn litter. It looks pretty much the same and clumps the same. It’s a little cheaper than the major corn brand but not by much. For me I rate it lower because it is very dusty, which means it tracks like crazy, and the hummus like smell is stronger than most of the corn based litters. It's sustainable - Check It's Biodegradable - Check It's natural (no added chemicals, dyes or perfumes) - Check My opinion - give it a try and see what kitty thinks. Walnut Shell Litters - Rating 7 (Good) The furrst time I saw this litter I must say I had a bit of an eeck moment. It's dark brown as it is made from the shells of walnuts so it kind of looks like dirt. That does make seeing the poop a bit harder, but not impossible. But once I got over my initial reservations I actually grew to like this litter. It clumps tightly, hardly tracks at all and has awesome odor control. Like really amazing. It does get dusty though, the longer it is in use. The grains break down and become finer and finer, hence the dustiness. To be honest most of the sustainable, biodegradable litter solutions do get dusty the longer they're in use. You will find yourself having to completely change out the litter box more often than you would with clay litters, but the actual job of doing this is so much easier because you don't have the concrete sludge to contend with. It's sustainable - Check It's Biodegradable - Check It's natural (no added chemicals, dyes or perfumes) - Check It's affordable - Check My opinion - give it a try and see what kitty thinks. Pine Based Litters - Rating 8 (Great) Pine litter is trendy at the moment and with good reason. It comes in two forms. Pellets and Clumping. Both products are made of recycled materials. This litter is incredibly absorbent and virtually odor free. The only problem I see with pellets is that the pellets are quite large and hard so some kitties won't like how it feels on their delicate lil toes. The pellets are made by collecting sawdust and pressing it into pellets and when peed on, the pellets disintegrate back into sawdust. Pine pellets also don’t clump, so you scoop the poop like normal and then just let the pee break down the pellets into sawdust. I have never noticed this sawdust to be wet like with other non-clumping options and the pine fresh smell overrides any pee odors wonderfully. As with a lot of the sustainable litters this sawdust is dusty (I mean it says it in the name). At home I use a Pine based pellet litter with Pro-Biotics in it in the form of Green Tea that I mix in with my corn-based litter. The odor control is second to none and because the pellets are mixed in with regular textured litter the cats are fine with it. I have to admit that I like the smell of it. I know - I'm weird. The clumping pine litter has the consistency of normal litter and clumps together when peed on. It’s a little more expensive than the pellets, but if you’re wanting to switch to pine and are worried about the pellets, the refined, clumping pine may be the way to go. Corn Based Litters - Rating 9-10 (Excellent) For me the best litter products on the market have corn as the main ingredient. The one "*everyone* is using is World's Best (Cat Folx rating 9). Another example of clever marketing, this time pretty close to the truth. The litter is sustainable, biodegradable, free of chemicals (although they do have a perfumed one that I suggest you steer clear of, why ruin a good thing by adding perfumes that kitty can ingest). It clumps fantastically, tracks just a little and has good odor control. I've read lots of reviews and the main thing people complain about is the dustiness. What I would like to reiterate is that you should change out any litter *completely* every 2 weeks or so depending on how many cats are using it. Think about it, any natural particle that is dug about multiple times a day will start to break down to something finer and dustier. Stay on top of it and the dust problem will be non-existent. I haven't noticed much of a difference between the original World's Best and the newer to market Dust Control Formula except the size of the granules. My cats prefer the smaller granules of the original formula but maybe your kitty would purrfer the larger granules. Try it and see.... Now for me, World's Best is excellent but Sustainably Yours is a streets ahead so gets a 10 rating. The formula includes Cassava root and something about that addition to just the corn means the odor control is now unbeatable and it doesn't break down to dust the way most other natural litters do. The major drawback for me is the price. It is definitely the most expensive option per pound. The good news is that you don't have to change it out as regularly as the others so I suppose it all evens out that way. At home I have 3 cats so I have two trays with the World's best mixed with the Green Tea Pine based litter and one with Sustainably Yours. Please Don't Flush Your Litter Cat feces contains Toxoplasma gondii—a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis. Any warm-blooded animal can get toxoplasmosis, but only cats can spread it. Cats are also the only animals known to carry the infectious form of the parasite. A kitty with Toxo can poop out billions of parasitic eggs, or oocysts, over the course of its life. So even if your cat doesn't show outward signs of Toxo it might still be pooping it out. Toxoplasmosis has been taking it's toll on wildlife such as River Otters and Seals. Flushing cat poop can kill other wildlife so please don't do it! Here in California, while not a "law" there are guidelines suggesting that flushing cat poop is not allowed. In summary When you think about it, it's pretty incredible that we have been able to "train" our cats to use the toilet in a box in the corner of our home. Considering that, we need to do everything we can to make this habit something that sticks. No-one wants to be dealing with inappropriate toilet behaviors like pooping or peeing outside the box. To ensure our fastidious felines continue to use their litter box we have to scoop their trays daily (at a minimum) and ensure that the litter inside the box doesn't smell. If we think it stinks, kitty probably will too. Changing out the litter completely should be done regularly. They also need to be happy with where their box is and even with the sort of container their litter is in (more on that in a future post). If you have questions we are happy to help. Reach out anytime!
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The loss of a pet can be one of the most difficult experiences you will ever face. Pets are our family members, and their passing can leave us feeling overwhelmed with grief. It really can be hard to cope with the emptiness that you are feeling, for real! It’s purrfectly normal and natural to feel deep sadness, grief and even loneliness when we lose a beloved pet. It is important to acknowledge your feelings when you are grieving the loss of your pet. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up, whether it’s sadness, anger, or guilt. Don’t try to push away your feelings or pretend they don’t exist. Grief is an emotional response to loss, and it can manifest itself in many different ways. It’s important to remember that everyone grieves differently, so there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to feel when you lose a pet. Some people may find themselves feeling angry or numb, while others may experience intense sadness or depression. It’s also common for people to feel guilty or regretful after their pet passes away. If you read my blog post about Eartha Kitten you'll know that I feel guilt about her passing to this day. Also keep it in the back of your mind that you don't have to be alone in your grief if you don't want to be. There are many people who understand what you are going through and who are willing to offer support. Cat Folx SF is not the only string in my bow, I am a also certified life coach and consulting hypnotist - although these days I choose to only work with pet guardians. I can tailor a care plan specifically for you to cope with your loss. The plan will include referrals to support groups dedicated specifically for those grieving the loss of a beloved pet as well as self care and memorial work. It can even include Hypnosis - which is a very powerful tool to help "let go". Talking with family and friends can also be a very powerful healing tool too, especially when you can reminisce about the life of your beloved. Memories are such powerful anchors. A caring caveat here though.... you will probably be given platitudes and condescending advice from "well-meaning" friends and family. People will tell you all sorts of ridiculous things like: the "grief will pass" (it may not ever pass), that "it was only a pet", or "get another pet so you can move on" and so many other hurtful things. Just ignore them and feel whatever you are feeling. To be blunt I would go as far as to say Fuck that Shit - move on without their "support" Finding ways to honor your pet is another way to cope with their passing. You could create a memorial in their honor or make a donation in their name to an animal rescue organization or shelter. You could also write down some of your favorite memories of them or create an album filled with photos and stories about them that you can look back on whenever you need some comfort. Get Creative. When we lost the coolest cat in the world - Roxy (she really was so cool - traveling the world with us, taking it all in with no fuss) I wrote a children's book entitled "The Coolest Cat in the World" and even tried to get it published. It never was - maybe I'm not such a great writer but Wow! it was a powerful tool in my healing arsenal. Finally, it is important that you are taking care of YOU! Make sure that you are eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and engaging in the activities that bring joy into your life. This can include giving yourself permission to take time off from work or other obligations if needed. I know, I know.... shocking! but really we wouldn't even think twice about taking time off to mourn a human family member, why should our purry/furry family members be any different?! So one last time for the people up the back - No matter how you choose to cope with the loss of your pet, know that it is normal and natural to feel devastated by their passing—and that it is okay for you take all the time you need before moving forward without them by your side And another thing.... don't be afraid to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who specializes in grief counseling. Again, I am happy to make referrals. Wilma Cats are known for their independent and mysterious nature. Because they often keep to themselves and can be quite unpredictable, it’s no surprise that many people think they don't need the same kind of care that dogs are routinely given. This is a shame because to ensure your cat is the wonderful and loving companion you want to share your life with, you do need to give them a lot of attention and care - on a daily basis. In this article, we’ll explore the potential issues that can arise when you don’t give your cat the interaction it needs and give you some easy-to-do tips on how to keep your cat's mental health in tip-top shape. So What can Happen if You Don’t Spend Enough Time With Your Cat? Cats are social animals and as such they do need human interaction to stay healthy and happy. Spending time with your cat is essential for building a strong bond between you. Without enough time spent together, cats can become bored, lonely, and/or just plain stressed out. This can lead to behavioral problems such as excessive meowing, scratching furniture, or worse. It can also cause physical health issues such as weight gain or digestive problems. Cats that don’t get enough attention may also become more aggressive or start urinating outside the litter box. It's quite common for us to meet cat guardians that are convinced that kitty will be aggressive and/or hiding with us as sitters. Often times this just doesn't happen because cats are curious creatures and want to get to know new people. They may have adopted a more aloof or aggressive demeanor with their family members or family friends because they already tried to bond and were either ignored, left to their own devices or just plain not encouraged to be any different. "Oh he's always been like that" can sometimes really mean "Oh I've always left him to it" Enrichment Ideas - Tips for Spending More Time With Your Purry Friend If you want to ensure that your cat is getting enough interaction, there are some simple steps you can take:
I'm Going Away - How do I Ensure Kitty will be OK? The main thing is please don't leave kitty on their own for any more than 24 hours. At Cat Folx SF we do not do Every Other Day visits or "pop- ins". We firmly believe that kitty should have interaction Every.Single.Day. The other major consideration for making sure kitty is cared for in your absence is making sure their daily routine is not changed too much. For most cats this means staying in their own home with their own bed, all their things and familiar scents. Cats really do so much better with a stable routine, and unless they have been trained from a young age to leave their homes they get stressed when they have to leave it. You would all know the "drama" that a vet visit can entail. Imagine the stress of a boarding situation?! It also means that all of the enrichment ideas from the list above should continue in your absence. Consistency and Routine are so Important for Kitty Cats have a daily routine which varies from cat to cat. A typical daily routine for cats includes sleeping, eating, grooming, playing, and exploring. Sleeping: Cats spend about 16 hours of their day sleeping. This is because cats are crepuscular animals meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk when their prey is most active. During the day they sleep in order to conserve energy for when they need it most. Eating: Cats typically eat two or three meals per day depending on their age and activity level. Kittens may need up to four meals per day while older cats may only need one or two meals per day. Grooming: Grooming is an important part of a cat’s daily routine as it helps keep their fur clean and free of debris. Cats will typically groom themselves several times throughout the day using their tongue and paws to remove dirt, dead skin cells, and other debris from their fur coat. Playing: Playing is an important part of a cat’s daily routine as it helps keep them mentally stimulated and physically active. Cats will typically play with toys or chase each other around the house for several minutes each day in order to stay sharp and alert. Make sure they have toys to play with in your absence. Exploring: Exploring is another important part of a cat’s daily routine as it helps them stay curious about their environment while also providing them with mental stimulation. Cats love looking out windows - so that they can satisfy their curiosity about what lies beyond what they already know. Cat perches near windows are great for this. I like to think of it as Cat TV. So many cat guardians, worried that folx may be able to see in and realize no-one is home tend to cover windows when they go away. If the window at the front of the house shows too much of your inside consider moving kitty's perch to a back window or leaving on the actual TV with nature shows. Choosing the Right Carer - Ensuring Consistent Interaction When considering a carer for your purry family member always ask about what time they will come to visit. If kitty is used to eating at 7am, then someone coming to feed them at 7pm will cause undue stress. 10am on the other hand would usually be fine which is why we adhere to a 3 hour window. Another important consideration is the length of the visit your carer will make. At Cat Folx SF we do visits that last at least 35 minutes. We believe that litter box cleaning, feeding and medications shouldn't take away from the interactive time we spend with your purry family member. We always allocate at least 15-20 minutes at every visit for socializing with kitty. Depending on kitty's purrsonality and what they ask us for we spend most of the visit playing with them, grooming them and giving them chin scratches and pets. For shy kitties that like to hide, we read them a story or sing to them so that they have company. In conclusion, your purry family member needs consistent and loving interaction. Playtime, Grooming, Stimulation and Love are just as important as Meals and a Clean Litterbox. And sleeping in their own bed surrounded by their scent and the scent of their hoomans can not be beat. If you have any questions I'm happy to help. Contact me here 2022 was a tough year as far as losing members of our Purry Family. The loss of a beloved pet is one of the toughest thing we hoomans have to face. I have been able to support some of you during the grieving process and I see this as a true privilege. It has occurred to me that my experience as an RN, working during the peak of the AIDS Epidemic at the largest HIV Clinic in Australia and both my Hypnosis and Life-Coaching Skills/Accreditations have led to me being able to provide formal Grief Coaching as part of the services we provide at Cat Folx SF. If you or anyone you know is coming to terms with the loss of your beloved, please email me at [email protected] to see how I can best support you. Keep your eyes open for more information regarding this over the coming months. And to all the Folx that dealt with that most horrible of loss this past year, you are in my thoughts. I light a candle nightly in their memory. Love and Light to you all. Wilma
No-one likes going to the dentist and our kitties often dislike going to the vet...but believe me it's important to keep on top of your kitties dental health. It can get very costly and painful very quickly if left unchecked. During check-ups at the vet, they will look for signs of gingivitis, periodontal disease and even stomatitis. But as with our own health, please don't leave it until the doctor's visit to check your purry friend's teeth. The accepted wisdom is that cat guardians should check their cat's teeth monthly, looking for signs of redness at the gumline, bad breath, bleeding, missing teeth and plaque and tartar. I say .....do it daily! "Yikes - I have to stick my fingers in my cat's mouth.. are you joking?" Sorry I'm not. Start slowly - ideally when your cat is still a kitten. Every day touch them gently around their lips. Every cat loves their "glips" rubbed - make it part of your love action. As they get used to it you can slowly move into the mouth and rub their gums. With older cats this may take a while... but persist, it's so worth it. Have a good look at their mouths so you can keep a track of how healthy they are. In addition to checking their teeth regularly and making sure to keep up with their regular vet check-ups there are 5 more things that can really help with dental health. 1. A Balanced Diet I'm a huge fan of Raw diets for kitty. This is how they would eat in the wild and the incidence of tooth decay is low in wild populations. I realize this is not everyone's cup of tea so make sure the food you are feeding them is high in protein and low in sugars and other carbohydrates. There are squillions of great options out there these days. Also cut right back on the dry food. All the marketing messages about dry food being good for kitty's teeth are poppycock. Think about it... if you ate cakes every day your teeth would suffer. Dry food is like cake. Moderation is key. None is even better. It's also HARD.... have your listened to kitty crunching on the stuff? Which leads me to the next step. 2. Avoid Crunchy Treats Hard crunchy treats (and yes here I go again....kibble) can crack teeth leading to all sorts of problems. I had a kitty that cracked his teeth on his dry food and had excruciating pain to contend with. The vets bills for the teeth extractions were no fun either. 3. Provide Plenty of Fresh Water You know that feeling in your mouth when you first wake up in the morning. Dry and foul. The reason for this is dehydration while sleeping. Dry mouths also harbor more bacteria than moist ones. If kitty doesn't drink they have morning mouth all the time....gross! Hydration is also just good for them in general terms. I know a lot of cat guardians struggle to get kitty to drink. Did you know that cats have a natural instinct to avoid water that is near their food? This is because in the wild, rotting food can taint water supplies. Where do most of us put kitty's water bowl? Right next to their food. Doh! Move it away and provide lots of options. Make sure it's not in a high traffic area. Cats like to take their time with drinking and don't want to feel rushed. Go crazy - provide different sized bowls, different textures, even a fountain or 2. Something will stick.... I promise. 4. Brushing Kitty's teeth Seriously! As you're already sticking your fingers in their mouth every day to check on things work on making them comfortable enough to introduce a soft toothbrush and/or feline toothpaste. *Don't use human toothpaste as it's toxic for kitties. You can buy all sorts of flavors of feline toothpaste these days. Yay! Look if this is all too much.... don't stress about it. If you're doing some or all the stuff I mentioned above you're already ahead of the game. And there is still one more thing you can do..... 5. Introduce Dental Chew Toys Not Treats.... Toys. Again, so many options are out there. Look for toys that are designed for dental health. These toys will massage their gums and should be non-toxic. Remember that with everything feline related it's all about energy. Give dental health good energy, don't stress or kitty will pick up on it. Make it part and parcel of showing your love for them and you'll be golden. If you have any questions I'm happy to help. Contact me here
My partner really wanted 2 matching Cats He really wanted 2 White Cats. The problem is we already had an all black cat that we had adopted without planning to.... the compromise was that we would get another black cat ASAP. We had been looking when a work colleague came in one day asking if I would take a kitten. Horrifically while out walking her dog she had stumbled upon a taped up box sweltering in the Australian sun.... ..... with 5 tiny kittens in it. She picked it up and brought them all home with her. She had recently lost her cat so decided she was going to keep 2 of them and she had managed to find homes for another 2. The tiniest and sickest one was still looking for a home. Maybe I could look after her until a home was found? I knew my partner would hit the roof... but I brought her home anyway He took one look at her and started laughing. Bless her heart, she was teeny tiny with all sticky up hair and this huge yellow stripe on her nose that was almost bigger than she was. "Not really what we were planning is it?" He said. We called her Eartha Kitten because of her Earth toned coloring.... and because of Eartha Kitt....obviously. Her eyes had only just opened and she was so small I could hold her in the palm of my hand. We fed her every few hours with an eye dropper full of a sort of baby cereal. Yikes, when I think of that now... but that's what the vet suggested. She immediately won over Hamish by sleeping on his chest and suckling on his nipples. Riley, the black cat, had come from a home where he suffered neglect so he needed lots of attention. In his eyes Eartha had diverted too much attention away from him and he bullied her endlessly. She stood her ground though....fierce and strong like her namesake. One day she was limping quite badly when I came home from work. we rushed her to vet and they found puncture marks in her shoulder (which had been dislocated) Riley must have shaken her joint right out of place! There is not a day that goes past where I don't think of her. Eartha shared my life for 11 years - we were inseparable. When I would go out to work she would walk me to the end of the block and then give me a little meow before turning back towards home. When I would return in the evening she would be waiting right where she left me. She'd rub herself on my legs, enjoy a quick chin scratch and then lead me home chatting and telling me all about her day. When we moved friends moved into our old flat and I would often visit.... ..... Eartha always walked along with me. She loved to play and would spend hours rustling around in paper bags on the kitchen floor. She loved to gnaw on a chicken wing and chicken livers were her absolute favorite treat. She would turn her head to the side, blood dripping everywhere with such a look of satisfaction it still makes my heart flutter when I think of it. She loved to be outside and when she wasn't she would watch it from the window. Not once did she menace a bird, she appreciated them from afar. She loved to sit in boxes or up on the highest shelf. She really did love to watch... never missing a trick. Hamish and I didn't last and I went through a profound period of grief, not really from losing him, as I always knew we weren't a forever thing, but my mother and two very dear friends all died within a few months and I lost a baby. And then there were the scores of acquaintances I was losing due to the AIDS epidemic. People were dropping like flies. I was drinking way too much and would come home at all hours... Eartha waiting up the block to walk me home. I really don't know how I would ever have gotten through it without the unending love Eartha gave me. She was my rock. If I was crying she would come and lie on my chest, putting her paw out towards me and look me straight in the eye as if to say "Come on Girl, you've got this". She'd always hang out with me in the bathroom while I got ready to go out and would sit on my lap every morning while I was on the loo. When she slept she always drooled... probably because she was never able to suckle as a baby kitten. She'd wake up, shake her head, spit flying everywhere and get on with her day. When Paul, my husband of 28 years!!! this month, came into my life Eartha was wary. We knew he was going to be accepted when she started seeking out his discarded underpants and burying her head in them while kicking at them with her back feet. He shared her life for 7 years and they had a special bond too. One day Eartha didn't come to sit on my lap while I was on the Loo It really was that sudden. She hadn't eaten her dinner the night before and she hadn't slept with me. It was winter in Australia so this wasn't unusual as she would position herself up on the top of Paul's record shelves where the heat rose and she could be toasty and warm. Paul was in the US gigging. The Loo though... she had never missed a day. I went to look for her and was surprised to find her under the bed. She never went under things. I immediately knew that something very bad was up and called our vet. He came around that morning and told me that she had a large mass in her abdomen. He took her away for imaging and a biopsy. She came home and retreated back under the bed. I spent 3 days on the ground with her holding her hand, bawling my eyes out, waiting for the biopsy results. She stopped eating completely except for licking some Vegemite off my fingers. When she stopped going to the toilet I knew it was time. I was alone and I was inconsolable. I have never cried so much (before or since). Our vet came and took her away. He asked me if I wanted to come with them, but I just didn't have the strength. I said my goodbyes at home. As she was leaving she let out one of her little "see you tonight" meows and she was gone. I don't have a lot of regrets but I deeply regret not being with her when she passed. I think about it often and pray she has forgiven me. I think she has. She used to visit a lot for the first few years. I would feel her jump onto the bed at night and onto my lap on the loo. She gave me so much and my all consuming passion for feline friends is all down to her. Thank you Eartha Kitten - you are deeply missed.
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