This and That...

~Gertrude Jekyll ~ David Austin English Rose~

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I was late leaving the house this morning to feed the ferals and it's a good thing. My neighbor drove by, saw me and stopped. She asked about Ireland and when she learned I hadn't found him she was surprise because when she walked the dog the other morning, Ireland was sitting on our front porch! She couldn't remember what day, but said it was around 9 am. She didn't call or come to the door because she assumed Ireland had come back and everything was fine. Here's to hope! Let's all cross our fingers. :)

~ My darling Mickey ~

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I raced to the park and arrived in record time. I won't tell you how fast I drove or even how long it took to travel 12 miles because Mom's reading this and she's a retired math teacher. She'd figure out the speed in a second! Don't worry Mom, I was very safe. However, I'll be smarter tomorrow and travel at a more reasonable speed. Mom, I was so late today I even had to get on the freeway at Madison! That's how desperate I was! I swear to God that's the worst on ramp in this city. I saw another accident there the other day on my way home from the park. Cops, an ambulance and fire trucks everywhere and traffic backed up for miles. My blogger friends don't know where I live, but if any of you ever visit Northern CA, take my advice...do not get on the freeway at Madison! It's a killing field because one freeway turns into two (both are very busy) and there's an on ramp to boot. I wonder who the Einstein was behind that brilliant design?

~T-bone and his favorite bacteria ~

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When I arrived at the park this morning I saw something in the field. It looked like a tan plastic grocery bag, but it was moving. I walked through the soaking wet field to get closer and it moved. It was a little poodle who wouldn't let me near him. I tried to put food down, but he didn't notice. I tried to catch him but he wouldn't let me. So I left him to feed my ferals and decided to try again on my way out.

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Only one kitty showed up this morning. Ireland's mom, Sophia. It wasn't raining so I pulled out the plastic and the sheet and we had our usual "picnic." Just the two of us. It was nice. She's a sweetie and loves to be petted. I left her to eat while I replaced the water bowls and when I was done came back to sit next to her. It would have been the perfect day to bring her home, but I left the carrier in the car after seeing the dog because I knew my goal was to try and rescue him. (I have 5 more kitties at the park who need to be spay or neutered. I have a small window of opportunity in the next few weeks, so I have to hurry.) She ate and we chatted about Ireland, life, the dog, stuff in general. Then she looked up at me with so much love, and I decided to pick her up and put her on my lap. It was the first time I'd ever done so and she liked it. We cuddled and talked and it was wonderful. She got back down to eat some more, but then wanted my lap again, so up she came. That's how our morning went. Up and down, up and down, up and down. It was absolutely perfect and peaceful. I didn't want to leave her and I could tell she didn't want me to leave.

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I returned to the car, found the dog leash and collar and was off to rescue my poodle. I must have spent a good hour and a half trying to get close to that rascal, but to no avail. He'd have none of it. I left a big can of cat food for him and some fresh water. I was disappointed he wouldn't let me rescue him. I enjoyed driving and walking through the park however. I've never done so and discovered it's beautiful. I was able to walk past Canadian geese and finally see them up close and personal. I've been a big fan since childhood, but have only seen them in the sky. They didn't even seem to mind I was only about 2-3 ft. away.

On the way home I stopped and made additonal color copies of Irelands flyer. I'm going to post them a bit south of our house because that's were all the calls now seem to be coming from. There's a lovely neighborhood park a few blocks away and I suspect he may gravitate to it because he's familiar with lots of trees, not homes. I've learned of a woman who feeds feral cats in the park, so plan to contact her as well because she'll alert me if he shows up.
When I arrive at the park every day, I pass over a bridge. This is a tributary that leads to the two big rivers that grace the park. I look right and see this view.

I look left and see this one.

Believe it or not these photos were taken in November and everything was still very green. I love how Mother Nature landscapes.


Thanks for listening and thanks for being dear friends.

XO Suzanne