Friday, February 1, 2008

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.
~
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

18 comments:

kylie said...

hey babe,
good news on ireland :)
he'll be ok, he obviously thinks your place is good, maybe even home.
shame about the doggie but you may get him next time. i hope you do, a lone dog always seems so sad.
T-bone is a cutie and i like his bacteria.
Sophia sounds adorable and you've obviously made a huge effort to gain the trust that you have. go girl!
take care

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

You have such great pictures here and your flowers are just amazing. I am green with winter burnout envy. And your pets are too sweet. I'm hoping your cat Ireland comes home safely to you.

Unknown said...

Suzanne! See Ireland knows his 'human' momma! Leave canned cat food out (which I am sure you have alreay) and loved the post today! Just lovely to spend the afternoon with you and your doings!
Lots of hugs and smiles coming your way!
Hugs,
Robyn

Cece said...

Wow, that park looks awsome. It sounds that Ireland is hanging around, try placing cat food on our porch for him, you may get lucky and tell your neighbor to call you the next time she sees him on your porch! Keep up the hope, he is still hanging around. You will find him.

krystyna said...

Hi Suzanne!
I like your very beautiful photos and enjoyed the read about your lovely pets. They are adorable!
Your missing Iraland is near you and I think soon be with you.

Good luck to you!

Love and big smiles!

Kookaburra said...

G'day Suzanne,
The news about Ireland is encouraging. ( I'm sure you have considered leaving food out on your front porch.)
I like your photos particularly -anenome seed pods. T-bone is handsome and Mickey has such bright eyes.
Josephine likes your roses and has some herself. We have a lot of the same plants as you in our garden but we can't water them because we are on Level 3 water restrictions -hand watering only - twice a week on odd numbered days. It is not enough for our large garden and sandy soil.

Satanic Angel said...

May the force be with you. And hey I loved the pics =)

Suzanne said...

Kylie,

Complete shame about the dog. He would have had such a loving home. I've looked for him the past two days, but nothing. No sign of him. My hope is that he was attracted to someone special and found a good home. Or perhaps found his way back home. He was clipped beautifully, so was obviously from a loving home. However, he wasn't neutered and that distressed me. I just don't understand that sort of stupid.

Ireland will find us. I'm so confident. I don't care how long it takes, just as long as it happens. He is one amazing cat and I absolutely love him.

T-Bone is a gem. A dog can't get any better.

Sophia is amazing. I have such dear friends at the park. The past 7 months have mattered. I would never know what I know if not for the kitties and the time spent at the park. I am so better for it. Honestly, I am grateful.

Love you dear,
Suze

Suzanne said...

Ello,

Wow, we have so much in common. Law first and formost. My hubby's a criminal appellate lawyer. He actually just flew to Washington to interview with Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein. Didn't get the jobs, but it was an exciting week. I think he was simply way over qualified! Oh well. He really wanted the jobs because he wanted to move to Washington, but life is life. Not his time.

Ireland will come back. I'm confident. I've realized that life is very complex and the answer doesn't present itself in a day or two! He'll wright himself and find his way back to me. I can't bare life without him, so know it isn't possible. He'll come home.

I'll show more photos just to inspire you! Yes, as one New Yorker to a Washintonian...Spring does come! In all her glory. Hold on honey!

Keep writing. It's so nice to have you here.

Much love,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Robyn,

Afternoon...honey, that was just my morning!

Yup, canned and dried food everywhere! My neighbors are terrific as well. Every one is putting out food.

Love you and love that you grace my blog. I adore you. You know that.

Thanks for your kind words and support. I just love you to death.

XO Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Cecile,

Ya know what honey, my phone number is plastered all over the damn neighborhood. And why my dear retired neighbor teacher didn't call is beyond me!? Come on. Give me a break! And I told her that. That day would have mattered and now I have no idea what day that was. Frustrating.

Trust me honey, we have so much food out it's insane! Day and night, night and day. Relentless. That cat is commin' home! Right?

I love you my dear. Thanks for your support and kindness.

XO Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Krystyna,

Hi honey. Thank you for your commment. Yes, Ireland will be home soon. I'm confident.

I'm so glad you love to read about the animals and that you enjoy the photos. I always feel calm when you arrive. I don't even know how to explain it really, it's just a sense of absolute peace. How beautiful.

Much love,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Elusive,

Yeh you. Nice to have you here. I alway love when you arrive. Isn't that funny. You and me! Don't go away. It's better with you than without.

Tons of love,
Suzanne

Glad you loved the photos. XO

Suzanne said...

Hi Mark,

Yes...food, food, everywhere food! I think we and our friends are feeding the whole neighborhood! Two kitties have shown up in our back yard. I'm going to have to get them to be spay or neutered. I see pom-poms! Pom-poms aren't good.

Mark, where did your little photo go? I love when you visit, but I don't like when you visit without your mini-me! Please reconsider.

Glad you like the Anemone seed pod. Me too. Nature is often so perfect. T-Bone is a stunner and Mickey has gorgeous eyes. You are absolutely correct my dear man. Glad Jo likes the roses (I'll send her lots), but I'm worried about your garden. That isn't much water in sandy soil. Yikes. All three of you must take showers daily, so have you considered using biodegradable soap, collecting the water and using it on the garden? Just a thought. Yes you will be stand in a pool of your own filth, but what the heck. That's the real me honey...always thinking five steps ahead. I would have made a great race car driver!

Love to all,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Mark, you will also be "standing" in a pool of your own filth. Typo. What's new?

Suzanne said...

MY GOD...I'M CAUGHT UP!!!

Kookaburra said...

Hey Suzanne,

Yes we already shower with a bucket and we put it on the roses. Jo reckons she can stand to lose most of the garden - but not the roses.
Mark.
abot the mini - me pic . . I'm shy.

Suzanne said...

Mark,

No, never the roses! Jo is right! And knock it off with the shy stuff...put one of your beautiful kitties up if you can't deal with looking at your face. Oh, I can recommend a talented teenager who can instruct you on just how to do that! :)

If you shower with more than one bucket, you can probably save a lot more of the garden. Just a thought!

Love ya,
Suzanne