I took kiddie pictures too! Gotta catch them while they're all together if at all possible. Only one orange cat? Well, at least he's easy to recognize. Hi, Marmalade!
Yeah, only one orange one! Funny, isn't it? His mother, Tipper, (who disappeared a year ago) was a tortoiseshell with bits of orange....but none of the others picked that gene up.
Oh Betsy, God bless you and thank you, that your home is a shelter to all these cats! I admire you all the more, as you do have some more challenges in your life! Christel
Well, you know I love them. And since they were going to be in the neighborhood no matter what I did, at least they are healthy and won't be multiplying any more! ha. We comment often on how lucky that they are all sweet and get along relatively well. It probably helps that they are all related in some way and grew up together...all but Jack and Cocoa! And besides all that...they are a fun, wonderful thing in my life...a sweet distraction, as it were. :)
I can very well understand your point about 'distraction', Betsy! Living with cats and feeling responsible for them have helped me through hard times more than once. I think, that deciding to take care of other individuals can help distracting your focus off your own troubles and prevents to perhaps linger too much about one´s precious self. At least so it worked for me. Christel
HaHa, Betsy has a dozen cats, I have a dozen grandchildren. They are cheaper by the dozen. Yes, with all those black cats, Marmalade must be real special. "So that's where the leftover ham went" said the Mister! HaHa
haha...actually, it was the mr. that was feeding them! He spoils them something awful...it's me that's always saying, "They are just cats...they can eat their cat food!" lol....
Crumbs! Betsy!! 14 cats!! I think you should rename your blog, "My Five Men and Fourteen Cats, not forgetting a bunny called Nugget!" I think you are well qualified to undertake the star role in the hit musical, "Cats". How do you find the time to look after them all and let me ask you a serious question. Do you have a cat flap on your back door and is it a mechanical one, a magnetic one or a combination one? The first are fairly straightforward but there is a small keypad on the combination variety and the cats have to memorize just three numbers which they can punch in to let themselves in and out. tell them not to tell all their mates otherwise there will be a lot more cats in your kitchen!! ROFL
Would you believe there used to be 17? Three of them have vanished to unknown places. I guess we should be counting ourselves very lucky that they all get along with Nugget and none have tried to eat him for dinner. haha. They lay together with him under the dining room table...quite a sight. haha.
Yes, we have a cat flap...it makes it so much easier when they can come and go as they please. Oh, you do make me laugh. Some of my cats would probably be able to learn a 3 digit code, I have no doubt! haha.
Psst....I have two parakeets, too! (Budgies). Yes, it's a regular zoo here.....
I have to add, too, that I didn't go out and buy 14 cats to be my pets. haha.....I've taken in the neighborhood strays....two mamas expecting litters....three litters in all...and then two extras who just found us by the cat gossip chain. haha.
But don't the cats try to eat the budgies and parakeets LOL and as for the 3 cats who left I don't blame them! It's not much fun being mugged by a black rabbit. When I was little (sometime around 1485) LOL . . . I had a pet budgie who took 5 years to learn, "Gorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie" (six months) . . . . . then "Kissed the girls and made them cry" (about 12 months) . . . . . then "When the boys came out to play" ((from start to finish 24 months) . . . . . . . . . . then it took another 4 years to learn "Gorgie Porgie" . . . . and unfortunately he fell off his perch before he mastered "flew away!". Poor little chap . . . . that was the sum achievement of his existence LOL. You can read more about it if you key in Mickey on my blog!! LOL
LOVED the story about Mickey! What a wonderful bird he was! Our first parakeet looked just like him...he lived to be 12! They are sweet birds...we've always had 2 at a time, which in many cases, stops them from wanting to converse with their human owners. I love that you taught Mickey that song and that he could sing phrases of it. Very, very neat! We have a couple of parakeets buried in the back yard with our first two cats. At least I think they are still buried there...lol....hopefully deep enough! ha. The Mr. always says he's burying me out there with all the pets some day. :)
Glad you liked the Mickey story, Betsy LOL. When you find the time I did a sequel called "Mickey the lovesick budgie". ROFL. Mickey told me more than once he regretted his life of celibacy and wanted to find a nice adorable little hen budgie. But in spite of Eddie trying to teach him the art of flirting and chatting up the ladies, regrettably all his endeavours amounted to nothing and he died a heartbroken little bird. LOL. Ahhh! tugs you jheart strings doesn't it? ROFL
Our blue budgie that lived to be 12 outlasted 3 wives! We kept joking when they died, saying, "what on earth is he doing to those poor girls?" lol.....
You see - your budgie was a contented little chap because he had enjoyed his life to the full whereas poor little Mickey was denied such a life and we feel dreadful he was deprived of a full budgie life incorporating all the benefits of the birds and the bees. One wonders what your 12 year old was about with his 3 wives, the poor things. No wonder he lived to a ripe old age with a smile on his face!! LOL. I expect he learned the explanation when he met his ladies on the blue sky yonder.
Oh, you are cracking me up. Well, there were times when we had to put the cover on the cage as you couldn't just say "Get a room!" as they really couldn't go anywhere else.....it was entertaining to teenage boys to say the least. Oh dear. lol.... Oh the things you deprived poor ol' Mickey of! I suppose he'll forgive you after all these years. :)
Georgie Porgie Pudding and Pie!! Powerful budgie language that is. You are obviously far more intelligent than a budgie becuse you learnt it in half an hour and not three years LOL. I did a very silly Sunday Roast for Mickey and it had them all ;laughing because I pretended the little hen birds were various lady blogging friends and had a bit of fun. Also Mickey was incredibly rude to Eddie!! LOL Should I do a story about the Mr Hyde in Mickey and call him Georgie? ROFL
Alas I do not have any pets right now - I might pop over and get one of your cats provided you give me some of those incredible edible owls!! ROFL. Other than that I shall have to buy a goldfish LOL. Yes GP sounds a good idea so I'd better sketch out a story then LOL Yes, never a dull moment with me - had the family round again today but they did not catch me shaving this time LOL. A very Happy New Year to you and family, Betsy, in case I decline to mention it.
I have an aquarium that is sitting empty right now. I do love it full of fish but have terrible luck keeping them alive! Thanks for the new year's wishes. I know you're going out tomorrow evening...hope you have a wonderful time!
But don't the cats try to eat the budgies and parakeets LOL and as for the 3 cats who left I don't blame them! It's not much fun being mugged by a black rabbit. When I was little (sometime around 1485) LOL . . . I had a pet budgie who took 5 years to learn, "Gorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie" (six months) . . . . . then "Kissed the girls and made them cry" (about 12 months) . . . . . then "When the boys came out to play" ((from start to finish 24 months) . . . . . . . . . . then it took another 4 years to learn "Gorgie Porgie" . . . . and unfortunately he fell off his perch before he mastered "flew away!". Poor little chap . . . . that was the sum achievement of his existence LOL. You can read more about it if you key in Mickey on my blog!! LOL
Oh that's even funnier that the Mister is the one feeding them ham. I am telling Don all the time..."Molly is just a DOG...but not with him. When we eat out, I notice a little something gets put in a napkin and brought home...wonder who that's for? HaHa
thats a litter full of kitties! when I read your blog and a few others I always share it with Garry, you know what he said, lol, he said with all those cats its a good thing you got the robot vacoom, lol, you see we had 5 cats one time, that was a lot he thought, you have me beat by far, in fact I know no one personally that have this many, you are the kitty cat queen!
One of the boys' teachers in their new day care told me, rather embarrassed, that she had 12. haha....she almost felt relieved when I told her that I had 14. haha. You know, it's Nugget that sheds so terribly.....much worse than a cat. And it seems the cats shed in warm weather. Right now they have their thick winter coats and don't let go of much at all. But yes, Garry is right...that vacuum is great for a pet lover! haha.
When there are 4 dogs all at once at my parents we think it is pandemonium, so I can't imagine what it is like with 14 cats- although I guess they are quieter than dogs and less rushing around chasing each other!! Lots of offers of company on the sofa though I suppose. xx
Yeah, you know I think 4 dogs really would be more commotion! Cats are just quiet and slink away. haha. Nobody ever has a cold lap around here, that is for sure! lol....
Oh my! I LOVE this! If you do another kitty calendar (and you must), I hope this is the cover. They are very intent on that ham, but seem to be behaving themselves. I am smiling that it's the Mister that spoils them - always the case!
Although you have done your fair share too by saving them, and sheltering them, and nourishing them, and preventing someone else from having 14 cats!
I so miss having one... yes I said "one," that I am thinking of adopting again. I don't miss dealing with the fur and litter and vet bills and travelling arrangements... but I miss the love and warmth and company. And every time I come here, I am reminded of that! You are bad for me! :-)
Oh, I agree that the love and companionship outweighs the negatives! And if you get one from a shelter, they need a good home...and you'll be doing a good deed in the process.
Yes, if I hadn't caught them all and had them 'fixed' there would be about 100 by now....if each female had a litter...after three years there would be many, many generations already! Yikes!
haha wow look at you That is sure more than a few As they all chow down You sure get the kitty crown Nice they all get along And can eat ham and sing a song Marmalade is like where's waldo The one main oddball at your show lol
My mouth just dropped open when I saw this...bless you! I have a soft spot for animals too! Happy New Year to you and all you love...which obviously, is many!
Cats glorious cats!
ReplyDeleteNúmero uno : )
ReplyDeletewhy, yes you are! :)
DeleteI took kiddie pictures too! Gotta catch them while they're all together if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteOnly one orange cat? Well, at least he's easy to recognize.
Hi, Marmalade!
Yeah, only one orange one! Funny, isn't it? His mother, Tipper, (who disappeared a year ago) was a tortoiseshell with bits of orange....but none of the others picked that gene up.
DeleteOh Betsy, God bless you and thank you, that your home is a shelter to all these cats! I admire you all the more, as you do have some more challenges in your life!
ReplyDeleteChristel
Well, you know I love them. And since they were going to be in the neighborhood no matter what I did, at least they are healthy and won't be multiplying any more! ha. We comment often on how lucky that they are all sweet and get along relatively well. It probably helps that they are all related in some way and grew up together...all but Jack and Cocoa! And besides all that...they are a fun, wonderful thing in my life...a sweet distraction, as it were. :)
DeleteI can very well understand your point about 'distraction', Betsy! Living with cats and feeling responsible for them have helped me through hard times more than once. I think, that deciding to take care of other individuals can help distracting your focus off your own troubles and prevents to perhaps linger too much about one´s precious self. At least so it worked for me.
DeleteChristel
Yes, I feel exactly the same way. And they always make you smile. And let's not forget that unconditional love....
DeleteHaHa, Betsy has a dozen cats, I have a dozen grandchildren. They are cheaper by the dozen. Yes, with all those black cats, Marmalade must be real special.
ReplyDelete"So that's where the leftover ham went" said the Mister! HaHa
haha...actually, it was the mr. that was feeding them! He spoils them something awful...it's me that's always saying, "They are just cats...they can eat their cat food!" lol....
Deletewhat lovely kitties - they look so happy and healthy!
ReplyDeleteMary x
Don't they? And they are such sweet things, too.
DeleteCrumbs! Betsy!! 14 cats!!
ReplyDeleteI think you should rename your blog, "My Five Men and Fourteen Cats, not forgetting a bunny called Nugget!"
I think you are well qualified to undertake the star role in the hit musical, "Cats".
How do you find the time to look after them all and let me ask you a serious question. Do you have a cat flap on your back door and is it a mechanical one, a magnetic one or a combination one? The first are fairly straightforward but there is a small keypad on the combination variety and the cats have to memorize just three numbers which they can punch in to let themselves in and out. tell them not to tell all their mates otherwise there will be a lot more cats in your kitchen!! ROFL
Would you believe there used to be 17? Three of them have vanished to unknown places. I guess we should be counting ourselves very lucky that they all get along with Nugget and none have tried to eat him for dinner. haha. They lay together with him under the dining room table...quite a sight. haha.
DeleteYes, we have a cat flap...it makes it so much easier when they can come and go as they please. Oh, you do make me laugh. Some of my cats would probably be able to learn a 3 digit code, I have no doubt! haha.
Psst....I have two parakeets, too! (Budgies). Yes, it's a regular zoo here.....
I have to add, too, that I didn't go out and buy 14 cats to be my pets. haha.....I've taken in the neighborhood strays....two mamas expecting litters....three litters in all...and then two extras who just found us by the cat gossip chain. haha.
DeleteBut don't the cats try to eat the budgies and parakeets LOL and as for the 3 cats who left I don't blame them! It's not much fun being mugged by a black rabbit.
DeleteWhen I was little (sometime around 1485) LOL . . . I had a pet budgie who took 5 years to learn, "Gorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie" (six months) . . . . . then "Kissed the girls and made them cry" (about 12 months) . . . . . then "When the boys came out to play" ((from start to finish 24 months) . . . . . . . . . . then it took another 4 years to learn "Gorgie Porgie" . . . . and unfortunately he fell off his perch before he mastered "flew away!". Poor little chap . . . . that was the sum achievement of his existence LOL. You can read more about it if you key in Mickey on my blog!! LOL
Oh the cats would love to eat the Budgies....but they are safe in their cage. :)
DeleteI will have to check out Mickey...lol...... :)
LOVED the story about Mickey! What a wonderful bird he was! Our first parakeet looked just like him...he lived to be 12! They are sweet birds...we've always had 2 at a time, which in many cases, stops them from wanting to converse with their human owners. I love that you taught Mickey that song and that he could sing phrases of it. Very, very neat! We have a couple of parakeets buried in the back yard with our first two cats. At least I think they are still buried there...lol....hopefully deep enough! ha. The Mr. always says he's burying me out there with all the pets some day. :)
DeleteGlad you liked the Mickey story, Betsy LOL.
DeleteWhen you find the time I did a sequel called "Mickey the lovesick budgie". ROFL. Mickey told me more than once he regretted his life of celibacy and wanted to find a nice adorable little hen budgie. But in spite of Eddie trying to teach him the art of flirting and chatting up the ladies, regrettably all his endeavours amounted to nothing and he died a heartbroken little bird. LOL. Ahhh! tugs you jheart strings doesn't it? ROFL
Our blue budgie that lived to be 12 outlasted 3 wives! We kept joking when they died, saying, "what on earth is he doing to those poor girls?" lol.....
DeleteYou see - your budgie was a contented little chap because he had enjoyed his life to the full whereas poor little Mickey was denied such a life and we feel dreadful he was deprived of a full budgie life incorporating all the benefits of the birds and the bees. One wonders what your 12 year old was about with his 3 wives, the poor things. No wonder he lived to a ripe old age with a smile on his face!! LOL. I expect he learned the explanation when he met his ladies on the blue sky yonder.
DeleteOh, you are cracking me up. Well, there were times when we had to put the cover on the cage as you couldn't just say "Get a room!" as they really couldn't go anywhere else.....it was entertaining to teenage boys to say the least. Oh dear. lol....
DeleteOh the things you deprived poor ol' Mickey of! I suppose he'll forgive you after all these years. :)
LOL
DeleteYou know, I have that poem stuck in my head now! :) You should have named him Georgie instead of Mickey! lol....
DeleteGeorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie!!
DeletePowerful budgie language that is. You are obviously far more intelligent than a budgie becuse you learnt it in half an hour and not three years LOL. I did a very silly Sunday Roast for Mickey and it had them all ;laughing because I pretended the little hen birds were various lady blogging friends and had a bit of fun. Also Mickey was incredibly rude to Eddie!! LOL
Should I do a story about the Mr Hyde in Mickey and call him Georgie? ROFL
you could have called him GP for short. :)
DeleteThat roast sounds hilarious....never a dull moment with you, that is for sure! Do you have any pets now?
Alas I do not have any pets right now - I might pop over and get one of your cats provided you give me some of those incredible edible owls!! ROFL. Other than that I shall have to buy a goldfish LOL.
DeleteYes GP sounds a good idea so I'd better sketch out a story then LOL
Yes, never a dull moment with me - had the family round again today but they did not catch me shaving this time LOL. A very Happy New Year to you and family, Betsy, in case I decline to mention it.
I have an aquarium that is sitting empty right now. I do love it full of fish but have terrible luck keeping them alive!
DeleteThanks for the new year's wishes. I know you're going out tomorrow evening...hope you have a wonderful time!
Thanks - I aim to LOL
Deletethis look so funny! I love this picture I think they are lucky cats lol
ReplyDeleteIt does look funny! haha...
DeleteBut don't the cats try to eat the budgies and parakeets LOL and as for the 3 cats who left I don't blame them! It's not much fun being mugged by a black rabbit.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little (sometime around 1485) LOL . . . I had a pet budgie who took 5 years to learn, "Gorgie Porgie Pudding and Pie" (six months) . . . . . then "Kissed the girls and made them cry" (about 12 months) . . . . . then "When the boys came out to play" ((from start to finish 24 months) . . . . . . . . . . then it took another 4 years to learn "Gorgie Porgie" . . . . and unfortunately he fell off his perch before he mastered "flew away!". Poor little chap . . . . that was the sum achievement of his existence LOL. You can read more about it if you key in Mickey on my blog!! LOL
Sorry I keyed this in in the wrong place ROFL . . . . . too much sherry!!
DeleteOh, it was funny enough for a second go! :)
DeleteThat is a lot of cats, Betsy!
ReplyDeleteyes...yes it is! ha.
DeleteOh that's even funnier that the Mister is the one feeding them ham. I am telling Don all the time..."Molly is just a DOG...but not with him. When we eat out, I notice a little something gets put in a napkin and brought home...wonder who that's for? HaHa
ReplyDeleteOh, they really are ol' softies, aren't they? :)
Deletethats a litter full of kitties! when I read your blog and a few others I always share it with Garry, you know what he said, lol, he said with all those cats its a good thing you got the robot vacoom, lol, you see we had 5 cats one time, that was a lot he thought, you have me beat by far, in fact I know no one personally that have this many, you are the kitty cat queen!
ReplyDeleteOne of the boys' teachers in their new day care told me, rather embarrassed, that she had 12. haha....she almost felt relieved when I told her that I had 14. haha. You know, it's Nugget that sheds so terribly.....much worse than a cat. And it seems the cats shed in warm weather. Right now they have their thick winter coats and don't let go of much at all. But yes, Garry is right...that vacuum is great for a pet lover! haha.
DeleteWhen there are 4 dogs all at once at my parents we think it is pandemonium, so I can't imagine what it is like with 14 cats- although I guess they are quieter than dogs and less rushing around chasing each other!! Lots of offers of company on the sofa though I suppose. xx
ReplyDeleteYeah, you know I think 4 dogs really would be more commotion! Cats are just quiet and slink away. haha. Nobody ever has a cold lap around here, that is for sure! lol....
DeleteOh my! I LOVE this! If you do another kitty calendar (and you must), I hope this is the cover. They are very intent on that ham, but seem to be behaving themselves. I am smiling that it's the Mister that spoils them - always the case!
ReplyDeleteAlthough you have done your fair share too by saving them, and sheltering them, and nourishing them, and preventing someone else from having 14 cats!
I so miss having one... yes I said "one," that I am thinking of adopting again. I don't miss dealing with the fur and litter and vet bills and travelling arrangements... but I miss the love and warmth and company. And every time I come here, I am reminded of that! You are bad for me! :-)
P.S. I can't wait for Pat's comment...
Oh, I agree that the love and companionship outweighs the negatives! And if you get one from a shelter, they need a good home...and you'll be doing a good deed in the process.
DeleteYes, if I hadn't caught them all and had them 'fixed' there would be about 100 by now....if each female had a litter...after three years there would be many, many generations already! Yikes!
haha wow look at you
ReplyDeleteThat is sure more than a few
As they all chow down
You sure get the kitty crown
Nice they all get along
And can eat ham and sing a song
Marmalade is like where's waldo
The one main oddball at your show lol
Maybe I'll get a white one next!
DeleteAlthough staying at 14 is probably best.
lol....
lol yeah better not think next at your sea
DeleteOr another group will show up and stay with thee
Do I have Nanny beat
Deleteor does she still have more than me?
Orson is more than enough for me!
ReplyDeleteAw, I think Orson needs a girlfriend!
DeleteYikes!
ReplyDeleteOrson was snip snip!
ReplyDeleteSo he can't have a friend? All of mine are 'snip snip'.
DeleteHe could have a girl friend, but not a girlfriend, haha.
DeleteIf you say so....
DeleteI think Orson love to live alone lol
DeleteYes, I guess so!
DeleteLooks like they got a nice Christmas treat. I'm sure they thought it was delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh, they thought it was heaven. lol....
DeleteWhat a sweet bunch! Marmalade sure stands out. How nice they got a little ham for a special treat.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't he? I think he likes it that way! :)
Deleteholy cow....
ReplyDeletejust be glad they dont start a revolution.
ha.
or conspire to knock you over when the milk comes
out the fridge...smiles.
haha...oh, they do know the sound of the frig door....kinda like Pavlov's Dog. ha.
DeleteHi Betsy - this is a great feline collection! Wonderful .. Socks obviously prefers the autobiographical portrait! Great photo .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteMy mouth just dropped open when I saw this...bless you! I have a soft spot for animals too! Happy New Year to you and all you love...which obviously, is many!
ReplyDelete