Welcome to Caturday, citizens of Cutetropolis! We are fortunate today to have the company of a very distinguished older gentleman, courtesy of reader Glenna M.:
It was about time I shared some photos of my amazing foster kitty, Grandalf. That’s not a typo — it’s a mashup of “grandpa” and “Gandalf.” I am fostering him for our local animal shelter in Spokane, SCRAPS.
He’s considered a hospice foster because he’s quite elderly and diabetic. But, that being said, now that his diet is being monitored and he’s being given insulin as needed, he is absolutely thriving. I hope he will be with me for quite a while, as he is such a wonderful cat.
With a name like Grandalf, of course he must have some gentlemanly accessories, including a wizard’s hat (you can find ANYTHING on the internet these days.) I’m really not a crazy cat lady who normally dresses up her animals, but with him, it’s hard to resist.
He is the most gentle, patient cat you can imagine. He tolerates kittens climbing all over him and even didn’t mind letting an orphan comfort “nurse” on him. He’s a very good grandpa. (Bonus video of him getting his daily massage from his own personal masseuse.)
The video of hospice foster Grandalf getting his massage is so touching it brings tears to my eyes just remembering it, after having watched it.
It really IS about time, Glenna! 😀 But the day Grandalf met you was definitely his lucky day (and probably yours too). How could anyone not fall in love with that sweet, beautiful boy. I feel like my day just got better having seen that massage video. 💕
Grandalf has the looks of an old time sage that knows the secrets of the universe. I hope he lives a good long life with you.
What a sweet old man for caturday. Love the hat.
Heading to Point Pleasant today for mini golf and lunch on the boardwalk for my friend’s birthday. Will check in later. I’ll leave you with this.
So I came in second with a score of 60 (after my friend the birthday girl).
The mini-golf course had a waterfall and a “river” running through it. The water was so green with algae (I’m assuming; my other guess was the syrup they use for the lime-flavored slushies at the snack bar because that’s how bright green it was) that we skipped the first part of one hole that required hitting the ball over a little bridge and if you missed it went into the water (it went through a tunnel that had a grate inside so the water dropped down and the ball continued to the bottom part of the green). We hit from the other end, instead, because none of us wanted to risk having to pick up a wet golf ball. Then we got lunch, then took a walk to the end of the boardwalk and back, then got Kohr’s ice cream (orange and vanilla swirl, yum!) then headed home. Where I threw in some laundry that I’m about to put in the dryer. Fun.
Glenna, you are amazing. And so is Grandalf! He reminds me of Grandpa Mason at the tinykittens rescue in Canada. What a wonderful boy! Hope he’s with you for many more years. If he wants more knitted hats, let me know and I’ll be happy to make something special.
He would love some more hats! I’ve been looking for a beret for him, but haven’t found quite the right one. 🙂
Give me a rough size and let’s figure out how to make this work. What about a chullo too?
A chullo would be adorable! I’m not quite sure how to measure a cat for a hat, but going across the top of his head, it’s 5″ from the outer edge of one ear to the other. Does that help?
You can message me directly at glenna.mace@gmail.com. Thanks!
“I’m not quite sure how to measure a cat for a hat,”
I love that this is a place where such a question can happen.
A good issue to grapple with!
clearly we are channeling the late Dr. Seuss here….
The cat will flee quicker than a fox, while you get band aids from a box.
Beautiful boy! I hope he is a “failed foster”. You are so good to him. ❤️
I adore the picture of Grandalf in his wizard’s cap! I, too, hope he is a foster fail, because he looks like he’s living his best life with you, Glenna!
Grandalf is, indeed, beautiful and a very fortunate elder cat. Glenna, I have to join the chorus in hoping he’s a foster failure!
I have a dilemma involving a cat. The stepdaughter of a fellow who takes my water color class recently passed away leaving behind a lovely brown tabby cat. My friend is looking after the cat but I don’t think he knows much of what he’s doing and another watercolor friend is helping him out a bit. I wanted to take the cat as a foster but realized in the cold light of reason that my rabbit Fergus is terrified of cats. This one is young and agile enough to get into the pen, so I realized this is not a good plan. I want to help out but I’m not sure about which rescues are good – I tried to reach a few but no answer on the phone. I hate to think of this poor cat living in a house by itself, the owner gone and its future uncertain. I will soldier on but I’m so worried about this little creature!
Oh boy Murray C. What a terrible dilemma. So sad all the way around. Have you called PAWS? They are a no-kill shelter, but rarely have room. They do have a foster program, I think? And could help advertise the little guy? I’m not sure. I think they are a wonderful organization (in Philly) and I’ve taken my cats there for small medical stuff like vaccines etc. It’s a very busy place so if you don’t get through, hang in there – they call back if you leave a message. Good Luck! xo
Murray, I don’t have any suggestions but do want to offer my emotional support. You’re a good soul.
Is it possible to take the cat in and keep it in an enclosed space? I’ve had pretty good luck with baby gates and doors, to keep my ferocious Scorpius away from the other kitties.
Your local humane society or animal shelter might have some ideas too.
Thanks, both Tara and DGerish – I will be doing more of that tomorrow. A Rescue is a good bet because, as you say, they have the means to advertise an animal and to help out if vet care is needed, etc. I was thinking that if push came to shove I could put the cat in my guest room but I don’t know how kind that is to the cat – better than many alternatives, I’m thinking. Today I just got a beautiful little rabbit, Snowbunn, who is visiting Murray’s Bunny Camp for a week. I’m looking after my neighbor’s cats while they’re away, and I’m dealing with my dear Clemmie’s eye infection – I sort of have my hands full!
Hoo boy – you do have your hands full! Good Luck with all! xo
Oh Mr. Grandalf is so handsome! I especially love the pic with his protege Butters. Thank you for sending pics of him. May he life a happy life with you or anyone else who may take him.
Diabetic kitties have an extra close bond with their caregivers.
If you don’t know about the FDMB (Feline Diabetes Message Board), check them out here. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/ Join to see even more of their forums, like the insulin specific forums for Lantus and Prozinc. They also have a facebook presence, but it’s a closed group and you have to ask to join. The facebook group is more social, but some good advice for beginners. No dosing advice on the facebook group, for that you need to join the message board (FDMB). More experienced people on the message board version vs facebook.
My diabetic foster Wink got off insulin thanks to the advice from the message board. If I had followed the vets high carb food and insulin dosing recommendations, he would have never achieved remission. He stayed off insulin for 5 years until his heart disease got too bad and he had to be euthanized. Still miss that guy and yes, he ended up being a foster fail. Best failure of my life.
Failing upwards! Thanks for all these tips–if any of my older kitties develop diabetes, I’ll find them very useful.
Grandalf has the most dignified, wise face ever! You can be sure he knows more than
you just by looking in those eyes. Murray, best of luck finding help for the poor orphaned
kitty. And, how is hubster doing these days?
Aw, thanks for asking, Phredsmom – he’s doing pretty well – tomorrow he gets evaluated for a program geared towards Parkinson’s sufferers that involves boxing, of all things. It’s good for muscle development, motor skills, focus, balance and is held at a local gym with PT’s who are certified in this particular area. I think he’s actually looking forward to it – once he found out it was non-contact!
Grandolf is lovely, espesh in his hat! I love how it looks like he has a beard!
Oh so precious. Love Grandalf and his kitten friend Butters. Very distinguished and that hat is perfect for him. Besides Gandalf from LOTR, he reminds me of the wizard from Worst Witch series on Netflix.
Sorry for being so late to the party but busy day dealing with our truck. Received mail saying there are 2 recalls on it plus it needed an oil change. Get there for our appointment at 7:50 am and find out there’s only 2 mechanics on duty today. Hubby sat at dealership while I went to Goodwill. Five hours later … truck finally done. Ran a few other errands and got home like an hour ago. And now I’m tired. Still trying to get organized and back into a routine after the vacay. Actually, still working on photos but I promise the wait will be worth it.
Hope everyone had a great summer Saturday.
Hope everyone’s having a great weekend! Grandolf is a handsome and lucky kitty; I love his wizard hat!
Knee update: Had to get a manipulation on this knee just like the last. It was yesterday afternoon and already it’s doing much better. I’m already close to the range of motion on the other knee. Fingers crossed that I can keep that going!
Here’s Lily questioning my need for the couch; knee or no knee, it belongs to her!
Lily looks so lovely against the background of the throw.Very flattering.
Hello everyone. Very late to party!
Grandolf looks very wise indeed. I’m sure he knows he landed in the best safe place.
Millie turned 3 years old on the 15th! Best three years of my life!
I’m working on a 20”x30” art piece. Will send picks to Mike.
Still plugging away with living my current life stage. I’m trying to convince myself to adopt a “I’m on permanent vacation.” attitude. That feeling when you are granted an unexpected snow day off school or work! We shall see.
Oops. Not a reply. A general comment.
So happy about your knee news. And a bonus Lily pic! What a beauty she is.
Happy Birthday to Millie! Many more!
Happy Birthday to Millie! and good for you, working away on your project.
Jan B., I have a local friend dealing with a knee that won’t cooperate after surgery and she works in a NICU and is trying to get ready to go back to working and all day on her feet! So I can visualize what you’re going through, too. And Lily is such a little princess – so dear.