International Vacation!

So this is the first year we have come to Canada without puppies in FOREVER.  It's been 3 years since we last came here, when Esa was still with us.  After that, we didn't want to come/needed to start some new memories first.

Today is day 13 of our vacation.  This year has been different because we have INTERNET!  Needless to say, I haven't gotten as many books read as I usually (like 1 because I need to give it back to someone), but I have gotten a lot of organizing done for the business that I have been putting off.  Just those little things that I haven't had time to get around to do AND now, I'm blogging.

I miss blogging.  I hate to say it, but I don't remember the little details like I use to and with blogging, I can get them all down.

So, day 13 and what have we done.  I have continued to walk 4 miles a day (except 2 days including today) and Dan has gone with me.  The first couple of days, we walked from the cottage and up the roads around here.  And I say UP the roads because they are HILLS!  Like crazy hills.  Definitely got my workout in on those!  The last couple of days, we have gone to the Trans Canada trail (which is flat) and did geocaching.

We haven't gone geocaching in forever and I definitely still enjoy it - I think Dan does too.  The great thing about geocaching up here is that people have usually heard of it so when you say you are geocaching, they ask about it or are open to you explaining it.  We've met quiet a few people on the trail along with their dogs - which by the way, most are off leash.

We saw some stuff while geocaching that we wouldn't see at home (in the wild) - a snapper hatchling and bear prints.  Both on separate days.

We lost a mudflap one day while parking to go geocaching.  Dan kind of pulled into a ditch then backed out of it and caught the mudflap.  Luckily all of the screws stayed with it so he was able to secure it back on when we got home.

Pictures will need to uploaded later on here since the connection is kind of slow with the hotspot.

We had dinner at a great restaurant in Peterborough - Ricky's; went to a Peterborough Petes exhibition game; had an anniversary dinner at Bercs Steakhouse (a tradition when we are here).

The cottage has changed a little since we we last up here - the bathroom has been painted, the washer was moved, there has been a lot of geese this year.  Neither of us remember there being so many geese.

And mice - the first night, we found a dead mouse in the pantry/food shelves, and Dan's cousin said they found quite a few when they were here in July.  We also have a black squirrel that visits.  He came right up on the deck towards me when I was sitting in the lounge one day and scared the shit out of me.  The next day, he came behind me and I heard him so it didn't scare me, but I think I scared him.

Foster Kittens Update

So, on August 7, we took the kittens back to the shelter to stay overnight while we went out of town.  Sonny was getting sick, so we left them there until Tuesday when the vet could look at them.

Tuesday, I stopped up to pick them up and they weighed enough to get fixed so they stayed.  On Sunday (the 14th) we stopped by to visit the Mobile Adoption Unit and found out that the kittens were back at the shelter but quarantined  because they thought they might be getting sick again.  So, I called the shelter and asked if they needed for us to take them for awhile.  YEP!

We went up and picked them up within 30 minutes of calling.  Friday (the 19th), I had to go back to the shelter to get Erythromycin for Sonny - he got really sick again.  Fortunately, he is MUCH better and I think ready for the shelter.

They are scheduled to go back to the shelter on Saturday.  This has been a great experience.  We definitely are not ready for adopting an animal yet.  The kittens are in their CRAZY stage.  It's kind of nice not having the time restraints and responsibility.

Maybe fostering is our new calling.  We'll see.

Fostering Day 4 and 5 (so far)

The kittens are definitely settling in.  I, on the other hand, need to stop playing with them and get to work!  Yesterday, I did TRY to work with them out running around and that didn't work out as well as I hoped.

The black kitten is definitely feeling much better.  I don't think he sneezed at all yesterday.  The black & white one is still sneezing quite a bit (in fits), and does get a little congested when it is about time for another dose of medicine (2x per day).

The b&w one also has some butt issues.  He scoots his butt across the floor which I looked up and I think he was constipated.  Today, he seems to have a little issue of not having a little control.  This morning I keep finding poop on me and then on the breakfast nook chairs - yes, they are climbing all over the place.

Sunday night they decided to start jumping up on the breakfast nook chairs and then yesterday onto the table and onto the top of the crate, so my whole afternoon was chasing after them to get down.  The chairs are now (cleaned and) in the other room so no more climbing.

They also like to get in the window sills of our family room.  Luckily, no climbing the drapes (yet).  Esa's ashes, favorite toy, leash, and collar are also in our family room, so they like to climb all over those items.  I'm sure Esa is loving it.  I can picture her playing with them in our house, trying to get them to chase her. Zed could have cared less about cats.  They probably would have gotten on his nerves.

Both are definitely bonding with us.  Yesterday morning as soon as I let them out, they came right up to me and gave me cuddles.  Same thing at night when they are winding down.

Babe
1988 - 2007

Having them in the house is definitely what I needed.  So many friends are shocked that we are fostering kittens, but they are the ones that have only known me for the last couple of years.  I have always loved cats and dogs.

Babe, my last cat, was in my life for 18 years and was through a bunch with me.  She was my one constant during losing my parents, moving to a new state, several jobs, and many, many roommates.

Fun stuff - I downloaded 2 apps for cats on my iPad.  Black kitten definitely gets playing it, B&W is slowly getting it.  B is much more active than B&W, so it makes sense.

I can't wait to post pictures of them.  Unfortunately,  part of fostering is no promoting them.  I haven't talked to the coordinator directly, so maybe next time I can.  I'll come back and post pictures after the fact.

In the meantime, I have been sending pictures to my friends and family directly on Snapchat and text.