It was a hectic July! We had the grandkids all month, and I was busy every minute. I lost some weight just following them around. Then the last week they were here, we picked up another family member, quite unexpectedly.
Doug was mowing outside, and a teeny kitten came running up to him full-tilt, with no concern apparently for the mower or for interacting with a human. His eyes were all matted, and he was skin and bones. We recognized him as one of the kittens of a feral cat that my cousin has been feeding. We knew she had had babies and they were living in an old, unused barn. But this baby was all alone and starving, and upon checking the barn, we found Mama and the other babies had departed and ditched him.
Doug brought him in and fed him milk with a syringe, and a couple of days later, Mama and his siblings moved underneath our shed, so we tried to reunite them. Again, they all moved and left him behind, and so he became part of our family. His name is Oliver PeeWee, or Opie for short! We still need to get our two dachshunds on board, however. Hopefully, they will accept him soon. They are starting to warm up. Cautiously.
The vet said he was about four weeks old, but only weighed 9 ounces! He has quickly gained weight since then. He has his own room and a much better living situation. He’s eating solid food as well. Some eye drops are clearing up his eye condition quickly.
We are going to try to trap the mama cat and get her spayed once she’s done feeding her kittens so this doesn’t happen again. We’re hoping some shelters will take the other kittens, but who knows?
Here are photos of Opie, both when Doug first found him and after he started improving:
I’ve also been busy with my reviews editor duties for Historical Novels Review, the magazine of The Historical Novel Society. The August issue just came out, and I’ve been sharing the reviews with the authors and publishers. The next issue comes out in November. There are four issues a year, and the mission is to share recently published (and forthcoming) historical fiction novels with as many people as possible.
THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG
On Tuesday, I’ll be reviewing The Long Shadow by Beth Kanell. This is the first book of her Winds of Freedom series, which has three books so far. I’ll be reviewing the whole series. On Wednesday, I’ll be reviewing My Great Aunt’s Diary as part of a Bookouture book tour. I’ll participate in Top Ten Tuesday, time permitting. I’m also trying to get some Indie reviews out now that the hectic part of summer is over
I hope you all had a great week!
*Sunday post is hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
Bonnie, he is too cute for words! You’ve both been amazing. Sweet, lucky Opie.
It really did seem like God told him, “Go to that guy over there. He’ll help you.”
Opie is adorable. I hope the dogs will be able to at least tolerate him. He knew he would be safe with your family. My dogs would never allow a cat in our lives I’m afraid.
I didn’t think mine would either, especially since Hermann bit him as soon as we tried to introduce them. It must have been just a nip because there was no blood or injury. Since then, Opie is behind a gate in his room and the dogs go up and sniff him on the other side of the gate. We also bring him out often for socializing, as you can see in the other picture above. I hope they get along eventually, although it may take a scratch or two to the nose.
Good luck!!
❤️ Pups adapt…eventually, especially with such a little kitty. Love how you helped him find the perfect home:)
Thanks Gail. You should tell the story of your goose on here. I hope you’re able to help him!
Thanks, Bonnie. Give us another day and hopefully, I’ll be telling a happy-ending goose story, like yours with Opie. I’m emotionally exhausted worrying about him, which is making me oh, so determined:)
Prayers!
Opie is so cute, and looking so much better!
He really is. He’s almost a whole pound now.
Oh my, he is cute!! He couldn’t find a better home!!
Thanks Louise! We need to email and catch up!
It’s so nice that you adopted Opie, Bonnie, and it has been good for him. To have grandchildren for a whole month must have been great.
It was great…but tiring!
I understand that it would be tiring, Bonnie.
Oh my gosh Opie is so adorable! Glad you got to spend so much time with your grandkids this summer.
Thank you! They live in CT and I live in NC, so a long visit in the summer is the answer.
Opie knew right who to go to for help!! He’s looking so much better now.
Thank you Liz! He is really thriving now.
Oh, sweet Opie! He looks very happy in your care. 🙂
Yes, he ended up in a much better spot than he was before. Poor abandoned boy.
Great photos! Enjoy the kitten.
Thanks Laurel!
Hi Bonnie! I am glad you rescued that little kitty and I hope he continues to recover and grow! I also wanted to tell you I lost your contact info. Would you send me a text so I can update my contacts and keep in touch?! Thanks, Tim
Thanks Tim!
You’re a hero for taking in that beautiful little kitty! So cute! I hope your dogs and Oliver will be the best of friends soon. It does sound like you had a busy and fun July with the grandkids. Summers go by too fast. I hope you are enjoying your week and have a great weekend!
Bless you for taking in Opie. I hope he gives you lots of years of cuddles and purrs. I can’t believe it is almost the middle of August. Enjoy the rest of the summer, Bonnie.