Cats I Loved in January

 

In October, actually on our Anniversary the 31st of October 2021, I officially (and finally!) got to start my volunteer placement at Cats Protection. I originally applied to volunteer in 2019, had my phone interviews etc and had a meeting booked to go into the centre in February 2020. We all know what happened then... Thankfully I was very lucky to hear back in September 2021 and although I hadn't left my house for over a year and a half at that point, I pushed myself to do this because it was such a special opportunity.
My title is technically Cat Desensitization Volunteer and as of the start of this year, I have also been running our centre's Instagram. Once a week I get to go in and spend a few hours with the cats. I hug those that want to be hugged, play with those who want to play and just sit with those who may have some trauma or are timid to help 'desensitize' them and give them company.
While in I also take photos and videos to use on the Instagram and/or website. Obviously, they also feature in my daily photo project as I want to remember every single cat I have the pleasure of meeting and loving. I did and didn't want to share the photos here but have decided that I'm going to share them with a 6-month delay as by that time they will all be re-homed and most have had their names changed etc.
This is purely for my own memories, as with everything on this blog but I'm sure people won't mind getting to see photos of cute cats...?

Stella
Jasmine and Sasha
Bob
 Bell and Mya 

Sooty
Susie
George & Mildred (was Bell and Mya)
Widget
Leo

Tiggy
Eggy
Mocha

Milo and Star
Squeaky
Karamel and Bustopher
Tobias

Minnie
Sausage
Geronimo
Dylan
Tamara
Florence
Delphi

Katie and Sophie
Stripe
Humbug
Gillan
Minnie
Alice
Mildred and George


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At this point in time, I had started to go in twice a week to the centre and help with some admin work, adding cats to the website and making videos for the YouTube channel. So that being said, some of these photos were taken on my DSLR - with the cats who were confident enough. 
You may see a few faces popping up regularly and those were longer staying residents usually. George and Mildred completely stole my heart and I really felt they were meant to be my cats. I adored them and I feel like they loved me too with both of them enjoying grooming me and George (who had a deformity of his feet) liked to climb up and sit on my shoulders. If I wasn't already Mam to 10 I would have applied to adopt them for sure.
Sasha and Jasmine were another pair who I got some great satisfaction out of seeing their progress from very, very timid girls to starting to trust so much more before they found their home.
 I tell each and every cat ' I love you' when I leave and my heart always breaks to close the door behind me whether they are sitting cosy in their hide or clawing and meowing at the glass. This volunteer placement has become a huge part of my life and part of my weekly routine. I can't wait to continue my journey with Cats Protection and urge you to check out your local centre!
Pop on over to Cats Protection | UK’s Largest Cat Welfare Charity to find the centre closest to you. Donate, shop online, buy from the centres' Amazon wishlist and most importantly ADOPT DON'T SHOP!!! Oh, and spay and neuter you're bloomin' pets. Rescue centres all over the country are really struggling right now and they all need your support. Thanks!

Check out lots more cute cats in the previous post in this series here > Cats I Met in November & December

30 Days Wild // Week 3

 

Welcome to Week 3 of 30 Days Wild!
30 Days Wild happens annually in June, run by The Wildlife Trusts and is to encourage us to get out and take part in 'Random Acts Of Wildness' every day of the month. Unless you are completely new here you will know we are a very wild family, to begin with! However, it's not only an excuse to share nature and wildlife-themed photos every single day of my project 365  but it is also a fun way to mix up my wildness to include things other than just my obsession with photographing every bird that enters my garden haha.

Just as I did last year I'm sharing each week here as well as daily on my Instagram.

See last week's post here >> 30 days Wild // Week 2

Check out Week 3 of 30 Days Wild from last year, 2021, here >> 30 Days Wild // Week 3

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Day 15
Happy Nature Photography Day!

Today we took our monthly visit to Beamish, however, we decided to leave Baker at home today as it's now too hot and dogs shouldn't be out in it.
That being said, it meant I was able to let my eyes and mind wander a little more than usual, spotting all of the wildlife and photographing all the nature haha.

Day 16
Water Conservation.

Today I finished yet another perfect book that I think everyone needs to read.
Talking about such an important topic but in a heartfelt fictional story, I hope that it will really help to make more people care and make a change.
It's fitting that I finished a book about water (and a super special whale of course) on this day of 30 Days Wild when we're thinking about water conservation.
I don't need to say how much of a lifeline water is.

We need water.
However, by the 2080s we will be in huge water deficits and so we all need to start being more aware of our water consumption.

Some ways that we personally save water are:
- Turning the tap off! Don't let it run when you don't need to.
- Only wash full loads of washing.
- Have a water butt to water plants.
- Use a 'waste water' tub. When freshening pets water bowls or tipping out used (but free from cleaning products etc)
water, we add the waste to a tub which is then all used for watering plants rather than sending it down the drain.
- Flush the toilet less!
- Keep on top of any drips or leaks, the small escaped water adds up to big amounts over time.
- Install a water meter. This not only helps you keep on top of how much water you are using but also saves you money!

We love water! We love ponds and lakes and lochs and rivers and seas and oceans.
Please do your part to protect them and their inhabitants by being climate aware and environmentally responsible. 🌊

Day 17
A Helping Hand for Hedgehogs...

An unexpected wild event today.
We have another Hog in the Hallow family mini-rescue!

For those who do not know, before I get comments, I have a lot of experience and knowledge with wildlife rehab.
I have helped pigeons, blackbirds, sparrows, seagulls and hedgehogs previously and if they were more poorly than I could personally handle they would be taken
straight to a wildlife rescue (there are none in my area, I'd have to take them a good distance away hence doing what I can myself when I can first) or a vet.

That out of the way, say hello to Ludo!
With our previous little female hog named Hoggle, I thought it fitting to name this big boy Ludo.
He was in the middle of a busy trading estate entrance heading toward a very dangerous main road in the bright daylight and was very, very slow.
A Jackdaw was pecking at him and he was not curling up to protect himself as I watched nor when I approached.
The road he was on has multiple dead hedgehogs along its length and I couldn't leave him with that fate on my mind.
So he came to the Hallow House 🦔

He was dehydrated, but at a good weight.
I do not touch the wildlife if it can be avoided so although he did have a quick once over during transfer to the hutch,
I observed him overnight to make sure he's ready before release into our (very hog and wildlife friendly) garden.
He ate, drank and pooped which is brilliant!

If possible, please provide plenty of fresh drinking water for all wildlife.
Always, but especially during these hot days!!
Shallow dishes, bird baths, bowls with sticks in for bugs and small animals to climb out.
It's very important and a huge help.
Remember to also clean them often and refill them daily to protect from bird flu and other diseases.

Day 18
Pebble Painting.

This was an activity I did in last year's 30 days Wild, with a sea theme for World Oceans Day!
I've painted pebbles for a few years and so I tried to think of new ideas that I haven't done before...
which is harder said than done. 
I'm no artist that's for sure but I do like to do these and leave them while out on walks for people to find.

Day 19
Wasp Friend.

I think most people just flap them away and run from them but this wasp (assuming it's the same one) comes pretty much every day and very loudly 'chews' the bamboo screening on our fence.
I can hear them from across the garden and love to watch them!
It's so interesting!

Day 20
Reepicheep is back again!

I did attempt some cloud watching today, but the sky was unusually clear and blue.
Yesterday I saw a cloud that looked like a whale with a calf but I was driving and had no camera.

 However, I did have a sky photo ready for today...until Mr H shouted to me when he had Baker out for the toilet.
Reepicheep was back on the bird table again!!
They seemed very hot so I brought out a smaller bowl of water for them and was shocked at how close I was able to approach.
It makes me a little sad (as well as insanely happy) because as much as I adore wildlife and love them to come near me, I do hope they retain a fear of humans and stay away as not all of our species are nice.
 It was lovely to see you again though Reep 🐭🖤

Day 21
Happy Summer Solstice 🌞

They've not been featured in my daily photos for a while, so here are Eos, Aurora and Baker enjoying both the sun and shade.

We were also able to release Ludo tonight.
In comparison to Hoggle, he's a very timid, shy guy despite being so big!
We left him in the front garden, near the hog-house with food and water in the proximity and
upon checking this morning he's completely gone - so fingers are crossed for long, healthy life.

With Summer being fully here now and climate change bringing record temperatures,
I implore you to look after pets and wildlife even more.
Make sure both have plenty of options for access to fresh, clean water.
Keep pets indoors, don't walk your dogs, provide shade for all, make sure to pay close attention to small animals and if hutches etc are outdoors please get them into the shade.
For all pets, there are numerous options for keeping cool, but a good free option includes filling bottles with water and freezing them, then wrap in a towel and leave in a place where your animal frequents.
 Search the internet for anything else you can do, please.
It is literally life and death.

Another week of 30 Days Wild has flown away on the wind! It was a mammal-heavy week which is wonderful and I hope it encourages you to make your garden extra wildlife-friendly and help the little creatures who are struggling in this heat.

We are currently on Day 14 of the challenge so pop on over to my Instagram to keep up with my daily posts in real-time >> Instagram
See last week's post here >> 30 days Wild // Week 2
Check out Week 3 of 30 Days Wild from last year, 2021, here >> 30 Days Wild // Week 3

Until next time...