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Dolly Doyle’s Tale

6th September 2016 By Cuddles 9 Comments

Dolly flowers in hairDolly started out her life living rough in the outside part of a heating system belonging to a hotel in County Galway. She was rescued by Galway Cat Rescue as part of their TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) programme after they were notified of her presence. Following this Tricia fostered her for a while and then decided to formally adopt Dolly into her family. Sadly, when Tricia passed away recently Dolly was homeless once more. I decided to try her out with Ted and Dougal and if they agreed I would adopt her.

I wasn’t all that confident it would work, as I have tried to integrate cats into our family before and they never worked out and had to be rehomed. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained and I thought maybe as Dolly was small and female, friendly and used to living among other cats that she wouldn’t be a threat to my two older boys.

I set up a crate with everything she needed – bed, food and water, litter tray, the essential cardboard box to play and hide in and a few toys. I kept her in the crate for the first week and showed her to Ted and Dougal when each of them was in my arms. A couple of days passed and I saw Ted looking at her as if to say: “Are you still here?” On about day three I put the crate up on a table – more for my benefit than anything else as it is easier to clean up at that level instead of crawling on the floor. After about a week I closed off part of the house (when Ted and Dougal were out in the garden) and let Dolly roam around a couple of rooms for a short while. I did this several times over a few days. With each outing her confidence grew and after a few more days I opened her crate while Ted and Dougal were in the vicinity. Naturally I stayed in the same room to intervene if necessary. Ted and Dougal were a little wary of her at first and she was very curious about them along with everything she encountered. She very quickly learnt that the crate is a place of refuge and if there are any sudden movements or loud noises she runs over and jumps in to safety.

DSC_0874
Dolly approaches Ted

Dolly enjoys racing up and down reception after a ping pong ball. Her favourite spot for an afternoon snooze has become our reception desk. She started training to become a receptionist but we already have two receptionists (Ted and Dougal). In keeping with the Ted and Dougal theme, we decided to add to her name giving her the new formal title “Dolly Doyle”, and her position in Cuddles will be that of our Tea Lady. Go on, go on, go on, you will, you will, you will! A couple of days ago she hunted a little fly which amused her for quite a while. Hmmm, she’s trying to make herself indispensable!

DSC_0585 dougal

 

Dolly Doyle is three weeks here at this stage and she is making herself at home more and more. Ted has met her face to face a few times now. He hissed at her just once or twice (in a gentle way) but he mostly seems curious about her. Dougal and Dolly are more or less avoiding/ignoring each other. Dougal has growled at Dolly once or twice but again not in a threatening way, but as if to say: “Don’t come too close, I’m not sure what to make of you.” – or maybe he’s thinking “stay away, that dinner is mine!”

 

On the integration goes. I have a good feeling this will work.

 

PS:  Dolly has several brothers and sisters, all lovely friendly cats looking for homes. Why not give one of them a chance and try to integrate them into your feline family?  You won’t be sorry.

PPS:  On an equally serious note, please make provision for any pets in your care should something happen to you and you are no longer able to look after them yourself.

Filed Under: Integrating a new cat into the family, News, Tips Tagged With: integrating a cat, rehoming a cat

Loving Homes Wanted (Part 5 – Mr. No Name)

2nd September 2016 By Cuddles Leave a Comment

Go on, pick me!

(Home Now Found – see below)

I’m Mr. No Name

Mr No Name

Many of you will know that cat-lover extraordinaire Patricia Knight died suddenly and very prematurely last month (August 2016).  She had owned nine lovely pet cats.  Several of these cats are being accommodated in Cuddles for the moment, while suitable homes are being sought for them. Homes have already been found for Zoe and Buddy and we at Cuddles have decided to integrate Dolly into our own family.  Ted and Dougal are being very accommodating so far and we are finding the introduction process a lot easier than we imagined. Check back soon for updates on how Dolly is settling in.

We have decided to feature one of Tricia’s cats each day this week and Friday’s cat is “Mr. No Name.  Here is his story…

Mr. No Name had been living with Tricia for at least two years, but nobody knows his name.

For some reason he never boarded at Cuddles with his “brothers and sisters”, but he was definitely a member of the family for at least the past two years. He was obviously much loved as he is healthy, neutered and a friendly boy who loves food and petting in equal measure. As soon as he spots a human approaching he rolls over onto his back for a tummy tickle.

As with Tricia’s other cats, Mr. No Name would be happy to join another cat family as he gets on extremely well with the other cats. However, he would be just as happy to be the only one in a single cat family. All he wants is a snug bed or box to curl up in and as long as the food and cuddles keep coming he will be easily convinced to like a new home.

As with Tricia’s other cats Mr. No Name will need six weeks indoor confinement to adjust to a his new surroundings and home.

Could Mr. No Name be the one for you? If so, please contact Galway Cat Rescue by email at galwaycats@gmail.com or send them a message via Facebook.

Update

Mr No Name has been adopted. He went to his new home on Wednesday 14th September. Lucky Mr No Name and lucky family.

 

Filed Under: Home Wanted, News Tagged With: home wanted

Loving Homes Wanted (Part 4 – Heidi)

1st September 2016 By Cuddles Leave a Comment

Will you consider me?

My name is Heidi.

Many of you will know that cat-lover extraordinaire Patricia Knight died suddenly and very prematurely last month (August 2016).  She had owned nine lovely pet cats.  Several of these cats are being looked after in Cuddles for the moment, while suitable homes are being sought for them. Homes have already been found for Zoe and Buddy and we at Cuddles have decided to integrate Dolly into our own family.  Ted and Dougal are being very accommodating so far and we are finding the introduction process a lot easier than we imagined. Check out our Facebook page for updates on how Dolly is settling in.

We are featuring one of Tricia’s cats each day this week. Thursday’s cat is Heidi.

Heidi
Heidi

Heidi along with Sammy (Wednesday’s cat) were from a TNR (trap, neuter, return) colony of cats from the Riverside area of Galway.  She came to Galway Cat Rescue at 4 months old.  Similarly to Molly and Sally, Tricia offered Heidi and Sammy a foster home and tamed them. A little time passed and Tricia adopted these two as she couldn’t bear to part with them.

Heidi lives up to her name, loving somewhere secure to hide away, but wants to watch what is going on. She is a little shy with new people but once she is around you for a while she will learn to trust you and it is so rewarding in particular to see Heidi relax. Just like Tricia’s other cats, Heidi loves to have the freedom to go out and play and can spend hours outside exploring happily, after which she loves to curl up in a nice secure, warm place.  Heidi has been neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped and flea/wormed.  Heidi will take a little time to adjust but with patience and a gentle approach she will relax. She loves under chin and face rubs.  Heidi is used to a quiet house without children but older children would be acceptable. She gets on very well with other cats.

Do you have the purrfect home for Heidi? If so, please contact Galway Cat Rescue by email at galwaycats@gmail.com or send them a message via Facebook.

 

Filed Under: Home Wanted, News Tagged With: home wanted

Loving Homes Wanted (Part 3 – Sammy)

31st August 2016 By Cuddles Leave a Comment

I’m here too…

My name is Sammy.

Many of you will know that cat-lover extraordinaire Patricia Knight died suddenly and very prematurely earlier this month (August 2016).  She had owned nine lovely pet cats.  Several of these cats are being looked after in Cuddles for the moment, while suitable homes are being sought for them. Homes have already been found for Zoe and Buddy and we at Cuddles have decided to integrate Dolly into our own family.  Ted and Dougal are being very accommodating so far and we are finding the introduction process a lot easier than we imagined. Check out our Facebook page for updates on how Dolly is settling in.

We are featuring one of Tricia’s cats each day this week. Wednesday’s cat is Sammy.  

Sammy

 

Sammy (and Thursday’s cat Heidi) were from a TNR (trap, neuter, return) colony of cats from the Riverside area of Galway.  He came to Galway Cat Rescue at 4 months old.  Similarly to Molly and Sally, Tricia offered Sammy and Heidi a foster home and tamed them. A little time passed and Tricia adopted these two as she couldn’t bear to part with them.

Sammy is a little shy with new people but once he trusts you he will be your best friend.  He has the saddest eyes you’ll see in a cat, though you wouldn’t think so from the photo above. Sammy loves to have the freedom to go out and play and can spend hours outside exploring happily, after which he loves to curl up in a nice warm spot for a nap.  Sammy has been neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped and flea/wormed.  Sammy will take a little time to adjust but with patience and a gentle approach he will relax.  Sammy is used to a quiet house without children but older children would be acceptable. He gets on very well with other cats.

Have you a cosy spot in your heart and home for Sammy?  If so, please contact Galway Cat Rescue by email at galwaycats@gmail.com or send them a message via Facebook.

 

Filed Under: Home Wanted, News Tagged With: home wanted

Loving Homes Wanted (Part 2 – Sally)

30th August 2016 By Cuddles Leave a Comment

How about me?

Many of you will know that cat-lover extraordinaire Patricia Knight died suddenly and very prematurely earlier this month (August 2016).  She had owned nine lovely pet cats.  Several of these cats are being looked after in Cuddles for the moment, while suitable homes are being sought for them. Homes have already been found for Zoe and Buddy and we at Cuddles have decided to integrate Dolly into our own family.  Ted and Dougal are being very accommodating so far and we are finding the introduction process a lot easier than we imagined. Check out our Facebook page for updates on how Dolly is settling in.

We are featuring one of Tricia’s cats each day this week. Tuesday’s Cat is Fair of Face and her name is Sally.

Sally

Sally together with Molly (Monday’s cat) were part of a large TNR (trap, neuter, return) colony of cats in Camus, Connemara.  Two elderly gentleman were overwhelmed with cats and Galway Cat Rescue were asked to help.  As one of the gentlemen went into a nursing home it was decided that most of the cats should be rehomed.  All the Connemara cats were tested and both Molly and Sally are FIV/FELV negative.  Sally and Molly were offered a foster home with Tricia.  After a time Tricia formally adopted the pair and they thrive on an in and out life with plenty of freedom. Sally is spayed, flea/wormed, vaccinated and micro-chipped.  She has a very gentle nature and a lovely personality and she asks that someone choose her and take care of her the way Tricia did. Sally would be happy on her own or in the company of other cats.  She would not be suitable for a home with young children as it is felt they would be a little much for her.

Could yours be the purrfect home for Sally?  If so, please contact Galway Cat Rescue by email at galwaycats@gmail.com or send them a message via Facebook.

Filed Under: Home Wanted, News Tagged With: home wanted

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A bit about Muriel

I have had cats in my life since I was a child when I "rescued" a mother cat with three kittens from a field and brought them home. They became part of my world and at the time I never thought that one day cats would be my life! My dream came true when I opened the doors of Cuddles Cattery for the first time on 4th July 2005. The main reason I set up Cuddles was because I could not find a cattery locally in which to board my own cats that met my high standards. Read More…

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Molly, pictured immediately prior to her pecking m Molly, pictured immediately prior to her pecking my phone. Such a funny hen. Polly in background. Molly and Polly are my two ex-battery hens #hens #chickens #exbatteryhens
Victoria in Ted's bed! #britishshorthair #britishb Victoria in Ted's bed! #britishshorthair #britishblue #victoriabritishblue #catsofinstagram
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That little face! Dolly-Doyle inspecting the new c That little face! Dolly-Doyle inspecting the new cat flap #tabbycat #catflap #tedanddollydoyle
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