Busy, busy, busy!

Thanksgiving is almost here! I've always really loved this holiday...partly because of all the amazing food, and partly because I get to visit with a lot of family members that I don't see very often.

This year, Kyle and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner for my side of the family. I am really excited about having everyone over, but it means a LOT of work to get ready for Thursday. Hosting means I am in charge of preparing most of the meal, including some appetizers, a 15lb turkey, a spiral ham, a couple side dishes, and probably some dessert (because that's what I like to make the most!).

I don't actually mind all the cooking...in fact, I love doing it...but I am pretty short on time. I also have a lot of cleaning to do around the house to get ready (I have been slacking a little because I have been using all my spare time to work on knitting projects for Christmas), and I'm working 40 hours this week, including a 12 hour shift on 'Black Friday' from 11:45pm to 11:45am... should be fun. After work on Friday, we are headed to visit Kyle's family for the "First Festivus" celebration (aka: Thanksgiving, part 2). Then it's back to work early Saturday morning. So basically....I'm going to be busy, busy, busy, busy, busy until around 5pm on Saturday. Then...I sleep.

I really hope the Crispies and Beau Bear (especially Beau Bear) behave for our guests...They have a tendency to get excited. And no one likes an overwhelming 100 pound dog, or cats that want more attention than your willing to give them. I'm always willing...but I realize that everyone else probably isn't, so here's hoping it goes well!

Wish me luck! 

Feeding Stray Cats (a misdemeanor?)

Saw this article in the paper today (click here to read it) about a woman being prosecuted for feeding feral cats....
Not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, she did let it get out of control and therefore must take responsibility for them, but still.. she wasn't the one that dumped these cats in the city to fend for themselves. She saw skinny, starving cats and she fed them. I would do the same thing... actually, I DO do the same thing (despite my husband's disapproval)...
If the Humane Society won't take them and Animal Control won't help, what are you supposed to do?

“I don’t want them in my yard, either,” she said. “But I don’t want them to starve to death.”


So instead of helping her deal with all of these stray cats, the county is attempting to convict her and give her not only a $500 fine, but a 90 day prison sentence? For feeding cats..? Seems severe.
I mean... I know she attracted all these cats to the neighborhood by offering them food, but they were already IN the city...OTHER people dumped them there. Why should it be her responsibility to find a place to take these cats or have them euthanized? She just didn't want to see them slowly die of starvation...

So anyway...if you happen to find yourself in a similar situation, the best thing to do is to just take them to the Jackson County Animal Shelter (or another shelter that accepts strays) unless you are willing to take full responsibility for the animal. Preferably, do so before you have acquired a collection of nearly 20 cats in your yard!

And remember, there are ALWAYS beautiful, loving, homeless cats that are up for adoption at both the Animal Shelter and the Humane Society if you are looking for a furry friend...

Please, please, please don't forget to have your cats spayed and nuetered so that we don't add to the homeless population. There are already so many cats out there looking for their forever homes!