The Fifty Most Popular Posts in IBKC History -- Part One!

I've been blogging about our fostering adventures for over eight years now, and have written over 3000 posts! 3099, to be exact! After all these years of blogging, I thought it might be fun to take a big look back and compile a list of our most popular posts.

I spent a lot of time reading old posts, and to rank the top fifty, I considered the number of comments first, followed by page views and the number of shares. Over the next five posts, I'll share with you this list. Please take some time and click on all the links. It's fun to revisit these stories and also read what you all had to say!

Here we go!!!

# 50 Welcome Wee Wallflower!
Kitten introductions always get a lot of comments. Here's the story of little Phoebe, the Dearborn that went missing.



  #49  'Tis the Season Nearly three years later, I'm still laughing at Wylla in her Santa suit. Ho ho ho! Ha ha ha!!!



  #48 The Gift of Graham  The adoption tale of Graham Loudermilk is a real heart-warmer!



  #47 OK, Everyone In the Basket
The Lively Bunch, looking adorable, in the famous pink basket.



#46 Bathtub + Ping Pong Ball + Kittens = Hours of Fun This Darling post landed on StumbleUpon, and it's the reason why many of you ended up finding the IBKC!

 

#45 Birthday Wishes for Butterbean
We celebrated Bean's birthday with a list of Bean fun facts! She's changed so much over the years, the list is not 100% accurate anymore, but it's still fun to read.

 

#44 Meet Bernice
Another kitten introduction! This little love had a rough start, but she turned it all around. Oh, sweet Bernice.

 

#43  A Little Tooooo Knead-y
Remember Gaetano Fortunato -- our tiny, manic maker of biscuits!



#42 Tender Little Bean Loves on Linus
This Bean and Linus moment will surely make you melt! Sigh.



#41 Tiny Diner
Our wee ragamuffin in her tiny dining room!



Tune in tomorrow for our next segment! I hope you'll enjoy this big look back as much as I enjoyed putting it all together for you!

Another Anderson-Erickson Alumni Update!

Perhaps you remember these two tiny tots, Clement and Bernice. Well, they are nearly all grown up now!





Bernice now goes by Bea, and Clement is Iggy, short for Ignatius.

Kris, their mama, was kind enough to share a few pictures with us and tell us a little bit about what they've been up too. Here is what she had to say:

We are enjoying our kittens so much. Ignatius is a "water cat" who cannot resist running to a flowing faucet and drinking out of it. We run water for him in two sinks, which keeps him out of the kitchen sink. Beatrice loves to run through any door that has just opened, so we've given her "open door" time in two closets that she loves to explore. Both Bea and Iggy love to sit in my lap, which creates logistical problems when they're both there. So Iggy has chosen lap time when I'm at my computer or sitting at the kitchen table, and Bea's time is when I'm sitting in the living room. Who knows how they decided this -- it's so cute!!















Thanks so much, Kris! It was so great catching up with Bea and Iggy! What lovely cats they've become!

I've got another alumni update to share with you tomorrow... two more Anderson-Ericksons!

Happy Monday, everyone.

Out with the Old...

There's SO much going on around here with kittens moving in, kittens moving out, and all this fundraising madness!

Just a couple of hours ago, I sent little Clement and Bernice on their merry little way. We were sad to say goodbye, but so happy to adopt out our bright, healthy babies.

Their new mom, Kris, was so excited to bring her home her new kittens. She's been following the IBKC for quite some time. This past fall, she and her husband said goodbye to their big kitty, and since then, have felt a void in their life. They decided they were ready for some kitten energy in their home, and Kris decided that Clement and Bernice were the ones.

The past few days it's just been Clement and Bernice. Ambrose and Louise left Saturday, and Emory and Ferris earlier in the week. When ever the kittens trickle out like that, the order is upset, and you can see the personalities of the remaining kittens start to shift. As the more dominant ones leave, the quieter ones start to shine.

Well, Miss Bernice, who was one of the quietest, most demure little lady cats we've had, really started to come out of her shell over the past couple of days. She went from shy little wallflower to a full on confident, kitty comedic genius. It was SO fun to watch her romp and play with just Clement. She developed some sly wresting moves, and even though she's smaller, could pin him in a second. She ran fast and wild all over the house. We just sat back, watched her spaz out, and laughed.

When I think back to the when we first met her - a scared, tiny little thing, just coming out from anesthesia after having a fish hook removed from her lip - and seeing now, the confident kitty she became.... well that's quite a little journey.

Giving in, and accepting that their new world is safer than the old, doesn't come easy to tiny little kittens. I'm sure it's a huge internal struggle for them.

I'm proud of that little girl for being able to change. It was beautiful to witness, and as a foster parent, one of the greatest rewards.

I couldn't be happier with how everything worked out for the Anderson-Ericksons. They all left with their perfect partners, and landed themselves some mighty-fine homes.

Once again,, I thank you Universe.

I know you're itching to see who's next.... give me a minute, and I'll share a little more. It takes a while to get the newbies settled in. Like I said before,, you're going to flip. They are ADORABLE.

Should you find yourself with a little time to kill until then,, you could always click HERE, and make a donation to our fundraiser. We rocked it yesterday,, but it's been a little quiet today.

Stay tuned, my friends.

What a Day, What a Day...

WOW.  Yesterday was UNBELIEVABLE, wasn't it?    It was so exciting to watch the total climb!!  We raised over THREE squillion for Drewey's Fund for Senior Cats.    She would be so proud!      What a difference this fund will make.  SO many big kitties will benefit from your donations.   Thanks to ALL of you for your generosity.    



Poor little Bernice.  After such a busy day one the phones, she and Clement are just exhausted.   Don't worry, Bernice. You're off the hook now.  Your shift is over.

It's time to get your suitcase packed  because your new mama is coming in just a couple of hours to pick  you and Clement up and take you home.  Don't worry though, the reinforcements have arrived.  


Wait a minute...  I have to work?   I thought I was just supposed to sit her and look pretty. 


OH, did I mention we have a new group of phone bank volunteers?   You guys are going to FLIP when you meet this crew!!

Much more later.... I've got to get Clem and Bernice out the door first.  

Lots more to come today, so please stay tuned!  

LIVE from the IBKC Fundraising Headquarters!

Good afternoon, friends. Thanks for tuning it. We're on day 8 of our IBKC fundraiser for the Tacoma/Pierce county Humane Society. Phone bank volunteers Clement and Bernice are standing by to take your pledges.

How are things going today, Clement?



Well, to be honest,, it's been a little quiet around here this afternoon. Fortunately, Bernice is here too, and we've been keeping ourselves entertained.



HEY! BENICE,,, the phones are ringing. Hurry up, get back here.



Dang, it. We missed it. OK, we need to stay put. No more monkey business. We've got a goal to meet!



To make a pledge online, and take us one step closer to our 4o squillion goal, Please click HERE. Thanks, friends. We really are off to an amazing start. Let's keep the momentum up!

I Hope You Folks are Sitting Down

I know this is going to be upsetting to many, but it's THAT time again.  The Anderson-Erickson's have all made weight, some have had surgery already,  some will be going in tomorrow.       Four out of six of the kittens have been spoken for and are leaving this week.     Two kittens are still in search of their perfect family.

Charming little Clement and sweet Bernice  are the two not yet spoken for.     They are an amazing little duo, and I'm trying hard to adopt them out as a pair.  

Both kittens are cuddly, curious and as dear as can be.  Of course they have their mischievous side, but all kittens do.   Clement's purr is loud enough to drown out the hum of  the World Cup vuvuzelas.    Bernice will gladly wrap around your neck,  or perch on your shoulder to keep you company.    Did I mention they are adorable?   I guess that's clear to see.

If you  are in need of a special pair, please send an email to kittywrangler@gmail.com and introduce yourself.     If you know of anyone who might be on the hunt, please send them our way.

I know you'll be sad to say goodbye to the AEs.  We are too.    It seems you all have become particularly attached to this group.

 The ones spoken for thus far are going to our friends,  and friends of friends, so we'll be able to keep close tabs on them.

Just think,, this means there will be a new batch of babies to love very soon!   There are plenty of kittens at the shelter right now, so I doubt there will be any sort of  wait at all.    

And don't forget,,, YOU will get to name them too!   Just like last year, we'll be auctioning off the naming rights to the next batch.  

OK folks,, please spread the word.   Clement and Bernice's family is out there somewhere.   Come on Universe, work your magic and send their family this way!  

 

Bernice and Louise

OH, the Places They'll Go!

Hey, Bernince... Emory... have you seen Ambrose?


Um. I don't know where he is. He was here a minute ago.


Pssst. I'm in here. Can you help me out, please?

Itty Bitty Beauty Queen

Those EYES.... oh, those eyes!

It's Like Herding Cats...LITERALLY! The Anderson-Ericksons Sit Still for Their Family Portrait!

Well friends, here you go.... The Anderson-Ericksons were kind enough to sit still for a family photo. Thank you kittens!

From Left to right:

Louise, Bernice, Ambrose, Ferris, Emory and Clement Anderson-Erickson.

Meet Bernice

This little babe is Bernice and she's a very special little girl.  When the Anderson-Ericksons came into the shelter, poor little Bernice had a fish hook caught in her lip.  They put her under and removed the hook.    No one knows how it got there, or how long it was in there, but everything is fine and the tiny wound is healing nicely.    

She hissed and hid the first afternoon she was here, but every day there have been improvements.  She's playing and bouncing just like her siblings do, but has an occasional 'fraidy cat moment.  All things considered, she's doing exceptionally well.   It's clear she's feeling better and we're gaining her trust.

Last night, I gave all the kittens a nail trim.  Miss Bernice was last, and when we were done, she drifted off in my arms, belly-up.   I had little conversation with her while she slept, and I explained to her that any bad in her life was now behind her.     She stirred, then stretched her back legs up and shared with me a tiny black heart-shaped spot on the underside of her little white foot.    

This kitten has heart.