Welcome Back, Butterbean!

I'm happy to announce that our dear Butterbean is much feeling better. Her anxiety level has returned to "normal, " and things are once again, looking good in the litter box.  She went and visited her doctor on Tuesday, and we got a positive report.
We're hoping that's the end of the Big D, but should it return, we'll take her in for an ultrasound to see if there's some sort of underlying issue.  The poor girl has had so many visits to the vet this year -- I guess that just happens as our kitties age.


That was a hard couple of weeks for her, and I'm so glad things are better. Her Hyperesthesia kicked into high-drive and she was having such a hard time relaxing.  I'm so happy to see her comfortable once again.  She's returned to her happy, purring self.  

I think Wylla is really glad to have her sister back to normal, too. Bean was so easily agitated when she wasn't feeling well and had zero tolerance for her pesky little sister.  There were a few spats and eventually, Wylla figured out that it was better to keep a safe distance from Bean, so that's what she did.  They're back to romping, chasing, playing and snuggling just like they used to do.  Of course, there are still a few spats every now and again, but that's just part of their relationship. We call it "fun fighting" --  it never gets too heated.

Thank you for all of the well-wishes for our girl!  We are so glad to have a healthy Bean who's out in the world and not retreating because she doesn't feel great.

Welcome back, Charlene Butterbean!













And, Wylla. Thank you for being so patient while your sister was on the mend!














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Feel Better, Bean!

We always joke that you can set your watch to Charlene's daily drop in the box but about two weeks ago, things changed, and she's been experiencing a stretch diarrhea.  We took her to the vet, and we put her on Metronidazole, hoping that would clear things up.  It hasn't yet, so we've started another round of it.  She also got a B-12 shot, and she's on a probiotic, too.  Doc found bacteria in her fecal sample, and we're hoping that's what causing diarrhea and the antibiotics will clear it up soon. Her blood work looked really good.

You can tell she isn't feeling great. Bean's hyperesthesia kicks in when she's uncomfortable at all, and I think the irritation caused by 12 days of diarrhea is making her twitchy and anxious.  She's been over-grooming and will wake from a deep nap to spontaneously clean herself.  We've temporarily boosted her Gabapentin which helps with her hyperesthesia and plugged in an extra Feliway to calm her. Without kittens to care for, I'm able to dedicate a lot of time to her comfort and well-being, so I do what I can to ease her when she's having an episode.

Though she's not feeling her best, she does have happy moments. She's been enjoying the sunshine, the furnace, and all the entertainment that fall brings -- like bustling squirrels and falling leaves.

I hope things return to normal soon -- I hate seeing Charlene stressed out and experiencing discomfort.  Please feel better, Bean!















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The Sweetest Thing I've Seen

Oh, my.  It's been a hot week 'round here! We're all hiding in the coolest spots of the house, but they're not so cool anymore. These old houses weren't designed for extreme temperatures so during the hot streaks it gets pretty uncomfortable. Also, we're getting lots of smoke from the wildfires that are happening up in BC, so on the really hazy days, we can't blow the cool night air in. The humans and cats are getting a little grumpy and are looking forward to cooler, clearer days.

 All the cats and kittens did their afternoon lounging and napping in the guest room yesterday, which is the coolest spot in the house,  and dear little Joseph Pawtucket Alexander was the lucky recipient of a Bean AND Wylla bath.  Check out TEAM GROOM! In all these years of fostering, this might just be the sweetest thing I've seen. My sweet girls make me so proud.  






I've got some more stuff to share today, and I'll be back shortly! Stay tuned!  OH, and in case you missed it yesterday, check out this lovely quilt we're auctioning off!   STAY COOL!

An Alexander Family Portrait --- WITH BEAN!

We're having a pretty warm week around here.  Our guest room is usually blocked off for the kittens, but because it's one of the cooler spots in the house,  we've had the door open and are allowing them to enter this space.

All the cats, big and small, have been congregating in the room and yesterday I was so happy to capture an Alexander family portrait with their mentor, Bean.  I've attempted similar shots many times over the years without success. It's challenging to get a large litter of kittens settled in for a picture, and adding a big cat in the mix is next to impossible.  Thankfully, it worked yesterday!  





Notice anything different about the kittens? See a couple of shaved bellies? Yep. They went in this week and everyone got snipped.  Someone always asks about why boys have shaved bellies -- our shelter does a spay/neuter tattoo on the belly of every altered kitten, so all of our babies return from surgery day with a bald little tummy.

So, yes. Our Alexander chapter will be closing soon!  It's a good thing - these kittens are ripe.

Best Beanbath™ Ever

I witness so many sweet moments that's I'm not able to capture with a camera. Sometimes the camera isn't close, or if I move to get it, I know the moment will be over, or sometimes the light is just too dim.

Thankfully, this moment lingered:

Charlene was napping on the couch when Maurice made the brave decision to snuggle up next to her. He climbed to the arm of the sofa and paused to survey the scene below before stepping down to the cushion that Bean occupied.  She woke, gave him a hello trill, then proceeded to give him the bath of a lifetime. It went on for over five minutes -- four minutes of that were recorded on video.

It's kind of long, but it's sweet, so I didn't edit it down.  It's a real heart-warmer, so I encourage you to watch it all the way to the end. I promise you won't regret the time spent.



I expected a much quieter weekend, but we ended up doing REALLY WELL and raised over $16,000 for our Foster Program. I am so thrilled about this, and I can't wait to share this news with the gals in the foster room.

 Thank you for giving so generously. I'm glad you believe in the program, too, and chose to support it. Thank you to our anonymous donors who offered up some really wonderful matches for us this weekend -- they help so much because they inspire so many to give.

What a weekend!   And look at our total! We passed the $40 squillion mark, and it won't be too much longer before we're half way to our goal!

And to help make that happen, We've got another matching donation challenge from an anonymous donor. It's a really great one ---  for every dollar we give, she will give TWO until we reach the $1500 max!  So our $1500 will turn into $4500 if we're able to complete it!

Thank you, Anonymous Donor, for offering up this generous match!

The match ends at 7:00 PM Pacific Time tonight.   Please visit HERE to make your tax-deductible donation.


Thank you!


Stay close, there will be lots more to come today!

A Word from the Bean

When I was a wee kitten,  just a few days old, my brother and I were surrendered to the Humane Society for Tacoma/Pierce County.

I was examined by the doctor,  a call was made,  and the Humane Society found us our foster home.

We were tiny and frail, and our foster moms gave us the very best care possible.  They bottle-fed us and filled our bellies with KMR.  They kept us warm and safe and tended to our medical needs -- which were many.   

Sadly, my little brother just wasn't strong enough to make it.  They tried so hard, but he was just too frail to save.

But under their care, I grew and thrived, and eventually, I left my foster home and was adopted by Mom and Dad.


I'm guessing that when I passed through the doors of the shelter, no one knew what life had in store for me.  I never would have guessed it myself.

Here I am, eleven years later.  I've helped care for oodles of foster kittens.  I've worked hard to raise squillions for the shelter.   There's even a room named after me at the Humane Society!   My photo is on the side of a shelter van! OH, and I've brightened a few days, too!

And, of course, I met all of you.



I'm the luckiest cat in the world, and because of the shelter, THIS is my life! I am so grateful. 

Without the Humane Society there to give me a chance, none of this could have possibly happened.  The shelter means the world to me and I hope you will choose to support to them. Can you do it for me? Can you do it for your Bean?  

Please consider making a donation today in support of our shelter and the awesome foster program. Any amount will do.  Every bit helps because when we pool all of our money together, we can do big things!

Thank you for listening.

All my love and devotion, 
Charlene Butterbean






To make a tax-deductible donation and help make bright futures the many foster kittens that pass through the Humane Society doors each year,  please visit our FUNdraising page

We've got a $750 match going on until 7:00 PM Pacific Time, thanks to our kitty-loving anonymous donor,  so your dollars will be doubled until we meet it!  We've made a small dent in it today but still need to raise $575 to max it out.  Any bit you can give will help! 

Thank you so much, generous friends!   

There's Nothing Like a Beanbath™

Oh, there's nothing like a Beanbath™, is there Robin?  She's quite thorough and is never known to miss a  single spot!






He was done before Bean was done and when he when he tried to make his escape, she threw an arm over him and pulled him close. Robin gave in and waited it out.

This will all be over with soon enough, right? 

"I think we're done here,  kiddo, you look pretty good."




Thanks, Bean. I think.  

We're Home!

Our flight that was already a late one got delayed a bit thanks to some mechanical issues. Interstate traffic went down to one lane near  Tacoma and created a big slow-down right by our exit.  But finally,  at some point in the middle of the night, we did make it home from our travels.

Normally Wylla and Charlene are waiting at the door for us, but they were both sound asleep upstairs and didn't make their appearance until I was half way done sorting through a week's worth of mail.

When they finally came down,  both paused in the living room with a look that said "Is it you? Is it really you?" before they trotted over to greet us.

We scooped them up, gave lots of hugs, got lots of purrs, then put them down so they could inspect our luggage and shoes.

I quickly got ready for bed, then went upstairs and slipped under the covers. Bean soon joined me, then Wylla, then Craig, and the next thing I knew it was morning.  I woke up with Bean sound asleep on my back with her chin resting between my shoulders.  Wylla was at my side.  Usually, such close snuggles are reserved for colder nights.

I guess they missed us.


Now that we're back, we're ready to receive babies once again. As soon as I'm done returning some emails, making some calls, and catching up on a couple of things this morning, we'll check in with the Foster Department and see if there might be some cuties that need us!  I'll be sure to keep you posted!

And, I'm Off!

These pictures are (obviously) from a few years back, but they came to mind as I as packing my bags last night. Wylla was six months old in these photos and weighed only three pounds! So itty-bitty!


I'm heading back to the Midwest for a family event and will be returning midweek. And as soon as I get back, we'll restock our kitten department! I can hardly wait to meet our next batch of cuties!!


Thanks for your enthusiasm yesterday.  I'll reach out to the families of the kittens you suggested and see who we can book. I know some we've lost track of and others have moved away, but I'll do my best to gather as many updates as I can.  Thank you!

And speaking of alumni updates, we'll have a Nigel and Mimsey frost update on Monday! Can't wait to see those cats!! And my parents, of course!!

Have a great weekend, friends!

And enjoy these photos, please. At the time I took them, Bean was still kind of settling into the idea of having a little sister.  Her expressions are priceless.  So are Wylla's!


























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