Puddin' and Butternut

Butternut   (KN)

Back in December I introduced a pair of Siamese who had, separately, come into our care. The female, Jasmine, was from the same Manitoba rescue where Picasso originated; the male, Strike, was a more local boy, and came to us with two other cats - we think, all around 4 years old.

Strike  (BC)

We understand that the three of them had lived at a home in Surrey and that their caregiver had passed, leaving them homeless. They were lucky enough to find a rescuer who feeds ferals in her back garden, and she recognized that these three boys were friendly and not your regular touch-me-not ferals. They might well be adoptable, but the Adoption Centre is full of kittens right now, and they’re better with us than in cages.

Puddin'  (BC)

On release from their initial cage stay with us, Strike decided that he was going to stay comfy, and he settled down to base himself in the Double-Wide. Puddin’, on the other hand, took himself as far away from the building as he could, and settled himself in Pen 3, at the east end of the Sanctuary. 

Puddin' out on a snowy day  (KN)

 Pen 3 is the one with all the Alberta cats, and they’re all pretty friendly; without plunging into a new social life, Puddin’ made himself at home there. He can usually be found by himself, but it’s less a “stay away from me” alone-ness, than just a tendency to be solo.

Puddin'  (BC)

Of course, another black cat to identify initially presents problems – but it doesn’t take long to see how different he is from most of the other blacks. In appearance he’s most like Odin, in Pen 1 – solid without being a chonk, with little grey flecks in his fur. His head is larger than Odin’s; the latter has a more pointed face. And like Odin, he has proved to be very friendly, anxious to jump up and lap-sit, and to give and receive attention.

Cage visit with Butternut  (BC)

The third cat of the trio is Butternut – a wonderful name for an orange boy. He also proved to be willing to be petted and fussed over while in a cage, but once released he got into a few too many fights with Jasper and Gizmo, and we ended up moving him to the front courtyard. Of course, there, it then put him face to face with orange Mango, so there was a bit more aggression to smooth over.

Butternut & Mango ignoring each other (BC)

I can tell who is who when I see them together – Mango is a bit larger and a bit younger; he has a lighter face and a lighter tail tip. But they’re almost identical in colouring, and now that Mango has calmed down, their behaviour is similar – meaning that they seem to like people but not other cats! Butternut seems to swat most when provoked – who can blame him? - whereas Mango is more inclined to go hunting for someone to swat. The big difference between them is that Butternut often seems to have really round eyes, unlike Mango, whose eyes are regular cat-shape.

Butternut playing at the tunnel  (BC)

Sadly, the affectionate Butternut of the initial cage days is no more; he’s friendly enough but not yet willing to come and solicit attention in the way that Puddin’ does. Some of that may just be caution, with Mango around.  But all three boys have known what it is to have a home and are quite adoptable; we can only hope that as they settle, they may bond with a summer visitor in the coming months. Till then, they can take their time and let themselves be comfortable with us at the Sanctuary.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson

We Are Siamese, If You Please...

Jasmine & Strike  (BC)

We have two newcomers to the DoubleWide trailer.
Strike was the first to arrive – very scared at first, spending all his time hiding behind a drape.  But he quickly discovered that food might arrive at certain times, and became vocal as only a Siamese can.  Strike is bob-tailed – what is sometimes called a “stumpy” manx. This is a reminder to us all that Manx is a breed name, with certain physical characteristics in addition to the lack of tail, but it is also a generic (and not entirely accurate) term for any tailless cat. Sometimes the genes that produce taillessness breed true (several of Percival Snugglebutt’s offspring are tailless, like dad), and sometimes it’s just a random mutation.  We don’t know Strike’s history, but his lack of tail doesn’t seem to bother him in any way.

Strike  (LBF)

What we do know is that he was one of a number of cats who lived in a home. Their caregiver passed and they were kicked out, but were lucky enough to be accepted into a colony that was being fed and monitored.  Strike, with his buddies Butternut and Puddin’ (introductions to come) were brought into our care. They may well be adoptable, but with so many kittens taking space in the adoption centre, they are better off with us for now. 

Jasmine  (KN)

Jasmine arrived a few weeks after Strike from the same Manitoba rescue that sent frostbitten Picasso to us.  Rather more blonde than her fellow-Siamese, she is totally tailless, but not for the same reason as Picasso; Jasmine has the characteristic Manx syndrome that often appears in tailless cats. Plum, Lil and many other beloved Sanctuary cats like PeeWee and SweetPea have also suffered from Manx syndrome, and need regular baths to deal with the aftermath of incontinence.  Jasmine loves people and attention, but it’s a really good idea to have a towel or other padding on your lap – she’s pretty leaky.

Jasmine exploring outside  (LBF)

When I met Strike, and later, Jasmine, I wondered whether they would have any affinity for each other – would we have a pair, like the Siamese cats who appear in the original version of Disney’s Lady and the Tramp? And then I checked the song from that movie, and realised what I’d not known as a kid – it’s pretty racist – probably accurate enough for the early 1900s, when the film is set, and even smile-provoking when it was produced in 1955, but no longer acceptable.  So in the 2019 remake, Si and Am are replaced with a pair called Devon and Rex, singing the blues.

Strike  (KN)

Strike and Jasmine don’t seem to be particularly drawn to each other – they’re both pretty easy-going with other cats, and live their separate lives. Strike is more of a loner than Jasmine, who really loves to be petted.  He prefers to hang out on the back deck of the Double-Wide where he can chose to mingle or find his own space; he’s no longer as scared as when he first came in, and is willing to approach for touch and treats.  Food is very important;  I was late to feed this week, and was met at the door by a very vocal complaint in fluent Siamese.

Jasmine asking for attention  (BC)

Jasmine is more adventurous, and can often be found exploring in the back courtyard; she will leap up on the table to be fussed and told she’s a lovely girl. Like Lil and Plum, you just need to be a bit wary of her rear end.  We are a permanent home for her; sweet as she is, there are not many people who will deliberately take on the adoption of an incontinent cat.  Here at the Sanctuary, Jasmine’s not the only messy one, and doesn’t add significantly to the laundry load.

Welcome to the Sanctuary, sweet ones – it’s good to see you settling in!

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson

Fall 2023  Jasmine's manx incontinence proved too much of a problem for her, with constant uncontrollable infections, and we couldn't see her in pain any longer.

Strike encountered a visitor and it was love at first sight for both; he's gone to a new home.