Beau takes his first post-prandial summer walk with us–out into a brave new world.
Tentative and doubtful at first, he adopts a deep crouch position in the short grass, watching us set off, reluctant to respond to our calls of encouragement.
“Come on, Beau!”
Then when we turn our backs he begins to walk gingerly down the road behind us, his tail trailing behind him, not in its customary erect position, sniffing at the verges, not sure he wants to be this brave.
Pippa–head cat and veteran hiker–is, as always, reluctant–not from fear but from a deep sense of “why bother?“.
She makes a show of “here I am and here I’m staying” before moving sideways a few steps in a downhill direction; more from a desire to keep our interest than a decision to follow us down the road.
Seeing Pippa go through her you go on without me, I’m not coming with you this time routine, reminds us of the evenings when we’d have five cats in tow (a full house)–Pippa, Lucien, Marmalade, Butterscotch and Beauty–the newcomer.
By and large they were friendly walks, though with touches of attitude creeping in–Beauty was never really accepted by Pippa.
Beau has the same experience as we come back up the hill.
He stalks her for a few paces then tries a playful leap–he’s got his confidence back and we’re heading towards more familiar ground.
Pippa surprised by his cheek wheels round and hisses her disapproval.
Too old for that my boy–watch it!
In the distance we hear the whine of a motor scooter and Beau looks round anxiously.
The noise gets louder as the rider heads in our direction.
Beau takes off up the hill, stretching his young legs, followed by Pippa–managing a scamper.
Safely back home Beau looks out at the big new world he’s just experienced for the first time.
WOW!
Robin Ellis 
Beau always has the MOST INTENSE look on his little furry face.He looks like he is constantly scouting out trouble. It positively cracks me up for some reason. He looks like a total character! Pippa makes me want to take a nap right this minute! Yawn. Your cats have quite the life. I love the fur babies. They make life interesting! Thank you for sharing.
Hello,
I am really enjoying your blog, I have never done this before, at 63 years old it’s not too late is it? I just watched all of the Poldark series for the first time and then because I fell head over heels for you, I googled you and found your site. What a beautiful site, it just makes my day to drop in and see what you have been cooking and about your friends. I bought your cookbook and I am enjoying it very much. Thank you Mr. Ellis for Poldark and for sharing your life with all who seek you out.
From Denver Colorado
Thanks, Peggy–I’m glad you enjoyed Poldark, that you like the blog–and that you have bought the book!!
I want to say also to you and anyone else from Denver that Meredith and I have heard the terrible news of the shooting and our thoughts are with you and the families who are directly affected.
I enjoy your cat stories, Robin. Keep them coming!
Thank you, there really have been some horrific events here lately . Did you know about the fires in our beautiful montains? It has been a terrible loss.
So anyway, again thanks for cheering us on.
Best
What a wonderful jaunt! Great photos – always so enjoyable to see what your furry pals have been up to.
Love the cat pictures and stories, especially because I’m so desperately missing my own 2. I need to find a fostering situation within the next week and everything is falling through! It’s getting really scary.
Must be nice to live in a place where you can take walks with your cats and let them enjoy the sunshine and flowers. All the cats I’ve had as an adult really needed to be indoor cats to be safe. When I was a kid we had an indoor/outdoor cat – her hobby resulted in 31 litters of kittens! (We didn’t know any better – it was the ’60s)
Over the past month or so I’ve watched the entire Poldark saga – all except the last episode. I guess I’m teasing myself – I just don’t want it to end! Loved it every bit as much as I did when it was on TV way back when.
Amy, Not sure of your situation–moving? But have you tried putting up signs at some vets’ offices that you can trust? Or google “No-kill shelters” in your area? Then, call to CONFIRM they are no-kill–some places say they are, then, when full, ship the cats to another shelter that DOES put them down. I hope things work out for you.
No, in nursing home/rehab. 😦 No idea when I’ll make it home. My last experience with shelters was several years ago when we had an absolutely wonderful stray in our back yard. My landlady was feeding her, wanted to keep her, but her husband wouldn’t allow. I had 3 cats at the time and couldn’t take care of more. After about a month we decided to try to place her in a shelter. I called thousands of them (felt like it, anyway) and they wouldn’t take strays (if they had any room, which most of them didn’t). Eventually found one that would take her (for a substantial fee). I actually went to visit her there. Luckily they were able to place her with someone – I still think of her often.
As far as I know, shelters are meant for adoptables, and I won’t be ready to give mine up EVER. They need laps to sit in, someone to sleep with – not cages. I’ve made every possible contact I can think of – starting to panic. Send us good vibes, please.
Amy I am going to say a few prayers vor your situation. I feel for you. You are in a bad situation. I like the last posters idea of a frienly vet. Or perhaps two who may help you out The peole who work for. Vets and of course the vets themselves should be compassionate to your situation Cant they just allow the cats to live at the practice until you get well.
Amy, Please contact Best Friends Animal Society. Their site is: http://www.bestfriends.org. They have connections throughout the country and may be able to help you with fostering. Let us know what happens!
Dear Robin, Love it like always, give also hughs to the cats from me.
Robin and Meredith
We lost our beloved grey tabby cat, Lydia, two days before you lost Marmalade. So I believe we all probably share that same lump in the throat sadness once in a while during the day…….
On a happier note, I want to let you know that last summer I started an art project which was inspired by your wonderful photo of either Marmalade or Pippa (orange tabby) sitting on a stone wall with the fields in the background. It’s in my studio – I got frustrated because it wasn’t perfect and I put it away. But, I’m going to pull it out, finish it, and send you a photo. (just, please, don’t hold your breath!)
Carolyn Collen-DuBose
Beau is getting so big! How many kitties do you have now? What are their names?
Good for Beau! Our kitty Beau was born outside and will only come in at night and during winter weather. He is our little intrepid explorer.
Hi, Robin & Meredith, Love your story & photos, as always. At the moment, am trying to help an older fellow whose house is on auction find a home for a stray cat that adopted him. We have an appointment to get the little guy his shots & have him fixed, but for the moment, are on a waiting list at the local shelter. It’s terrible how many give-ups & abandoned animals there are in this economy! Double-whammy is that the donations have dropped, as well…It does my heart good to see pics of your pampered pets.
Cheers & hugs,
Dianne
To Judy (above) – one of the options is the kennel at my vet’s office, but I don’t have the kind of money that would be required for a long-term stay. And one of my cats is very high-strung and she would HATE it – the other one is the most easy-going cat ever and I’m not sure even he could stand it (he’s elderly and has a heart condition). Thanks for your prayers, and please keep your fingers crossed that a good foster situation will turn up in the next few days…
to amyf: please try this place. You may also try Noah’s Wish – but that is basically for saving and sheltering animals who are displaced by natural disasters. Still they may have a networking sytem. I have said some prayers for you. Good Luck and speedy recovery!
http://www.bestfriends.org/archives/forums/fostercare.html
Robin, it’s wonderful to read such a happy posting about your cats. They are so lucky–and so are we, with your sharing of all this with us, your blog audience. Yours is the only blog that I follow, and it makes my day too (to echo Peggy, above). I am still in awe of the fact that Captain Poldark is now someone with whom I/we connect here in cyberspace–but even more than that, your love of life comes through your postings, and it’s inspiring. Thank you very much. Thinking of you & Meredith & the “kids”–Allyson
To Judy (2 Judys?) and Allyson – Best Friends is a great organization. Have sent them money in the past. I sent them an email – no response yet. Still trying to figure things out. I just want them settled in one place till I can get them back! I MISS THEM SO MUCH!!! Anyway, thanks for your advice and good wishes.
Hi! I am so glad that you know Best Friends. I’ve supported them since 1993 and have visited to volunteer twice. Since you are not getting an email back, try calling them! They must get swamped with emails and such, so perhaps talking directly to a person would help? I hope it works out!!!
Allyson – Must have been WONDERFUL to actually go there! I get such longings when I read their magazine or see TV shows (“Dogtown”) – not in physical or financial condition to do any traveling, though. Which area(s) did you get to volunteer in?
I think it’d be better and safer to keep your cats indoors only. Perhaps a pet enclosure would be nice for fresh air and sunshine-but taking walks with your cats seems a bit daft.