Looking for a Dog~


I have been distracted lately because we have been making the rounds of rescue organizations looking for a dog.

We were getting overwhelmed with choices, when I decided to look at cats for a change. I am both a dog and cat person, my husband is also, but he is predominantly, Dr. Cats Knoke, “The Feral Cat Herder.” Some of you may remember this post about Jim’s core “catness.”
https://cindyknoke.com/2014/02/21/dr-cats-knoke-the-feral-cat-herder/

Anyhoo, The Holler’s local veterinarian referred us to a non-profit organization run by a network of volunteer feral kitten foster parents called, “Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF).” LYFF rescues feral cats with kittens, and separates the kittens at 6 weeks to be raised by foster families so they don’t become feral like their mammas. Feral Mama’s are spayed and returned to where they were, or adopted out as barn cats in their barn cat program.

Check out some information on this brilliant organization and it’s amazing network of volunteers who open their homes to feral cats and kittens:
http://loveyourferalfelines.com/about-us
We met lots of wonderful, healthy kittens and three amazing foster mom volunteers. Thank you Sally, Katie and Kim! All the kittens are up to date on their immunizations, have tested negative for FLV/FIV, have been micro-chipped and spayed. If you are thinking of adopting a kitten, consider a feral cat rescue organization like LYFF.

I was getting overwhelmed with choices again. But then we met Herbert, an 11 week old feral kitten who is in no way feral any longer, and all the confusing choices slipped away. So this is our new dog Herbert!

Look at this total love bug! He and his two sibs were raised by a super nice foster mom named Katie and my husband agrees this is the most well adjusted kitten either of us have ever seen. These photos were taken today, during his first twelve hours, at his new Holler home!

He explored The Holler, slept in his bed, and purred on our laps in between.

And here he is discovering the hummingbirds! I imagine Herbert and I will spend many days together hummingbird watching! We both are fascinated by them, albeit for different reasons. Don’t worry though, the hummers are safe. Herbert will never be outside because of the coyote danger, but he does have a sunny interior courtyard with trees to enjoy, as soon as Mrs. Black Phoebe vacates her nest.

Many thanks to “Love Your Feral Felines,” and cheers to you from little Herbert in his happy Holler home~

500 thoughts on “Looking for a Dog~

  1. We got Russell Sprout through a similar program, years ago. He was a wonderful cat. I’m sure Herbert will be great for y’all! Congratulations!

  2. How sweet! What a wonderful new addition to the family. I would love to have a pet, but my husband is too allergic. So I rely on kitten pics like this to get my animal fix. 😁

  3. Well done to the LYFF organisation, and what a lovely kitty choice you’ve made Cindy, hello to Herbert, from Ivor, in Geelong. xx

  4. What an adorable kitten (and I am no cat lover, being allergic to the long-haired variety).

    Your images are fabulous, as always and clearly this is one kitten who likes having her photo taken 🙂

    1. It is! But it is due to the actual rescuers, that Herbert became adoptable as a family cat. I just have ultimate admiration for these volunteers. They work their feral kitten volunteer fostering, around their work schedule, their children’s schedules. And btw, their children are first hand witnesses of this remarkable kitten transformation experience. The kids are the cuddlers of the feral kittens. How could you possibly educate your children better?

    1. There is this fear of becoming a ‘crazy cat lady,” so in love with her cat, and posting all sorts of photos of said cat…. And just as I wrote this, I realized, it’s really the people who think the cat lady who loves her cat is crazy, who are the problem. Bring on the ‘crazy cat lady.’
      I could not make a decision amongst all these wonderful animals.
      I woke this morning and I knew what to do. My problem was solved while sleeping.
      I hadn’t met this cat, but I knew I would adopt it.
      Ask, and ye shall receive the help you need.
      Love to you Rhonda <3

  5. Welcome Herbert, what a sweetie he is. He looks like he feels at home already. He will have a loving home at the Holler with you. He really is adorable, he will bring you joy and you will be super parents for him! I could cuddle him all day! ♥

  6. So cute cat.😊 I had several cats, but no one of them have like to cuddle. In the stable where my friend Jenny have his horse hey have two cats, brothers who love to cuddle. I want to “catnap” one of them!😁😁😁

  7. Hello Herbert!! 😀😀 He is adorable and so cute … and very alert! I love cats and have had two very special ones … these photos just crack my heart. What a wonderful organisation and glad Herbert and his siblings are safe and snug, Happy Weekend to you and your, Cindy! Happy Hummers Watching! Xx

    1. Herbert has taken to snapping his jaws together repeatedly when he watches the hummers. You can hear him think……”I can almost taste them!” 😼 <3

  8. What a beautiful post Cindy and a lovely regal addition to your family.
    I have never come across someone who lives in Coyote country, that poor old Road Runner must still be running, kind regards.

    1. The people who do this are wonderful! Herbert just typed all this:
      p8////]]][66666666/66666666;666669999999999999999999999++
      ++++++++
      My Gott un Himmel, he’s a blogging cat!!!

  9. Oh, Cindy, he’s beautiful! And very photogenic. That’s sort of how we ended up with all of our kitties. Their mamas were feral but we brought them in (from our garage) at about 8 weeks, once we were able to capture them. We finally were able to get the mama spayed. Someone had left her in our neighborhood. We, too, are dog AND cat people. In fact, I never even was around cats until about 2001 when we helped a friend bottle-feed three. Anyway, sorry, this is about Herbert! Congratulations! He’s one lucky kitty to have found such a special furrever home! I’ll be looking forward to many more posts about him! 😀

  10. What a cute puppy! And much easier to house train. I’m a dog, cat, sheep, goat….person. Overwhelmed with choices? Try them all. 😉 I love Herbert’s pointy little ears!

  11. He is such a handsome fellow! A cat is so much easier to have with as much traveling as you do, A sweet face like that will be a pleasure to come home to after your travels. So many wonderful people out there doing good work.

    1. It is important to pay attention to all the people in the world who do good things for no personal gain, especially when bombarded every day with politicians and their behavior.

        1. Thanks for caring Brad. I expect this of you because this is who you are. He will never catch them, he can only watch, like me, and I will be sure that he enjoys this. He already is.

  12. Welcome to your furever home sweet Herbert, you have really landed on your paws! So happy for you Cindy, he looks adorable and we wish you many happy and healthy years together 🤗💜🐈 xxx

  13. You know how much I love all the help anyone can give the ferals. Thank you so much for giving a formerly feral kitten a wonderful home. He’s adorable.

      1. Lol, oh I have no doubt Cindy that young Herbert is VERY much helping you – he looks to be a fur covered ball of OVER-enthusiasm!😁

  14. We too have adopted under similar circumstances. Toby is also very happy and well adjusted. He has 3 older girls under his paw, and of course his humans. Toby is now 4 months old, I hope your Herbert is lovely and he also enjoys his wonderful forever home. Hugz

  15. Herbert is exactly the kind of cat/dog I would love, too. Meanwhile, we are enslaved to Lord Fancy-Tart, who walked into our new house 14 months ago and took over our lives, our bed, our chairs and our money in cat food and toys. He looks and behaves like feral royalty, but in actuality has a loving home 15 doors down the road – the only snag being that they acquired an additional cat and a human baby, so, as he can only be The One, he sadly moved out. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPlfcpxIarfzrIZ2NDTxGy8X_lmUj9DhoJXbW6ZYFiiTPbKxx6p45K8gwD7pGJWcw?key=dl9uaC1TeVRZMXh1eGdwZGVWdFE5TkNYVjBWUjdR

  16. Gorgeous little puppy! Is that a candy dish he’s standing in in the last shot. They are soooooooooooo cute at that age. Congratulations!!!!

    1. No candy in it thankfully. I can well imagine what would happen to candy.[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;lkjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjddddddddddddd
      Op, here he goes again, He doesn’t like my replies. So he types his own!!

  17. Squeel !!!! Hi Herbert <3 <3 You are totally precious and so poised for a kitten of 11 weeks. Look how handsomely you sit on that sofa!! I love those pink toes too. You almost look like you have a baby mullet with all that fluffy hair behind your ears, LOL. My gosh Cindy, your new kitty (nearly dog) is so dang cute. The LYFF group sound amazing too. You are in for a world of fun and I'm glad to know Herbert will be an indoor kitty cat too. Concatulations to all and group hugs all around. You're one lucky kitty Herbert!! xox k

    1. Herbert is taking over my blog! Apparently he thinks my replies could you some improvement, so he is adding his own two cents! He’s Herbert, The Amazing Blogging Cat! <3 🦁

    1. There are organization that pick up dogs from shelters and train them so they are socialized and well behaved. These organization, and their dogs, are wonderful. Good luck with your search and I can’t wait to see your new family member!

  18. He is absolutely adorable. My daughter rescued a kitten from a barn & she too, has the most wonderful disposition. Congratulations on your new family member!

  19. Seeing your photos made my heart smile. Just last night I was dreaming of our May who passed last year. In my dream she was a playful kitten…she and your new “dog” Herbert would have been fast friends I think! When it comes to the furry ones, Love chooses us even if we think we are in charge of the whole thing lol. Wish you lived closer, I could pass on May and Amber’s cat tree to you for the boy.

    1. Ahhhhh, so nice of you and moving too. May sounds like she was a very loved kitty. And you are right Herbert chose us, and we him, instantly, after lots of looking at animals. It just clicked.

  20. Aw, he is sooo cute, Cindy, and how lovely to rescue and feral cat who needs love and attention like any other. My 13 yr old tabby was a feral rescue (from under my step-mom’s shed). Enjoy Herbert!

  21. How wonderfully cute Herbert is! Thanks for sharing the picture of this lovely little fellow. And thanks for adopting him. We’ll. the way he looks, he may have adopted you. 😉
    Have a great weekend,
    Pit

  22. Herbert looks as if he’s settling in nicely at The Holler! He’s a pretty tabby, even though I’ve always been a dog-person. Nice that they can remove the feral from these litters, too.

  23. What a gorgeous little sweetheart! I adore cats, and this little guy looks so curious and spunky. What fun you’re going to have together, Cindy. You lucky dog! 🙂 And how thoughtful of you to adopt through LYFF. I’ve scrolled through your beautiful photos umpteen times and now best get back to work. Hugs to you and Herbert, my lovely friend ❤️

  24. So adorable and beautiful and fuzzy and sweet looking and hug/kissable. Oh…I am SOOOO HAPPPY for all of you. Please put pictures of Herbert on your blog so we can see him grow up. He’s absolutely gorgeous. Hugs and much love to Herbert and his new and wonderful family. He will make an amazing dog. <3

  25. Pingback: This wonderful post, about Herbert, is from: cindy knoke | Rethinking Life

  26. That is great thing that you and your husband helping out those animals. I like both dogs and cats. I think I incline to like cats more like your husband. Could not help myself to make friend with one if I see them around.

  27. Hi Herbert! We have a cat named Charlie, also nurtured (like you) by a very nice group of persons here in the Midwest. I’m going to show him your picture. Maybe he will text you,in his way, later.

  28. I’m not a so much a cat person, but this little guy could melt my heart!! We have coyotes here too and my neighbor lost two of her cats by letting them roam the woods. I’m glad your new family member will have a great life indoors! 🐈

    1. He is fascinated by the moving images on the computer and stepping on the keys and changing the images! So I will encourage him to develop his technological side, rather than his roam in the woods side. In other words, he will be a full bore indoor computer nerd cat!

  29. If he’s anything like my Lady Cleo, a lost cat that adopted me, he’ll have you running before you can blink your eyes twice… 😀 Lovely fluffy kitten! 🙂

  30. Congratulations on the new furface in your family! He looks adorable and appropriately regal even at his young age. We have 2 cats from the Humane Society and 2 feral kittens (now 5 years old), and they are complete joys. But l doubt they could pull off the ‘dog thing. Enjoy!

    1. It is remarkable how fast I am falling for this kitty. He follows me around the house, sleeps in my lap, helps me type replies on my blog, and plays cat games on my kindle. We are a perfect match. He is a total nerd cat! 🐱

  31. Dearest Cindy, I am a tiny bit disappointed that your dog is a cat, but otherwise, I think you made the perfect choice – Herbert is a dream…may he bring your home many years of joy and entertainment, and may you love him with a constant love.

    1. It is so strange. I saw his photo on the rescue website, and after such a long period of choices and doubts, went to bed to sleep on it. I called the rescue when I woke up, suddenly decided, and said, I am coming to get this cat. When I went to see him, he was the first living thing running to the door to meet me.
      I said, “This cat is adopted.”
      It seems meant to be….

    1. Oh my God!!! Read my reply just above. Here it is:
      “It is so strange. I saw his photo on the rescue website, and after such a long period of choices and doubts, went to bed to sleep on it. I called the rescue when I woke up, suddenly decided, and said, I am coming to get this cat. When I went to see him, he was the first living thing running to the door to meet me.
      I said, “This cat is adopted.”
      It seems meant to be….”
      You are confirming exactly what I am feeling.

    1. He had a wonderful foster family, with loving adults, two adoring children, and a big shepard mix to sleep on. Still I sense, he enjoys the quiet and computer time at The Holler! Laughing…..

    1. I am honored to name Herbert in your father’s honor. He is such a wonderful creature. I wonder if his traumatic start, feral kitten, time at kill oriented animal control, rescue and early separation from mom, make him a more grateful cat. It certainly seems that way to me. Hugs to you Sally and moved by your love for your father.

  32. Welcome to your new home, Herbert. You are very lucky, like I was. I am also a rescue at from a shelter. I have been with my two leggeds for about six months now and love my new home! Ask me for advice any time! Garfield

  33. Our last two cats were ferals. They were brother and sister and born under a bush in a wild place behind our house. My wife and a neighbor trapped the mama had her spayed and released. There were five kittens and all were adopted by neighbors. Of course, we had to bottle feed them until they were ready to eat. They were so cute. That was twenty years ago and the last of the littler passed last week.

    1. Oh my gosh! How moving and wonderful that you and your wife took this on, and they were part of your family all of these years. This gives me goosebumps, and more faith in the depth of human kindness. I am so sorry for your loss and so happy that mama cat chose the right bush to put her kittens in.

  34. What at great organization you found. Herbert is delightful. I especially like the long hair behind his ears. I look forward to hearing and seeing more as he settles into his new home!

    1. We are all kind of blown away by Herbert. He is so well behaved, so loving, and so interactive. We lucked out big time finding Herbert. And yes, the people who make up LYFF show us how truly kind and amazing human beings can be.

  35. He is absolutely precious and so lucky to find a home with you and the feral cat herder. Is he my long lost brother? Almost all of my cats have been feral but stayed that way; affectionate with limits.

    1. How awesome that all your cats have all been feral. It says so much good about you, and them!
      Herbert just typed this! He’s a blogging cat!
      ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]lnwonb 98I.
      I did add the period.
      Proper punctuation is important for every cat.
      I see no limits to Herbert’s affection. He watches Madam Secretary with me on my kindle, curled under my chin…..
      I am definitely going to up-entertainment him to more serious drama.
      Love you and your feral felines!
      When it comes down to it, I am basically a feral feline too.
      Maybe you are.
      Love to you and your cats.
      <3

      1. I am definitely a feral cat. In fact a female friend just commented on my behavior with the men of our species. (I had hugged an Operations Manager…) Herbert is so clever! Miss Katniss could learn some manners from him. I fed her this morning and was perplexed to see her sitting by the dishes. When I went out, she had covered the unwanted very expensive food with pebbles and dirt. Some crunch was deemed acceptable… Happy Cat Mother’s Day! 😺

  36. Clowie

    I can see why you fell in love with Herbert – he is gorgeous! One of our cats thinks he’s a dog-in-disguise, perhaps Herbert is. 😀

  37. Pingback: Looking for a Dog~ | Campbells World

  38. Namaste Cindy 🙂

    He is a little charmer,
    A furball, a kitty, a cat,
    Soft paws and innocence,
    Wide-eyes staring back.
    ~
    Herbert is his handle,
    A title to grow into,
    A pretty kitty causing scandal,
    Unless he’s been seen to!
    ~
    O how he will be loved,
    How he will be treasured to,
    Herbert the pirate buccaneer,
    Now harbours close to you.
    ~

    He’s beautiful Cindy 🙂 I know whilst he’s in your loving care he’ll never want for anything….how I love a happy ending! lol 🙂

    Hoping all is well with one and all. Take care enjoy Sunday.

    Namaste 🙂

    DN

    1. He really wants to answer you himself and he is so creative on the keyboard! He seems to love technology and is hogging my kindle to play the cat apps. Thank you for the lovely poem and have a wonderful week Dewin~

  39. I have had both dogs and cats. It has always been my preference for cats. I have a beautiful ‘Ragdoll’ neutered male. I would insert his picture, but don’t know how to do in the comments area.

  40. What a sweet kitten! He’s going to have a great new home with doting “parents”–for sure! Hope he gives you years and years of love and fun.

  41. Adorable kitten. The hummers probably wouldn’t be in any danger from a cat. They are way too fast. One actually taunted my sister’s cat once when it saw her trying to stalk it, and that cat was an excellent hunter. A mouser extraordinaire. People think they want a mouser, but really they want a de-mouser. That cat really moused the house. As in constantly bringing them in – dead or alive. Anyway as for the hummingbird, It hovered in the air staying just out of the cat’s reach scolding for awhile and then changed its tune to more of a na na na na can’t catch me before flying off. Other not so speedy wildlife might not fare so well though – depending on the cat’s disposition. They don’t all hunt. My son once had a cat he could actually put into his gerbil cage along with the gerbils and they were all perfectly safe.

    1. Ok. I love the hamster story and your son for knowing he could pull this off! Classic!! The hummers are fast, but the roadrunner can be more wiley. The hummers are so used to be uncatchable, that they don’t survey credible threats very well, since they think there aren’t any, and of course they are right about this, about 99% of the time, or so. They know they are fast and pretty uncatchable.
      This works to the roadrunner’s advantage very rarely. I have only seen it happen once, but when it did work, the roadrunner looked at me with such pride that I was entirely flummoxed, when he caught a hummingbird in mid-air.