The Cats of Parliament Hill Blog

by Klaus J. Gerken Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, North America, Planet Earth, the Sol Planetary system, the "Milky Way" Galaxy, the Virgo cluster of Galaxies, the Universe, and whatever is beyond or ever was before.

Latest update: Sunday, 11 May 2008

Preamble

IMPORTANT NOTICES 11 May 2008: Just to let everyone know the cats are fine. I have not been able to update the blog due to having run out of space on the site. This should be corrected by the 15th of May. * Please under no circumstances abandon cats or kittens on the Hill or by the Cat Sanctuary. The cats will not readily accept newcomers and for the most part chase them away. Nor is it a given new cats will find the Sanctuary in search of shelter and food. Most abandoned cats are very disorientated and will just randomly wander off finding starvation and death - especially in the winter. If you can no longer care for your cat, please take her to the Humane Society where she can be well taken care of and put up for adoption. This is what we do for any abandoned cat we find. And it causes us great grief when we cannot capture one - which happens way too often. And if you give kittens as a gift for Christmas, ensure the person or the household you give them to can provide for them. If not, then you should reconsider your priorities. No kitten deserves to be abandoned like an unwanted toy. Owning a pet is a serious responsibiliy. If you don't share that feeling, you shouldn't own a pet. It's as simple as that. Abandoning your pet is a criminal offence with up to 2 years in jail. Perhaps you who would be so callous should think about that. Treat your pets well, and they will reward you with unconditional love for the rest of their lives. Should we all care so much as they care for us. Klaus J. Gerken Before you abandon a pet you can no longer care for, please contact these organizations:

Previous logs are available at the Library and Archives Canada:

All photographs by Klaus J. Gerken unless otherwise stated.

Comments are always welcome: Please send any comments to kgerken@synapse.net (We reserve the right to publish any comments on this blog).

Invitation I would like to invite anyone who has recollections or photographs of the colony before the present condos were built; especially any recollections or photographs of Irene Desormeaux before Rene Chartrand took over caring for the cats, or even prior to that, to send them to kgerken@synapse.net . We are trying to establish a definitive history of the cat colony for a book to be published in the next year or so.

A Brief History of the Cats of Parliament Hill There is a story that Colonel By brought hundreds of cats with him when he built the Rideau Canal in 1826, to take care of the rodent population, but unfortunately that cannot be confirmed. What can be confirmed is that cats were employed in the Parliament Building (as in many other building) as pest control until 1955 when they were replaced by chemicals. Until 1970 ground keepers fed the cats in various locations, when Irene Desormeaux began feeding the cats where the existing colony now resides. Rene Chartrand began helping her in the mid-nineteen eighties and began building some wooden structures (some of which can still be seen) for the cats to keep warm in. In 1987 when Irene passed on to take care of stray cats in a greater colony beyond this world, Rene took over and loyally fed the cats to this day. In 1997 Rene and a friend built the existing structures. Brian Caines began helping about that time, and I began helping out in 2003. That year brian and I decided to put together a support team to ensure that Rene would be ok (he's in his mid-eighties now) and that the cats would always be well provided for. We now have a team of eight caregivers who volunteer their time to this amazing cause. * The cast of characters: Irene Desormeaux (Who started it all in the 1970's) Rene Chartrand (Who took over when Irene passed on in 1987 and maintains the colony till this day -- he built the shelters in 1997) The Support Team: Brian Caines (Ensures the colony's health and welfare) Klaus Gerken (Official Photographer, and Keeper of the Blog - I do the weekend shift) Laura Jaremkow Lorraine Milobar Sally Sax Helene Pomerleau Kathryn Bunn Leyla Di Cori Heather Ferguson Sebastien Badour Christ Oliver - Author of "Fish Lecan, Maria Dorfinkley et les Chats de la Colline du Parlement" and the blog below: Ben Asselstine

True Stories about the Cats on Parliament Hill by Christ Oliver

The Alta Vista Animal Hospital (For medical care). Purina for cat food. And a host of many others. And the cats: *Coco (RIP 2005) *LePune (Lost 2003 and perhaps sister to Brunette and Lulu) *Big Mama (RIP 1985? to 2006) The white mother and her brood: *Thumbelina (Adopted by Sebastien Bador 2008) Snowball (AKA Six Toes - lives with the white mother on the east side of the Hill) *Kid Jr (lost 2006) *Blanchette (lost in 2003) Blackie Fluffy Brownie *Lulu (lost 2004 and sister to Brunette) Brunette Ti-gris Bebe (Integrated 2000) Bruno (2003/4 - adopted by myself Feb 2004 - and flourishing) *Smokey and her three kittens living in the West Block ( put up for adoption fall 2004 because they could not integrate, no matter how much Smokey tried) *Monty (lost 2004) *The black and white we never got to name who only stayed a month (summer 2004) Spot (Integrated 2004) *Samantha (Lost Nov 2004) Max (Integrated 2005) *Shadow (Integrated 2005 - but probably there earlier and the father of Smokey's kittens)) - Put up for adoption March 2008 because of special medical needs *Penelope (Abandoned Christmas 2005 - taken to the Humane Society Feb 2006) Lillian-Wentworth (Integrated 2007) *Phoebe (The new white - taken to the HS by Brian and Laura 18 June 2007) *Hero (15 years old - abandoned - taken to the HS for adoption) *Mike the cabbie (Abandoned July 2007 - Named by Joanne Stanbridge) - Taken to the Humane Society 24 July 2005. *Great Tiger (abandoned in the heaviest snowfall of the winter - rescued by Laura and taken to the Humane Society for adoption - March 2008) And so many others who just walk in and out or are adopted when we can catch them.

Note for all: As Rene Chartrand is now in his mid-eighties several years ago Brian Caines and I decided to put together a support team so we check on the cats to ensure that Rene has been there to care for them on the previous day and to leave some food and water in case he would be unable to make it for whatever reason. To date Rene has not missed a day and is still, and always will be the primary caregiver. Besides, our help allows him to take the occasional well deserved day off, especially when the weather is bad.

The Blog

Kathryn Bunn Wednesday, 2 April 2008 Hey everyone. I wanted to introduce you guys to the newest members of my family. Park and Dale. They are 8 month old boys. In fact they are still on page 3 of the Ottawa Humane Society Cat page. They have huge motors and are constantly purring. They are just the sweetest things ever and well behaved. They have explored my place minus the spare bedroom which will be off limits for a bit. They are great little climbers, but have yet to really go off destroying anything. Litter trained so no worries with any messes. They remind me a lot of the kittens from Sweetie's big group. Park who is on my lap as I right this is entranced by the laptop. Both of them follow the cursor around the screen. Regards, Kat

Park and Dale (Photo by Kathryn Bunn)

Klaus Gerken Saturday, 5 April 2008 What a glorious spring morning! Sunny, warm and all the cats affectionate. Fluffy and Max were the first to warmly greet me with big meows. Brunette purring loudly and Brownie rubbing against the fence. I gave them all a big feed, and brough the whites some dry food. Then Max followed me while I got the water, and as he and Bebe went exploring I left for home. Unfortunately I did not see Lillian-Wentworth.

The Spring thaw has begun

Fluffy first to greet me

Max not far behind

Brunette and Brownie

Waiting for breakfast

Sharing

Brunette

Max waiting for me to return with the water

Everyone having a good feed

The ice on the Ottawa river slowly melting

The colony from a different angle after I left some food for the whites

Max and Bebe exploring

Laura Jarenkow Saturday, 5 April 2008 So, my friend Rheza and i went up to the hill this evening around 630...la, la, la, off to visit the kitties, la, la, la...hey look, one of the whites are at the colony. Great, spring is here. Wait a minute, that isn't one of our white. Crap, spring is here. There is a new kitty. He definitely wasn't there this morning, but he sure was finding his way about this evening. i would say he is about 7-8 months old, all white except for the tiniest black spot on his forehead, fairly small in size, but with the most beautiful long tail for him to grow into. He is very curious, and quite friendly. He was wandering all through the colony, and beyond. None of the regulars seemed to care much about the little one; Fluff never left the house, Tigris & Brunette couldn't be bothered, Blackie watched but that was it, Max was hugely curious in the little one, following him everywhere about five steps later...they even shared the most adorable nose kiss. Even Brownie was quite kind. He let the little one know who was boss by simply looking bigger, they sniffed each other and that was that. The little one found his way into a couple of the 'houses' so i have few worries about this evening, but am looking forward to seeing him again in the AM. Rheza and i have at least temporarily named him Sunny (Short for Sunset Boulevard), what with the setting sun when we spotted him, and the brilliant whiteness of his fur. All i can really say about him is boy oh boy, is he ever a bunch of fun. .:laura:.

Klaus Gerken Sunday, 6 April 2008 Went down around 9 this morning. Laura was already on the Hill. She told me that the abandoned white was nowhere to be found. Ben and Brian joined us about half an hour later. The cats were all out and Laura began spreading some of the snow around so it would melt faster. When they left I stayed behind and brought some food to the whites. To my surprise Snowball came running to me with a big meow. When I went back to the colony she was summing herself as some visitors watched her. I went back around 1230. Lots of visitors. Then two girls came by with a gray kitten and said they had found her on the Hill. I took the kitten, and knowing that the HS was closed didn't know what to do at that stage, when a woman said she would take her, I loned her the carrier and she said she would bring it back tomorrow morning. Unfortunately in all the commotion did not get her name. If she reads this I hope she send and email. It was a great act of kindness that should not go unrewarded. After that Helene came by and spent a lot of quality time with the cats. We left around 3, leaving all te cats basking in the bright warm sunshine. What a beautiful Spring weekend! Unfortunately no one has seen Lillian-Wentworth.

Laura at the colony when I arrived

The cats were quite hungry being fed an hour late

Bebe and Max

Laura, Ben and a visitor from China

Max

Max didn't want to get out of the way when I put the pad down, so I pu it over him. He just stayed there as if it was the most natural thing in the world

Brian and Laura

Ti-Gris and Max

Fluffy

Snowball

Fluffy and Spot. Spot wanted Fuffy's place and got it

Blackie, Brownie and Max in the back hamper

Afternoon:
Pipers on the Hill

Ti-Gris

Fluffy and Max enjoying the warm sunshine

Helene and Fluffy

Bebe

Helene with Max, Fluffy, Brownie and Bebe

One look back as we were leaving

Brian Caines Monday, 7 April 2008 11:06 AM Hello All: Finally, I have been well enough to get to the Hill. I fed the cats on Thursday and Friday and I again went to do my duty this morning. And what a lovely morning it was. The finches, robins, cardinals and red-winged blackbirds were all singing and all was right with the world. The usual suspects were at the colony and they were all fed, watered and petted. I went to feed the whites and the White Mother was there, although I startled her when I picked up the bowl so she disappeared. She and Snowball will no doubt return as I left them some wet food as well since there is no worry that it will freeze. I did not see Lillian nor the white cat that Laura saw on Saturday evening. He wasn't on the Hill yesterday morning either when Klaus, Ben, laura and I were there. Keep our fingers crossed. Brian

Brian Caines Wednesday, 9 April 2008 6:53 PM Hello All: Tomorrow, Thursday, is supposed to be a lovely day so I will be going to the Hill a little later tomorrow (around 10) to feed da puddies and then I can return again at noon. I hope that a few of cats' fan club can be there. It would be lovely to see youse!! Brian PS. No sign of LW or the recently abandoned white.

Brian Caines Saturday, 12 April 2006 Hello All: Thursday was a wonderful, warm day on the Hill. I went to the colony at about 10 where I met Laura and we lightly fed da puddies and then went to Bridgehead for our caffeine fix. We returned at around noon and a lot of the gang were there. Julia dropped by and gave us an update on Shadow. He's doing really well and he's enjoying his new companions and new digs . Before long he'll have both Julia and Steve well-trained. Sally, Sebastien and Helene were there and David dropped by to get his cat fix. It was nice seeing everyone. Radio Canada arrived at about 12:30. They are doing a story on the cats which will be broadcast across the country in a few weeks. I will let you know when it is scheduled to be shown. Martine Bolduc interviewed some visitors, Lorraine and me (Max jumped up to be a part of it) and as we were leaving Christ arrived and all the cats joined him on the overhang. I am certain the cameramen got some lovely shots of him feeding the cats. Unfortunately, Rene was not available. It is wonderful that spring has arrived (although it is hard to believe it looking out the window as I type this). The cats are more active and affectionate and since it is warmer it is more pleasant for us humans to be outside. Cheers, Brian

Klaus Gerken Saturday, 12 April 2008 Went down several times, 730; 11; 2; -- dull miserable drizzly day. The cats were wet but happy. In the morning Max, Blackie and Fluffy all followed me to the spot where we feed the whites.

When I went back to the Hill around noon an elderly lady said: "There's a big raccoon eating all the food...I call him Bandit" - So here is Bandit this morning when he got into a bag of dry food someone left. So, just to reiterate, if you wish to leave some food for the cats, please hang it on the fence, otherwise the raccoons will shred the bag to bits.

Ah, breakfast!

Fluffy and Blackie after following me to the spot where we feed the whites. Max was hanging out at the pavilion

Max after following me back to the colony

Spot exploring the hill below the compound

Around 11 - Brownie, Fluffy and Bebe all snuggled up and sheltered from the drizzle

Max followed me as I left...then just sat there. Breaks my heart when he does that

Everyone keeping warm. Brownie, Blackie, Bebe and Max when I got back around 2

Ti-Gris and Brunette - best of friends. By the way, Brunette's syst is just a water bubble and doesn't hurt her. The vet told us that it would be more traumatic to operate than leave it. But we are keeping an eye on it

Little Max...

Something caught Max's attention in the trees

Max, Blackie and Brownie as I was leaving the Hill

Klaus Gerken Sunday, 13 April 2008 Went down several times again: 8; 11-1; 4-5; -- lovely day. Spoke to Lots of vsitors. The cats were in fantastic spirits soaking up the warm sunlight.

I can never get enough when the cats greet me in the morning - Fluffy and Blackie first out of the gate

Wagging tails - Max, Spot and Blackie

Interesting cloud formation when I went to get the water - with Max trailing behind

Max and Fluffy sparring

Blackie -- they're at it again: Spot and Max playing

Sunshine over the Gatineau hills - the oldest mountain range in the world. At their peak they were much higher than the Himalayas

More interesting cloud formations as I came back from feeding the whites

Fluffy and Brownie

Blackie, Bebe, Spot and Max in the back hamper

Brunette enjoying the warm sunshine

A visitor left some treats and I fed them to the cats to the joy of the visitors - up to then the cats were all sleeping in the back

A pro-China demonstration on the Hill

Visititors when I got back around 430pm

Max and pigeons

Fluffy getting a tummy rub before I left for the day

I might add some further comments later..but for the moment just some photographs. Thursday, 17 April 2008

Just felt like visiting the cats - the park between the Centre Block and the cat colong at sunset

Max and Spot (bubble-eyed)

Brownie giving Fluffy a great wet kiss

Fluffy and Max

* Friday, 18 April 2008
Sunset over Lester B. Pearson's statue

Brownie and Fluffy

The sunset over Gatineau from the colony

Bebe

The west side of the Centre Block as I was leaving for home

Saturday, 19 April 2008

Sunrise from my apartment balcony before I left to feed the cats

The gang greeting me on my arrival early on a beautiful Saturday morning

Fluffy, Brunette and Ti-Gris

Max stopping in his tracks when we went for water - there was a homeless person camped out by the washrooms with a large german shepherd - no conrontation - Max just turned around and went back to the colony with me - obviously getting under my feet all the way

*
That's a photo moment Laura said as one the squirrels streached out to enjoy the warm sunshine - Bebe eyed him, but left him alone

Ainto high blood pressure here - Fluffy

Spot

Bebe and Fluffy rag-dolls

Ben - cat fan

Laura

Ti-Gris trying to keep warm and cool at the same time

Brunette in one of her favourite spots

*
Bruno finding a soft bed in Nichole's clothes - yes I know... hang them up!

Bebe getting the works - full body massage - should I get that lucky!

Fluffy playing the crowd

Awwww...Bebe!

Helene

Helene and Max

Helene and the Fluff

Helene and Fluff have a tete a tete

*
Evening: Brunette, Spot and Fluffy

Max

Fluffy

Max enjoying the sunset

Brownie enjoying the last rays of sun

Sunday, 20 April 2008

Max and Spot welcoming me

Bebe, Spot, Max, Blackie and Brownie waiting to be fed

Bebe, Spot, Blackie, Brunette and Ti-Gris enjoying a good breakfast

*
Approaching the compound in the afternoon

The Fluff...Kieth-Richards-mellow

Fluffy eyeing a ferret someone brought down to meet the cats

Blackie and Max finding shady place away from the crowds

Another

Brunette finding the far spot in the sun

Bandit for a visit...

Does Fluffy care? - Naw...

Does Brownie care? - Naw...

Crowds on the Hill on my way home

Sally Sax Monday, 21 April 2008 8:56 AM Hi everyone, I met Helene this morning on the hill since we are taking over for Brian during his vacation. There is a new cat. She is small-ish, and looks kind of like Sweetie. The other cats don't seem to mind her too much although she is a bit tense with them. She hung out and got a bite to eat, and let me pet her a bit. She seems to be doing alright, but I will head over to the hill again after work to see if I can catch her and take her to the humane society. Sally * Sally Sax Monday, 21 April 2008 2:52 PM Thanks Lorraine! We've decided to start calling her Minnie. :-) We saw her again at lunch. If I don't catch her tonight I think she'll be okay -- she knows where the food is! Sally "Lorraine Milobar" wrote: Thanks Sally! Good luck. If Helene and you need some help I will try to make it. Let me know! Some people.... Lorraine * Sally Sax Monday, 21 April 2008 6:18 PM Hi everyone, I got to the hill after work and found Helene petting a very contented-looking Minnie. She was no trouble to pick up and put in the carrier and she didn't make a fuss at all in the cab on the way to the Humane Society, although she didn't like having her gums looked at. The lady who admitted her said she looked quite dehydrated and skinny, and that her gums were quite pale, so she will get looked at to make sure she's in alright health. I'm attaching a picture I took of her with my cellphone. I hope she'll be alright and will find some loving owners.

Minnie

Klaus Gerken Tuesday, 22 April 2008 4:30 PM Went to Hill betwen 230 and 3 this afternoon. Rene there in good spirits. In all a beautiful day.

A typical summer day on the Hill - lots of people

Rene in good spirits

Rene

One of two raccoons when I got there

Spot

Fluffy

Max

Brownie

Visitors and Rene as I was leaving

Cloud formation above the Hill

News crew

Laura Jaremkow Saturday, 26 April 2008 12:55 AM Hey everybody... So, my friend Rheza and i went up to see the cats around 930 this evening. Had a great time first with the white mother and Snowball; we then met the new kitty at the gazebo; we then went and visited with the gang at the colony. All was fairly quiet, with not a lot of visitors and plenty of wind. However, when we were leaving we saw here. Bebe's tiny twin. We saw her over near the statue at the picnic table. She is oh so tiny, her nails are trimmed so short that we thought she was declawed, and boy was she hungry. When we first came across her she was chewing for what ever she could find in an old napkin. i went to the colony and got her some food, and then came the conversation-now what? We think she's been in the area for a couple of days, she's very nervous and close to starving. Long story short, we caught her. We put her in a cat carrier with the cozy cushion from Helene's little cat house. The whole carrier i put inside the larger plastic 'shed' the straw is stored in. i figured she is out of the wind, and she can probably relax and sleep. Unfortunately in the morning i have to go to work, so i am not able to take her to the humane society. Klaus, i know you'll be there early in the AM, but too early for the HS. If anybody else gets this e-mail and is able to take the trip, please do. i will totally cover cab costs or anything like that, she just needs out of the carrier. She is very sweet, quite docile and ready for a new home. Any questions, i will be at work until 5pm. If nobody is not able to make the trip, call me and i will try to find an alternative. Thanks everyone. .:laura:. * Klaus Gerken Saturday, 26 April 2008 11:14 AM I took her to the HS this morning aroudnd 10. She ate a whole can of wet and all the cats visited her before we left. K * Brian Caines Saturday, 26 April 2008 4:27 PM Thanks Laura and Rheza and Klaus. What team work! As I said earlier this week-the season has started. I am back home tomorrow evening so I will see you next week. I know I am going to miss Xena as we have really bonded. Such a lovely thing. I am still waiting for her to purrrrrrr! So far, no luck. Cheers, Brian * Klaus Gerken Saturday 26 April 2008 11:55 PM Hi everyone, Just to let you know I have developed a monster cold and will try to feed the cats around 10:30 tomorrow morning (or earlier if I can find some cat food - I fell asleep after I came back from the Hill around 5pm and forgot to get some) - But if anyone is available to stand in for me I would greatly appreciate it. Otherwise I will make a short trip down...but only once. Hopefully the rain has stopped by then. k

Laura Jarenkow Sunday, 27 April 2008 12:24 AM Hey Klaus...i have some regular dried food that i will bring up to the kitties in the AM, so feel free to sleep in Sunday. i'll look about and try to find some yummy canned food as well and everything will be plenty happy. Also, thanks for taking care of little Bitsy Saturday AM. i stressed most of the night and day worrying about her, but i should have known she was in good hands. Hope you're feeling better soon. later days... .:laura:.

Klaus Gerken Monday, 29 April 2008 Here are some random photos from this weekends. Saturday morning:

Max, Blacie and Brownie coming to greet me

Max, Spot, Blackie and Brownie

The abandoned tabby Laura left in the carrier over night...she wasnt at all in distress and had a good appetite

Max greeting the abandoned kitten...as did some of the other cats

The raging Ottawa river

The abadoned tabby just before Yosouf and I went in search of cab and brought her to the Ottawa Humane Society. She even enjoyed the cab ride and what a sweetheart she was when the attendant took her out of the carrier

After I got back on the Hill around 10:30 AM:
Max and Blackie in the back hamper

Spring arrives on the Hill

Fluffy eyeing a dog

Later in the day:
Ti-Gris hiding in the back

Brunette and Ti-Gris always together

Ti-Gris eyeing the pigeons

Aren't they sweet?

While Blackie was getting a tummy rub, Brownie was getting down mellow yellow

Late afternoon:
Chris Oliver was just returning from visiting the cats. We spoke a bit and the I noticed this pup groundhog by the West Block

Bebe and Blackie sharing some food

Ti-Gris and Brownie enjoying the sunshine

Helene came by with her father, mother and sister -- "You have enough photos of me and Fluffy" she said. What's one more?

Sunday afternoon:
A special afternoon feeding - shouldn't have gone down though. Spend the night coughing and sneezing

Bebe claimed my jacket

The cats befriending visitors

A safe and quiet place

Brownie and Ti-Gris

Blackie after a long tummy rub

Acrobats on stilts

Acrobats on stilts - always something on the Hill

Brian Caines Tuesday, 29 April 2008 3:51 PM Hello All: I visited the colony today at noon and I met Kathryn and Helene who were already there spoiling the cats. We wandered over to see the orange but we did not believe that we would as there were so many tourists around. But Helene shook her bag of treats and up he came from the Whites' homestead! It was the first time I saw him and he is a handsome, sweet thing. I love orange tabbies. I went back to the colony to get the carrier as we did not have it with us as we did not think we would see the boy. En route I met Sebastien and Lia was sitting with Bebe at the compound. When we got back, Mr. O was eating some wet food Helene had put out for him. It was a group effort to get him, although he was very cooperative. Helene climbed the fence and handed him to Kat who handed him to Sebastien and me and we got him into the carrier. Lia cheered us on. Luckily there were lots of cabs so I got him to the Humane Society quickly. He was very comfortable in the carrier and when we were in the cab he stretched out and enjoyed the ride. He is a declawed, fixed male which the Society believes to be about six. He was really sweet with the intake workers so he will make a wonderful companion. They were shocked that anyone would abandon a declawed cat. It's bad enough to leave a housecat outside, but to leave one which is defenceless to its own devices is beyond belief. So the sweet boy is safe! His shelter number is A088630. Brian

The orange cat hiding in some bushes last Saturday

One more

Brian Caines Wednesday, 30 April 2008 2:05 PM Hi All: Just as I finished finishing feeding da puddies at about 8:45, a fairly frequent morning visitor came to tell me that a cat was following a woman from the Confederation Building. She arrived shortly thereafter with a small grey tabby with a pink collar. I was able to get the carrier and she put the little thing into without any problem. I went immediately to the Humane Society as the cat was not happy being in the carrier but she calmed down once we were in the taxi. Again, the cat was declawed (!!!) but she was not spayed as the technician was able to tell that she had lactated not that long ago. We thought she was older than she was as she was very dehydrated. Actually she was only about a year and a half old. There is a chance that she is a stray as she was first noticed at the Confed Building and had a collar, but my feeling is that she was dropped off at the colony, got disorientated and wandered away. This is the fourth cat taken to the Humane Society in under two weeks. Thanks to everyone for keeping your eyes open!! Brian PS. I returned the carrier to the Hil at about 10 and I was amazed at the number of visitors. The tourist season has begun. * Lorraine Milobar Wednesday, 30 April 2008 2:09 PM Brian: Thanks for doing this as usual. Just know that if at some point it gets to you let me know. I will take the little one(s) to Humane Society though I hope this is the end (which I doubt...). Thanks again! Lorraine * Sally Sax Saturday, 30 April 2008 3:31 PM Poor thing. I'm glad you got her! Sally