A Fetching Time

Pattern: Fetching, from Knitty

Yarn: Plymouth Suri Merino, from Sarah, 1 skein. Color 1837 -- pink (thank you, S!)

Needles: Brittany dpns, size 6

Mods: None

Finally! Something to keep my hands warm while typing. Or taking photos at spring bike races.

The shelter auction was on (a very rainy) Saturday night. There were over 125 people and 160 items auctioned. The food was OK but not wonderful; I suspect that was because we needed to keep the price very low so more people could attend. No one seemed to mind, though, and it was not about the food anyway! It was about all the sweet kitties on the slide show, those that found homes in the past year (my Rainy!), and those still waiting. I saw that slide show at least five times through from where we were sitting (it was running on a continuous loop), and I practically cried every time. Goodness gracious, I know. But would you be able to hold up with "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan playing in the background? sniff

 

The scarf is on the lower right. Click for bigger.

My cat's paw scarf was displayed with other hand-knit scarves. Because the Mr. had the good camera for his event that night, I had to make do with the camera phone. The scarf was won by a very happy 13-year old girl and her mother who were sitting at our table. It was so nice to know it went to someone who really appreciates it.

There are two special cats I want to share with you, Pete and Katie.

 

Pete is wondering what the heck happened to my hair. Me too.

Pete came to the shelter about two week ago. A kind man was feeding him outside his apartment building. He couldn't take Pete because his own cat wouldn't accept him. When it was my night to work at the shelter, I read the note that human Pete left for us about the cat, who was then named after him. Pete was also the name of my grandfather, whom we lost to illness around this time of year, so I instantly bonded with Pete the kitty. Fortunately for him, Pete was adopted within a week to his new family, along with another shelter cat I didn't know. I am going to miss him.

 

Katie holds her paws together in anticipation of a new home

Katie is my first sort-of-rescue. Long story short is that the shelter president asked me to pick her up on Thursday at the house where her previous owners had left her behind (some people!! -- hissss!!), and get her set in the infirmary for a vet exam the following day.  MB helped me get her settled, and let me name her. I chose Katie, after Kate Hepburn.

Imagine my suprise when two nights later, at the auction, I find out that she was adopted that day! So glad I got her photo when I did.

I love my work. My job, well, let's just say I'm about as officially a member of the unemployed masses as can be official in the mess that is now our office. Sigh. I am thinking of going back to being a public librarian. It makes me happy to think about that right now.

I do not want to end this post on a sad note, so I will share a funny story that I hope will make you laugh. While distributing auction flyers to businesses in my town, I would stop wherever I knew that the shop or bank had a bulletin board for community events posters. As I'm walking down the main street, I see the Feathered Friends shop has posters for the haunted hayride, etc, in their window. So I walk in, looking for a staff person to ask about my flyer. All of a sudden, the Light Went On -- what am I doing in there, asking a bird shop to advertise an event to support a cat shelter??!! Thankfully no one even saw me and I could sneak out with some shred of dignity. :)

Comments

[Chris]

LOL!

[Mrs SDC]

Debby,

Congrats on finishing fetching. They look so soft and warm.

I'm glad you were able to post that photo of Katie as I wasn't able to open it in that second email you sent me.

Ann

[Sydney]

LOL! The bird shop would probably have had a good laugh with you. Good job on Fetching. They're lovely. I'm glad to hear your ccarf went to a good home too.

[Sheepish Annie]

Fetching remains on my to-do list. I just haven't gotten there yet. I don't know what's holding me back. I even have the yarn, for crying out loud!

I love the pictures of Pete and Katie. Pete's expression reminds me of the AGK when I hold him! :)

[Rebecca]

It's not so crazy. Even if they aren't cat people particularly, they probably like animals, while the cats are at the shelter they're not catching birds, and some of the adopted cats probably become indoor cats, keeping the birds even safer.

See? It makes perfect sense!

[Emily Barton]

Oh, I wish I had a pretty pair of those for the days I'm sitting at the computer and just can't seem to get any blood circulating in my hands. Katie is beautiful and what a perfect name for her! And Pete looks quite regal himself. And your final story sounds exactly like something I might do.

[Kristen]

Fetching is (are?) fetching in pretty pink.
I'm glad the auction went so well and that lots of cats are joining new families. Pete looks like such a lovable armful!
Best wishes as you plan for new employment.

[sarah]

The mits are so pretty! Glad the scarf went to a happy bidder ;) Nice so many cats are finding good homes lately. Best of luck with the job situation.

[Julie]

I'm guessing the bird shop people probably would have been happy to put up your poster :-)

[Brigitte]

Oh, yay for Pete and Katie! I'm glad they've found their forever homes, because they certainly deserve it.

Your Fetchings are lovely, I love the colour (of course).

[keri]

Hooray for rescues! =) What a cute story. I love your fetchings - they look so soft and fluffy and cozy. Perfect to keep your hands warm for sure.

[Mercysmama]

I HEART fetching! I have made one pair and think I will be making another for myself this year!

Adorable kitties :)

And a librarian is an awesome job. My friend is a p/t librarian and LOVES it! She does a teen fiction reading program and gets to read all those books again, reminiscing about those fun but awkward years!