So, it came as a shock to only a few of you that we’d decided to keep Dennis. Fred and I have both been in agreement for a while now that if Dennis didn’t find a home, we’d end up keeping him. It was originally my intention to post one last plea on Saturday for someone to adopt him, but around the middle of the week I started thinking about how well he’s doing, and how much I’d hate for him to have to start all over again. I couldn’t stand the thought of him in a carrier, going to (a perfectly wonderful!) home, and how scared and confused he’d be. I suggested to Fred that it was time to officially take Dennis off the market, and he agreed.
Fred is pretty insistent that we’re going to rename him, despite the fact that we’ve been calling him Dennis for months and his nicknames (Fred calls him Denny-Mini, I call him Denny-Bug) involve that name. Fred’s suggested a new name, and we’ll give it a try for a while and see if it sticks. If it does, I’ll let you know!
You can expect to still see pictures of him in and amongst the fosters, at least for now. We decided that unless he starts acting like he REALLY wants to be downstairs during the day, we’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing – keeping him upstairs during the day, and letting him have the run of the house at night. Of course, first thing yesterday morning he was banging on the screen door to be let out, so we put a collar on him to keep him in the back yard, and let him out into the downstairs. He didn’t go near the back door, just ran around playing with Stefan and Jake. About mid-morning we put him back upstairs until the evening. I’d like it if he’d spend his days upstairs with the babies, but I’m not going to force him to, if he’d rather be downstairs (and eventually in the back yard). We’ll play it by ear and see what happens.
He and Jake are buddies, and he and Stefan are buddies, and no one else seems to have an opinion about him one way or the other.
To answer the question: thirteen. We have thirteen cats now. We’ve had thirteen before, then Elwood and Spanky left and Stefan joined us, so we were at twelve for about a year. I’m not thrilled about having so many cats, but whatcha gonna do? (“We’ll be in our SIXTIES before Dennis is old and decrepit!” Fred gleefully announced to me the other day. Um, SHUT. UP. YOU.)
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Nanny Dennis takes his job seriously
You’ve gotta keep an eye on the kittens during playtime. Kittens are clumsy and prone to tumble to the floor for no reason at all.
You’ve gotta let the kittens know…
..that their sass…
…will not be tolerated.
You’ve gotta keep the kittens clean. Kittens are FILTHY.
They require lots of cleaning.
They don’t always like it, but that’s just too bad.
Sometimes you’ve just gotta pin them down and gnaw on them a little to get them to behave.
Their heads get cold, so you’ve gotta make sure they stay warm.
They like to knead on your soft belly. Which, you know, is FINE. But if they start snuffling around in your belly fur, you’re within your rights to get out of there.
The cleaning. Always with the cleaning.
Especially their arm pits.
And ears.
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Jobey-Joe
The tuxie-doe
Sure does love laying outside
(Yo)
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Previously
2013: No entry.
2012: No entry.
2011: I love how FS has his big ol’ rabbit feet pressed against Finnegan.
2010: Fostering by the numbers.
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: What a difference five weeks makes.
That’s such great news. Dennis looks happy.
It looks like you have an official Charlene Butterbean with that one. Dennis is soooo adorable and I happen to think Dennis is the perfect name for him. So my fingers are crossed that he gets to keep his name. I am also VERY happy that I get to see Dennis into my 60’s! 🙂
Ha – I’ve been calling him “Dentyne Butterbean”! 🙂
That is funny!
I was just thinking that Dennis is a perfect companion for the kittens — just like Charlene is. I am so, so happy he’s staying. I just commented on Saturday’s post, because I hadn’t read it. I actually noticed a new post on Saturday, but figured it was a plea for a home for Dennis, which would make me sad, so I ignored it! And because I ignored it over the weekend, I ended up crying tears of happiness while at work this morning! (“What’s wrong, Janna?” “Oh, nothing – just happy a kitten found a home.” My staff already thinks I’m a little weird….)
We are all weird with you. If you read all the comments…well most of us cried.
Welcome to the Lucky 13 club! Actually, we are 13 permanent residents and two foster kittens right now. It is strange how quickly it can sneak up on you like that. Congrats Dennis!
They really do sneak up on you! It’s so funny when I think about how opposed Fred was to adopting Miz Poo back in 1999, because we’d have FOUR cats.
That is funny!*snort*
What can you do about the tags over in the sidebar? I’m thinking specifically about the one that says DENNIS NEEDS A HOME. No, he doesn’t. 😉
The camera can tell how much you love him. Whatever his name is.
I fixed that. 🙂
Lucky, lucky Dennis. And ya’ll will still be kicking high when you’re in your 60s!! 🙂
Dennis is such a good boy, and right where he needs to be!
Awwww, I hope you don’t end up changing his name, because I think Dennis is a great name and it really suits him! I’m super happy you guys decided to keep him. I mean, I know it’s a lot for you, and he PROBABLY would have eventually adjusted to a new home… but he really does seem to fit in so nicely at your place and if he’s a good foster brother to new babies you bring in, well, the more the merrier!
I love his name…it suits him…
I just did a random post and got the Weeds. Would the owner of my much loved Dandelion (I think she was renamed Pearl) please send Robyn updated pictures of her. She still owns a piece of my heart. Thank you very much!
My BFF has a cat named Dennis. I think another excellent cat name is Denny Crane (from Boston Legal). Unfortunately, I am the only one in the family who watched the show, so a pair of kittens named Denny Crane and Alan Shore loses a bit of punch. All that to say I’m so glad you kept him!!
I have an online friend who also fosters in addition to having several house cats and one in particular likes to mentor the foster kittens. May Dennis continue to act like Pompi and be the role model for all of your future fosters. I’m so glad he found the purrfect furrever home.
It makes me beyond happy (still) that I’ll be able to see Dennis’ lovely face for many years to come! 🙂 Can’t stop smiling!
Dennis is such a fantastic mentor for the foster kittens !!!
I can not think of him as anything else but Dennis. I’m sure you will end up keeping the name and he will just end up being one of the kitties that has many nicknames !!!
Yaaaay!
I woulda taken Dennis in a heartbeat, if a) I didn’t live so far away and b) he wouldn’t have to move so far away…
Can’t wait till I can join the 13-cat club!
Looking forward to many years of more Dennis! 🙂 Squeeee!
Congratulations, Denny-Bug! You’re in the best family ever! Love the thought of seeing him grow up (and am now going back to see his kitten photos).
Denny-Bug….best nickname!!!!!
awww – Uncle Dennis lurvs him some kittens 🙂
Dennis is so sweet-I’m so happy he is staying at Crooked Acres!
Robyn, I had a dream last night-that you and Fred were going on vacation, and some of your readers were going to take care of the cats while you were away. Of course, I was among the chosen 😉 The funny thing is you lived in your old house, and it took 10 of us to take care of the cats! Plus instead of letting them into the yard with collars, you had a big screened porch off the back of the house, and we all hung out there. Wow, this sounds really boring when I type it out, but it was a fun dream!
What a sweetheart Dennis is! Whatever his name, he’ll always be a sweetie! I’ve love to know what name your considering! But I know that if you tell it you’ll get a zillion comments about it and really it should be your, and Dennis’ choice. Oh, and Fred should maybe get a little say, probably.. if you insist. 😉
Love me some Jobey-Joe! See that place right above his little pink nose? That little dent spot? It’s crying out for a kiss!
So glad you decided to keep Dennis! When our herd reached 13 we named her Trissy, it’s short for triskadecaphobia, or fear of the number 13 LOL!
Excellent!
But he LOOKS like a Dennis!
I love Dennis’ name.
I went and read through the permanent residents because I can never remember dates of birth, and realised many of your permanent residents are born in 2005/2006…and of course,the rest are even younger!
I think cats live to 14-15 years? that means they all are only in their prime years, make them all catch a few more mice/bunnies for rent, won’t you? 😉
Mine, that have passed, all lived to 17. I have a co-worker whose cat lived to 23.
I’m a little surprised you aren’t calling him Menace.. 🙂
as for the 60s thing, remember that will only happy if you are very lucky.. (which I told myself when I adopted Skippy)