‘Owned by cats’: long-time cat-writer Sally Bahner authors ‘The Art of Raising a Kitten’

Lisa Reisman interviewed me about “The Art of Raising a Kitten” for the ShoreLine Times.

Author Sally Bahner photographed with her book, The Art of Raising a Kitten, at her home in Branford.
Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

BRANFORD — This is the tale of Sofiya and Skitch Henderson and Skitch’s offspring Dewey and Tinkerbill.   

It’s the tale of long-time local reporter Sally Bahner who’s spent the last 50 years, as she puts it in her delightful “The Art of Raising a Kitten,” “being owned by cats.”

“I can describe my life by the cats I’ve had over the years,” she said at a recent pop-up book signing as part of the Holiday Cookie Sale & Gift Fair at the American Legion to benefit the Branford Compassion Club. 

“They’re just exquisite,” she said, when questioned on her love affair with felines. “Everything from their different personalities to their presence. They have such a presence.”

Continue reading here:
https://www.ctinsider.com/shoreline/article/Owned-by-cats-long-time-cat-writer-Sally-17661199.php#taboola-1

Where to put your cat’s ‘stuff’

This article first appeared in Animal Wellness magazine and at animalwellnessmagazine.com.

We all know that cats can be particular, but did you know that his happiness and well-being can be affected by where you position his bowls, bedding, litter box and other items?

Would you want to eat near your toilet? Or sleep in a drafty hallway? Neither would your cat. Where you locate your kitty’s items, from bowls to bedding to litter boxes, can have a profound effect on his happiness and well-being. In a multi-cat family, it can even make or break the harmony in the household. So it’s important to use some forethought when deciding where to situate your cat’s “stuff.”

Continue reading at animalwellnessmagazine.com.

When was your cat’s last checkup?

Oblivious.

Mollie had her checkup in June. She’s maintained the same weight for several years and her bloodwork is normal for a “senior” cat. (Hard to believe at 8 years old, she’s considered a senior cat.) Her teeth have always been so-so; she had a dental last year and this year her teeth were deemed “mediocre.”

Welcome Stormy. And Good bye.

Stormy in her new home.

After I lost Celica Blue, I was ambivalent about adopting another cat. Losing her had taken the stuffing out of me, emotionally and financially. We love all our cats, but there are those who wind themselves around your heartstrings; Celica Blue was one of those cats.

So, I wasn’t really looking for another kitty when I stopped by Branford Compassion Club in early March. However, Krista, one of the volunteers, whispered in my ear and said, “There’s a gray kitty over here.”

Celica Blue and Lymphoma: The Journey Ends

Celica Blue on Dec. 13, 2016

On Dec. 22, 2016, exactly six months after she was diagnosed, Celica Blue lost her battle with lymphoma. It’s taken me more than two months to finish her story.

She was the love of my life and brought the most incredible amount of joy in the two short years she was with us.

Celica Blue and Lymphoma: A Bump in the Road

You take my photo with a flash and I’ll squint.

After a pretty good honeymoon period, we’ve hit a bump in the road.

Celica Blue was due for her sixth chemo treatment in this round, Doxorubicin, this week. I noticed earlier in the week that she was drinking water, just three times over two days or so, but it was unlike her; she never drinks water. She was also acting just a tad punky.

Celica Blue and Lymphoma: Her Oncology Team

Waiting

We’ve been shuttling back and forth to Central Hospital a couple of times a month since June 20 when a late-night emergency visit led to Celica Blue’s lymphoma diagnosis.

We’ve got it down to a science. Well, it’s science that’s saving her life right now.

Celica Blue and Lymphoma: Remission in Sight?

Going into the sixth round of chemo – the latest on Aug. 31 – Celica Blue continues to be the perfect cat.

Celica Blue and Lymphoma: Round 3

Keeping me company in the home office.

Is it possible that a cat with a normal appetite and energy level, and blood work all in normal values is sick?

Celica Blue has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a common, but nasty blood cancer, but the only time she showed signs of illness were the symptoms – a single vomiting episode, lethargy, and abdominal pain – that sent us to the ER that fateful Monday evening almost a month ago. Radiographs, needle aspirate, and ultrasound confirmed that the mass in her abdomen was lymphoma.

Celica Blue and Lymphoma: Two Weeks In

Two weeks ago today we discovered Celica Blue has lymphoma, a disease totally unexpected in such a young cat.

Since then, living with the disease has become the new normal.