Sunday, September 04, 2016

Cat Woman

Cottage Door Project - part 4


This project began because of a cat. Weirdly enough, it's not my cat... Or not really.

Ce projet a commencé à cause d'un chat.  Bizarrement, pas mon chat... Ou pas vraiment. 


I didn't adopt Milo. He adopted me. He grew up in Cottage with the previous owners. When I bought Cottage, the previous owners and Milo went to live in a bigger house a few streets away. Every now and then, Milo would show up at Cottage, I'd call the previous owners and they came and pick him up. After a few months, they seemed pretty annoyed when I called. Once, I met them at the supermarket and they told me Milo had disappeared six months ago and they assumed he was dead. Guess who showed up at Cottage a few weeks later? I called his owners right away, thinking they'd be thrilled... But they didn't come pick him up and Milo stayed with me.


Je n'ai pas adopté Milo. C'est lui qui m'a adoptée. Il a grandi au Cottage avec les précédents propriétaires. Quand j'ai acheté Cottage, ils sont partis vivre dans une plus grande maison à trois rues de là. De temps à autre, Milo revenait au Cottage, j'appelais ses propriétaires et ils venaient le chercher. Au bout de trois fois, ils ont eu l'air d'en avoir marre.  Un jour, je les ai croisés au supermarché et ils m'ont dit que Milo avait disparu depuis plus de six mois. On pensait qu'il était mort.  Devinez qui a débarqué quelques jours plus tard au Cottage ? J'ai appelé les propriétaires en pensant qu'ils seraient aux anges... Mais on n'est pas venu le chercher et Milo est resté avec moi.

Milo is an adorable cat. He puts up with Shadow, my cat, who hates him and beats him up whenever he gets a chance. He purrs like crazy as soon as I touch him. He understood in one day how the cat door worked when I installed it for him. But he has one bad little habit: when he comes inside, he loves rubbing himself against the entrance wall.


Milo est un chat adorable. Il supporte comme il peut mon chat, Shadow, qui le déteste et lui file une bonne raclée chaque fois que j'ai le dos tourné. Il ronronne comme un fou dès que je le caresse. Il a compris en un jour comment fonctionnait la chatière que j'ai fait installer par mon voisin pour lui sur la porte de la véranda. Mais il a un défaut : il aime se frotter sur le mur contre la porte d'entrée dès qu'il pénètre dans la maison.


The surrounding of the front door was made out of drywall a few years ago and it was already all damaged thanks to Milo. So I decided that Cottage needed protection. I bought some wood and found my hand miter saw in the mess that is my "atelier" and began to work.


Cette portion de mur qui est en placo de quelques années seulement est par conséquent déjà toute abimée par ses passages répétés. J'ai donc décidé que Cottage avait besoin d'être protégé. J'ai acheté un peu de bois et de moulures, j'ai retrouvé en un instant ma petite scie dans mon atelier hyper bien rangé et je me suis mise au travail.

 
All pictures were taken as I was still working on the project, so there are no staged pictures yet and you can spot: a plastic bag in which were stored the two plinth blocks I had just bought, a dying orchid,  leftover moulding...


Toutes les photos ont été prises alors que je travaillais sur le projet, ce ne sont pas des photos de décoration et avec la rentrée, je n'ai pas le temps de faire de belles photos. Vous pouvez donc vous amuser à repérer sur les photos : les bouts de moulure encore à poser, le sac dans lequel les socles de porte étaient stockés, une orchidée en train de mourir...

 
Just as I had finished the project - which will be painted when I find the time - Milo disappeared. At first, I joked that he didn't like the moulding. But after four days, I was very worried. So early on the fifth day, I put on jeans, my walking shoes, I took my broom and the cat travel box and I hit the fields behind Cottage, yelling "Milo! Milo!" Just in case you're wondering, the broom was to move the sometimes very high grass.

 Juste quand j'avais fini ce projet - enfin, il reste à le peindre, ce sera pour plus tard - Milo a disparu. Au début, j'ai plaisanté en prétendant qu'il n'aimait pas cet encadrement de porte. Mais au bout de quatre jours, j'étais très inquiète (traduisez : au bord du désespoir). Tôt un matin, j'ai donc enfilé un jeans, mes chaussures de marche, je me suis armée d'un balai dans une main et de ma caisse à chat dans l'autre et je suis partie dans les nombreux champs derrière Cottage en hurlant "Milo ! Milo !" Pour ceux qui se posent des questions, le balai, c'est pour taper dans les fourrés et écarter les herbes hautes.


After about an hour, in a field behind a farm whose sheep I can hear from Cottage, as I called "Milo" a white and grey head showed in the middle of the grass. That was him! He was hurt but alived! I brought him home and I have been taking care of his injuries since then. I have no idea what happened exactly, but I guess he fought... and lost!


Après plus d'une heure, je me suis découragée et j'étais sur le chemin du retour. En passant derrière les bâtiments d'une ferme dans laquelle il y a des moutons que j'entends souvent depuis Cottage, j'ai soudain vu quelque chose bouger après mon "Milo !" fatigué et moins enthousiaste qu'au début. Je me suis approchée et là il y avait une petite tête grise et blanche que je connaissais bien. Milo était blessé mais vivant. Je le soigne encore car il a été bien amoché. Je n'ai aucune idée de ce qui lui est arrivé, je suppose qu'il s'est battu et qu'il a perdu !


So do you remember that I said I wanted to create a beautiful living-room this year? Well, for now, it doubles for cat hospital. I have everything I need to take care of Milo's injuries on the coffee table and two huge bath towels on the sofa so that he doesn't stain it when he wants to rest... But I wouldn't want it differently, because Cottage is a place where those who live there are taken care of, not a place where pictures are always perfect!


Bon, donc mon rêve de créer un beau salon cette année semble un peu loin... Pour l'instant, le salon est transformé en hôpital pour chat. Sur la table basse, j'ai étalé tout ce dont j'ai besoin pour désinfecter les blessures de Milo et j'ai recouvert le canapé de serviettes de bain pour qu'il ne mette pas du sang et du pus partout quand il veut se reposer...  Cela me convient tout à fait. Je préfère vivre dans un Cottage où l'on prend soin des habitants plutôt que dans un Cottage parfait !


See you soon,

A bientôt,



PS1: Who noticed that one picture shows that I have already moved onto a project that's going to take me for ever? Hopefully I'll be able to talk to you about it someday!

PS1 : Qui a remarqué sur une des photos un indice qui prouve que je suis déjà passée au projet suivant ? C'est un projet qui va me prendre un temps fou, mais j'espère pouvoir vous en parler... un jour !

PS2: This new project is very tiring and I need to recharge my batteries with a tea break every now and then! It was so sunny lately I couldn't help but take pictures to share how lucky I am... Yes, I know bragging isn't ladylike.


PS 2 : C'est un projet épuisant et j'ai donc besoin de recharger mes batteries avec une petite pause thé de temps en temps. Il fait tellement beau ces derniers temps que je n'ai pas résisté à l'envie de prendre des photos et de vous montrer combien j'avais de la chance... Oui, je sais, ce n'est pas bien de se vanter !

PS3: Last minute edit... Yesterday night, I snapped that picture of Milo resting while I was cooking dinner... You can still see some of the injuries, but he does look content, doesn't he?



PS 3 : Petit rajout de dernière minute. Hier soir, j'ai pris cette photo de Milo avachi sur le canapé pendant que je préparais le dîner. On peut encore voir certaines blessures, mais il a l'air apaisé, vous ne trouvez pas ?



57 comments:

  1. Oh bless him! I wonder what happened? and, thank goodness you went out to find him. I'm a little bit angry though about the previous owners. How can you not love this bundle of fluff! Give him a big hug from me xx

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  2. Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect solution, Magali! And, very, very prrrrrrrrrrrretty! HAHAHAHAHHAHAH

    He is adorable! You are amazing.

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  3. Oh poor Milo. So good that you searched and found him.
    Your door looks very professional.

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  4. your door looks great. Looks like Milo comes with the cottage for sure - he must not have liked the previous residents of the cottage all that much or he would have stayed with them - he likes you instead :) we used to have cats all the time and they didn't always come home in the best of shape but they did love to wander but would come home to check in and eat - I could stand outside and face the forest and call their names and they would come running home like dogs do.

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  5. Cats are amazing creatures. It seems Milo sensed that the previous owners didn't like him that much. The one thing that stood out for me in the beginning of your story was when Milo was gone for six months. I wonder where he was all that time, and how telling that his owners didn't care enough to call you to see if he was with you. Cats truly have nine lives it seems!

    The door is looking terrific, and you did it all yourself! Fabulous job!

    xxx

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  6. We have two cats who are very sweet to each other right before they beat the hell out of each other but they are never hurt - except for their pride- afterwards. They are strictly house cats because we live on two very busy roads and many of my pets have been scrapped up off the road. I hope Milo gets better soon. It is good Karma to love an animal - any animal. And shame on the former owners of your home.

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    1. Milo is getting better, the wounds are healed and he has two nasty scars that will disappear when his fur grows back.

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  7. awww poor Milo! I'm glad he came to live with you, his previous owners obviously didn't love him. I hope he heals quickly. xo

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  8. Ohhhhh.....poor sweet kitty. I too hope he heals! He could never find a better spot to live!

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  9. Great solution to the entry issue. It's going to look wonderful when it's all painted up. Poor Milo. So happy he's ok and healing up and safe at home with you!

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  10. Thank goodness for your kind heart. Milo looks very sweet and contented. I am glad he found you and that you went looking for him in the fields. If you want to see my Baby my IG is mjc1913. There are only six photos and three are of her. She was the last of three cats I had. I hope Milo heals soon and I am impressed by your do it yourself skills on the doorway.

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    1. What a beautiful cat! Milo is getting better and now he's hungry ALL THE TIME!

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  11. I absolutely fell in love with this story, because, I too, love cats...one thing I know about a cat is they choose their people, as is obvious in this case with Milo. The original people finally realized that they were not the "chosen" and left Milo with his choice...bless his little heart. I always bring my cats in at night, I lure them by shaking a small container filled with catnip; so they won't be involved in fights-vet bills are avoided.
    Thank you for your blog...I always look forward to it...

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    1. I keep Shadow in at night because he had an eye problem and I can see that his night vision isn't all that great now and I'm afraid he won't unerstand how close a car is. Milo was used to live outside before, so he doesn't want to come home every night... But he comes more and more often as he gets used to live with me.

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  12. Poor guy..i know that feeling all to well when they don't come home when they should..i didn't have such a wonderful ending myself a couple yrs ago..i dearly miss gus everyday..you sure had the right idea where to look..lucky for him since he couldn't come find you..and i love your sentence.. "Cottage is a place where those who live there are taken care of, not a place where pictures are always perfect!" love that.!! my guess is..milo liked the new owner of cottage an decided he'd rather stay put right there..i hope he's back to his beautiful self soon..an maybe he won't be off wondering as much now..
    i notice a paint tray..so you at least finally picked a color..or should i say..white you like =^)

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  13. Its a good thing you went to look for Milo!! Poor baby, he must have been scared and now so grateful you found him!! Shame on the previous owners, they never searched for him??

    My current cat, Annie, I adopted from a shelter. Her previous owner, a young girl, went on vacation and left Annie with her mother. Annie did not get along with the mother's other cats, so........the mother brought her to the shelter........say what??? The girl returned from vacation and mother told the story and the girl said, that's okay.......again, what???

    She's been with me for 2 years now and is such a love, strictly indoors, and like Milo, purrs whenever I touch her or say her name......they both have found their purr-fect home!!

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    1. I really don't understand how some people can get rid of their pets... They do complicate my life, but they also make it so much more beautiful!

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  14. Milo is a cutie and I know he will recover quickly under your sweet care! We once had an adopted cat the same way. It would not leave our home and it was the only cat that our cat, (shadow as well) would not chase away. You are a talented gal to be able to do that all yourself! It is going to look awesome!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  15. Milo is very lucky to have you! Yes, a house has to be comfortable first and then pretty. If it isn't comfortable for all inhabitants then it just isn't a home! I love your little cottage and it is better to take your time to decide what you want to do than to rush and and make a costly mistake.

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  16. Qu'est-ce qu'il ressemble à ma petite "Aspro"" c'est fou. Il y a bien longtemps quand je disais à ma mère que je préférais élever un troupeau de chiens qu'une paire d'enfants elle criait au scandale, depuis il y a eu d'autres chiens et les mêmes enfants mais ceux qui me font des fêtes lorsque je rentre ce sont mes chiens et bien entendu ils ont toute mon attention ainsi que les chats de la maison... Donc..........à la maison aussi on peut oublier le ménage ou la déco mais on n'oublie jamais les animaux.
    Ne serais-tu pas en train de peindre quelque chose?
    Bisous ma Belle et gros câlins à Milo qui a bonne mine. Babette
    ne pas oublier Shadow

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  17. So glad that Shadow has a forever home. I am so glad that you found him and are nursing him back to health. It looks like he got into a cat fight - they can be pretty bad.

    The door looks terrific.

    Have a wonderful week and I hope Shadow recovers quickly.

    Mary

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  18. A comfortable home is a happy home.

    Milo looks adorable and I am so pleased you found him safely and he is recovering well.

    Hope this coming new week of September goes well for you.

    All the best Jan

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  19. Milo was a lucky cat to have you to look after him. Hope he recovers soon. Love the way you cased the doorway with moulding. Miss Peepers came to live with us when our neighbor who had begun a slow spiral down with dementia asked my husband to shoot the cat!

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  20. So happy to hear Milo is doing better. Poor guy. So glad he has you as his guardian angel to watch out for him. He knows he is loved in the Cottage. Hope he heals and gets better soon. I do not understand how the previous owners could love him for a short time but not forever. Glad he has you and Shadow and Cottage to keep him safe.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  21. A good heart Magali, especially when the previous owners was indifferent with their kitty. Milo certainly is using his 9 lives and putting up with Shadow, the boss. Our cat, Tiger made sure Zoe our little doggie, was put in her place when she was a pup. Very nice of you putting extra door frame for him to rub against too:). Having a bit of respite ( love the tea cup ) while doctoring your Milo:). Are you adding baseboard for Mr. Cottage?
    Enjoy your sunny days and I hope you're doing well, Kathleen in Az

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  22. wow! il est super cet encadrement de porte en bois ! plein de charme dans un Cottage bien préservé - bon rétablissement à Milo qui a beaucoup de chance de vous avoir - bonne nouvelle année scolaire ! cordialement - monique59

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  23. J'adore ton tour de porte. C'est du travail de pro... Tu as de l'or dans les mains !! Et Milo est vraiment une crème de chat et tu es mieux qu'un véto... si tu veux changer de job un de ces jours, tu n'auras que l'embarras du choix ! Bon courage pour ta rentrée. Bises

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  24. Poor Milo. It's wonderful that he has you. What a delightful story of how he came to live with you. xoxo Su

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  25. Poor Milo! I'm so glad you went to look for him. He seems to be so happy in your home. HIS home :-)

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  26. Milo is one lucky cat that you went hunting for him. Like cottage, he rules you!

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  27. Magali you are such a great mama, to love and take care of this little gypsy is truly compassionate. I once had a cat that disappeared for a year and then he found his way home one day all beat up. He lived with us for many years until I had to have him put to sleep. Cats really do have 9 lives. Have a lovely new week. xx Jo

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  28. Shame on Milo's previous owners for neglecting him like that. I'm so glad you took him in! As you know, I'm a huge cat lover, too. Poor guy for getting beat up like that. How did he get outside? One of my cats used to be a big escape artist, so we were always purposely watching the door when we left the house to make sure he didn't get out. Are you sure Milo doesn't need to see a vet for his injuries? He might need an antibiotic for those open wounds.

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  29. Don't understand how the previous owners could just let Milo go...but then maybe it was a good thing because now he has someone who loves and cares from him. Our little one got out once and totally freaked her out and she's never gone out again. Love the door and curtain.

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  30. Bless his heart. Poor thing, so happy he is mending, thanks to your care. He is a very luck little guy to have you.
    blessings,
    Penny

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  31. Lovely story Magali! My parents also have adopted a cat recently, good luck

    Marina from Spain

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  32. Thank goodness you found him... Sweet Milo ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  33. Poor little Milo! Thank goodness he has you to take care of him. And that orchid! I feel there is no hope for my orchid if this is what yours looks like. =D

    -andi

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  35. Such a Sweet Story...I Went Back and Read It Twice...I Love a Happy Ending. :)

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  36. What a sweet story and I love the ending! Sorry, I'm late commenting here but somehow missed this post with my coming and going travels. Milo is cottage cat, he loves you and being there. I love how you put his needs ahead of anything, you are good! You sure came up with a creative and gorgeous solution for the the damage to the drywall. I'm sure Milo will not mind. Hope he is all better now.

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  37. This post is just so dear. I am glad you found Milo and that he is mending well. I also think your solution to the entry is inspired!

    Carol ~ from Washington USA
    puretsimple.blogspot.com

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  38. Poor little sweet Milo!! I can't believe his previous owners just gave up on him, how tragic - but he's so lucky to live in Cottage with someone wonderful who actually cares whether he lives or dies! Awww what a cutie, so glad he has you!

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  39. I am so glad that Milo is doing well. He is obviously meant to be your cat. It makes me sad that his former family abandoned him. Your doorway looks great. Well done!

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  40. Oh poor Milo, but of course you would take care of him, you are his mommy! While I like the "staged" pictures, I enjoy the "real" ones just as much! And you go ahead and brag about anything you want! After all you have done to Cottage, your health, hectic job etc... you have every right to brag! Love watching the progress!

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  41. Heureusement que tu es là pour t'en occuper! Je n'ai pas remarquer d'indices pour le nouveau projet mais j'attends les prochains posts pour le découvrir.
    Bises, Emmanuelle

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  42. Looks like maybe something bigger than him got to him by look of his injuries, poor guy. He is such a beautiful cat, glad you went out looking for him. Would have been a shame if you hadn't come along to take him home to soothe his injuries.
    We have orange striped kitty who adopted us in KY, he was part of litter of kittens from barn in next doors farm. Since I love orange striped kitties didn't argue with him about staying. Several animals ended up in our yard looking for love or food. Hubs always said animals could see invisible sign on our house saying a "sucker lives here", can't refuse stray animals. Living out in country seemed to draw them to our house, we lived on a highway where people dropped their animals I think. We don't live there anymore so hope whomever bought our place is nice to strays. I still miss that place, 1 1/2 acres with house my oldest son completely redid inside and out. Had nice big front porch with all kinds of trees and plants, shrubs. Climate was bad for me with arthritis, asthma and allergies. Glad I found your blog. Do you live in Canada?

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    1. I live in Brittany, France... where there's an invisible to humans sign on my gate saying "cats welcomed"!

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  43. Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you found Milo, poor thing! I can't imagine the prior owners not wanting him anymore - that's just cruel. My husband had a cat that "found" him years ago. Followed him into his garage, sat on his car everyday, until my husband took him inside "just for one day," and had him for years! Wishing Milo a full recovery!

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  44. I don't think we choose a cat--cats choose us. How nice that you have been chosen. :-)

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    1. All the cats of the neighbourhood seem to want to live at Cottage... there must be good vibes!

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  45. Poor Milo! I'm happy to hear he is on the mend. Sounds like he found the perfect home with you. His former owners don't deserve him. The entry looks so nice and I just LOVE your door. It is beautiful! Have a great week!

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  46. Oh, Milo is one lucky cat to have found you! You are an angel.....The Cottage is filled with love <3 xo Karen

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    1. Filled with love... except when Shadow decides to fight with poor Milo!

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  47. Your door casing is looking good Magali. What a funny story about Milo, and I think Milo and Cottage just truly belong together my dear (even if Milo does have a tendency to rub and ruin some edges;-)), I am sure you are very happy to be stuck with both!

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  48. Poor Milo but he knows who loves him. He must not have liked the big house or the other owners. Glad he found a good home. Hopefully one day Shadow will accept that Milo is a permanent fixture. LOL
    Love the new door frames.

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