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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 2019)
B2 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 Catio: Love for cats has always been a big part of Laughlin’s life Continued from Page B1 says “Wipe your Paws.” Regardless of where the cats are on the catio, they won’t have to deal with the wind. While Laughlin has the door currently plas- tic free to let fresh air come through, she has easy-to-hang plexiglas sheets that she can put up like clear curtains, attaching them with wingnuts. She also has some clear plastic in a roll that she can use for weather proofi ng. It’s called Flex-O-Glass. It’s a Do It Best product. It cost about $90 and has lasted two years. When she uses this, she secures it with strips of lath. This holds it fi rmly in place, so the wind doesn’t tear it. The feline family Each of her cats has a story on how and why they were rescued. But they seem to have left the tough days behind and are now just regular house cats, thriving in their environment and Laughlin’s love and care. There are “three and three,” Laughlin said, explaining the male and female numbers. That day last week, inside the catio, she hoisted a relaxed brown tabby named Slinky, held him close and gave and received kitty kisses. She has another brown tabby, Snig- glefritz. Black and white LuLu Belle seems to be the most relaxed around strangers. There is another black and white who was in the house that day. His name is Bobo and Laughlin described him as “pudgy.” Greyman also stayed in the house as did The Smooge, a long-haired female who looks like the cat pictured on Laughlin’s cat sitting business cards. Photos by Lynda Layne Two of the six rescue cats peer out from behind the catio wire and check for their pet mom. Playing with other cats For a person so in love with kitties, what better business than cat sitting? She always goes to the cats’ houses and doesn’t bring them home. But when she takes care of these felines, she combines her skills as a vet tech with that love. Recalling when she lived in Oregon, Laughlin said, “I was a vet tech for seven and a half years at one place and two years at another. I went to the Apollo School.” She said her experience allows her to do fl u- ids, insulin and pills. When she cat sits, if a kitty needs to be administered a pill, she has a system. “I usually come from behind, pull their mouth open and use a pill gun.” It works every time. But it’s not all just medication, feed- ing or cat box cleaning. There’s also that love. “I play and snuggle, whatever they want to do,” she said. “I usually stay about an hour. I used to play mousey-mouse with one of my regulars. There was a big cat LuLu Belle relaxing while spread out on the “Wipe you Paws” door mat. tree. The cat would jump on top of it and I’d throw [toy] mice at him and he’d throw them back down at me.” She smiled at the memory. That playful “regular” was from when she did cat sitting in the Scappoose and St. Helens area for about eight years. She also did some goat sitting when she was there. Someday, when Laughlin retires from her day job, she wants to do the pet sitting more as a full-time venture. “I will probably sit dogs, too. And I’ve done some chicken sitting.” Laughlin is one of those people who stays away from the temptation of animal shelters. She’d want to bring them all home. But, “I can work where I do at the clinic because all the animals are owned.” She talked about a lady down the street who is fostering three young kittens. “I couldn’t foster. I’d want to keep them,” she admitted. Her love for cats has always been a big part of her life. She laughed when she said that everywhere she’s worked, “Everyone always wanted my name at Christmas par- ties because I was so easy to shop for.” Cat- themed gifts, of course. “I was known as the Crazy cat lady.” Lynda Layne is a contributor for the Chinook Observer. Want a fresh new look for summer? Call your local, neighborhood experts! We’re Budget Blinds, and we’re North America’s #1 provider of custom window coverings. We do it all for you; design, measure and install — because we think everyone, at every budget, deserves style, service, and the peace-of-mind of the best warranty in the business. Call now for your free in-home consultation! Oregon Coast 503.738.5242 Lincoln City 541.994.9954 SW Washington 503.738.5242 Faux Wood Blinds Save up to 20 % on select window coverings Blinds Shutters Shades Drapes Home Automation *Applies to selected window treatments from Budget Blinds. Restrictions may apply, ask for details. Valid for a limited time, not valid with any other offers, discounts, or coupons. Offer good at initial time of estimate only. At participating franchises only. ©2018 Budget Blinds, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated.
