A Day in the Life of a Teeny Daycare (for Animals)

So here we go...let me tell you what today's animal-powered (well, really GOD powered but animal-centric) day is like! The feeding and care of animals seem to propel many of my waking moments and it's a blessing-and-a half! There is so much that animals have taught me, not least of which is prioritizing and patience.

First of all, what's that saying: The stewardess (or steward) places the oxygen mask on her/himself FIRST? So let's do that. I do my stretching and isometrics. I take my morning herbs and do a few other quick exercises. I know that once my animals set eyes on me I'm their focus (“Morning! Feed me, feed me! Clean my poop box and kennel. Take me out for a morning walk!”) and more or less they're my focus too.

I quickly apply face oil, do an oil pull, pray for guidance and give thanks. I open my “sanctuary” (OK, room). WHAAM.

It starts. The little black kitty with cotton puff paws hates to be anywhere near her poop and, obviously, she went last night so she's howling up a storm. I'll call her Blackie. Blackie is our “grandma” rescue and is incredibly athletic, jumping up and down and rushing all around although she never completes a “run”. She stops halfway and retraces her steps.

I hear the doggo whining to get started on his beautiful new day -- "Let's chase that squirrel I see through the plate glass window!" He barks and whines and paws.

The other kitties see me head to the treat bag – doggo and I never head anywhere without his treats -- and start caterwauling.

The budgie, bless his soul, has been singing his heart out since before I uncovered his cage. The other animals know my routine: first clean the budgie's cage, feed and water him, let him hop on my hand and talk to him a little. I learned to sound like a cockatiel, which they supposedly like. I raise my voice a decibel and he seems to find

it amusing.

I pull back his coverings, adjust the shades and bid him a good morning. I change the paper (paper towels). He's so happy to see me and indeed hops on my hand.

Adorable puppy dog can't keep his eyes off us and seems a bit jealous; he starts to rustle around, digging through his bedclothes, teething on them.

On to the cats. First, I clean the poop boxes closest to the bird cage. I've got open paper bags, plastic scooper and paper litter set up on a credenza against the wall next to the doggo's huge kennel.

One by one I remove and clean the plates from yesterday evening's snack – all wiped clean. They love their nighttime coconut oil snacks!

One cat has pooped on his bedding. I will wash it or replace the bedding – depends on the damage. Kitty obviously doesn't like the smell of his poop box right now. I examine the contents. Best thing is to replace the box. I've got a bunch all cleaned and ready to go in the garage so I grab one.

My dog wants a belly rub. Then he wants to run outside and pee before we go out.

I open the blinds and remember that I need to water the indoor plants today.

Outside the dog is on a stake and long leash whilst he sniffs, digs and gets tangled up around treelets I've planted. The HOA's riding lawn mower guy mows the swale and doggo goes crazy, barking at it. He's still a puppy and the world is new to him.

I remove the ragged bedding from one of the male cats who tends to eat cotton. I'm going to give him a box to chew on. He's pretty much demolished the toys I've put in his area. Between him and the doggo, it's a toss up as to who can tear up fabric faster.

I remove the bedding in the doggo's cage and shake all the ripped-up pieces – they have still retained some sort of shape so I don't throw them out. I spray the bedding with neem spray for fleas.

Cats are howling to get fed so I throw a few treats – everything needs to be soft as mush for the two male cats that are prone to UTI's on dry food-- and the doggo and I get ready to head out.

Treat bag, check. Poop bags, check. Keys, check. Cedarwood spray and neem spray on the dog (and me when there is partial leg exposure).

During the walk the doggo and I "run". I strap his leash around my waist. Along the way we stop to look at a house being revamped. J is particulary interested in the men dumping material into the dumpster. I tie his poop in a double bag and tie it around my treat bag. We head back.

Good walk! I rate it for J's benefit – he is beginning to see that good walks result in a very happy lady! When we come back, Justus gets water and more light treats before a rest.

I pull out the remaining poop boxes one by one and arrange plates atop the washer. I feed the cats something light.

I do the laundry and hang it to dry.

I check my balance in the bank -- I won't be going to the store for extras today. I cook brown rice and lentils and a little bit of chicken and shred arugula anc cooked carrots. They've got their species appropriate food from Chewy's, too.

I give the cats and J. goats milk and Farmina kibble. Everyone is finally quiet. I sit down to open my email and see if my current freelance project has been approved. Not yet.

I make myself a cup of decaf green tea. I won't eat until 12. Intermittent fasting gives me more energy, I find! I'm too busy to think much about it. I do enjoy my meals 'though! :) They're as healthy as I can make 'em and I've cut back on sea salt - -just few shakes per plate.

I apply a slight coating of Diatomaceous Earth to one cat's fur and behind a lounge where fleas might congregate. Outside, I replace the dirt where J the doggo dug and cut some dead branches. I feed the birds and squirrels.

I add a splash of goat's milk and Stevia to my tea. YUM.

I find that I am out of the two types of natural litter I use -- pine and paper. I ask a friend to help and I feel profoundly blessed to hear that he can do so.

A feed store povides horse bedding -- that is one of the litters - for only $7 for 40 pounds! Update: I am no longer using Pine Litter as male cats may have been made more UTI-prone sitting on that sort of litter.

First “real” meal of the day. I count out 8 plates and wash them before placing them on top of the washer and dryer, my srving table. (Two are for the dog, as he's the largest and still growing!) Budgie has already been served - twice!

I juice after they eat, whilst J is digesting his food -- that's one way to guarantee that I juice daily.

Have taken J out a few times to pee and just sit outside in the sun. As it's about to rain, I'll take him out again. We don't do a neighborhood round this time; I take him on the yard exercise circuit - back and forth, in and out, up and down in high places. I'm careful to wait a full hour after eating although he insists on sitting outside for a while directly after eating.

No tummy rubs immediately after eating either.

For their next meal, they get ground turkey, oats and a bit of steamed kale.

I am asked to move everythign out of the e way for a new range that we will be receiving, praise God (only two burnes work on mine now, although I'm grateful to have been able to cook at all—there are folks in the world don't have that luxury). I move the kennels of the female kitties near the sliding glass windows.

The youngest seem calmer a bit away from their male brothers.

We can see the lovely bare floor now that I've removed all the floor coverings. We'll put them back soon so the animals can jump as they please.

An old oatmeal cardboard tube serves as a chew toy. Every time I approach he leans over for a tummy rub. Ah, puppydom!

They've eaten again and I've cleaned up. Took doggo out again. Went next door to see my brother and the alert doggo didn't bark! Joy!

A few cats are wanting more food. Heck, ALL the kitties are wanting more food. Once I feed one treats, I'm feeding all of them as a chorus of meows reminds me if I forget. I'm wetting thir Farmina kibble to make things more digestible for the males, especially.

Soon it'll be time for coconut, final outside visit and bed! Ah. Before that, an hour or so to work on a freelance project. Thanks for visiting. God is love!

Photo source dreamstime