They Say, I Say 2

They say that stray cats are the same as feral cats. They both live outdoors and have to fend for themselves. They both will be able to go to a rescue and be adopted out. An outside cat is an outside cat. What’s the difference? Others say, just by feeding a cat that lives outside, means it’s a stray. When asked about body language, they don’t know what you’re talking about. But that exact body language is what can save them or kill them in a shelter.

Alley Cat Allies wrote an article that explains the difference and why it’s essential to understand the difference. “A stray cat is a cat who has been socialized to people at some point in its life” is their definition of a stray. They explain “a stray cat can also become a pet cat once again”. They go on to say “a feral cat is a cat who has either never had any contact with humans or it’s contact with humans has diminished over time”. After their definitions, they explain what can happen to feral cats if you call to have them picked up by animal control; “A feral cat is not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors…… they are likely to be killed if picked up by animal control or brought to shelters”.

I believe that this article is very accurate based off the experiences I have with both stray and feral cats. The rescue I volunteer for has taken in many stray cats, and have recently been working on feral cats they obtained from a hording house. The one thing that this article doesn’t state that seems to be working at the rescue is, a person has to be dedicated and very educated about cats to resocialize a feral cat. The rescue has gotten many cats who are very fearful of people. While these cats will always be shy, many have been passed as adoptable and are waiting for that patient someone to come adopt them. However, not all the cats have shown progress and will be going to a farm where they will be kept as outdoor cats. People should know the difference because there are resources out there that can help feral cats because regular shelters will not have the funds that the rescues do to give the proper attention to feral cats.

Field Experience/Mentor

My project doesn't really require field work. Just working on the board in my house. However, I did go get supplies and started planning on what it’s going to look like. My mom helped me work somethings out in my head on how to make things easily adjustable. I guess looking for good pictures of the cats could be my field work as well. I try to find the best pictures of the cats to really try to show them off and make their unique qualities pop. I did get in touch with the two ladies that are helping me when I run into problems. Crystal helped me find where I could locate photos of the cats without getting ahold of each and every foster. I gave an update to Kelliann about one cat not having a bio, and about her foster who may need a different bio due to all the great progress he has made recently.

Changing Project

Finishing the school year, especially as a senior,  it can get hectic. While knitting was a very good project, it is very time consuming. I ended up skipping the gloves and starting on the blanket. With my last high school soccer season starting, the blanket will probably take until the end of the year to complete. Being that I don't want that to be my final product, I chose something that is better suited for my now busy schedule. I want to create a board of all the cats at Last Hope Animal Rescue so that during adoption events, when trying to match the perfect cat to the right family, the volunteers have a full list to look at. I feel its better suited for me as I'm very passionate about these cats. I work with them the most at the rescue and I want to see all of them get a home. I've already got ties with two amazing ladies who can give me information I need to get in contact with fosters to get pictures, take pictures or maybe change bios if they need to be updated. I've already got an example to have one or both of them to approve, which will be done tomorrow(3/26/17).

They Say, I Say

They Say, I Say

When people think about knitting, the first image that pops into their head is little old granny sitting in her rocking chair knitting all day long. They think of cloths making is for women like it was before the women’s rights movement. While others many not think along the lines of all that, they most definitely are thinking it’s boring and pointless. Knitting is also generalized as complicated. People look at all the items knitters can make, and don’t understand how easy it can be. They don’t understand how repetitive knitting is. But also that repetitive factor can be what makes it boring. But they also think all knitting is the same.

There’s a certain type of looming that Loomahat.com claim is easy for everyone; “Round loom knitting is fun and almost fail-proof for people of all ages and of all knitting capacities, even with zero knitting experiences or capacity”. Basically meaning you can’t mess it up unless you don’t read all the instructions and don’t watch the videos available. If a hat is almost fail-proof, then knitting isn’t that complicated anymore. Plus “once you know how to loom a hat all the other projects on this site are just minor adjustments” (Loomahat.com). Some of the other projects you would be able to make are doll dresses, dolls, baby booties, and so much more. So by making just one hat, you are setting yourself up to make many other possibilities.

Another argument that Loomahat.com can push out of the way is importance of knitting; “So before you start, decide on the size of your brim and the size of the body of your hat. This will help you get a custom fit, which is why we knit instead of shop”. Sometimes shopping you have to look for the color you’re wanting, then you have to see how it fits, but maybe you don’t like the style. This can all be fixed if you just want to make your own hat. Don’t want a pink hat? No problem, just stay away from pink yarn. Want a puff ball on top? Great! You can make that too. Is your head somewhere between medium and large? No problem, just stitch as many rows as you need.

I believe that knitting can be great for people who don’t have anything to do. Knitting can be a great way to give back to your community by donating hats, gloves, socks, sweaters, or anything else you can imagine. You can also create your whole wardrobe and it would be unique. Nobody else will have those type of sock you made just the other day. I am excited on what all I can make with some yarn and a plastic circle. I do admit that knitting alone has been a bit boring, however, throw on a good movie, settle down on the couch with your knitting materials, and it’s not so boring anymore. I also get a great sense of accomplishment when I’ve finished a product. It’s a great feeling to know I made that hat, that hat will make some homeless person a little more warm during the cold nights.

Progress 2/23

            I've already started on my first hat. I have finished the brim of the hat and will soon finish the rest. I've also already utilized my mom as a mentor and have asked her questions. She has helped me pick out the right yarn, and helped me when I got stuck a few times. The schedule I created might have too much time in between but I will change that as I go. If I did put too much working time in, it just means I'll have more time to create more projects. I’ve done quite a bit of research on different styles. I even found myself a little word bank so I can keep up on the knitting language. Something I might try is making baby cloths as well for my baby cousin. But I will end up donating the most of it to the homeless shelter and the rescue. I’m looking forward to the rest of my project.

Checking in

Brittany:

I am so curious about your proposal, but there isn't anything posted! I can't quite tell from your list. Please go back, complete, and email me so I can get a sense of your project.

Week 2 2/10

What supplies do I need?

How time consuming is it?

How much will general supplies cost?

How do I find the right dimensions of what I am making?

How do I make the stuff I want to make?
http://www.loomahat.com/how-to-loom-knit-a-hat/
https://sites.google.com/site/thekniftyknitter//stitches

Week 1 2/2

Proposal:

I believe my 20 Time Project should be to learn how to knit. Like all repetitive actions, knitting can be soothing, which would be good with my busy schedule. Also, the things I can make could be donated. I could make things like hates, scarfs, socks, mittens. I intend to work my way up to making sweaters for the dogs at the rescue I volunteer for. I could also make stuff for the rescue to sell and raise money.

Feedback:

Wrote "for the rescue" twice in the last sentence

Last sentence- "to sell to raise" to "To sell and raise"

Somethings that I've learned that can help me is my mom has a knitting loom kit that makes it easier to make hats and scarfs. She knows how to make hats and says it's easy to make scarfs even though she hasn’t tried that yet. She says I can make mittens with the loom, however it's a bit harder and she hasn't attempted that yet.