This post is from 2016. We so appreciate our staff who come out in all kinds of weather to be take care of their furry charges....
​Wow! It's December 28th, 2016 and our first real snow storm. We had one in November but it all melted away very quicky. All 8 inches of it. And that is unusual for snow to melt in Iowa once it blankets the earth. Since then we  have had rain, rain, mud, warm weather in the 60's & 70's a couple times. All very unusual for Iowa in the winter too. Our first lasting snow (I think) came Christmas Eve afternoon. Not much, but enough to make it a 'white Christmas' in Iowa which always puts everyone in the Christmas spirit. 
Today their prediction for a big snow came. Not sue how much we will end up with but it is still snowing steadily and blowing. It's nice to be inside today. 
I want to thank the staff who braved the morning weather and came in to care for the furs. And we even had company today!!! They drove down from Minnesota and thanks to one of our staff members they got the grand tour. They will be heading into Illinois and back to their state, New York. I imagine they probably think this 'winter storm' is nothing since they are from New York. Just a little snow.....
Some of the staff is still here in the mid afternoon. I am grateful to them for being here for the furs.
​

It is December 25, 2015 and after a month of rain, mud, water in our basement, and more rain...On December 24th, we got snow. Not a lot, but we are having a 'White Christmas at C & W. Today is a good time to reflect on the past year, and also a good time to get some Christmas photos of the furs (which I will be doing later today). Check out the Facebook albums posted on December 25, 2015 on our Rustic Hollow Shelter Facebook page.
​Wanda and I so appreciate the staff who come in on Christmas and all holidays to care for the felines needs and daily care and cleaning. We appreciate our staff very much. We gathered on the 22nd to celebrate November and December birthdays at a potluck in Bradley's House. We try to have birthday potlucks several times a year, another way to honor our staff and show our appreciation for their tireless and hard work. We also have volunteers who came to our party as well. We have a good team now and that is very important to Wanda and I.

​ Well, a first happened at Rustic Hollow just before Christmas, December 22nd, 2015. A wedding was held at Rustic Hollow.. not the FIRST wedding, as one was held in the upper room in Bradley's House in 2013. But the FIRST 'kitty' wedding was held. Let me telly ou the story of Woody & Alice.
Alice was rescued by a kind man in Virginia. She was found near death with maggots in both eyes. While Alice was at the veterinary hospital, a home was being looked for. Alice was going to be totally blind and her rescuers and Sharon's Critter Action Team' (S.C.A.t) went to work. They asked if Rustic Hollow would take little Alice, who was only 12 weeks old. We agreed. And we started our search for the purrfect companion for little Alice. Since we have no other kittens at C & W, we called a rescue friend Vicky at Whispurring Hope Rescue in Dubuque Iowa. We said we wanted a 12 week old kitten who was very mellow and laid back.  Well, she could not have chosen a  more perfect kitten than little Woody, who also had a rough start in life. They came to Rustic Hollow just a week apart. Woody waited for his little lady friend and right away, Alice established herself as 'the boss' and Woody said, "OK." And their relationship blossomed in just a couple of days. When Alice said "You need a bath," Woody would just lay down and let her give him a complete bath. A special room was built for them in The Kat Barn and moving day was exciting for them. They had many toys to play with and much to explore. 
Now, back to the wedding..... Their friends in Virginia decided that these two were such a special couple, they should be married. One of the S.C.A.T. volunteers made Woody a top hat, a veil for Alice, and a tiny satin pillow with two rings. And an engagement Amazon wedding registry went out. The newly engaged couple received many gifts for themselves and for their pals too. What better time to have a wedding......at Christmastime.
So here are the photos from that special day.. For two very special Rustic Hollow furs.