La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
We had a FaceTime chat with our nephew Matt and niece-in-law Lindy today. They live in South Dakota but will be our neighbors in Spain within the next two years. They are two of my favorite people in the world. I always say I want to be just like Matt when I grow up. I really should include Lindy. So, I want to be just like Lindy and Matt when I grow up.
They currently have seven house cats, down from a high of 13. Lindy was president of their local humane society some years back and already had cats when she and Matt got together. Matt is a cat convert, like me. They have hearts of gold and have given all their rescue cats amazing lives. Three of their current cats are two brothers and a sister who, I think, turned 1 this summer. They rescued them from the street near their house.
The three, August, Wood, and Ever, have entirely different personalities and are all sweet and entertaining. I wonder how Dudo and Moose would react if they met their cousins. They’ll be Spanish cats, too, in no time. Lindy and Matt will be here for Christmas this year. I can hardly wait.
I haven’t done much today. Woke up, had breakfast, went back to bed. While San Geraldo prepared lunch, I made a quick trip to the pharmacy for him. As long as I was there, I decided to pick up whatever of my meds were due. I had no idea I’m come home with a shopping bag. I could be a dealer! I’m a bit sluggish today. Temps are only in the mid-30sC/mid-90sF but the heat hit me in the face when I went out. So, I’ll just listen to my body and take the day off.
Hoy charlamos por FaceTime con nuestro sobrino Matt y nuestra sobrina política, Lindy. Viven en Dakota del Sur, pero serán nuestros vecinos en España dentro de dos años. Son dos de mis personas favoritas. Siempre digo que quiero ser como Matt de mayor. Debería incluir a Lindy. Así que quiero ser como Lindy y Matt de mayor.
Actualmente tienen siete gatos domésticos, menos que los 13 que tenían antes. Lindy fue presidenta de la sociedad protectora de animales local hace unos años y ya tenía gatos cuando ella y Matt se conocieron. Matt es un apasionado de los gatos, como yo. Tienen un corazón de oro y les han dado una vida increíble a todos sus gatos rescatados. Tres de sus gatos actuales son dos hermanos y una hermana que, creo, cumplieron un año este verano. Los rescataron de la calle cerca de su casa.
Los tres, August, Wood y Ever, tienen personalidades completamente diferentes y son muy dulces y divertidos. Me pregunto cómo reaccionarían Dudo y Moose si los conocieran. Serán gatos españoles también, enseguida. Lindy y Matt estarán aquí para Navidad este año. ¡Qué ganas!
No he hecho mucho hoy. Me desperté, desayuné y volví a la cama. Mientras San Geraldo preparaba el almuerzo, fui rápidamente a la farmacia. Ya que estaba allí, decidí recoger mis medicamentos. No tenía ni idea. ¡Podría ser traficante! Hoy estoy un poco aletargado. La temperatura ronda los 35°C/95°F, pero el calor me golpeó en la cara cuando salír. Entonces simplemente escucharé a mi cuerpo y me tomaré el día libre.
• Ever, August, Wood (y Matt). Son mucho más cooperativos que sus primos, Dudo y Moose.
The photos are adorable! I love cats.
Rade:
They’re certainly entertaining.
Dudo has a look on his face that screams, YOU ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE ME TO WHOM? It will be nice to have more family close by. You can help them settle into the local life.
David:
So excited for them to be here.They have been here many times and know much of Spain better than we do. I don’t think it will take them more than a moment to make themselves at home.
Glen and I ran an errand today that took us down a rural highway. Of course we passed a huge Trump sign and I said, “I so want to get out of this country.” I do. But enough to somehow move my entire family? Because you know I can’t go without them and some of them are far more at risk from what’s going on than I am. I salute Matt and Lindy. Not only for their bringing cats off the streets and into a loving home, but also for choosing the wisest course for now. Getting the hell out of the US.
I love those pictures. Dudo always, always looks like he is highly offended. I admire that in a cat.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I just read and commented on your blog. I suppose I’m grateful I don’t have a family of yours. That would have made it difficult to leave. Matt and Lindy are counting the minutes. If they could have, they would have moved last year. And, yes, that’s a perfect description of Dudo. He has so much attitude.
This will be great, having near relatives near! Are they also close with younger brother? And a bonus of cats. Sounds like the title of a comic novel. Boud.
Boud:
Matt is SG’s middle sister’s younger son (of two). Our families met but he hasn’t seen Chuck since 1989 when he (Matt) was about to turn 11. We, and they, wish they could have moved here sooner but they have things to get in order before they can leave.
I would seriously consider cashing out and moving though I think I’d go to Portugal or Mexico. Alas, I cannot leave my kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.I have a cat and dog plus five other cats I feed that live under my sister’s house across the street; 4 tame, 1 feral. Momcat was dumped and had 3 kittens. My sister got Momcat fixed and was feeding her and the kittens and then my sister died so I started feeding them and got the 3 boys fixed once they trusted me enough. The feral still won’t let anyone closer than about 5 feet. Ellen
Ellen:
I know a lot of people with families they couldn’t leave. I remember you talking the cats across the street at your sister’s house. So wonderful you’re able to continue caring for them.
Family you like nearby will be a gift!
Do you think the cats would ever meet?
Jim:
I wish they were here now. I have daydreams of the cats meeting, but I don’t think it would ever happen.
Is your nephew’s nickname “Matt the Cat”? If it’s not, it should be! Love that 2nd picture of him with the two cats, everyone at eye level!
Debra:
Matt loves those cats and they love him. I, too, Love the eye-level photo.
Look at all those kitties! What an armload! It’s always nice to know others are as crazy as we are (just with cats rather than dogs … and we only had ten at our peak).
Kelly:
Lindy has been doing her best to not take in more cats, in preparation for their move here. The three latest ones broke her rule, but they needed her!
Have you ever tried picking up and holding Dudo and Moose at the same time?
Kirk:
Ha! Picking up one of them is enough of a daredevil stunt.
A window full with cats and an armsful of cats, both are ‘firsts’ for me to see – and I hope they won’t be the last. Cannot be bettered!
Raybeard:
If you visited Matt and Lindy, you’d be in cat heaven!
You’re 100% correct. However, I would never visit a home for unwanted/stray cats ‘cos the fact that I couldn’t take them all home with me would prey on my mind forever, coupled with the notion that if they don’t get housed elsewhere in a given time they may have to be put to sleep, which would grieve me no end. But as for Matt and Lindy, thank heavens there are people like them around, though not nearly enough.
Raybeard:
I’m like you. I thought of voluneering in Fuengirola. People volunteered at the local shelter/pet adoption place. But I knew it would break my heart to not rescue them all. I don’t think Lindy ever said “no.” Her mother has a farm with house cats and farm cats. They’re everywhere.
That’s great that you’ll have family in Spain. I frequently think of leaving the USA myself, but I have so many ties here on the east coast. I love all of the photos of the cats. When I see cats though, I think of my allergies as I am quite allergic. If I go to someone’s house, within a minute I know if they have a cat because my eyes start to itch and I get a bit wheezy. But I can enjoy them through your photos!
Michael:
We have a friend who used to visit a lot and she would dose herself with antihistamines the entire time. What a trooper. We do miss friends in family in the USA, but we could never go back.
The siblings are adorable.
I am having that itch to get another cat ever since that Tuxedo twin cat showed up in the front. He hasn’t been back so maybe he was just a message?
Bob:
I’m not going to try to sway you in any direction. Tuxedo was the best! We spend more time on FaceTime talking about and watching their cats than anything else.
How fantastic that they’re coming to live in Spain!
Judy C:
I know. Just not soon enough. But they’re doing it as soon as they can.
That’s an armful of cats! Are American politics driving Matt and Lindsey to Spain? How does one go about moving to Spain from the USA? Asking for a friend. (Really.)
Steve:
They fell in love with Spain several years ago. So I can’t say politics are the only factor, but they are a factor. As for your friend, they have to work through their nearest Spanish consulate. We were fortunate to have to work with the Los Angeles consulate with their excellent website. I’d suggest checking that out (https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/losangeles/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/inicio.aspx) to understand what’s required. Things have changed since we moved. Not every consulate has the same requirements (which is strange). So they’ll definitely want to check with their assigned Spanish consulate to confirm the requirements. It was a lot: FBI check, police check, medical requirements, depending on what their applying for there will be job, income, money requirements; financial documentation; and more. And all of it had to be translated to Spanish by a licensed translator, and apostilled (international notary). We were required to have a lease or own a property here before we even applied. That’s not the case anymore… except for some consulates (ridiculous requirement).
Steve: Sorry for the novel. I should have sent that privately!
I appreciate it! Olivia
My weaver is a twat x
finlaygray:
Aw, come on. But a cute twat.
Holy mackerel that’s a lot of cats!
Urspo:
LOL
OMG love the kitties!
I have a friend who works with a shelter in Houston and she’s the same: she’s now the mom of four doggies!
XOXO