Fyi - diy cat enclosures can cost only a couple of hundred if that, and obviously shade would have to be provided or outdoor time scheduled when the sun isn't blasting down full force. I built mine out of 10 10-foot metal poles (the thinner horizontal poles used for chain link, I set those into the ground vertically) and 100 feet of plastic mesh deer fencing. If you have an athletic cat you may need to rig mesh over the top somehow. Or you could build a space that is a combination cat pen and private walled garden space for the human residents to use too. Similarly, blocking off spaces within an open concept house may need some creativity - doors put up (do you have a basement)? BE CREATIVE. I was surprise when you said she's never been out. I thought you said she was one of these cats lives to go outside or maybe I read that into what you wrote. That does not bode well IMHO - it means she has no street smarts, she's being put out of a house that she's already feeling insecure about (dominators are often acting out of insecurity), and in an area where you've said you've seen predators hanging around your house. I appreciate that you're trying very hard to find the right place for this kitty, and I'm honestly not philosophically opposed to letting cats out ..... but I'm just not getting a good feeling about this. If it was a safe neighborhood, if you knew your neighbors and knew they were cat lovers, and you had a good long term relationship with the cat, knew she would come when called , and she wasn't having these territorial issues, that's one thing - but what you describe has a lot of red flags. I say that as someone with a cat that was lost - territorial issues according to lost pet websites is indeed a big reason why some take off, they perceive they are being pushed out of their environment. I think that may have been a factor in my cat's disappearance. There is a steep learning curve with outdoor cats - cars, avoiding dogs, predators, etc. - if they survive the learning curve then yes they can live many years (my 22 year old was proof of that) but... it's a big If. Many don't make it. I say all this as someone with a cat Figgy who has had aggression issues with my other cats. Its hard to love the aggressor and they do pick up on your feelings... which then makes them act out all the more. In my case I was yelling at him because he was being such an ass sometimes - jumping on and biting Orange if I was giving him attention, always intent on being top cat. Figgy disappeared for six weeks and it was only with a lot of effort I got him back. Now that Ive been showering him with love and attention his whole demeanor has changed. If Orange is sleeping by my head he no longer attacks, but just goes to sleep on the other side of me. Sometimes I have both cats purring together on my lap and we couldn't be happier! I know its more complicated having four cats - but the point is if you can find some way that you're happy with your cat, your cat is going to be happier too. Long story short - I so hope a good home manifests itself soon! In leiu of that I still think you have some options. Hang in there! This post was edited by kashka_kat on Thu, Jan 2, 14 at 20:06

hmm... agree regarding the opening frig door and little space between tall things. I am not liking frig/oven next next to each other because: the nearest landing spot is either a sidestepping 30" or a pivot across traffic to the opposite counter carrying hot and heavy items.. Opening the frig means you are opening it in front of the ovens or vice versa.... If the white is the stove area, then I would definitely suggest shortening the wall behind to allow plenty of room for people walking by you and getting into the frig or other "helping" activities. Or could you switch the sink and the cooktop areas? Just not sure about having cooktop and its grease and steam in narrow passage area.... How about moving the oven down one more section and making larger space in between the frig/oven stacks? The oven would be by the table if you needed extra landing space for cooling multiple racks of cookies ... :)

Thanks NHBabs! The first one is definitely not all one plant - there's a couple maple saplings trying to grow in the middle, and probably more. Next time I'm over there, I'll try to get better pics - and hopefully the leaves will be more distinguishable by then too. But the leaf clusters in the image do belong to the thorny plant.

Here's the "meat" of the U/S report from the PA who scanned me on 2-17. It's not the full radiology-report, but this sounds depressing enough....?! ULTRASCAN: Routine imaging of the right shoulder is performed. This shows significant tendinopathy of the biceps tendon. Tendinopathy of the subscapularis tendon is noted with free fluid around the subscapular and subdeltoid spaces. Supraspinatus tendon shows a full-thickness tear with significant fluid in the subacromial and subdeltoid bursa. The infraspinatus tendon posteriorly is intact with a large amount of fluid in the subacromial bursa. Moderate to severe degenerative changes noted at the acromioclavicular joint. Left shoulder ultrasound shows moderate to severe tendinopathy of the biceps tendon. Subscapularis tendon is intact as well as the infraspinatus tendon. Again noted is a partial-thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon without retraction. There is moderate tendinopathy of the supraspinatus tendon, likely due to chronic impingement. Mild swelling in the bursa is noted. Moderate degenerative changes noted in the acromioclavicular joint. Ugghhhh.....Not sure if I like the phrase "moderate &/or severe degenerative changes...". Oh well! Sounds like I need to go I to the shop?! ;-) I can't find my extended-warranty papers either! Faron