Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe

[eagle1002us]

Hi Eagle, no can of worms here. I understand that not everyone has the same feeling about animals as we do!

We are in the process of integrating new cats into our house so a few are separated in our bedroom and adjoining bath and guest room. Cats need to get used to each other before we throw them together so I'm sleeping with 3 cats at the moment and our others are in our kitchen and family room with access to their basement with their "facilities". We've been allowing the others to meet the new cats in supervised visits and eating meals together. We've done this a lot and it works best to take it slow.

I'm not sure I understand about your friends process. A mouse would have to have a terrible sense of smell to wander into our house, the scent of predators usually deters them. We don't leave food out for cats outside but they eat when they need to inside the house. My studio is in an up and coming neighborhood with lots of stray, feral cats and DH works with the local shelter and a program to trap feral cats, get them fixed and adopted if they're suitable or back on the street if they're not people friendly. It just prevents them having more cats on the street. When we have cats that need medical attention, we have a charitable fund we started to get them the care they need and then work with a network of foster care groups to find them homes. We do not keep fosters or rescues at our house, it's just not something we have time to do. We use a family foundation fund to contribute to rescues and shelters to find placement for them.

As for germs, all that same stuff is on our shoes, our phones, our computer keyboards etc. If I stopped to think about it beyond my already slightly OCD hygiene behavior, I would never eat out or leave the house. I did get a cat bite that got infected because their teeth are covered in germs but also they're so sharp and it was a deep puncture. That's the only issue I've ever had. We keep the house clean, continually vacuum and have even managed to have my cat allergic SIL stay for a few nights so I think we're doing ok. The love they give us and joy my DH gets from seeing these street animals have wonderful lives is worth a lot of cat hair and cleaning.

Thank you for your explanation, Mrs. O. That's a lotta work but animals can't speak for themselves so they depend on people like you. You and your DH's commitment is admirable.
What's it like living in a feral cat hangout/neighborhood? It sounds, well, like a wild experience. I can imagine dog packs but feral cats? Do people feed them? Are the cats scrawny? Is there a lot of kittens around?

 

[Kyokei]

I rarely see cats around here, but when I was living in Japan there were stray cats everywhere. It is a very big problem over there.... There is even a documentary about the cats and how to help them out (though it is in Japanese). It touches upon dogs as well, though there seem to be a lot more street cats than dogs over there.

I was lucky enough to have met with some of the people who put it together when I was living there.

I would love to be able to help out more as I love cats a lot (my SA at H even notifies me about any big cat related scarves and pillows etc) but I am very allergic. One day I would like to be able to adopt one if it wouldn't bother my allergies that much. I take medication for it just in case.

 

[MSO13]

Thank you for your explanation, Mrs. O. That's a lotta work but animals can't speak for themselves so they depend on people like you. You and your DH's commitment is admirable.
What's it like living in a feral cat hangout/neighborhood? It sounds, well, like a wild experience. I can imagine dog packs but feral cats? Do people feed them? Are the cats scrawny? Is there a lot of kittens around?

We don't live there, I work in the neighborhood so I'm there almost every day. Yes, it's sad to see. They are very skinny, often injured and sometimes depending on the circumstances people in the neighborhood feed them or they are scrounging. They do not stick in packs unless there is a lot of food around-they are pretty solitary animals actually. There are kittens in the season which is Spring/Summer and many die out in the wild. Before the season, the rescues focus on picking up the pregnant momma cats so they can deliver the babies in a safe environment.

We actually save older cats as it's easier to get the cute kittens adopted. Ralphie One Eye is likely 8-10 years old and very sweet tempered for a cat that has lived his life on the streets in an empty lot.

 

[Kyokei]

We don't live there, I work in the neighborhood so I'm there almost every day. Yes, it's sad to see. They are very skinny, often injured and sometimes depending on the circumstances people in the neighborhood feed them or they are scrounging. They do not stick in packs unless there is a lot of food around-they are pretty solitary animals actually. There are kittens in the season which is Spring/Summer and many die out in the wild. Before the season, the rescues focus on picking up the pregnant momma cats so they can deliver the babies in a safe environment.

We actually save older cats as it's easier to get the cute kittens adopted. Ralphie One Eye is likely 8-10 years old and very sweet tempered for a cat that has lived his life on the streets in an empty lot.

A senior (or at least older adult) cat or dog (cat provided I can find a breed that doesn't trigger a bad allergic reaction) is exactly the kind I would love to adopt from a rescue. It is wonderful that you are doing that sort of work.

 

[MSO13]

A senior (or at least older adult) cat or dog (cat provided I can find a breed that doesn't trigger a bad allergic reaction) is exactly the kind I would love to adopt from a rescue. It is wonderful that you are doing that sort of work.

They are the best, there are several dog breeds that are hypo allergenic but I'm not familiar with them. My DH is actually mildly allergic to all the cats when we first get them but he becomes adjusted. He doesn't have a severe allergy though. I think that Sphinx cats are hypo allergenic but pretty high maintenance, my BIL had one that needed heated mats/blankets and clothing

 

[Kyokei]

They are the best, there are several dog breeds that are hypo allergenic but I'm not familiar with them. My DH is actually mildly allergic to all the cats when we first get them but he becomes adjusted. He doesn't have a severe allergy though. I think that Sphinx cats are hypo allergenic but pretty high maintenance, my BIL had one that needed heated mats/blankets and clothing

I was looking into that actually. I take medication to keep my allergies under control so it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be at least. I am always freezing (I even sleep with two large comforters in the summer) I can understand that sort of high maintenance very well. I am more than happy to provide heated blankets.

Ah, re: dogs, I'm actually not allergic to them at all. Only cats for some reason.

 

[LanaDelPayme]

As scarf1 says, the H store in king of prussia is supposed to be lovely. It may be worth a stop.
And i also agree with her about trying on the format in your local store before ordering online.

Of course, make sure you post your pics here when you purchase something!

I am going to Central PA ( Think Penn State) But if I do purchase online or make it back to new York, or even... Heaven forbid... go to the store here, I will be sure to post pics!

 

[MSO13]

I was looking into that actually. I take medication to keep my allergies under control so it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be at least. I am always freezing (I even sleep with two large comforters in the summer) I can understand that sort of high maintenance very well. I am more than happy to provide heated blankets.

Ah, re: dogs, I'm actually not allergic to them at all. Only cats for some reason.

aw you might be a good fit for a Sphynx cat then. You guys can snuggle together and accessorize

 

[Kyokei]

aw you might be a good fit for a Sphynx cat then. You guys can snuggle together and accessorize

Plus a Sphynx might appreciate my slightly toasty home (unlike just about everyone else)

 

[MSO13]

Plus a Sphynx might appreciate my slightly toasty home (unlike just about everyone else)

Definitely!

 

[MadMadCat]

A senior (or at least older adult) cat or dog (cat provided I can find a breed that doesn't trigger a bad allergic reaction) is exactly the kind I would love to adopt from a rescue. It is wonderful that you are doing that sort of work.

Today there was the humane society adoption truck in my block but by the time i got there only had adult dogs and cats were left. All puppies and kittens were gone. There was the sweetest old beagle that stole my heart, but DH vetoed the adoption. He has a point: we are both often on the road for work

The humane society has no kill shelters, which is great. A friend of mine adopted a puppy through an organization that brings puppies from some parts of the country that have state-ran shelters (mostly LA, SC, TX) where the animals are killed just after one week. The organization sets up the adoption and the transport. If i were to adopt a pup, i'd use it.

 

[MadMadCat]

Thank you to everyone for the welcome backs! It's nice to have some time this weekend to be back here. I had a few unexpected medical issues expenses the past two months but things appear to be getting better. I even worried my SA by my disappearance from the H boutique.

I miss TPF a lot; I've had nobody to discuss my recent Hermes purchases with or to just indulge my love of their designs. I'm still debating back and forth between a few things.... especially the solid color cashmere stole vs another CSGM and between two long silver necklaces that both have caught my attention. I'll definitely get one of each, but which....

The weather has been cold and rainy and generally terrible here this weekend but my H poncho is keeping me warm.

I have a solid color ex libris stole (black) which i adore. The pattern is jaquard, therefore it is very subtle, but the change of texture makes a little more unique than just a black stole. I am always cold as well and that stole lives permanently in my bag (and saved my life in many situations!)
It feels a little extravagant to spend that kind of money for something that it is so "understated", but it is what i like about it. I had it for 10+ years and it is holding off well. I think it is from the time when the H cs quality was still a little more durable.

What is the other shawl you're considering?

And long necklaces? [emoji173]️ please do tell.

I agree 100% about tfp. I don't have anyone with which i can share some of the excitement of my H purchases.

I am sorry to hear about the medical issues and the expenses. I hope you're all right!

 

[Kyokei]

I have a solid color ex libris stole (black) which i adore. The pattern is jaquard, therefore it is very subtle, but the change of texture makes a little more unique than just a black stole. I am always cold as well and that stole lives permanently in my bag (and saved my life in many situations!)
It feels a little extravagant to spend that kind of money for something that it is so "understated", but it is what i like about it. I had it for 10+ years and it is holding off well. I think it is from the time when the H cs quality was still a little more durable.

What is the other shawl you're considering?

And long necklaces? [emoji173]️ please do tell.

I agree 100% about tfp. I don't have anyone with which i can share some of the excitement of my H purchases.

I am sorry to hear about the medical issues and the expenses. I hope you're all right!

I'm glad to hear that. I tend to baby my things so usually they do last quite a long time. I am not really sure about what other patterned CSGM I'd consider. I have one already (Panthera Pardus CW 8) which I adore but usually buy more silks than cashmere. Since my Panthera is a light neutral, I was thinking something darker, or something with a bit more color, but nothing too bright as most of my wardrobe is black with the occasional slight pop of safe colors grey or red or gold etc.... but I'd say about 95% black. A typical New Yorker, I know. I'm very hesitant when it comes to color. I'm afraid to get too attached to something that my boutique might not have; it happened with one of the 90s this season actually.

It does feel rather extravagant to spend almost 1k on a solid color shawl, but when I feel it, it feels so lush.... As for the necklaces, I'm between the Confettis and the Farandole (probably the 80 since I tried it on and it looks great, but my store was out of the 120s and should be getting more soon so I will compare the two to see). I have both the Confettis and the Farandole bracelets.

It is rather nice to have people to discuss H with who "get it". And thank you very much.

 

[Mindi B]

Today there was the humane society adoption truck in my block but by the time i got there only had adult dogs and cats were left. All puppies and kittens were gone. There was the sweetest old beagle that stole my heart, but DH vetoed the adoption. He has a point: we are both often on the road for work

The humane society has no kill shelters, which is great. A friend of mine adopted a puppy through an organization that brings puppies from some parts of the country that have state-ran shelters (mostly LA, SC, TX) where the animals are killed just after one week. The organization sets up the adoption and the transport. If i were to adopt a pup, i'd use it.

This is how DH and I adopted Henry! His (pregnant) mom was rescued from a puppy mill in KY, he was born and fostered in TN, and then "Alpha Dog" transport brought Henry and many other dogs up to our neck of the woods to their waiting families! There were about thirty of us gathered in a grocery store parking lot to receive our new critters--it was very sweet and fun.

 

[Croisette7]

I am going to Central PA ( Think Penn State) But if I do purchase online or make it back to new York, or even... Heaven forbid... go to the store here, I will be sure to post pics!

You can try the new CANNES store, which is a stone throw away from Monte Carlo. They have a great inventory.