Meet Ra’s Family
Eldest of 11 Cats
Hello everyone,
My name is Ra, and I’m a polydactyl Siamese, which means I have extra toes! I’m here this month to tell you all about my family of 11 cats — including myself — and our providers and caretakers, Bob and Leslie Kehoe. Bob and Leslie have the two biggest hearts that I know, and I can’t thank them for everything they’ve done for me and my feline siblings. They took us in, cared for us, and even gave us our very own room to live in. I had a rough start after I was born, but they helped make my life so much better. I was born into a cat colony in Bitterroot. Many people were tasked with coming to where we were to rescue some of us from those poor living conditions and spay and neuter others. Leslie’s sister-in-law rescued me and another black cat, later named Drew. Around that same time, Leslie had lost a Siamese, so her sister-in-law thought I would be good company for her. Leslie, being the person she is, also took in Drew because she didn’t want to separate us.
Get in Shape for Your Next Backpacking Trip 3 ESSENTIAL AREAS TO FOCUS ON Backpacking in the mountains puts a fun twist on the standard campout. By packing all your gear miles from the nearest roads, you can leave the whole world behind and just exist in nature. That said, backpacking can also put a lot of strain on your body — unless you properly prepare for it. Peak backpacking season isn’t too far away, but it could take a couple of months to physically prepare for your next big trip. So, now is the perfect time to start working toward some of the following fitness goals:
In adopting us, she and Bob gave Drew his name and named me Ra, after the Egyptian sun god. I really like this name! Even after having a hard start in life, I try to stay as positive and “sunny” as I can. I like everyone I meet, and I love to purr, especially when Leslie and Bob give me pets. I think Ra suits me very well. Being rescued as a kitten, I’ve spent most of my life with my humans — this year, I turn 18! I’ve also been one of the first to see our doctor, Dr. Clark. Because of my upbringing, I’ve had a lot of problems as I grew older, but Dr. Clark has taken very good care of me from the first day I met him. I owe all of my doctors a great deal for helping me stay healthy and happy in my life, giving me the chance to love the family I grew up in and see how big it’s grown.
INCREASE MUSCLE STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE Your leg and core muscles, as well as your shoulders and lower back (ideally to a lesser extent), will do most of the heavy lifting when you’re hauling a 30–50-pound pack up a trail. With that in mind, you should devote two nonconsecutive days each week to strengthening these muscle groups. A few good exercises to increase leg strength are jump squats, single-leg deadlifts, step-ups, and hip rolls. A simple way people can increase core strength is by doing planks. IMPROVE YOUR CARDIO HEALTH Backpacking includes a lot of walking while carrying heavy weight at a high altitude, which means it’s just as important to get your cardiovascular system into shape as it is to strengthen your muscles. Dedicate three days each week — alternating with your strength training days — to building your cardio health with activities like trail running, biking, swimming, or other aerobic exercises. IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE Backpacking trails are rough, and you’ll need good balance to navigate obstacles and step over boulders, creeks, and large roots. The good news is that increased strength and balance go hand in hand. Building up the muscles in your legs and core will help improve your balance, as will taking walks or runs on uneven trails or terrain. These are just a few quick tips to help you get in shape this backpacking season. For more in-depth instructions, check out CleverHiker.com, Backpacker.com, or search “How to Train for Hiking” on REI.com. Happy hiking!
Through the time I’ve lived with them, I’ve seen how loving Leslie and Bob are to others as well, offering food, shelter and care to those
Homemade Dog Food
This dish will become an instant classic for your pup! Use as a meal or treat. Consult with your veterinarian before committing exclusively to homemade food for your pet.
Ingredients
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6 cups water
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1 lb ground turkey
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2 cups brown rice
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8 oz frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower mix
WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
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