Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Learning Curve

I had some time to visit my two new "friends" at the vet clinic today. "Tommy" and "Jet" definitely know their names and seemed nonplussed about their visitor: (Turn down the volume on your speakers - my voice seems extra annoying today!)



The rescue of this pair has really been a learning experience for me. I didn't think there was much about rescue that you could teach me, but this was new territory. This pair has officially been "sponsored" and will be traveling to Tennessee to a wonderful sounding cage-free rescue. They will be loved and kissed once again while the kind folks of the Tennessee rescue help them find a home in their "seniors for seniors" program. They will NOT be split up.

I did my best to find them a spot locally, but this rescue seemed to take on life of it's own and I believe it was meant to be. It was really exciting for me, but I have to admit that I haven't felt like a "rescue newbie" in a long time. I didn't realize how many "rescue wagons" there are out there with people transporting animals from kill shelters to safe places. For a moment, it took me out of my comfort zone, but once I did my homework, I found that these people are amazing!!

Sooooooo....that being said, when the time comes in the next week, I'm hoping to enlist the help of a volunteer driver to take this pair into the US/Michigan border to meet up with transport. (Yes, you'll need a passport to cross the border) If nobody steps forward, I'll certainly do it, but the exhaustion factor with all else going on starts to pile on me.

Thank you to all who gave my son well wishes after his car accident the other night. He's sore and bruised but alive. Looks like he's going to be taking the bus for a while, and that's OK by me.

13 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

My Xterra is a rescue wagon every weekend - usually just Sunday but sometimes, both Saturday AND Sunday OR back to back legs on Sunday -

I know I81 like the back of my hand -

It is quite an awesome feeling to save furry souls seconds from PTS in NC/SC/GA/TC and help them get North -

Had the most awesome Aussie Shep a few weeks ago that is now in Ottawa!

Keep up the good work!

One at a time
One person at a time
CAN make a difference!

Kea said...

I just want to cuddle those boys and give them all the reassurance and love they need! :-)

Fabulous that they won't be separated, just wonderful.

Good luck with the transport--I have to say, could this happen so quickly without the internet? There are pluses and minuses to the cyber-world, but this definitely is a big plus!

Lots of purrs and kitty kisses to them both.

Kea said...

P.S. I meant to add that I'm so glad your son really is okay. Has he been checked, though, by his doctor? If not, he should go, just in case he experiences any kind of difficulty down the road. Sometimes we forget how impact trauma can cause later problems, especially when we walk away essentially unscathed. (I'm thinking back or neck soreness/problems, etc.)

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

I used to drive one of those "rescue wagons" so I know they've been around in the U.S. for awhile. I did not know that they weren't a regular thing in Canada, so I learned something new too! We just got a load of about 70puppies at our shelter from, um, I believe it was KY, or was it TN...I'm to tired to remember right now. They were driven by rescuers to the Petsmart Rescue Waggin and then to Wisconsin. I took a van load of them to our sister shelter in the next county a couple weeks ago. If people knew how easy it was to save an animal we'd probably not have any more kill shelters. Glad these two get to stay together.~Donna

Brian's Home Blog said...

I am so happy for them!!! I can't tell if Khyra's Mom is volunteering for the transport or not. I can put the word out also if you need me to.

Sparkle said...

I am still amazed an overjoyed that these two 1) got rescued and 2) are staying together.

The world of rescue transport is amazing! I've seen so many kitties get saved from some very bad shelters, especially in the southern part of the U.S. We live on the West Coast and my human has never had the chance to be part of a transport - there doesn't seem to be as big a need here as there is other places.

BTW, What Kea said about your son - my human thought the same thing about him when you said he walked away from the accident. It's always better to be thoroughly checked out to make sure there is no unseen trauma going on.

Anonymous said...

Hi Beth,

If I can help in any way please let me know - I live in Toronto and my husband lives in Philadelphia, so we are back and forth almost every weekend and would be happy to get them as far as PA, if that's a route the rescue is willing to go en route to TN. If you'd like to contact me, I am at sshannigan@gmail.com

Best,
Sarah

Carolyn said...

What a loveable pair they are. I'm so happy they've been sponsored & their lives will turn 180 degrees for the better. There is a purebred cat rescue site so I'm not sure if you're dealing with them or not. The outpouring of help for these 2 is amazing. Sort of restores my faith in human kindness after witnessing the sad plight of many in shelters.Sorry my passport isn't updated, but I could take them to Windsor!

Sally G. Knight said...

I am so excited to see this video of Tommy and Jet, Beth. Thank you so much! This is one of those very rare moments when I'm basically speechless. Just happy they are safe.

Make sure your son lays low for a few days -- a week even. His brain may need a little time to recover and be fully functional. Ask me how I know.... I got T-boned and rolled once. Came out without a scratch, but I was a little dingy for a few days.

Thank you so much for everything, Beth.

Marg said...

That is so exciting that they are going to the cage free rescue. It will be a long trip but they will probably be much happier out of a cage. And a big thanks to you for getting the word our for these two cats. I think the videos are the best. What a good idea. I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you do.
Have a great day.

Mishkat said...

Beth, I read your blog often but have not commented. I wanted to thank you for all you have done for Tommy and Jet and for all the other kitties at the Woodstock shelter - it is very good to know that there are people like you in the world. We have sent a small donation with "For Beth Turner's rescue efforts in Woodstock" in the memo line - sorry that it cannot be more but hope it helps a little!

All the best - and many purrs - from Katie and the Mishkat cats

P.S. I'm really glad your son is all right - I'm sure it was extremely frightening for both him and you.

House of the Discarded said...

Welcome, Katie and Mishkat cats! Thank you so much for your kindness and support. I sure need it :)

Mishkat said...

Thanks, Beth! By the way, the receipt for our donation went into our spam box (we marked it "not spam", of course!) - just telling you in case other people have this issue.

Again, thanks so much for all you do! And if there is more we can do to help (writing letters, etc.) please let us know - our e-mail is katmish [at] gmail.com.

XXX from Katie and the Mishkat cats.