From the Sick Ward

When my kids were little, one of the worst things that could happen would be for me to get sick.  The kids routine would be off, dishes would remain in the sink, and I'd have to beg somebody to feed the animals.  The kids would stand by my bedside pitifully, hand me kleenex, while I wallowed in a feverish haze of cats and cat hair.  

I've been sick since last week Friday, but the show must go on.  I've continued to answer the rescue line phones, as I carefully stifled coughing fits.  I've been getting lots of sleep.  Gratefully, things are different as my kids are grown and I have far more help.  (One of the benefits of this being Marriage #2) 

I thought I was feeling so much better today, and went to the shelter with a new foster Mom who had never been there.  I had forgotten that Helen liked the more mature cats, so was thrilled when she chose an adorable 3 year old tabby boy, and a HUGE (I mean REALLY REALLY HUGE) long haired 6 year old black cat.  This poor guy was marked for euthanasia tomorrow.  Bless her heart for taking him.  He was rolling around in his cage and trying to get her attention.  He was matted and smelled like his litterbox.  Not a very loveable sight, but holy moly, is he sweet! 

When I got home at 1:30, I literally took off my coat and fell on the sofa and slept for 90 minutes.  I woke up to 3 tabbies perched on my side like they were little birds.  (I was hopeful they were passing out Kleenex, but no luck)   I guess I'm still sicker than I realized.  Maybe it's time for an antibiotic.  I hate to admit defeat - water, rest, vitamins...shouldn't that be enough? 

If I were a cat, I would've taken me to the vets days ago.  I guess that answers my question. 

Pulleeeeeze Me....

It's 5 pm, and I should be starting dinner, but have SO little motivation to do so.  Looks like it's going to be me and David only tonight - sort of a picture of things to come once the last kid leaves the nest later this year.  Suddenly, it'll be me, David and the cats. (and Maggie too! woof!)

Since the crap-fest day yesterday, I've had little motivation to do much.  If it didn't make me happy, I didn't do it.  So today, I didn't wash my hair, had coffee with a friend, ate a bagel for lunch and went to the shelter and rescued a cat.   Little "Amber" is the fortunate one today:

She's a sweet 6 month old monkey.  I was told at the shelter that another rescuer was going to take her and changed her mind.  Who could change their mind about THIS sweetie pie??  She's safe and happy tonight.   
Weather permitting, I'll probably go back tomorrow and rescue another.   Right now, rescuing feels like a "fix" that I need to have.  It feels good to rescue and after dealing with some of life's recent day to day crap, I need to feeeeel good.  

As I type this blog post, an update from Amber's foster Mom came in after picking her up from the vet: "...She started purring and fell into my arms when the vet brought her out. She's gorgeous! & she was an angel on the drive home, I didn't hear a peep from her..."

Things are looking up!  :)

Grieving for "Maggie"

Today was supposed to be an admin day, but the rug was pulled out from under me when I received a phone call from our veterinary clinic...

"We have some bad news.  Maggie crashed during her spay surgery and never woke up."

I sat back in my chair quietly and felt the disbelief pour into my head.  Maggie was a foster cat that was rescued from euthanasia a few weeks ago:

I know her foster family well and that they were planning on adopting her.  She was loved and already at  her Forever Home.  Just last week, I remember thinking, "What a wonderful ending for this sweet girl."  Or so I thought....

It's never easy to tell a foster Mom that her foster cat has died.  Especially a foster cat that was never sick and was put in the care of a qualified veterinarian.  Shit...it was a routine spay surgery.  Maggie's foster Mom is a friend of mine and a very experience foster Mom, so it was extra difficult to hear her sobbing on the other end of the phone.  She didn't understand "why".  Neither did I.  I felt so useless. 

I had so many things I wanted to write about today - two new foster homes, a couple of adoptions and more rescues this week....

...but for today, it's all about Maggie and the foster family who loved her. 

Maybe I'm A "Special Need" Too!

Whenever a special needs cat can get out of the shelter, I really work hard to make it happen.  When another rescue came forward and offered to take "Delbert" AND "Hector", I jumped into the car this morning to pick them up since the rescue volunteers couldn't drive out to the shelter. 

When Delbert first came into the shelter, it was thought he had mange or ringworm, but it turned out that wasn't the case at all.  Nobody really knows what's going on with this sweet boy, but he's happy and safe and I type this blog post:


Hector's rescue was even more dramatic. He came into the shelter with severe burns on his back. There didn't seem much hope for a black tom cat with the possibility of a major medical problem:


I had to take these two about 90 minutes from the shelter. It was a long drive, and I drowned out the meowing with some good music and happy thoughts...

Until....the red and blue lights were flashing in my rearview mirror:



I must've been lost in the music and good vibes, because I was caught driving 150km, in a 100km zone. I was fortunate he didn't impound my car and leave me AND the cats on the side of the road. I've been afraid to look at the ticket...but I'm guessing it's going to be enormous. It doesn't seem fair that I'm off doing something GOOD for the community and I get a speeding ticket.  I still have a lump in my throat that isn't going away.  Crap. Crap. Crap.  What a waste of money. 

I had a great tour of a rescue colleague's shelter today.  She had about 180 cats in her program and no foster parents - just a shelter.  The cats were all happy, cageless, and in various stages of laying around in the sunshine in cat beds in sunny rooms around the house.  I had a jealous twinge as I walked around, but we all do what we can do, right?  While I was there, she had 3 young women come in to adopt, and several volunteers cleaning.  The place was great! 

All is right in the world when two special needs cats gets out of the shelter.  Although....Before I tell David about the $1000+ ticket, I'd better find that French Maid outfit.  It must be here *somewhere*...I hope it still fits.

Friday Happy...err...Happy Friday

My adoption phone line did not ring today.  I sure hope this isn't an omen for the weekend.  I shouldn't say that it "didn't ring".  I've had lots of phone calls today...

1.  "Can you take my cat that's peeing in my house?"  "No."

2.  Can you recommend a veterinarian?  "Really?"

3.  Do you know of anyone that breeds Siberian Rafa cats?  "WTF"?

I've had "Stanley" the Himalayan on our website since December.  I can't believe this handsome guy hadn't been adopted, but Stanley FINALLY went to his forever home last night.  I picked him up from the foster Mom and he spent the afternoon in my shower stall covered in comfy blankets (seriously...or I would've had to dig him out from under my vanity) until a volunteer driver could take him to his new Mommy who didn't drive.  Whenever I adopt a cat out sight unseen, I really have to screen and follow through SUPER carefully.

Tomorrow, another volunteer is rescuing Tallulah for me:

You can't see it, but she's a little flat-faced angel!  I really liked her, and was so happy that a new foster Mom contacted me about helping her. 

There's a HUGE tom cat at the shelter that has become a favourite with one of the staffers.  His name is "King Tut" and he's awesome:

He has a HUGE tomcat head and one of those strong macho bodies.  But he's a big softie,sweetie.  He was marked for euthanasia and taken off the list at the last minute.  I doubt they're going to give him much time there.  *sigh*  Thought I'd ask...

My new tabby foster kitten "Max" has made himself right at home.  He's so excited to be out, he gallops around with his tail poofed out.  I think we're going to have lots of fun with this guy. 

The long weekend is almost here, and I've got a dedicated volunteer who offered to man the phones and email for me this weekend.  I'll be around, but it's going to be nice to feel like I can walk away from my desk if I need to.  It's really freeing to be "off the clock".  But my heart is never too far away from it all.  I think I'll try to be a good wife this weekend.  David stepped in cat barf in the middle of the night last night, but I figure that's what he gets for not turning on a light before going into the washroom.  Bad wife. Bad, bad, wife!

Happy Friday!!!

"Thuuuper" Thursday

What a wonderful rescue day today!  I met with 2 foster Moms at the shelter and THREE little lives were saved. 

Karen is a new foster Mom and had never been to the shelter.  In fact, she had never fostered before, so I was anticipating that she might be upset at choosing a cat to save.  Karen has a passion for long haired cats, so it only took seconds for her to say "That's the one!" when we saw Greta:

Greta is about 1-2 years old and flopped over for belly rubs immediately!  She's absolutely darling and I think this is a good match. 

Our other foster Mom took the little tabby from the video that pulled at my heart strings:

She was so happy to be going home with Laurie, that her "happy kneading" almost ripped her jacket!  It was really adorable. 

I rescued a 5 month old brown tabby kitten....pictures coming. 

It's hard to believe my own eyes, but I received Foster Parent #30's application today!!  Really - THIRTY foster homes already!!  So far, I'm staying organized and things are happening (good and bad) without much drama.  We're all getting along and communicating well.  I feel so much gratitude for these men and women that have come forward to help me with this rescue.  Each day I wake up with an enthusiastic attitude. 

I think I say that every winter, don't I?  Things always seem more organized and happy in the winter.  Kitten Season isn't far away, so I'm trying to bank a few donations for the onslaught of little lives that need us.  It'll be here soon.

600

I can't believe I've written 600 blog posts.  I went back through the past few years and picked out a few posts that were memorable to me...and some that weren't so memorable and decided to relive them.   I've had some people tell me that reading my sad posts are the worst for them. Sometimes they can't make it through and sometimes they can't bring themselves to watch a video unless they know it's going to be happy.

Things with my rescue are going along well.  I've forgotten what it's like to be the primary phone person.  The number of  "my boyfriend has allergies and I need to get rid of my cat" are huge.  I've started saying that I don't take owner surrenders - period.  Let 'em bring the cat into the shelter, pay $85.00 surrender fee and cry their eyes out all day.  Why should I make it easy on them?

Geez..that sounded bitter.

Tomorrow is a rescue day, and I'm taking a new foster Mom with me.  In fact, I'm meeting several foster Moms tomorrow.  It always reopens my eyes to the sacrifice I make when someone new comes with me.  I see things differently - the way I did when I first started walking through the shelter doors.  Although it's very very painful, I need to continually renew and remember why I do what I do.  For me, the only way to do that is to walk through those shelter doors with a new foster parent or adopter.  Experiencing their anguish helps me remember why I keep doing all this.  Sounds crazy, doesn't it? 

I'll bring my camera.  My stomach hurts a little bit already.

An Assortment!

Today was a rather boring "admin day".  I reorganized, did rescue banking and went to the printer to have tax receipts printed.  I felt incredibly productive until I walked through the door and discovered this:

That was one of my favourite vases!!  At least this time I didn't have to play "who dun it?" I think she looks guilty, don't you?

I received a stunning before and after picture of "Joey" via email:

Every day I'm thankful for the foster parents that come forward and make such a difference in the lives of these cats.

It was such an assortment of phone calls today!  We've have a return on "George".  It's not really George's fault - he just doesn't like the resident cat, and that's OK.  The adopter gave it a good try.  We had THREE adoption calls today.  We even had a woman contact me that "The Big Orange" was her missing cat!  She sent me a picture and sure enough - it's HER cat!  She was well educated on lettting her 23 pound cat outside, etc etc.  She was crying.  She had no idea how close her adorable cat was to being euthanized in a city pound.

I had a phone call yesterday from a real estate agent up north whose client moved out of the country and left their orange and white cat outside.  The word from the owner was, "Don't feed him - he'll move on".  I put out an urgent plea to the northern rescues and he was rescued today.  (Bless their hearts)  I was SO upset yesterday about this poor cat being put outside and told to move on.  How can anyone do that? 

My son came home sick with the flu today.  Sounds like the whole house is a biohazard.  I'd better get lots done over the next few days - you never know if I'm going to be next!   

Not-So-Newsy Monday

I was having a huge "pity party" for myself this weekend.  I think it was because there were HUGE adoption events through Petsmart all over the place and I couldn't participate yet.  I took the opportunity to fill out the forms to become an adoption partner and email them in.  Let's hope this is the last time that I can't participate in an adoption event!

Thanks to the big adoption events elsewhere, we only had one adoption this weekend.  Between that, and problems with Petfinder and their pictures, I knew adoptions would be slim. 

Kim (from the shelter) was back from her wedding/honeymoon today and I was SO glad to see her!  I rescued a couple of cuties this morning and took a video.  I think half the time I didn't know the video was running...it's certainly not my best videography :)



I rescued the black and white guy, and am PRAYING somebody comes forward for the two little girls in the video. They've been there far too long and I'm worried. Seeing that little brown tabby kneading as she watched me rescue another cat broke my heart. 

I was afraid that the Pity Party would continue today, but rescuing always helps.  I also came home to a voicemail from someone who would like to foster for the rescue!   That would bring up our foster homes to 28!!! 

The Pity Party has officially ended!

A Case of the Warm and Fuzzies

I can't BELIEVE I forgot my camera today!  It was one of those heartwarming, fuzzy feeling days when I pulled that sweet old lady Siamese from her cage.  Then I walked over to the Mom and babies and sang my rescue song to them too.  (I tried to sing my rescue song to the Siamese girl, but her Yeeeeowl drowned me out.  Can't say that I blame her!)

My heart pulled a bit as I was easily able to pick up the Mom.  Imagine.  She was almost euthanized because she was thought to be feral.  No doubt she's scared - but feral???  Naaaaah!   I've already heard from the foster home that took the family, and the kittens are having a ball!

"Willow" went to a wonderful new Mommy.  That sweet Siamese old lady was purrrring like crazy at the vets.  She just *knew* she had a loving home waiting for her.  I must've kissed her a hundred times.  I had fur stuck to my lipstick.

I guess the biggest bonus was rescuing the black and white kitten that supposedly had lice.  I took her to the vet and she now has a darling "lion's cut".  Holy Moly, is she cute!  Really...what could be cuter than a kitten with a lion's cut?  The vet shaved her with a loud clipper and she just laid there purring and periodically rolling around.  She looked so happy for the attention. 

Yesterday was quite an ordeal as several organizations and individuals were trying to organize rescue for the Mom and babies, and Willow the Siamese.  Once again, I was very aware that there are a lot of really nice people out there who DO care.  I heard from rescues that I had never heard of before.  They were smaller rescues, just like me, trying to make a difference with one little life at a time. 

It felt good to be part of something big yesterday.  Rescue can be very isolating.  Sometimes you feel like you're the only one dealing with the day to day rescue challenges.  I loved receiving the emails from the other rescues after I told everybody that the little family had been rescued...lots of "YESSSS!" "GOOD WORK!"

I think this blog helps me from feeling so isolated most of the time. 

To start the weekend, here's a great Before and After picture of "Speckles" who was recently adopted directly from the shelter after his new Mommy drove more than 2 hours (one way) to take him home.  He had spent 2 and half months in that place.  Talk about being "isolated":

*happy sigh*  "You'll never be alone again, Speckles.."

Have a great weekend all.  As always, I appreciate your love, care and support.
 

Vroooom...Here Goes the Rescue Emotional Rollercoaster!!

Jump on that Emotional Rescue Rollercoaster with me!  Heeeeeeeeerreeee we go:

After posting about the Mom and kittens yesterday, I'm THRILLED to say that I'm rescuing the entire little family tomorrow morning!!!   They are going to Abbey Cats Rescue and I know they'll be taken care of beautifully. 

To add to my bliss, a FOREVER HOME has come forward for Willow the 11 year old Siamese!!! There were so many wonderful people involved with this little old lady and I can't tell you how incredible it feels to be rescuing her tomorrow and placing her into a forever home.

Sliding downhill on the rollercoaster now....

I gave authorization this morning to our vet to euthanize "Boo".  We rescued little Boo last year on December 28th.  He was never healthy, and had been in and out of the vets for more than a month.  We did everything we could for him:  viral testing, x-rays, IV, and more IV....We never really knew what he died from.  But at the end his little body couldn't take any more and he gave up. 

The worst part was telling the sweet foster Mom.  She loved him and was back and forth to the vet a million different times.  She syringe fed him, loved him, wiped his chin.  After all that, it still wasn't enough.  Shit.

Going around the loop-da-loop...

My little Doodle was adopted two nights ago.  (Yes, again!) I completely loved this family and although I miss him horribly, I couldn't be happier for my little "Bug".  I have to admit, that I was secretly hoping it wouldn't work out.  In fact, I announced to David last night,  "IF Bug comes back...we're keeping him."  I crossed my arms over my chest and stood firm.  David *sniffed* cautiously.

So my hair is cut and my roots are covered.  I never really got to relax as my cell phone kept ringing during the entire appointment.  At least I feel better.  I'm ready to jump off the rollercoaster tonight and get a good night's sleep. 

Despite it all - I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. 

Hanging in the Balance

ARGH....I know there would be days like this, but I have been filled with anxiety over God-knows-what all day today.  It started with a newly rescued cat crashing during spay surgery.  So far, she's still alive and has survived - the vet has her on IV fluids  I'm a wreck. 

I went into the shelter this afternoon to rescue an awesome Maine Coon, along with a declawed guy and a sweet black and white kitten.  When I walked up to the declawed guy, his cage card had new information on it that wasn't there yesterday:  "Urinated in the House"  Dammit!  Were the owners lying just to get rid of him?  They originally brought him in as a stray, but the microchipped was traced back to them.  We know these people are liars...but is this going to cost this guy his life?

Then I walked over to the black and white kitten and lovingly took her out of her cage.  As I stroked her fur, I stopped suddenly.  She had tiny white *things* attached to the follicles of her fur.  Dammit!  Lice??  The vet tech at the shelter thought so, but we didn't see any live bugs, and lice are very very rare in cats.  I can't rescue a cat with lice and place her in a home with other cats!  Is this going to cost this darling little girl her life?? 

I walked out only with my newest rescue "Mack" - the Maine Coon.  I'm sitting here feeling awful about the two that I went to rescue only to walk away without them.  I even started to sing my rescue song to them....

Yesterday, while I was at the shelter a Mom and her babies came in.  I was fairly certain Mom was feral, but the kittens were not.  They were beautiful and adoptable:

I could've taken the kittens and left Mom to die.  Imagine.  I could have done that.  If Mom isn't adoptable why should the kittens die?  I wasn't prepared to play God yesterday.  It was just too much.  Just too much.

When I went back today, I decided to have a little "talk" with the Mom.  I don't want her to die.  I was surprised when she let me touch her...then I stroked her back....then under her chin....

Wait...

She isn't feral at all!  She's just scared!! So here it is - the video to pass around. This little family needs help and I don't have placement for a frightened Mom and her babies.


There's a good chance Mom will be euthanized on Friday.  It's really breaking my heart and I already feel so fragile. 

An Update on "Mike"

I thought it would be fun to give an update on Mike - poor guy that was abandoned in the city and was fending for himself at a construction site.  If you remember, his BEFORE picture:

Since "Mike's" rescue yesterday, he was taken to the vet for a check up and to see if the vet could unlock a few mysteries about this guy.  Turns out Mike is neutered!  He's about 7 years old, and although VERY skinny, he's otherwise in pretty good shape.  (No doubt thanks to the construction people at the job site for feeding him)

The first night in his foster home:

How completely precious is this picture???  The best part about this picture is the NAME the foster Mom gave the picture:  "It's_gonna_be_ok_xxxxooo.jpg"  Sure looks that way to me!  The sad part is to think that since he had been neutered,  he was probably loved at some point in his life.  "What happened to ya, Mike?"

I met an adopter and a foster Mom at the shelter today.  The adopter drove more than 2 hours to adopt "Speckles" a sad little orange guy that had been at the shelter since early December.  The foster Mom took a HUGE 20 pound orange guy that we're calling "The Big Orange", and a darling young black female cat to adopt herself - it was love at first sight. 

It was a great day!  I was supposed to do some domestic stuff today but by the time I got home from the shelter, I completely ran out of ambition.  We're going OUT for dinner tonight - I guess "Mike" isn't the only one that's spoiled.  :)

(The Best!) Newsy Monday

It happened!  I received the letter from the Charities Directorate this afternoon - my little rescue is an official Registered Charity!  There are so many things that I can do now and I'm hopeful that people will feel more inclined to donate now that they know I have to have fiscal responsibility. 

Sounds silly to say, but I think the best part about this distinction is that I did ALL the paperwork myself!  Last time, I did this for a rescue, I had a pro bono attorney draw up the papers.  I feel so...um....smart!

My trip to Quebec City was wonderful and gratefully, I didn't run into any homeless cats.  The rescue ran beautifully thanks to Connie who volunteered to man the phones and email while I was away.  In fact, we had THREE adoptions this weekend and I wasn't even here!

I'm happy to report that Mike is being rescued as I type this blog post! He's on his way to the vet to be neutered, and given the royal treatment until he can be placed into a foster home. It'll be interesting to see how this progresses..

I went to the shelter today and rescued one sweet little girl.  I named her "Penny" and she's probably about 5 months old.  I have available foster space for more cats, but can't seem to find the right matches for people.  I can't place "just any cat" into "just any foster home".  They have to work in the home. 

What would a shelter visit be without one (or two...or three...or...) cat that really pulls on my heart strings.  "Willow" is that cat:



Surely there must be SOMEBODY that can give this little siamese lady a retirement home. She has the bluest eyes and a sweet little personality. You can tell that somebody really loved her. It breaks my heart that her owner died and somebody dumped her.  I'm posting this, because I know Siamese-people never have just one Siamese cat and I'm hoping that somebody will tell a friend.

I'm meeting an adopter and a foster Mom at the shelter tomorrow, so hopefully more cats will get out.  I've been taking pictures for Kim at the shelter while she's on her honeymoon, but Petfinder isn't being very cooperative.  At least it gives me a chance to get to know the cats as they come in. 

I just signed up another new foster Mom, and am so happy to continue to grow a bit more.  I realized as I was printintg my foster home list I really enjoy EVERYBODY that I'm working with - how many people can say that? 

Wow...this really was a "Newsy Monday"!  What'll I write about tomorrow?  (Maybe Willow the siamese' rescue!?)

Mike's Deadline

For Christmas David and I gave each other "Romantic Weekends"  (Yes, with each other!).  We're leaving tonight for a trip to Quebec City for the Winter Carnival.  I can only hope that I don't see any cats freezing in the cold.  ("Cat Rescue" is not another word for "foreplay", trust me.) 

I received a message from one our foster parents about a little black and white guy that has been hanging out at a construction site.  Her message was as follows:

"Beth, we have a homeless black and white boy cat living in one of our condo sales centres that we are renovating. He is SUPER SWEET. I took pics of him last week. A few of the construction workers began feeding him and letting him stay indoors. But we are scheduled to finish construction there on Feb.15 and turn it over to Sales...Again, he is very sweet, loves people - even melted the hearts of burly construction men! He goes up to anyone and meows for a head rub and possibility of a new home."

She sent the following pathetic pictures of him:

The third one about killed me - watching him eat food from a pile on the floor.  At least he's inside and has some food, right?  This guy's situation is precarious because he's getting the boot on February 15th. 

I'm hoping somebody will step forward and give this guy a foster home.  We'll get him neutered, vaccinated, etc.  I'm just worried that he'll accidently get outside before we can find him the foster home and I'll lose him.  Right now, he doesn't seem a bit interested in going back outside, but he'll be thinking about girls soon enough.

If you can help, please let me know as soon as possible.  I can't save them all, but I think I can make a difference in this guy's life.  I'm calling him "Mike" with hope that it seems construction worker-like - "Mike Holmes"?   

Please help Mike....the clock is ticking for this guy and he'll be just another casualty the streets. 

Out of the Cold

Nobody enjoys "Big Weather" more than I do.  Maybe it's because I lived in Southern California for 26+ years where the weather was usually pretty benign.   So I was pretty excited over the past couple of days over the build up that Toronto was supposed to get a huge snow storm. 

When I first moved to Toronto, I used to have sleepless nights during the winter due to fretting over the poor animals who had no place to get out of the cold.  Because our winters are so long here, I had to let go of some of the feelings of desperation.  But it's always hard to thoroughly enjoy a cozy winter night in front of the fire when there are so many domestic animals who are homeless, alone and shivering in the cold.

Yesterday, I was looking through Craigslist as I often do, and stopped suddenly when I saw an ad for "Homeless Kitty Needs Home Tonight" - with THIS picture attached:

My heart sank.  I called David over to the computer and told him to get his coat, we're gong to get THAT cat.  Thank heavens ONE of us has a sensible brain, because I needed an address, so I wrote the person that posted the ad.  The email came back quickly saying, that the cat will run if approached.  "Dammit".  I'm not a trapper and there's no way I could convince David to go out and help me trap this feral cat at 9 pm on the eve of a "huge snow storm."  Shit - I didn't even have a trap! 

I laid in bed last night as the wind howled through my windows and thought of that poor soul outside.  I couldn't get the picture out of my head and I cursed the people that dumped him (or his ancestors).  I was certain his box had overturned and blew away.  Why couldn't somebody get the poor guy a better frickin' box???

Where would he go?

What would he do?

Was I the only person thinking about him tonight? 

Did he know that *somebody* cared about him?

The plows are still moving through the city and I'm still thinking about this black and white cat.  The  rescuers that do feral cat trapping and feed colonies are really the heroes in cat rescue, in my book.  They go out in all kinds of weather to insure these poor souls are fed.  

I bet those rescuers didn't get much sleep last night either. 

"Maggie" and a Mini-Rant

My heart sank when I walked into the shelter this morning to see all the newly emptied cages.  "Right, it's Tuesday...the "Vet Day".  I only had one cat to rescue today and I couldn't help but wonder if the cat I was going to get died that morning.  What a sobering thought. 

I hate to complain, but I'm always put off my an employee who finds it acceptable to let the cats sit in their own poop and who haven't eaten since the day before while she stands there and reads the newspaper that's going to be placed in the bottom of their cages.  Is she deaf?  Can't she hear the desperation from these poor animals who are so hungry?  The open cans of food are just a few feet away.  It was noon and nobody had been fed yet.   Yes, she stands there and reads the eff'ing newspaper!!   Yet, I keep my mouth shut. 

Glad I have this blog to rant a bit.

The fortunate girl that was rescued today is "Maggie":

I don't know why Maggie is bald in the back.  Looks like she had been shaved - but she's sweet as pie, and the new foster Mom has already reported that she's made friends with her 2 year old daughter.  Yippee!
February 1st has begun with two more foster parents added to the books.  I continue to set my sights forward and hope that adoptions start to pick up again.  At this point, I need to feel grateful that the cats that I've rescued are remaining healthy (or becoming healthy) and that I'm working with some of the most awesome people in rescue.