I don't do well with drama anymore. Prior to me coming to Canada, my life was filled with far too much drama and bullshit. I've made it a mission to fill my life with loving, fun people. So when I'm confronted with drama and conflict, I have a tendency to take a step back and retreat. I used to be Ms. Confrontation who didn't take any crap. Not any more. Now I just take it and feel wounded.
Cat rescue in itself has enough drama for me. I don't need people theatrics too.
Tomorrow, I'm picking up Steve and Travis and taking them both to the vets. Travis needs his eyes checked and Steve needs to know that the little guy is on the mend. I can hardly wait to see Travis and kiss his little face :) I'm praying for a great check up with my favourite vet tomorrow.
I'm looking forward to a better week. If the week takes a turn for the worse again, I have a fireplace and a really good book I can read.
11 comments:
From past experience, I always thought, a rescue's logo should be...We rescue cats and we know drama...
make a photo album (book, digital, whatever) of your rescues and put it beside your fireplace. Whenever you feel that the political vampires have sucked you dry, look at all those rescued faces. Their 'thank-you's ' will drown those vampire voices down to nothing.
I work in psychiatry and people always say how draining it must be. I tell them the clients are great...management is what drains me.
Lisa: LOL!!! I think that speaks volumes for ANY job!
Lisa, so true...I had been feeling quite burnt out. Life in general is just busy...I decided that come the new year I would slow down my volunteer work (fostering cats) so I could take a deep breath and concentrate on my own dogs and kitties and put more effort into my job kids etc. I was sure this was the best way to regroup. UNTIL Christmas morning when I opened the most precious gift I have ever been given. My 14 year old daughter had put together a scrapbook of the over 25 cats we have fostered and adopted in the last 3 years. OMG The tears fell with every single page I turned...I kept crying omg Gabby she was my favourite and Danny he was my little boy and precious Olivia. I realized that rescuing and loving abandoned cats was such a huge part of our lives. Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words! This was so inspirational to me knowing that all of these sweet faces were now being loved by amazing and wonderful families.
Keep smiling Beth! Things will get better...
Hi Beth
Those cats need you so keep up the good work. It is frustrating that the rescue isn't rescuing right now but I'm sure they will start again. How about starting a toy and blanket campaign for the shelter cats at least we can make their stay better. We can buy immitation lambs wool and cut it up into blankies. Whatever Kim feels would work. Chin up and enjoy your visit with Travis and Steve! Caroline
Today, I was emailed photos of two kittens I fostered. We adopted the third of the litter. It was the Frat Girls litter, if you remember them. TCR had spent days and days staking out these kittens and trying to trap them, and I took them in until they were adoptable. A couple came to meet one, but couldn't resist taking two, and the photos are enough to warm the coldest cockles. The two of them in each other's arms, stretched out on lovely furniture in a lovely home. A wonderful life they'd never have had if TCR hadn't taken them on. You picked a great first foster (Kirby) for my mom, so she's been willing to foster more since then. It might not always be glamorous or dramatically heroic - sometimes just a quick car ride and a hand-off. But to every single one of those cats and kittens, it's been their whole world. Let the drama run off your back, knowing that there are a lot of cats who owe you everything... and a lot of people whose lives have more meaning because a big/small, healthy/special needs, fluffy/sleek, chatty/quiet little friend or two to count on.
Rescue is so much more than just connecting a cat with a foster home or a new home. There is never enough money to cover expenses which is an unfortunate reality. Rescuing pound/shelter cats costs a ton of money. They are usually always sick, which results in caaaching caaaching the need to spend lots of money on vet bills. I am sure if we had more donations we would be able to do more. Money can save more lives which for most rescue groups is an unfortunate limited resource.
Ohhh the joys of the rescue politics...you are far too valuable to let small minded people interfere with the work you do, as hard as it seems at times it is true. I know this all too well. I find that sometimes in rescues..some not all people, have different motives for rescuing. But thats a blog unto itself..and some like you, rescue for the joy it brings you, for the help you are able to give the cats and because you believe in it. Don't let them bring you down :)
Funny you mention a photo album...my husband mentioned the other day that we should keep a book with all the rescue cats in it....I was already working on it. It warms our hearts to look at all their sweet faces and know that we are making a difference in the world.
Hi Beth:
Mommy said you were feeling a bit down today and so she let me use the computer to send you this note.
I know you'll remember me because it was just a few weeks ago when I was about to be killed, that you took me out of that terrible place and saved my life. I'm an ole gal and I was so sick, and no one thought I was worth saving, but I'm not sick anymore and I have a good home now where I can just lie around all day if I want and get to eat all sorts of nice things. I've even gained some weight, and best of all, someone loves me. I hope my note cheers you up a bit Beth. I will always be grateful for what you did for me.
Irma
PS: Meyer says to say Hello too! When you look up in the sky..he's one of those stars!
ahhh...lots of tears...thank you all so much for writing. :)
-B
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