Memories in Pictures - Part 2

I've had such a good time going through my old pictures. As promised, I've posted more pictures from my rescue archive. This time, it's a bunch of wonderful "Before" and "After" pictures!

Byron before...

Byron After!!

Cricket Before....

Cricket After! This little monkey is still available for adoption with a different rescue: Cricket's Adoption Bio

Gilbert before...

Gilbert after!

Kaye is a purebred Persian - dumped....here's her before picture

Beautiful Kaye - after!

"Nigel" before...

Nigel after!

Ripley before....

Ripley after!

"Tiny" before....

Tiny after!

Behind all of these remarkable pictures are remarkable people that made it possible for these cats to have a forever home: Shelter staff who kept them alive despite the odds, drivers, foster homes, veterinarians, adopters, and....the list goes on and on...

Hope you're still smiling (I am!)

Memories in Pictures - Part 1

It's been a dreadful week and it's only Wednesday.

"Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me." -Ann Landers

You know it's really bad when I'm quoting Ann Landers :)

Over the years, I've kept various pictures that people have sent me. Some are from foster parents and some are from adopters - they aren't random pictures from the net. All of these cats were rescued from euthanasia at the shelter. These are cats that I have known and have been involved with their rescue and/or adoption. I found myself smiling as I scrolled through them.

I thought I'd share a few over the next few days - hope they make you smile too!

Are you smilin' yet?

More to come tomorrow...

Where's the Sunshine When I Need It?

I went to the shelter today and managed to rescue a very cute little guy named "Leo" that was marked "Urgent". I love it when a foster Mom contacts me and starts her email: "I wanted to call you before you left for the shelter..." Ahh. Music to my ears!

Over the weekend, we rescued some cuties and the "After" pictures are starting to come in:

"Paulie" (aka: "Polly") BEFORE...

Paulie - now "Finnian" AFTER! I think this guy has the sad face down pat. Nobody has told him that he doesn't have to look like that anymore now that he's rescued and safe!

Remember these guys?

Looks like they've figured out where the best spot in the house is:Thought I'd also give an update on Travis. :

Travis is happy and living with his new Dad! He's had his eye surgery and only ONE eye needed to be removed. The left eye is still intact, but is still fighting the virus. The vet thinks there is some vision in this eye. How much? We don't know. Maybe some shadows. You can see in the picture above that there is still much redness in the left eye. I was able to see Travis today. I really miss that little boy, but am so grateful he seems happy in his new home. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome.

Despite the happy endings, I'm still feeling very melancholy and am struggling to keep my chin up. Maybe it's the dark days or maybe it's just life in general. Regardless, I'm looking forward to lunch tomorrow with some friends. Maybe I'll sleep in tomorrow if the cats will let me.

Saturday at the Shelter

Nothing speaks contentment more than a Sunday morning fire in the fireplace and a cat in your lap as you blog. I have to stop typing every few words as my little black cat "Pella" tries to lick on the top of my raisin toast.

I met a foster family at the shelter yesterday. It never ceases to amaze me how different the weekends are at the shelter. It's very quiet and relaxed. The staff seems peaceful. After much deliberating, the couple decided on THREE foster cats!

"Jelly Bean is a homely little thing, but she's really sweet!

"Snowflake" was surrendered to the shelter due to family allergies.
"Whisper" had been at the shelter for more thn a month. She's SWEET!

Another foster Mom came forward for this little guy:

We found out that "Polly" is actually a "Paulie"

I think I'm going back to the shelter tomorrow. I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about some of the faces that I saw. Tuesday the vet comes to euthanize the unfortunate souls whose time is up....so if I'm going to rescue somebody, I need to go tomorrow.

I'm beginning to think that I use Monday morning rescues as a way to avoid becoming one of the "Starbucks Ladies" who jog by my house every morning. I saw the little group on Friday running with their Starbucks *and* Lulu Lemon bags! My big butt hates them.

Screw it. I'll let Pella lick the butter off my raisin toast. It's a start.

A Piece of Joy

I was an official "Cat Taxi" today and was on the road by 9 a.m. to pick up Travis and another VERY cute boy named A.J. I took them both to the vets for their surgeries. A.J. is 11 years old and was rescued with his brother Arthur after his guardian passed away and they were left without a home.

A.J. was the cutest thing - I could hear him purring from the back seat! I could also smell him! He had such bad teeth and his mouth smelled like it was rotten. I bet he feels like a new guy after his dental surgery today. Everytime I looked in the backseat he was looking at me adoringly and purring. I'm in love. :)

Yesterday, I posted a Mom and her babies that I rescued and placed in a loving foster home:

Mom and Kids

CUTENESS ALERT: (the after pictures!)

The following picture had me laughing out loud. I know this foster Mom and she had a lovely bright room for the little family set up when I arrived. ALL the comforts you can imagine! But look where Mom cat ended up nursing her babies...

I can't imagine why anyone would NOT want to foster after seeing these pictures. What great joy these little faces bring to your lives!

A Hump Day Ramble

I had the privilege of rescuing two Mom cats with their kittens today! I was so grateful two foster families stepped forward and I managed to put together a last minute rescue. EIGHT little souls left the shelter and are now safe, sound and being loved as I type this.

There are four kittens: 2 are black and white and 2 are black. They were born on Sunday the 10th in a cage, on one sheet of newspaper. Nobody even knew she was pregnant.

The picture of this Mom and her babies don't do them justice. They're a sweet little family! The foster Mom is going to surprise her kids when they come home from school. What a great way to come home from a long crummy day of school to find KITTENS in your house!

Speaking of kids....(Side note rant coming up)

There's a small pile of cat barf in my basement. It's been there for 3 days and I refuse to clean it. I don't care if it petrifies on the floor - SOMEBODY ELSE is going to clean up this little pile of barf for a change. It's on the only piece of carpeting in the basement (of course) and it leads into the laundry room. I suppose my sons and husband have already walked over it several times. Nobody is talking about the cat barf. We all know it's there and we're all waiting for somebody else to clean it up. I hate them. :)

(Side note rant end)

Tyla is a little tabby that I rescued yesterday:

Her new name is "Bridget" and her foster Dad sent me an "After" picture of Bridget a few hours after she arrived in his home:

Hardly looks like the same cat! The transformation from shelter to home never ceases to amaze me. I couldn't help but say "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww" when I saw this picture.

I went to Home Sense today (for my U.S. friends: Home Sense = "TJ Maxx X 10) after the drop offs to reward myself. I meandered through the aisles and gawked at the cat statuary. (I promised David I wouldn't buy anymore "cat crap" for the house. What a grump.) I finally bought at a cute wintry wreath for my front door. It felt good to buy something I didn't need but merely wanted. Fortunately, it was only $15.00 - an affordable indulgence.

My "Hump Day Update" has officially turned into "Hump Day Ramble".... I need to start titling my blog AFTER I write.

Back in Business

It was nice to wake up and feel enthusiastic about rescuing today. It was the first time I had been to the shelter in weeks. I was beginning to think I had to change the my blog subtitle from "My Life and Love in Cat Rescue" to "My Life in Cat Rescue". There wasn't much to love about it over the past few days.

So with some renewed enthusiasm I managed to rescue six souls today! I met with two adoptive families and 2 others went to foster care. Here's a few (but not all) of the faces that made it out today:

One of the reasons that I like this time of year is that it gives more adults and young adults a chance to get out of the shelter. Normally, a cat like "Melvin" (above) doesn't stand a huge chance. Melvin was pretty cute today. One of the couples arrived to meet a black kitten. Melvin would NOT be ignored. He kept grabbing onto the back of their shirts through the cage bars the moment they turned their backs. He did it to me too! His persistence bought him a ticket out of that place and on to a new life.

Yesterday, I took Travis to his vet appointment to see if his eyes needed to be removed. Unfortunately, the vet took one look at him and said "Yes". He said that he would be in chronic pain with the eyes the way they are. He can't see anyway, and without them he would be free of pain. Who could argue with that?

Kim has asked me to help two "young senior" cats that are in the shelter. They were dumped there together and their names are Rascal and Piglet. They're currently in a dog run so they can be together. Their estimated age is about 10-12 years old. They are VERY VERY sweet! Rascal greeted me at the cage front this morning. Piglet seems more slug-like, but she's a darling little thing :)

RascalPiglet

Please let me know if you can help them. They love each other very much and need to remain together. Many warm thank you's and hugs to the folks who commented and emailed their support over the past couple of days. It kept me smiling during some rather dark moments.:)

The "Blahs" Have It

I haven't felt much like writing lately. There's been a bit of drama going on within my life and it's really left me with a bad case of the "Blah's." I can still hear my Mother's voice, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, Beth Ellen!"

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.

Ghostly Encounters

I didn't go to the shelter today. I was told that Travis was such a big expense for the rescue that we need to slow down rescuing to recoup some of the expenses. I hate hearing that. But I understand. Tomorrow is a euthanasia day, so my heart is really hurting over not getting some of them out today.

David is out playing Bridge tonight and I've been watching those ghost reality shows on t.v - "Ghost Hunters", "Ghost Encounters", "Destination Truth". I'm alone in the house and now I hear noises coming from the basement. Why on earth do I watch this stuff? We have a bunch of cats in the house AND a dog and I'm shivering in my slippers over "scary noises". Silly moi.

I believe that our pets have souls. I don't want to go to heaven without them. I've had the privilege of *feeling* and in some cases *seeing* my pets after they've passed on. It's only happened a couple of times, but I'm certain that they've come back to say "hello". :)

Years ago after our black lab "Riley" passed away (he was 14 years old) we had some concerns that our current dog "Maggie" was depressed after his passing. I contacted an animal communicator to "talk" with Maggie. I didn't tell her about Riley passing away. I just said that Maggie seemed depressed. Her response was amazing: (Again - the animal communicator did NOT know that our other dog - a black lab - had recently passed.)

"Maggie is telling me that she's lonely and wants a friend. She's telling me that she would like it to be a big dog like a Lab, but it doesn't have to be black this time. Maggie also wants you to know that 'he comes to visit her sometimes.'"

Cool stuff, eh? I still remember that conversation like it was yesterday. We tried to find Maggie a friend, but she was so hostile to every dog on the street that we would meet, I let too much time go by and she seems very happy now.

When our 20 year old cat Charlotte passed away, the whole family reported at totally separate times that they had seen her the week after she left us. I didn't find it scary, but very reassuring.

No more spooky shows for me tonight. But one final thought:

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." - Will Rogers

(That goes for cats too, just in case you were wondering!)

Procrastination

I haven't been to the shelter since I arrived home from vacation. For once my head feels clear of the little faces that usually haunt my mind. I have a small list of cats to rescue, but for the moment it feels good to putter around the house, do laundry and make decent meals for a change.

My youngest son has strep throat, and my throat started to hurt yesterday and I feel run down. I've teased him that it's because we both kiss the same cats all the time, we no doubt infected each other that way. I started myelf on leftover antibiotics and am hoping that this will do the trick. I hate sitting in a doctor's waiting room - such a waste of my time. Between my back injury and now my strep throat, I'm feeling pretty pitiful.

Some cute Before and After pictures have been sitting in my Inbox and dying to share:

Smidget (now "Boom-Boom") before....

"BoomBoom" after....snug as a bug :)

Pretty "Locket" was taken off the euthanasia list 4 times....

Locket's family is so happy to have her! Her new name is "Emily"

"Wiggles" is the kind of guy that seems happy to be *anywhere*!

Ask Wiggles today, and he'll tell you "being loved and kissed is MUCH better!"
Yep....being loved and kissed is MUCH better than a cage. I'd better take some Advil and get out to the shelter tomorrow. :)

Post Holiday Update on Irma & Meyer

I've had a lot of folks asking for an update on Irma and Meyer the two seniors that were adopted by an angel named Sandy.

I received an email from Sandy on Christmas Eve:

"Hi Beth:It's been 2 hours since......it's taken me this long........Meyer passed away peacefully in my arms at 5:23pm this evening. Talk more another time. Sandy"

Meyer was 20+ years old. I'm saddened by his loss, but grateful that he died in the arms of somebody that loved him. I sure hope I can pass away the same way.

Fortunately, the update on Irma was far more bright. It took Sandy a long time to get Irma feeling better. Irma had a terrible case of URI, but gratefully, Sandy pulled her through:
Sandy's email to me: (Edited - but read the whole thing - you'll be glad you did!)

"Hi Beth:Nice to hear from you and Happy New Year. The holidays were quiet as usual and everyone had some turkey. Even Irma. Would you believe that on Christmas, after all the sub q-ing and 2 different antibiotics for 2 weeks and all the feeding with an eye dropper, that that little pixie stuck out her tongue for the first time and took the food off of my finger. The next morning she was eating by herself out of the dish and she hasn't stopped since. In fact, her little tummy is starting to bulge and she's even gained a pound already....

She is something else. She follows me around like a puppy and sits beside me when I'm on my knees changing the litter. She likes everyone here and cuddles with them and they love her too.

One of the things I love most about Irma is her 'hands.' Remember how she held unto your finger in the car and mine also, well, she uses those little paws just like little hands. She strokes your face, she feels your hair and she'll smack you too if your not looking, just because she can. Sometime she'll just be sitting there holding it up.

Beth, there's no doubt about it that Irma is all but recovered from her illness. I had an awful time with her nose, bleeding and all but that's all over with. Now all we have to do is make her good and healthy so she'll be able to live the rest of her life they way she should. Warm, happy and loved. I only wish it hadn't of been to late for Meyer and that he was here with us as well.

Thank you Beth for letting me have Irma. With Meyer no longer with us, I'm sure he wouldn't mind letting some other old soul take his place. I keep my eye on the web site but should you hear of another first, don't hesitate to let me know. It doesn't matter what sex, or how pretty or not, just the saddest and the most neediest one is perfect!"

(You know that I'll be looking for the saddest little ol' kitty at the shelter.)

Sandy's comment about Travis and his blindness? "Don't forget....one does not see love, one feels it.

Amen.

The "Eyes" Have It

I spent the majority of my vacation visiting my parents worrying about Travis. I must've called the vet from Seattle 5 or 6 different times. The vet even called me back on a Sunday, bless his heart. I had no idea what I would do with Travis. Of course, he could come back to my house, but there were so many "what if's" with a little blind guy.

One of the best parts about being involved in animal rescue is having the opportunity to be a hero. Not just to the cats - but to people as well.

I received a Facebook message from my friend and Bucky's Daddy. Steve is one of these special people that saw an opportunity to be a hero to me AND to Travis and stepped up and offered to ADOPT my Travis! Because Travis is still in recovery with his eyes, Steve is going to foster Travis until he is well enough to be adopted...

....In other words: Travis may already be in his forever home! Oh. My. Gosh!

Me picking up Travis from the vet today. The red/cloudy look is NOT from the flash.

I took Travis over to Steve's house today. Guess who greeted me?

"Bucky"!!! Now known as "Pippin". What a treat to see my baby boy!

Steve gently picked up Travis and gave him lots of kisses. I wish ALL men knew how awesome they looked when they're kissin' and huggin' on a cat! :)

"Travis was already making friends with "Timmy"!

There were other heroes in this story. It's one thing to offer to take a foster cat, but another thing to offer to take a newly BLIND foster cat. Travis needs drops every TWO HOURS for the next week or so. It's a big commitment and I'm so grateful that Travis is in such good hands. It hurt like hell to leave him, but there's no doubt it was the best thing for him.

I've already heard from Steve - they took a nap together on the couch and Travis has played with Pippin a little bit. Ahhh... :)

As I'm typing this post, Steve sent me some pictures of Travis and his new friends:

I wonder if Travis knows he's sitting in between two dogs? Hahahaha!

The vet bills on this little guy were/are enormous. When people balk at the idea of an adoption fee of $175.00, I'm reminded that not all the cats cost the rescue only $175.00. It's going to be a LONG time before the rescue can recoup the expense of Travis.

But he's worth it :)

Welcome 2010 !

Happy New Year to all! I'm still in Seattle visiting my parents and am due to be home tomorrow evening. My parents have an ancient computer, so can't check email. When did I become THAT dependent on email? I can sign in to my blog, Facebook, and that's about it. My connection to the world seems smaller. :)

I've been following up with the vet regarding Travis and unfortunately his eyes remain the same. Unless there's huge improvement, he'll be blind.

We visited a little town in Sumner, Washington yesterday. It's one of those quaint towns with antiques and stores with lacey doilies in windows. Imagine my excitement to see a "Cat Store". It was a store where all things are cat related! I charged into the store with the exuberance of a Wal-Mart 50% off sale shopper.

The lady that ran the cat store gave the proceeds of sale profits to a rescue and local SPCA. As expected there's a HUGE Himalayan cat there named "Hunter". When I asked permission to pet a sleeping Hunter, the lady at the counter said, "Hunter *insists* that you pet him!". As some of you know, I don't believe in coincidences, so you can imagine how I felt when I saw that Hunter was totally blind.

Hunter is 14 years old and had been blind since birth. He was a rescue when a breeder saw the defect and dumped him in a field to fend for himself. Hunter's Mom gave me lots of reassurances about Travis. I could've spent the day talking with this lady - the antique stores in Sumner could wait.

I left with two pairs of cat earrrings and a "Spay and neuter your Pet" sticker.

It's hard to believe that I've been writing this blog for 2 years now. I was hoping I'd have something profound to say today as I sit at my parent's ancient computer on this rainy Seattle day. I go home tomorrow to my own little fur-family. I go home tomorrow with renewed hope that somewhere, somehow, I can help ignorant people understand the importance of commitment and love to their pets.

Wouldn't it be great if the rescue business was so slow, I'd be out of a volunteer job and could do Meals on Wheels or something....

I can only dream....