All Quiet on the Homefront

I've had so many things on my mind lately, I didn't even think about posting here this morning. I usually drive around doing my thing and think about what I will write, there are just so many observations I make each morning, and I always wish I had a pad of paper, or a tape recorder, or even a personal assistant to take notes! because I ALWAYS forget the good stuff, and usually feel like my writing is terrible after I've written a post. And it usually is, but there are occasionally good thoughts that come out well written here. I tried to trap the leftover two red babies on Pennsylvania this morning, and one was just sitting there watching me while I set the trap, but half hour later, still nothing, and I had to get on my way to get to work. I wish I had someone to do it for me early mornings, the ideal person someone that doesn't have to go to work during the day, and can bring the kitty to the shelter after its caught. All those kitties have leukemia there, and they have to be caught. Its the humane thing to do, although I am sure there are some that would disagree. I would disagree too if we had more dedicated places that would care for these cats, but we don't. They can live out long healthy lives some of them. At home, Barney has a limp, but I dont' see anything on his paw, so that will be another fortune from my pocket! Its always something... And outdoors, there is Red. He is presently my favorite. Red got scared when I tried to rescue him last year, and stayed away for months after that. He got spooked by me trying to shove him in my carrier one day. Someone had asked to adopt him, and Red had always been friendly with me, and I thought he would go somewhat willingly, but he fought me tooth and nail. Just about. Now, he waits for me every single morning, and runs to me when I get out of the car. And when I leave he follows me to a point. He even runs in front of me which makes me feel all the more guilty. I must find Red a home. Here is a picture of Red in case you've forgotten! I have a long weekend beginning tomorrow, and I hope to keep my blog updated daily, but if I don't, please come back! :)

I wanted to share another story about a rescue I made earlier this year, and thanks to Another Chance Pet Rescue (who I am SO grateful for helping me out with these rescues), kindly took this pregnant Mama, named her Cassie, and cared for her during and after her pregancy. Its always heartwarming to hear the outcome of what happens to the lucky ones I rescue. This was shared with me today, and I share it with you! Cassie was the first pregnant cat you brought to us. She was just about the sweetest cat I have ever met. She loved to have her belly rubbed during her pregnancy and still does to this day! Cassie gave birth to 5 gorgeous babies who are now 12 weeks old and are up for adoption. Miraculously, Cassie was adopted before any of her babies by a previous adopter looking for another lap kitty. Cassie is the ultimate love bug and lap cat. She is blessed to have gone from being pregnant on the street to living in a wonderful home with a family who loves her very much, thanks to you rescuing her!

Updates

I am certainly on a roll in my mission to help all the homeless cats. There has been a very pregnant female cat at my third spot for a while now, and she is now very big. This morning, for the second day in a row, I brought my trap. When I set it with the tuna inside, about five cats came out of hiding, including pregnant kitty, and Poppi, who is is a pretty little thing who gets close to me, but not enough to pick her up. Anyways, I drove away after setting it, and thought, well, I will never get the pregant one with all those hungry cats. I came back after doing the next spot, and guess what, there was Mama!!! I have to say, this is good news, and bad news. It kills me to bring an animal to a shelter where the chances are they will be put to sleep. But to know that I took at LEAST five cats off the street from one pregnant mother is gratifying enough to me. Think about it. There would have been five new cats in that neighborhood, if they survived at all from being born under the porch of some dilapidated house. I know in my heart I am doing the wrong thing, even though I am SO sad about this. I will continue to do this. If they are sick or pregant. I also will try to trap when I can so they can be combo tested and then fixed if they are not sick, and released. I was going to give you updates on some kitties, so I will! SONNY, who I rescued three weeks ago, had neutered, had some of his nails removed because he had been limping due to the nails growing under and into his foot, has been adopted by my sister. He is such a good boy, and I post this grey fella's picture here. They have renamed him DIGIT due to his 16 toes in front (eight on each paw!) and five on each foot in the back! The kitty we rescued this past Sunday who was pregant is due to give birth any day now. She is sweet, from what Heather tells me. She is going to give birth hopefully today, will keep you posted! Teenie, who is still in my room, will be combo tested today and hopefully come out clean as a whistle! Her babies are still scrambling around in her belly, its just so neat to feel them. This is an awesome quote to me: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of human kind. ~ Gandhi

My Never Ending Cat Rescue

I swear, I could trap a cat a day for the rest of my life, but it will never end. I just have to accept this fact. I tried to trap a very very very pregnant female this morning, not having a clue what I would do with it, send out a smoke signal to all my peeps hoping SOMEONE would take it to the shelter for me, as I can't leave work to do it, and I have no one else that can in my life. For various reasons. But she didn't fall for it. I am going to try again. I did not try to get the other babies out there this morning as Heather is 'tied up' for a few days with a medical procedure, and she cannot take them, and I cannot hold them. But I won't give up on those babies, by now are about 10 weeks old, and the mother. The two little ones we've gotten are still feral and scared. They are biters too. They will most likely go to a barn situation if we can find one, or the shelter. On the brighter news, Teenie is doing well, and her babies are moving like crazy. Most likely she will have them, and they will not be aborted. I am just not sure of the situation at the moment, but I do know that she is the cutest little kitty, and a very young one at that, and I haven't got a clue about birthing, so I hope it doesn't happen too quick! On another note, it was very busy out on the streets this morning. I stopped at the spot I rescued Teenie from Sunday and the hooker that had been standing on the corner came over and began to get in my passenger side. I yelled out to her, NO! She finally looked at me and the seat next to me, and mumbled "cat lady" while walking away. That was funny. I got out and called to her 'sorry honey, didn't mean to fool ya!'. She thought she was getting a trick! HA! There was a loud scuffle amongst five or six hookers on another corner on Bay Street, but a few minutes later, there was no one around. Such a different way of life to me. So dirty, so shameless. Oh well. Different strokes for different folks. Have a good day. PS, the picture was taken by my neighbor, one of a bird, the other of a flower on the side of my house. I have Ansel Adams living next door!

Captivity

Well, it was quite the interesting, and busy weekend! First off, meet Teenie. Teenie is a kitten that is pregnant! I rescued her on Saturday morning after having her come up to me for three days prior waiting for me to place food down for her (again) after I spotted her one morning on the sidewalk. She can't be any older than 8 or 9 months. I call her Teenie, obviously her age, but also because her feet are tiny, and her head is tiny, and its perfectly shaped like a little triangle, like an ant's head! Teenie will be tested for leukemia (say a prayer) and then hopefully spayed this week. Thats what has to be done. There are too too many kittens right now, and pregnant mothers that are out in the streets that will most likely have their babies there. I also trapped another kitten from the spot where there were originally four kittens. There are still two red kittens left. Heather took the kitten to place with his brother/sister who has tested positive for leukemia, and we are just trying to get the mother and brothers and sisters out of there. If they are all positive, they are spreading the disease, not to mention Mama will be pregnant again in no time. I tried again this morning, but caught an adult, unneutered male, and mistakenly let him go. I can only reason for a split second when I have an animal in a trap, they go crazy and hurt themselves in it. But in hindsite, I should have kept him, left work at 10:45, and brought the poor thing to the shelter when it opens at 11:00. But bringing an animal to a shelter is also something that is very hard for me to deal with. I wish I had help with this. Just someone to pick up and transport. Anyone willing? We could save a lot of animals from suffering.

Maternity Ward

It is out there!
Except there are no nurses caring for the expectant mothers and the babies. I discovered two pregnant cats out there this morning. Today was the second day in a row I've seen her, and sne comes running to me, but is still a bit shy. I put down food and water for her beside the road. She is a very pretty YOUNG long haired calico, with white as the predominant color. Just specks of other colors. The other is a pretty grey and reddish color. She is semi-feral, you can tell, but is there every morning waiting for her food. I tried to trap the kittens this morning, again, but no luck. I place the trap down before I go on my rounds in that area and swing by every couple of stops, but they are not falling for it. They've got to be hungry, although someone placed food there a few days ago, so I am wondering who else knows about them, and feels some compassion for them. Turns out the male cat I trapped a few days ago is NOT positive for leukemia, so the plan is to get him neutered and then return him to the area, which is such a tragedy, as this cat is friendly, and wants a home. Everyone has run out of room that I know. I hope someone reading this might want to offer their home to foster this kitty. Just so much going on out there, but on the brighter side, there have been many pregnant females rescued these past few months, and thats a lot of kittens/cats that are NOT on the streets being re/impregnated. Have a great weekend everyone!

Just too much....

sorrow out there. The kitty I 'rescued' yesterday was tested and is positive for leukemia. This is a cat from the spot where there are still the mama and four of her five kittens remain. The fifth kitten is in a 'holding' pen until it is euthanized. I also was able to feel a new kittie's belly this morning that ambled up to me when I poured it some dry food on a sidewalk this morning, and she feels pregnant. Tiny little fluffball, very pretty colors - white with spots of orange and brown - when I got the trap out of my car, she got scared and ran a short distance. The trap was going to be used for trapping the kittens and mother but I had no luck there either. I just don't have the time to rescue all these cats myself. I need help. I wish there were more animal groups that could volunteer their time to help get these cats off the streets. I wish we had more people to foster an animal, even if they turned out positive, as these cats can remain healthy and be wonderful companions for a long long time if they just had the right situation. I wish I had someone that could help me with taking these cats to shelters if need be, as I just can't do it. Its hard enough going out there for an hour of my morning in the dark just to feed them let alone sit and wait for them to take the bait and become 'rescued' in my trap. I have a full time job that I must continue to go to if I want to continue to feed these cats. OK, enough whining. I must remember what my mission in life is when I am feeling this way: "I am an Animal Rescuer. My job is to assist God's creatures. I was born with the need to fulfill their needs. I take in new family members without plan, thought or selection. I have bought dog or cat food with my last dime. I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand. I have hugged someone vicious and afraid. I have fallen in love a thousand times and I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body. I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends. I don't often use the word "pet." I notice those lost at the road side and my heart aches. I will hand raise a field mouse and make friends with a vulture. I know of no creature unworthy of my time. I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven, but I believe there are. Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind? We may be master of the animals, but the animals have mastered themselves-- something people still haven't learned. War and Abuse makes me hurt for the world, but a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind. We are a quiet but determined army, and making a difference every day. There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan, nothing more rewarding than saving a life; No higher recognition than watching them thrive. There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play who only days ago, was too weak to eat.I am an Animal Rescuer, My work is never done, My home is never quiet, My wallet is always empty, but my heart is always full. In the game of life, we have already won."

The Rain in Spain

is in Rochester! Yes, I was out in the pouring rain this morning, but then again so were all the homeless animals, so who am I to complain? I know Rochester needs the rain after a couple of weeks of no rain (I've been so lucky!), but the animals don't need it, especially when they have wounds, and upper respiratory infections, etc. I am sure the humidity doesn't make a sick kitty feel any better. Attached is a picture of the kitty I rescued yesterday morning from the spot where there are still 4 kittens and a mother, who are all most likely positive for leukemia. I am still going to try to get them, but it was very dark this morning, and the pouring rain would not make trapping easy. So here is Pennyslvania Boy. Isn't he sweet. Turns out Heather has been able to pet him. He has an infected wound behind his ear, so I am so grateful I got him off the street. He will be tested, and then fostered until he has a home.

And on a brighter note, here is a picture of Sonny - happily sitting on my fridge, the kitty I picked up two weeks ago, had neutered, and had a few toenails amputated due to them curling and growing into his toes. I had picked him up because of his severe limping, only using three feet for over a week. I just had to get him and I have to say, this is one of the best cats I've ever rescued, and that includes all of my own! You can do anything with Sonny, and he will just stay there. I maul him with my kisses and belly rubs. The really good news is my sister wants him. At least he will be in the family! Yay!

Never Ending...

On Sunday morning, after rescuing the kitten on Friday, Heather came over to help me in the morning try to rescue more kittens, and especially the mother, who could become pregnant at any time that soon (8 weeks) after giving birth. We trapped a female that is due within a week. Turns out, my very brave friend Heather, the kitty likes her belly rubbed! I am a total sissy when it comes to cats I don't know. She let it her out of the trap in her bathroom, and the cat is not feral, but friendly! Thank GOD we found her. That would have been another litter born at this location. How very sad too. Meanwhile, I trapped another kitty this morning, where it is still in the cage in my backyard. Heather will be picking him up, testing him for disease, and if all goes well, we can get him neutered and released. It beats the alternative of bringing him to the animal shelter, where death awaits. I did take a picture of him, and will download tonight for tomorrow. Say a prayer for this little guy! I will continue my quest to get the remaining four babies and mother out of there. Tomorrow is another day. Updates on my other spots... at my ninth spot, where Red still waits, along with Copper, for his wet food each morning, there has always been larger red cat hanging around, for a long time now. Its also the same spot as the neck wound kitty who is there sporadically. Well, this second red is injured. I need to rescue him and bring him to the shelter. He is wounded and needs help, one way or another.

Morality - What to do...

Yesterday morning I 'successfully' trapped one of the kittens I've been talking about this past week. One of the three red babies. It was determined that its about 8 weeks old, the stage where the odds are only 50-50 to stay feral or become socialized. It was very scared. I first trapped the mother, but in the moment of panic, I felt I should let her go due to the kittens being with out their mother. It didn't take long before a baby fell for the bait. The cat was taken in by sweet Heather, who had it tested for leukemia where it turned out positive. The next step was to try to get the mother quickly to be tested. I tried again this morning, but wound up with another semi-adult cat. Again, in that moment of panic when you trap an animal that is wild, and its hurting itself in this cage trying to escape, I didn't know what to do. But I figured that most of the cats, if not all in this spot, were positive for leukemia. My only recourse is to bring it to Verona Street Animal Shelter, where it will surely meet its fate. Not to mention, they aren't open for another three hours, which will be a total of six hours this poor animal will have been in a trap. I did put food and water in there, and its resting quietly under my backyard bushes with a light towel draped over it. My question is, do I have the right to remove this animal from its life? Or do I have the obligation to remove this animal that is most likely sick, and continue to remove these animals that are most likely positive for leukemia, because they are only spreading it around to other cats, and in the long run, they will suffer painful deaths when they become ill from the disease. I am just so sad about this. I am sick that we have ONE shelter to bring this animal to on this side of town. And I heard they are GIVING AWAY cats today, during their hours of 12-3. They are open for only THREE hours on a Saturday! Whats wrong with those two things? They are obviously in a very overcrowded situation. I am sick about this situation. I have to wonder sometimes what I am doing. Bad morning so far, hope it gets better!

Never a Dull Morning

This morning after I made my rounds, I came home, and I have more time to spare due to offset work hours each month, so I spent them cuddling some of my cats this morning. They flock to me anyways when I sit on my couch drinking a cuppa and watching the news. So I grabbed them, one by one, and either rocked them like a baby, and each one fell asleep in my arms. Of course I can only do that for so long - my arms get tired! So I place one down, pick up the next. I sometimes forget to do this with my cats. I come home daily from work, exhausted, they are all there to greet me, and I try to say hello with their names to each one, but then I ignore them to tidy up the house and change my clothes and get my dinner ready. So I am glad I am able to take the time to pay them some attention!!

On the streets this morning, all was well, quiet. And then I came upon Tamara, a .... shall we say.... street girl? Tamara began to flag me down as I was driving past her, so I slowed down and rolled my window down and told her the usual, I don't have any money! She told me again, 'bless you for feeding the kitties' - and kept asking for money, even $.50 so I looked in my console and came up with $.50. She said she remembered me giving her $5.00 last year and continued to thank me. She reeked of booze and you could tell she was waiting to get her next high. I continued on my way and had to go past where she was hanging to get to my third to last stop and I stopped my car and said to her 'Tamara, I could get you a job at the hospital, but you have to be sober for at least 30 days!'. We continued to have a conversation and she told me how bad it was out there and the disgusting men she encounters, etc. and how she is going to a drug rehab place. There is something about her, and she yelled over to her friend the same thing, that is special. It would be wondrous to see her in a year with a real job, cleaned up, and healthy. I wish I could help them all. I had to leave her but we had a few laughs and I know she would have my back out there if I needed her. I continued on my way to feed Teddy and his pals on Second, and then to the baby kittens house and placed down food and water for them. I am going to try to trap them as AnotherChancePetRescue has offered again their help. We first need to find a place for any that I can get. Thats number one. But they truly are the best. I hope we can find a place that these kittens will go for socialization until they can be adopted out, and I hope we can find one today. I am off tomorrow, and will be able to trap early so wish me luck! I attach pictures of two of my 'children', Jack in the window, and Cosmo doing what he does best!

Cool Sighting This Morning!

Its been wonderful weatherwise lately, so I am able to leave at 5 am. and get home within 35-40 minutes. Great. No one has trashed anything lately, so no messes to clean up. I was walking to the back of the property that I feed at spot #3 and I thought I saw an odd looking animal, so I went closer to it, and lo and behold, it was an opossum, with around 10 babies clinging to its back! That was SO cool! At first I thought there was something wrong with it, but when I focused, and thank God its lighter out in the morning, I could see around 10 tiny babies hanging on to it. I did not have my camera, but found this picture on the internet and it shows exactly what I saw. Very cool.







At my own home, I continue to struggle with my cat Scooter who is aggressive towards Boris, and now Sonny, who is still at my home healing. The only thing I've been able to do to keep the peace is 'time out' for Scooter. I wish I had a better answer as to why he picks on the weaker kitties that show fear. The others could care less so he doesn't bother with them. Animal behavior is just so funny. I read this article and thought it was interesting -
Animals are so much smarter than we think: "Scientists studying animal behaviour believe they have growing evidence that species ranging from mice to primates are governed by moral codes of conduct in the same way as humans. Until recently, humans were thought to be the only species to experience complex emotions and have a sense of morality. But Prof Marc Bekoff, an ecologist at University of Colorado, Boulder, believes that morals are "hard-wired" into the brains of all mammals and provide the "social glue" that allow often aggressive and competitive animals to live together in groups. He has compiled evidence from around the world that shows how different species of animals appear to have an innate sense of fairness, display empathy and help other animals that are in distress. His conclusions will provide ammunition for animal welfare groups pushing to have animals treated more humanely, but some experts are sceptical about the extent to which animals can experience complex emotions and social responsibility."



Take elephants for example: Elephants are intensely sociable and emotional animals. Research by Iain Douglas Hamilton, from the department of zoology at Oxford University, suggests elephants experience compassion and has found evidence of elephants helping injured or ill members of their herd.In one case, a Matriarch known as Eleanor fell ill and a female in the herd gently tried to help Eleanor back to her feet, staying with her before she died.In 2003, a herd of 11 elephants rescued antelope who were being held inside an enclosure in KwaZula-Natal, South Africa.The matriarch unfastened all of the metal latches holding the gates closed and swung the entrance open allowing the antelope to escape.This is thought to be a rare example of animals showing empathy for members of another species – a trait previously thought to be the exclusive preserve of mankind.



Very very cool.

Update

First off, attached are pics of what I witnessed Sunday morning. We have a baby deer in a residential neighborhood, we have a baby kitten, one of four, homeless and on the streets (if you click on the picture, you can see the little red guy sitting on steps), and we have five kitties eating on the porch of an abandoned house I feed at on Second every day. Five of at least eight that I feed there. Second, the overbred female pit bull that I called 911 about Sunday morning, and subsequently wound up calling a second time that afternoon after going back there after dinner to see if anything had changed, which it hadn't. I got a call from someone that God has blessed me extra to have this person come into my life at this point in my life , a police officer who has compassion for animals, and does what she can, and has to do for them. She got the call from dispatch, and said she would go right over. She did, called me back, the owners of the dog said they don't always leave her out, and that she just had a litter of puppies, which they showed her, and the puppies irritated her so they put her out. Guess they forgot to let her back in on Saturday night, eh? And to boot, no food or water. So, we will be keeping an eye out on this one. Guaranteed. This is one sweet female dog that deserves a better life than to be a breeder. She deserves lots of love, and she isn't getting it there, for sure. The place is disgusting, and if they allow their outside to look like that, and to keep their animal in filth, you can be sure they are not the cleanest nor nicest people on the inside.

Dog Days of Spring

This morning, I ran out of cat food, I did the #6 spot which I only do every other day, so did not plan food accordingly. On top of that, as I was headed home to get more food to go back to my last spot, I spotted a dog that I thought was dead in its kennel outside of this filthy house in this filthy yard, it was in a plastic dog house, all in the dirt and mud. Its head was on the ground hanging out of the doghouse. I pulled up and made a sound to it, and it didn't move. I got out of the car, went up to the fence surrounding the yard, and made more sound, and it got up, and this sweet little girl pit bull came to the edge of its kennel tail wagging. The poor thing was emaciated, and looked like it was being bred to death. I reported it, and WILL follow up. Its sickening how people can treat their 'pets'. On another note, as I was headed back to feed the last spot from home, in my very residential neighborhood, I spotted something on a sidestreet next to mine, and headed that way, to find a very young deer, completely bewildered. Poor thing, where was its mother, how was it going to get out of this area safely? I reported that to 911 also (same call), but they told me the obvious, its wildlife and there is nothing they can do. I just felt so bad for the poor animal. Also, there is a house near my spots that I saw four kittens at, they can't be any older than a month and a half or so. Babies. I have been putting down food and water for them. I am sick over this also. I need help in trapping these poor animals, and also the other adult cats hanging around there. We need to stop this breeding!

Finally Friday

Its finally Friday, and I am on Cloud Nine. I love Friday's. Not the actual day, just the thought of it being a Friday. Its not like I am not working, and sleeping late in bed, and have the whole day to myself to do nothing. I am still working, I still got up at 3:30 am. this morning to feed my brood, go back to bed for an hour, and then get up and get ready to go out and feed my brood in the hood at 5 am. Its just that I know I have two days that I don't have to go into work. Two days to clean, cook, garden, maybe golf, two days of doing what I want! Yes, they were all there waiting for me. Its funny, at one spot, they must slumber somewhere, because when they see my car, they all come running from bushes, across the street, all over the place to gather on the porch where I put down food. They are amazing. I placed more bowls on sidewalks on streets going back home where I saw a cat outdoors - this one this morning sitting on the road. I have to believe that in these neighborhoods, they really are homeless cats, and not just people letting their cats out like it was normal to in the old days. These days its too dangerous for a cat to just be let out, especially when there are so many homeless ones out there roaming, with diseases, getting into fights, so many critters like raccoons and opossums to bite them, etc. On top of that, not being neutered, which is the ultimate sin when letting a cat outdoors. Its just plain nuts. But tomorrow, we are supposed to be getting some rain and thunderstorms, so I will have to make sure their little spots are cozy and secure from the rain. I pick up Sonny this morning at the vet, where he has been for two days now under observation after his surgery on his toes (plus his neutering!). Such a good boy, he has been through a lot. I can't wait to get him back to my house to nurse him. He is just the SWEETEST. Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Sleep

Ah, sleep. How I yearn for it. People ask me, they say 'you do this EVERY day?' and I say YES! There is not one day that goes by that I don't get out there either at 5 am. or 5:30 am, depending on winter or summer hours. I COULD use a break! I could use a sleep! I could use air conditioning! My central air went last spring and its really really bad in my house when its hot and humid. And the fan just doesn't do the trick. And by the time I get from my feedings, I have to get ready for work. And on weekends, forget about it! I have too much to do to go back to bed, let alone be able to go back to sleep. But it would be nice, just once in a while, to have someone go for me so I don't have to worry about the cats out there not being fed or watered for a day. Ah, dream on... No sign of the sick black and white kitty at my second to last spot. Of course Red, Copper and another pretty tiger was there, but no sick kitty. Had a nice conversation with Paul, who lives in a house at my third to last spot that he lets me feed kitties behind, such a nice man. Lives so simply, so poor, but is a kind man. I have rescued so many from that street, including two newborns in the igloo behind his house. Very warm for the babies these days, but at least they have the food and water I place down around there. I am picking up Sonny from vet today who was neutered yesterday. He had to stay over night due to the fact that he had FOUR nails removed from his 16 front toes! Eight on each side. Amazing. There were four problem nails that caused him pain so we just removed them. As I've said before, I do not believe in declawing any animal, but this was medically necessary. Poor baby. I will have to really baby him tonight! Gotta get ready for work, have a great day!

HEAT!

Love it, but its going to be in the low 90's today, and my A/C went last spring, and I am too broke to get a new central air system. My windows really cannot accomodate a window unit, and it wouldn't be conducive anyways. My cats need the window space! I am writing this a bit late as I am waiting to bring Sonny in for his neutering this morning. He is also back to limping, and I suspect its the nail is growing again and hurting him - Its a really odd looking, thick nail that is growing curved. Will see what the doc can do, maybe permanently remove the nail? I don't believe in declawing whatsoever, but this one nail may be necessary. This morning, on a sad note, at my second to last spot, where Red, Copper, another red, the neck injury kitty, and several others hang, is a black and white kitty that I notice had blood on its nose a few days ago. He was laying on his belly inside the lean to I have against the house, and didn't run like most of them normally would. I suspect he is very sick. Its my duty to help those that are suffering, but I didnt' have a carrier, or anything to get him, so I can only pray he will snap out of it and get better. I will bring my carrier along tomorrow just in case. I would have no choice but to bring him to the animal shelter where he will most likely be euthanized, but I have no choice, financially or a place to keep him. I pray he feels better today. For the rest of us, stay cool!

Mean People

There really are some mean people out there. Bad intentions. This morning as I pulled up to Spot #3, someone - and I suspect the neighbor of this abandoned house I feed at - had piled up his hedge trimmings on the porch, on top of the food bowls and water. He made a deliberate act of doing something mean. Whats wrong with people? Poppi and her gang were there waiting for me, as they are each morning, hungry and thirsty. She is still too shy to actually let me pet her, but she is not afraid to be close to me, as long as there is a slight distance. At my last spot (#8 or 9???) I feed on a porch of a vacant, burned out house. It must be getting rebuilt, so the owner of that property trashed my bowls yesterday. I mean, give me a break, its only a few paper bowls and a plastic for water. Think about it, something is staying alive due to these bowls being filled each day. How can you consciously get rid of something just to hurt something. I hope what I am saying makes sense, but this just bewilders me!

Sonny!

Yep! I did it again. Sonny had been limping for days at my first feeding spot, he would always be waiting for me under the tree by the street, waiting for food and water, crying until I put it down. I rescued Sonny Saturday morning, and boy was he easy! I had an annual vet appt. for my dog that morning scheduled, so I switched and brought Sonny in instead. Why was he limping? He had a nail that was so long and curved it was growing into his paw. Poor Baby. They trimmed his nails, gave him all the tests and shots, and now he is ready to be neutered this Wednesday! And the even better news? He is up for adoption! I have fallen in love with Sonny. Such a PERFECT disposition for a street cat. And he is still very young, just over a year in age the vet suspected. Totally sweet, cuddly, and a headbutter! :) Not sure what it is with these gray cats, but they are the most sweetest of all! And he slept for the entire weekend. I can only imagine this is the first real sleep he's had in a very long time. I hope you all check out the post my niece Brenna did yesterday after sleeping over and going with me on my feedings. She is a wonderful girl, and I love her so much!

Guest Blog By Brenna Lahr

Hey it's Brenna again! Nice to talk to you all! Well I have slept over at my aunts house today and I woke up at 4:30 am and then at 5:00 am we went on our mission to feed the hungry cats. I wish that I was able to take some cats but my parents will not let me.( not a surprise) Hopefully less cats will come and my aunt will not have to spend so much money on cat food for the homeless cats. I have a surprise for my aunt so email me if you would like to help. my aunt doesn't know about what I am doing. My email is lilbren1997@aol.com. When you email me I will let you know what I am doing. My aunt just brought me a straw berry smoothie in a martini glass:) she is sooooo cool let me tell you! Its very good! It's 5:00 somewhere that's what the glass says. Tehhee:) You can also Reach me on facebook just message Brenna Lahr. I will get to you as soon as I can and we will work things out from there some how. There are so many things out in the city tat are soo heartbreaking to see. I saw a hooker :( That was really sad because she was all drugged up. I am 13 by the way I understand ;) Hopefully people start to figure out that there not gross and horrible they are trying to get money to support them. ( well at least some) I feel bad for people when other peers call them names and be rude when they don't even know the person barley even there name! What's up with people these days! OK back to the cats I find it so sad when people trash the cats bowls and pour out the food and water. What if someone took away your only meal for the day! I would like to inform people about what my aunt does and how she saves so many lives! My aunt is soooooooooooooooooooooo cool! I love her!

Finally Friday...

The work week always seems longer when you have a holiday to start if off. Its been a pretty good week, despite my exhaustion. I find myself barely able to keep my eyes open during the day here at work, my job is not the most exciting or exhilarating, but I plug along, and have to get up and slap myself in the face every half hour - but I am glad tomorrow is Saturday, I can do my cleaning, which I hate doing but love to see the results! My grocery shopping, of course thats fun because I love to cook, and can't wait to try something new tomorrow. I love trying new recipes. Some I hold on to but most I don't because there are just so many new ones I must try before I die!

The grey kitty was not at the first spot this morning. The one with the limp. I felt bad, and wonder what happened to it. Although it has not been around two days prior to yesterday either so not sure where its wandered off to. Poppi is still hanging around, and others from the hood - i.e. Red, Copper, etc. There are a lot of sick ones out there this morning though. One from my last stop, where Red and Copper hang, is a sick black and white kitty with blood dripping from his mouth. I think that is what I saw, but I am not sure. Also, and I cannot believe this, the kitty with the severe neck wound from many months ago is still there, with a severe neck wound. Looks like the same cat. I can't believe its still alive if its neck has not healed by now. Maybe I can try to trap him tomorrow. He definitely needs a doctor.

Attached is a picture of my home babies, Mary Jane and Cosmo - Cosmo is my 'special' kitty - the red one. A bit slow, but oh so loving... I wish you all a wonderful weekend!!

Grey Kitty

This morning, at my first spot, there is a pretty grey kitty that waits by the road for me, right next to a tree that I park at, in front of the vacant lot where I go to feed in the back of it. There are a lot of kitties waiting each morning in the back of this lot, but the grey kitty is always sitting there, by the tree, by the road, waiting for me. He has so many toes on his front paws, he must have at least three extra toes! At first he was very shy to get near me, but he eventually began to trust me and will now let me pet him, while he waits for me to put the food and water down for him under this tree. This morning, he was limping and holding up one paw. He is injured. I am going to try to rescue him tomorrow. I have no idea where I will put him, but when a cat is obviously injured, I must help him. I don't even know what sex this cat is, but I will call it a him for now. I am out of room at the 'inn' (my house) as I have Barney back from where he was adopted from two weeks ago. Thats a long story that I promise to share soon. So I must find a spot for this grey boy until he is ready to be adopted. These grey cats... there is something about them. They are the most grateful and loving cats after being rescued. I have three in my house now and they just shower me with love and affection, they follow me all over. I attach a picture of Barney, who is the most grateful of all right now. I took this of him on my porch window ledge just last evening.

Fish out of Water

The importance of water cannot be overstated. Lack of adequate water is the most common form of animal abuse. Yesterday's heat in Rochester was close to 92 degrees - this morning, I made sure all water bowls were filled to the brim at all nine of my locations. I am even crazy enough (ask anyone who has ridden shotgun with me) that when I spot a cat in between my spots, I jump out of the car and not only place a bowl of food, but a bowl of water too. I always keep this handy in my car, especially in the summertime, where its crucial. In the wintertime also I fill my jugs up with very hot water so that I can melt out the ice in the bowls in the morning and fill up with water - hoping it stays that way before it freezes up within an hour - sometimes less! I myself drink a ton of water each day. Water is good. Speaking of water, look who I caught drinking out of the toilet bowl this morning! And you would think I don't have enough water bowls around the house! Bad Jack! :)