Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A Prayer for All the Street Kitties

A friend of mine, Norma, who runs the Pet Pride of WNY - http://petprideny.org/PPNY/Home.html sent me this poem and said she thought of me when she read it.  She warned me it was a three Kleenex read, so I am glad I did not read it at work.  Its touching, and oh so real.  I hope you all read it through and let me know that you did!  I need to know what I post is not going unread!  Thanks Norma, you've been such an inspiration to me!

A PRAYER FOR ALL THE STREET KITTIES
From kittenhood you lived your life upon unforgiving streets.
Tough existence for a cat, though you never asked for peace
And now all I can offer you is the needless final peace.

Think of a world where every litter’s planned.
Where every cat is wanted in every town and land
Why are so many homeless? It’s hard to understand
Why every shelter cats and strays.
Praying for adoption within their seven days.
Accusing us of negligence in each compelling feline gaze.
If I took you to a shelter you wouldn’t stand a chance
When even cuddly kitties don’t get a second glance;
And you just growl and hiss and spit while they all purr and prance.
I hope God understands why I cannot offer more
Than a filling bowl of cat food placed outside my door
And a blanket in the garage so you can rest your weary paws.
You are a wild spirit but you could live inside with me.
You need my protection, and you still could be happy.

To neuter and to nurture, that is my responsibility.
And now you’re old the time has come to bring you final rest.
That you let me pick you up at last, I feel that I am blessed
Though I know it’s just because you’re too weak to resist.
I pray that God has mercy on me and will understand,
That for his wild creature I’ve done the best I can not
to just love you from a distance, my wild street kitty friend.

For all the other kitties that live upon the street,
I pray someone will neuter/spay them and give them food to eat, a home
And a helping hand right at the end to ease them into sleep so they will not be alone.



Monday, January 30, 2012

Monday Mania!!

We had our first significant snowfall last night.  I thank God that the temperatures are not as low as they could/should be for this time of year.  So far I have actually managed to go out on my route with out my shovel.  Believe me, I have shoveled paths for my babies in years past.  The snow gets so high you can't even see their little heads as they hop through the snow.  But I made sure each of them had a towel to stand on over the snow to eat and drink before I left them.  And I made sure the sheltered spots had a dry towel inside. 

This is a quick post as I have to head to Newark to work today, after having my breaks serviced on Friday for $325!  What a RIP!.  But I needed it.  I guess what I do each day really wears and tears more than the average.  They were mading a high pitched squeaky sound and when diagnosed, was told they were metal to metal.  No choice.  Oh well. 

Pictured here is a kitten that was next to my car yesterday crying her little head off.  She is very thin, and I will be posting an ad for her on Craigslist and the newspaper today.  My very kind neighbors have taken her in after I begged - I am so bad - and I am sure her husband could kill me - but we need to find her home.  She is definitely a stray that has lost her way.

I also drove Wally to visit Miss B's new place.  He enjoyed getting out, and I learned he is just like me, we don't like to stay in one spot too long, so we chatted for about 10 minutes and were out of there!  He asked if we could drive over to his son's across the city, which I" didn't mind.  It was nice to see him out and happy.  As we drove through the inner city, he reflected and pointed out certain places, where he used to live, landmarks - two whorehouses...  we laughed.  Wally has lived a full life, and is content for now with his lot.  He dreams of traveling to Jamaica, and every once in a while, with a dollar and a dream, he tries to make that a reality with a lottery ticket.   Of course he promises me part of his winnings so I "can take care of Buster and all the other homeless kitties".  Thanks Wally, I hope so too.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Two Horses



Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you get a closer look you will notice something quite interesting...


One of the horses is blind.


His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made him a safe and comfortable barn to live in.


This alone is pretty amazing.


But if you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. It is coming from a smaller horse in the field.


Attached to the horse's halter is a small, copper-colored bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.


As you stand and watch these two friends you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting he will not be led astray.


When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, he will stop occasionally to look back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.


Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect. Or because we have problems or challenges.


He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.


Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.


And at other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.

Isn't that a beautiful story.  If I tear up from a story, it makes my day because I have experienced something from the heart.  Thats not to say that what I see each morning doesn't touch my heart, but its because of what I see is why I need inspiration like this.  I must believe that there is SOMEthing good that is going to come my way, or change for the better for these animals.   So, share away if you have a special short story yourself!  Pictured is Scooter and Cosmo, my two bratty babies, doing what they do best with each other, every single day.  Have a GREAT day!







Thursday, January 26, 2012

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms

Ain't that the truth.  Although do we NOT feel guilt if we've done something stupid or wrong in the eyes of our animals, like they KNOW what we did, they just don't say anything?  Its almost like people who have passed in my life, like my father - can he see what I am doing 24/7???  Good Lord, I hope not!  :)  I do hope he is watching OVER me, but not WATCHING me!  :)

It snowed a bit over night, nothing to bother me with, but I did lay a towel down on the ground and set the bowls on it so the kitties little feet would have something dry to stand on at my first spot.  There are about four cats there still, that I know of, that come around.  Then to the back of Wally's, there is a fluffy kitty there thats very friendly, that I know has slept in the little covered litter box I have set up there with a plastic tablecloth and board set - very cozy - has straw inside.  Then onto the next stop where RED usually hangs, but hasn't lately, but there is Talky cat there, who runs to me every morning.  I have found kitties in the shelters I have set up there on the abandoned house's porch.  I thought to myself that I must place a note this spring to the guy that owns the house thanking him for not trashing my stuff, where there have been occasions where I know someone has been along, but they have not disturbed my stuff.  Then onto the next stop where both Big Red and Red were, along with the two collared black and white kitties, and another young tabby.  Then to the next stop, then on and on until the 13th and last stop.  I am running out of food faster.  Nothing out of the ordinary though, so I am back within the hour.

I have another story I want to share with you tomorrow.  I do take the time to read a good inspirational story.  It brightens my day just a bit.  I hope you tune in tomorrow, have a great day!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Food For Thought

Something different today - friend shared with me this story...  its an uplifting sort of story which I believe we can all use, I for sure can...  but before I share it, some news from this morning.  At my spot on Third, there was pretty little angel in the snow kitty, other kitty that gets in my car, and the black and white one with the collar.  No sign of the Bully Boy, but I was ever so grateful to see the other three.  I got out of the car and said, where have you been???  They didn't answer, but they did have a look of mischief all over their face, so I knew they were up to no good.  HA!! 

Potato Chips


A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted!


They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever..


When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"


He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"


He replied "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally!

Have lunch with God.......bring chips.







Tuesday, January 24, 2012

I'll Get You My Pretty!

Thats what I had playing in my head this morning on my rounds - the Wicked Witch of the West saying from the movie the Wizard of Oz.  It was windy and cool out, with debris flying through the air.  I also imagined her saying this when I pulled up to Third Street, where normally there are three cats waiting for me, one has actually climbed into my car before, the other one rolls on the ground at my feet, has even made snow angels in the snow rolling around, and the other is the bully.  Oh, don't let me forget, there is another that has been hanging around, a very nice black and white with a collar on, but sleeping in the tote shelters on the porch of this dilapidated porch.  When I pulled up this morning, day two of nothing.  Not one cat.  And they have been there religiously for a year now.  Has someone REALLY been poisoning these cats?  Is it the man who sees me each morning from across and down the street - who barely speaks English but I have said hello to many times to let him know I am of no threat to him.  Is it the neighbors, who I have never met, but who once threw all their leaves they had raked up on this porch, and who have thrown other items up in the past...    I pulled the board away that shelters the wind from under the porch, where each year I place a new bale of straw down, and I did see soft nests made in the straw where they have kept shelter and warmth so far.  And as I walked up on the porch not knowing what I would find, nothing looked unusual, but I did see another huge heap of food on a plate - this was a lot of white rice and some other sloppy slop piled up.  I wanted to scream, thinking that someone has hurt these poor animals.  And Poppi is missing, and as I drove away from that spot, I said to myself, you were too late to save her. 

Its hard out there.  I still wonder sometimes why I do what I do and how I do what I do.  Really, its hard.  I guess the actual rescues I make give me the strength I need.  Its the ones I can't that overwhelm me.  Have a good day.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Monday Scoop


Little time this morning again due to working out in Newark and it being nearly a one hour drive, so quickly, the happenings around town over the weekend.  Saturday morning I rescued this little guy, I call him Skinny Minny, just simply skin and bones.  I have never dealt with a cat this emaciated before.  I am SO thankful he is a friendly little guy, but not so little back there (he is unneutered).  :)  And I am so thankful for Nancy, who took in  the fifth cat from the streets for me.  She is going to be trying get them adopted out, so will keep you posted when I get some pictures of all the babies we've rescued!  Thanks to the person who wrote in about Flikr for downloading and sharing my pics, I am still trying to figure that out! 

Weather it cooperating again, mild temperatures, although supposed to rain, and perhaps get a bolt of lightening and a clap of thunder today!  Speaking of Thunder, here is a picture of my boy.  Thunder has had a lump on his belly for a long time now, and I've just noticed it getting larger.  He urinated a bit of blood the other day also, so I am keeping an eye out on that.  My poor boy. 

I also have not seen Poppi in over a week now.  Another strange happening is that the spot right past Poppi's, a sweet orange cat that rolls on the ground at my feet and another that runs to my car, and where Mr. Bully hang, no one was seen there this morning.  Someone puts slop on a plate occasionally  - chicken, macaroni and cheese, bones of something - on the porch of this abandoned house, and I am thinking the worse - that they are poisoning the cats.  I will pray for their return tomorrow!

I wish you all a great day, will share more tomorrow.  XO!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Friday's Angels

Thats a song title by Generation X!  Its also who I saw on this particular day, Friday!  All my angels out there waiting for their breakfast!  I was a bit disturbed this morning because I have been seeing this very sweet kitty hanging around Second.  I also noticed that people moved into this house next to Paul's and I recall seeing a cat in their window.  I also know they have a small dog.  I have seen this cat, not 100% sure, but I am thinking its the cat they moved in with.  This cat cries, and as petted it, I felt its fur a bit wet and clumping.  Its very hungry, and looks at me like, why am I out here?  I am wondering if these are bad people, and let their cat go for one reason or another.  So, thats disturbing, besides the fact that I have not seen Poppi in days, did not see Big Red this morning, , and I did NOT see Pippa, the kitty I just named that is skeletal on my first spot.  I DID see Red though, so that was a good sign, I guess.

I received a donation of two bags of cat food, some canned, and some fleece blankets.  Thank you to Sharyn and Rosalie.  What kind people to do that.  Thank you also Sharyn for dropping those off at my work place.  You made it so convenient for me.  I thank those I have not publically thanked before, and I will be sure to do so.  You are all so kind to think of me and the hardships I go through to feed these animals.  As I was pouring the food for tomorrow morning earlier, I thought, I go through one bag of 16 pounds of dry food and 16 cans of wet food per day, thats about 9 dollars a bag of dry, and $13 for a 24 can case of wet.   Thats a lot.  Thats close to $60 a week in dry and $40 for wet.   Thats $100 per week.  Thats a lot.  So, thank you so much for all of your generosity.  I can use it.  And I don't have trouble any more saying no!  :)

I am on my way out to Newark today, sorry my posts have been rather dull lately, having a hard time getting my groove back on after being so sick!  I wish you all a wonderful day!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”

Boy thats the truth!  Can't say that about cats!  Not much happening out there this morning.  I am always sure to give each kitty that crowds around my legs as I am placing food down a good pat and scratch.  Big Red was there this morning, and boy does he know me.  All I need to do is pet him, and he just intertwines in between my legs for more.  He doesn't even care about the food.  I wish I could save that guy.

I have to get updates on some of the kitties I've adopted out lately.  And get pictures up.  My sweet friend Jessica is trying to find another website I can use for this blog, because I am having a hard time with the pictures - I can download them, but they stay a tiny size, and when you do use the options of making them larger, they are blurred.  This website never used to do that, but for some reason it changed and I can't figure it out, and I have some great pictures to share, but you just can't really see them!  So if anyone has a solution, please tell me! 

I have an opportunity to save one more this weekend, from my first spot, a pretty little thing that is practically skeletal.  Skin and bones.  I hope he/she comes along without a fuss.  Thanks to Nancy, whose heart is huge, and she just wants to save every kitty, but I have to remind her she can't, but she says she has room for one more, so I will let her do it!  :)

I am off to Newark today, an affiliate of the hospital I work for.  Its about an hour drive, and not fun if it were snowing, but its ok for today.  I will be there today, tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday so depending on the weather and me leaving early due to weather, I may or may not be able to post.  So stay tuned, and lets hope what I write is of more interest to you!  I am boring myself to death this morning with this post!  :)  Have a great day! 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Howl of the Whisperers

That is the name of Patricia Peterson, my Aunt Patty's, third novel.  Its a mystery, and its a good one, according to the members of my family who have read it thus far, and the press.  Check out the website to order a copy:  http://www.authorhouse.com/.  Its GREAT! 

As far as howling, the winds were howling in Rochester last night, up to 78 miles per hour they were.  I thought my house was going to blow down.  Scary.  And I was a bit nervous going out this morning checking on my shelters, but most were still in place, thank God.  I had some very frozen towels covering some of the shelters that I had to bend into place, or replace, and a few boards were scattered, but most were accounted for.  Its amazing how trees can tumble in winds like that, but little paper bowls stand in place on the ground.  Well, maybe the law of gravity has something to do with it, or the law of something, but it is amazing.

Big Red was missing again, and Poppi on 4th and Pennsylvania hasn't been seen for a few days.  I worry about her, so dainty.  There is a very skinny young kitty, maybe 6 or 7 months at my first spot that needs rescuing desperately.  If anyone can think of a situation where a young kitty is needed, I can try to help get it fixed, and placed.

Updates on Miss B. and  Wally, Miss B. has moved into her new pad.  She is not in need of much, but
I need to talk her out of smoking in the house so that I can get Buster and Midnight moved over there, besides a few other issues, and Wally misses me.  He was promised a futon a while back, by me, from someone who was donating it, but that fell through, so if anyone knows of a couch or bed for Wally, clean obviously, he would be forever grateful.  His mattress, in his living room, you can feel the coils coming through.  Pretty pathetic actually.  But I am so grateful to all that have donated anything to both of these individuals.  I need to step back and take a break for myself for a while.  I need to let them both take care of themselves for a change.  Have a great day!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Back in the High Life Again

Thats a song, can't remember the artist...

I am back in full swing, well, not full, three quarters maybe, still dizzy, but then again, my mother tells me I was born dizzy.  Back to work though, and was out feeling a bit better this morning doing my rounds.  It was about 40 degrees out so not so bad for the kitties either.  Big Red finally came around, I have not seen him in three days, the very days it was bitter cold.  I wonder where he was.  Poor guy.  And as far as Red goes, he has turned recluse.  I feel terrible because he had a chance to be rescued, but the woman (she asked to be taken off my e-mail list last year) got another cat, couldn't wait.  Red was dying to be rescued, just was taking a bit of time, but he would have given in.  The cats in shelters already have a 'home'.   He is either dead, or just scared to death.  I pray he is dead, and he doesn't have to suffer the streets like he has been for at least three years now that I know of.  He was definitely a stray at first.   Poor guy.

It was wet, there were plenty of wet towels out there.  Mr. Possum was in the igloo hut begind Paul's house on Second Street, hissing at me with his ugly teeth.  I love all animals, but these guys make it hard for the kitties to eat and nestle in their beds.  They are scary looking!

I did see pretty Red guy that I neutered last week.  I think I did.  There were two of them.  I have now downloaded the picture of him and share it with you.  If anything, these are my recordings of who I've rescued, and who I've trapped.  This is my diary, and I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it!  Sorry for the boring post today, but still not feeling my best.  Have a great day!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Sicker Than a Dog

Yes, I've been!  Years go by before I get sick like this...  Not a good weekend for me at all.  Started out with total dizziness, and a dim sound in my ears, like I was on a plane and my ears plugged.   Sick day at work today for the first time ever!  Broke my record!  Bummer!

Yes, out I was, each morning, sicker than ever, but I did it.  I have NO ONE to back me up.  It was the hardest two mornings of my life.  But those animals never depended on me more than this weekend with the single digit temperatures.  They were all hungry and freezing.   All I could do was empty the ice in the bowls and replace with warm water, and place towels down for their feet to stand on rather than the ice and snow while they eat.  Its really really sad, but so worth it once I am there.

So, this is a short post today, just to let you know all is well, somewhat, and I am going to walk my puppy and go back to what I've been doing for two days now, laying down.  I am not used to that either, but I must get better, for the sake of my job, and the animals!  :)  Have a good day!

Friday, January 13, 2012

And So It Begins....

Friday the 13th, the first storm of winter...  how fitting...  While you were all in your snug beds, maybe listening to the hard rain/snow pounding down on your windows, and the wind howling outside, I was making my way to my first stop with boards in hand, trying to figure out a way to shelter the food for the four sweet kitties on that corner.  I STILL could not locate a place to put the boards down to place the food under so that at least that wouldn't be covered in snow by the end of the morning.  We are supposed to get a lot of snow today, and the winds will be fierce, and I still cannot locate shelter for these cats.  But I did place the food down under a very heavy large bush by this house, and they came and ate, after not eating yesterday when the rain was so bad there was no way it would not be swimming in water within minutes. 

Yes, this is time of year I dread.  Not only is it hard on the cats, its hard on me.  I was covered in snow driving from spot to spot.  When the snow begins to accumulate, I have to wade through it to get to the locations.  I have not seen Big Red in a few days now, I worry so about him.

In the meantime, I continue to try to adopt out Buddy and Rufus, and I have Buster and Midnight waiting to go to Miss B's house as soon as she gets situated.  She has been MIA in my book for four days now and I am a bit upset by it as there is stuff I am trying to help her with and her cell phone minutes must be up and she hasn't purchased new ones.  Crazy how some people can live. 

Mr. Oppossum was on Third Street, all snug in the straw, and I had to chase him out with a stick.  Saw lots of kitties using the tote shelters that were donated, thank you so much.  They surely will come in handy with these kind of storms.  Thank you thank you thank you!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Cat, The Raccoon, and the Fox!

Yes!  I saw all three in the past 12 hours!  It was absolutely MISERABLE out there this morning.  Pouring pouring rain when I left the house at 5:15.  It started to let up right around the time I was finishing my last stop.  The only part of my body that wasn't soaking wet were my feet because I wore my pink wellies.  I had my trusty yellow raincoat, but even that didn't stop the rain from getting inside and down my neck.  I stopped at the first stop, where there are four beautiful cats that greet me, and I couldn't even find a spot to place the food down without it getting soaked, its my one spot I have NO shelter for due to no vacant houses around.  Not even the kitties were there to greet me, so I went on my miserable way.  I really have to wonder sometimes how I can do this.

Last night, after not hearing from Miss B. for a few days because I think her cell phone has run out of minutes, and she has supposedly moved into her new place because the gas and electric was turned on Tuesday, I went over there with some stuff for her and to check on her.  No sign of her. I don't even think she owns a lamp, so she was not staying there I don't think.  Anyways, after doing a U-turn on her dead end street, I saw up ahead something that I thought must have been a dog, then as I got closer saw a lot of fur, then saw a red fox!  Amazing how these creatures are in the heart of the ghetto.  Poor thing.  I hope it survives and finds wilderness, somehow.  I am hoping Miss B. will contact me today so I can give her some stuff that has been donated to her.  I thank everyone that had any part of that, from her Christmas gifts from Sharyn, Jessica's Mom, to Pat.  And everyone in between.  Thank you.  You have enriched someone's life a little more than they ever had.

After trapping lil' red kitty yesterday morning, thanks to Julie for taking care of the payment for the spay, and thanks to Val for bringing kitty to the clinic, and back to my porch, I was able to let it go.  I didn't feel as bad this time because of the mild weather.  Poor thing was very doped up, but it managed to race out of the cage once I opened it.  I pray it survives and lives a long life.  I have a picture of it, but cannot download until I get a new computer monitor.  I have issues at home and one of my cats peed on it, before I banned the cats from the computer room, and now you can't see the tabs at the bottom of the screen.  So, must get new monitor.  Joy.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Lil' Red

I did it, I trapped a kitty this morning, he/she is in my backseat now waiting transport to Val's where she will take to clinic for me.  The cat will be neutered/spayed, and Val will pick up and return to my house, leave on porch until I can get home from work.  The hard part is when I have to return this poor animal to the street, the very bad corner and shelter I have built there, where some crazy person keeps moving stuff around on me.  A nutcase, for sure. 

I've lost my time to write today with trapping and rushing to get to Val's house, so farewell everyone!  Will catch up tomorrow!!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Cat, The Rat, and Joe

Yes, I saw a cat, but no, did not see a rat. I just thought it was a good title. I actually saw close to 40 cats this morning.  I also saw an oppossum but that didn't fit well in the title.  I did see Joe, Wally's 'nephew'.  He was out hustling - or just having fun drinking at 5:30 am. and hanging out at the bootlegger's house trying to hustle a dollar for a beer.  Very innocent.  I like Joe.  He wouldn't hurt me, and is very nice to me.  The oppossum has been hanging out at my last spot, where I have a decent shelter built.  He has been caught sleeping in the covered cat litter box that I have a cushion in - I actually had to lift the box yesterday - very carefully, I know... - lift it over the board, and toss him out.  They stay still when frightened.  They won't move.  But there he was again this morning - he crawled under the crate I have set up to keep stuff off the ground, and he wouldn't budge, so I am sure the cats had to share their meal with him.

I have a good friend who has offered to pay for the clinic to TNR two cats tomorrow.  Thats the sweetest and most kindest offer.  Really it is.  I go out and feed homeless cats 365 days a year.  When I go, I am there briefly talking to them, petting them if I can, and then I turn around and leave, and go onto my next stop, all in all 13 locations.  What I see is heartbreaking each day.  So when I am done with that last spot, I go home and get ready for the next 23 hours.  I try to put this in the back of my mind, because it is very stressful both physically and mentally.  I also have a job that is extremely stressful, and people are getting let go left and right.  I don't know one day to the next if I will have a job.  I know I am a good worker, but that doesn't seem to matter these days.  So, my point being, I don't trap cats well.  There are so many factors involved.  If I got two cats, I would have to stack up the traps on top of each other in my small back seat., they would tip, and the cats are scared enough.  Then I have to keep them on my porch until - if I can get someone to bring them to the clinic at a certain time.  They then need to be picked up by 2 pm. - if  I can get someone to pick them up - and then the problem for me is bringing them back to their neighborhood after I have put in a 9 hour day at work, and letting them go.  I know that my friend runs a rescue group, and mostly gets the cats she adopts out from the shelter where they would most likely be euthanized.  But I am a one woman show who has to do the legwork to get them, and its very very hard and stressful for me.  My dream would be to have enough money to pay someone on a full time basis to do trapping for me.  Serious.  That would be my dream.  I know these cats will get pregnant if I don't get them.  I know that.  I don't want to be reminded of that because I know it.  But I can only do so much.  I need help!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Feed Me!

Thats what they say when I pull up.  My first spot, I have four cats RACING to me.  It was quiet out there though this morning, and this weekend.  Not much really happening - the weather has been mindblowing.  We have had two great months so far, being winter and all.  Just a trace here and there of snow.  No below zero degree days.  Wonderful.  Forecast today:  sunny and 40 deg.  I'll take it.  So will the kitties out there. 

Nancy came with me Saturday to try to trap the kitty thats eyes have been sealed shut with infection.  No luck.  We trapped one, but not the right one.  We let it go.  Where am I going on a Saturday morning with it?  No clinics open for spaying on Saturdays.  Will try again though.  I have a chance, maybe, for two neuterings this Wednesday, although the more I think about it, I can't afford it after a very expensive weekend I had.  My Cinnamon was close to death on Friday, and she cost me $350 with tests.  After eye drops, pills and Lisine ointment on her tongue three times a day since, she is doing much better, but I had a lot of unexpected financial situations this weekend, and I can't afford the $50 per cat at the clinic, so will have to wait for next payday.  Life sucks sometimes, when it comes to money.  Really.  Doesn't it?  Back to Nancy, she is the girl that took four beautiful babies off the street recently.  She has Abby and Snowflake, the two sick kitties from Second, who are much better, she took Emma, mama to Rufus and two other girls that a woman adopted in September.  I still have Rufus.  She also took in Boots, or Cutie Pie as she has been calling her, from behind Wally's house.   She had a neck wound that is also healing nicely.  What a saint this woman is.  God has a way of bringing people into our lives at certain times, and this was a good time for him to bring her to me.  These cats needed rescuing.  Thanks Nancy.

Miss B. will finally be moving into her apartment on Tuesday, and will take Midnight and Buster off my hands.  I can use the downsizing.  Her new place is minus a stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer, but she doesn't care.  Can you imagine living in a women's shelter for four months?  She is so grateful that someone accepted her.  I am happy for her.  She is a neat woman.  Really.  I like her.  Speaks her mind, and is very honest.  Thats what I like in a person.  If anyone has ANYTHING they would like to donate, I would be ever so grateful.  Friend Mary has donated a bed, and linens, and a chair.  Otherwise, she doesn't have much else.  No TV, not even an electric skillet to cook her meals until she gets a stove.  Gotta be tough, but so is she. 

Friday, January 6, 2012

My Critters

Meet Buster:   She is one sweet girl.  She has a darling face.  If you can't make this picture bigger, let me know and I will send it to you via e-mail.  Its worth the close up.  I went and picked her up from Wally's last night, and made it known to Wally that I was unhappy about this.  But what am I going to do.  I can't force my life upon someone else.  If his landlord said get rid of it, then he had to.  He can't afford to look for another place.  There are a lot of reasons why he is in his situation in the first place, and who am I to scold him.  So, I have to let it be, and pray that Miss B. moves into her new apartment, which she tells me will be Tuesday when the gas and electric are turned in, and she can take Buster, who is now prisoner in my bedroom.  Yay.

Each morning, while you are all snug as bugs in your rngs in bed, I am out there feeding cats braving the elements.  I hope you all feel guilty!  Guilty I say, guilty!  ha ha.  I thought about this as I was driving around, and how nice it would be for me to be laying in bed not having to do this.  But do it I must.  My own animals have me trained, and I don't like it.  By 3 am., I hear scratching, and I hear the dog whimpering.  I can usually get up, feed the cats, give Trouble her insulin shot, let the dog out, feed the cat on the porch (homeless, but I leave the door propped open for her to sleep on chair), clean out litter boxes, take my vitamins, turn on TV and coffee, and get back into bed for an hour until 4:30 am.  I usually lay there, too wound up to go back to sleep, or this one or that one wants to cuddle, like Rufus, the feral kitten I rescued in November, who is now sleeping on my bed, and cuddles face to face with me now.  Anyone want a kitten?  Anyways, at 2:30 this morning the dog is crying and the cats are scratching.  They know how to stir me.  I refused, and layed there, and then heard a bowl crash on floor, and heard the million little pieces of dry cat food that was in it cover the entire kitchen floor.  I put the cat food on the counter at night so the dog doesn't eat it.  Well, let me tell you, that was fun having to get down on my knees and pick up each little piece of food.  I was so mad, but they got fed anyway, and Thunder was let out to do his business, and the kitty on the porch was fed, and everyone was happy, but me.  Got back into bed, and tossed and turned, and went out on my route, and here I am now, exhausted, and ready to go to bed.  But go to work I must.  And thats that. 

Thursday, January 5, 2012

You have a choice: To do good, to do bad, or to do nothing at all...

Love that.  Really powerful that is...

BUSTER:  Its always something in my life.  Last night, as I finally got home from work after working the usual overtime that I put in daily, and I was sitting relaxing having my usual egg white omelette with one slice of 2% cheese (I know, how boring, but I love it!), I got a call from Wally.  He said 'you got to come get da cat, my landlord wants it gone - he says no cats no dogs'.  I was stunned.  Here I was thinking this kitty had a temporary home until Miss B could get her place, which is supposed to be sometime soon - I pray - and here Wally comes with this.  I think Wally knew full well before he placed the call to me that I would be very upset.  Well, I did my best to control myself and not scream at him, thinking he should have stood up for himself to this landlord, who I think is in cahoots with the witch tenant upstairs from Wally.  Wally could have asked for a break saying he was keeping the kitty for Miss B. until she got her place.  I don't think Wally has a backbone, and I believe he is very simple-minded.  I think he is also very fearful of losing his apartment, and will do anything his landlord tells him.  What, is the landlord allowed to come in at any time to make inspections?  Buster is a quiet kitty, sleeps a lot in the back room, how did the landlord even know he was there? What is this policy, no cats no dogs?  Whats up with that?  If I were a deeply religious person, I believe these two people, the witch and the landlord, will pay in the end their treatment of God's children.  I am not deeply religious, but I have a strong faith from a lot of different sources, and I do b elieve we will all be judged in the end by our behavior in life.  I hope so at least.

In the meantime, after sitting there stunned, for a good 10 minutes with my mind racing as to what I was going to do, I called Wally back and told him I would be there after work the next day to pick up Buster.  I told him he'd better not put him out on the street.  I will go get Buster and keep him in a room for now.  I must find a temporary home for Buster, if anyone can volunteer their space.  She is a very sweet, and gentle girl, and I will get her picture on here by Friday or Saturday.  I have way too many kitties now, with Buddy and Rufus still not being adopted.  I need serious help this time.  Pass the word, please.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Eyes Wide Shut

Reality ...  Check~!  Some of you don't like to read my blog because it contains some sadness.  Well, guess what, its reality, for sure!  Here are some observations from this morning.  There is one good one, so read at your own risk.  It is damned cold out there.  My fingers were beginning to go numb the first 15 minutes on my trip.  You ask, why don't you wear gloves?  I don't wear gloves because at each of my stops, I have to thaw out the water bowls, and to do this, I have to pour water over the bowls, and then pop out the ice, and pour in the hot water.  This gets on my hands, and gets the gloves wet, and then my fingers are in real trouble.  Hence, I don't even bother.  Secondly, there are four kitties that ran up to me at my first stop this morning, I have placed their bowls on the side of a house, right next to the other neighbor's driveway.  They must see the bowls, and its certainly not a location I can place a board to protect the food from the elements - I just have to do the best I can and hope four people will say they will adopt each one.  Right. 

Second, Big Red was waiting for me this morning, freezing.  I wish he would use his pea-sized brain and use the shelters, I pray he does and just runs out when he hears my car each morning.  Otherwise, he is just sitting there, freezing.  I have not heard from the girl who advertised for cats for her barn.  Hoping she is just busy.  It doesn't look promising, as she hasn't returned calls or e-mail.  Poor Big Red. 

Third, at my Short Street spot, and this is the good one, someone placed a board to protect the little carrier and food dishes I have under a porch on that street.  I was stunned this morning to find that!  During the summer, if you were to drive down this street, to me its the scariest street, mostly because of the way these people live, with trash all over their yards, and the houses are pretty scary.  Its not a street I would walk down without some hesitation, even though its a very short street, hence its name!  But at 5:30 am., its pretty safe, and dark, and there is a black kitty waiting for me there every morning, so there is no hesitation for me to go there each day.  But for someone to place the board like that, I was SHOCKED.  And grateful!  I must have a friend there, right?   

But at my second to last spot, there is a kitty that is so sick, its eyes are sealed shut due to the crust freezing them closed.  Its SO VERY SAD.   I don't know how it can even see to run from me when I pull back the board that it sleeps behind.  I do have soft warm blankets, and its fairly dry so it doesn't get exposed to the elements, now, and there is a nice igloo dog house with straw stuffed in it, and food each day, but what else can I do.  This is where my friend Nancy has now rescued two cats from last week.  I have rescued countless animals, including Buttons, the kitty my sister took.  We have also TNR'd a few there, but what can I do?  I don't have room to care for another cat, nor the money to get it vetted.  I must just do the best I can do.  Thats all I can do.  I feel so hopeless sometimes.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Brrrrr!

Getting colder here in Ra Cha Cha!  I was out this morning bundling up my little shelters for all my little ones out there.  Thank God for FUR.  I had a dog house donated to me by my sweetie Sue out in Conesus, she runs a dog rescue called Another Chance.  I placed it at my Central Park location, and I think it will do nicely.  Its such a hodgepodge of different boards, and there is a hut that my friend Mary's husband Mike made for me years ago.  Its the spot that was shown in my video with my head getting bopped, the one I had to move next door on account of the owner of the property wanting me to move it by the end of last summer, which I did.  Its going to be warm, hopefully, as its tucked into the corner of a house, with the westerly winds being blocked by a back porch.  There are several kitties, predominantly black and white kitties.  At my second location, next door and behind Wally's place, Joe, a 'nephew' of Wally's was walking (at 5:30 am), I think he lives next door, or crashes at Wally's occasionally  and asked for a ride to Second - thats where the bootlegger house is, he 'needed' a beer (at 5:30 am - but hey, its 5:00 pm. somewhere!).  I told him he would have to make 'stops' before he gets to Second Street, so along he came, with me on my journey.  He was good company.  He talked and talked, and even made me laugh, each time at each spot saying 'hey, I know that cat!'.  I dropped him off on Second in which he turned to thank me for the ride, and wish me luck with the rest of my stops.  Such characters I meet on the streets...  But he is one of the good ones. 

Posted here are puppies I met out in Conesus yesterday, that will be available for adoption at Sue's Another Chance Rescue for dogs.  Aren't they SWEET!