Its a Beautiful Day!

Another Update - went there myself, puppies on hot pavement in sun with short leashes.  Water not reachable.  Not sure what to do.

QUICK UPDATE:  Is anyone around the city today, who would be able to go to 5th and Central, on the right side of the house (its on the corner), to see if the puppies are on this hot pavement, still?)

Despite the sad stuff I see out there day after day after day, I remain somewhat happy, lighthearted and optimistic. 

GEORGE!

To recap, on Friday, between me and Laura, we got two females, one was pregnant, the other lactating, and a male.  Pretty good!  All three for $150.  Terrible.  I am still bewildered as to how the city of Rochester isn't paying ME to do this.  I am helping THEIR problem.  Whats up with that?  I can count nearly twenty right now that need to still be done, the baby makers.  I had a phone call on Saturday, during a niece's high school grad party, a time of day (daytime and nighttime) that I like to forget the world's problems, after dealing with them for one hour every single day, by going out into the hood and seeing the misery, seeing the flies all over the food I leave, dropping their eggs into it producing maggots, seeing cats limping from glass in their feet, seeing babies running around, seeing lactating mothers...  the list goes on and on.  Anyway, back to my story.  I got a call from Brenda, on Parsells, who called me about Trina last Monday, the baby kitten she found in the grass that was half dead, but is doing well now thanks to a couple of special people, and Brenda said she had five more.  We made the plan that she would give them to me Monday morning, and I made the decision after checking around, that they would be going to Lollipop.  She was not out there at 5 am. when I pulled up to feed across the street, but I am sure she will call me today.  Brenda cannot have them, - she is not a responsible adult with these cats.  She feeds them, but allows them to keep reproducing.  I can't tke them either.  We also made a deal that she needs to help me with trapping at her house because we can't have this go on any longer.  Too many cats there on Parsells.  If there is anyone out there that would be willing to lend a hand, and a dollar, and make an appointment and help me, I would be ever so grateful.  I can't do it alone.  Rescue groups are inundated with kittens.  Lollipop - Last resort.

My own guys, Rufus and Daisy!

My Smokey Boke!  aka FANG

There is also another situation on 5th and Central with two puppies, who've been tethered to poles outside a house, with no room to move, and the water dish too far away from them.  They've been out there for days, and today its supposed to reach 90 degrees.  I will either call PAWS, or animal control services, to see if they can help.  I moved toward them but they got up and started to bark, and I didn't want to take the chance of having the occupants of the house see me.  I can't lose this spot that I feed at, and they would surely retaliate if they know I called someone.  I had offered to help them in the past with help bringing these puppies to a clinic for their shots, but never heard back from them.  This is the same place that I've rescued over a half dozen cats already since the fall of last year.

Sorry this can't be more pleasant, but this is my reality, day after day.  There is so much to be done out there.  We need to work together to get these animals spayed and neutered, so that we can end this sadness and suffering.  I hope you will consider it!

I also hope you can spread the word and get the kitties I have waiting to be adopted their forever homes - we have Domino, Fraser, Brady and George!  Spread the word, and have a GREAT day!

"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again."  

Oh! What a Morning!

OK.  So.  It started out with plans for Laura to trap Neck Wound Kitty on Short, and/or a torty kitty on 4th and Pennsyvlania with a black face, stumpy legs,and possibly pregnant, and for me to trap another kitty of my choosing.  Laura is expert at getting the hard to trap kitties with her drop trap.  I drove straight to Hayward from the house and set the trap for one of the three out of four remaining tabbies that are not spayed/neutered there, and in one went into the trap I had set, and BAM!  I had one.  I got the scared little baby in the car, left food for the others, and drove off to my Baldwin spot.

As I pulled up, I could see one of my shelters was opened at the top.  I walked over and saw a dead kitten lying there in the straw.  It must have been dead for days.  I don't know who opened up the shelter, or what happened to the kitten, but I immediately got a towel, wrapped the little kitten, not much more than two or three months old, and placed it gently into my car, knowing I would 'dispose' of it humanely after my rounds.  Poor baby.

I pulled up to Second and fed big old Tuffy behind Paul's house, and then getting back into the truck, looked around for the nursing grey and white 'kitten' to give her a nibble or two.  I spotted her, pulled back over to get out and a young Puerto Rican man walked over to me, pointing to the sign on my truck, and in broken English telling me about a kitten in a tree behind his house.  He mentioned that the grey and white kitty was the mom, and she had been pacing under the tree during the day, and that kitten had been up there for three days.  He motioned to his stomach, saying the kitten must be very hungry.  The kitten was WAY up there, and crying.  Of course I panicked, sent a text to a friend at RAS (Rochester Animal Services), and phoned Laura, who had just finished trapping the hard to get torty on 4th and Pennsylvania, and a young red kitty.  I asked her to come by, as it was just down the street from where she was, to help me assess the situation with the kitten in the tree.  She did.  She then told me something interesting.  There is a website called Catsintrees.com (or something like that because that did not work for me), which was started by someone in Oregon that has a national system around the country for people that rescue cats in trees!  I have to find that one, but in the meantime, she also told me about some mutual friends that know someone locally that climbs trees to rescue cats, so I sheepishly called them (I waited until 7 am) and woke them up!  But luckily, they weren't mad, and willingly gave me the number to call.  Just as I was calling, and ready to leave a voice mail, Laura called me to say she had gone back there with a ladder (bless her heart!) and that as she was walking toward the tree, a kitten was halfway up, heading up the tree!  It must be using the tree for safety!  I was relieved to hear this, but also concerned, because as the young man pointed out, there are three baby kittens there.  He saw two in the tree the other day, and I don't know where the third one is.

So, now, I am hoping that the clinic will accept all three kitties that have been trapped, because I only had two spots reserved.  Fingers crossed they've had a cancellation.  I also want to mention that each cat is $50.  If anyone would care to make a donation, please feel free by calling 585-288-0600 and tell them you would like to make a donation and to credit my account.  Janine Wagner.  Please don't feel obligated, but know you would be helping to end the cycle of kittens being born, and killed and/or maimed, or stuck in trees, like the ones today.

I could use less exciting Friday mornings.  Phew.  Have a great day everyone!

"One of the most beautiful compensations in life is that no man can help another without helping himself."

Burn Out

Monkey (top) and Sandy

I am taking a break today.  I don't have a lot to say, its the weather, its me being tired after seeing the Doobie Brothers in concert last night and not getting home until 10 pm!  WHOA!  Way past my bedtime!  :(  I even missed Peter Frampton, the headliner, just to get home so I could get some sleep before I had to get up at 3:45 am. to wake myself enough to leave the house at 5 am. to feed all the homeless kitties.  And then on top of that, one turns around and attacks me.  I will be very leery of that one in the future.  He gouged my leg this time, but the next time it could be my face that he goes after with those razor sharp claws.  

I leave you with pictures - Monkey, and Big Red - Big Red then, and NOW.  Look how he has thrived!

My friends Maree and Joe adopted from the streets after I rescued them.  Monkey came from Second, was a young girl with a curly que tail, thus, Monkey.  Sandy was called Big Red for years - I've fed Big Red for years on Garson Avenue and he finally learned to trust me, and then I knew he was ready.  He had many injuries throughout those years, so I am glad I could get this senior kitty off the street and into a loving home.  Look at these babies now!!

It Matters To Me

Author Unknown

As I walked along the seashore

This young boy greeted me.

He was tossing stranded starfish

Back to the deep blue sea.

I said "Tell me why you bother,

Why you waste your time this way.

There's a million stranded starfish

Does it matter, anyway?"

And he said, "It matters to this one.

It deserves a chance to grow.

It matters to this one.

I can't save them all I know.

But it matters to this one,

I'll return it to the sea.

It matters to this one,

And it matters to me."

I walked into the shelter,

The owner greeted me.

She was helping Misty learn to trust.

She was struggling I could see.

I said, "Tell me why you bother,

Why you waste your time this way.

Misty's only one of thousands,

Does it matter anyway?"

And she said, "It matters to this one.

She deserves a chance to grow.

It matters to this one.

I can't save them all I know.

But it matters to this one,

I'll help her be what she can be.

It matters to this one,

And it matters to me.

Have a great day everyone!

Trina

After a bit of angst yesterday over what to do with baby kitten that was found in the grass on Parsells on Monday afternoon, and who would care for her, she - TRINA - is being cared for by a girl who knows kittens well, and will be sure that she gets the attention that a newborn kitten needs. Just look at the photo she lovingly crafted.

I say the word angst for a few reasons.  I have a hard time expressing my feelings into words a lot, and I do mean a lot, which is why I sometimes stuff my feelings.  I have no problem speaking honestly, but it doesn't always word itself correctly.  When I rescue a kitten or pregnant cat, and turn it over to a rescue group, most times I have no say in that cat's future.  I have no say in the name, nor who it will be adopted out to.   Tons of emotions go into taking a cat from the street, and doing what you have to do with it for the next 24 hours of its captivity.  Those first few hours are very important, establishing a cat to going from A to Z in seconds.  No exceptions for pregnant kitties, or the little ones like Trina, that while in a panic, I tried to contact several people, all before six in the morning, giving the kitten Karo syrup until I could find milk replacement for it, wiping her eyes, stroking it to make sure it was still alive, as it was very still for a while.  That might not seem like much effort to some, but it was a big deal to me, knowing this little one was getting weaker by the second.  Its hard to just hand over something you have become emotionally attached to, even if its just a few hours.  You know you saved that cats life.  And now, especially the adopters that choose not to keep in contact with me, which are few, you don't know how it will all turn out for them.  I don't know if I worded that correctly, but thats how I feel.  I think.

My thanks to Kitten Korner Rescue, an organization run by a wonderful, kind and compassionate woman who wouldn't, I think, if she has any at all, turn down her worst enemy to save a cat.  She offered to help, but I knew she had a TON on her plate as far as kittens go.  She has so many in her rescue, and is caring for special need kittens at the moment.  I am grateful I found an alternative, and a good one at that.  I will keep you informed of her progress.  I also had quite a few friends later in the day offer to foster this baby kitten, and I thank you as well.  And now that I know you are out there, I won't be so hesitant to call on you the next time!  :)

It was a very wet morning out there - yes, it was raining on me the entire hour I was out there feeding all the homeless cats.  We had a deluge of rain come down overnight, and my hair will pay the price for the remaining humidity today.   But that's OK. 

I wish you all a wonderful day! 

WAIT
"I said to my mind, be still, and wait without hope

For hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love

For love would be love of the wrong thing; yet there is faith

But the faith and the hope and the love are all in the waiting.

Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought:

So the darkness shall be light, and the stillness the dancing."

Oh Baby!

So last night, I am just getting into bed, after a very very very long day, and I got a call from a woman who I have helped in the past spay and neuter a few cats that she feeds in a covered type area in the back of her yard on Parsells.  She said she found a baby kitten in her grass yesterday, around 4 pm, she said it was ‘blind’, and that she thought it was too young to be away from her mother, about a week or two old, and she was giving it regular milk with a dropper.  I called the few people I could, but no one was really able to help at that moment – I called Brenda back and told her to call a cell number of a woman who runs a larger rescue, she did, but the woman never returned her call.   I won’t name the rescue, but this has happened a few times now.  Now, I know everyone has their hands full, but Brenda left a message asking what she should do regarding keeping the baby alive, and at the very least, she should have been called back.  I can honestly say I have NO experience with kittens, especially newborns that are not eating regular food yet.

This morning, Brenda was waiting for me with the kitten in a milk crate that she kept on her porch overnight.  Her boyfriend hates cats and wouldn’t allow it in the house.  I put it in the truck with me, and went on my route.  It seems ok, but its eyes were not opening.  I got it home, and wiped its glued eyes enough to be able pry them open, and I did get them open, but then thought, what if it was too young to open its eyes up and I just pried them open!!!  Either way, its gooey tiny little eyes looked around and said where am I?  I sent a few more texts to the only people I know that might have KMR, asking them if they had this kitten replacement milk, and not receiving a response right away, because who in God’s name, besides me, is up at 6 am and answering texts for help?  This kitten was extremely weak by now, and I believe was dying.  And I do desperate things when its called for, so I called my dear old pal Maree and her husband Joe – at 6 am. - and sure enough, they had KMR, so after a race over to their house in Penfield, I got the milk ready in the dropper, plopped this little one on my chest and fed away.  I pray I’ve done the right thing, and given it the right amount.  Now what am I gonna do…………. Here I have Brady in my bathroom, and now this.  I need a foster!!!!!

By the way, Brenda told me she is feeding at least six cats out back in her yard, and none are spayed and neutered.  I told her to look around her yard for any more kittens, and to please call Lollipop Farm to see if they can help her with trapping and spaying/neutering the cats.  I am sure it won’t happen, so I will have to help her.  Her boyfriend got on the line and said he would trap and release them somewhere else, he doesn’t like them.  I asked him for compassion until we take care of this kitten situation.

Oh Lord.  I know for sure I will go out and buy this very expensive replacement milk formula to keep on hand in case this type of emergency situation happens again.  And I must get this breeding population of cats under control.  Anyone game to help with trapping?

Have a good day, and please, share this - maybe someone will open up their hearts, homes, and wallets to help.  I can't do it all by myself.   Thank you!

WILDERNESS

"This is the wilderness time,

 when every path is obscure

 and thorns have grown around the words of hope.

 

This is the time of stone, not bread,

 when even the sunrise feels uncertain

 and everything tastes of bitterness.

 

This is the time of ashes and dust,

 when darkness clothes our dreams

 and no star shines a guiding light.

 

This is the time of treading life,

 waiting for the swells to subside and for the chaos to clear.

 

Be the wings of our strength, O God,

 in this time of wilderness waiting."

And so it goes...

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! SAVE THE DATE! On Saturday, August 2nd at the Rush Creekside Inn there will be a fundraiser to benefit The Bean & homeless animals - Plan to be there for fun, food, music, drinks, friends, raffles, cool stuff to buy and helping our four-legged friends! This is done in honor of a very compassionate young lady - Katherine Magar - who passed away in 2013. A scholarship is being established in honor of her love of animals & random acts of "Katness".   Please plan to come to honor her memory and help those who need our compassion. Details to follow!

This is the announcement made on Facebook for the fundraiser my friends are having for me...  there will be a flier I will post this week also.  Its such an honor that people think that much of me to want to help me feed and spay these helpless animals living on the streets of Rochester.  Thank you to each and everyone of you that has helped me in the past, and hopefully will continue in whatever way you can, in the future.

Some of the scenes from the weekend in the hood.  There is another baby mama on Second.  I call her that because like a year ago on 7th, another very young cat has given birth.  She can't be any more than 8 months old.   I have no clue where her babies are, and she hesitantly will allow me to pet her, as I pour food and water down for her on the side of the road.  She is a beautiful grey and what kitty.  I must get her spayed soon.I think the black-faced, short-legged calico on 4th and Pennsylvania is pregnant.  She and a red male with a short-clipped tail are the only two, I believe, that haven't been done out of the SEVEN that hang there and I feed regularly.

Pretty Calico girl on Chamberlain 

As I poured the food and water down at my third spot on Hayward, where there were four cats waiting in the shadows for me to leave so they could gobble up the only food they will eat for the day before a raccoon comes along, I thought to myself - I just did this 24 hours ago.  Just as I did 24 hours before that, and 24 hours before that, and so on...  What am I doing?  I then thought to myself, its going to start getting darker again, from this day forward.  Summer has officially begun, and fall is right around the corner.  I know my teacher friends don't want to hear that, but its reality, for me and the cats.  I don't feel sorry for myself that often, but I am allowed occasionally, right?  Wrong.  This is my choosing, and I could stop at any point.  But the cats, what would happen to the cats that now trust me, allow me to pet them, run to me and run from me to their bowls when I pull up.  They know they are going to get food, good food.  They can hear me coming from a mile away.  I can't just STOP.

Nursing Baby Mama on Second

TUFFY!!!

Then there are the four cats that are now in captivity, thanks to me, that have not been adopted yet.  Its my responsibility that if I rescue a cat, I need to find it a home.  Joy has been watching Domino, but Domino is in a small room with a window and is isolated from other cats, and doesn't have much interaction with humans either.  He is so lonely.  I am trying to find someone that can provide him with another cats companionship, and someone that can give him more attention.  Fraser is in a loving environment with Sheryl, but she has her own cats to contend with and its expensive for her.  We must find this beautiful cat a home.  Then there is George, who I took off the streets a month ago, due to his severe undernourished condition.  He is thriving in my home, with the other cats, but I can't keep them all.  This beautiful boy needs a home too.  Not to mention the cat I rescued on Tuesday, after having him neutered.  I couldn't return him to the streets with the wounds he had on his feet, and it turned out to be that he developed a severe URI and was treated by my vet on Friday.  I didn't think he would make it over the weekend, but he seems to be getting better, but stuck in my tiny bathroom.

5th & Central (waiting patiently for me to leave)

5th & Central - unneutered male

Please consider fostering Grady, Domino or George, and adopting.  You'll find no better love or gratitude than from these animals.  Spread the word, and thanks for listening.

Have a great day!

Saving Cats, One at a Time....

I repeat my self from time to time, explaining what I do, in case there are people checking out my blog that don't know what I do. 

I wake at 4 am. every day (this morning was 3:30!) so that I can prepare myself mentally and physically to go out into the elements, into the inner city - not far from me - and feed stray and feral cats - I see on average about 50 a day, that does not include the ones I don't see that come for the food when I leave.  I place food and water down at 14 different locations, where there is usually some shelter for them in the winter that friends have built for me - most out of plastic totes, that are lined with Styrofoam, and straw to keep them warm.  I go through 20 pounds of dry food a day, and five large yogurt sized containers of wet food.  I give medicine to a few here and there on a daily basis when they look sick, i.e. have URI (upper respiratory infection), and other treatable type ailments, or I bring them to a vet to be checked out.  In the spring, summer and fall, I try to trap at least one cat a week on average, sometimes two, to get them spayed or neutered at the $50 clinic down the street.  I have rescued hundreds of cats and kittens nearly twenty so far since this past January, and all but three have found homes.  Some were not so lucky.  Quite a few I've taken in as my own.  In the fall and winter, its dark when I go out, until I am just about done an hour later.  On blizzard type days, it takes me close to two hours to do my route because I need to shovel a path through the snow to get to the shelters that are in vacant lots or behind boarded up houses, and it also allows the cats, with their short legs, to get to the food more easily.  We get a lot of snow in the wintertime, and it can be brutal temperature wise.

I've been doing this since at least the year 2000.  Not on such a large scale like it is now, but feeding homeless, and rescuing cats.  I do this all out of my own pocket.  I get money and food donations occasionally, but its never enough.  I usually spend on average $150 a week from my paycheck on food, and that does not include the $50 for a spay or neuter.  You figure out that amount per year.  I've given up a lot in my life for this mission.  (i.e. vacations, sleep, financial security).

Friends of mine are having a fundraiser for me on August 2nd.  I will post something about it when we get the Save The Date flier finalized, which should be VERY soon.  I am hoping everyone will be able to attend, or if not able to attend, maybe help with a small donation.  Remember, you are not only helping me to purchase the food, or to spay or neuter a cat, but you are helping the cats directly too.  The admission price will be a bag of cat food and a small fee, if you can.  There will be live bands, food, soft drinks, hard drinks, and auction items.   It will be a blast, and I hope you all will come.

I have the day off from work tomorrow, its supposed to be a beautiful day, which I am looking forward to.

Thanks once again for listening to my story, and have a great day!

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."

Brady!

OK, I got the name wrong yesterday.  Meet BRADY, not Grady.  Sorry Brady.  He is the cute kid that is big brother to Harold, who I rescued off Central - what, a year ago? - and adopted out to this very nice family.  Thank you BRADY.  What was I thinking?  :)

I trapped two kitties yesterday, both males, one was returned to Parsells this morning, after spending a scary night in the trap on my porch during that terrible T-storm we had.  He hardly ate anything.  Feral, for sure.  h'e couldn't wait to spring out of there this a.m.  Not the case for the other kitty, Brady.

Brady was also brought in for neutering yesterday, along with needed medical attention for what I thought was a front paw wound.  Turns out that he also had a back paw wound, and several bites, and a lot of mites!  This little guy has been through the ringer, and I have decided not to return him to the streets.  A friend of mine, Julie, once told me, ACT, and then think!  That's when I've encountered pregnant cats in the past, and she always encouraged me to get them if I could, and she will help with the rest.  I will figure something out for Brady, but in the meantime, he is safe and sound in my bathroom.  And loving it.  He has now curled under my feet, and licks my toes!  This boy has seen enough in his days living on the streets.  He wants no part of it anymore.  You can tell.  He got his first good sleep last night than he's had in a very long time, I am sure of it.  I can't wait to see the before, and after of his condition.  If you zoom in on the pics, you can see the wounds on his feet.

I leave you now with a poem that is most fitting - I love to read it, I still tear up reading it, and I can relate to all of it:

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.

Please consider fostering Brady, and don't forget about Georgie, Fraser and Domino, they all need homes.  Spread the word!  

I Did It!

Not only did I do my route - all 14 locations, where I feed an average of 5 cats at each spot, in under an hour this morning, but I managed to trap two kitties on my own also!  And those were done in the first 10 minutes!  My first trapping was going to be at the 7th Street location, where there is a very sick long haired black kitty, who is losing his fur quickly, and losing a lot of weight.  He has not been there in the past few days and he was not there this morning, so I hurried to put food down for Baby Mama there, and the two other regulars, and sped off to place the trap at my first Parsells location, where Buddy, the kitty that 'belongs' to Brenda across the street (her b-friend doesn't like cats, therefore none are ever in the house - ever).  Buddy I had neutered for Brenda a year prior.  Anyways, there are two tabbies, one long haired, that hang there also.  I had to get Buddy away from the set trap as he would go in there, so I picked him up and placed him in a carrier I had, and went off to do the next stop just a few houses down.  I came back and had the shorter haired tabby in the trap, not sure of its sex.

Then onto get the elusive Mr. Grey Tux on Short.  Laura has not been successful at getting him with her drop trap because MGT is now leary of traps.  But he has a real limp on his front left paw, his skin is lumpy and scabby, and he also has now started to trust me enough to pick him up.  And lo and behold, he let me this morning and I placed him in a large carrier.  So, there, I got two.  I will be bringing both to the clinic for spay and/or neuter, and medical attention.   I think I will call MGT Grady.  I know a boy named Grady who's family adopted Harold!  So, I love that name!

I also saw Neck Wound Kitty on Stout run into the garage there, and will try to focus on him next week, although there are still several others, including a few females - I believe - that need to be spayed.

I think about this:  I am doing a favor for the city by caring for these cats, yet the city never rewards me for it.  But I should be rewarded for it!  No, I am not a 501c3 - which are able to receive grants, and more tax deductible donations, but I should be rewarded somehow!  I go through 20 pounds of food a day, and it costs me $50 per cat at the clinic to spay/neuter.  Whats wrong with this picture???

Before I forget, I like to share encounters with the street people I run into on the streets.  On Sunday, I was on Second Street and feeding Mr. Tuffy behind Paul's (the kind black man who allows me to feed and shelter behind his house) and I went back to the truck to go to the next spot and this black woman started to walk toward me.  I could see she must have come from the bootlegger's house a few houses down from Pauls.   I asked  "Are you OK?" (it was 5:30 am. and she looked disheveled).  As she got really close to me, she said "No!  I need a drink!"  As I looked at her, I could see the whites of her eyes were pure yellow.  Now I am not expert, but that's a clear indication that she could have some kind of liver disease, including hepatitis, and cirrhosis.  She then said "I know who you are, you feed the cats." and I laughed and told her I didn't have any booze, but she could have some of the water in my jug.  She laughed and walked away.  I thought to myself, how sad.   How bad can you have it where you are dying, and still need that drink.

Anyways, on to seize the day!  I  hope you have a good one!

"No one has ever made himself great, by showing

how small someone else is."

Dear Oh Deer...

My weekend didn't start out the greatest.  I was headed home from my usual 7 am Saturday morning grocery shopping, winding my way down through the bay on Empire Boulevard , when I spotted a dead deer at the side of the road, one which was not there when I passed through forty five minutes prior.  As I went past the deer, and the debris in the road, I thought I saw a movement.  I quickly made a U-turn, and pulled up in front of it.  As I got out of the car, I saw the poor animal moving.  Blood was coming out of its mouth, and I couldn't see its other injuries.  I immediately bent down and started to gently stroke it.  I then called 911 and begged for an officer to come, through my sobbing.  Its so heartbreaking to see an animal suffering, and we all know we can't just take a deer to emergency services.  Cars whizzed by for the few minutes I saw there with that deer, gently stroking it, telling it that everything was going to be OK, listening to the cars whiz by, knowing this animal was frightened to death.  A kind man stopped briefly, and asked if everything was OK, I thanked him and said police were coming.  Another man pulled over up ahead and walked back just in time for the police to arrive.  Two kind strangers.  As I got up to talk to the cop, I gave the deer one last pet, as the officer told me I had to leave.  I knew what he was going to do, as I've seen it before.  I drove away, weeping for the poor animal's short life, knowing its soul would soon be in heaven.

Now here's the kicker.  As I drove up the hill, through clouded eyes, I spotted a chipmunk who came out onto the four lane highway, scrambling, not knowing which way to run, and I hit it.  I could feel its tiny body under my tire.  If that wasn't the topping on the cake.  I managed to drive the rest of the way home, knowing I was going to call my mother, who always says something to soothe me in stressful times.  I could barely function at that moment, but knew I had to get over it because life goes on and I had a busy day.  But such a tragedy.  One that happens nearly every minute of every day around the world, an animal being hit.  How could someone just drive off knowing the animal was alive, if they did at all.  The person that hit it left their rear view mirror in the road too.  My mother always tries to see both sides, as I try to do, that maybe it was an old person, and they were just as devastated, and didn't know what to do, so they continued on.

My day turned out to be much better.  But that's a life moment I can't soon forget.

Both mornings were great as I had two friends come with me on my morning feeding rounds.  Tracy my neighbor, who has fostered a few kittens for me in the past, and Sunday Sheryl.  I think it was an eye opener for Tracy to see just how many cats are waiting for me each morning at each location.  And how much food I go through to feeding these hungry animals.  I appreciate both girls so much, Tracy has donated funds for spay/neuter, and Sheryl always brings a bag of cat food with her each Sunday.  I can't tell you how much it means to me, just to have them ride with me, or donate to me.  Its validation that what I do - feeding, sheltering and spaying these homeless city cats - is all worth it.

Thanks for listening to my sad story, and have a GREAT day.

"Don't ruin today by worrying about yesterday's problems."

TGIF!

Thunder - 6/02-6/13  RIP My Sweet Boy

Boy, it felt like a long week to me, did it to you?  On Tuesday I thought it was Wednesday, and on Wednesday I thought it was Thursday...  how come that happens?  Maybe it because of holiday week prior, not sure.  But, its Friday, and its a weekend.  I have two days to not go to work.  I don't get two days off from feeding the cats, but that's OK.  On Sundays, I get to go back to bed, I have that one day of luxury, if I want to, or if I can.  Its always light by the time I get home, have a quick breakfast, and hit the sack at 7 am.  I am usually so wound up by then, and thinking about what lies ahead, that I can't really fall back asleep.  The cats sure can.  They come up and snuggle right in.  I think that is why we love cats so much, because they are true snugglers.  On their own terms, of course.  Saturdays is cleaning day, and I am pretty 'anal' about it.  What is another word for that?  I am not crazy about that word. 

It was very wet and soggy out there this morning.  My hair was straightened this week, so I got out the old winter cap and put that on before I went out into the rain at 5 am.  Nope, I didn't get a break this morning from the rain.  Nor did the cats.  The ones that I could pet were wet and soggy too.  Don't they know enough to take shelter?  Its sad pulling up to cats that are standing there in the rain, yet they have no food in their bowls, probably devoured the day before, or gobbled up by a raccoon soon after I poured it and left the previous morning.  They have no concept of weather when they are starving. 

I think I will leave this post right here.  I am not thinking clearly today, I have a lot on my mind.  I wish I could win a million dollars.  I wish I were twenty years younger.  I wish I could do some things all over again, but I can't, and I am old, and I am broke.  So, accept it and move on.  Right?

I have two slots at the clinic on Tuesday.  I am thinking about all the cats that need to be spayed and neutered.  I don't know where to start.  But I will on Tuesday. 

Please don't forget about Domino, George and Fraser, all beautiful cats that need a permanent home.  And remember, the felted animals to the right can be yours, just click on the picture, and choose one.  Or, if you have a custom animal you would like made, perhaps talented Deb could produce that for you!  Just let me know!

I hope you enjoy reading my blog, there was nothing brilliant today, that's for sure, but I hope you do get something out of reading about my craziness, if not enjoyment. 

I wish you a great day!

"Be an example to others of all that is good in this world, for others will copy you & they also will become good examples."

The Blues!

I love the color blue.  That's the only reason for that title. :)  These are photographs taken in Greece.  I traveled to Greece in 2003 and I've never seen bluer water, or bluer skies.  Such a beautiful country because of the landscape, the sea, and the people.  I've also never seen more homeless dogs and cats in my life.  The dogs were roadkill, like we would see racoons, deer or woodchucks.  It was heartbreaking for me to travel to a countryside to admire its beauty, and see cats and dogs all over the place, starving.

I stand true on my belief - which is why I consider myself to be a rescuer - that no cat should be outdoors, and the ones I feed on the street belong in a home.  I do not see life through dark lens.  I am optimistic about life, and the sadness I see around me I feel can turn around.  I feel each of us can make a difference by one small kind gesture a day.  The poverty of people may not improve, but their lives can include small bits of happiness by the little flowers they plant, or the hanging basket they have on their porch, or a kind word.  The bleak ugly places in the city that I travel to, all can improve.  Just this morning, I pulled up to a corner lot that the grass was almost to the top of my legs, and the lawn was mowed.  Even though this is a boarded up house, it sort of looked pretty.

But for the cats, they are living their lives dodging cars - I pick up dead ones all the time, broken glass - grey tux on Short has something in his foot still, dogs - which I just saw a pit bull wandering down Parsells this morning - people that don't like them and shoot them with BB guns, kittens with their eyes infected, cats with bleeding ears due to mites.  No, this is no way for a cat to live.  I will continue to try to rescue as many as I can.

I just need help.  Financially, and your home.  I need fosters, and donations to pay for the food I feed and the medical care they need.  Thanks for spreading the word.

I ran across the following prayer - I thought it to be fitting for today's post.  Have a great day!

Buddhist Animal Blessing prayer

May all sentient beings in the animal realm subject to unbearable pain in labs throughout the world be free from suffering.

May alternatives to animal experimentation and testing be used immediately.

May Bodhicitta fill the hearts of those who imprison them.

May all sentient beings from the animal realm who suffer endless days, months, years locked in tiny cages unable to move, be filled with peace and calm.

May the many billions waiting in slaughterhouse lines be free of fear.

May the hearts of those who work in abattoirs be filled with Bodhicitta so the very thought of harm is purified.

May they never kill again and may the slaughterhouse lines become immediately empty.
May no animal be afraid or depressed.

May their bodies be free of injuries, disease and illness.

May those who need homes, or who have been driven from them find shelter, plentiful food & water.

May there be liberation for those tortured for fur, entertainment or who are hunted.

May those who believe they are superior to our brother & sister animals develop perfect equanimity.

And may they realise in their hearts that all sentient beings possess Buddha nature
And they are not ours to kill or exploit.

May the many billions of land and sea dwelling sentient beings who are abused, exploited and killed due to greed, hatred and ignorance be free of suffering

May they experience complete and perfect enlightenment, through the virtue of my efforts and prayers.

Inventory

Old Shelter under Porch on Short

Thanks for all for your comments yesterday~!  Interesting, and helpful!

I wanted to inventory my spots on this post today.  I like to keep written track every now and then of who I am feeding - that I can see for the few moments I am there pouring their breakfast -, and if they need to be spayed/neutered.

Parsells - fluffy tabby - not ear tipped - and Buddy, the white and grey kitty I neutered for the girl across the street, Brenda, several years ago.  They both wait patiently for me in the early morning hours when its still dark, as this is always my first stop.  I feed them on a vacant porch, for now.

Parsells 2 - Red kitty and black kitty - Red is neutered and not sure about black, he keeps his distance.  Red has begun to trust me and comes very close.

Stout - Black kitty, Scratchy, and Red and White kitty are there each day waiting for me, while neck and body wound kitty hides in the garage waiting for me to leave after pouring all three breakfast here.  Scratchy is neutered, pretty sure red and white kitty is, but neck wound kitty is still very injured, but elusive.

Chamberlain - spayed calico and Lucy, who I have not seen in quite a while, wait here for me each morning.  I had Lucy spayed about three years ago.

Hayward - all quiet on the home front  - no signs of the creep next door taking anything.  He never returned the shelters he stole from me though.  I feed at least three tabbies, one that I just had neutered last week, the rest I believe need to be done.  It is now getting lighter by the time I get to this spot (5:20)

Baldwin - Five kitties here on average each morning - Grey striped boy needs fixing, he starts a lot of fights with a few of them, one of which is a red, who also needs to be fixed.  There also is a very pretty white with red spots, who actually let me pet him this morning, but he is unneutered, and needs to be done also. 

Short - Pretty boy grey tux came limping towards me again this morning.  He now allows me to touch him.  A sweet boy for sure, would love to find him a home.  he has scabby skin, and a foot wound.  he needs to be neutered.  Captain Morgan waits here for me.  I have not seen Milly, nor her look-a-like either, in quite  few days.  The other tabbies wait patiently for me to go to the next spot a house away, where the neighbors are mounting their trash near my shelter.  Most of the others are done.

4th and Penn.  - a challenging spot, as I have had my shelters destroyed here.  SEVEN, I counted SEVEN this morning.  All scampering in different directions.  Most are done except for a red kitty with a short bobbed tail, and a tiny, short legged, diluted dark-face, dark colored calico.  From a distance, her ears look intact, long and sharp on each end. 

Penn and Second - a grey kitty usually is waiting for me here.  He is neutered.  The man who owns the house and allows me in his backyard with igloo shelter, and others, must be a kind man.  I've never met him, but he has allowed me for years to feed there.

Second - Tuffy, a white spotted kitty, and a tabby all wait here for me.  Tuffy, sitting on his throne, a wooden board placed over the entrances to two plastic tote shelters.  He seems to be a bit better, and I have stopped giving him Doxy due to his penicillin injection last week.  The others are fixed, I believe.  They keep their distance, as most do, so its somewhat hard to tell if their ears are tipped.

Central and Third - A tabby, a white kitty and a black kitty wait here for me.  The tabby and black kitty are not fixed, I do believe.  The grass here is nearly waist high.  Its an eyesore, and I hope that because of that, the house won't be targeted for a demolition.

Central and Fifth - pretty black boy, tabby, grey kitty, black with white striped nose - all waiting each morning.  The black with white nose, a second tabby, and the grey kitty all need fixing here.

Seventh - the black kitty that I've been feeding here since last year is slowly dwindling.  he is rail thin, and losing his hair.  I must get him seen.  I need funds to do this.  I was giving him Doxy each day, but I ran out of it.  Must get more.  Otherwise, I continue to feed fixed Baby Mama, and two other kitties here, one is a muted calico, and a pretty tabby with a stripe down its nose.

So, as you can see, I feed a lot of kitties out there, and there are a lot of kitties that need spay and neuter, AND adopting, so please, if you can open your heart and home, think about fostering!  I am trying to do it, one kitty at a time!

Finally, I wanted to share a few pictures of some of the rescues I've done over the years.  These are the happy endings.  As you can see, they are grateful that they were rescued, and off the streets.  Even some babies are grateful.

Sweetie Pie

Stanley

Sonny

Stephy and JuJu

Teenie

Teenie's babies

Taffy

Taffy's babies

Tabitha

Tabithas babies

Thanks for listening, and have a great day!

WARNING: LONG POST!

There was some debate on my comment on Monday about Tuffy being euthanized if he tested positive for Leukemia last Friday.  I may have worded it wrong, I wasn't looking for an excuse to have him euthanized, it was only if he tested positive.

I stand firm on my belief that cats should not be re-released back onto the streets if tested positive for that.  I had every reason to test Tuffy due to all the injuries I've seen him with for over the five years I've been feeding and trying to shelter this big semi-feral tomcat.  He tested negative on Friday, but even SOME veterinarians are of the firm belief that cats diagnosed with feline leukemia should be euthanized instead of being released back into the community due to the risk of infecting other cats, IF there are is no other place to bring them. The disease is easily transmitted to other cats through licking and grooming, and the cat's life expectancy is anywhere from six months to two years once diagnosed.  Cats with the feline leukemia virus face a tough struggle.  When dying of this disease, it is a long, slow, and painful death.  I've seen it with my second positive kitty Homey, who I rescued from the street when he was about two years old.  What heartbreak it was to watch him slowly fade, and I know he suffered, and he was an indoor kitty once rescued!  My first positive kitty was barely five months old when she was tested.

I know there are all sorts of facts, and statistics, and very good ones that people ought to know, stating the following:

Retests are important with FeLV. The test that is performed at the vet’s office is called the ELISA test. This test checks for the presence of a protein component of the virus as it circulates in the bloodstream. (vet.cornell.edu) Since it is possible for the cat to produce an immune response that sheds the virus, another ELISA test should be done a few weeks later. There is also a second test called the IFA test which is sent out to a diagnostic laboratory. This test can be used to confirm the cat’s FeLV status.

40% of the cats exposed to FeLV will successfully shed the virus from their systems. (greenbriervet.com) This occurrence is more common with an adult cat, then it is for a kitten. If the virus is not shed, there are two other outcomes. 30% of the time, the cat will become persistently infected. In this case, both the ELISA test and IFA test will be positive for feline leukemia and remain positive for the cat’s whole life. Cats that are infected will typically remain healthy two to three years after exposure and then eventually succumb to a FeLV-related disease such as lymphoma, leukemia, or an untreatable infection. 15% of FeLV+ cats do, however, make it past the four year mark.

And this:

FeLV+ cats should always be kept indoors for their own safety and for the safety of any strays that may wander onto your property. Due to their weakened immune system, it is important to treat an infection in a FeLV+ cat immediately with antibiotics. Eye and gum diseases can be especially common and should be watched for. An immune booster such as interferon is sometimes given which can help protect against the growth of tumors. In a controlled research study (Weiss et al. 1991) found that feline leukemia positive cats that were given interferon had a 75 percent reduction in symptoms. (aboutcatsonline.com)

And in all fairness, here are reasons why some folks feel these positive cats SHOULD be re-released:  

Neighborhood Cats opposes euthanizing any feral cat simply because he or she tests positive for FIV (feline immuno-deficiency virus) or FeLV (feline leukemia virus).  If the cat shows no active signs of ill health, we believe he should be released back into his colony regardless of the test results.  Because this is our policy, we don't test in the first place unless the cat does show signs of ill health and our veterinarian believes test results would be useful in diagnosis and treatment, or unless the cat is a candidate for adoption. 

The reasons for these policies include the following:

1. First and foremost, we don't euthanize positive, asymptomatic cats because we believe they have as much of a right to live as any being.  Euthanasia is defined as the mercy killing of a suffering being, not imposed death for purposes of convenience or concern about possible future consequences. Too often, when it comes to feral cats and other animals, euthanasia is resorted to as a solution to whatever may be the problem - no place to house them, too expensive to treat, etc.  In our view, such actions demonstrate a lack of respect for life and ultimately cause damage to us all. When euthanasia is eliminated as an alternative, other solutions are found.
    
2. Initial test results are not always reliable, but with ferals, life or death decisions are often made based only on the first test.  Reliability issues differ depending on whether  FIV or FeLV is in question and what kind of test is being used.
   
   For FIV, most veterinarians use the ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay) test, which detects whether FIV antibodies are present in the blood - not whether the virus itself is present.  As a result, the test is completely unreliable for cats under six months of age who may have received FIV antibodies from their nursing mother, but may never have been exposed to the actual virus.  For adult cats, because of the recent introduction of the FIV vaccine, there is now the possibility a positive test result means a cat has been vaccinated, not infected.
   
   For FeLV, again the ELISA test is almost always the initial test used.  In contrast to FIV, the FeLV ELISA does not detect antibodies, but whether the antigen of the virus is present in the blood.  In other words, a positive test result indicates the presence of the actual FeLV virus in the blood.  But, the test is extremely sensitive and is prone to false positives from improper handling.  In addition, a cat in the early stages of FeLV infection can still fight it off.  The disease does not take permanent hold until it enters the cat's white blood cells, which only another type of test, the IFA test (Immunofluoresence Assay, also known as the Hardy test) can determine.  The IFA test must be performed at a lab and is more expensive.  Consequently, if a cat appears otherwise healthy, a positive ELISA test should always be confirmed with an IFA test.  Only if other severe pathological symptoms of FeLV are present should an initial positive ELISA ever be relied upon alone.
   
   Given these facts, the practice of killing cats based on a one-time test inevitably leads to the death of animals who were never infected in the first place or who would have successfully fought the infection off given enough time.
    
3. FIV positive cats have been known to often live long lives and may never get sick.  The mortality rate is higher for FeLV positive cats, who usually contract the disease as kittens.  A study showed most die by the age of two to three years old (33% at 6 months, 63% at 2 years, 83% at 3.5 years.)  Still, while they are alive, they can live symptom free if properly fed and sheltered.
    
4. Euthanizing positives is ineffective colony management. Removing a positive cat from a colony does not eliminate the risk of infection to other cats, who have likely already been exposed to the virus, anyway.
    
5. The primary cause of infection relates more to proper colony management than to a particular positive cat or cats. In our experience, colonies with lots of sick cats are ones that are poorly managed - poor nutrition, inadequate shelter and/or unneutered animals. These conditions lead to weakened immune systems and susceptibility to disease.  Indeed, some veterinarians believe it is rare for a healthy adult cat to ever catch FeLV.  The best way to prevent the spread of disease is thus not by killing individual cats, but by improving the quality of food, making sure the cats have warm, dry shelter in winter and getting them neutered.
   
   Neutering helps for a couple of reasons. The primary means of transmission of FIV is deep bite wounds and neutered cats tend not to fight.  FIV can also be transmitted by an infected mother to her kittens if she was exposed to the virus during gestation or while lactating.  On rare occasion, FIV can also be passed on to females through infected semen.  Neutering eliminates both kittens and sexual intercourse and removes these means of transmission, too.  With respect to FeLV, kittens are the ones most susceptible to infection due to their undeveloped immune systems.  Neutering, again by ending the birth of new kittens, eliminates this possibility.
    
6. Testing is a waste of resources. The literature shows the prevalence of FIV and FeLV positive test results in the feral population is low - and the same as in the domestic population (about 4 percent for FeLV, 2 percent for FIV.) So to identify six positive test results means paying for the testing of 100 cats. Even at a low cost of $12 per cat, that adds up to $1200 or $200 per positive cat. And even then, it doesn't mean the six positive cats actually have the disease, will ever get sick, or will ever transmit it. At a time when there is a crisis in feral cat overpopulation, the money should go towards neutering and proper colony management, not a dubious investment in testing.
    
7. It isn't true that you are responsible for all the cats that die if you release a positive. This is the "guilt trip" which is the primary argument of those who still favor testing and euthanizing if a feral cat tests positive. First of all, we have knowingly released FIV and FeLV positive cats and have yet to see a colony wiped out or any empirical evidence to support the "guilt trip" theory. As mentioned, a well-fed, well-managed colony is going to have strong immune systems and a natural resistance to the viruses.But even assuming the released cat does transmit the virus and another cat does get sick, this is not your responsibility. TNR does not mean creating a world without risk for feral cats - it's about improving the situation, not about making it perfect. The disease was present before you came along. By getting the cats neutered and implementing a managed colony, you've vastly improved the quality of the cats' lives and no one should criticize your decision to let the animal return to his family and not euthanize him because of a test result.

This is all fair and good, but I see way too much out there, and I don't believe these cats are happy.  I've seen so many disappear, so many hit by cars, so many sick cats out there.  I try to pill them as best I can with medicine that might help them, but its heartbreaking to watch.  One I am pilling is losing his hair, his ears torn, weight loss, he's a biter and a scratcher, and I am torn.  Its like watching your spouse, or mother, lay there on a ventilator, when you know their wishes would not be that.  What do you do?  You can pull the plug on me if that is the case.

Its not easy doing what I do, AND trying to get them sterilized, and returning them back to the streets, and making decisions like that, and all of it!   Its not a normal practice for me to have cats that I am TNR'g leukemia tested.  Tuffy was a special boy because of all the injuries I've seen with him.  We humans have a moral and ethical obligation to their and their neighbors' cats to prevent the spread of FIV.  There will always be a cat that I feel would be better off in heaven, than to suffer alone on the street.  Always.

I love cats, and all animals, more than anything, sometimes more than humans, besides my Mom, step-kids, and step-grandkids (OK, nieces too!) (OK, and my friends too!).  Just THINKING about hurting an animal, or an animal hurting brings tears to my eyes!  We all have our opinions and I respect each and every one of yours, but you don't have to respect mine.  Ths world would be a dull place if we all agreed.  Or would it be harmonious?

Thanks for listening, and giving your opinion!

The question is not, "Can they reason?" nor, "Can they talk?"

but rather, "Can they suffer?" ~Jeremy Bentham