Taco Tuesday!!!

Be sure to click on pics to zoom in.

For the past ...  three mornings, I've found a black bird - dead - inside this shelter on Webster and Ferndale.  I keep tossing the bird, and it keeps showing up.  I am wondering if someone is playing a game, is it voodoo, or do cats really do this.  (and no, Mary Leigh is history right now, thank God.  I don't believe its her doing).

Dead Bird on Webster and Ferndale

Below.  The latest and greatest picture of our little girl Chewy, who is still very shy.  Chewy was a kitty that cried and cried each time I pulled up to the mailbox on Central and Second to place food under the box for her and another kitty to eat.  She was skittish, never let me touch her, but toward the end of fall would get closer and closer to me.  Trust.  Then, she disappeared for months, only to reappear during that very cold snap just before the storm that dumped close to 1.5 feet of snow.  She was emaciated.  I don't know where she went, but I am very glad I was able to grab her, rescue her, and find her a foster to take her in and fatten her up.  Now to get her more socialized.

CHEWY!~

So the woman and son that adopted Muffin has a dog - a pitbull named Jade that she has had since Jade was a tiny baby.  Yes, but this time it will be different!  Here is what she has to say:

"Just wanted to give you an update this morning. I talked to Jade’s vet last night and she said to keep doing what we are doing, redirect her when she’s barking and give her treats so she associates him with good things, have them keep meeting in controlled spaces, and give them time because they’re both anxious and scared it could take up to two weeks.  They also gave me the name of a trainer they use who will come out to the house and work with both of them. So if they are still struggling or haven’t made any progress after two weeks I’ll get in touch with the trainer. 

Last night he was running all over Tyler’s room, he particularly liked looking at himself in the mirror. Ty didn’t try and pet him, he’s just letting him get used to him. This morning I went in and he was PLAYING with me! I haven’t seen him play before so this was very exciting! 

Tonight, he goes back in the kennel in the living room for a bit.  Have a great day! Karlee"

Thank you Karlee for this update, and for the extra effort you are making to ensure a good transition when introducing a feline member to a canine member.

Muffin in Kennel in Back, Jade in Forefront

OK, I think I am obsessed with Taco, the little guy rescued from Lyell Avenue in the spring last year and brought to me to be bottle fed, where it turned out the momma cat I rescued, Destiny, whose babies all died soon after birth, wound up nursing him until he was a big and strong little boy!

I am OBSESSED!  It was exacerbated by the latest picture Taco's dads provided me with, what he looks like now!  You can click on each picture to zoom in a bit...

Taco and TIGGY!

BAYLEE and Taco

Taco and CHASE

Taco Today!

Have a nice day!

💓Start each day with a grateful heart!💓

Holy Moly!

What a weekend!  Good gravy!  I don't even know where to begin.  

So as luck would have it, and boy was it luck, I now have a new cat mobile.  All that stress and worry about finding something to replace the Jeep that was on its last leg last Monday has lifted.   Out of the goodness of his heart, Jim Moran, a kind and wonderful man I had the good fortune of meeting a few years back, donated his good, used vehicle for a very small dollar amount.  I’m still pinching myself to realize it’s all real.   His generosity allows me to COMFORTABLY continue to do what I do on a daily basis – EVEN WHEN I’M SICK.  L  To go out to 19 different locations in Rochester at 3:45 am. every single day and feed over 100 cats.  My body aches a little more every year, as I’ve been doing this for over 20 years now, and having a reliable vehicle means EVERYTHING to me.   I don’t think I will ever be able to thank someone with a heart so generous, but I will never stop trying.  Jim has a beloved cat named Baroness VonHurstbourne, and a love of Scrabble.  He is always looking for a worthy opponent, so anyone game, let me know!  Thank you Jim for your extreme kindness. 

Another act of kindness is by Walt Simoni.  Walt is always there to lend me a hand, and when he heard about the cat mobile, he began a quest to help finance one for me.  He enlisted a friend’s help and started a Go Fund Me page, and the following is a link to that.  As the new vehicle will not need financing, I don’t need funds for that, but can always use help with gas due to driving around every day for an hour and half, and of course transportation when getting cats spayed, neutered, and adopted.  So thank you Walt, for your generosity and thoughtfulness. 

https://www.gofundme.com/reliable-catmobile-for-janine

There are SO many kind and generous people I’ve met on this journey.  Now, if someone could just start a fund for cloning me so that I can sleep in some morning, that would be wonderful!

Tomorrow:  updates on Muffin, Hermie, Parsley and Chewy!  Also, a story about a woman I met on the streets Thursday morning – and another on Friday!  Busy out there these days!  And the repo woman this morning!  So much happening!

Have a great day!

"Do things for people

not because of who

they are or what

they do in return, 

but because

of who you are."

Back in the Saddle Again

Well, for all my bragging about never being sick, I got sick.  I hadn't been sick in well over five years, so I thought I was invincible, and did my share of bragging about it, even offering advice on vitamins that I take to those that had been sick.  

But, I still went out to feed the cats at 4 am.  I am not saying that to brag.  I'm saying that because I have no back up and I am not going to allow any cat to go a day not eating, not on my watch.  I literally had to drag myself out to the car - thank God for Kings - he did most of the stops - half arsed - hahhahaha, while I stayed behind the wheel.   I barked orders as to how many dishes there were to fill, make sure to fill the water, etc.  He does not know my stops, but again, I am thankful I had someone to bend down and pour at each of the 19 locations.

This morning was tough.  I felt better, after having slept most of the day, but getting in and out of the car was brutal.  Its low to the ground, so I  have to swing my legs over to steady them, and then lift myself, which is not an easy feat, when you are also lugging a 2 gallon bag of dry food, a large bucket of wet food, and a five gallon container of water.  So speaking of vehicles, I will be saying goodbye to my sweet Jeepster, when I remove the plates, and empty the last of the contents of 12 years’ worth of travels.  I also am in the midst of getting another vehicle, a friend has offered me his vehicle for cheap, and BOY am I grateful for this!  This would have been a major, tough ordeal for me had this not fallen into my lap.  I am also grateful to Walt Simoni who has offered to start a Go Fund Me page to help pay, and care for the vehicle.  I am grateful to many of you that have offered advice on what to do with my Jeep, and others that have suggested where I might start looking at affordable choices in new vehicles.  Its all about – is this new vehicle going to be able to hold ALL the STUFF I have to go out with every day.  The one I am hoping to get seems to fit the bill.   I hope.  I am going to test drive it and look at it this afternoon.

Other than that, Muffin has been a guest in my bedroom since Monday.  He’s a scared little thing, but comes running towards me when I go in the room.  He loves to play.  He gets lonely, so I let a cat or two in with him to spend time.  He gets along with others, I had five cats in there with him this morning all sniffing around, and he does fine – he has a family coming to meet him on Saturday, fingers crossed.

We also have Chewy, Parsley and Hermie to think about. 

Not to mention all the others out there that need homes.  Please consider fostering or adoption.  Here is a great article on fostering, in case any of you wonder what it would be like.

Becoming a foster provider to homeless cats or kittens can be rewarding and fulfilling, and may offer an ideal situation for families who are unwilling or unable to make a long-term commitment to a pet cat.

Many cat rescue groups see finding cat foster homes is a vital part of their work. Sometimes these groups, which rescue cats and kittens from high-kill shelters, don’t actually own facilities or shelters. The foster homes become an important stepping stone from the time the cat or kittens are rescued until they can be permanently placed for adoption.

Before you decide to become a foster provider, it’s a good idea to assess your situation and decide if fostering a cat is really right for you. If you have young children or dogs, or if you work long hours, you may not be able to provide a suitable home for some cats, and fostering a kitten may be nearly impossible. It helps if the whole family is committed to fostering, because each cat might be with you for several months. If you already have a cat, you should make sure its vaccinations are up to date, to guard against exposing it to infectious diseases. It may also be wise to quarantine incoming foster pets until their health can be adequately assessed and they can be tested for infectious diseases like feline leukemia.

Keep in mind that the cats coming to you may have been abandoned by previous owners or may have spent several weeks caged at a shelter. They may be frightened, stressed, or poorly nourished, and will need love and attention to help them become socialized. Some may need to be retrained in using a litter pan or may need to be coaxed to eat. You may also be called upon to administer medicine to a cat with a health problem, or care for an older, special-needs cat with diminished eyesight or mobility.

Before you decide to become a foster provider, find out which costs you will be asked to cover. Some rescue groups work only with people who can afford to “donate” the food and kitty litter used by the foster cat, while others will give you a monthly stipend. Most groups will reimburse you for the cost of any veterinary care that is needed.

In some cases, you may be asked to foster a mother cat with a litter of very young kittens. This is not as much effort as it may seem, because for the first month of the kittens’ life, the mom will do most of the work, nursing and grooming her offspring. Kittens can generally be weaned at eight weeks and separated from their mother shortly after.

One of the greatest challenges is taking in unweaned or orphaned kittens. Not only are newborn kittens fragile and vulnerable, but they’ll be depending on you to take the place of their missing mother. For the first two weeks, before kittens even open their eyes, they are completely helpless. You’ll have to keep them very warm and feed them every two to three hours with a syringe and commercial kitten formula. Mother cats also stimulate the bodily functions of elimination in their kittens by licking the anus and urinary tract opening — you’ll have to replicate this function with a warm, wet terrycloth washcloth.

Fostering a cat comes not only with a time commitment and some amount of expense, but with the risk that you’ll become attached to your foster charges and will feel sadness or a sense of loss when it’s time to let them go. As each one is adopted out, it’s key to remember that you provided a safe haven to a homeless cat that is now going on to a safe and permanent home.

Foster Cats from JanineTheBean Rescue!

Have you ever wanted to do something truly meaningful with your life? Fostering homeless cats for JanineTheBean Rescue is an excellent way to give back to the community, feel good about yourself, and help those less fortunate than you. We need fosters in many states along the eastern seaboard. If you think that you could help, please contact us today!

Our cats come fully vetted, so there is never a concern about bringing disease into your home if you have existing animals. We cover our cats' medical expenses in the event of injury or illness. We also provide advice, support, bedding, food, and a variety of other items as needed. There's no downside to helping out our furry friends.  What are you waiting for?  Fill out our foster application today!

Please Note: JanineTheBean Rescue is a not-for-profit organization managed entirely by volunteers who are committed to providing the animals in our care the best possible alternative to their sad lives on the streets. We must act in the best interest of our animals at all times, and therefore reserve the right to select the home that best meets the current and long-term needs of each of our adoptable animals. We will perform a background check based on the information you have provided. If there are any past or pending allegations, and/or criminal charges pertaining to animal neglect or animal cruelty against you or anyone in your household, you will be immediately disqualified as a potential foster. 

Have a great day!

I am the bridge,

Between what was and what can be.

I am the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush,

Because my heart melted when I saw you,

Matted and sore, limping, depressed,

Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.

For one little time, you are mine.

I will feed you with my own hand.

I will love you with my whole heart.

I will make you whole.

I am made of steel.

Because when the time comes,

When you are well, and sleek,

When your eyes shine,

And your heart purrs with joy         

Then comes the hard part.

I will let you go - not without a tear,

But without a regret.

For you are safe forever -

A new cat needs me now.  (meow)

Muffin

Hermie is out from under the bed!  Hooray!

I received confirmation from my trustworthy mechanic -  Johnny from Sid and Johnny's on Bay Street, that the frame that rusted through on one side, MIGHT be fixable, but would probably not last, and would be difficult to meld together because the axles rest on it.  And who's to say the other side would last.  I also realized that after having just spent a total of $500 plus change the past two weeks for other things that needed fixing, I could not afford the labor this would entail.  Seriously, it’s a lot of work.  

My sweet little 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with only 116k miles on it took its last trip yesterday morning.  Its amazing that it fell apart the second I finished up the last cat spot.  This cat mobile saw a lot of cats in its day.  It was purchased 12 years ago!  Its seen a lot in its day!  It’s given many cats rides to get spayed and neutered, and many people from the streets rides to where they were staying at, at that moment.  

Before it was towed, I had to grab the necessities out of it for the next morning's route.  The necessities being obviously the water jugs used to fill at least 20 bowls, bags that would be filled with nearly 40 pounds of dry food, the empty large yogurt containers that would be filled with 50+ cans of wet food, and then the paper plates and bowls for the cats I see in between spots, and the towels I place for some who stand in the cold dirt, or a cold surface inside their shelter, and the straw used to fill up shelters that have thinned out, and the boards needed on occasion to keep the snow or rain out of an opening to an exposed shelter, or the tarps used when the existing ones blow from the wind or are stolen from mean or crazy people.  I must go back to the mechanics to completely clean it out before it gets towed, to never never land.  I still don’t know what to do with it.  I have some leads, will check those out today.  It was sad pulling up to my spot next to Sid and Johnny's – Johnny allows me to feed and shelter on the side of his garage – and seeing my little red Jeep.  Just sitting there, lifeless.  Its’ just a car, right?  Not for me!  I’m the girl that can’t throw away a can if it still has a pea left at the bottom!

But off I went in my leased sporty KIA this morning.  Boy, the problem with 'just a car' to do my cat route, is a big one.  There are many reasons why I need an SUV type vehicle.  First, its hard getting in and out of my car, 38 times? each morning.  I get out 19 times, and get back in 19 times.  It’s a very low to the ground car.  My degenerative knees can't take it.  Number two, my car is a leased car.  I have another year to go before I can trade it in.  When I do, it must be in pristine condition, as it is now.  If I go another few mornings, such as this morning, and its going to be in sad shape.  I will surely run over glass, bottles, something, to puncture the tires, but also the dirt and mud.  You can get a little rough with jeep type vehicles.  The tires are thicker, and getting it dirty is not as traumatic as getting a smaller sporty vehicle that is LEASED, dirty.   And then there is the dinging noise to buckle up.  I CAN'T buckle up when I am getting in and out a thousand times a minute!  Lord, make it stop!  

So I am on the lookout for ‘new’ cat mobile.  I have a lead.  Stay tuned.

Muffin This Morning

Muffin was brought back to my house yesterday after a short stint with a new adopter.   I was told she cried upon arrival.  It must have been hard for her, and I feel for her.  Really, I do.  I hope they find another cat that is faster adaptable to dogs, and brings them joy like Muffin was supposed to.

In the meantime, I have a potential adopter for Muffin.  Yup.  A woman and her son will be visiting from Penn Yan this Saturday to meet him. Fingers crossed this scared little boy comes around for them. 

Have a good day.

"God opens millions

of flowers without

forcing the buds, it

reminds us not to

force anything for

things happen in the

right time."

Worst Morning Ever

My worst nightmare came true.  The Jeepster aka Cat Mobile is down and out, and I am afraid cannot be fixed this time.  The frame is rusted and part of it fell right to the ground.  It shifted so much it was pushing into the tire.  This happened, thank GOD, right after I finished up my rounds and was on my way home.    And here I just spent $500 on it for two separate visits to the mechanics.  I am sort of numb.  I don't know what my next move it, but something must be done.  I was thinking, OK, I have my own car, my little leased car, but that will not hold what I need it to hold.

Not only will it not hold shelters, but traps also.  I am scheduled to TNR four cats on March 19th.  I cannot fit four traps, plus all the gear I take every morning:

1. towels
2. plates
3. three huge jugs of water
4. seven two-gallon sized bags of dry food
5. six large containers of wet food
6. bag of a dozen wet food cans
7. straw
8. carrier
9. extra shelter in case I need it
10. tarps
11. wooden boards
12. pallet
13. bricks

Yes, I bring all this with me in the morning on my rounds to feed over 100 cats spread out at 19 different locations. 

To make matters worse, crazy Lisa, who lives two houses down from where I feed and shelter cats on my first Parsells stop, has been tearing apart my shelters there.  She went on a rampage yesterday (after I leave, I have no idea when she went over there) and all the shelters were thrown about on the little porch, all the straw was removed from them, the plastic totes had the added insulation of Styrofoam removed from them, and the boards and tarp were all askew.  I think she got angry because I put her blanket she put there by the side of the road the morning before.  In her sick mind, she thinks these blankets will be of benefit to me, and I've gently placed them by the side of the road before, to somehow let her know I don't appreciate her messing around on this vacant house's porch.  So the cats that used those shelters spent a cold night under the bushes, waiting for me to arrive in the morning.

This morning, nothing was touched, but I did leave the note stating I would send the police, and call her landlord, if she continued.  Hopefully that will make her think.  

I visited Parsley and Hermie yesterday, who are both still frightened and hiding under the foster's bed in the spare bedroom she has them in.   I brought over a string to play and some cat nip, but they wanted nothing to do with it.  I will keep trying.  I wish she lived closer, I would swing by there every day to get them to trust me.  But that would be intrusive on their lives so I will hold off on that idea.  :)

Muffin is to be returned to me today.  I wish it had worked out.  In the meantime, I do have someone interested, who also has a dog, but this time, Muffin must be introduced to a dog very carefully, and very slowly.  Its not that the adopter didn't do well, but I think it just wasn't done well enough.   But still good people.  But poor Muffin.  Its the cats that suffer when returned.

Chewy is still shy - is gaining weight slowly, and still at her foster mom's in Caledonia.  Simon - aka Marti, whom her foster mom adopted after her first time at being a foster, still has not been seen.  I am sick to my stomach over him since he got out of the house 3-4 weeks ago.  Sick.

I have not seen Big Red #2 in a few days.  I know he is OK, he is a tough survivor, but I worry about him still.

I need heavy dinner plates.  I know I have received some in the past, but I seem to need more and more.  Remember, I have probably three plates at each location I go to.  If anyone is getting rid of their old plates, I can use them.  Please do not buy them for me.  

Lets get these guys adopted so that I can rescue more!

Barefoot and Pregnant

I was driving on a two lane road in to work this morning and a large yellow school bus was beside me.  Earlier, I had woken to the disturbing news on television about the school massacre in Florida that happened yesterday, Valentines Day, and Ash Wednesday.  As I was next to the bus, I looked over and up to see a young man sitting in his seat, gazing out the window.  In front and behind him were kids probably ranging from 12-13 years old, to 16-17 years old.   Some were talking, others were gazing out the window like the young man I noticed first.  I thought to myself, what must be going through their minds…  are they frightened half to death thinking that the same thing could happen to them at their school like what happened yesterday?  And all the school shootings before that?  I sometimes daydream myself at work, as I sit in the front where people come in, that anyone could come in and start shooting.  There are so many deranged people out there.  We must stop this cycle.  I know people are born with mental illness, but I also know more deranged people are they way they are because of their upbringing.   Domestic violence, child abuse, we must stop it because its creating monsters.  Massacres don’t happen just in schools, but I wouldn’t want to be a child, or a parent of a child in this day and age, or a teacher for that matter, with a worry like this looming in the back of my mind.  Just sad.  I had tears rolling down my cheeks at 2 am.  Say a prayer for these people, and all those that have witnessed something like this in their lifetime.  We can never feel too safe, its sad to say.

As far as the kitties out there, Big Red is still not trusting me enough to come near me these days.  I think he knows what I’ve been planning to do.  To rescue him.  His time is coming.  Maybe he’s psychic.  And when it does happen, I hope he accepts his fate and feels gratitude, whatever kind of gratitude a cat can feel.  I pray this wonderful woman who offered to take him hangs tight long enough for it to happen. 

I had great news from foster mom to Parsley and Hermie last evening.  She reports:  “Big progress!  Parsley was on the bed.  Game him lots of pets.  He purred and leaned in to the pets.  Hermie came out from under the bed a bit for treats.  Both are eating canned food for first time since they’ve been here.  Doing much better!”  Hurray!  J

Pregnant Cat

I received a call from an elderly man yesterday who took in a pregnant stray cat in his neighborhood.  He asked for help, needs to find another place for kitty.  The man stated he can’t even care for the eight cats he has and needs to start finding them homes.  He begged me to help him find a home for the pregnant cat.  Can anyone foster?  I pray someone steps up and helps him.  I offered to take kitty and have spayed before the kittens are born.  He didn’t like the idea.  I couldn’t change his mind about this being a better thing for all involved.  That there are just too many cats out there, and too hard to find them all homes.  Please let me know if you will consider it and I will contact him.

Have a great day everyone.  Stay safe.

V-Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

I was out this morning visiting all my little furry valentines, giving them their one meal for the day, some have three meals because for some reason, some of these cats do NOT LIKE Nine Lives Cat Food!  Not even some of the raccoons that pay a visit.  

Parsley and Hermie went to vet yesterday, nothing more to report from when I did yesterday, but from what foster mom says, the visit set them back again.  Both hiding under the bed.  I must find them  a different situation where they can’t hide, and can be more socialized.  Ideally, it would be a retired person that can spend time with them.  AND not be moved again.  Foster mom and her family have busy lives.  I can’t imagine what the cats must think, the fear they must be in.  I mean, two years was a long time for them to be in one spot, and then have to be moved from there.  

That's really all I have for you today except for an update on Charlie, from his new mom:

"He is having a ball!  That whole basket of cat toys is all over the house.  Looks like an explosion.  He slept right next to me all night.  He has played on the cat tree and has been up on the stand looking out the window.  He is a hoot!  I love him so much.  Trying to get a good pic of that tail to post.  Best looking butt I’ve seen in a long time!  And he sure loves catnip!"

Thank you Joanne, and thank you to all the wonderful adopters!  

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I want you to feed me

And scoop up my poo.

Wally & Alex

Parsley and Hermie are at the vet as we speak.  They will undergo a thorough examination, and Parsley will hopefully get some relief having these very serious matted knots on his back removed.  Just getting updates now.  Parsley’s nails were really bad.  A couple of them had grown around his pads.  That poor cat.  I am sickened.  I believe this man should never own another animal again if he cannot properly care for them.  I am constantly touching, checking my cats feet, its just something you do.  Parsley is a loving cat so its not like you could never hold him.   GRRR.  Poor baby boy.

Some of Parsley's mats on his back, shaved, and a claw?

His foster mom sent me a message last night:  Good news!  Parsley was laying on bed, let me pet him and he purred!  So progress.  Slowly but surely, we will see their true personalities and find them a loving, caring home environment to live out their lives in.

WALLY

Back in September of 2014, I rescued a cat from the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Second Street.  If you will recall, in the recent previous years, I was kicked off the porch of that house numerous times – shelters trashed.  I rescued a gazillion cats from here, but one in particular was Purrcy.  Purrcy was an all grey cat and sweeter than honey.  I had been feeding him for months, and this was his home.  An acquaintance reached out to me around that time to say she house cleaned for an older man who had just lost his cat and wanted to know if I had an older cat for him.  Purrcy!  I had wanted to rescue him but didn’t have any place for him, I had TNR’d him prior to that.  So, Purrcy was rescued, and brought over to this man’s house where he lived a very nice, quiet life until his dad passed just last week.  I was so sad to learn this.  Alex was 91 years old, and Wally became the love of his life after he adopted him.  Alex, in the past two months, had to move into a home after experiencing an illness that prevented him from living in his home any longer, and Wally went to live with Alex’s great nephew.  By the way, Alex renamed Purccy Wally #2.  Wally #1 was his first cat that had passed.   My friend Val and I went over at least once a month to clip Wally’s nails – Alex’s skin was paper thin due to his age, and Wally’s nails would clip him when playing.

PURRCY aka WALLY

I went to Alex’s wake this past Sunday.  Its odd, but Val and I had planned on visiting Alex on Saturday, this past Saturday, but learning of his death reading the obis last week, I knew I was too late.  I felt sad I never saw Alex again.  Alex kind of had a little crush on me, when I went there his eyes would light up – you could just tell he was enamored.  He especially liked the hugs I gave him!  HA!  At his wake, I met his nephew and his wife.  I have to say, Wally is well loved where he is.  I’ve never seen so many pictures of a cat.  He pulled his cell phone out and you would have thought he was showing pictures of his child.  They have a Labrador and he and Wally are besties now.

I’m so relieved.  So, something good came out of something sad.

Have a great day!

"If you see a stray,

provide shelter.

if you see neglect,

condemn it.

if you see abuse,

stand up and do something."

Next!

Hurdle that is.  I managed to get through one this weekend.

Hermie and Parsley.

What a very sad situation.  They were picked up in carriers at this man's house, the man who has had them for nearly two years now, and driven to a temporary foster situation.  When I carried them inside, one carrier was heavier than the other.  Much heavier.  It was Parsley.  No weight problem there.  Hermie felt as light as he always did.  Now mind you, I have not seen either cat in nearly two years.  When I dropped them off, both at different times, I believe Hermie was first in the month of March, and Parsley was next, in the month of May. they were both in good condition.  Hermie had his surgery having the hernia removed, and both were spayed, given their shots, and were good to go.  Hermie was frightened of new situations, and always will be, but Parsley was coming around, a sweetie actually.  They both knew me, so it was hard to relinquish them to a stranger.  But I received updates for a few months, and then it stopped, until recently when the guy reached asking for their papers, and then telling me he was having financial difficulties, had to move in with friend, couldn't take the cats, and was trying to find a shelter that wouldn't 'kill them.' 

I had no choice but to panic, and start looking.  Thanks to a few of you that did offer to take them on a temporary basis.   Thanks to Joy who just said 'bring em over.'  'I have a bedroom they can stay in.'  So I did.  We opened the carrier doors and they did not bolt, in fact, as of yesterday morning, Sunday, they hadn't moved from their carriers nor used the litter box nor had they eaten.  now, when I was there on Saturday to open their carrier doors and to greet them, I reached in to pet both, and when I reached in to pet Parsley, I could see very large mats on his very short fur on his back.  So tight I am positive its hurting him immensely.  And I have a feeling he's got teeth issues due to a foul odor coming from his carrier.  I did not attempt to pick them up, they were terrified as it was, and I didn't want to disturb them, I knew they would come out on their own.

I will be calling the vet first thing this a.m. to get them both in to be checked.

I would call this neglect.  I am fairly positive it wasn't intentional, but this man probably did not have the money to bring them to the vet, nor the know-how to brush Parsley when the matting first occurred.

I am glad I got them out of that situation, but now I must find them a permanent spot for them to reside where they don't have to be moved any time too soon.  They must start to feel trust and safe again.

Stay tuned for more on this situation.

It's been a very hard winter so far - and its taking a toll on me.  My body aches.  Its from the shoveling, and after shoveling the shelters out, trudging through the snow.  It has snowed nearly every day since Thursday of last week when we received at least six inches, and then another the next day.  It takes its toll, really it does.  I haven't taken a day off since June 2016 when I went away for a long weekend.

MUFFIN

My next hurdle is this week.  Muffin is being returned by his adopter.   They state he is just not happy there.  Many many thanks to Melissa for taking him back to foster.  He is a sweetheart.  I rescued Muffin from Parsells Avenue when he was about 7 months old, and Melissa had him to socialize before adoption.  He was born on the streets so he was quite taken aback when he was rescued, going from survival mode, to adapting to being in a loving home.  He is now about a year or so old, and ready to rummmmmmmmmmmmble!!!!!  

Have a nice day.

"People may

not always tell

you how they feel

about you, but

they will always

show you.  Pay

attention."

TGIF!

I had an anonymous comment  in yesterday's post remarking on how I could leave Big Red where he is when I have someone willing to take him.  My response to you is that you don't walk in my shoes everyday, nor know my life and whats on my plate.  I am not saying that out of anger or meanness.  Its funny, I was going to add to yesterday's post that other rescues/people might do things differently (because I just KNEW that someone would be thinking the same thing you wrote), but I have to do what I can handle myself, personally.

What I say to you is, maybe offer to come with me some morning, and bring a carrier, I will get Red, and you can bring him home, keep him in a place where he will be comfortable until you can get him into a vet appointment, or walk in clinic for deworming, defleaing, and up to date on his shots.  And then figure out when you can, out of a two day weekend, bring him to his new place and get him settled.  Never mind all the other stuff going on for you that weekend.  I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but you are right it doesn't sound right, to you.  I think if you put yourself in my shoes, you would understand.  :)  You cannot imagine how many cats come right up to me, that I trip over when I walk back to the shelter where I feed them at.  I have enough guilt.  There is a lot more behind the scenes than you can imagine.  I just don't put it all out there.  Its too boring.  But its enough to keep me from rescuing MANY cats.

I had the pleasure of having my neighbors, Taco's dads, ride with me this morning.  They were a great help, and riding with me surely opened their eyes to whats going on in the dark in these depressed neighborhoods I feed and shelter cats in.  Where most people drive through during the daylight hours and don't see what comes out at 4 am. in the dark.  There are so many cats.  I do what I can do for the ones I can.

TACO!

Thanks Noel and Brandon!  :)

Chewy needs a forever home

This weekend I take possession of Parsley and Hermie, and Charlie is going to a home for a 'try out'.  A kind woman reached out to me who misses the company of a cat after three of hers passed away, and she wants to try Charlie out.  The perfect setting it sounds like.  So off he goes on Saturday before I have to pick up Parsley and Hermie.  Another Saturday for me that's about cats, and not me, but hey, who's complaining.  (me.).   The family that had adopted Muffin are also going to be returning him this week, and thanks to Melissa for taking him back to foster.  Its so imperative that slow introductions between dogs and cats is followed.   But it CAN be done!  This family was just very concerned about him being unhappy and miserable after close to two months in their home.   So,  Muffin is back on the market.

MUFFIN

Its a lot on my plate.  I feel so overwhelmed sometimes.  Thanks to all of you for your support and kind words, and deeds.  The drop off of food, plates, batteries, hand warmers, towels, bowls, its so appreciated.

I do still need straw. Anyone know where I can get some straw?  A bale was picked up for me, and turned out that it was wet.  I needed some so bad on Short Street this a.m.  Big Red and the others, there is nothing for them to nest in.  I just need to know of a place locally I can easily grab a bag or two.  I don't need an entire bale.  Have no room for an entire bale.

That's it.  I finally get my car back from the collision shop today.  They've had it since Monday!  GRRRRR.

Have a great day!

I love this quote - it makes me happy!:

"Be happy

not because 

everything

is good.  But

because you

can see the

good side of

everything."