TGIT!

 I am back.  Even before I nearly sliced off the tip of my right index finger at Easter cutting potatoes for au gratin, I've been too busy to write, nor was I inclined to write a post.  I can't type now because of the growth of this new skin.  I couldn't even unlock my phone, my print had changed!  Sometimes, this 'mission' of saving and feeding cats gets to me.  I'm getting older.  I still love early mornings hearing the birds singing and watching the sun rise; the feeling I get when I am done and driving home is good too.  You know you've helped feed some pretty hungry cats with no one else to feed them.  Yet, despite the sadness starting out in the morning, I still do it.  I feel like I am a warrior fighting the good fight.  Especially when you have two spots where someone picks up the plates and water dish daily.  I just don't get the point of it.  Its just evil.

I have rescued a lot of cats lately, and found them homes!  This little one -- someone called me on Sunday and said they found a kitten after the mother ran away from it (the woman's dog went after the mother), and she said, 'I tried to call local rescues, but no one would answer my calls.'  I told her I would take it if she could find a way to bring it over.  So here comes this kitten, not even three weeks old.  I immediately started the bottle feeding.  Ugh.  And yes, a mother cat is still out there, most likely nursing its siblings.  A rescue told me they would try for the mom and kittens and have never gotten back to me.  In the meantime 'Ralphie' has had 'diarrhea' the past two days. After I have to 'stimulate' Ralphie to pee, out comes this loose stuff - totally gross, to say the least!  I didn't think young kittens could do that, especially being on the bottle! So he was brought to Pittsford Animal Hospital, and $200+ later, I hope he'll get better.  He's as cute as a button but should have been with the mom.  Here is Ralphie:

I picked up a dead cat this morning at my Ferndale shelter.  It was a cat I've never seen before, a dilute tortie.  Rigor had set in.  It had half its body hanging out of the shelter, half in.  The girl that helped me this morning has never seen a dead cat, so it was traumatic for her.  I felt so bad for her.  And the cat, but I see dead cats all the time and it doesn't phase me much anymore.  It all goes back to spaying and neutering.  And let me tell you, I don't care what stage a cat is in pregnancy, it's criminal to bring more cats into this world.  I had a very pregnant cat I rescued, Lucy, and she was full term, but we got her in quickly, and she is one happy little thing now.  I need to get her from where she is right now into a closer foster because she is beautiful.  The elder woman who has her has a flip phone and it doesn't get very good pics.  I've GOT to post her.  She is a silver-speckled cat if you've ever seen that.

We also have rescued Velvet (adopted this weekend), Smokey, still waiting for a home; Bear, who is in his new home; the four little black kittens from Weicher Street: Fluffy, Frederika, (OMG I can't remember the other two names!) ____ _____ have all gone to their new homes.

We rescued Callie from Short Street after we discovered she had babies in the shelter that night.  Thanks very much to all involved.  Especially Roc the Dogs, Lori and Carol Ann.  BIG thanks to them.

I am very appreciative of everyone that donated toward my Facebook birthday fundraiser/  I am still waiting on the money. Still, in the meantime, it will go towards feeding these cats.  Remember, I go out 4 days a week (every other day).  I use FIVE 16-lb bags of dry food and 30 cans of wet food.  Dry food is up to 15.98 per bag, and a case of wet food is $20 something.  Do the math.  I spend at least $300 per week on food.  I don't know how long this will last.

And let's not forget Pearl, still waiting for her forever home!

Have a great day!