If I Had My Life to Live Over...

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.


I would have talked less and listened more.


I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.


I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.


I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.


I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.


I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.


I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.


I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.


Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.


When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”


There would have been more “I love you’s.” More “I’m sorry’s.”


But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it… live it… and never give it back.


Stop sweating the small stuff. Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.


Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who DO love us.


Let’s think about what God HAS blessed us with.


And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually.


Life is too short to let it pass you by.


We only have one shot at this and then it’s gone.


I hope you all have a blessed day.


Erma Bombeck


Thats it for me today.  I am totally uninspired to write my owns stuff, and will hopefully get back on track by tomorrow!  J

 

Howard

Cosmo

SCOOTER

OK, I will admit it.  I am a closet Howard Stern fan.  But let me explain.  On my seven minute ride to work, I listen to him on my satellite radio.  50% of what he does and says on his show is disgusting.  Some of that bothers me.  But I get through it during those seven minutes if thats all there is.  In between, he has some pretty awesome interviews with very interesting people.  Especially rock and roll icons from time to time.  And you have to admit it, Howard Stern is a very smart man.  And funny.  And interesting.  But what I love the most about him is that he is married to a model named Beth.  She is a huge advocate for North Shore Animal League.   This leads me into a topic which I was thinking about this morning.  I do believe that each city/town has a responsibility to help its animals with TNR programs like the one I was allowed to participate in, funded by a generous group of people other than Lollipop.  Of course they (docs, workers) put in their time, but they got paid for it also.   The government should set aside an amount of money just for animals to be spayed and neutered, and we wouldn't have the situation we have in every town and city across America. 


I went out this morning and observed oh so many still unneutered babies in the section of town that I feed at.  I also noticed that there are less at each spot.  I don't know where they've gone.  Here are stats:  in the past six months, 30+ (at least 10 on my own prior to the Lollipop project) cats have been trapped, neutered and returned (well, most) - I took 13 pregnant cats off the street, some were released, some were adopted, some had babies, some were aborted, two went to a barn.  Many kitties I found homes for:  Timmy, Rufus, Laura, Whitey, Emma, Snowflake, Abby, Cutie Pie, Midnight, Buddy, Buster, Buster 2 (since passed), Gumdrop (since passed), Prince Harry, Biffer, Gracie, Dexter, Mike... - just to name a few!


I am proud of the job I've done in the hood.  I speak to people that live there whenever I get the chance about what I am doing in their (own) neighborhood, and what a good thing it is.  Many times I have trouble understanding them, and vice versa because some are from other countries and we dont' understand each other's language.  But most have seen me do what I do every day and I am sure they are happy to see less cats around. 


Back to Howard Stern, his wife Beth has done a lot for this group she is involved in, and I think about the wealth in this country, and how the Kardashians can have a show about nothing, and make millions of dollars.  If they, or someone in their position could take a tenth of what they make and help out shelters, and groups to go out and spay neuter and return, what a difference it would make in this country.  If media could promote spay neuter return more often in every form of advertising, it would make such a huge difference.  If poor communities had the means to trap cats on their own, bring them for spaying, and not have to worry about financing it, what a difference it would make.  But kudos to Beth Stern for trying to make a difference with her fame and money.  Who else is helping besides hard working, low paid peons (sp?) like myself, funding out of my own pocket?

Good news, my Scooter is doing a little better, thanks to a quarter of a pill to boost the appetite I have been given him and Cosmo every three days.  Cosmo, still very thin, weak, but moving around, and eating a little.  Its better than last week.  Thats their picture, above. 

Incommunicado

 Hayward Street - Spot #3

Hayward Kitty - Eartipped!

I have to say this.  Its getting more difficult to write my blog daily as I have to really watch what I say.  I cannot express my thoughts and opinions due to upsetting others.  At this moment in time, I only hold back because of one certain individual, whom I respect, and her group as a whole.  Although, thats what this blog is supposed to allow me to do.  Thats why people write blogs, to express themselves in whatever ways they want.  I don't often have negativity with people, and when I do, I just walk the other way.  Thats hard to do when you are part of a 'team project' and there is one bad apple in MY bunch.  This certain individual despises me for what I feel is a very dumb reason, and our 'friendship' was just dropped by her.  I tried and tried because I don't like anyone not liking me.  I hate conflict.  But I do believe some people have this instability in thier minds, and there is nothing I can do to change it/them.  So, therefore, she has not communicated with me during this TNR project.  It was critical for me this morning, as I was trapping myself, but she chose not to a) pick up the call I made to her, b) return my call, or c) text me to ask what I needed.   This was supposed to be the last week of this project, but today is the last day as far as I am concerned, as it was also not communicated to me of which areas not to feed in so the kitties would be hungry and go into the traps more easily tomorrow after not being fed for a day.  I am not here to trash anyone, its mean, and I continue to choose my words carefully.  Instead of harmony and team spirit with this project, it was nothing but frustration for me, because she was the 'ringleader'.    Its a shame, because it wasn't supposed to be abour her, or me, it was supposed to be about these poor creatures out there that don't have homes, can't defend or control their breeding, and continue to have babies.  There are around 20 still that I know need TNR and/or homes.  If I could have done this myself, I would.  This small group of people helped me do in three weeks what would normally take me a year to do.  For that I am thankful.

Update on Harry after his surgery (please see Chip In button above!):  From Karen, of Four Legged Friends:  "Total bill was $1025. He's coming back to me tonite. Such a Sweetie!"

This following picture is of a heron on its nest in Letchworth.  I was there for a few hours on Friday, and it was heavenly.  Everyone should go there and just drive through on a weekday, before the tourist season begins.  Listen to the quiet, watch and hear the birds, see the chipmunks run before you.  Amazing.

Happy Monday!

Blah blah blah, I've always said how I hate Mondays.  I think about life, and death, a lot.  Some people didn't make it 'til today.  I am SO thankful I was able to get out of my bed this morning (well....), SO thankful I was able to hear the birds, see the sun coming up, greet all the kitties I feed each and every day, and be able to come home, get ready and have a job to go to.  So, I don't complain too much anymore about Mondays.

ME and THUNDER!



I have a very talented neighbor who has an awesome camera, and he took the above photo of my puppy Thunder, and of a few flowers in my garden blooming now.  Thanks Nabe!  :)



After this massive undertaking of TNR sponsored by a donor to Lollipop Farms, with this week as the last week, this past weekend I took inventory both days, including this morning, of which cats I saw eartipped, and which ones weren't.  After three straight days of trapping, these cats scattered.  So after a day or two of calm, most were back to where they came from, and felt the safest, I assume.  There are still quite a few that have not been TNR'd, but there are a LOT that have been, and its really good to see.  Some of these cats are now coming closer to me, like they know and trust me, cats that used to never get near me.  I wonder if the neutering and vaccinating calms them down.  The next three days we will try to get as many more as we can and go from there.   From there, it will be me doing it by myself and paying for them by myself.  But I will continue until they are all neutered!  No more kittens!!!

One Less Mouth to Feed

Vacation day today, and in very serious cleaning mode, so quick update here.

I took inventory of kitties this morning, after the chaos they have gone through the past three weeks with trap neuter and return.  Four were picked up yesterday, bringing a total of 30.  One, Jimina, my girl on 3rd, her picture is on the heading of my home page, she is the brown tabby at the end.  She turned out to be spayed already, and DECLAWED!  Lollipop offered to keep her and try to find her a home - poor girl.  I have been feeding her for over a year now, so she has managed to fend off all others that whole time.  I pray she finds a good home.   I have not gotten information on the other three, which I hope to soon.   I will also be posting who and what I saw this morning, as I took good notes!

For my own personal brood, I spoke with the vet yesterday, and he gave me the bad news.  Thunder could have anywhere between 2 and 9 months.  Depending on many factors.  It was hard to hear that.  I broke down.  He is still running jumping and playing so its very difficult to think we will be burying him one day, at my mothers of course, behind her house in the woods is the family pet cemetary.  My Cosmo is not doing well either.  He is not eating, only drinking the juice of what ever I can find for him to eat, tuna, etc.  He is starting to look like a sick skeleton.  I will observe him for a few more days.  Maybe next week if he is not doing any better.  My Scooter is looking a little better.  He finally moved off the chair after a week and is lying in the sun.  I was given a appetite booster pill and it might be working.  A quarter tablet every third day.  I tried it on Cosmo, but no luck. 

Make it a great day!

Thankful Thursday

Wow, what a week! 

I was travelling to Newark this morning, at the speed limit - and drove past two cats.  The first was on Centennary Road and Old Ridge.  Of course the first thing I did was come to a screeching halt (well, maybe not screeching...), got out and walked over the woods and placed a bowl of food down.  Black and white fat cat.  I then saw another on Fairville-Maple Ridge - walking along the road.  Black and white skinny cat.  I told myself 'that cat must belong to someone' as there were houses around, but good Lord.  I hate to see an outdoor cat. 

I spoke to my dog Thunder's vet yesterday.  My 10 year old boy was scanned last Friday and diagnosed as having 'transitional cells carcinoma' - cancer of the bladder, and the doc talked of an option of medicine called peroxicam to slow the tumor, but he would also have to have a preventative ulcer medicine with it, each costing $120 and $180, respectively, per month.  I wish I could afford that, but I cannot.  So I will make my boy's last days the happiest for him that I can!  I need to ask the doc if I can double his food intake.  That would make him VERY happy!  :)

I released two kitties this morning after they spent the night at 'the Inn'.  My porch.  One was a pregnant female from Central, and the other a boy from Third.  Both were miserable in their cramped quarters, but they did eat and drink I think.   I always place food and water in the carriers when they are back from their surgeries, some eat right away, some don't.

This morning was another success, five cats were trapped.  One or two may have already been done in the past, no tipped ears, but they will be brought in regardless for vaccinations.  I set a trap on Garson, while Big Red, Talkie and Lucille hovered around me, set out on my route, came back 30 minutes later and no such luck.  Those three are smart.  I have NEVER been able to get Big Red for all the times I set traps on Hayward, where we originally 'met.'  :)  I will try again next week.  There are already two neutered cats there, one as sweet as can be, the other elusive.  This brings the total to...  31 cats done so far?  Pretty good if I do say so myself!

I also want to say - in case anyone misinterprets any of my posts from the past - that I have dealt with a few groups in the past, and I am very impressed with Another Chance Pet Rescue, the group I have been the closest to.  I have seen the good work that they do.  They have rescued more cats from the Rochester Animal KILL shelter that were just about to be put to sleep than I think any other group in Rochester has done.  Their adoption events every single Saturday and Wednesday at Petco are very successful.  They probably have adopted out hundreds of kitties - I would actually be interested in their statistics.  All in all, they have helped me a ton in the past and I am grateful to them.  We, as individuals and as groups, don't all have to get along - we just have to come together to help the animals.   I value each and every opinion and comment people make on my blog, and I continue to be grateful to you for even reading it all!  :)

My own photos coming soon! 

Friends and Enemies

Let me begin with an update that will keep me calm:  My boy Thunder has been diagnosed with a mass on his bladder, most likely cancer.  Waiting for the doc to call me today to discuss medications that can slow the progression a bit.  His urine has had blood in it for while now, and he has his little accidents on hard surfaces (luckily!  easier to clean!) in the house during day when not there, and at night when sleeping (not him, me).  Otherwise, he is still as happy as a clam, very playful, loves his walkies, eats like a horse, and drinks like a fish (do fish actually drink?).  I find myself paying more attention to him, greeting him with a longer scratch and rub when he comes to the door, wagging his tail, when I walk through it after work.  I have always only given him one cup of dry food and half a can of wet once a day since I've had him.  I now want to give him more.  I wonder if that would be ok.  Maybe I will ask the vet that when I speak to him, along with 'how long he has left'.  I wonder if veterinarians can answer that like a medical doctor can for a human with cancer.


My boy Scooter is still lethargic and not doing anything but sleeping, but I have managed to give him water with a syringe, and I plop wet food in front of him and he has managed to eat more than half of it, daily.  Same with my Cosmo.  He lost four pounds in the past two weeks, he is skin, bones, and belly fat below.  He moves around, eats a tiny bit and drinks a tiny bit.  I am also giving him a dental antibiotic which was prescribed on Saturday when I took him to the vet, along with Sugar, because of the odor coming from Cosmos' mouth.  No sign of decay on teeth, but prescribed it anyway.  Sugar is doing better with ear drops, and was given an injection of antibiotic to treat URI.  I continue to treat Jack, Barney and Smokey with Doxy for their URI's and they seem to be getting better.  Its a sickly house, but a happy one.  Mike is doing well - I picked him back up from Brad's house on Saturday after learning he has FIV - I couldn't burden Brad with him, and Mike loves his 'family', until I can find him a new one of course!  Speaking of which, still working on my camera issue, and as soon as that is worked out, I will have some pictures for you.

Here are Taffy's kittens, a pregnant mama I rescued and Linda was kind enough to foster her, and when Taffy had her babies, the kittens were offered a spot at a no-kill shelter, Pet Pride of New York, to be adopted out into great homes, which they are going to today.  I know this was hard for Linda to do, we get so attached to these animals.  Thank you Linda! 

Last evening I released the four cats that were trapped yesterday - one girl that was already spayed, and three boys.


Now, I haven't had an enemy since 1994 - and I found another job because of that, and before that it was in high school.  I was the new girl and another girl didn't like me because the boys were paying more attention to me than her.  She wanted to beat me up, and attempted to.  I am not good at conflict with people, girls especially.  Girls that hold grudges are the most evil of all.  I cannot fight, and I cry when I have conflict with someone.  I am a baby through and through.  I am the first person to say I am sorry, and I am the first person to keep trying to win someone's friendship.  We all want to be liked, I think. Some people are just mean spirited, and there is nothing I can do to change that.  I have to accept that.  With me, there is conflict with someone who is trying to help a situation I am involved in, this person is not trying to help me, which is fine, the only reason this person is involved in my life right now it to help out the situation.  With the Lollipop TNR project, communication with me from the get go was terrible.  This morning I was told I have no say in future trappings.  I was told to do my own trapping because the location I suggested has been 'eliminated' from the roster due to the owner of this gutted house who happened to come by once in a year, and told me to get my stuff out (the shelter for five or so cats), but one that I have since continued to feed because these poor animals aren't just going to move somewhere else.  They still need to be fed, and they still need to be neutered.  These cats are my territory, my babies, I am the one who has fed them every single day for years, sheltered them through harsh weather, and rescued so so many.  I was also told I don't know how to trap.  I am biting my tongue for today, and that is all I will say, for now.  But I do cherish the few true friends I have, and the many many wonderful acquaintences I've made, especially in the animal world. 

"Life is like a coin.  You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once."