Friday Happenings

 LARRY

Ferndale and Webster Kitties

The kitty in red above is one that I had TNR'd many months ago.  He is now coming closer and closer to me each morning.  Of course their shelter has been taken away, but I still leave food and water for them on this porch of the house that is being renovated due to lead content.  Look at the beautiful black and white kitty in the middle.  And if you click on the middle picture to make it bigger, you can see the pretty fluffy little kitten that I believe had babies earlier this year.

Above is also another picture of Larry.  I want to get Larry off the street so bad.  He is older, and injured.  He has a hematoma on his ear.  If you click on the picture, you can see that there is an open wound next to it.  I managed to give him some Doxy this morning in his wet food.  Each morning he allows me to pick him up and place him on the porch (there are no stairs) of this abandoned house where the supposed owner took my hut months ago, and a few weeks ago told me to get the rest of my stuff out of there.  That hasn't stopped me.  Larry and Sparkles are buddies - they hang together.  I will continue to give him medicine daily if I can, until it looks better.  He is such a sweet boy.

I got a card from my vet earlier this week after I lost Cosmo.  It was very sweet.  It made me think.

I know that animals see things and feel things that we cannot see or feel.  They can detect illness, drugs, and most of all, negativity.  I know that animals can also neutralize negativity in our lives and heal us from anxiety, depression, and pain.

Their whole existence is to please us, and each day is forever for them.  Their future is always new, uncomplicated, and they live for the present.  They even accept pain and dying better than we do.  They just seem to know when they need to go, and if we are fortunate enough we see love and understanding in their eyes, and even a sense of of knowing where they are going and that we will see one another again.

So today or tonight, if you have a pet, hold it close to your heart.  You will feel its heart quicken and feel the kisses on your face, and with that the promise that animals will never lie or cheat or deceive you.  They are what they are – no mask, just pure love and devotion.  As the song goes, bless the beasts and the children.

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.

Live your life so that when you die,

The world cries and you rejoice.

--Cherokee Indian proverb

Fascination

Pictures are of a kitten found last week under a wheel well by a good friend of mine:

This morning was supposed to be the day where little Limpy was going to be trapped - plan was to have this woman go with a drop trap and try to get him/her.  After stopping at my first stop, near Wally's house, I drove by quietly to my next stop, where the trap was supposed to be set.  There sat Lucille, and Big Red, both eyeing my car as it drove slowly past.  I felt so bad.  They know me, they know the time of day, and they know my car.  Funny how smart these animals are.  Same with the next spot, where Limpy has been know to go back and forth from, just a street away.  They know me and they trust me.  I was a little confused though as this woman was supposed to have already been there and hanging around waiting.  I got the call just as I left the next spot that she was running late, but was on her way.  So, I pray she had some luck!  I pray Limpy was around today!

At my next location, there was the kitty that always has a nasty wound on his next.  Huge, raw and red.  I must remember to bring some Doxy with me tomorrow to slip into his food.  Every morning I say that, and every morning I forget that and the camera.  I am so thankful that the weather this week, at least in the mornings, has been perfect.  Not just for my hair -- but for the babies that have to live outside.

And speaking of injuries, at Sparkles and Larry's spot, Larry has what you call....  cauliflower ear??  Not sure of the term, but he has an abcess on his ear.  And he either has a new wound, or part of the abcess broke open.  I must bring him medicine tomorrow also.  I had two cats that had this and they both had to be surgically treated.  They each now have a limp ear.  My Sugar had it so bad she nearly died.  She had to have a tube inserted, etc. and prior to her being treated, she hid in my basement rafters for two weeks before I could get her out.  She was in such pain.  She lost so much weight, which she now greedily continues to put back on!  I hope Larry is not in any pain, and I will bring the meds tomorrow and start him on that.  I was actually able to lift him up onto this porch that I place the food and water down on.  He is SUCH a good boy.  I must find him a home.

My next encounter was again with Marilee, the very paranoid woman who hangs at the lead filled house that I place food and water at.   I roll down my window to greet her and she politely says hello, but she wants nothing to do with me.  I then drove around the corner and not within her sight, observed her.  She stood at the corner with a plastic bag and just picked up these tiny pieces of paper.  She then started walking down the street, after about 10 minutes, and disappeared.  I am fascinated by people, and what makes them tick.  I really should have gone into psychology as a career.  As I drove away, I thought to myself, 'Janine, who is the crazy person here?' 

My last fascinating moment of the day came as I drove back home, and saw a cat just before crazy 'Lucy's" house.  Yes, I continue to drive past there each morning, slowly, and try to see if there are any cats hanging around her door.  Anyways, I saw a cat, and on this street, I just figured it was hungry because its a very poor neighborhood.  There has been lots of violence in the past on this street.  But I feel safe in the mornings here, because most of the crazies are sleeping.  I pulled over and got out of the car with my paper bowls to fill with water and food and placed under a tree, and I watched as two cats started to come toward me.  And just beyond, I could see a young girl standing on her porch watching me.  She then waved to me, and started to come down her steps and come toward me.  As she got close, I asked her if these were her cats and she pointed to one and said thats mine.  Upon further observation, I could see she was a young teenager, and ...  I am not trying to sound mean here ...  but she reminded me of a backwoods poor white girl from the Appalachian area.  She was tall and very thin, had her hair pulled back tight, and I will never forget her teeth.  They were so bad.  Not only were they very uneven, but they were so dirty.  Almost black.  I introduced myself and she stuck her hand out to shake mine.  I asked her some questions, being very friendly with her, and she answered very shyly back at me.  I could see she was giving me the look over, of course I must have looked crazy, but I could tell she was fascinated by me.  We parted ways with me telling her to enjoy her day, and to remember to put food and water out on her porch for all the strays, and she promised to keep a look out for me each morning as I drove by.  I always thought it was just certain neighborhoods, and that most of the poor were black, and never realized how even white people are living in extreme poverty, right under our noses.  Sad.

UPDATE:  Just got word, Limpy has been trapped!  He will be living comfortably in a large crate until he can see a vet next week.  This girl is a GREAT trapper!!  And thanks to Nancy for offering to take him to her vet!! 

I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13-14).

Larry

Meet Larry.  Larry is newly named just this morning.  He is a kitty that deserves to be named.  Well, they all do, but I have trouble thinking up names, and remembering them, I just see so many kitties each day.    Larry hangs around Pennyslvania and Fourth each day now with Sparkles, the girl who was very pregnant that was spayed and neutered, the same day as Laura.  Sparkles runs to greet me each day, despite the shelters I had provided for her, and others, for years, being stolen and trashed recently.  Larry was always waiting in the distance for me to leave after placing the food and water down.  Recently, after being told to move the last shelter by a very mean man who said he owned the property (boarded up house) (which I am having doubt that he does), I've been putting the food on the side of the house on this open porch.  One day, Larry was sitting, just where he is, and let me come near him to place the bowls down.  He slowly came toward me, I let him sniff my finger, and from that day, we've been buddies.  Larry is an older unneutered male, and very very sweet.  You can tell he is a stray that has been on the street far too long.  I would love to find Larry a home.  He is long haired grey with white spots here and there.  He now lets me pet and stroke him.  I could hear him purr this morning.  If you can click on the picture, you can get a more closer view of him.  Sparkles continues to keep her distance with me, but she is a sweet girl nonetheless.

My 'friend' Tamara, the Central Park prostitute was out this morning.  Tamara is not looking good these days, she is missing more teeth, and told me this morning she was recently diagnosed as a diabetic.  She always runs to me for a hug when she sees me, along with "do you have a quarter?"  She begged me for something to drink and I offered her a swig from the water jug I carry.  She gulped it down.  I wish she would get off the streets.  She is going to die there someday.

I have not heard from my cop friend, nor have I stopped at the crazy "Lucy's" house since Saturday.  I am very disappointed, not in my friend, or anyone, I know its a tough situation, even for the police, who I believe most are uneducated about animal issues.  Nor do they have the laws on their side (the animals).  I even offered to take this kitten.  But I have to let it go for now.  Its very upsetting to learn of a situation, and not have any control over it.  If I had my way, I would have continued to go 'under cover' and befriend her, and try to get the cat from her.  But not knowing what the situation is since Saturday, I can't take that chance with my safety.  She is dangerous.

I also ran into my other crazy 'friend' Marilee.  She was snooping around the house on Ferndale and Webster at 6 am. when I was on my way home.  She is definitely certifiable.  You have to feel bad for some of these people, they are fighting their demons in one way or another, and don't understand reality.  I dont' know how they live amongst society.  I should have paid more attention in my psychology class in college.

One final note.  Limpy, who has been seen for a few weeks now on and off, was not around this morning.  I am a bit worried about this because I found someone who is willing to help me trap Limpy.  She even has a drop trap, which is supposed to be a better way to catch these guys.  I am worried that Limpy will not be around tomorrow.  I always feel guilt when someone tries to help me with things like this, and there is no success.  I put very little food down, per her instructions, at both locations - the other just around the corner, where some of the cats at this spot go back and forth to.  So, wish us luck in the morning.  Maybe we can get some help for Limpy!

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

Fragile Loads

As I have been driving each morning before work to my mothers house to feed and talk to her two kitties, Gracie and Mikey, while she is away, I see road rage all over the place.  I'll bet there are at least 1 in every 4 drivers that are aggressive, as I know I have been in the past.  I also have had this court thing hanging over my head until June 12th, as the last court date, the assistant district attorney never showed, and I was left hanging with needing to plea down my speeding ticket.  So I've been thinking about that, and just yesterday, I received something in the mail from a very sweet kind girl who has been reading my blog, turned her mom onto it, and her grandmother!  She sends me things from time to time, they have made donations to me in the past, which I am so thankful for, but she sent me a card about the passing of my dear Cosmo last week, and not only did her card make me cry, but what she sent with it also did.  She sent me a little book of daily meditations, and it couldn't have come at a better time for me, as I have been a little 'off' in my life, and in my outlook on it.  I want to share the passage of what I read, that not only speaks to the driving stuff, but makes you step back and remember that we are all going through stuff.  How often is this person me, with a sick or injured animal, or hurrying to feed a starving animal.  I hope this helps you a little for today:

As Dolores was driving along a country road, she noticed that a car was following her rather closely. She could almost feel the irritation of the driver as she drove cautiously and slowly navigated several turns.


Of course, the driver of the other car had no way to know that Dolores was transporting 100 pounds of mashed potatoes, two crockpots full of gravy, and many other food items for a church supper—enough to feed 200 people! Sensing the other driver’s frustration, Dolores thought, If he just realized the fragile load I’m carrying, he would understand why I’m driving like I am.

Just as quickly, another thought occurred to her: How often am I impatient with people when I have no idea of the fragile load they might be carrying?


How easily do we pass judgment on someone, assuming that we know all the facts about a situation? God’s Word sends us in a more charitable direction, instructing us to treat each other with kindness, humility, and patience (Col. 3:12). How much more loving we are when we bear with and forgive each other (v.13).


Let’s treat others as we would like to be treated (Luke 6:31), remembering that we don’t always know the burden they may be carrying.

Kindness is a loving guide

That shows us how to live,

A treasure which, the more we spend,

The more we have to give. —Anon. 

If you are tempted to lose patience with another,

stop and think how patient God has been with you.

Spelling Contest

I have to apologize for my spelling throughout this blog.  I normally pride myself on punctuation, spelling, big words, etc.  Most times I am trying to fire off a post and forget about checking what I write. 

I did not stop at the crazy lady's house in this morning due to no response from my friend the cop.  Last I knew she was going to get in touch with the landlord on Saturday and I had texted her to let her know I would take the kitten if they could get it.  This woman is not allowed to keep animals, so hopefully the landlord was contacted, and the kitten was taken.  I just wish I had gotten an update.  I decided to not go there if I hadn't heard back because it would be too dangerous for me - who knows if someone told her I was sniffing around there, and telling the neighbor what I was doing, which I did Sunday.  This man was sitting on his porch drinking tea and telling me about the guy upstairs who kept him awake all night, and crazy 'lucy' behind him.  He was telling me she was 'crazy like a fox'.  He said she is very resourceful in hiding cats.  I just pray she doesn't figure out my ploy.

Its been very rainy, I've had to change a lot of wet towels.  The picture above is of Limpy.  I saw him this morning, hobbling.  My heart is breaking.  I wish I could get some help in trying to trap him.  I figured out, this week, I have absolutely no spare time whatsoever.  My mother has gone away for the week, and I must go to her house before I go to work, so this has really shortened my time to have even a moment to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, not that I had that time before.  Seriously, from the time I leave the house at 5:10 am every single day, I don't sit until I get to work at 7:30 AM.   I really want to get this poor animal off the street.

Speaking of getting cats off the street, I am going to be sending $100 I raised on this blog by one kind individual to help pay for Harry's surgery to the girl who has been caring for him, and her group, Four Legged Friends.  I only wish I could have done more.  As it is, I spend $100 on seven 16lb. bags of Dad's cat food, and $25 on 32 large cans of wet food to feed these cats EACH week.  Thats $6,500 I spend each year doing what I do.  No wonder I am constantly broke.   I have a hole in my garage roof.  I have a washer and dryer on the fritz.  I have a faulty electrical outlet in my living room that has reduced me to use just one plug.  I need help, but until I can get that, which I am always hopeful, I will continue to feed and rescue these poor animals on the street that depend on me so much. 

SaturDayDay - Quick Update!

After my rather wet rounding this morning - now calling it rounding on my 'patients'  - the kitties - I stopped at Crazy "Lucy"'s place, and as was bending placing food down and surveying what was going on there, I heard a tap and a 'hi!' from the kitchen window.  She had her hair wrapped in a towel as if she had just gotten out of the shower, and was going on about finding $25 on the bus yesterday.  Where this stuff comes up, I don't know.  As she is telling me about all the other cats in the neighborhood, up jumps this tiny little black and white kitten, no more than one and a 1/2 to  two months old.  I immediately went on alert, asked her if she was feeding kitty, and scurried out of there, only to have hanging out her doorway, no doubt half naked, and saying 'you can put cat food on my porch here if you want!'.  I said "OK!, I will be back later!"  Immediately texted cop friend, who did keep on top of the situation yesterday by immediately sending out her coworkers to inspect, as my friend was not on duty yesterday, but Lucy had fled, with the carrier and the kitten.  Apparently the city inspector was due there to check her apartment out.  She had to remove the cat.  Today, my friend will be calling her landlord and they will be getting the cat out of there, if she has not left with it by then.

Will keep you posted.

Freaky Friday

This is a quick post, have to run my mother to airport for a trip, and I have to run to work to drop off cookies for my boss's birthday party that I will miss, and to do a hopefully quick amount of work. 

I stopped at the crazy woman "lucy"'s house to place food down this morning, and there she was.  I told her I was leaving food for the kitties because I thought she had moved and I had seen some cats there (had to tell her something!).  I heard a constant loud cat crying and asked her about it and she said she had a cat back there.  She is pure nuts.  She is pure evil (although you would not know it to look at her).  I went back to the back of her garage and there was a small cat carrier with a kitten in it.  She told me she had to keep the kitten there because city inspector or someone coming over to inspect the house.  I said I would hold onto the kitty, and she wouldn't let me.  I tried to rush out of there to phone my cop friend, but she just wanted to talk.  It was hard to leave, she kept following me and uttering complete insane nonsense about leaches, etc.  I told her I would be back.  I drove off and texted my cop friend.  I pray she can do something about it.   Will keep you updated!

Otherwise, its grey, miserable, rainy and lots of raccoons had already descended on the food I left for the kitties shortly after I left it. 

BUT!  There is hope.  I promise you!  There will be a silver lining in the sky today, somewhere!  Keep that in mind!  Have a great day!!  :)