Food

We take it for granted, don't we?  The cats don't.  I just about ran out of food this morning feeding them.  I had to skimp on some of them.  In fact, yesterday, the Nasty Boy on Third Street, took a swipe at either me or one of the other hungry cats, and knocked a large bowl of dry food down on the porch, scattering it all over, so I had to use extra.  Although for some reason, I almost ran out today, even though I brought the usual amount.  I think the difference is I ran out of my back up food.  I usually keep a small bag in the trunk of my car as surplus.  I always dig into it, because 15 pounds does not always feed the cats each morning.  I have received donations of small bags of cat food in the past, and when I do, the donors say to me - I know its not much - but it IS.  Those are the bags that I NEED when I run out of the food I pack each morning to use.  I appreciate these small bags so much.  But I had none, so I skimped on some food for these babies.  Anyways, I just thought I would mention the importance of small things, small gestures.  They are always welcome to me.

Otherwise, it was a dull morning.  I didn't run into anyone in the hood, and all my other usual suspect kitties were there, minus Red.  Big Red moves around.  Big Red is the one I took a picture of his wounded head a few posts ago.  He is the one I am having a struggle with my conscience about taking him to the shelter.  But he has recently been greeting me by rubbing his head and body against my leg when he sees me now.  I know that is a sign of affection, and if he can show that, he is worthwhile to someone.  But again, that someone is not around, we are short on people to foster these guys, and also he will be expensive to treat, which I cannot afford.  And Mama Girl on Third Street, she gave birth earlier this summer, she has an Upper Respiratory Infection, you can hear her labored breathing while I am dishing out the food, but she won't let me get near her, so I wouldn't be able to pill her anyway.  Just sad cases.  But there is hope!  I have saved Midnight, Oreo and Rufus, and they are all waiting for homes!  Please spread the word!!

Better Than Butter

I have no idea why that title, but was thinking about how our weather has been the past couple of days with the warmth and sunshine, and it couldn't get any better, and I do love butter.  Hows THAT for reasoning!

All was well this morning.  I saw a few houligans out there, I even stopped to talk to a guy that was doing work behind a house on Central that I used to feed at.  The guy was doing work for a man that had allowed me to set up shelter on his property while he was renovating his house, but then asked me to move it in late summer because his family was moving in.  The location is a highlight of my little video that shows me getting bopped in the head when the wood falls down on me - Here it is:

http://www.locallocal.tv/post/3878263044/in-february-i-got-an-email-from-a-lady-named#.TrE6ca8NfoI.email -

Anyways, the guy was throwing boards out from behind the house, and I can really use large wooden boards for my shelters, and the guy - named Tito - remembered me.  And as I write this, I remember meeting Tito, he was riding his bicycle and we spoke briefly years ago when I used to feed Smokey No. 1 down the street.  I remember him telling me he had been in prison and was looking for work.  He really did seem like a good dude.  In fact, I wrote about this in some of my earlier blogs.  Funny, how things come back around.  Anyways, he was still nice, but walked with a sort of limp.  Not sure what has happened to him over the years, but still a nice guy.  He told me if he found some good pieces of wood, he would put them on the side of the house next door to where I moved my shelter to.  The house where I feed now belongs to the bank, and who ever comes and checks on it to mow the lawn, etc. doesn't seem to mind me being there to feed the kitties.  Nothing is ever touched, except for the grass!  So that was nice.  I do run into some good people, they aren't there to hurt me.  I obviously have a reputation around there to most of these early morning people as the cat lady, and I don't mind that. 

Another funny story - yesterday I was on the porch of an abandoned house feeding the usual - one very nasty kitty that is always swiping his paw at me while I am trying to pour the food down, a pretty and sweet redhead, a black kitty, and two multi colored young kittys.  Anyways, there was a very very large raccoon on that porch.  I went to scare it off, and it ran and jumped up on the ledge on the other side of the porch and was holding on to the ledge when I made a loud noise to scare it and tapped its claw to get it down, and went back to my pouring, when I heard a truck start up.  I looked up, and this truck was backing up onto the street.  As always, I try to let people know what I am doing so I went to the road and waved my hands but the truck just kept on slowly going.  I scratched my head and thought, that was wierd.  Why wouldn't he stop?  So then I go to leave, pass the house next door, and realize its a boarded up house!  So I put two and two together.  He was either sleeping in his truck in this abandoned house driveway, or was having a little fun and thought it would be a good spot to have it in, until I came along and was making loud noises within a few feet of him!  :)  After all, there are a few women around that area that are eager to provide fun for anyone for a small amount of money.  Either way, it was odd, and I don't think he will be back again too soon.

And off I went to finish my rounds.

Boo!

It was Halloween yesterday, and all the ghouls and goblins were out in full force. In my neighborhood at least.   Oddly, it was very quiet this morning on my rounds after the mischievous night.  At one spot, there are usually eight kitties waiting for me, and this morning, there were none.  Odd.  I would have to say at least once a month I pick up a dead animal from the road and move it over to the grass.  I guess this photo is appros pos for Halloween.  I don't know what got into me to take this.  Sorry for the graphics.  

On a better note, this is a picture of one of my latest captives, Oreo.  She is a good girl, very shy, but a nice kitty.  She loves to have her belly scratched.  She was picked up for the corner where Miss B. used to live.  There is still one more kitten left there, the rest are a bit older.  The kitten left there is about 5 mos., and is unneutered, so I must rescue her ASAP, but cannot do until I can get both Oreo, and Rufus (picture to come when I can get it!) either adopted or fostered.  Both great kitties.  I hope you or someone you know might want to think about fostering Oreo.  I can then continue to save the kitties!!! 

I saw this and thought it would be a good reminder to post here:  Its so true.

The Ten Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years.

Any separation from you will be painful for me.

Remember that before you adopt or buy me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me ... it's crucial for my well being.

4. Don't be angry at me for long, and don't lock me up as a punishment.

You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words,

I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

6. Be aware of how you treat me. Would you want to be treated the same way?

7. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could crush

the bones of your hands, but I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being 'uncooperative', 'obstinate' or 'lazy',

ask yourself if something might be bothering me.

Perhaps I'm not feeling well or not getting the right food,

or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I grow old: you too, will grow old.

10. Go with me on a difficult journey. Never say "I can't bear to watch it",

or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier when you are there.

Rufus

Well, I rescued the second kitten off the street.  There were/are a total of three that are friendly with me, I rescued Oreo a few days ago, and now Rufus yesterday, with one more to go.  I cannot get her until I can find foster or adoption homes for Midnight, Oreo and Rufus.  I am at my highest max in rescuing cats now.  Rufus has severe upper respiratory infection and his mama, Emma, has not been around for a few days now, so I decided it was high time I got Rufus outta there.  Poor little guy.  And he is not the easiest to give pills to for his sickness.  He hides under the bed - I believe if cats are born outdoors, they will forever be somewhat scared.  My Cinnamon and Sugar were born to a feral mom in a friend's garage nearly 14 years ago, and are still scared when someone new comes in the house. Nevertheless, Rufus is adorable, about 5 mos old, and I promise to get a picture of him soon to post here.  Its getting cold out, and I spent the past two weekend mornings getting my spots somewhat 'winterized'.  I got a note last week about towels vs. straw, and wanted to comment.  Some of my shelter are so rickety, that snow gets in them.  The straw would get wet, and I would have to keep replacing that.  At least the towels are somewhat warm and for sure they are dry when I put them down, so I have to do whats best for the location.  I would love to use straw for all, but its not always feasible depending on how bad the shelter is, and I don't have many good ones. 

The picture attached is of my Boris.  I rescued Boris around six years ago behind Lorraine's restaurant on Culver near Main Street.  It was around 5 below in the winter.  I was feeding cats behind the restaurant under a service truck, and only had a box with blankets for the cats to keep warm.  He came around for a week straight, and started to rub against me, and thats when I knew I had to get him out of there.  When I got him home, his belly was completely hairless, and I thought that he might be a lost cat and had just had surgery or something there.  I didn't know cats can lick their fur right off if they have 'issues'!  Anyways, after sending pictures of him to all the vets in the area, I knew he was mine.  After having him checked out at my vet, he turned out to be positive for FIV, its like AIDS in cats.  His immune system is low, and the most likely way it would spread to another cat is through a severe bite wound.  But, thank the Lord he has been a good brother to his fellow sisters and brothers in the house and there has never been too much of a fight between them.  He is such a good boy.  I love my Boris.

Will Wonders Never Cease?

Wow, I am still amazed sitting here as I begin to write this.  I just had an encounter that made me almost weep.  It re-inspired me to think that some mean people might not be as mean as you think they are.   The woman who has been nasty the past few mornings going past me while walking her daughter somewhere as I am at my second to last stop under the tree feeding all these cats, the same corner where I've rescued seven cats in the past two months, was there again this morning.  She has made it clear she I shouldn't be feeding the cats, and you could cut the feel of hatred toward me with a knife.  Read the past few days and you will know what this is about.  Anyways, I am bent over, thinking I had missed her because I was a little late, and all the sudden, I hear "excuse me", and I jumped up, and she was standing there.  She said "I just want to apologize for the way I've been acting toward you, I am a Christian woman and thats not how Christian's act, and I think what you are doing is a good thing".  I was BLOWN OVER.  Apparently what I said to her yesterday as she was walking away about compassion, and teaching her child that, must have resonated in her.  I reached out for her hand and held it and said "thank you".  After speaking a few more words about what I was doing and how I needed to find shelter for the remaining cats there, we introduced ourselves and hopefully she will help me find a shelter for their food before the really bad weather comes.  I am just so inspired by that.

At my other locations, I placed some worn and broken little cat carriers down with blankets inside them at a couple spots.  Big Red is now injured on his paw.  I've got to do something.

I am on vacation from work today and plan on getting lots done around the house.  Have yourself a WONDERFUL day!

Riders on the Storm...

The Doors.  LOVE THIS SONG.  This song is in the top five of my favorite songs ever.  Its quite fitting for this weather too.  It hasn't stopped in days now.  Its so miserable.  The kitties that I can pet while they are gobbling the food I just put down for them, their fur is soaked.  People say they go find safe warm spots, but I don't believe that for all them.  Some of them either don't have a safe warm dry spot to go to, or they don't know how to find one.  The older kitten I rescued yesterday morning hid under the bed all day until I got home, and slid the bed away from the wall, and picked him up.  He was frightened to death, you can tell he has never been in a house before, nor has he ever used a litter box, after discovering a very damp spot on my bed!  Change of the bedsheets later, and a few times of plopping him in the litter box and showing him with his paws to scratch, he finally used the box overnight.  Yay!  I keep saying HE, its a SHE!  I don't have a name for her either, so much think of one or I will keep calling her a he.  I now have her purring in a ball in my lap.  She really is a sweet little one, very pretty black and white.  I keep telling her how lucky she is.  The spot I got her from , only two showed up this morning.  One was the smaller kitten that I plan on getting tomorrow, the other is older, but allows me to pet it also.  SO many sweet kitties out there.  Someone suggested I should post their pictures on here, so I must figure out a way, in hopes of someone wanting to foster these babies, so I can keep rescuing!  If anyone is familiar with blogs, I would love to know if I can add a sidebar of pictures that would stay there for each new post I do.  

Yes, I had many wet towels this morning.  Its getting to be that time again where I will be doing daily laundry with wet and dirty and frozen towels.  My washer and dryer are ready to bite the dust.  Large wet towels are very hard to carry into the house from the car, especially when you have like 10 of them.  But as long as I have my health, I carry on.  and on.  and on!

Rain in Spain...

"Happy are they who bear their share of the world's pain: in the long run they will know more happiness than those who avoid it."  Jesus (J.B. Phillips translation)

I just love that.  Thank you Jessica for sharing it with me.  I also want to thank your Mom for her donation of all that wet food.  I use 12 cans each day, so I am so grateful for her donation!

I ran into the very ignorant mother again this morning.  Somehow we got on the same schedule that she walks her daughter somewhere, and I am feeding the cats under the tree.  I picked up a little guy this morning from there, I am determined to get most from that corner.  There is NO shelter.  I had to feed them in the pouring rain.  The little guy is in the forefront of the picture posted, black and white.  I will try to rescue the other brown tabby kitten tomorrow.  I must get these young ones out of there.  This woman - I don't know what she said when I said 'goodmorning' to her, but we both went at it again.  She said something about not feeding the cats, and I yelled after her she should be teaching her daughter about compassion, and I said THIS is compassion!  Of course she said to mind my own business, I am sure I set her off, but if she would only give me a few minutes to educate her.  I told her I had just taken another from this corner.  I would love to tell her she can use my trap or carrier to get a few and take them herself to the 'pound', because its HER street, and HER problem!  I am just there to relieve their suffering a little bit, by not allowing them to starve to death.  If anyone can foster one of these beautiful creatures of God, I promise you we will find them a home, they just need a temporary home immediately!

The other picture is of Big Red, at another stop I make.  I've been feeding him for years, and he has been sick and injured for years.  I should have relieved his suffering a long time ago, but he continues to rub against my leg while waiting for his food, so that's a hard decision to make. 

I haven't told you, but Saturday morning, at one of my spots, I saw a red and white kitty come up very hungry for food.  A bit skittish, but allowed me to touch his neck while he ate.  I then noticed his tail looked odd in the dark, so shined my flashlight on him and it looked like most of his tail had been severed and the remaining tail skinned.  I looked at his behind and it looked a mess.  I immediately got my carrier, and was able to grab him and place him in it, drive the the Emergency Clinic, and asked that he be euthanized.  This was very very hard for me to do.  This cat had to be suffering with these injuries, and I am thankful for the vet telling me that this cat would thank me if he could.  I was devastated.  But so thankful that this cat came up to me.  It would have suffered greatly if I had not been there for him.  There are times when this kind of action is necessary, and I challenge anyone who disagrees.