If Everyone is Thinking Alike, Then Someone Isn't Thinking...

When I returned home from work last evening, after a pickup from Lollipop by my friend Kristin's Mommy Sue, I found three sweet male cats on my porch.  All were quiet, one had already been neutered, so he was vaccinated and ear-tipped.  After observing them for a couple of hours, and trying to feed them some delicious tuna, I decided they were too miserable in their very cramped quarters, one had messed it up quite bad and needed to get out of its own filth, and I returned them to where they came from on the street.  Every time it breaks my heart that these kitties can't go to a good home, and I have to release them, but I was so relieved to see them all waiting for me this morning.  And they were hungry.

We had a very big thunder and lightening storm last night, some really really big boomers, and when I woke to this, I immediately thought of them.  But thank God I have a tiny shelter for them, even though I'll bet none of them use it except to eat and take a sip of water.  Everyone else on my route was out and about.  No sign of pregnant kitty on Second.  Sad.  She needs to be rescued from having kittens outside. 

Here is a picture of Whitey, who I rescued a while ago on Grand Avenue.  He was a very dirty white boy but look how he has cleaned up.  He is now ready for a loving new home! 

I am very relieved to have a break from trapping and releasing.  Its been a very stressful week, and I just need to chill for a few days. 

The kittens featured on yesterday's post show Taffy's kittens who will be up for adoption at Pet Pride as of 5/15/12. 7731 Victor-Mendon Rd. 742-1630 - here is their website - such a great place, check it out!
http://www.petprideny.org/PPNY/Home.html

My thanks again to all those that have helped me out in the past, whether it be donations of food or money, help with trapping, help with transport, or just encouraging words.  I could not do this continually without one or the other along the way.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Communication is Key

Today was the second day of the TNR clinic through Lollipop.  Three kitties were trapped from behind Wally's house on Grand.  I wound up setting traps on Second again in hopes that we could get the very pregnant girl I spotted yesterday morning.  As its so light out now, I am finally able to see these babies in the light, and this girl is quite pregnant.  After returning back there four times, there still were no cats in the trap.  I found out later that there was food left in the bowls from when I fed yesterday, which may have played a role in the kitties not falling for the tuna, but there is more to that.  My normal raccoons at that spot must have gone south for the day, because usually they eat what I place down within the hour - so there is never remaining food in the morning.  Also, you can over trap an area.  Cats are smart creatures, and I've tried at this location before, and they see a cat struggling the morning before and are very leary.  So, unfortunately, we were only able to bring three cats in today, which is a shame.  We could have gone to other areas, indeed, if only...  I say 'if only' because communication is critical to ensure the harmony of the people involved in this undertaking, and the harmony of the whole operation.  When you have lack of communication, you miss out on ideas and opportunities and suggestions for areas of improvement that could have been had.    Thats all I will say on this subject.  Except that I am once again too grateful for words to those who are involved in helping me. 

Yesterday morning, on my route, I spotted a dog running down Central Park.  A pretty brown with black, very thin.  I called for him, he stopped and watched me while I placed a bowl of food down for him, trying to gain his trust.  I did my usual, and called 911, knowing I wouldn't get any where with them, as there is lack of animal control officers, on top of it being only 6 am. and they don't start their shifts until 7 am.  I had to leave to get ready for work, so I said a little prayer that this dog would find its way back home.  Well, as I was finishing my route this morning, I spotted the dog a mile away from there, on Ferndale and Webster.  I placed food down again, and he ran off.  I dialed 911 once again and reported it.  Its so sad.  Have the owners even bothered to look for this dog?  It seems so skittish that most likely it doesn't have a home.  It was probably beaten or something and ran away.  24 hours later and that dog is still running loose and scared.  I hate people that abuse animals, and don't go out of their way to help one, and I am frustrated with the authorities in this city who can't do anything about this.

On a happier note, here is a couple of pictures of Taffy's babies.  Taffy is one of the first of the pregnant cats I rescued the past two months.  Linda has been caring for them.  Thank you Linda!  Aren't they darling!

Primping and Preening

I came to the realization that I have a lot on my plate this week.  Now I dress up for work.  Just about every day I come in with my heels, stockings, a crisp blouse and skirt, hopefully looking fresh and smelling sweet.  In the mornings, before I go out for the feedings of the cats at 5:15 am., I have my teeth brushed, and my make up done. 

For the first time I can remember, I came into work after forgetting to apply my mascara.  Thats not like me.  I am done to a tee every single day during the week.  I was pretty tired this morning, no doubt.  We trapped the first five cats of hopefully many more in the colonies I put food and shelter down at in the inner city 365 days a year.  It was a major undertaking - even with only five cats.  After Heather took them to Lollipop for spaying and neutering (we got two boys, three girls, one of the girls had already been spayed, but no ear tip, so that was done to her so that we can identify her in the future).  When the cats were ready for pick up, at the eleventh hour after scrambling to find some one to pick them up by 4 pm., my good friend Kristin and her husband stepped up to the plate and drove all the way from Churchville to pick them up, in carriers now, and all five traps that they came in with.  They dropped them off on  my porch, and last night, with the help of Julie, we released them, sadly, back into their respective spots.  I saw one this morning, actually the one who was having a 'good time' the day before she was caught.  She got close to me, I think she is adoptable and I would love to find a home for her.  Very beautiful calico.

I also saw a very pregnant cat on Second so I am praying she is one that gets trapped tomorrow morning, on our Day Two of our Lollipop marathon.  I found out 'Friends of Human Society" funded a $5000 grant, and Lollipop included me and my brood in on it.  So that is wonderful.  I pray this is for the best for me in the coming future, and for the cats of course!  I need a break.  Now, I must go and put on my mascara.

Tuesday

Today was Day 1 of the Lollipop Trap Neuter Return marathon - they were allowing me to trap five cats today, five cats this Thursday, 10 cats next Tuesday and 10 cats next Thursday.  Let me just say, the morning did not go very smoothly, it was very disorganized, but we did manage to get the five cats.  Two from Central, two from Second, and one from Grand.  In fact the one from Grand looks like Laura's twin.  Suffice it to say, if I still have help on Thursday (as I said, it was a bad morning emotionally for a few of us), it will be more organized.  We will have a better plan, and hopefully we will have communication prior to the early hour of the morning.   I wish we had more volunteers to help with transporting to and from Lollipop, and keeping the cats overnight after they are spayed, and then more help releasing in the morning.  It wasn't fair that one girl had to do all this on her own.   If any one can help out by picking up five cats in carriers from Lollipop either today, or  Thursday around 4:30 pm., and taking with them the five traps they came in, and holding the cats overnight in same van, it would be awesome.  Thats what we need.  But I know most of us work.  I just thank God for what help I have.  We all have one common goal, and that is to get as many cats neutered and spayed as possible, to make this a better world for them.  Its not about us, its about them.  Thats the bottom line, and I have to remember that, and I hope others remember that too when tensions run high.  I would never want to hurt someone intentionally, or make someone unhappy.  I am so grateful that anyone would even want to help me, so I pray this all works out for the best.

Happiness is a Direction, not a Place.

So true, we are all trying to get there, but we will already 'be' if we follow its path!  Or something like that.  Hey, I get what I mean!  :)

Another crazy weekend.  Mike may have a foster.  I have been moving him between two bathrooms, a porch and a bedroom.  Its hard keeping an animal for over a week in a tiny enclosed room.  He really likes the diversity, and until he goes to his foster home, thats what he will continue to get! 

In other news, Harry may be getting a new home also.  I will miss little Prince Harry.  He had a fractured hip when I first rescued him.  I kept him confined for a few weeks, but the kitten in him took over.  I couldn't contain him any longer.  He now rolls and romps and has a blast with Rufus and the other kitties.  They take turns grooming each other, its so sweet to watch.  He has become like part of the family and I will miss him so much.  A very beautiful cat.  He is very long haired, beautiful eyes, and reminds me of Digit, who I rescued from Seventh a year ago - they look so much alike.  Digit was limping when I saw him and I thought he had injured his paw, so I grabbed him.  Turns out he has like 8 or 9 toes! and his nails were so overgrown and curled under one was growing into his paw.  After lots of trimming and removing that one nail, he is happy as a clam with my sister as his new mom.

This morning, on my route, I had a woman from HFC and Heather tag along.  We will be doing a massive (10 cats Tuesday, 10 Cats Thursday, and next week the same) trap, neuter, return tomorrow.  An apparently anonymous donor has come forward to pay for 30-50 cats on my route through Lollipop Farm.  The logistics for me are mind boggling and I thank God for Heather for her organizing skills, and for her willingness to help me in the first place.  I just couldn't do it without these other people willing to help.  I am one person, and I obviously cannot do it alone.  I have been  feeding these cats for so long now.  I pray this helps to reduce the population and helps me financially with the food and rescue costs.  I have spent a small fortune, not small, actually large, large enough to not have extra money from hard earned paycheck to take care of the household necessities I've been neglecting for many years now.  I need new everything, and could have had everything, if I didn't do what I do.  But I love these animals, and will spend my last penny on them. 

Have a great day, and wish us success tomorrow!

Pictures

I finally figured out - am having trouble with the thigga ma jigger thingy you put the thing in from the camera, onto the hard drive, to download the pics.  I hope you all got that.  :)  Didn't work at home, and doesn't work on another computer.  So, something wrong with that.  And on that is where the picture is of Mike.  So, in the meantime, until I can get it working, or have to replace it, here is a picture of Julie's kitties - I would love to know their story, and I am sure they have one: 

Simi and Sushi:

and here is a picture of the new Mom, Tulip, and her five babies, they were born on Thursday of last week!  I rescued Tulip from Ferndale and Webster in the nick of time.  And to imagine, I petted her for weeks, and kept feeling her belly, and I just couldn't tell if she was pregnant because she was so FAT!  :)  Glad I got her, and thank you Diane for being her foster mommy. 

Vacation Day?

Thats what its called, but its certainly not 'vacation' for me.  It started this morning, getting up at 3 to feed my own brood (they have me trained), only to wipe up the accident on the (thankfully) linoleum floor that my dog Thunder left (has bladder issue).  Finally back to bed only to get up an hour later at 4:30 to go on my 5 am. journey in the hood.  All the usual suspects there, minus the raccoons - I am sure they were lurking though.  Then home to get ready for grocery shopping, and then to Mom's to feed her cats as she is on her quite often weekend getaway (lucky her!).  Then home to drag in the gazillion dollars worth of groceries and cat food, up the steps, down the steps, oh Lord my knees!  Then to begin my major weekend cleaning.  But not before breakfast of course, and then by 10 am., after cleaning up the downstairs bathroom, I moved Mike from the upstairs bathroom to the newly cleaned downstairs bathroom to give him a change of scenery.  The upstairs bathroom, where he has been since Wednesday, only has a skylight, and the downstairs has a nice ledge and window for him to sit on and look out into the back yard.  He really is a sweetheart.  I have now learned how to easily download pics at work, but put me on my own computer, and I can't figure it out!  I got a great shot of Mike last night and I am so mad I cannot show you him, right now at least.  Check out later, maybe I will have figured it out!

There are so many cats out there.  Its getting lighter out earlier now and I can see them all.  There were four at the first stop, four at the second, three at the third, three at the fourth, three at the next, four at the next, three at the next, six at the next, five at the next, two at the next, two at the next, and three at the final one.  How many is that?  I am not going to count.  It makes me sick.  Although big plans for next week for a TNR through Lollipop.  Apparently someone has donated some money to pay for TNR for over 20-30 cats.  Will need all the help I can get, if anyone can?  Mostly transport to and from Lollipop, and release.   My thanks to Heather and Julie from Another Chance Pet Rescue for helping to organize for me, and Karen at  Four Legged Friends rescue for always being there if needed too.

As I was driving home, I saw the dreaded dead cat on the road.  This beautiful kitty.  Someone just hit it and left it to die.  She was so pretty - soft soft colors of brown and orange against a white background.   I gently wrapped a blanket around her and placed her in my car.  She was very light, which means she was either very young, or emaciated.  Whatever the case, she is in a better place now.  I never harden over cats that are killed out there.  I always cry for them.  They deserve to know they were loved in some small way. 

I can't wait for an update on Blossom.  I also can't wait for an update on Laura.  I may have a foster or home for Harry (Prince) on Monday, fingers crossed.  That will leave Buster, Rufus and Midnight.  Yippee!

I must show you the most beautiful picture of Tulip, who just had five babies yesterday, one of my rescues.  Unfortunately, I don't have the picture on my home computer, so will try to figure that one out today also.  Thanks everyone for continuing to reading and commenting on my blog, happy or sad.  Have a great day.  XO