Rescuing With LOVE!

First!  Happy Valentine's Day, from Sparky!  Sparky sent this message to me this morning.  I rescued Sparky nearly a year ago, with his four other siblings - and he now has a wonderful family.  And look how he has grown!  Made my day!  ❤

SPARKY

Sparky as a baby!

I've recently received a lot of inquiries as to why don't I do this and why don't I do that.  It has to do with the black cat that I've been feeding on Short.  This black cat with the collar is not the only cat that has lost its home, either by being tossed out, owners moved, or got out by mistake.  I'm feeding hundreds of them.  And for each cat that earns my trust and allows me to pet them, and hold them, those are the ones that are on my radar to rescue.  And eventually, most of them do begin to trust.  I rescued over 40 of them last year, and over 80 of them the year prior.  Not to mention all the years prior to that all the cats that I rescued.  Read my blog back to 2008.

Right now, I can't get a grip on black kitty.  I touch him, he backs away.  He is safe at the shelter he is at for right now until he earns my trust.  I did take someone's advice to start feeding him in a carrier, which I brought with me this morning, and placed food in it.  You know what?  Sam, the other cat that is WAITING for a home, went into it.  So much for that.  But I did leave it with a blanket inside and a blanket covering it, hoping to get the black one in there someday.

We have four=five inches of snow on the ground, its not ideal for trapping, let alone a drop trap which others have suggested, which I don't know how to use, and the shelter is way in the back of the lot.  For those suggesting this, maybe you can help me.  What do you say?

And for each and every rescue, I must have my bathroom clear.  Right now, I still have Popcorn hanging out in there until he goes to his foster home.  I also have my own cats and a full time job and I do have a life (well...  ).  I do the very best I can getting up every morning no matter the weather, and going out to 16 locations around the city and making sure everyone is fed and sheltered.  When the opportunity arises, I grab one.  There are sick ones out there, they need rescuing first, but again, I do what I can.  Come out with me!  See for yourselves how many need rescuing. 

So that's it in a nutshell.  I am sorry if this sounded like a rant.  Its frustrating when you have people telling you that you should get a cat off the street and they don't know the circumstances.  Its just not that simple.

PS, did I mention that I have already rescued FIVE cats this year?  That includes two young females under a year old that were in early stages of pregnancy?

Have a great day!

Valentine Zoo

"I’m an animal lover, I’m happy to say.
And I love them and pet them most every day.
So for you, Valentine, I thank heaven above,
Because you’re like the creatures I love.

You‘re cuddly and cute as a warm, playful kitten,
With your animal nature, my love, I am smitten.
You walk like a lioness stalking the plain,
With your dangerous eyes and your beautiful mane.

It’s such pleasure to pet you, as you sigh and you purr,
I run my hand over you, like stroking your fur.
I'm a strong Alpha wolf, with you at my side,
Sharing love, food and shelter, and feelings of pride.

These feelings of animal love we can share,
As I find different ways to show that I care.
So won’t you please be my own private zoo?
My Valentine, I love to play with you."

What a Morning!

Yuck.  Miserable out this morning.  Two Hours.  From 3:50 a.m. to 6 a.m.  I ache.  All over.  But I must get ready for work and get out of here.

It could have been worse.  I could have had to go out in a blizzard, which I've done many times over the winter years.  Or a pouring thunder and lightning rainstorm.  Those are the worse.  Instead, the snow fell overnight.  It is nearly 30 degrees, so not too cold.  But there was about 3 to 4 inches of shoveable snow.  And shovel I did.

SAM on Short

Black kitty was there, but Sam was not.  You see, if I can get Sam off the street, because he is very adoptable, I would be able to get Black kitty.  Sam is dominant and won't let Black kitty eat in peace.  He tries to chase him away, swat at him.  But Sam was not there this morning so Black kitty was able to eat in peace.  I still can't quite touch him the way I would like to, and to get that collar off him.  So I will keep trying, patience is the key.  After all this snow goes away I might try bringing an old carrier and placing the food in there to see if he will go in.  Thanks Carole for that suggestion. 

There were a lot of wet towels this morning too.  But they so need a dry spot to eat at, their little toes can freeze if they are not careful.

I brought Callie to her new home, where the new mom and dad just adopted Princess (Sophie) the week before.  So far so good, although Callie is a bit shier than her new sister.  Patience is key.  :)

Popcorn went to the vet and passed with flying colors on his tests.  He is already neutered, and ready for adoption.  I let him out of the bathroom and he is now exploring the house, and the other kitties.  So far, so good.

Two years ago I had the pleasure of rescuing a kitty who I named Sawyer back on February 1st of 2015.  Sawyer was adopted by a nice lady named Lynne.  Lynne gives me updates on Sawyer, which I am so appreciative of.  I didn't want you to miss out from when she commented last week.  Here is what she has to say about Sawyer!

SAWYER Pre-Rescue

SAWYER Now

Not a blog's worth but...thinking of how he was soon to be rescued by you at this time in 2015! How he'd walked up to you, looked up at you with a look that said, "Take me home!" And, you did. You brought him to me on Valentines Day. I toyed with changing his name - but kept it Sawyer. IF I had a smart phone, I'd take a pic of him, now curled up, kitty fashion, asleep, on the bed in my office. Interesting how he is choosing spots for sleeping lately. Seems that on this cold, but sunny morning, he'd be on his perch/platform right in the south/living room window. But, nope. He's here! His snuggly time is during the evening when he will sleep awhile on my lap/legs as I watch TV. Then, when I go to bed, he jumps up with me to get his taste/few licks of coconut oil...my moisturizing routine. Down he goes to "somewhere" - but later, he comes back. How do I know, since he doesn't meow/announce his arrival? Because, as kitty lovers know, it's hard to turn over when said kitty(or kitties) are by our feet or knees! Morning? He usually gets up and meanders/yawns/stretches and meows for his breakfast. OH, have I mentioned how handsome Sawyer is!?!!? A nearly perfectly marked face. I LOVE him.

HEY! How did that picture get in there?   Look at that hair!  Look how cute I was!  WAS is the key word.  It is not a word used to describe me now....  ahh...  I sure do miss being CUTE!  :)

Have a great day!  PS, would love baby/kid pictures of any you!  Would love to share!!  :)  

“If you can’t fly, then run,

If you can’t run, then walk,

If you can’t walk, then crawl,

But whatever you do,

You have to keep moving forward.”

Lets go to the movies!

or at least get some.........................................

POPCORN!

POPCORN!  Meet Popcorn!  I just had to grab him this morning.  He was way too easy.  And if it weren't for me swinging back to my stops on Parsells, after having already done them, on my way home, it wouldn't have happened. He was not there the first time I stopped.  I have been feeding this sweet thing for a long long time.  But this morning, I noticed, his nose was way too red than would normally be for a cat, and I looked at his dirty coat, and feet, and said, 'today is your lucky day'.

I named him Popcorn after thinking about Jelly Belly beans.  They are the small gourmet jelly beans, and my favorite is the popcorn flavor, and he kind of reminds me of a Jelly Belly bean!  :)  He will go to the clinic on Saturday to be tested, and the precautionary deworming med, and he will be good to go!  Looking for a foster, or a permanent home for him.  What a sweet personality too.  He's been on my lap and loving the scratchies I gave his head and neck.

It was brutal when I left the house at 4 am.  Lots of snow fell, and was still coming down pretty heavy, up until about 5:30, when it began to let up.  Yep, I didn't get home til 6.  I had to shovel at most of my locations, due to the four or so inches that fell overnight.   They call this the lake effect snow from our beautiful Lake Ontario.  Certainly nothing compared to the storm the east coast experienced yesterday. 

After stopping at the prior Parsells location, the one after this rescue, there was a man brushing off his car.  I approached him greeting him kindly, and asked him if he noticed me doing what I do across the street from where he lives, he nodded, and I asked him if he would consider me putting a few shelters at his house somewhere, and he said no, and that he had to go to work.  I wished him a good day, walking back to my car very disappointed.  The mindset of the people around here.  I don't know what I will do with these 15 cats that I feed here on a daily basis, that are losing their home.  This will be the 5th time they've had their shelters removed from various spots. 

Short Street Blackie

I managed to get a pic of the black cat with the tattered, tight red collar on Short.  If anyone knows who this baby belonged to...  The cat Sam, who by the way needs serious rescuing, is very domineering over this new black cat and won't let him into the shelter to eat.  It was sad to see this this morning.  Must get Sam rescued.  Maybe next.  I need a foster!

That's it in a nutshell.  My needs are simple.  Cat food, and AA/AAA batteries.  Donations to the clinic.  A board and a heavy rock here and there.  Someone do to my laundry.  ha.  So many dirty towels that I replace each morning after a rain or snow storm.  And of course, a professional landscaping service to carve out some dirt so that I can plant a seed garden this spring!

Speaking of spring, its just around the corner!  And so is the weekend.  Enjoy!

Have a great day!

"Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures."

Cats Don't Like Rice!

At one of my locations, each morning, I find a human meal left for the cats.  Chicken bones and rice are whats left from a goodhearted, yet uneducated person who leaves this hear for the cats.  I don't think cats like rice, and they certainly shouldn't have chicken bones.

I am taking a break from this blog today.  It was snowing while I gave over 80 (that I could count today at each of my 16 locations) cats their breakfast, it was cold, and it was dark.  The black and white cat on Greeley looks very pregnant, but she won't go into my trap.  I need someone with a drop trap to help me.

Sometimes, I just can't think of anything to say!  I would LOVE someone to write a guest post!!!  I would love a break!  Please, anyone???

Make it a great day!

“A word of encouragement 

during a failure is worth

more than an hour

of praise

after success.” 

Old Man Winter...

is slogging away, slowly, but soon Miss Spring will make her appearance, and life will be easier.  The weather out is horrible, it was misty and rainy out at 4 am., my boots were squishing in the mud in many places, so gross really.  Its so dirty at a few of my locations, I don't know how the cats can stand it.  But stand it they do.  I had many wet filthy towels to replace with warm, clean and dry towels for their little feet to stand on while they ate their only meal of the day.

I had to let Spooky back out this morning, and of course as you know, I hated doing it.  He would be a real handful to someone if they wanted to rescue him - he was born outdoors and knows nothing about humans or houses.  He was quiet overnight on the porch, in the trap, covered with blankets to keep the chill out.  He ate a little bit, and cried this morning as I was doing the first half of my route, knowing he was going to be released soon.  And yes, Spooky is a boy, according to the paperwork I received after his neuter.  He has many siblings, a few of which I've spayed/neuter, but there are more on that corner that must be done.  Would love some help.

I had an idea this morning as I walked back to the lot on Short to feed Baby Buttons, Mr. Whiskers, Miss Calico, Millie, and a new black, very hungry cat with a tattered, tight red collar.  My idea is that I would love to have a landscape company volunteer to help prepare space on this lot, and plant a seed garden.  Wild flowers, anything you can plant with seeds.  Of course I will have to ask for a permit for this lot, but wouldn't that be lovely.  Its actually a double lot and goes far back.  This is where the city destroyed my shelters due to 'the rats'.  Its actually a home for the animals that have no home, and its a very bleak looking lot. Wouldn't it be nice to spruce it up and make it look pretty. And I am sure the few people that live across from this might like it too!  So that is my mission.  To find some professional help - someone with a large rototiller, or whatever, to prepare the ground for planting!  Any suggestions would be really appreciated!

Have a great day!

Let’s Take a Moment to Be Thankful

For every accident that never happened,

For every grave illness that was not caught,

For every tornado that never formed,

And every mean word withheld when we fought.

We can only see what’s right in front of us,

And can be thankful for all we’ve got,

But to really, truly embrace gratitude,

We have to also remember

To be thankful

For every “never,” “didn’t,” and “not.”

Spooky!

So there is a cat at one of my first two locations that I see that looks pretty big.  It did not look that big when I first spotted it last spring, standing against a building all by its lonesome.  I would pass by it in the mornings on my way from my first spot, and heading to my second spot, and would spot it sitting there, or in a grate that is in the ground next to the building.  So I began the inevitable.  I started placing food down behind the grocery store's dumpster.  Next thing you know, I have a shelter built.  :)  Yep, and that is how it all began.  All of this.  16 locations!  uggh.

Anyway, it started to look very big, so I got a clinic spot this morning and I set the trap.  I took a second trap with me to get another cat that I suspect is female on Second and Central, just in case I couldn't get this one.  I set it, went on my way, did my spot on the first half, went back to check it before crossing over Goodman to do the remaining locations, and still, nothing.

SPOOKY

So I went and set the second trap, and did all my spots there, and voila!  I have one of the older kittens from last year.  Spooky.  Spooky is semi-feral, and I think a boy.  I finished up my rounds, and went back to check on the first trap, still nothing.  And there sat the cat, 10 feet away from me.  I had a short conversation with this cat, asking if it was pregnant or not.  Still, it needs fixing, so I will begin trapping very soon.  I think its like...  60 days til spring?  Something like that?  Just around the corner!  And so many cats unneutered out there!  I can always use help!

So, Spooky will go in to the clinic where he will be neutered, and no baby making for him!  Hooray!  The other, I will keep trying.  :(

Have a great day!

Squish!

Uggh.  That is what happened this morning when in the dark, I stepped on something that didn't feel quite right underfoot.  I shined the flashlight, and it was a rat!  uggggh.  GROSS.  Totally.  It was a good thing to see though because I know the cats are doing their job.  :)

My SMOKEY a/k/a Fang

Well, its February, and Kristin reminded me that I have now rescued five cats so far since January!  Pretty good! 

Joel, thank you so much for your helpful comments from Friday.  I will see if my girl Carrie can do some finagling for me - I am pretty hopeless in setting stuff up here.  I need an entire day to do nothing so that I can make this blog look pretty, but I don't see that day in the near future.  I do appreciate the help and feedback, for sure. 

Kittens from two years ago....from Trust Street

One of my feeding spots... you can make one out of just about anything!

These are my daily staples --- water, wet and dry food.
I could really use some large sized yogurt or whatever containers like this one!

It felt like the calm before the storm this morning.  It was quiet, the temperature is very mild, a light dusting of snow fell overnight.  There is snow and wind advisory heading our way and is forecast to hit tomorrow.  I know we have had a milder than most winter, and I thank God for it.  There have been some brutal winters.  I am thankful all the kitties were there to greet me this morning.  Most, if not all, of their food dishes are empty. I did see the grey striped kitty with the injured paw yesterday, and he actually managed to get to another shelter of mine to get his breakfast, and he was NOT limping.  I don't know how these cats can heal themselves.  Maybe he is putting pressure on a hurt food just to get around.  I don’t know.  I will try to rescue that little guy this week, if I can.  He is very pretty, for sure, but has also been on the streets for a long time.  AND he has more than the normal amount of toes on a cat too.   What do they call that…  terradactyl?

There is a very fat cat on one of my spots near Melville. It is a black and white kitty that runs out of the shelter when I arrive each morning, and runs off to watch me from a distance until I leave.  It looks very fat, or pregnant.  I've requested a spot at the clinic for tomorrow, and I will try to trap it.  I'll bet there are a lot of pregnant kitties on my route that I just don't see. 

So far so good with the adopted kitties from last weekend.  Bacardi is settling in with his new family.  They adopted Petunia from me the year before, and renamed her Piper.  They have a cute dog that I am sure Bacardi is not fond of, but will get used to eventually.  So far so good with his ‘bathroom habits’ too!  J  Princess has settled in but is a little frightened of her new dad, who is – what I am told – sort of a big man…  but I am sure sweet nevertheless.  She will get used to her new environment soon also.  As a matter of fact, they have expressed interest in adopting Callie – so that Princess and Callie can be sisters!  J  Fingers crossed that all works out!  And finally, Sunshine seems to be doing well in her new environment – her mom says:  "Getting better. We all sat in the living room at the same time last night!. Patrick with me on the couch and Sunny on the chaise. They get a little closer now but Sunny still hisses. But they're using the same litter boxes and eating from the same bowl. We're getting there."

Her new mom adopted Paddy (renamed Patrick) from me last year, so now he has a sister!

It’s a wonderful feeling to get these beautiful angels off the street.  Now, we must rescue more!  Foster and adopt.  Spread the word! 

Have a great day!

No Longer a Stray

When you look into my eyes,

I know what you will see.

There is only love and trust

Where fear once used to be.

For I was an abandoned cat,

A cold and hungry stray.

But you reached out your gentle hands

And took me home to stay.

I've eagerly accepted the compassion you have shown.

I soon forgot the times when I was frightened and alone.

You opened up your heart to me

And taught me how to trust.

You've given me a loving home

Where kindness is a must.

So when you gaze into my face I hope you'll realize,

That "love without condition" is reflected in my eyes.