Good Times, Bad Times

You know I've had my share....  LED ZEPPLIN.  Yes.  :)

This weekend was crazy up and down with emotion.  I did have some good times, with friends coming over, some laughs, a lot of wine, but unfortunately, there were some sad and mad moments too.

Saturday morning I was honored with a new friend to ride along with me - she wanted to see first hand what I do each and every day.  She arrived at 4 am. and off we went.  At my first REAL shelter, I was greeted by the twins, and the fluffy boy, as usual, but as I was pouring the food down, June pointed to something and I turned around and right next to me, on top of the shelter, was a baby kitten, no older than four weeks old, with eyes completely covered in something, or so it looked to me in the dark.  I immediately scooped it up and placed it in my carrier in the car.  I then went about my regular route, I had to, but my heart was pounding upon finding this little creature.  At one of the further spots, as we stood there in the dark on Garson, we heard gunshots, in the distance, but gunshots nevertheless.  I looked at June and told her 'this is not the norm'!  You came on an odd morning, usually its very quiet"!

When I got home, I immediately made the decision that this kitten needed to be seen so off it went to the Emergency Vets office and after diagnosis of a corneal perforated ulcer in both eyes

Definition
A complicated corneal ulcer is one that has additional factors present which are not only delaying the normal healing response but have the potential to cause further deterioration of the cornea. These factors can be intrinsic or acquired. Sepsis is the most common acquired reason which can directly destroy the cornea as well as by stimulation of intrinsic "self destruct" mechanisms (collagenase). In addition, other complications of septic ulcers are uveitis and cataract.

, the vet recommended euthanasia.  She told me that the little boy was suffering and in a great deal of pain.  I agreed, knowing I could never care for this animal with its needs, and financially, down the road, it would have to endure surgery, eye removal, etc.  All sorts of testing.  With what I do on a daily basis, I just couldn't do it, not to mention afford it.  The visit alone was $300.  This entire thing was heartbreaking to me, the tears flowed most of the morning.  I will never forget this baby that had such a short life, and most of it spent in pain.  God rest his tiny soul.

On Sunday morning, I received a message from someone - Julio - on Pennsylvania Ave telling me that he 'didn't like threats and that he would call animal control and the police because of the shelters on the city lot.'  I thought, well, I had better go over there.  As I pulled up, there was Tim, the black guy that lives on the other side of this city lot where I moved my stuff to last week, smashing to smithereens my shelters, including the beautifully designed wooden hut made for me last year by a friend and her husband.  I got out of the car in a rage, and immediately called 911.  Tim had a hammer in his hand and I thought he was going to come at me.  He was in a rage also.   Tim finally left and went back into his house.  After 15 mins. or so, the cops showed up and I knew what they would tell me. Its a city lot, he has just as much right to this lot as I do, which is about zilch, and that I should find another location for the shelters.  They certainly did not understand that you can't just move eight+ cats that have depended on these shelters and food here for at least five years now.  I tried to explain the situation, but they just kept reciting the law to me.  I cried.  I knew I was defeated.  They tried to talk to Tim, but he wouldn't answer the door.  I mentioned to them that I had applied for a garden permit just last week to care for this lot, but hadn't heard back.  They told me to go to the NET office for this, told me the address, and said they may be able to hurry the permit along.  I would have no problem if this were granted.  I don't think I will get it because I need a group to back me up, like boy scouts or something.  Needless to say, this was a nightmare at the time.  This morning, whats left of what we put back in the lot was still there this morning.  The cats were all waiting for me.

This is the pregnant cat I picked up on Parsells Friday morning.  She was spayed, and now needs a home desperately.  I call her skinny Minnie.  She is so thin and dainty.  And sweet and loving.  I just could not put her back on the street.  Please please spread the word about her. 

I ran into Brenda on Second Street this morning.  She came over to me in the dark.  I greeted her by telling her I was upset with her due to her response to me when I came to get her cat that had given birth months prior to take to clinic for spaying.  She was very drunk and said she changed her mind.  This time, she told me, as the cat sat just a distance from us, that it was pregnant again.  I gave her a stern lecture, and I think she has agreed to let me take the cat tomorrow.  I told her I would pull up in her driveway with a carrier and she must get the cat into it.  I have two appointments for tomorrow for TNR.  I did not bargain to have Brenda's cat tomorrow as one of the spots to fill, there are just so many I need to do.  I need to also check on the mother cat on Trust Street, across from Miss B's house, that has five newborn kittens.  As soon as they are weaned, the momma cat goes in for spay, and I take the five kittens, that I have no clue what I will do with.  But they can't remain with this woman, who can't even care for the mother cat.  Sad, but true.

Speaking of, I have not seen the white cat on Niagara nor her baby.  And white cat is pregnant.  I spotted a few of the kittens on 7th Street.  I also continue to see the hernia cat each morning on Ferndale and Webster, waiting for food to be placed there.  Crazy Maryleigh continues to come by this property, where she has been told by police not to trespass on, and empty the bowls later in the morning.  I went to her neighbor's house yesterday, Mary, who was in the process of getting her stuff together to move.  She told me her husband was arrested and is facing four years on auto theft.  Said someone gave him $15 to do something with a car, and turned out to be stolen.  What people do for drugs is beyond me.  She said it was better that he is gone, that its just her and her son now.  I didn't get into it.  I got hot and bothered when she pointed out one of her beautiful dogs that was pregnant.  I told her the situation in shelters, and she didn't care because 'she loves babies.'  I told her to keep in touch.  No sign of Crazy Mary the past few days.

Thats it in a nutshell.  I could go on and on but must get to work!

Have a good day.

I'M STILL HERE 

Friend, please don’t mourn for me

I’m still here, though you don’t see.

I’m right by your side each night and day

and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near.

I’m everything you feel, see or hear.

My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart

as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight-

I’m the brightest star on a summer’s night.

I’ll never be beyond your reach-

I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.

I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around

and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.

I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond,

The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring,

The first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,

and you’ll see that the face in the moon shine is mine.

When you start thinking there’s no one to love you,

you can talk to through the Lord up above you.

I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,

and you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep

and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.

I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.

Just look for me friend, I’m every place!