The Ups and Downs

UPDATE written shortly after consulting with vet yesterday on Shorty: After a lengthy conversation with the doctor, Shorty (from Short Street) – who is an older cat, is severely injured. He has severe burns on his tongue, most likely some sort of acid, and three of his paws have 4th degree burns, where the skin has burned off. Dr. said Shorty cannot go home, would have to be hospitalized, be on heavy pain meds, and heavy IV fluids due to extreme dehydration, and even after days of observation, the decision may have to be made still. Remember folks, there are times when we have to think of the animal before our selves. I’ve been doing this for a long time now, and I see too much suffering. I have decided, while he is still under anesthesia, to allow him to be pain free after who knows how long he has endured this pain.

It was a very hard decision for me, one I don't take lightly.  I had to weigh the pros and cons, and the pros would have been too far away for this little guy.  He had a lot of painful obstacles to face moving forward, and I felt that ending his suffering was best. 

I had so many wonderful condolences yesterday on Facebook.  People can be so kind. 

My bad day ended on a good note.  A girl who adopted a kitty from me from the street what...  2 years ago?  Sent me this picture, and these words - and keep in mind, Domino was rough around the edges.  She was just 'fostering' him at first, and he hid and hid and hid.  I was so afraid of her returning him.  But now he is part of their wonderful family, and I, and he, couldn't be happier!

"I ran across this picture of Domino last night. Thought I'd share it with you in hopes it'll cheer you up a bit after your day with Shorty. Domino is one of your many successful rescues! He's a thriving, well-loved guy. Keep up your amazing work."

This morning was typical.  Except for the fact that I had to return SEVEN to 7th Street.  Note to self:  Don't keep TNR's in your bathroom overnight.  It was the hardest thing to do, again, to return him back to the vacant lot this morning.  He was a sweet boy, and the few reasons that kept me from holding on to him was Benson, another black and white that is still in foster and it wouldn't be fair to try to find a look a like a home while he still doesn't have one, and the fact that there are others out there that I've wanted to get off the street, they are ready, its time, but I just can't do it until I can either get more fosters, or the kitties in foster get adopted.  Its just not fair, all the way around.

Please spread the word, spay and neuter, foster and adopt!  Have a good day!  Eh!

The following is an old story, but I remember doing this very same thing in the spring of 2014 when I had the luxury of a 'vacation' in Hilton Head for a long weekend.  I got up each morning and walked to the beach.  In the dark.  Do you think I could sleep past 4 am., even on a vacation?  No.  But as I walked in the semi-darkness, literally watching the sun rise above the horizon, I threw each starfish that was on the beach back into the water.  I felt so bad for them.

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out 'Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?'

The young man paused, looked up, and replied 'Throwing starfish into the ocean.'

'I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?' asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, 'The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die.'

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, 'But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!'

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, 'It made a difference for that one.'