Monsters Among Us

Let me start with what happened Monday morning, and then I will get into the cats.  And I bring this up to raise awareness about road rage.  I posted this on Facebook on Monday.

There are some incredibly angry and unstable drivers out there these days. This morning, I was on Route 104 when a motorcyclist — riding what looked like a Japanese sport bike — must have thought I cut him off going around a curve (which I didn’t even realize at the time). He kept looking back at me and slowing down, so I slowed too. There was traffic behind me, so I sped up. Then, while we were both going about 60 mph, he pulled right up next to my car and smashed my side mirror with his fist.

It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced. I can’t believe someone could do something that dangerous and aggressive. What is happening to people?

Today is Wednesday, and I still can’t shake the fear of what happened every time I drive to work. I’m sharing this again because there may be someone you know — maybe a coworker, a neighbor — who owns one of these Japanese racing bikes. It could have been the same person who did this. You never really know the darkness someone might be carrying inside them.

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written here, and wow, do I miss it — but these days, time just slips away. I often wonder what life would be like if I were retired, but judging from friends and family, retirement just means being just as busy — only at a slower pace.

I’m still deeply involved in caring for the cats — just under 100 of them — every other day in the Beechwood section of Rochester, near the Public Market. I no longer personally feed them (I simply can’t do it physically anymore), but Esther has been faithfully doing it for the entire year now, and she’s doing an amazing job.

My role is mostly behind the scenes now — paying for food, coordinating rescues, and covering vet care when I can. Just the dry food alone still costs $300+ per week, and that’s before vet bills. This year, I’ve funded just under 50 TNRs (trap, neuter, return) since February — that’s a lot of litters that will never happen, thanks in large part to two wonderful women who prefer to remain anonymous.

I get an average of 4 requests every week – sometimes more – to help rehome cats, rescue new moms, and save kittens. Right now, my rescue is completely full with 10 kittens (all getting older because no applications are coming in) and 3 adult cats. I simply cannot take in any more at this time.

All I can do right now is offer advice, loan out traps, and provide outdoor shelters when I can. Even Lollypop is closed for cat intakes right now – it’s a mess out there, and innocent animals are the ones suffering.

I am in urgent need of supplies for the kittens currently in my care, AND keeping up the shelters in preparation for the cold winter months:

• Iams Kitten food (or any other top brand)

• Assorted kitten or Fancy Feast pates

• Clumping litter

• Interactive toys (they are older now and get bored in their foster space)

• Plastic tote shelters (there are tutorials out there to make them)

• Tarps - brown or camouflage

If you can help, please reach out for drop-off info or a shipping location.

I’m posting pictures today of some of the sweet faces in my rescue — please share this post, spread the word, and help us find homes, supplies, and donations.

We need help. We need donations. We need adopters.

Please give these kitties a chance! They are so deserving, and spread the word!

Have a great day!

Dear God,

Please watch over all the animals this day.

Keep the strays safe, feed the hungry ones,

heal the sick, and help them find loving homes.

And help us humans do our part to care for them.

Amen.