Slow & Easy

Those are the words of the morning.  Its super icy out there.  I have to waddle like a penguin to most of my locations.  Be careful of that black ice!  Its warmer out today, which is easier I think on the cats, but its going to be super wet too.  I changed a lot of icy towels this morning.  My washer has its work cut out for it in a minute.

 

I went to Alaska several years ago, and I walked through a lot of woodsy, remote areas and when you walk through parts of the country like that, where there are bears, you have to not only watch and listen for them, but you have to look down and step over their bear poop.   This morning, I noticed I had to do the same thing with the cats!  On the paths I've created trudging through the snow to get to the shelters this past winter, this is where they choose to do their business, just like a bear, so I really had to watch where I was stepping!

I disturbed Kitty #1 at my first stop - it was sleeping soundly until I had to start messing with its space, the towel was soaking.  Its funny how you can feel these wild cats whoosh past your leg when they fly - you get that one touch of them, and its only a brief whoosh on your leg!  On the Central location, the black and white cat that has been keeping its distance from me allowed me to touch it this morning.  I believe its the mother cat of the recent litter that the girls in the corner house allowed it to have.  Its a skeleton.  I tried to feel around to see if it was pregnant, but I don't think it was.  I must do something.  The Chamberlain kitty - the white with the black tail, I am starting to suspect she may be.  I will keep my eye on this also.  Its super hard to do everything I need to do in the time I have to do it, and rescue these cats and find a place for them at the same time.  Not to mention get the appointment at the clinic, hope I can get the cat that morning,  have them brought in, paid for, picked up.  I do need more help.  Its going to be a rough spring, I can tell already.

Have a great day!

Location, Location, Location!

Some highlights/lowlights of my spots:

Parsells #1 - a kitty continues to remain in his/her shelter on the ground on the side of the porch where the owner of the property moved my stuff weeks back.  it remains there while I pour food and water in front of its face - whether its scared to move, or too comfortable, not sure, but I am so glad to know the shelter is being used.  There are two there, but not sure if the other is being used.  I believe someone has moved into this recently vacant, newly renovated apartment in this huge apartment house. 

Parsells #2 - food is always gone on the three plates I leave here every other day.  Occasionally I will see a kitty leave the large feeding area with two shelters - its dark - I have to tramp through the backyard of a house that is occupied, this is where Kevin lives, and where John used to live.  They both have allowed me to do this, until they move they say...

Stout - This morning I got stuck in the driveway, had to move snow with my boots, which are now falling apart.  The black kitty ran to me, as usual, but there was another tabby with white there which I don't believe I've seen.  Both hungry, both waiting, for their food under the porch.  The garage door is still ajar for those seeking shelter.  Thanks again Walt and Karon.

Chamberlain - Lucy is still there every morning, crying away, never allowing me too close.  Did not see "I think she is pregnant" kitty.  Still not sure about that one.  She certainly is not nursing, I do know that.  She has a smooth belly, no milk ducts.

Hayward - did not see Candy, but a little black and white kitty with a plastic flea collar, fully intact male ran to me, crying, rubbing against my legs.  He is less than a year, sweet little thing.  I have four shelters here, with a lean to board against the house for feeding.  Wonder when those icicles will come crashing down.

Baldwin - the usual kitties here, sometimes I see four to five, other times, two to three.  Food and water under the bench, and the same under a lean to against the back lot fence.  Good shelters in back, and under the bench.

The back nine:

Short #1 - I saw a rat here this morning.  Yuck.  A big one.  I hesitated putting the wet food down, but I looked up and saw Morgan trotting along the sidewalk and knew Mr. Mouse would hesitate to go into this shelter with Mr. Kitty.  It smells in here.  I tried to clean out the dirt pile that some animal dug up but the other side of this shelter is frozen to the ground, will have to wait until it thaws to clean out.

Short #2 - Still see only two kitties here now, since I had to move their shelter from Mr. Meanie's garage on Sixth months ago.  They wait for me to leave so they can gobble up their precious wet food.  Very dark and scary back there, but so far, so good.

4th and Pennsylvania - lots of kitties each day waiting.  I took a pic the other morning and posted - its the large lean to where there were four cats eating - then there are nice shelters in the back also.  This house has been boarded up and vacant forever.  Wonder when it will be demolished. 

Pennsylvania near Second - I see a red kitty and a grey one here, usually.  Haven't seen the friendly, very large black kitty I used to see.  I hope someone took it in.   This is in back of a guys house that I've never met, but he has allowed me to set up shelters in his back yard.  Someday...  I have left him a message or two on his windshield thanking him, wish I could do more.  The only thing I know about him is that he has gigantic feet from his footprints in the snow.

Second - haven't seen Paul around lately, too cold.  He is the man that allows me to feed behind his house.  A nice igloo shelter back there, along with a lean to, and a few tote shelters.  I saw two kitties behind there waiting for me to leave.

Third and Central - I have shelters, and leave food in both the front and back of this vacant house on the corner.  I know a cat is using one of the nice wooden shelters there - this is where we had to move our stuff from across the street because of the creep that ordered everything to be trashed to the large dumpster a while back.  Thanks again Karon, Walt, Kristin and Sheryl for all your help.

Central - remember me talking about Tuffy - well he worked his way down to Central and Fifth, although there were five other cats here waiting for me this morning.  Poor Tuffy - something happened where he couldn't swallow, he was having a hard time.  But after he got over whatever spell he was having, he actually got really close to me to get more food.  I left food and water outside this normally closed up shelter that Kristin built.  There were too many cats to crown under there.

Last but not least - Seventh.  I continue to feed at least 3-4 cats here daily.  I believe all are fixed, but all are scared of me, except for fluffy black kitty that dug into my arm a week or two ago (which still doesn't look too flash by the way), but he is not always here.

So, there you have it.  This is my life.  Ha.

"Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen."

 

 

Not Much

My Vanessa

Thanks everyone for your comments.  They are what keep me going.  The commentless posts get me down, but then again, I have to remember, this is like a diary for me, its not for everyone, I understand, but for those that take the time to go through the steps to make a comment, I appreciate it.

Dear Diary.

Ha.  I don't have a lot to say today.  I have my down days, and I think today is one of them.  Nothing like a good Zumba class won't cure this evening.  I will pick up my 16 year old niece and dance away.

I trudged through the snow again this morning, all the usual suspects were out.  Tuffy ran to meet me, although he keeps his distance.  Today, he was on Second.  Tomorrow, he may be on Central.  The next day, he may be on Pennsylvania.  Some of these cats travel, for sure.  Today its wind.  They are predicting maybe an inch today, but the winds will be severe and will cause drifts.  Its always something.

I think I need a really decent day.  I need a lot of things, but I think a day off with the sun beating down on my face would do the trick.

I wish you all a great day.

 

"Faith is accepting that you may not understand

everything, but knowing that God will direct you to

what He wants for your life."

Coccles of my Heart

Saturday morning - another three inches of snow.

 

Central Location

Baldwin Location

 

Sunday morning - another three inches of snow.

 

Pennsylvania & Fourth Location (click on pic to see four cats!)



Short Location (click on pic to see the kitty peering around the corner!)

 

This morning I went to the tractor trailor supply store to get my mother some dried corn cob for her starving deer and bird seed for my birdies, and to feed the squirrels that are obviouslyhungry this winter, and the guy at the checkout asked me if I wanted to contribute to the farmers fund.  I thought, ok, I will let this go, but if anyone knows me, I am not one to let things go, so immediately I told him what I do every single day of my life and he, I am sure, regretted asking me.  I then apologized and felt like a fool, but told him  I would if I could, but that I was just trying to make ends meet on my part, and that was that.  I was saddened to think that I couldn't contribute to anthing else but myself.

 

Monday morning - another inch of snow, temperature ZERO.

 

If I just had one bag of 18 pounds donated to me each day of dry cat food, it would make my life so much easier.  And by that I mean when every signle morning of mylife,. I get up at 4 am. to head out into the inner city to feed over 50 vey needy and desperate animals, it would makle my journey so much easier.  I can't tell you how hard it is to drive to, stop at 16 locastions every single morning, pack my vest with a clean dry towel, fill five canisters of wet food, and four bags of dry food

(20 pounds), finagle a dying flashlight (that by the way was meant to fit on your head, but it was just more practical for me to sling around my neck), sludge through the snow, bend over, squat, kneel down, a good workout I might add, but oh how hard it is.  My grocery bill is outrageous, and I have a single on the lower scale income.  I feel sorry for myself on occasion, and this is one of them.

Mr. Whiskers from Sixth PRE-RESCUE

Little Red from Webster PRE-RESCUE

Mr. Whiskers & Little Red TODAY

This is the stuff that melts my heart.  Seeing pictures like this.  The Before and After pictures.  The hard case stories of feeding these cats that you just know shouldn't be out there, the ones you just know that they are strays, abandoned, and need to be rescued off the mean streets they've been living on.  These two cats came from completely different neighborhoods - not too far away, but across busy intersections, and wound up together - mates for life.  Thank you Nancy, for taking in these two, along with so many others, two of which are in heaven now.

Big Red WOUNDED

Big Red from Garson PRE-RESCUE

Big Red TODAY

Big Red (Sandy) & Monkey

Monkey Girl from Second PRE-RESCUE

Monkey Girl TODAY

Then there is Big Red and Little Monkey Girl.  Big Red was from Garson Avenue, and I fed this boy for years, and finally after seeing him injured after the hard life he lived on the streets, I rescued him.  Then there was Monkey Girl, with the curly tail that cried and cried each morning when I pulled up on Second, and I finally was able to scoop her up, telling her this was no where for a sweet young lady like herself to be living. Monkey and Sandy are now the best of pals.  Thank you Maree for opening up your heart and home to them!

There are hundreds more stories just like this.  That me, little old me, did all by myself.  I rescued these pitiful animals and found homes for them!  I don't hear from all my adopters, which saddens me - some just don't want to keep in contact, so I can only hope the kitties are all happy and healthy and living life in a warm and loving home.  I will continue to share these stories with you.

Have a great day, and please spread the word...  I have four cats that all need homes, so that I can rescue more.  Lenny.  Fraser, Teddy and Calvin.

Four Legged Friends...

If you can believe it, its snowed again over night, dumping at least another four inches.  Shoveable today, but I forgot the shovel.  So I shuffled the snow from side to side as best as I could.  The only good news about today's weather is its in the 20s, compared to the zeros it has been all winter.  Its always harder for me each morning when its snowing.  I have to change nearly all the towels, and juggle the towel, water, dry food, wet food container, and the half dead flashlight around my neck.  I wish I had someone just to stand over me at each of my spots just shining the light down on what I am doing.  It would help so much.

 

At a few of my spots, I noticed unusual happenings.  At the Stout location, someone piled up a ton of large, flattened cardboard at the entrance to under the porch where Mr. Black Kitty resides.  I don't know whats up with that.  I know for sure if I didn't have to go under there each day to place new food after I shake out the rug and towel each morning filled with straw, it would be an ideal windbreaker, but I really don't get it.  Wish I had my camera. (do you know how many times I've said that?)  At the Short location, inside where Milly and Morgan hang, some animal must have dug up a ton of dirt.  Maybe some of my animal knowledgeable friends can fill me in on what type of animal digs up the dirt like that.  Its also happened at my 2nd Parsells location.

 

Now onto another kind of animal. 

I’ll admit it, I like dogs just as much as cats.  But because there aren’t many dogs out running wild in the streets, I rescue and feed cats.  But on occasion I have been known to rescue a dog or two (Banjo), and or attend a cruelty hearing on behalf of a dog.  I sure do miss my dog Thunder, who recently passed six months or so, on his 10^th birthday.  They define unconditional love; a pal, a buddy who misses you as much for the few minutes you go out to take the trash out as he does if you’re gone for a week.

They don't get mad or try to get back at you if you forget to feed him or if you ignore him, and they’ll sit at your feet or cuddle with you with no need for commitment.  They smile and sometimes look sad, but they always loves you.  Thunder came to us when he was four years old, after not having had the best life he could have being cramped in a house with 30+ cats, and other large dogs.  He bit my finger the first time I met him.  We decided to give him a weekend getaway, and he never went back.

Older dogs make it easy for you to love them.  They think you’re brilliant, even if you’re not. They become vulnerable, show gratitude, trust and they are funny in new and different ways!  They make us smile when we are down.  They understand what we are talking about, especially when they are the topic of conversation!  They are smart, and forever friends, and I miss having a dog.  Oh well, down the road I will get another baby that desperately needs saving from a shelter.

 

In the meantime, I will continue to maul my cats the way I would have with my Thunder.

Have a GREAT weekend!  TGIF!

PS, Happy Valentines Day!

 

Updates

My Garden last Summer..

 

Both Molly and Rupert are staying in their homes for now, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Rupert went to the vet yesterday, and was treated for fleas.  He also had an ulcer in his mouth which was already healing by now, which caused the blood apparently when he was vomiting up hairballs. He was given cortisone, and flea medicine, and his 'owner' was given advice on the tub situation.  She stated she really did want to keep Rupert.  And Molly's mom was just frustrated, but swore she would never give up the little rambunctious kitten that was more like in her terrible twos in human years!  :)

So, its all good!  For now.

I saw 'pregnant' kitty this morning.  Now she doesn't look as pregnant as she did the other morning.  Now she doesn't even look pregnant, nor feel it when I gave her a good going over.  She allowed me to feel her belly good, and I just can't tell.   I will keep my eye on this, but one thing for sure, I need to start getting some appointments for TNR - the female black and white cat on Central that apparently belongs to Brenda, the ignorant woman on the corner there, had a litter about four months ago, and is probably pregnant again, although she won't get too near me when I go there each morning (the cat, not the woman - :).  Snickers comes running to me.  This is where so many cats have been rescued recently, the latest being Lenny.

Yesterday evening I visited with the foster mom Gail who is keeping Teddy warm and safe in her home, along with her little dog Gracie, and her sister and mom were there.  Her sister asked how I do what I do, and I just told her, I do it because all these animals are waiting for me every single morning, hungry.  They depend on me.  If it weren't for that fact, that they are sitting there in plain sight when I pull up to their spots, their shelters, I wouldn't be doing this.  Its hard work.  Its a lot of bending down, trudging through snow, glass strewn vacant lots, going behind abandoned houses with gang graffiti spray painted on them, lifting this board, sometimes having to put the shelters back again after hooligans come around and mess with my stuff, fighting homeowners who don't like the cats, going through blizzards to get it done, waking at 4 to get ready to go out, rushing to get to work afterwards, its all hard work.  Not to mention, the hundreds of dollars I spend out of my own pocket each month for them - and that is just on food.  The cost of taking them to the vet on the lucky days that I rescue them - its all very costly.   I don't know how I do it, but I do.

Please spread the word.  I need help with food and with encouragement!  I need people to take in these kitties and foster.  I need people to adopt the kitties I rescue.  Spread the word.

Have a GREAT day!

 

"Be slow to criticize, and fast to appreciate!"

Touched

I was completely touched and shocked to receive the above at work yesterday.  I never knew first off that:

a) cats could make phone calls
b) cats have good taste
c) cats have money!

The following note came with the flowers:

"With love from the hundreds of cats whose lives you touched.  Meow!  Meow!"

Touched beyond words, that is all I can say.  Thank you to whoever helped the kitties order these!  

The flowers helped perk up an otherwise not so great day.  I have a few stressors in my life that have been around for a while, but also some new ones that came about this week.  Two people have expressed frustration with kitties they adopted from me, and its terribly disheartening to know that people will give up their animals, especially when they have had them for a long while now.  I don't care if its behavior issues - in one instance it is (still a kitten), and in another its sick (going to vet today).  Y'all remember little Molly

Lucky/Molly

(misbehaving), and Rupert (the sick one).

Rupert/Sugar

We don't give our pets away.  Period.  The day we adopt them, its for better or for worse.  There are some circumstances, I understand, but for most, for petty issues, health issues, it can all be worked out.  You don't give an animal away because its obviously sick and you don't want to deal with it anymore.  Or its tipping things over in your house, and not loving you at your command.  They are innocent little creatures that have learned to trust you.  Don't do it.

Rupert will be picked up this morning and driven to the vet with its 'owner' and given a stern talking to.   This is a friend of the family, so I am biting my tongue right now.  There are folks in the world who are good through and through, and others who came in mean and will go out mean.  If I had a place for Rupert to be held/fostered, I would take him immediately.  He is obviously not getting love, to be discarded so quickly, but my hands are tied, I cannot take him while I still have Calvin, and four others in foster for me.  PLEASE SPREAD the word.  I am sure this will be a treatable situation, he just needs vetting.  Something he should have been given when the symptom first arose.

Thanks for being my sounding board.  AND for all your comments!

This morning was zero degrees, again, but I made the best for the animals on my route.  I did not see the pregnant cat today.

I wish you all a good day, and stay tuned for results of the vet visit.