Feed a Cat for Christmas! KRISTIN!!!

What can I say, but thanks, to Kristin.  She has been so very helpful to me and the kitties of Beechwood for many years now.  I met her when she wrote me a sort of anonymous note (She thought I was a crazy person and didn't want me to know her real name or email address).  Little did she know!  :)  Or little did I know about her!  ha ha!  Kristin's donation is in memory of her sweet Henry Honey Ham, who recently passed, as a kitten, from FIP.  May HHH rest in peace.  Thank you Kristin for your constant source of inspiration.

Henry Honey Ham McBride

For those of you that read the post yesterday here on this blog, you might be interested in the following:

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keep going!...........




LOOK! 

I rescued this baby with the sick eyes!  :)

I could not have done it without Kristin's help.  She called me to tell me she found someone who was willing to take a cat, sight unseen, and help it.  So I managed to coax this baby to me this morning in the snow, she was so hungry, and she came close enough so that I could grab her by the scruff and in she went!  I called the woman, left a message and now patiently waiting for her to call back so that I can deliver MISTY to her.  Its so gratifying to do this.  I know she has some ailment, and knowing she was on the street killed me.  Thank you to this person that I don't know yet, and thank you Kristin for putting the feelers out there.  Without all of you sharing this stuff, I wouldn't have the ability to rescue!  I love you all!  :)

I am on vacation today.  Off to do a gazillion things! 

Have a great day!

Feed a Cat for Christmas! JOY!

Joy to the world!  :0   Thank you so much Joy, once again, for your kindness.  Not only did she foster Sydney and Joanie for me, but she also adopted a street kitty by the name of Domino a few years back, and her donation is in memory of him, as he just recently passed.  Joy, and her mom, have both been good friends to me - her mom adopted a beautiful (although not that the time) white cat from Second Street, and she donated some plants for my city garden.  Many thanks Joy, for your kind donation in memory of 'our' boy, Domino.

Sweet Boy DOMINO - RIP little buddy...

I did a search on this blog for when I rescued Domino - it was the summer of 2014 and here is what I wrote:  "Last but not least!, we have Domino.  Another situation where I had this little boy neutered, and had to return him to the street because I had no one to foster him, until along came a girl named Joy who offered to take one of my kitties off the street and into her home.  He is SO happy to be off of Hayward Avenue, where he had been 'living' for so long in the brutal elements. Domino is a ninja. He does triple somersaults off window sills, opens cans of tuna with his bare claws, intimidates all canines within a quarter-mile radius.  He is now ready to be someone's loving companion."
It turned out that he became Joy and her family's loving companion.  Thank you Joy, for giving him such joy. 

I forgot to mention, Margherita, the kitty I returned to the streets yesterday - Melville Street to be exact, was post-partum.  Meowie was to be seen this morning.  I should never have let him go.  He was just too sweet.  Who knows, maybe he was someone's kitty.  I pray for him!

This little one above resides on the corner of Webster Avenue and Ferndale Crescent.  A real beauty but this is how I found her this morning.  Suffering from some ailment.  Her eyes all gooey.  My wish is that someone would say to me "Janine, if you can get her, I will take her, I will have her checked out medically, you do not need to do anything.  Or I will take any cat you deem needy."  That is my wish.  And there are so many others out there like her that need to be removed from these streets.  

WANTED:  Shelters

The snow was lightly falling this morning.  The weather reports are predicting between 4-8 inches of snow the next few days.  Most of the 16 locations where I have shelters are pretty tight, although I now realize I need at least six more shelters - the ideal size and shelter would be the largest styrofoam boxes.  Spray painted brown, they will fit right in.  The spot on Parsells where there are over 15 cats every morning - I can tuck a shelter or two under the bushes next to the porch where there are five shelters placed, under a board with a tarp covering those.  Just so many cats can fit into those.  Some are so territorial, they won't go near them.   A girl at Webster Manor reached out to me asking for help with shelters - she is feeding about four cats there - I told her I would try to help her build a small shelter in the woods there for her - ideally one shelter facing another shelter, with room in the middle for dishes, with a board under, with a pallet under that, with a board over the shelters, and then a tarp over those.  Thats ideal.  I don't have enough shelters.  I thought I did.  Anybody?

Have a great day!

"Nothing hurts a good soul and kind heart

more than to live amongst people

who can't understand it."

Feed a Cat For Christmas!!! JOEL S!!!

Great big thank you to JOEL S!  Not only does Joel have a huge philanthropic heart, but he also has a huge talent by making some GREAT grape jellies!  Thank you Joel AND Tammy, for allowing me to savor your cooking - spread on toast, it was most delectable.   Thank you for helping me to also feed the kitties out there!  They sure were hungry this morning.

I had to let Meowie and Margherita back out this morning.  Very hard to do.  Meowie soiled himself in the cage over night.  He never stopped crying.  Its these sweet ones that make this TNR stuff so very hard to do.  If I only had more fosters...

Here's a good update on Sydney and Piper, formerly Joanie!

 "Here's Syd with her big brother Rudy.... He's so good to them both. Syd chases him around the house, it's hysterical!

This pic was taken this afternoon. Look at Piper's around Syd's belly. These guys simply adore each other. You guys did amazing work with them both! I'm so glad we were able to adopt them both. They'd be lost with out each other!"

Thanks to those that adopt two kittens instead of one.  Here are ten reasons to remind us of why adopting two kittens together makes all the sense in the world!

Reason #1: You're saving two lives instead of one.
"If it's kitten season, that's one more kitten that will get a home instead of growing into an adult which will decrease its chance of getting adopted." It is entirely true that kittens are much easier to place than adult cats, and the 15-month-old cat you see in the shelter today is very likely a holdover from last year's crop of kittens. 

Reason #2 :
A kitten left alone during the day can become lonely and bored, which sometimes can lead to mischief. Two kittens will never be lonely, especially if they are siblings. In fact, you'll often find situations in shelters and rescue group adoption where a cage will contain two kittens with a sign, "These kittens may be adopted only as a pair." Shelter volunteers recognize that siblings really need to stay together. And since shelters are often frightening, unfriendly places to small creatures, unrelated cats often form close bonds that should be respected when adoption time comes.

Reason #3 : 
Although it might sound contrary, an older, established cat will probably accept two kittens better than one. One kitten will seek out the older cat as a playmate, or worse, tease and pester the senior cat which can cause stress to an older cat. The kitten in return, will be "rewarded" for his playful efforts with hisses and swats. Two kittens will expend their energy in play with each other, leaving their older "uncle" to relax in peace.

Reason #4 :
Kittens learn by copying. If one kitten is quick to learn appropriate litter box use, the other will be likely to copy. They also help each other with grooming; wash-up after meals soon becomes a ritual with two kittens.

Reason #5 :
Even the most devoted human caregiver can quickly become exhausted by trying to keep up with the energy of a single kitten. Two kittens will wear each other out, leaving their human parent free to just enjoy watching them. The downside to this, of course,  "...but of course, sometimes you have double trouble, too !"

Reason #6 :
Many people who experience behavior problems with kittens find that some of them go away when they adopt another playmate. What may be perceived as mischief is often just the result of boredom. Much like their human counterparts, kittens sometimes misbehave because "negative attention is better than no attention."

Reason #7 :
"If one kitten is finicky about food, the belligerence is often overcome by curiosity at what its sibling is eating. (Feed one cat Same Old, the other cat New Stuff, and they both end up tasting the new stuff.)"

Reason #8 :
Kittens will often play so hard that they simply flop where they are, and more likely than not, they will flop next to (or on top of) each other. There is no sight so endearing as two kittens curled up together for a nap. Their peaceful innocence can soften the heart of even the grumpiest curmudgeon, and the sight of that blissful moment will wash clean the slate of their previous misdoings.

Reason #9 :
"And of course, they're just so much darn fun to watch!" Having lived through (and survived nicely) the joy of adopting and raising two kittens, I can personally attest to the downright fun of having two kittens.

Reason #10 :
Two kittens who grow up together will almost always be lifelong friends. Although they will sometimes have their little squabbles (what friends don't?) you will more often see them engaging in mutual grooming, playing together, and sleeping with their best pal.If you are considering adopting a kitten, think about your best friend and consider whether you would deprive your kitten of the enrichment a friend brings to life.

Have a great day!

"They too, are created by the same loving hand of God which created us…  It is our duty to Protect Them and to promote their well-being."

Feed a Cat for Christmas!! CAROLE M.!!

Carole M.!  Thank you so much for your generosity in helping me to help them.  Carole is and has been instrumental in helping the many many kitties and kittens get spayed and neutered near the Roberts Weslyn college campus - and many of them rescued.  In fact, Kristin and myself also played a part by fostering many!  Thank you Carole! 

MEOWIE

MARGHERITA

Catches of the Day. Top is Meowie. Bottom is Margherita. Meowie is from Parsells. Margherita is from Melville. Margherita is feral. Meowie is not. Both have to be returned to the streets tomorrow after going to the clinic today. Sad reality. Please spay and neuter - any cat you see!!! Also, please consider sponsoring a spay or neuter for me today by calling 585-288-0600

Meowie is named that because that is all he's done is meow since he was trapped.  This is how you know a cat is not feral.  The other little one, who looks nearly identical but is much smaller, went crazy until I placed a blanket over the trap.  She/he hissed at me at one point when I went to take its picture. Before I left Parsells with Meowie, I noted that there are two cats, one looks like a male, the other looks like a female - actually she was in yesterday's pictures with the stuff on her face - and they both could have easily been trapped, or even grabbed and placed in carriers for spaying and neutering, but there is not enough of me.  I need help with this.  There are just so many out there.  

Which reminds me - the older woman who I've mentioned over the years, Gael, who lives near the clinic. She told me about a young cat that looks very pregnant and asked if I could place the trap there today. She asked me this on Sunday.  I agreed, hesitantly, because she has not only backed down on me last minute to trap there in the past, but has also closed the trap on her porch when I am thinking its going to be one of the cats out of the two I am allowed to bring each week to the clinic.  She makes me very mad.  Well, this time, she called me last minute yesterday and said to forget it, she didn't want any part of trapping on her porch.  I know she has some mental issues, and does love cats, but to knowingly let a cat have its babies outside, under a porch maybe, is not right.  So I am a bit 'pissed off' at Gael today.  

But I got these two cats right away, with them being just around the corner from each other.  I could place five traps on Parsells and Melville every day and get a cat - that's how many there are out there.


Check out these pics of Dixie, the fifth kitten rescued from behind Syd and Johnny's Auto Garage on Bay Street.  Her other sibs are doing well, Riley and Squirt, and Sydney and Joanie.  

DIXIE DOO

Have a great day everyone.  

"Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out."

Feed a Cat for Christmas! MARYELLEN F.!

MARYELLEN F!! My kind-of neighbor!  Thank you so much for your donation to help me feed the cats out there.   I've known MaryEllen for a few years now thanks to my blog.  MaryEllen, I am so thankful for your generosity.  Its a lonely time out there in these winter months for these cats, and food is their only joy.  Thank you thank you thank you!

When I post my thanks to those that have made a contribution, please please please feel free to share pics or stories of your kitties!

Snow on the ground this morning.  It will melt with the rain that was beginning to fall as I went about my feedings.  Although they are expecting an inch or two to fall Tuesday night into Wednesday.  I can handle that, but can the kitties I am hoping that

I met a wonderful girl who found a picture of Baylee on my Petfinder site and reached out to me.  Yesterday, she brought me this bottle of liquid called Lung Gold.  Baylee has a breathing issue, and someday, he is going to not be able to breathe, and that will be it.  His first consultation at the clinic I was told he would need an MRI.  I only have so much money to spend on my little guys.  So that is out of the question.  They sent him home with a shot of convenia and that did help, as I'm sure he had upper respiratory issues as well as other things, but he still has trouble breathing.  If you will recall, I treated him on the street before I rescued him with two different meds thinking he was suffering from severe URI.  So its something else - but I don't know what.  I am tempted to bring him to Dr. Grshey in Southtown.  I think I will.  Maybe he will have a better idea.  But in the meantime, I will also ask their office if they can recommend this Lung Gold.  Has anyone else heard of this?  Baylee loves to play, and loves to be held and sit right next to you.  He does not appear to be suffering, at all.

Here is a link with information on the Lung Gold.  It actually sounds pretty good.

http://www.thecatproblems.com/lung-gold-cats.html

Mr. Fluffypants #2

Here is this sweet boy that I rescued, Mr. Fluffypants #2.  He is dying to get out of my bathroom, and has attempted to jump the gate a few times, but always goes right back in.  Really, this is one great cat.  I need to get him into foster care.  Fast!  He is a very cuddly kitty.

Lastly, I received this picture of Jules/Garfield. He is getting so big!  Thanks Amy for loving my boys, Jules and Cammy!  

Jules/Garfield!

"Here is an updated pic of Garfield-sorry for delay!   He is soooo long! and getting a little belly- Cammy is a bad influence in the eating department!  If you zoom in- you'll see Cammy parked beneath the tree- he seriously never leaves that spot! he likes pulling my tree skirt into a little nest... he a little stinker!"

Have a great day!

"Your mind is a garden.

Your thoughts are the seeds.

You can grow flowers

or you can grow weeds."

Feed a Cat for Christmas! - BETTY W.

Many thanks to BETTY W!  Betty has been a friend for many years now, due to the blog I think!  I have found so many wonderful friendships through this blog.  I thank you Betty for your kind donation to help me to feed the many, many cats that wait for me each morning, in the dark, now matter what the weather.  Bless you!

I was thinking about TIPPYTOES earlier this morning as I made my way around Central and Third.  I cannot for the life of me remember what happened with him.  I know I rescued him, but can't remember the circumstances of the rescue.  I also searched on my blog, but can't find much.  Does anyone remember The Tipster???

Pics from this morning:

Beautiful Siamese I had spayed/neutered last (or was it this) year

This older unspayed (?) (not eartipped) female had stuff on her face

This guy with the little nuggets, needs rescue - I will name him NUGGETS!  :)

I ran into my homeless friend Will this morning.  I was coming out of Paul’s back yard on Second Street after having refreshed the food and water at this shelter location, and there was homeless Will.  He is such a sweetheart.  He said I scared him when he saw the flashlight, thought it was the police.  Not that he has done anything bad, but it must have startled him because he told me he was asleep on the couch on the back porch of the boarded up house next door.  Good God.  My heart dropped for a minute.  Can you imagine?  I can’t imagine how disgusting this couch must be.  And for someone to sleep on it because they have no where else to go.  I offered him a blanket from the Jeep, which he gladly accepted.  I got him a fluffy blanket and off he went to hide it behind the house.  He asked if I had any change at all, and for once, I did  - I had $.60 which I gave to him.

Speaking of the Jeep, this time it needed a new starter, battery, and oil change – grand total of $463.  Ugggh.

Stay tuned for updates on more recent adoptions, rescues, and Feed a Cat for Christmas donations!

Have a great day!

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless.  The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.  We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."

Feed a Cat for Christmas! LOIS E!

Many thanks to LOIS E. for her donation in memory of her loved ones, Bear and Horatio.  Here is what Lois had to say about them:

"Bear - a sweet Maine Cook mix who came to us horribly injured, abused and nearly dead.  The 4-1/2 pound mess who showed up in our yard with almost no fur, missing hunks of skin, etc. - all bones - turned out to be the sweetest large (17 to 18 pound ideal weight) beauty you can imagine.  He died mercifully quickly at the end of April this year from congestive heart failure."

BEAR

HORATIO

"Horatio - our one eyed spunky feral who graced us for 1-1/2 years before he contracted FIP.  He had shelters on our deck.  Insulated sleeping shelter, feeding tote and litter box tote (which he never used)."

Losing a pet is like losing a beloved member of our family.  For some, its like the death of a human.  The love you received from him was different than the complicated love relationships you might have with humans. Your cat or dog likely adored you! He was always there for you, never criticized you, never held grudges, and always forgave you, no matter what. Are there any humans in your life that have ever given to you this selflessly?

For all this love, your pet expected no more from you than a good belly rub or ear-scratching. A pet can be the only source of pure, unconditional love that you will ever know. They worm their way into your heart and become a trusted member of the family; a comforting presence in your day-to-day life. A human acquaintance or relative that doesn't live with you just cannot impact your emotional life to that degree.

You also receive comfort from a pet; touching, stroking, rubbing their fur. You might even kiss or hug them and confide your deepest thoughts to them, knowing they will never betray your secrets. Your baby has probably seen you naked, in all your glory, and he never told anyone about your big belly or that you didn’t shave your legs in over a month!

Again, thanks for all you do Lois, to help our beloved animals!  

Here are some pics from this morning:

Cesar was neutered late summer.  He reminds me so much of Cammy.  Here he is just sitting, waiting for food, on the corner of Central Park and Second Street.  Breaks my heart.  I just know this boy would make a great Christmas present someday.

Cesar

Sam from Short Street - boy does this kitty need a home.  I had him neutered last year, and he follows me to my car every morning after nibbling a bit at the food I've just poured for him, Baby Buttons, and Mr. Whiskers #2.

Sam from Short Street

Of course, you all remember Mr. Fluffypants #2!  Here he is this morning, wanting to get out and mingle. That's him mid-cry.  Not a mean bone in his body!  Except some very sharp nails!  Gotta get them clipped!  He is now jumping up on my lap, and crying when I leave him alone.  :(

Mr. Fluffypants #2

Snapped this of my Leo, forefront, and George in the back, this morning.  Lovey doveys. 

LEO and GEORGE!

Have a great day all.  ❤❤❤

"I have known hardship.  I have lost myself.  But here I stand, still moving forward, growing stronger each day.  I will never forget the harsh lessons in my life.  They make me stronger."