Meet Franklin.  Franklin is a very sweet tabby cat that I've been feeding for a few weeks now on Hayward, along with Boots, Bugsy, and a few others.  Yesterday morning, Sunday, I noticed a very large abcess on his cheek, and knew I had to do something.  This morning, I swooped him up, and placed him in my carrier.  He is in my bathroom now, and will be going to Lollipop for hopeful treatment and adoption.  I will alert my friend there to keep an eye out for him. 

I have a lot of people who are opposed to me taking cats to Lollipop, a humane shelter, that has had bad statistics in the past of euthanasia of cats.   But I would say to  you to walk a mile in my shoes each and every day, where I see an average of three cats at each of my 16 shelters, thats about 50 cats every single morning, and some are tough and I know will survive another day, and then there are the sick ones, the ones who are suffering with one wound or another, and I have no other alternative for them.  Can't I bring to a vet for treatment?  IF I had the money to do that - and then what, let them back out?   To face the same danger that injured them in the first place?  I am struggling to pay my own household bills let alone feeding 50 cats every single day and I need my job, I can't be late here and there.  I am confident that Franklin will have a great chance at adoption because he is so very sweet, and so affectionate.  I am confident that they will treat his abcess and put him out there for adoption.  I'm the one that gets up every single morning, never missing a day, facing all kinds of brutal weather out there, seeing their faces when I pull up.  How do you know they aren't begging me to take them from their surroundings?  Wouldn't you be?  Or are you willing to take them?  I will continue to ease the ones that are suffering out there.  Whether you like it or not.

This weekend I also had two cats returned to me after being adopted out last November.  Pumpkin and Magic are the sons of Vanessa, the new mom I rescued from Pennsylvania Street last fall.   The woman that brought them back yesterday, due to her husband's allergies...............  (I won't say anything)......................... were well cared for.  They have to be two of the prettiest cats I've seen.  (see pictures)

PUMPKIN

MAGIC

MAGIC'S TAIL!!

VANESSA MOMMY!

Each is a red and black fluffball, their tail, as you can see, is a puffball.  I have four now that I need to find homes for - Earl, Daisy, and now Pumpkin and Magic.  Spread the word!

On another great note, I adopted out young Howard on Saturday, two weeks to the day I rescued him off the streets, to a GREAT set of parents!  I am thrilled about this, he will be a lake kitty, with lake views from just about any window he curls himself up to.  I will be happy to share pictures as they come my way.

And finally, Sabrina, the very pregnant kitty I rescued Friday morning has gone on to her foster home awaiting the birth of her babies.  Thank you Diane and Julie!!! 

Sabrina

I thought after the Banjo drama this week that I would have a nice quiet Friday.  Well, look who I found this morning walking down Central.  She was on the other side of the median as I was driving to my last spot on Seventh.  I, as usual, quickly spotted her and stopped my car as I would for any cat at 5 am. out on the street wandering, and placed a bowl of food and water down and she came running.  And thank God she did.  She is ready to give birth!  I have named her Sabrina for now.  I had no idea what I was going to do with her, but I HAD to get her off the street before she had her babies under a bush somewhere.   The second I got her home, she warmed up to me and turned into the sweetest little love nugget.  She is so pretty!  After rushing her in this morning to the vet to be combo tested, she will now be fostered by Another Chance Pet Rescue.  Thank you Another Chance, for giving so many cats ANOTHER CHANCE!!!

On a sadder note, I spotted a young female on Second that looks to be in early pregnancy.  She won't let me close to her though.  I must get her trapped and somewhere.  She can't have her babies on the streets!  There are so many new cats to take the place of the ones that I get adopted out.  There are so many new unspayed and unneutered cats out there.  Its so hard to do this all on my own.  Its so disappointing.  But I suppose today was a win win.  I'll take it.

I wish you all a very good weekend!

Third Times A Charm!!!

Well, Banjo has been saved.  AFter his first two foster homes, who stuck it out with him only for one night - first home he was chasing cats - which most dogs do anyways - and second home he growled at the foster's other dogs - my friend Kristin put me in touch with a woman who works at her school, and who owns a farm out in Scottsville.  We spoke, and she said she owned over a hundred acres with a farm, livestock, chickens, etc.  She said she has older kids, and also a three year old.  She also had a dog.  I told her everything I knew about this dog and she said that she and her husband wanted to give Banjo a chance.  We drove him to the farm, and there was an immediate connection with everyone.  She called me last night to tell me that her dog Bailey, and Banjo, were running, jumping, playing and loving each other.   I nearly cried.  She sent me a video of the two dogs playing, but I can't get it to play.  As soon as I can figure out something, I will be sure to share.  In her words to me in an e-mail last night:  "I can't attach the video I made of Banjo wandering around his new home with his new best friend, Bailey.  It is telling me that the file is too big.  I will keep trying.  Maybe I can take a new one and send it from my iPod.  He seems to be adjusting very well.  Better than I expected, actually.  We've been doing some remodeling and it has actually worked out well that our new carpet isn't in yet.  That way we can get him all house broken beforehand.     I will e-mail you tomorrow and let you know how his night went.  At this point, we are thrilled!  I will keep trying with the video."

We have had to say goodbye to Banjo three times now, and I pray that this was the last.  Thank you to EVERYONE who scrambled with me to find him a home.  I will keep you posted on his progress as I get it.

On another great note, I wanted to share with you some good news about the kitties that I brought to Lollipop.  Here is what my friend at Lollipop had to say:  "Grady is up for adoption right now. You can check him out on the website!

Bully was up for adoption earlier today, but I noticed a wicked bite wound on his front foot and he gets really upset when we try to touch it. So I made him unavailable, and they are going to put him under and shave it tomorrow so they can clean and treat it.

Talkie was microchipped! Who knew?! The number connected is disconnected (like they usually are unfortunately...), so we have to send an abandonment letter and give the owners a few weeks to get back before she can be made adoptable. She's adjusting really well, though!

They really are sweethearts, and I really believe that you are doing what is best for them regardless of the outcome-- the streets are no place for these sweet kitties."



SADIE

On a third final note, I share with you the progress being made at the barn in Canandaigua of Stanley and Sadie, the two Parsells kitties I brought out last Sunday:  "Sadie is a lover, and a talker! Stanley is slowly coming around. He knows his name,and when I talk to him he gets up,,stretches,,and he actually came to the door! I have ran my hand down his back,and he was ok with it,but I respect his space. I am hoping to let them out soon. Sadie has been out,but I make her go back in,when I leave the barn."

I am happy to report some GOOD NEWS for a change!!!  Have a great day!!

"Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find."

Greek Tragedy

Well, an American one at least. 

Banjo, the Newfoundland MIX dog that was rescued from the hood on Sunday morning - the situation was clear to me that he was either abandonded there at one of my spots, lived outdoors his entire life on a heavy, padlocked chain, no socialization with other animals, and most likely was never walked.  Although he did very well when I walked him around the block Sunday afternoon.  Despite his background, this dog remains very very sweet with humans.  Very loyal.  And now, after two people took a chance with him the past two days, didn't give him a chance, as far as I am concerned, and he is now going to be brought to a shelter this morning, where he will most likely be put to sleep at some point, if no one claims him.  All Banjo needed was someone willing to COMMIT, to PROMISE him a good life after time and patience and some basic training.  

Many people have expressed interest in Banjo, but so far no one has been willing to stick it out with him. It’s a very sad situation. I do my best to help ALL animals, its hard enough doing what I do every single day of my life from 5 am. to 6:15 am. feeding over 50 animals, at 16 colonies that I have half assed shelters set up at – one of which is going to be torn down so the poor cats there are highly distressed, not knowing where to go. I will continue to leave food and water for them until there is no house standing there.
If anyone can offer a better idea for Banjo, and be willing to go that extra mile for him before 10 am. this morning, please do so.

On another note, the two babies, Magic and Pumpkin, that I rescued last summer with their mother Vanessa, are being returned to me after four months.  Their person's husband is now allergic.  I will stop there.


MAGIC




PUMPKIN




VANESSA



Little Red Riding Hood



 I was reminded of this story as I sat this morning, sipping my coffee, watching the news, just before heading out to feed the 50+ cats in the hood that I do each and every day of my life.  The newscast began by announcing its breaking news:  "Man shot dead on Second Street overnight.  Still searching for suspects."  I thought to myself, here we go again.  There hasn't been a shooting in the area that I go to - in the dark - every morning, since last summer.  As I drove to each of my spots, getting closer to Second Street, where I just recently rescued Howard/Muffin, and where Nugget still remains, another highly adoptable sweetheart, I had a tiny bit of trepidation, but in all honesty, I am a fearless person.  I am a very bold individual.  I am in all facets of my life.  Ask my friends and family.  I am direct, sometimes too much.  As I drove down Second, I could see the police cars blocking off one end of the street, with yellow tape around the house that the man must have been found outside of.  Who knows if this was drug related, gang related, or what, but normally this has been a quiet street.  Sure, there is a house that is run by bootleggers on this street, you see people pull up in cars, taxis, walk-ups, and knock on the side window in the early hours of the morning, but otherwise, its a quiet street that is streaming with kitties.   So the Big Bad Wolf was out last night.  Unapprehended so far.  I am not afraid of the Big Bad Wolf because I am on my own mission each morning, and I feel safe by my strength and determination.




Howard on Second

Apart from that, the stray that has been hanging on my porch to eat, and takes shelter during storms, Leo, was brought to the vet yesterday because he had a very bad wound on his tail, near his hind end.  A shot of medicine, and he is good to go.  I must find him a home.  He is a real snuggler.  I lay down on the floor in my bathroom with him last night and he sank right down into my face for some loving.  But I must let him back out today.  I am hoping to have him neutered on Friday.

Banjo, the dog that I rescued Sunday morning, was brought to a new home for fostering yesterday morning.  It was determined that he is a Newfoundland.  A very very pretty dog.  He will be groomed, supposedly, on Friday, and I can't wait to see what he looks like after that.  I am hoping I will have a picture to show you, if the foster mom produces one. - NOTE:  Banjo is now being brought to Lollipop today.  The new foster mother didn't like him chasing her cats.

The barn cats are settling in nicely since I brought the two - Stanley and Sadie from Parsells - out to the barn in Canandaigua on Sunday.  I missed them when I pulled up today.   And I will find out about Grady, Bully, Sparkles and Talkie and how they are doing at their new home at Lollipop, waiting to go up for adoption. 


Central and Third New Kitty



Its been a really crazy weekend, and I am hoping for a peaceful week.  Wish me luck!  :)

"Life is simple.  Its just not easy."



House of the Discarded

I borrowed the title from another blog, but it is quite apropos for my house this morning.  Meet Banjo, who was rescued by me yesterday morning after I found him wrapped up by a thick heavy long chain around a pole that was in front of one of my spots.  He must have been there for hours.  I called 911 immediately, but they once again assured me that no one would be able to get there until after 8 am. when animal services opened up.  But they also told me they would try to send a police officer by, in my hopes that he could do something better than that.  Sure enough, as soon as I moved on to my next spot, after leaving a dish of water for the dog, I saw a flashing light and went back to greet the cop that had arrived.  He was nice, but again told me there was nothing he could do, but promised that animal services would be on the scene as soon as they were able this morning.  Well, after leaving food for him, and going back to finish my rounds, I thought to myself, that dog might go to animal services on Verona Street, and if no one claims him, he will surely be put to sleep.  I thought, he has a better chance at Lollipop, so I am going to swing back by and grab him, take him home and see what happens.  My first thought after thinking about it was that this dog was abandoned there.  From the looks of him, he is a young male, very thin, you can feel his hip bones and ribs very easily.  He was clearly an outside dog only.  Very dirty boy.  He was brushed and loved when he arrived back to my house.  His collar and chain were thrown in the trash.  May he never be chained again.

It was a tough day though, with my dog Thunder, who doesn't like other dogs.  They were separated the entire day, which was no small feat.  Banjo in the basement, and Thunder being reminded all day that he is still our boy.  My friend Sue, who runs Susie Q Pet Rescue in Livonia reached out to me last night after I posted on Facebook that afternoon, who might have a foster for Banjo.  Sure enough, its panned out and he is going to a new home this morning.

I could go on and on with this story, but have to get to the next so that I can begin my work day.  I rescued Stanley and Sadie from Parsells yesterday, and I drove them straightaway to a barn out in Canandaigua.  I met the lovely owner and she had plenty of critters, and was thrilled to get them both.  They will be acclimated in cages this week and then I pray they become accustomed to their new home.  I had to keep telling myself that its better for them than on the city streets, as I often doubt myself and whats best for the cats.  I share pictures of some of the critters that Mary Ann has on her farm, the kitties new playmates! 

And on one final note, I rescued two more kitties to take to Lollipop this morning for adoption.  They are two sweet sweet girls that I have been feeding for years on the streets - Talkie from Garson, and Sparkles from Pennsylvania.  I told them, after I got them settled in their carriers, that they will never have to spend another day on the streets fighting for their lives again.  They were quite calm after that.

So as you can see, I was quite busy this morning.  I really do need a break!

A Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do

Let me begin by telling you about Third Street.  I pulled up this morning and noticed my stuff had been dissheveled on the porch where I feed Grady and Bully, and several other cats that don't come up until I leave.  I had left a message yesterday to call me before they trashed my stuff (which they didn't) - there was an orange netting around the house with abestos removal sign, the first signal that the house will be torn down.  I knew I had to find some alternative situation, and fast.

Last week, I received an e-mail from a girl who works at Lollypop Farm, our local Humane Society.  She had approached me several months ago to be part of their barn cat program.  Where I would be able to get some kitties that I couldnt' adopt out myself into barns that are Lollipop approved (people call them asking if they have kitties that aren't adoptable that might want to go to barn situations).  Anyway, she became a follower of my blog, and made me an offer that I've had to really think about.  I will let you do the reading - the following are excerpts of what our e-mails contained:

"We've developed the barn cat program a little more here at Lollypop, but after reading your blog I'm not convinced that this is the solution for those cats. I tend to feel like instead of being a mouser outdoors and fighting the cold, they deserve and would probably greatly enjoy a cushy life! How would you feel about bringing some of them in to Lollypop as strays? They would go on a five day stray hold, and in the winter we often have plenty of space. Even if you just brought in one or two at a time, there are never any guarentees but at least they would have a fantastic shot at a great home. Something a lot of people don't understand about Lollypop is that once the animals go up for adoption they don't have a time limit. They will stay up there until they are adopted. We've had cats living in offices here for up to a year, just waiting for the best home! Anyway, something to think about....   You certainly articulate well the plight of these creatures, and motivate me as a reader to want to branch out for a solution... obviously what we're doing currently as an animal rescue community isn't an end all solution!  We will get there! Thanks for being an advocate, and please take care!"

Well, of course at first I was thrilled, but I had a lot of questions!  And here are some of her replies to those...

"Let me just run through some basics on how we decide if a cat is NOT adoptable.  If a cat has a medical condition that we can't fix here, they are generally euthanized. Examples of this would be diabetes, chronic upper respiratory infection or diarrhea (chronic meaning that the problem has lasted over six months and it is hopeless-- usually they go into foster care after this instead of euthanasia).  Most of the time, Lollypop is great about providing extensive veterinary care in these situations. We have animals who have had amputations, leg pins, lungworm, etc. who have been here for months upon months, and they are given all the time they need to get better for adoption.  Another reason animals would go up for adoption would be behavioral issues. If cats are aggressive, or if during their time here they spray all over or go to the bathroom outside the box. This, again, isn't immediate means for euthanasia, rather the cat would probably be admitted into the barn cat program (especially since they have outdoor experience)."

Toward the end of our conversations, she assured me that she would be keeping an eye on the cats I bring in, and would call me if any were deemed unadoptable (I wouldn't be bringing in any that aren't besides), and I could pay a fee to take them back. 



Grady Finally Rescued 2/22/13




Bully Finally Rescued 2/22/13

 Now, keep in mind, Grady and Bully are very nice cats.  I've been trying for a long long time to find them a home, and with my home already being overcrowded, and with the only 'home' they've known for years being torn down, I scooped them up this morning, and they will be going to Lollipop.  For those that don't agree with this, it was not a light decision, once again, for me, but I have confidence that they are going to be adopted out into loving homes very soon.  I believe they won't be euthanized.  They are wonderful cats.  All I knew this morning was that they will face a traumatic situation once the work begins on this house, and I have no where to place their food anymore.  The plastic tote shelters were removed and placed on the adjoining lot.  The boards and bowls were also moved this morning.  I had to do something.  I pray I've made the right decision.  I am going to miss them terribly.