Hunger

It was a mild morning out there.  Not too cold, and dry.  As I drove around to each spot, I noticed that at some of them, the kitties come running to the sound of my car.  Its like they are so excited to see me, or they are very hungry.  I also thought to myself 'am I making a difference out there?'  I got to the spot where I rescued Cedric and Prince on Central on Sunday morning, and not one cat was there.  There were four yesterday (Monday) - Rolo, Tuffy, a newer calico, and a tabby that's been around, but none today.  I then went to the next spot where there is a black cat, a tabby cat, a red fluffier cat with a half of a tail, and a white spotted cat that hang there.  At the next location, where I've rescued little Bobby, Charlie, Baxter - the white kitty with the deformed toes, and so many others, there was only one regular girl there, and she is the sweetest of all.  There has been a black tuxedo cat hanging around there the past few days.  I thought, where did all the others go?  I saw Charlies' dad there a couple of days ago, but no one was around today.  I thought, this is such a bad crazy heavy traffic street, surely they could get hit so easily.   I really want to get this girl off the street, will need to find a foster.  She is just too sweet to leave on the street.

I see Neck Wound Kitty almost daily, but he was not around this morning.  I actually caught him coming out of the tote shelter I have for him on the porch of the vacant house on Parsells yesterday.  It was so good to see.  I set these shelters all over and its always heartwarming to see them use them.  The sturdier shelters, the better.

I am not sure if I mentioned that last week, as I finished placing the food down at Baldwin, a man who owns the house across from this lot was standing there in the dark waiting to talk to me.  Now this man's house is really really nice.  He is meticulous about his property.  I always wondered who lived there.  Its like a diamond in the rough.  A rough neighborhood, where so many houses are unkept with trash strewn all over, no one cares.  But Larry does.  I introduced myself after he asked what I was doing.  He said he has noticed me and wanted to know why I did what I did.  After a minute of explanation, I could tell this was a good man.  He listened intently, and had no problem with me placing shelters there after that.  He then told me that there was a cat that had seven babies in his yard and he brought me back there, passing his huge vegetable garden, to show me the bramble that the cats were living in.  They were not there, he said that the kittens followed their mom around - and he told me he would look out for them.  We exchanged numbers, and he took down my blog address.  I pray he contacts me, I left him a note this morning after thinking about his situation, and I know the first thing is I must get him a good shelter for his yard so that these kittens can survive this cold.  So I am looking for a good sturdy shelter that he will find acceptable to place in his beautiful yard.

Rupert is doing well, I think he is coming around healthwise, he doesnt' seem to be coughing as much.  He is a lovable and beautiful white adult cat with missing teeth.  I wonder if its good for cats to eat just wet food for the rest of their lives.  I think he has a hard time chewing hard dry food.  I am hoping he will be fostered very soon, because there is a grey cat on Garson that I want to rescue next.  I am praying that a new found friend will want him after he is neutered, and socialized. 

So many out there.  Please help me by fostering, or spreading the word to your friends and family.  We can do it, one cat at a time!

Have a great day!

Cedric & Prince

Darn you Ben and Jerry!  You bring me to such highs, and then send me to such lows...  I just finished off my last half of a pint of New York Super Fudge Chunk, and I feel sick to my stomach.  I just love it when I start it, but its so super rich, and so bad for you, but I just can't help myself.  My auntie was visiting from Massachusetts last weekend, and I took her out shopping at some area boutiques, and I told her, there are certain things in life that I must have.  I can live in poverty in every other aspect, but I must have on a daily basis good coffee, good wine, soap, perfume, and chocolate.  Not necessarily all of those daily, but just about.

I picked up Rupert, the very sick white kitty on Baldwin, from the clinic on Friday.  I got to work and got an e-mail from the clinic that had been sent to me late Thursday telling me that had a spot for him after they initially turned me down.  When I picked him up after being neutered, rabies and distemper, a shot of Convenia for his upper respiratory infection, and Droncit, a de-worming pill, all for $100, they also told me he was missing 6 upper incisors, and 4 lower incisors.  The poor thing was almost toothless.  You think about this cat that was on the streets for so long, in such rough shape, I am SO thankful that I scooped him up without even thinking about what I would do with him after I was able to get him treated.  I just knew I could not let him suffer any longer.  I had delivered Winky, now named Zoey, to her new home - which by the way, I was so impressed by her new home.  She has a big brother kitty, and two great people as new parents.  The day after I brought her over, I checked in on them and they are totally in love with her.  I am so happy about that.  I just love being able to rescue these cats from the worst of situations, and be able to place them into such great homes. I keep telling Rupert that he is SO lucky being inside where its warm and dry and safe. 

Homeless kitty on 7th

I also managed to get Cedric and Prince this morning (Sunday) into carriers.  Prince was easy, but Cedric was very difficult, he just didn't trust me and each time I went to grab him by the scruff to immobilize him and carry him to the carrier, he kept backing away, but after five or so minutes, I was able to do it.  My heart was jumping out of my chest, its always scary to grab a cat and carry them and stuff them into a carrier.  Some are easier than others.  I drove them out to a really fine barn in Scottsville, to two great ladies who promised to care for them.  I set up their cages that they will reside in for at least a week with warm blankets, food, water and litter, and told them how lucky they were to be off the streets and safe.  Cedric sure wasn't buying it, but I think Prince was starting to believe.  I then drove back home - deprived of sleep as my stupid alarm went off at 3 am. rather than 4 am. (So much for that extra hour of sleep),  and I was thinking, as I always do when I pull cats off the street and place them in barns - did I do the right thing?  What if I took this animal and he or she had a girlfriend or boyfriend, a mother or father - a relationship!  I think of odd stuff, but its true.  Maybe I've seen too many kids movies where the animals all have relationships with something or other!  So, that's my dilemma but I pray I did the right thing.  So, that's another three cats I've 'rescued' this weekend that I can add to my roster.

Where Cedric & Prince were rescued this am., four kitties left

Back home, I have four sniffling, sneezing cats that I wound up having to purchase medicine for and have to give two doses a day to four cats.  I pray it does the trick, because its going to be very expensive for me if it doesn't - I always ask myself if this cat business is worth it, but in the end, I always know the answer without asking.  It is.  They are all brats.  But I love them and don't know what I would do without caring for an animal.  My heart would be empty. 

Tomorrow, I must tell you about Larry, the man I met on Baldwin on Friday morning.  Such a kind man.  And the mother kitty he told me about who had seven babies recently behind his house.  Uggh.  Here we go again.

Have a great day. 

"I know God won't give me anything I can't handle.

I just wish he didn't trust me so much."

Rupert

That's the name of this white cat I have in the bathroom.  Sheryl named him that, and I love it.  So, I was not able to get an appointment for neutering for him at the clinic.  I get frantic when a cat is sick - I tried to pill him when I got home and he vomited up the URI med, and the worm pill.  I finally got a Clavamox into him, but prior to that, I was frantic about getting him seen at a cheap price to me, as it cost me $600 for the past three days for Jack - a little of that was for Lucky.  But I wound up calling my own vet and he will be seen this afternoon - first combo tested, and if he is negative, hopefully he just needs a URI injection, and a de-worming as he has a distended belly.  This will cost another $100+, but really, I don't much choice.  Some folks suggested that I take them to a vet out in Greece, but I have a full-time job that I cannot take this kind of time off for.  Its very difficult to do much more than I already do, and spend any more than I already have.  I know they may be cheaper in this or that, but its EASIER for me to come home to get the cat and bring him to the vet that's just a minute away, and then bring him back home and get back to work.  Aren't we always looking for an easier way to do things?  But I do cherish the suggestions I get.  I always weigh them out and in the end, wind up doing what is the easiest.  Which is STILL hard.

It was a CRAZY morning out there - with the wind whipping, and the rain splattering, it was certainly fitting for the morning after Halloween.  At my Baldwin stop, I could hear sirens wailing not far from there, and it turned out that FOUR large fire trucks when whizzing past on Grand, I figured something had to be up with four trucks!  Plus, there was a lot of car traffic out there too!  It just felt odd.  I also did not see any of the sweet kitties on Central that are ALWAYS waiting for me.  It was an odd morning.

I had no pumpkins smashed, and due to the rain, just a few kids at my door last night.  I wound up sitting there eating half the bag of candy after I turned off the front light.  Love those Heath bars.....

I have not seen the little calico kitten on Hayward in over a week now.  She was the one that someone had spayed and eartipped and I never found out who did this.  Laura told me it was not her.  So that is a complete mystery to me.  And now she is gone.  Her mom has not been seen, but her two brothers have a couple of times, one a black and white kitten, the other a tabby.  My little grey boy that I want to rescue next from Garson was no where to be seen this morning either.  Maybe due to the winds and rain, these cats hide or go elsewhere in search of shelter.  But they are certainly hungry.

I will be hopefully rescuing Cedric and Prince from Central and bringing them to a barn out in Scottsville on Sunday morning - wish me luck in retrieving them!  And little Winky will most likely be going to her new home after I get out of work today.  All is well, and I can't wait to update you on Monday!  Prayers for Rupert!  :)

Have a great weekend!

Another Lucky One

Jack

Yep, I did it again.  Rescue I mean....UGGH.  It was an emotional day yesterday, as I brought Jack in one last time to the vets - my kindly Dr. Boehm (aka Dr. Hottie).   He wasn't available when I made the appointment for Jack at 4 pm., but I found him waiting for me when I came in.  He wanted to be there for Jack.  Thanks Dr. B.  It was still questionable, and still is, if I made the right decision or not, and its so hard to tell when they are not displaying the serious symptoms that lead you to treat the animal in the first place.  He was so quiet, and looking at me lovingly.  How do you say goodbye to that?  But I did, after it was reassured to me that whatever was going on was due to his lungs, or heart, and that all the money in the world might buy him more time, it wouldn't be cured.  So, I did it.  I then brought him home to bury him in my mini pet cemetery.  I must make a little cross to place on his grave, in between the rose bushes.

Well, look who we have here.  This cat, Lefty (I know, I need to come up with some better names) I've written about from at least a year ago when he appeared at Baldwin.  He is a very very nice cat, very dirty, unneutered, and now very sick.  I heard him a few days ago wheezing, and sneezing, and said I must get him seen.  So, I got him.  So, hopefully I can get him in to the clinic tomorrow, treated, neutered, and I think I may have a foster for him, through the kindness of the girl that has been accompanying me on my rounds on Sunday - the crazy girl Sheryl.  With a heart of gold I might add.  Fingers crossed.  Lefty is doing mighty fine in my bathroom - after work I will go in and try to clean him with towels, he is so very dirty, but look how very pretty he is underneath!  :)

I have not seen pregnant mama on Second since the day I should have gotten her.  I could kick myself.  Although there is another cat sneezing like mad - its so sad to know there is another sick one.  Lefty was easy to get because he is so very sweet.  He sleeps in a tote I had placed there about a month ago.  It had the tiniest opening, but that big kitty managed to crawl in and out of there.  Amazing what their bodies can do.  Speaking of, I saw the BIGGEST raccoon this morning on Sixth in the garage, and he squeezed his body through the tiniest opening when he saw me coming toward him.  BRAT.  I am sure he came back as soon as I left and gobbled most of the food that the six cats there were depending on.

Winky

OK, gotta get ready for work.  There are so many updates I want to share but never seem to have the time.  Winky may be going to her new home on Saturday, and I will be making an appointment for her spay today.  She is much better also after her trip to the vet on Monday - that was a scare.  Her limp and lethargy seem to be gone.  Thanks Tracy for taking care of Winky! 

Have a great day!

 

"Empty pockets never held anyone back.  Only empty heads & empty hearts can do that."

Questions

Thank you everyone for your comments, and e-mails.  So much kindness in this world, just when you need it the most.  Thank you.

I called the vet in the morning to let them know how Jack did throughout the night and see what they recommended.  They told me to bring him in to observe him, so off he went around noon.  I had to go back to work - I don't think I have a cat lover for a boss - so I am a bit paranoid to be away from my job these days, even if one of my own 'children' is deathly sick.  Sad, isn't it, that we are forced to deal with things that we otherwise wouldn't, due to work, and money.  The two evils, but the two necessities in life.  They called me later that afternoon to report that no, he was worse that day than the day before he was brought in.  I left work in tears, not knowing what I was going to do but I had to be with him and view him for myself.  Sweet Diane - a girl from Another Chance Pet Rescue had come in the morning to my house while I was at work and administered fluids to Jack, who was very dehydrated due to not eating or drinking the past few days.  Thanks Diane, that was so kind.  When I got to the vet, they put Jack on the table and I pulled up a chair and just stroked him and talked to him, and listened to him.  He didn't seem as bad.  They had given him anti-nausea medicine, an appetite stimulant, and short of an echocardiogram, which I could not afford, I had them administer an antibiotic in hopes that it was a bronchial thing and it might help.  He also tested negative for leukemia.  So now he was on five meds, two of which I had filled in the pharmacy that morning before rushing off, late again, to work.  I decided then and there that he seemed OK, and I took him home with me.  This morning, I was awoken at 2:30 and it sounded as if he was going to die.  Hacking, wheezing, couldn't get a breath.   Half an hour later, I couldn't hear a thing, and I got up to check on him, thinking he had died.   After sitting with him this morning after my outdoor rounds, I sat with Jack, he was next to my side, and stroked him, and listened as he had a low purr.  I questioned over and over again what I needed to do.  I need to get to work on time, so I am going to call the vet and see when I can get him in there.  Today is the day, I don't want my boy with the tiny heart to suffer any longer.  They told me his heart was much smaller than the average.

Its funny - I am the most sensitive person in the world.  You can look at me cross-eyed and I will cry because I will think you don't like me, but when it comes to these animals, I've become so strong.  I will cry for a second, but then become a superhero.  My family has always leaned on me for strength when it comes to death and sickness - maybe its because I see so much out there.  I've had so many furry babies put to sleep in my life - my interior has hardened to it.  Maybe that's a good thing, not sure, but I do know that its up to us to make these decisions for them - if they could only talk and tell us whats wrong.  But they don't, we can only listen, and watch, and keep them safe and healthy, and help them cross that bridge when its time.

Jack

My boy Jack, taken this morning.

My boy Jack is not doing well.  I picked him up at the vet after work yesterday, along with little Winky, the kitten I rescued from Garson nearly two weeks ago.  Winky had a temperature of 103.7, higher than the norm of 102 apparently, and she also had a combo test performed, and she is negative for feline leukemia and FIV.  Her limp is also gone.  She appears to be fine, her appetite returned when I brought her home when she devoured the food placed in front of her, and she cuddled with me all night.  She is not your average playful kitten, she just likes to snuggle, and suckle, and I think that is going to be her personality!  Whoever adopts her is going to be a very lucky, loved mom or dad!

My Jack, however, had several x-rays performed and they cannot diagnose him either.  His Prednisone dosage was upped , and there is another drug which I need to get a prescription for this morning - going to be late for work.  His breathing was very labored this morning, he was breathing out of his mouth at a point, and he hasn't eaten or had anything to drink.  He is severely dehydrated - I am wondering if he was like that at the vet and they didn't give him any fluids.  I am a little concerned about the amount of money I spent for not much.  I will see how his new medication goes - he hates to take a pill, so he will have to endure more when I get the prescription filled, and when I get home I pray he seems a bit better.  I don't want to lose my Jack this early in his life.  I rescued him as a young teenage kitten on Hayward Avenue maybe five years ago.  I love him to pieces.

 

I had an offer from someone to take the pregnant cat on Second Street, and I am so upset for not getting her yesterday when she was there, because she was not there this morning, when I was totally ready to rescue her and her unborn babies from the street.  I could kick myself over and over but I have to get over it, I cannot beat myself up over the failures, I can only focus on the good I've done.  Here is an example, which someone (my friend Kristin) so kindly did some math and research, and figured it out.

"Hey Janine!  Guess what I did?  I went through your blog going back to last November and since then ( 1 year) you have rescued no less than 41 cats and spayed/neutered no less than 65!!!!!  That is 106 cats!!!

Here are the names of the 41 cats you rescued and found homes for (ready?)

fern, sally, monet, izzy, daisy, lucky1, lucky 2, cricket, redford, butters, bobby, Charlie, white cat with deformed foot, pepper, penny, winky, paddy, alexis, garth, harold, another pepper, mr. whiskers, earl, another daisy, Stanley, Sadie, grady, bully, sparkles, cheddar, talkie, howard, franklin, Sabrina, nugget, leo, big red, monkey girl, greybo, Hercules, jingles, morris and one dog - Banjo!!!!  There are no doubt MORE but those are the ones I found on your blog as best I could.  And that is just this PAST year!!  I cannot imagine how many over all the years.  Plus the ones you have homes lined up to rescue in the next couple days weeks.  Unbelievable what you have done!!!"

I guess I did do pretty good.  And that doesn't include the 10 or so that went to Lollipop Farm and were all adopted!  In the meantime, I will continue to try for pregnant mama.  Pray she is there tomorrow morning. 

Have a GREAT day.

Barefoot and Pregnant

Winky on Sunday

I've had a rough weekend, cat wise.  My Jack has had a very deep cough for weeks now.  He went into the vet two weeks ago, came home with prednisone, and is now worse than he was.  His breathing is very labored, and I am worried sick over him, enough so that I barely slept last night.  Someone mentioned that cats can get pneumonia and I am wondering if that is something he might have.  Then there is Winky, who has been being fostered by my neighbor, who called me Saturday to say she was worried about Winky.  Earlier on Saturday, a co-worker of hers came by to meet Winky, and fell in love and wanted to adopt her, but I was not there and we told her we would come by her house the next day with Winky, and see if it was a true match (me checking out their house, meeting them, etc.).  I went to observe Winky Sunday morning and she was limping from her back right leg, and was very lethargic.  I brought her home telling my neighbor that I would get her to the vet, and the potential adopter will have to wait.  All day Sunday she pretty much layed around and didn't eat much.  She is a bit better today, the limp is not visible - she might have pain but is tolerating it, and she is eating a bit more.  I will be calling the vet when they open at eight and begging them to take both of my kitties in.  I am worried sick about Jack, the most.

4th & Pennsylvania - Six Cats!

A new Tortie has shown up - Central

Cedric, he might go to a barn this weekend!

At my Second Street location - a year ago I had noticed a female torty that was pregnant, and after a few attempts at trapping, even Laura tried, she disappeared.  She is back now, and pregnant.  She actually let me pet her and feel her belly this morning.  Why didn't I get her, you ask?  Because I have a situation on my hands where I have two very sick cats in my house, and is going to cost me a fortune, and I had no where to bring this girl.  The stress is too much for just one person.  If I had a sure place to bring her, I would have scooped her up.  As it is, I will not let her remain if I can get her tomorrow, after we figure out what is going on with my two cats.  The momma cat will have two choices, either be fostered by someone, or her babies will have to be aborted and she will go back to the street.  I will be making a call or two this morning to find out if someone can take her in. 

So, not a pleasant start to the week, but I am positive it will get better!  Fingers crossed, and prayers, please.  Spread the word, so many dear sweet kitties out there to be adopted!