Whose Side Is Everyone On, Anyway????

Ok, my divine inspiration is obviously second to none, and my earthly minion did me proud!  But securing the (near) future for my little shelter is just step one.  There's more work to be done, and I trust it will be.  But there's more here than contracts and community support for the Little Shelter That Could.  There's 'David and Goliath' big vs. little, national vs. local, 'Rescue' vs 'Animal Control', and I don't like it.  I don't like it one bit.

Are we not all on the same page here?  Doing what is best and right for every homeless animal, even when those choices are difficult for humans.  And Humane vs Humane?  How humane is that?  (Anyone recognize themselves here?)  There's room for all of us, because otherwise the furry, and not so furry ones, will be the ones that lose.  Let's all 'come together' here, people.  (Does anyone realize how profound Beatle's lyrics are???)

I recently, well not me, per se, but you know what I mean, reached out for 'a little help from my friends' and I want to thank them for their support - Bonnie, Bill, Marcia and Madeline!  (Again with the Beatle's lyrics.)  And to our staff and volunteers, in the words of Cartman, "I love you guys"!  Yes, even Dora the magnificent, can get a little mushy sometimes.  (NO FAT JOKES!)  Speaking of fat - Miss Meechi is weighing in at a whole 11.4 lbs.  Better start shaking those tail feathers on a few laps around the office, Meech!
 
Our little shelter continues to amaze, and we hope that everyone sees us for the true, valuable little gem that we are.  People need to know that animal shelters have a nearly impossible task - taking in so many animals who were once wanted and then discarded and abandoned, and there's not enough homes for all of them.  Our little shelter has only 170 homeless dogs and cats.  Not many at all.  You would think finding 170 homes for them would be a piece of cake.  (Oooh, make that Temptations cake, please!)  But it's not easy, and we all know it.  But while they're with us, we'll make sure it's the best home it can be until they go to their forever home!

I'm back at last, with the Heiress apparent!

So you've been wondering where I've been?  I've been wondering that too sometimes!  It has been a while, I know, but you can't imagine all that's been happening in my world.  A bit of the dust has settled, my little shelter has survived round 1, but they've still got a few rounds to go.  This 'guardian angel' gig is a lot harder than it looks! 

While I know I can never be replaced - heck, my IV bag still hangs in my old office (!) - there is a new gal in town.  Meechi is her name, and Calico is her game.  The only type of cat more ornery than me is a Calico!  She just about has it all - hates kittens, check.  Is picky, check.  Puts the boys in their place, check.  Can command mere mortals with a look, check.  Is independent, check.  Doesn't need the company of her species, check.  Is adored, check!  And by the way, she has exceeded Denzel's record on the copy machine - a whopping 998 copies!

 

 

So what's Meechi's story?  The usual - dumped in the parking lot as a kitten, barely 8 weeks old.  She was a free spirit, romping the parking lot with abandon, refusing to be caught.  (C'mon people, kittens don't know that cars can kill.  At least have the dignity to turn them in safely to the right shelter so they have a chance at survival.)  Meechi was lucky.  She was eventually caught by the nice shelter lady.  And how, you ask?  Yup, the old 'Hansel and Gretel' trick!  (Temptations could actually patent the Hansel and Gretel trick!)  A trail of Temptations up the walkway, into the office, where the unsuspecting (read 'innocent') Meechi continued on her merry way, munching and crunching Temptations until - she was 'captive'!  Panic ensued, but the little one was safe.  Not sure about the whole people thing, she none-the-less realized they were kind and gentle and loving.  And full of Temptations!!!!  While she is still a bit wary of new people, she is the Heiress apparent, and has assumed the coveted 'spot'!  She has a heart on her left shoulder, and I like to think it's my heart - just a little bit of me.

Unhappy Valentine's Day....

The 'day of love' turned out to be anything but.  It's just lucky that my 'human communication vessel' was in the right place at the right time and heeded my 'call'.

For on the very day that love is paramount, my paramours, a poor, suffering feline was dumped to die in a parking lot.  This was a pet - he wasn't feral, he wasn't wild - in fact, he was as affectionate as could be.  But here he was, crying, dying, in a parking lot, abandoned in a box, trying to crawl his way to anywhere but here.  A faithful, loving pet, abandoned.  He could barely move, and only managed a few feet.  That's when I stepped in and sent in my troop.  She found him, lying there, and spoke gently to him, as he struggled to lift his head to her voice.  She stroked him, so gently, and he rolled his head into her hand as if to say, thank you, thank you for being here, don't leave me.  There's only so much I can do from 'up here', but this time I could be sure that this poor, suffering old one didn't die alone.  Die, he did, but knowing the gentle touch and love of a stranger at the end, instead of the love of his family.  How sad, how disgusting, how unnecessary - they should be ashamed.

Rest in peace, my furry one - I'm going to welcome you home.

Company's Coming, or "Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven's Door".....

I know, I know, I haven't been very timely with my blogging.  I meant to 'write' for Christmas, and then for New Year, and, now it's already the second month of 2012.  Please forgive me.  Oh wait - I'm perpetually forgiven because I'm 'here'.  ( By the way, apologies to Mr. Dylan, but I think he'll understand.)
Previously, I introduced you to my 'office mates', Denzel and Edward (Baby Ed to his mom!).  You already know that Denzel is happily ensconced in his forever home, and now Edward is too - with me!  This morning, Ed came a knocking and yours truly welcomed him with open paws.  No one ever expected it so soon, especially everyone who loved him and knew him and met him, but we Felines are on our own schedules. 

Before I share Edwards' side of the story, let me tell you some things about him.  Yes, he seriously got air when he would play with some dumb toy like packing peanuts, after closing time.  Yes, he liked the 'dry stuff' (don't we all!), and he thought Temptations treats were the food of the gods - we have them here so he's in Temptation heaven.  (Sorry, I can't help myself with the irony sometimes.)  When he mis-calculated his leap onto something he actually meant to miss it - he just acted all embarrassed so that you would all feel sorry for him and fuss over him - and it worked!  He perfected the birdie sound and that's a talent because not all of us can do it.  He liked the ladies (both species!), and frankly I never knew what he saw in that Liberty Belle.  He didn't mind 'kitten-sitting' when he had to but as far as he was concerned his job was to 'sit' while they 'kittened'.  He was the 'greeter', and a very good one at that - people asked for him all the time.  But most of all, he was a good sport and kept me company, even though I acted as if I abhorred him.

Edward would like everyone to know that he misses you but he'll always be there.  He's happy he got his own microchip with his own yellow tag, and he's sorry he got so mad when his bed got changed.  He will never like pet wipes but he appreciated the 'thought', and nothing beats a loving lap at lunchtime.  He forgives everyone who ever dressed him up in costumes.  He's very thankful to everyone who ever gave him treats, brought him treats and bought him treats.  He's happy he was an SGVHS 'shelter' cat because SGVHS was his home sweet home from beginning to end.  He knows how much he was loved.

Office Manager

Damn Birdies!

Cute, very cute!



It's coal in your stocking!

It's Thanksgiving, Already?

Where does the time go?  Even from up here (tee hee!), I can't believe it's nearly two months since I've written my blog.  (Well, of course I haven't written it - I have my se'cat'ery do it for me!)

Thanksgiving Day reminds me that I am thankful for so very much, especially for all those who loved me and cared for me.  I remember days when I forgot that.  I'd purposely vomit a hairball or two right out in the open  for someone to step in, or leaked on my way to the little girls' room, or swatted at Denzel or Edward or some hapless kitten who got in my way.  I meant it at the time, but now I realize I wish I hadn't.  I guess we all wish there are things we would have done differently, and would change some things if we could.  What we can do is be a little better, be a little nicer, have a little more patience.

I am so very thankful for this little shelter that I called home for so many years, and for all the people who adopted the many homeless animals who found themselves here, not knowing why they didn't have a home and family anymore.  They were the lucky ones - they were still alive and safe and would be loved and cared for by the best shelter staff in the whole wide world.  (Of course I'm biased!)  The unlucky dogs and cats were hit by cars, eaten by coyotes, abused by humans, ravaged by disease, dying alone and lonely. 

I am thankful for all the humans who love and care for their furry ones, every day, even when they pooh where they shouldn't, scratch what they shouldn't, and are sometimes just downright ornery.  And their furry ones are thankful too - more than you can ever know.  Happy Thanksgiving.   

It's Been A While......

I must apologize - it's been a while, hasn't it?  As I look down (yes, I'm looking down) I see sadness - it's 9/11 and people are remembering.  Loved ones are gone, never to return, hearts are hurt and broken and heavy.  I see that it's all normal;  it's part of knowing and feeling and loving someone too dear to lose.

Yes, my furry 'godchildren', I've left you too.  Those who loved me beyond belief let me go, when they knew I was ready.  My old self was wearing out, and I just wasn't bouncing back as quickly as before.  I was nearly 20, you know! Kitty diabetes was taking it's toll, and frankly, I had had enough of poking and probing and testing.  But I still made sure they knew that an IV catheter had met it's match with me!  They loved me, and I knew it, boy did I know it.  After spending much of my life living on the streets, eating out of a dumpster, living part of it in a cage, I became Queen of the office, completely free range - I mean free 'roam' - I'm a cat, not a chicken!  Every chair was my command, and whoever was occupying the one that I wanted got the evil staredown 'till they vacated it and I had my way.  Treats, boy did I love treats, and they bought me the best.  Of course, the stray morsel of dry food that I shouldn't have eaten was the best by far!

I intimidated the best of them - Denzel (glad you've found your forever home!), Edward (don't worry - your forever home is out there somewhere - for now you need to 'man the office'), and every kitten that dared cross my path.

I know they miss me.  They still position chairs so that I can get to them freely;  they look before they sit just in case I'm there,  my bed is still under the desk, my fluids bottle still hangs on the wall, and they're sure they glimpse me out of the corner of their eye.  Oh, it's me all right, because I'll always be there, always, in the place that counts the most - their hearts.

It's July? Already?

Hmmm, how did half a year go by so quickly?  Was I busy?  Did I sleep through it?  Did I eat treats through it?  (I wish!)  All I know is that it's already July, and I  haven't accomplished much so far this year.  Yes, my office dominance continues, albeit not quite the same without Denzel.  If you're going to dominate someone (humans are easy - they don't even realize they're succumbing to my charms!), then Denzel is truly a formidable foe.  I hear he's loving life in his forever home, eating cilantro (maybe he's really a vegetarian?), scrambled eggs, but not people anymore.

There's Edward, he was never too crazy about Denzel - it was a guy thing - but he usually gives me wide berth. (He does have a bit of wide berth, or is it girth, to give!  Sorry Edward, I couldn't resist!)  I promised to introduce you to him, so here he is in much of his glory!


Keeping on top of my paperwork!








                

               Watching birdies!
              
 

Do you think this outfit makes me look fat?

We like to have fun with Edward, much to his mom's dismay.  (But I made them do it!)

You lied!  I do look fat!

But all in all, I like Edward, and he's almost as renowned at the shelter as I am.  People ask for us and smile when they see us and hear our stories.  You've heard about my dumpster-diving days and my subsequent rescue, and Edward was a baby kitten at the shelter about 6 years ago or so and was very, very sick.  But now he's quite robust and healthy, just hoping for that very special person and home to call his own.

Speaking of which, we have over 200 dogs and cats waiting for their special person to come and adopt them forever.  I can't believe that people aren't frantic when one of their 'family' goes missing, and all these dogs and cats didn't have someone to love them and keep them safe as much as they should have.  Sad but true.

I for one, shall carry on the crusade for no more homeless pets, and shall direct my minions to go forth and educate.  First comes spay/neuter, then comes commitment people.  A lifetime commitment, just like I have!

I love you guys!

Hard at work, hardly working! But don't I look official???!!! 
And quite young, I might add!  Looking good for 16!

 

What do you mean "it must be a full moon".......???????

Lately I've been hearing everyone say "it must be a full moon".  What are they talking about?  Is it supposed to be bad thing?  All I know is, back in my dumpster-diving days, it was much easier to see by the light of a full moon (well, actually, smell was more important than see), but you get the picture. Evidently, strange things happen when there's a full moon.  Like somebody saying they found a dog on a freeway and stopped to pick up the poor thing and bring it to the shelter.  A real Mr. Nice Guy, or so it seemed.  Turns out, it was his adult son's dog and he was tired of it so instead of doing the respectable thing, he lied and 'abandoned' the handsome lab.  Thankfully, the son and his wife thought to call us, and the dog is safely with friends until their new home is ready.  Can you believe it?  And this stuff happens all the time.  I must look into this 'full moon' theory a bit more.......  One of our nice volunteers checks the calendar before she reports for duty - just in case!   Must be 'we don't want our Labrador Retriever week'.  A really cute white Lab puppy just came in from one of our cities.  The owners didn't want the 7 month old anymore because he was 'un-trainable'.  When I first saw him, he was absolutely out of control.  The owners said they took him for training - he even had a graduation certificate - but they said the training 'didn't work'.  They paid their fee and off they went.  Poor pup.  One of our staff members here at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society asked if he could try to get 'K' to settle down.  So I said sure, why not. (Ok, ok, I didn't actually say it, but I would have if I could speak human.)  We all watched - in utter amazement - as 'K' sat, lay down, and stayed, on command.  The dog was trained.  Obviously someone forgot to train the owners.  Personally, I know they would have failed.  Yes, as I preside over the goings on in the office (when I'm awake, that is) my keen sense of perception is unbelievable!  Or is it believable?  Hmmm..... I've confused myself.  Must meditate.   The office staff is always frustrated when people pick up lost pets but don't take them to the correct shelter for the area they find them in.  How will they ever get back home if they're not in the right place?  (A microchip would help here, people, hint, hint.)  Please, please, please, be sure all lost and stray animals go to the shelter that covers the city they are found in because that is where their families will look for them.  We want them to be able to go home.  There's no place like home.........

It's Gotten A Bit Quiet Around Here........

Listen.....there's no sound of the copier running off 683 blank copies.  No one is blocking my way out of the 'ladies' room' or crunching my special diabetic diet.  Oh handsome man - where are you?  The 'D-Man', our Denzel, has left the building and gone to his new forever home!  One of our lovely staff members couldn't resist his handsome good looks, his furry charms, or the look of love in his eyes whenever he saw her. 

He knew he was going 'home'.  After nearly two years.  He was different.  He looked content, and didn't tease me quite as much.  Well, ok, one less time than he usually did.  And on the day he went home, he walked right into his carrier - even before they put the blanky in!  And he used to hate the sight of a carrier.  He did one final round, as if to say "goodbye everyone", and back in his carrier he climbed.  They told me he didn't say a word all the way home, until he pulled up in his new driveway.  They said he checked out every nook and cranny, and couldn't believe his good luck.  He had windows, and bedrooms and a kitchen and - wait for it - green, leafy plants!  Denzel couldn't resist anything green.  He even ate collard greens once.  He did - I saw him. 

When Denzel came to the shelter he was badly injured and they almost thought he wouldn't make it.  His wounds were so bad, but Dr. put him back together, and months later he was good as new.  He was just a lot bigger and a lot more ornery!  But he was gorgeous, panther-like.  He was pure muscle, and he was strong - and strong-headed.  When he made up his mind about something you'd better watch out.  It was a skill to get him to do what you wanted him to do!  And mostly he won. 

I'm really happy for him, and I'm glad we can hear all about his adventures on a daily basis in his new home, even if they did have to move all the leafy green plants he shouldn't be chomping on!

Now I've got all these new office kittens to contend with.  More about them later.  Oh Edward.....

The Older I Get........

As you would imagine, I see and hear all sorts of things while on duty at the Front Desk.  The staff constantly ask each other "why doesn't everyone spay and neuter their pets?"  I'm not sure why they ask each other the same question nearly everyday - don't they have the answer by now?  And if there isn't an answer to the question, why do they keep asking it?  Wait, I have it - it's a rhetorical question.  These humans are a funny species, aren't they?  (Is that a 'question' question or a rhetorical question?)

We felines have an answer for everything.  Or rather, we have a 'do' for everything.  If we're hungry, we find something to eat.  If we're scared, we hide.  If we don't like someone or something, we hiss, swat, flatten our ears and hiss and swat some more.  If we like someone or something, we purr, lick, smile, rub, play with and eat it if we can.  But after some thought, even we don't have an answer to the spay/neuter question.  Personally, I am spayed - I'm not going to subject an innocent little kitten to homelessness and dumpster diving like I had to endure.  Ok, so a very loving group of people had me spayed, but still, you get the point.  And actually, I owe my longevity to being spayed - it keeps us healthier longer if we're spayed and neutered. 

Everyone hates that there are homeless pets.  We've all seen that sad TV commercial, but yet, with all our technology and modern advances, there are still homeless pets.  How can that be, people?  Why are so many puppies and kittens being born everyday, only to be out on the streets when they grow up?  Do you know how much awful stuff can happen out there?  How about if all the shelter pets find homes first before we let animals make more babies?  Believe it or not, most shelter animals are 1 year old and under.  So they're still babies!

Here at San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, we offer affordable vaccinations and spay/neuter, so that every lucky dog and cat out there can be protected in every way.  And many communities offer affordable vaccinations and spay/neuter services too.  Trust me, it's one of the most loving things you can do for your pets and to help prevent more homeless pets in the world.

I hear shelter pets make the best pets ever.  Do you know why?  Because they know you cared enough to give them a second chance at a forever home.  And they never let you forget how much they appreciate it and love you for it!  If you can't adopt a shelter pet, why don't you help pay for a spay/neuter surgery for someone's pet?  Or get a feral cat spayed or neutered?  Or ask your Congressman to sponsor mandatory spay/neuter law for all pets.  Or, well you get the picture......  Only humans can help solve the homeless animal crisis.  Please help.

FYI:  An unspayed female cat, her mate and their offspring, if none are ever spayed or neutered, can produce 11,802 kittens in 5 years!  An unspayed female dog, her mate and all of their puppies, if none are ever spayed or neutered, can produce 12,288 puppies in 5 years.

Meet A 'Character' from the Cast........

Well, you've heard me talk about them, so it's about time to meet one of them.  He's affectionately known (although not by me!) as 'D-Man', 'Big D', but ultimately he's Denzel, he of copier fame.  Personally, I think he has a fetish about all things paper.



Hmmm, must be jammed...........






What am I doing up here?  Uuuhhhh.......




I'm outta here......



Paper, I need paper.........

Anyway, now you've met Denzel.  He doesn't intimidate me, except when I'm in the 'little girl's room'.  I don't need an audience, Denzel, I need space!  I just growl at him, someone yells "Denzel, stop it", and I'm on my way.  When I raise my paw he knows who's boss, but sometimes he just 'dogs' me ('cats' me???).  Whatever, he acts like a little brother who can't resist taunting his big sister.  Doesn't he know I'm old enough to be his great, great, great great grandmother??????  Don't tell him I said this, but he really is a handsome man, all sleek and shiny and panther-like, and he's all muscle.  Ok, 'nuff about him for now.  Next you'll meet - Edward!   

It's Always Something......

I know most times I look very serene and 'above it all', but let me tell you, you wouldn't believe the things I see and hear in this front office! And it's always one extreme or the other.  Most humans really, really, really love their pets - but to some, they are completely disposable.  A poor pet was dumped at the door last night in a taped up box filled with grocery bags, but it got out and ran off.  What do you think is going to happen to that poor fellow - nothing good, I say.

I try to do my furry godmother wand thing as much as possible, but sometimes it just doesn't work.  How I wish I could find a loving home for every unwanted cat and dog just by waving my, well, you know how it goes. 

It's quiet at the shelter now, the dogs are snuggled in their blankies and beds, the kitties have had their treats, and I shall keep watch till morning when my adoring staff returns.  I sure hope they buy me more of those freeze-dried ocean fishy treats - the chicken is ok but not as good.  I spoke too soon - there goes the copier - Denzel is making 623 copies of blank papers.  I think he does it just to see the office staff run in to stop it!  You never see him laugh, but I can tell he is, he just has a good poker face.  Hmmm, I think there's a song about that or something.  I may be 'mature' but I'm hip!  Or is it 'hip hop'?????  Isn't that a bunny thing?  Ooooh, Easter's coming!

What a Week!

Whew - finally, this crazy week is over!  Now I can rest my 'furriness' and continue to be adored.
Keeping the office staff and cats in order is quite a task, sometimes a smack or two is required.  Boys will be boys, and Denzel and Edward continue their 'faux feud'.  They think they're macho, but they're just mushmellows when it comes to kittens. Ugh - I hate kittens.  All fuzzy and playful and - wait for it - adorable and irresistible to humans.

Punkin Ballerina has 'left the building' (my office) and gone to her new home.  Now she can be someone else's earache (which I've heard she is).  That kitten never shut up!  Hope she knows how lucky she is.  I did feel badly for her - dumped in the parking lot and nearly crushed by a car.  What are people thinking?  Obviously whoever dumped her wasn't a nice person at all.  And by the way, it is ILLEGAL to dump or abandon an animal, people.

I don't get dogs at all.  They're all slobbery and tail waggly, and they're always running away from home.  Why, I say?  I must look into that further.  What I do know is that microchip thingy gets them home in a jiffy, and when their people come everyone is happy, and I like happy humans.  They see me on my throne and say "oh, is that the office cat?" and everyone corrects them (I've trained them well) and tells them my title.  No one can believe my age - 16+ - as I look like a kitten, if I do say so myself.

Well, must get ready to begin my day.  As a diabetic, I get an insulin shot every morning, after a nice warm breakfast of some kind of mushy stuff.  As a reward for being such a good patient, I get 'freeze-dried' chicken, shrimp or whitefish!  You wouldn't believe how good that stuff is!

An Introduction...

Dora’s my name and dumpster diving used to be my game.  I was saved from life on the streets by the nice people at San Gabriel Valley Humane Society many years ago, and where I still reside.  When they brought me in I was suffering from diabetes and had the most awful teeth known to cat.  Ok, so now I’m toothless, and I’m still diabetic, but I am at least 16 years old!  I used to be fat and slow, but now that I’m trim and fit you should see me now!  My inner kitten has blossomed and I can jump and play with the best of them.   

I run the place – you’ll see me in the front office every day – balancing adoration from the staff, naps, more naps, more adoration from the staff, and playing musical chairs.  (Got to keep everyone on their toes – if I’m in their chair they’ve been served!)  Occasionally Denzel or Edward will evoke my ire – more about them later – but all in all, I’m top cat and I know it!

Let me tell you, life on the streets is no place for cat nor dog.  Common sense, people – dogs and cats are no match for cars, coyotes, disease, hunger, and really bad weather.  I myself have a cozy warm blanket, my very own office, and ……… Temptations!  Temptations are the very best treat on the face of the planet.  Show me a cat that doesn’t like Temptations – I’ll have their supply please.  Hey Temptations people – a year’s supply for a very small, private, poor shelter that loves me would be delicious!    

Right now I have a roommate – her name is Ballerina – and she used to be a real earache.  She was in heat and her yowling could push you right over the edge.  She was abandoned and once again, the nice shelter people saved her.  She’s going to go home with one of the nice shelter people – when, I say???? But for now she’s really ok.  I just smack her when she invades my space – I smack anyone that invades my space – but otherwise she’s ok ‘cause she’s not Denzel or Edward.  As I said, more about them later.  Just to let you know, I only smack humans when I need more loving – it works!

You might have seen our little shelter on the news recently.  All those torrential rains caused our roof to collapse and we lost the use of two of our cat habitats.  The kitties had to move to the lunchroom, but they’re ok.  Lots of people have stopped by to visit, and I love visitors!  But Vaccine Clinic can get a bit overwhelming though, so I just lie low – like under the desk on my blanky – until the girls tell me the coast is clear.

Speaking of clear, I’m going to clear out for now, but more to come from ‘The Furry Godmother’!