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!