daily dose of dogs (aka cats with your coffee)

Going Yellow for LIVESTRONG

                                              (Thanks to Ann at Zoolatry for this graphic.)

I discovered LIVESTRONG about this time last year through Jan’s blog (Cat’s Meow ~ Milo & Alfie).  I was on board immediately.  Awareness is the beginning of every answer, so I believe it is a service we do by turning our blogs yellow once a year for this great cause.  Last year, I posted some yellow pictures, one of which was of our precious Milo in a yellow bandana.  We lost Milo this summer, quite unexpectedly.  Looking back on last year’s post was a tough pill to take.  Milo looked SO handsome sporting his yellow for the cause.  This year, I took some pictures of yellow again, and I gave Waggles the honor of wearing the yellow bandana.  She has been fighting her own battle with cancer.  Waggles has had several treatments, and she’s hanging in there.  She has been on some of those Autumn walks with us that I so hoped she would get to take.  I’m honored to be a part of this blogosphere-wide event.  To Waggles, to the family and friends of those who have lost someone to cancer, to those currently fighting the fight, and to the survivors - LIVE STRONG. 









                                             (Thanks to Ann at Zoolatry for this graphic.)


Monday I will post another brick story.  Have a great weekend!

Leo the Chinese Lion

If you read other people's comments on this blog, you might notice that I have a cheerleader for adoptions.  Andrea adopted Leo the Chinese Lion from us, and she has been our voice for adoptions ever since.  I regularly thank her for that because finding forever homes for the kitties here is the only way we can keep rescuing.  However, it isn't Andrea's voice speaking to you today.  Here is Leo's brick, and what Leo has to say about it.

Hi hi! Leo the Chinese Lion here! I gots a brick on Winnie's Wish Walkway! Ya see, when I was an little fuzzy baby, I was feral (that means I was a wild cat, never had a people) and Chrystal and her family came and captured me! Now, at first I was a very scared little fuzz ball, but then I learned that human peoples were nice. They gave me a warm place to stay, lots of foods and snackies and toys! I love me some toys! And then, when I was bigger, they found me a forever home! Now I'm the happiest BIG fuzzy guy that ever lived and it's all because Chrystal and her family saved me! When I think what my life would have been... Cold, scary, filled with fights, disease, parasites and probably early death, I can't help but be so very very thankful! That's why my brick says "Thanks for the save" Cause I know they saved me.

Four of my sisters are still at Chrystals, wouldn't you like to give one or more of them a home so they can be as happy as I am?? Think about it, seriously, ok?
Thank you again, Chrystal!

You can keep up with Leo (and Star) at Andrea’s blog - Celestial Kitties - always in my sidebar.

Andrea ~ THANK YOU.

Tomorrow I’ll focus on LIVESTRONG.  Back to bricks next week.  See you tomorrow.

Hank and Merlin

Kate is a friend and supporter of Winnie’s Wish.  She is a cat lover extraordinaire.  Rather than write up something specifically for this post, Kate had just recently done a post on her own blog about her precious Hank and Merlin.  PLEASE take a moment to visit that post.  It is beautiful. 

For Hank and Merlin's  story, click here.   And anytime you want to visit Kate's blog, it is in my sidebar ~ First Chapter's 2nd chapter.


Kate ~ THANK YOU.

 

Now a word about advertisements.  Several weeks ago, I was contacted about running an advertisement on my blog.  I can't deny that this created some excitement.  All of you know how I look for all kinds of ways to support this work.  This is a trial run.  The company will advertise on my blog for three months and then make a decision about whether or not to continue.   The company is Black Friday, an online resource for exclusive shopping deals. Their website has been mentioned as a resource by publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.  Their site has typically been associated only with Black Friday deals, but they are about to launch year-round exclusive deals, and want to promote their pet section.   They have asked me to help them do that.  I will run a sidebar ad for the next three months.  If you get an extra moment, please check them out through the daily dose.  You can do that today by clicking here - Black Friday.  Or you can check them out any time by clicking on their ad in my sidebar. 

See you tomorrow.

Milo & Alfie

I still find it amazing that the very first brick to be ordered included Winnie’s name.  It couldn’t have been more fitting.

You can visit their blog The Cat's Meow~Milo & Alfie by clicking here, or this blog is always in my sidebar.

And now, in Jan’s words:

All too frequently in today's world we see or read about animals suffering. It's in newspaper articles, on television and radio reports, and on the Internet ~ often accompanied by graphic photos. All too frequently the suffering is caused by humans and it makes me feel deeply ashamed to be a part of a species that can inflict such terrible cruelty (physical, emotional, and mental) on creatures who often can't defend themselves or escape from their tormentors. Sometimes the suffering is caused accidentally and I feel sad to my heart that it happened. Sometimes the suffering inflicted is deliberate and it makes me despair and feel soul sick. Sometimes the suffering is a result of ignorance and stupidity and I feel angry.

I try to counterbalance the great sadness this information causes me (think yin and yang) by ensuring I observe and read about the positive things done by animal lovers who really care. It's the reason why I love being a part of the Cat Blogosphere ~ because it's a place where folk from all walks of life meet up, with a common interest: truly caring for cats, and other animals. Every single animal blog I read (whether funny, or serious, or witty, or about ordinary everyday life) helps lift my spirits. These blogs help me to realize that there are many people out there who love and care for animals and each other. These blogs help teach empathy towards animals, they make me smile, and they give out advice and information and in doing so help others to learn how to provide quality loving animal care. Of course they also cause me sadness too when a beloved animal dies.

Well I bet by now you're thinking what has all this to do with a brick? Well ... Chrystal's blog is on my "heart warming" list, because she and her family (like many of you reading this) don't just care for sick and needy animals, they truly love them. They pull out all the stops to help any needy animal that comes their way ~ even when survival is against the odds and when helping will almost certainly cause them pain. They share their home, they spend their hard earned cash, they give up sleep when necessary ~ and most importantly of all they give their love. Of course not every animal can be saved, and sadly all the love in the world could not save dear sweet fragile Winnie. I'm sure, like me, many of you will have wondered why Winnie touched our hearts in such a big way. I think it is because she was and is symbolic of cats everywhere who suffer because mankind is uncaring and thoughtless. There will always be "Winnies" ~ born feral, starving from the get go, quickly succumbing to disease and infection, suffering terribly and eventually dying in the worst of circumstances after never having known love and kindness. And the saddest part of all is much of this suffering could be avoided. The way forward must be in neutering so that where possible, EVERY kitten born is a loved and wanted kitten ~ this could be done in just one generation if everyone raised awareness. It must also be in adopting cats from shelters rather than breeders or pet shops, who are often just interested for profit. And also in raising awareness and educating those who so need to learn how to treat animals with the love and respect and kindness they truly deserve.

So when Chrystal mentioned the bricks ~ I knew in an instant I wanted to support her ~ to thank her for all she does. Thank her for every "Winnie" she has ever tried to save, for every "Winnie" she has ever cried over or had a sleepless night over, for every "Winnie" she has spent money she could ill afford in paying for vets bills. And of course I want to honour the life of the dear little fluffy Winnie, who left for the Bridge way too soon, but did at least go knowing what love is. (Do you remember that photo where she is making biscuits of contentment ~ just before her death?)
On our brick we asked for a paw print logo, and the following text: "Winnie left a paw print on our hearts" Love Milo and Alfie xx

The paw print is symbolic of every dear little "Winnie" who didn't survive and maybe didn't ever know love, and for all those little "Winnie" ferals yet to be born in the future, and for our own special Winnie of course ~ the angel kitten we ALL loved.
Jan, and Milo and Alfie xxx

Jan ~ THANK YOU.

The Bricks Are Here, The Bricks Are Here!

How exciting is this?!?  The bricks arrived over the weekend.  I wasn’t expecting them to show up quite this quickly.  My husband has started preparing the Walkway area.  Our Winnie’s Wish Walkway is in the works.  I have planned from the beginning to show pictures of each of the bricks that were ordered.  You know how much I’ve wanted this Walkway to be special.  Each brick means so much.  Each brick means needed funds.  Each brick is a tribute to Winnie and ALL kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs who need a helping hand.  And each brick represents a wonderful animal out there - either still in the fur or watching from the Bridge. 
I mentioned before that Mindy (Slimmer Pugs) suggested that when the pictures of the bricks go up on the blog, it would be nice to read about that brick - who it comes from and what the story is behind it.  When I put that suggestion out to the brick buyers, I got lots of responses.  I’m going to highlight bricks for the next many posts.  I’ll do this in the order in which the brick requests came in.  The very first brick to be ordered was from Jan of Milo & Alfie.  So tomorrow, Jan’s brick will start us off.  This is going to be delightful. 

Here is where the Walkway will be.  It takes us to the front door of the cathouse ~ a haven for needy, homeless cats and kittens.  We have the sand and will start placing bricks in the Walkway TODAY!

Thank you to those of you who emailed me about helping with Elfin’s transport to Pennsylvania.  Unfortunately, nothing worked out for that route.  I have been in touch with the mom of the family who is adopting Elfin.  Her name is Deb.  She is going to pay to have Elfin flown to her.  My husband and I are working out the details of when we can take off to Nashville to get Elfin on a flight.  I’ll keep you posted.

See you tomorrow.

The Current Foster Group

The kittens just keep pouring into the shelter where Older Daughter is employed.  My own experience has taught me that once the infamous Kitten Season begins in the Spring, it doesn’t end until sometime in the late Fall.  I worry every day that we will come across another kitten or litter of kittens, with our cathouse currently full.  That is exactly what continues to happen at the shelter.  As I said in another post, Older Daughter has learned that if she leaves really sick cats or kittens at the shelter, they don’t fare as well as when they come here.  So, like Jeanne at Random Felines, we have had a revolving door for shelter kittens since the beginning of Kitten Season.  These are our fosters.  We are responsible for our own cathouse crew in every way - housing, medical care, and finding homes.  With the fosters from the shelter, we provide a temporary place to recuperate.  When they get over the hump (if they do), we send them back to the shelter.  There have been so many fosters this Season that I am beginning to lose count.  On Older Daughter’s most recent weekend from the shelter, she brought home the latest sick group.  Here they are, after several days here, feeling much better.

Meet Leah.

Leah has an upper respiratory virus and a bad eye, but she has already improved a great deal.

Here is little bitty Hansel.

Hansel was found in a road and brought to the shelter.  Both eyes were sealed shut, so he had no idea where he was (in the middle of a road).  There is more to Hansel's story - another time.

This is Patsy, an adult, with an upper respiratory virus that is making it hard for her to breathe.

Patsy, along with Leah and Hansel, have been steadily improving since they came to our "quarantine room".  They will return to the shelter when they are ready.

Now here are a couple of pictures of the fosters who have been here a while.  Axel and Spencer are doing well.  We are SO pleased that Axel has come around like he has.  When he came to us, he was one of those kittens that was not expected to pull through.  I know anything could happen, but Axel has made dramatic improvements.  Joe, who was given nearly NO chance of surviving, continues to live in our downstairs bathroom.  His only symptom now is a periodic sneeze.  We are terrified to send Joe back to the shelter for fear that the stress and exposure will bring him down.  He'll stay here a little longer.

Spencer, playing.

                                                                                          Axel.

Joe, in the bathroom sink.

We are still working on the transport arrangements to get Elfin to his new family in Pennsylvania.   I will try to have the route mapped out by early next week so that I can ask if there is anyone out there who might be on that route and able to help.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Have a great weekend!

 

Family Finish

Last year we moved Bouzzer and Rocky from our dog shelter area to our house.  Bouzzer has a seizure disorder and is now an old man.  His buddy, Rocky, is the alarm system for Bouzzer’s seizures.  They have lived together for years.  So they came into our family together.  Jane and Tarzan are the next oldest in the shelter area.  We DO NOT have room for them at our house right now, but we are working on a different set-up for them for this winter.  I took them off of our adoption list because they deserve to stay right here.  They’ve aged here like Rocky and Bouzzer, and they deserve to call this home.  Muffin and Mandy, who are still in my sidebar, will eventually become family members, too, if they aren’t offered a wonderful home pretty soon.  They aren’t as old as Bouzzer, Rocky, Jane, and Tarzan, but they have grown up here.  They are as much family as any of the other dogs.

So here is our “evening-walk crew”, lovingly known as the “shelter dogs”.

                                                                        Ready for a walk?


Jane and Tarzan

                                                                                            Jane


Tarzan

                                            Mandy (hard to get a picture; always on the move)


Muffin


The two final furry family members are Radio and Jenny.  Jenny is still too thin as far as donkeys go.  But she has improved tremendously in her few short months with us.  The scruffy brown fur that covered her body in huge patches is all gone.  Her coat is sleek and black.  She is such a friendly girl, and she seems to really love her human family.  Her favorite, however, is Radio.  She and Radio are just as in love with each other as they were the night they met.

 
   Remember Jenny when we brought her home?

Well look at her now!




                                                                                              In love.


Yesterday, I worked on finding my way around Petfinder.  I managed to get one Winnie’s Wish kitty loaded into my new site.  Wow, this is going to be time-consuming.  I have Jeanne (Random Felines) looking around in the site with me.  I know her help will be priceless.  By the way, if you get a chance, you might stop by the Random Felines blog and give Jeanne a holler.  As many of you know, Jeanne has a revolving door for foster kitties.  She lost a tiny baby yesterday, and a second one may not have long.  Her email to me included the words - it never gets any easier.  Boy, did that ever strike home for me.  In an update on her post, she wrote - And no matter how much I know that they were safe and loved for the time they were here, it still sucks to lose such a tiny life.....             You bet it does, Jeanne.  You bet it does. 


Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to our newest foster kitties and give you an update on Joe, Axel, and Spencer.

See you then.

The Rest of the Family (Almost)

Last week, I re-introduced you to our own furry family.  I highlighted our smaller furry members.    Today, I’ll highlight our larger furry members.  Each of our crew has his or her own story, all of which have been told on this blog.  Here is (most) of the rest of our crew.

Waggles.

                                                                                     Annabelle.

Rocky and Bouzzer.

                                                                       Bouzzer and Miracle.


Jack the Unicorn, Bouzzer in the background.

I'm waiting on some information from someone about Elfin's transport.  As soon as I know something, I'll scream for the rest of the help we need.   I heard back from Petfinder late yesterday.  I have big fears about whether or not I'm capable of getting a site set up, but that's one of the reasons I'm keeping today's post short - I'll start working on that today.  I'm still desperate for good homes, so let's hope I can get this Petfinder site up and running and that it brings us wonderful adoptive families.  We have three new fosters, all kitties who needed us.  I'll be getting some pictures of them today so that I can introduce them to you.   Tomorrow's post will be dedicated to our final furry family members - four more dogs and two donkeys.  (Pam, new donkey pictures coming.)  See you then.

No Post Today

I'm having to do a little extra work this morning in terms of the brick order.  So I'm going to work on that and get it right back to the engraver.  I'm anxious to get these bricks!  Therefore no new post, but maybe the great news about Elfin will be enough for another day.  THANK YOU to those of you who are coming forward with offers of help to get Elfin to Pennsylvania.  We are working out the transport, and I'll let everybody know where we need to fill holes in the trip.

Have a good day.

A Home

It’s on.  Those of you who know me can probably imagine how excited I am right now.  Someone in the cathouse has been "chosen”. 

In August, when we were celebrating Winnie’s Wish, I said that I was specifically wishing for two things - bricks and homes.  The brick fundraiser started off a little slow, but I truly had faith that we would reach our goal of TWENTY bricks with which to start the Winnie’s Wish Walkway.  Did we reach our goal?  YES.  Did we go over our goal?  YES!  The final tally for bricks on this first order is . . . . .  drumroll . . . . . TWENTY-NINE BRICKS!  Thank you to everyone who ordered a brick.  I really look forward to showing the bricks on this blog.  I’ll be sharing the various stories that came along with those bricks, too.  Good stuff!

My second wish during the Winnie’s Wish celebration was for homes.  I set my goal at six kitties.  I didn’t care if it was six different homes @ one cat per home or if it was six kitties all going to the same home (smile).  I just really wanted to get six kitties placed.   That would have made ten kitties adopted since the Fantastic Fifteen and the Formerly Feral Four came in, and it would have made TWENTY kitties since launching Winnie’s Wish.   It didn’t happen.

Ginny, a regular commenter on this blog, said that maybe after Labor Day people would start to settle in for the Fall and Winter seasons and decide it was time for an addition to their families.  After all, doesn’t everyone need another furry to get through the long winter with?  Still no nibbles.  Until the end of last week.  I’ve been in touch with Deb from Pennsylvania.   She and her husband and son have decided to add a kitty to their family.  They have a dog, a hamster, and fish.  Soon, they will have a cat as well.

Now CB - as usual, I need your help.  We need to get a kitty from here in southern Illinois (I can get to Effingham, IL) to the Reading, Pennsylvania area.  Anyone with an idea about this, please leave a comment or email me.  c3k@lazernetwireless.net      Please pass this request along to anyone who might be able to help us with this transport.

So are you ready?  Would you like to know exactly who has been chosen?  Surely you haven’t peeked ahead at the picture.  You wouldn’t do that, right?  Of course you wouldn’t.  Now, without further ado, here is our first one-year-anniversary-of-Winnie’s-Wish adoption.

The envelope please.     And the winner is . . . . .                  Elfin!!!



Please, please, please let me know if you can help get Elfin to Pennsylvania.  And everybody cross your fingers (toes, eyes, etc.) that this will be number one of a whole string of adoptions.