Rest and Relaxation

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  The life of leisure.  A relaxed pace.  NO worries.    That's what vacation is all about.

On Wednesday, my cell phone rang.  Odd because anyone who would have called me knew where I was and wouldn’t have called unless there was a problem.  The number didn’t look familiar so I waited to see if the mysterious caller would leave a message.  Yes.  So I listened to my voice mail and found that my cousin’s wife had a cat problem and would I please call her back.  I briefly considered not returning the call until I got home from vacation.  But I was afraid that something bad might happen to some unknown-to-me cat out there.  I called.

My cousin and his wife live out in the country less than half an hour from where I live.  Wife told me that a mom calico had strayed into her yard with two kittens in tow.  She has four dogs and my other cousin (who lives just across the way) has two very large dogs.  Her fear was that with so many dogs, it was only a matter of time before mom cat and the kittens would be attacked.  She said the cats were wild and she wasn’t able to catch them.  She also said she had already called the local shelters - all full.  I told her where I was and that I couldn’t do anything.  I did NOT tell her that I only take in cats and kittens that cross MY path.  This was close enough.  I knew there was no other answer but me in this particular situation.  I had dealt with ferals many times.  Wife wasn’t going to catch these guys.  And even if she could, we are thick into Kitten Season - there would be no place for these three to go.  My last placement was Percy and Golden to the Slimmer household.  I had room in the cathouse.  I told her that if she could somehow keep them safe, I would get them as soon as I got home.  She said she would do her best.  I worried, but I tried to let it go.  I really needed to enjoy the remainder of my vacation.  I tucked it back, and we made our plans for dinner out. 

That night we chose a Mexican buffet that we had been to the previous two years.  The food at this buffet impressed us so much during our first experience that we make it a point now to go back each year.  The drive to this place takes you to the end of a tourist strip lined with restaurants and hotels.  It’s a bit of a drive from where we stay, but it was worth it.  We pulled off of the main road and into the east side of the parking lot as we’ve done in the past.  The parking lot was full, so we drove around to the west side of the building to park.  We had NOT done this in the past.  As we started around to the entrance, we all talked about our favorite things on the buffet.  Dinner was wonderful and we left quite satisfied and too full.  Back into the vehicle, and now we would go back to our little paradise for an evening walk around the property.  (As fate would have it), the parking lot had become even more congested.  It was beginning to look like we wouldn’t be able to pull back around to the east side of the lot and back onto the road.  We glanced around for an alternate route, and sure enough, there was a narrow road on the west side of the building where we had been parked.  As Husband eased onto this little passage, we all looked to see how to weave back around to the main road.  We saw how to do it, and I simply glanced over to the right as we passed by an abandoned hotel.  Stop!  My voice was louder than I had intended.  What? said my husband.  Oh, stop I heard myself saying.  Go back.  Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me but I think I just saw a cat back there.  I could feel my husband bristle.  My girls went silent in the back seat.  We turned around and I pointed.  There.  Back there.  Husband eased into the parking lot of the empty, run-down hotel.  We just sat there.  In silence.  Miserably thin cats were scattering everywhere.  Inside my head I was screaming - Nooooooooooo . . .

Comments

[Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom)]

Oh how sad for the poor cats. The thing is, when you have a heart as big as the universe you can never turn your back on an animal ~ so I can hazard a guess at what comes next. Bless you for being on their side even when on holiday ~ the world needs more people like you. xxx

[Random Felines]

Funny - I do the same thing anymore - don't know the number, don't answer the phone. I swear there is some cat fairy out there with my cell phone number giving it to people. :)

Paws crossed for all those cats. It is sad that people (most people - we all know the exceptions) will pass by without doing something.

[The Poupountte]

Oh wow! what next???????

[Ginny & The Fur Family]

The poor things had sought shelter in the old motel and were scavaging for food and probable ate frogs and bugs and even worms. At night I picture - McDonalds night callers and also KFC night colony. They survive by staying out of sight during the day light hours and only coming out at night - I always know they are there so I try not to look for eyes in the dark. I know that you are going to take those furries some food and water and what ever you can do to ease some misery. I ALSO TRY TO TAKE ONLY WHAT EVER CROSSES MY PATH. HENCE THE NEW CRIPPLED CAT - IVY BOO kitty is now my new furry daughter... we out here understand--- the heart hurts for them ... and the mind works furiously trying to find a short term answer and a long term solution....can't wait until tomorrow to see what happens..... we here at Fur A Way Land love your stories. As Andrea of Celestial kittens says so well-- Spay and neuter - a quick fix is worth a thousand stray furries. So glad that the vacation was off to a great start... throw away that cell phone - bad news comes in through all wired hand held thingies. Warm wishes for a sunny day... Ginny & The Fur Family ---love mexican and all other food served to me while I am finally sitting down at a table...

[Mindy Slimmer]

I don't know how you can do it day in and day out Chrystal. That's why you rock so much!! As Jeanne said, many people would have left that situation...and sadly I would probably be one of those people with the vision forever haunting my soul for the rest of my life. I would have been overwhelmed and in panic mode. But you...you are the greatest and I'm glad I have a role model such as you to look up to in this world.
God Bless and Much Love!!

[meowmeowmans]

Chrystal, we are so grateful for you and your family. Helping animals who need help is so obviously a way of life for you. What an amazing example you set for all of us.

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

My heart is broken already for those kitties. I can't imagine what you must have felt. I'm on pins and needles for tomorrows post!

Seriously people, kitties gotta be fixed. "Oh my kitty doesnt go outside, I don't need to fix it" Well, that's how my Star became a momma. Her first people were at work, she and her sister were in heat, a male cat broke in through a screen and they wound up with more kittens than they knew what to do with.
Kitties live longer when they're fixed, they are calmer, happier, and they don't add to the overpopulation and wind up like these poor hotel kitties!
You can help Chrystal make a dent in this problem by donating so she can spay and neuter the kitties that cross her path. There's a donate button at the top of her sidebar, please, if you can, use it.
And if you adopt a kitty from her, she will have room to save another, and you know more are coming so please, adopt!
June, by the way, is National Adopt a Cat month, so please, adopt from Chrystal!!

[Ginny & The Fur Family]

Andrea tells it just like it is. I wish I could put that motel of my mind. I can see the poor creatures of the night. It was fate that Chrystal and her family went that way. It was a one in a million chance that they would ever take that side road. Right now I have at least 4 night furrys that eat every night on my front porch. I see that they have a place to sleep and food and water and if I can catch them I get shots and neuter or spay and release. Yesterday I caught the tamest of the two red toms and sprayed it all over with front line before it got away. I was trying to see if it had ever been fixed. Tiger lily and Ivy have been spayed and had shots - Two down and two to go... Friends of the Furries keep fighting united to solve the over population as best we can... until tomorrow - have a great night - Ginny & The fur Family

[Kat & the Teenage Mutant Ninja Kitty Horde]

Oh no!! How many were there??