Remember this guy?
Gandy’s fate depended on having a place to go until a spot opened at the shelter or until a foster home came forward. Obviously, Gandy couldn’t wait. He needed help immediately. The same is true of the precious souls that end up in “the pound” - having only a matter of days before they are euthanized if an “owner” doesn’t show up to claim them. (We all know that very few dogs ending up in the pound are ever claimed.) That is part of my BIG DREAM - to turn my boarding kennel into full-time foster care for dogs who have no place to go while waiting on someplace to go. Gandy has only made me wish even harder for that dream to come true! (You can read how Gandy was rescued *here.) The update on Gandy is not good news, but I have come to terms with it. AND FOR SURE, if he had not been rescued when he was, the next weeks and months would have found him not just in the nightmare he was already living, but a deeper nightmare even than that. Gandy has cancer. The tumor on his leg proved to be malignant. The first report was that Gandy was a poor candidate for surgery to remove the tumor because he is quite old AND heartworm positive. The shelter vet said the tumor didn’t look like an easy fix even if Gandy could withstand the surgery. But the bigger question was whether or not the cancer had spread. A chest X-ray revealed that Gandy’s lungs are full of cancer.
The day I was given the news, I walked around in a sort of fog, cursing the previous owners (yes, there were owners!) and stewing about how if Gandy’s tumor had been treated months (years?) ago we would not be in this place now. But I cannot change the past. The bottom line is this. Gandy has only a few months to live. He was starving, hairless, flea-infested, unneutered, and heartworm positive when we took him in. Now he is flea-free, growing some fur back, and eating two hearty meals a day. I would prefer him to be in a home somewhere on a couch, and that request has been made on the shelter’s FB page. But until then, he has a soft blanket and shelter and food, fresh water, and medication. He will be given everything he needs in his last months. At least Gandy got lucky enough to know some comfort in his life.
Next, let me give a brief update on Halo. She was recently adopted by J and her family. (You can read that story *here.) My daughters and I have been holding our breath, fearful that Halo simply would not adjust and she would have to come back here. But she IS adjusting. And J says Halo is home for good. From J’s most recent email to me:
This morning. I was standing the hall way watching the early morning news. I felt . . . a cat, rubbing up against my legs and then nibble my toes. I was standing still just grinning.. The only cat who nibbles toes is Halo!! Last night Miss Halo was on the couch - ON THE COUCH - with T (J’s husband) being petted. HA! And Sunday afternoon she was sleeping on the dining room table after lunch. Could it get any better? NOPE!
Halo got lucky enough to get a great home.
Gandy and Halo. So many before them. So many yet to come. Every dog and cat deserves comfort and love. This is why I do what I do.
Of course, doing what I do takes work and money. My rescue work has morphed into something bigger (with the doubling of the cathouse). That’s why you see me more engaged now in fundraising. The thing about my particular rescue operation is this - I was just ONE person out here doing this UNTIL I STARTED BLOGGING. That’s when I met all of you. Since starting the blog, I have had your help with finding homes and raising money. Those are the two things that every rescue requires. The wonderful thing about that? It means more animals saved. When it was JUST ME, I did what I could. I still do what I can - but now that’s MORE because I have your help.
Early tomorrow morning, I will deliver FIVE male kitties for their neuter surgeries: Mickey, Maverick, Sunshine, Juice, and Hershey Bear. When I get back, I’ll post to my blog about the help I received from some special people just in the last week. Do please stop by.
Have a great day!
Gandy’s fate depended on having a place to go until a spot opened at the shelter or until a foster home came forward. Obviously, Gandy couldn’t wait. He needed help immediately. The same is true of the precious souls that end up in “the pound” - having only a matter of days before they are euthanized if an “owner” doesn’t show up to claim them. (We all know that very few dogs ending up in the pound are ever claimed.) That is part of my BIG DREAM - to turn my boarding kennel into full-time foster care for dogs who have no place to go while waiting on someplace to go. Gandy has only made me wish even harder for that dream to come true! (You can read how Gandy was rescued *here.) The update on Gandy is not good news, but I have come to terms with it. AND FOR SURE, if he had not been rescued when he was, the next weeks and months would have found him not just in the nightmare he was already living, but a deeper nightmare even than that. Gandy has cancer. The tumor on his leg proved to be malignant. The first report was that Gandy was a poor candidate for surgery to remove the tumor because he is quite old AND heartworm positive. The shelter vet said the tumor didn’t look like an easy fix even if Gandy could withstand the surgery. But the bigger question was whether or not the cancer had spread. A chest X-ray revealed that Gandy’s lungs are full of cancer.
The day I was given the news, I walked around in a sort of fog, cursing the previous owners (yes, there were owners!) and stewing about how if Gandy’s tumor had been treated months (years?) ago we would not be in this place now. But I cannot change the past. The bottom line is this. Gandy has only a few months to live. He was starving, hairless, flea-infested, unneutered, and heartworm positive when we took him in. Now he is flea-free, growing some fur back, and eating two hearty meals a day. I would prefer him to be in a home somewhere on a couch, and that request has been made on the shelter’s FB page. But until then, he has a soft blanket and shelter and food, fresh water, and medication. He will be given everything he needs in his last months. At least Gandy got lucky enough to know some comfort in his life.
Next, let me give a brief update on Halo. She was recently adopted by J and her family. (You can read that story *here.) My daughters and I have been holding our breath, fearful that Halo simply would not adjust and she would have to come back here. But she IS adjusting. And J says Halo is home for good. From J’s most recent email to me:
This morning. I was standing the hall way watching the early morning news. I felt . . . a cat, rubbing up against my legs and then nibble my toes. I was standing still just grinning.. The only cat who nibbles toes is Halo!! Last night Miss Halo was on the couch - ON THE COUCH - with T (J’s husband) being petted. HA! And Sunday afternoon she was sleeping on the dining room table after lunch. Could it get any better? NOPE!
Halo got lucky enough to get a great home.
Gandy and Halo. So many before them. So many yet to come. Every dog and cat deserves comfort and love. This is why I do what I do.
Of course, doing what I do takes work and money. My rescue work has morphed into something bigger (with the doubling of the cathouse). That’s why you see me more engaged now in fundraising. The thing about my particular rescue operation is this - I was just ONE person out here doing this UNTIL I STARTED BLOGGING. That’s when I met all of you. Since starting the blog, I have had your help with finding homes and raising money. Those are the two things that every rescue requires. The wonderful thing about that? It means more animals saved. When it was JUST ME, I did what I could. I still do what I can - but now that’s MORE because I have your help.
Early tomorrow morning, I will deliver FIVE male kitties for their neuter surgeries: Mickey, Maverick, Sunshine, Juice, and Hershey Bear. When I get back, I’ll post to my blog about the help I received from some special people just in the last week. Do please stop by.
Have a great day!
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Sallie needs a home.
Isis is currently on hold.
Shiloh needs a home.
Truly needs a home.
Autumn needs a home.
Frosting has been adopted.
Hershey Bear has been adopted.
Maverick has been adopted.
Spritz has been adopted.
Cashmere has been adopted.
Jo-Jo has been adopted.
Mickey has been adopted.
Sunshine and Juice have been adopted.
Mitts has been adopted.
Halo has been adopted.
Circe has been adopted.
Glitter has been adopted.
Tulip has been adopted.
Golden HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Percy HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Trex HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Monkey HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Charms HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Luna HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Bagheera HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Elfin HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Jasper and Soapy have been adopted.
Dearest and Max have been adopted.
Gabriel HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Leo HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Handsome HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Possum HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Alice HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Tuxie HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Ash HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Sparkles HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Moonie HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
Prince Charming HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
It is tragic that Gandy has cancer ~ but I can only be grateful that he found his way to you. I would have been awful if his nightmare had got worse by suffering more until his death. The sweet little soul probably thinks he is already in Heaven, with receiving such loving kindness and medical treatment. I am sad .... but I can't thank you enough for making his last days as comfortable as they can be. xxx
Posted by: Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom) | 08/29/2012 at 07:04 AM
So, Gandy needs a hospice home.
Posted by: J | 08/29/2012 at 07:33 AM
Poor Gandy. I know it can be so hard - you want to find those previous people and just..... My heart aches for him and for you. But know this - for no matter how much time he has left he will know more love and comfort than he did before this. And sometimes that is the best we can do.
I am SO excited about Halo. How awesome!!!
And it must be neuter your foster day - Bourbon and Whiskey were dropped off this morning too. haha
Posted by: Random Felines | 08/29/2012 at 07:44 AM
So sorry about Gandy, Thank you for giving him love and comfort in last days.
Wonderful news about Halo!!!!!!
Posted by: Madeline Runion | 08/29/2012 at 08:17 AM
Gandy will at least have a comfortable place in which to live out his last months, and caring people to take care of him. His last days may be his happiest, and that's a great gift to give to any living creature.
Posted by: Bellen | 08/29/2012 at 08:28 AM
Sometimes if is the smallest acts that are the most significant. For a dog like Gandy there is no "future" but only today, and his todays are now sweet. That is LIFE!
Posted by: The Poupountte | 08/29/2012 at 09:38 AM
Chrystal, I would never think to correct you, but I have to say you missed something serious this time! You listed the things Gandy now has "soft blanket and shelter and food, fresh water, and medication" but you forgot THE most important thing! Love! The one special ingrediant you make sure every critter that passes through your doors gets! Gandy will not die unloved and in horrible conditions because of you! He may not have a long future, but he has a good one now, never forget that, even when the end comes and it's hard, and I know it will be because you take each one personally, remember, Gandy was saved, cleaned up, fed, and loved, right to the end.
Yay for Halo! What a sweetie! I'm so glad she got a home!!
Big dreams like yours are gifts! I hope they can happen!
To help with that, people, lets do what we can! Buy the book! Donate! Check out the FUNdraiser! And most important, help find homes for kitties! Is there room in your home and heart? How about your parents? How about your kids? How about your friends? How about your coworkers?
Can you put the word out on facebook or your own blog? Can you contact a celebrity/show and let them know about the rescue and the book? Can you put in a flier? Can you give Chrystal the names of your local newspapers? Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated and will help the animals!!
Posted by: Andrea and the Celestial Kitties | 08/29/2012 at 11:28 AM
ANDREA has it right again. Please do all those things and more- I SENT a copy of the flyer and a short cover page about the book and blog to the PADUCAH Sun paper - I DO HOPE THE RIGHT PERSONS READ IT - MY FAVORITE REPORTER CORI EGAN'S NAME WAS ON ATTENTION TO -- I do hope she gets it and puts something about it in the paper... keep your fingers crossed every one... Gandy looks so much better- it broke my heart to hear about the cancer. HOWEVER - He can live out the precious time he has left with Chrystal and her family. IF NEED BE. HE HAS THIS GREAT FACE AND MAYBE SOMEONE WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH HIS STORY AND FOSTER HIM.. GREAT NEWS about HALO... SO GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT HIM ADJUSTING TO HIS NEW HOME .. MUST GET SHIFT KEY FIXED.. NICE DAY - Ginny & The Fur Family..
Posted by: Ginny & The Fur Family | 08/29/2012 at 12:06 PM
We are so sorry to hear that Grandy has cancer. But the good thing is whatever time he has left will be spent with warmth and food and LOVE! Chrystal, what you do is so wonderful.
Posted by: The Island Cats | 08/29/2012 at 01:31 PM
Sweet Gandy, we are so glad that his remaining time will be filled with compassion and love :-)
What wonderful news that Halo is doing so well!
Posted by: Cat's Cats | 08/29/2012 at 09:35 PM