Over a week ago, I started playing around with a post for today - October First. But ALOT happened last week. Yesterday, I sat down to re-read what I had written for today and it definitely needed to be “tweeked”. First and foremost, I needed to address the Chip-In, which wasn’t even a thought a week ago. In fact, a week ago today, when I got up in the morning, I had no idea that I would be blessed with the third catch - Shiloh - that very day. Of course, I also didn’t know I would be taking a little broken kitten to the vet to be put back together again. (Maybe his name should have been Humpty.) I had no way to pay for the surgery, unless I used the money that Andrea had been working so hard to raise for me. That was money I desperately needed for spay surgeries in the near future, tons of kitten vaccinations, and food and litter. At the urging of some friends, I set up the Chip-In. Well, you can look right over and see for yourself. Wow, Oh, Wow!! Will you look at that!!! I was hoping to get even just a portion of the cost of the surgery. But because of YOU, I can pay for Shiloh’s surgery, I got the mom cat (with the four bitty kitties) FF-tested to be ready to go to Jeanne, and I still have money left over to put with Andrea’s fundraiser money. I can keep going for a while longer. THANK YOU seems too small, but I offer it with all of my heart.
Now here are my plans for October.
I had intended to launch the fourth brick fundraiser and a big adoption campaign DURING SEPTEMBER. It was literally September 23rd when the realization hit that September was nearly over and I had not done either one. SO - I will make October my launching month. It should work nicely. Andrea ran her toy FUNdraiser throughout the month of September which was WONDERFUL. October can be the month for BRICKS (sort of, you’ll see). And EVERY month is the right month for adoptions. So before the holidays roll around, I’ll see what I can do to drive everybody crazy with CUTE pictures of kitties who need forever homes.
My brick fundraiser will begin on October 10th and will run for one month. I originally said it would be the fourth and possibly final brick fundraiser. My goal was going to be quite lofty this time. There are 25 spots left in the Winnie’s Wish Walkway. I have never had 25 bricks ordered in any single fundraiser, but I was hoping to do that very thing this time! However, things have changed. So many of you have helped in other ways recently. Now that Andrea’s FUNdraiser has done so well, and with the extra funds that came in for Shiloh’s surgery, the goal will be only to reach the number five - since I need five bricks to place an order. I have decided to go ahead and launch the fourth brick fundraiser here in October because I had a few folks ask me if I would be doing another brick order before Christmas. So I’ll do my brick thing for anyone who would love to have a brick now. I won’t go all out and hope to FILL the Walkway this time around. That means there will be a FIFTH brick fundraiser early next year. So if you still want a brick, and you can’t do it this time, there will be another opportunity. If you’re looking to get a brick before the holidays, tune in on 10/10.
My MAIN GOAL for October will be adoptions. I’d like to get about a dozen (smile) wonderful, amazing, perfect, forever homes for my Winnie’s Wish cats and kittens. But we simply MUST have AT LEAST THREE. Here’s why. Last November I set a goal of eleven kitties adopted in as many months. To meet that goal, I need to have three Winnie’s Wishers go to their perfect forever homes in the next six weeks. Now here’s a little something I find VERY interesting. During the course of Andrea’s toy FUNdraiser event, THREE toy packages were purchased by special people for a specific purpose - TO BE SENT ALONG WITH THE NEXT THREE WINNIE’S WISH KITTIES SELECTED INTO THEIR VERY OWN HOMES. That’s right. Andrea sent me three separate toy packages purchased with the request that these toys go along with the next three cathouse cats adopted from Winnie’s Wish.
I was granted a miracle when Jeanne was able to take the mom calico and her four tiny babies, but I can’t imagine being that lucky again. I need some space. I need homes. Help me launch the biggest Winnie’s Wish Adoption Campaign EVER.
If you are someone who has considered adopting a Winnie’s Wish cat or kitten, please let me know. If you care enough about animals to be reading this to begin with, you are the kind of person I want for the kitties here. WE NEED YOU.
*One more quick thing. I want all of you to know how much I appreciate your various forms of support. I feel so embraced by the help I received for Shiloh. But it isn’t just that. It’s EVERYTHING you guys do for me. I had a BIG example of this happen to me over the weekend. After an email correspondence with Ingrid King, she said I could send her a copy of my book for possible review on her website. Yesterday, she sent me an email that said she was sorry she could not review my book. She said it wasn’t a good fit for her site and that she didn’t realize that I essentially republished my blog in book form. It stung to hear that, but for the rest of the afternoon I repeated to myself what so many of YOU have said about the book - that you liked it, that it made you laugh and cry, that you thought it was inspiring. I realize the book is not a masterpiece, but those blog posts and the tremendous work that went into getting them published in book form represent my heart and soul and my love for animals. I STILL carry the hope of selling books to help me keep up this rescue work.
Tomorrow is LIVESTRONG day. Wednesday, I’ll update you on our progress towards a transport for Mom Cat and kittens, how Shiloh is doing, and how big Gwennie’s puppies are getting. Yay pictures! Have a good day.
Now here are my plans for October.
I had intended to launch the fourth brick fundraiser and a big adoption campaign DURING SEPTEMBER. It was literally September 23rd when the realization hit that September was nearly over and I had not done either one. SO - I will make October my launching month. It should work nicely. Andrea ran her toy FUNdraiser throughout the month of September which was WONDERFUL. October can be the month for BRICKS (sort of, you’ll see). And EVERY month is the right month for adoptions. So before the holidays roll around, I’ll see what I can do to drive everybody crazy with CUTE pictures of kitties who need forever homes.
My brick fundraiser will begin on October 10th and will run for one month. I originally said it would be the fourth and possibly final brick fundraiser. My goal was going to be quite lofty this time. There are 25 spots left in the Winnie’s Wish Walkway. I have never had 25 bricks ordered in any single fundraiser, but I was hoping to do that very thing this time! However, things have changed. So many of you have helped in other ways recently. Now that Andrea’s FUNdraiser has done so well, and with the extra funds that came in for Shiloh’s surgery, the goal will be only to reach the number five - since I need five bricks to place an order. I have decided to go ahead and launch the fourth brick fundraiser here in October because I had a few folks ask me if I would be doing another brick order before Christmas. So I’ll do my brick thing for anyone who would love to have a brick now. I won’t go all out and hope to FILL the Walkway this time around. That means there will be a FIFTH brick fundraiser early next year. So if you still want a brick, and you can’t do it this time, there will be another opportunity. If you’re looking to get a brick before the holidays, tune in on 10/10.
My MAIN GOAL for October will be adoptions. I’d like to get about a dozen (smile) wonderful, amazing, perfect, forever homes for my Winnie’s Wish cats and kittens. But we simply MUST have AT LEAST THREE. Here’s why. Last November I set a goal of eleven kitties adopted in as many months. To meet that goal, I need to have three Winnie’s Wishers go to their perfect forever homes in the next six weeks. Now here’s a little something I find VERY interesting. During the course of Andrea’s toy FUNdraiser event, THREE toy packages were purchased by special people for a specific purpose - TO BE SENT ALONG WITH THE NEXT THREE WINNIE’S WISH KITTIES SELECTED INTO THEIR VERY OWN HOMES. That’s right. Andrea sent me three separate toy packages purchased with the request that these toys go along with the next three cathouse cats adopted from Winnie’s Wish.
I was granted a miracle when Jeanne was able to take the mom calico and her four tiny babies, but I can’t imagine being that lucky again. I need some space. I need homes. Help me launch the biggest Winnie’s Wish Adoption Campaign EVER.
If you are someone who has considered adopting a Winnie’s Wish cat or kitten, please let me know. If you care enough about animals to be reading this to begin with, you are the kind of person I want for the kitties here. WE NEED YOU.
*One more quick thing. I want all of you to know how much I appreciate your various forms of support. I feel so embraced by the help I received for Shiloh. But it isn’t just that. It’s EVERYTHING you guys do for me. I had a BIG example of this happen to me over the weekend. After an email correspondence with Ingrid King, she said I could send her a copy of my book for possible review on her website. Yesterday, she sent me an email that said she was sorry she could not review my book. She said it wasn’t a good fit for her site and that she didn’t realize that I essentially republished my blog in book form. It stung to hear that, but for the rest of the afternoon I repeated to myself what so many of YOU have said about the book - that you liked it, that it made you laugh and cry, that you thought it was inspiring. I realize the book is not a masterpiece, but those blog posts and the tremendous work that went into getting them published in book form represent my heart and soul and my love for animals. I STILL carry the hope of selling books to help me keep up this rescue work.
Tomorrow is LIVESTRONG day. Wednesday, I’ll update you on our progress towards a transport for Mom Cat and kittens, how Shiloh is doing, and how big Gwennie’s puppies are getting. Yay pictures! Have a good day.
Click here to order the book.
Buy the book to read stories of rescue and hope. Selling books means I can help MORE homeless dogs and cats.
View the Oliver video.
GET YOUR BRICK IN THE WINNIE'S WISH WALKWAY. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW.
Click here to help our rescue by getting something fun!
Click on the picture to read about Winnie's Wish - our adoption campaign.
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.
A lovely update!
Don't let the feedback from Ingrid worry you, you can't please everyone all of the time. And the rest of us LOVE it ~ not just for the content but because of what it represents: it reminds us all that in a world of animal cruelty and abuse, and a world in which many just don't care, there are some who have a heart of gold and will always go the extra mile to help any animal in need. I am proud to know you and to have your book.
Posted by: Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom) | 10/01/2012 at 07:35 AM
A really lovely update. Please dont as jan said let the comment about the book get you down.We love the book and love what you do. Hugs Carol and GJ xx
Posted by: Ginger Jasper | 10/01/2012 at 07:45 AM
From what you wrote about Ms King's response, it sounds like she decided not to review it simply because it was based on a blog, not because it was not good. The Cat Blogosphere will continue to get the word out about your book; that will do wonders.
Posted by: Bellen | 10/01/2012 at 08:19 AM
We are full of hope, Chrystal, that all these wishes will come true.
Posted by: The Poupounette | 10/01/2012 at 08:22 AM
We hope the good news can outweigh the words of one person. Mom loved the book and we agree with Jan that the journey of seeing one person take a stand is inspiring. We are all excited to meet the new family (ok - mom is excited, the rest of us...pfft) MOL
Posted by: Random Felines | 10/01/2012 at 08:31 AM
Chrystal,
I'm ready for book #2...I do hope you will write another one.
Much Love,
Mindy :)
Posted by: Mindy Slimmer | 10/01/2012 at 09:54 AM
Jan said it better than I could - "I am proud to know you and have your book."
I'm honored to consider you a friend. The world needs more folks like you and your family. And the book is an awesome representation of that love that y'all have for each other and for the 4-leggeds of the world. Also, I personally happen to love the fact that it's your blog in print. I get to recap everything I've read on here as well as catch up on everything I missed. It's fabulous!
Oh, and like Mindy said -- I have fingers crossed that you will do a book #2. Soapy told me she wants to be famous, so I told her I'd let you know. ;)
Keep it up, Miss Chrystal. You're headed in the right direction!
Posted by: Lana G. | 10/01/2012 at 11:28 AM
I saw the chip in and I was thrilled!! This blogosphere is THE most generous group of people ever! You people ROCK!
I told Chrystal in an email NOT to take down the chip in early. Not to shake anyone down though the surgery is covered, but to allow anyone else who wants to to help IF THEY WANT.
I know Chrystal gets embarrassed to ask for help, even when she's desperate for it.. You all would NOT believe what I had to do in order to make her let me do my fundraiser!!
So because it's such a great day, donation wise, update wise, and all, that I don't think I'll jump on my soap box begging for adoptions, donations, bricks, books and all as I usually do. But you can still think about it! :D
Posted by: Andrea and the Celestial Kitties | 10/01/2012 at 02:11 PM
Chrystal your book is lovely and an amazing accomplishment, always remember that!!! Isn't Andrea wonderful to send care packages for future homes...such a great idea :-)
I don't know why the chip-in doesn't show up on my computer,(there is just a blank space at the top of the blog)that is why I used the donate button instead. I hope I didn't mess up anything!
Posted by: Cat's Cats | 10/01/2012 at 02:56 PM
I agree... with everything!! Keep up the chipin!! Some people prefer it to PayPal! And pooh on it being the wrong fit! I love it!! And not just because my own dear Audrey (nee Sparkles) is in it! It's inspirational and just goes to show what we all know... which is what a wonderful person YOU are (as well as your daughters and husband)!
Well, off to go share this on Facebook!! I'm so so so thrilled with the good news and I can't wait until I see the posts about more adoptions!!
Posted by: Kat & the Teenage Mutant Ninja Kitty Horde | 10/01/2012 at 05:14 PM
I love the book. It makes me laugh and cry and feel all warm and furry. So glad that you caught Shiloe and he is on the road to recovery. I agree that you should leave the chip in on the side bar because you have no way of knowing if Shiloe will need more surgery. When the cast comes off you will know more. I will get in on the next brick fund raiser and think it is a great idea for Christmas as is a gift of a book for a good friend. You were kind to take the mom cat and the kitties in though you were crowded. Jeanne provided a way for them to go to another shelter and find good homes. The dogs are so sweet and Gwennie is a good mother. Using Hubby's computer mine on the fritz. Fence men here to make my dogs yard a little bigger -fence men left not finished it got too dark. My dogs will be so happy. Animals are so loving and if anyone out there needs a puppy the new ones are very cute and sweet and look like they ill be small to medium. Gwennie is that size- Ginny & The Fur Family
Posted by: ginny&the fur family | 10/01/2012 at 06:40 PM
I'm with several others. I'd love to read your book and then post a review on the blog, your publishers' page, Amazon, etc. We are just so proud what you do to help.
Posted by: Sweet Purrfections | 10/01/2012 at 10:09 PM
Ok, I will show my ignorance. Who is Ingrid King?
Posted by: J | 10/04/2012 at 11:10 AM