BEING A MAMA BEAR

Some might say that there are those of us who are "too passionate" about cat rescue or about cats in general. I've seen that expression on the faces of those around me countless times, whether it be at the office, someone I've encountered through volunteering in cat rescue, or someone who visits our home and discovers that we have cats. I'm sure many of you can relate to what I'm referring to, those that feel a cat is just a cat and why such a big deal to protect them?

When I was younger, I would have said I loved cats, now having become so involved in cat rescue, and having seen the abuse, neglect and abandonement that these animals suffer at the hands of others who treat them as if they are disposable garbage that's just gotten in the way of living life, I would say I am entirely passionate about cats. As such, I am also incredibly protective of cats - ESPECIALLY the ones that reside in our home, whether our own or guests that are currently staying with us through fostering.

Farley is not going to be adopted this weekend as I had previously thought. That just goes to show that things are not always what they seem, and that in the end, in fostering you have to be prepared to put the needs of your foster first before the needs and wants of those that may express interest in adopting. They need those of us who are deemed as their protectors, to do just that, protect, and there should be no reason to feel the need to apologize, explain, or rationalize that responsibility, or the intensity with which you as a foster parent perform that role.

Foster care cats are not circus animals. They should not be expected to perform like "the perfect cat" - whatever the heck that even means, nor should they be scrutinized for being individuals and as such, having their likes and dislikes just as do the rest of us. As a foster parent it is my job, and I do it willingly and with full intent, to love and protect these precious little souls that come to stay at Safe Haven so that their second chance is truly that.

EASY, PEASY, PIE.....

Every once in a while on this journey through life, you'll encounter something that ends up being waaaaay easier than you ever dreamed it would be. In fact, it's so easy, you might even catch yourself saying, "I just can't believe how easy that was" - "Why was I so worried?"

That is exactly how things have unfolded with Farley. When I got the email that indicated he was sitting in a shelter downtown and the vet overseeing his care had great concerns about him spending any time at all in a cage due to the fact that he was just going to gain more weight.......I thought to myself, hmmm how heavy can this cat be that a animal doctor is worried? Then afew days later, when we actually went to pick him up and our contact at the shelter remarked on how "large" Farley was, and then the shelter staff came over and gave me a mound of paperwork that talked about how "large" he was, I have to admit that there was a little voice asking myself, okay just what have I gotten us into this time?. All of this was further exasperated by the fact that when I went to lift our carrier with him in it, my first knee jerk reaction was holy moly this guy's heavy!!!!
I literally had images of a grotesque, overweight cat that laid around all day and simply waited to gorge on his next meal before heading back into a food enduced slumber.

Farley is "pleasantly plump" as I like to call him, but he is otherwise just an all around amazing cat. I wish his former family (the ones who referred to him as lazy in their surrender papers), and the shelter staff could all see him now. He's been here just over a week, and although I can't attest to his former self, I can tell you that this boy since being in our home has been playful, engaging, ACTIVE, and just downright adorable almost every second. He likes other cats, he loves attention, he's thrilled by toys and yes, he does enjoy his meals, but not in a gorging sort of way by any stretch of the imagination - why he even purrs while enjoying his breakfast and dinner!

This has absolutely been one of the easiest fosters we've ever had stay with us. I use the past tense here because I'm sure come my next entry, Farley will be in his forever home - oh did I neglect to mention that he has two separate families interested in adopting him? Yes TWO............not bad for a BIG FELLA wouldn't you agree?? :)))

BIG BUNDLE LOVE!

I love writing an entry when I have a smile on my face from the minute I begin typing, and this one is going to be no exception! I'm thrilled to report that Buster has been adopted and although it's still on a "trial", I have a great feeling that he's now in his forever home.

As if that wasn't the best news ever in and of itself, I have more!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to introduce you to the latest guest here at Safe Haven - he just arrived last night and already he has us smiling and finding it hard to not want to be petting him every second. This is Farley :)



At five years of age, he found himself 2 weeks ago being surrendered by his previous family due to a "lifestyle change". They had two other kitties at home besides Farley and decided that for whatever reason, that he had to go. The saddest part of his story isn't just the desertion by people that were supposed to love him forever, but the fact that they dumped him after they did nothing to prevent his weight reaching a whopping 22 Ibs! That's right, this sweet, lovable, gorgeous boy who has a fantastic disposition, is so large that when I bend down to pet him and he head butts me, I'm just about toppled over.



Instead of focusing on the negatives of how unfair his situation has been of late, we're going to focus on loving him silly and helping him to shed some of this kitty weight that he just doesn't need to be carrying around. We're thrilled to have him come to stay with us - and Farley; well I'm sure he knows he's at "the kitty resort" because he's done little else except purr, purr, purr since arriving.