FLOSSY NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I woke up this morning, one of my first thoughts was the fact that it's a week today since Flossy has gone to her forever home.  My second thought was that I had no idea when I awoke last Saturday at this time, that that would be the last morning I would spend with her.   That in and of itself is perfect evidence I think of how we can never know what lays ahead - and the importance of trying to stay in the moment as we make our way in life.

This first week without our Baby Girl has been filled with alot of mixed emotions.  After that door closed and I heard the car pull out of the driveway, knowing that that was it, I'll admit, I had myself a really good cry.  She had become so much more than a foster in those eighteen months, more than "just another cat", more than a houseguest at Safe Haven - she had become a member of our family and already, within the first hour of her being gone;  we all missed her.  Flossy was my little friend and although I alluded to how that bond had helped me in the months after my little sister's death last August; words just don't do justice.  Flossy comforted me in the way only an animal can when you are grieving and I can't count the number of nights her fur would have been wet from my tears.

Flossy's new Mom has been wonderful about keeping in close touch this first week.  I'm absolutely thrilled to report that like the little darling she has always been, Flossy has been kind and gentle and friendly in her new home, has already met with her two new sisters, Whispurr and Belle AND doesn't appear to be at all concerned that her other sister is of the canine persuasion - infact her Mom writes that it would appear Flossy prefers Teddy (the dog), to the kitties!  Here's a little snippet of one of the latest emails I've received:

Mom was by today for a visit “with Flossy” - yes to see Flossy – not me! :)) And Flossy was happy to see her. I don’t know if it’s because she remembers mom from her meeting mom or if she just likes mom or if she is that social all the time. Only one of my kitties is social like that when I have company. Mom likes to think Flossy just likes her extra special – we’ll let her think that! LOL

That’s it for today, more tomorrow.... Thanks again LisaMarie, Flossy is a blessing and I am enjoying her immensely!

S
P.s. I forgot to mention, I have mirrored doors in the sitting room (her 2nd room) and she kept going back to look at herself when she first saw the mirrors. It was like, look at me, my fabulous self! Too adorable..... Has she seen mirrors before? She was quite taken by herself! :)) It was too cute a moment, not to share....

And what would an update be without pictures of our girl in her home...............I think she's never looked so beautiful or so content.

SMILES WITH TEARS

I waited a long time to write this entry and now that it's here I can hardly believe it..........our precious little Baby Girl, our Flossy, was adopted tonight by a lovely lady.

Today was a regular Saturday like so many others (or so I thought), and yet when I came home from running errands just after lunch and saw that there were two messages on my phone, something inside told me it would be for Flossy. Sure enough it was, and although I tried to remain skeptical that this person would finally be "the one" when so many others have not, there was an anxiousness and anxiety building in me all day that I hadn't felt on previous visits, and so somewhere deep inside I knew.

This adopter was lovely enough sounding on the phone but in person, she was amazing. Already Mom to two kitties and a dog, it was obvious from the outset that she was a very caring, loving person who adored her furry friends, and who would make Flossy a wonderful Mommy. The clincher was when Flossy climbed up onto her lap, laid right down, stretched out her paws and began to fall asleep. It was her way I believe, of letting me know that the time had finally arrived for us to part ways and that it was all going to be okay because she was at long last, truly headed home.

She and I shared alot of moments together in the past eighteen months of her having been with us. I am so thankful to R & H for saving her initially, to J who opened her home to recover Flossy in the beginning and had the caring to recognize that she wasn't feral at all, to the vets who oversaw her care in the beginning when she needed it the most, and to K who has been such a support in all the times in between when I worried that noone would ever be willing to give her a forever home. To Flossy, I am so grateful and thankful and feel deeply humbled that I had the chance to share apart of life's journey with you................and thank you Baby Girl for comforting me in these last few months as the sorrow over the loss of my little sister seemed to be swallowing me whole, and thank you to Heavenly Father for all the blessings both big and small.

It's not goodbye but "see you soon"

Love, Your Foster Mommy

CROSS BORDER GIRL

Afew weeks ago I wrote an entry about previous adopters of ours that had rescued a little wee kitten down in Florida at the local Walmart (she was discovered on a skid of mulch). I'm delighted to report that Walamena has now become a Cdn kitty since the couple arrived home with her here on Sunday! She's doing wonderfully and I thought that I'd share this latest picture of her getting settled in her new home.............if this doesn't melt hearts out there, nothing will!

Home Sweet Home!!

A BROKEN RECORD

For afew minutes yesterday I was overly excited when it appeared that someone was displaying a serious interest in Flossy. This person approached me about her, we talked about her temperment, her likes/dislikes, her background (or lack thereof), and her personality. I was even more excited when the person indicated that they didn't find the cost of her allergen free food expensive at all (which it really isn't by the way) and that they didn't see it as a factor on whether or not to adopt her - *YAY*

My bubble was just as quickly burst however when what did turn out to be a factor for this person was the fact that she was spayed..............huh? Turns out they wanted to breed her because in their words "We'd LOVE to have a litter of her kittens because she is so gorgeous and we know she would make beautiful babies".

*HUGE SIGH*............so close and yet so far.

TO BREED OR TO RESCUE?

Earlier this week I found myself in the midst of a conversation with afew other individuals about people who purchase cats/dogs from breeders versus those who choose to adopt from rescues.

My point of view was/is that I think it's totally sad that people choose to purchase pets from a breeder. I quickly followed that up with the fact that although I know people do so because they want a specific type of cat/dog, the reality is that with so many homeless cats/dogs in shelters and rescues across this world waiting to be adopted, it doesn't seem to make any sense. Not to mention that I find it downright maddening that breeders are purposely creating more cats/dogs (for economical gain no less!), when there are so many kittens and puppies being born that are already unwanted. Added to that of course is the physical welfare of the animals being bred -and their quality of life during breeding and then after. I realize that there are breeders, very reputable ones who care for all of the animals in their charge with great responsibility, ensuring that they have excellent vet care, etc, but at the end of the day, the fact remains that they are creating more cats/dogs when the world is bursting with so many already.

After having made my point of view known, the comment was then made by one of the other people in the group that they were of the mindset that people who purchase a pet from a breeder will in most instances be more responsible than people who adopt from shelters/rescues (or who take a cat/dog from a wanted sign or an ad in the paper) and that it was unlikely then that that pet would become homeless or abandoned at some point down the road.

What?! Well I'll let your imaginations fill in the rest of this conversation as it may have went.........needless to say it wasn't pretty.

This has always been a topic that gets my blood boiling; when you are exposed to the plight of animals in rescue, you can't help but feel passionate about this but then again that's just my opinion. Last I looked however, surrendered and/or abandoned animals don't come with signs around their necks that declare: "My situation is not the result of a breeder" - so who can say that definitively????

I'd be very interested to know what you think - so please feel free to send me your comments.

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the Toront Feral Cat Project Recovery Centre since spending time there on Sunday - more specifically, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the kitties that have, do, and will continue to pass through their doors. Did I mention how impressed I was with their operation (pardon the pun), and the immense efforts they've made as well as the incredible feat they've undertaken? Well I am, and I am so thankful to know that these cats have these people in their corner.......

In thinking about it, I can't help but think of Flossy. Being there on the weekend, I was reminded as I watched the ferals come in, and spent time with two males who have ended up not being feral at all (which happens way more often than you might think), my memory went back to the very first time I saw Flossy. Terribly sick, grossly emaciated, terrified of her own shadow, and disgustingly filthy. I remember trying to pet her and feeling every possible bone in her tiny frame - how disturbing it was to hubby and I both; seeing an animal that starved was a first for both of us. Those first few weeks were really stressful and really touch and go - she had one of the worst URI's (Upper Respiratory Infections) I had ever seen, her appetite was pretty much non existent, and everytime we tried to touch her she cringed as though our very fingertips were poison.

I'll be honest - I worried sick in the beginning (and probably for quite afew months after), about whether she would make it and what her quality of life would be. Just as I know colony caretakers and rescue volunteers do when they first come upon a cat that seems to have faced more horrors in this life than all the care, medical treatment, concern, love, and protection can ever possibly erase; but where there is life, there is hope - plain and simple.

If the colony caretaker/rescue volunteers who came upon Flossy that day 1 1/2 years ago this month; hadn't followed their gut instincts and brought her in to safety - she would not have lasted out that coming winter. Because they did, she is a little girl with a very bright future.

Two Weeks After Rescue......

1 1/2 Years Later.....

 

SWITCHING GEARS

Today I spent the better part of it at the Toronto Feral Cat Project Recovery Centre - http://www.feraltoronto.com/. I greatly miss being involved in other aspects of cat rescue, so I had a chat with a fellow rescue volunteer who is just an amazing person in the world of rescue (not to mention a lovely individual all around), and she suggested I might find this of interest.

It's already a terrific facility, one that allows a special place for the recovery of ferals who are being TNR'd (Trapped, Neutered, Released) in an effort to get a handle on the feral population in this city and prevent the reproduction of more unwanted/feral cats. This is a huge coming together of politicians, other city officals, rescue personnel, colony caretakers, concerned citizens, as well as just those good ole' fashioned cat lovers :))

There is still alot to be done to have this facility just the way they want it, but already there has been an incredible amount of work done and alot accomplished to make this a very impressive facility that is meeting a great need. These people are truly passionate about the ferals in our city, and that's reflected not just in their love for the cats, but in hard work and dedication that you see in the eyes of every single one of them. A colleague of mine often uses the expression "It takes a village".........this project is just that, and am I so grateful that I got to see firsthand all of the hands that have joined together to make this dream a reality.

It was a great way to spend my time and I look forward to the chance to help.