INCREDIBLE

Tonight could very well be our last night with Sampson. I've just gotten off the phone with a lovely sounding woman whose family (including their 9 year old son), are very interested in adopting him and will be coming by tomorrow afternoon for the meet n' greet. I don't know what Sampson's reaction will be to a child but seeing as this boy is 9 and I've been told, very mature for his age, this may be that golden fit.

Another year over and a new one about to begun (how does that song go?). There has been so much accomplished, so many lives saved, so much good done in the world of rescue this past year. I think upon the rescues, the feral colony feeders/caretakers, the adoption screeners, the drivers, and the countless others, all of them having one thing in common - cats in need and the desire to help them. There are people in the trenches of this work, people who give of themselves 110% day in and day out...........I've written about them before many times, and again this afternoon I'll write about them some more because they really are such special individuals. The average person has no idea the dedication, the passion, the sacrifices that are wrought in trying to save as many cats and kittens as is possible. The people whose day starts at 6:00am with transports, emails, telephone calls, and who at 11:00pm that same night, are still in there, working it and re-working it. People who don't give up, who learn of or uncover a situation, a problem, an impossible looking story, and they get in there and give it all they've got to save lives, to help, to make 2nd chances a reality.

Our Sampson is a perfect example of the work these people do, day in, day out, 365 days a year, rain or shine. The reality is that he needed a tooth extracted, and because the city shelter can't afford these types of procedures, Sampson needed to be either "transferred" or risk certain euthanization. Tonight he's likely on the cusp of his 2nd chance, and all because people cared and did what needed to be done to help him get to that road.

Amidst the trials and struggles that life hands us here, there is no denying that there will always be things to be grateful for. As 2013 draws to a close, I'm grateful for so many that have been extended to me personally, not the least of which is having the opportunity to meet and work alongside some very special people.

To all the cat lovers out there (big and small) - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

OBSTACLES & BLESSINGS

After bearing 30 some hours at our home without hydro after this past weekend's ice storm, we were everso grateful yesterday late morning when our power was restored. Now that we have the comforts of home once again, our thoughts are turned toward those who are still without, and with the service personnel who are working fervently to try and restore it for all our fellow citizens.

Our kids were pretty uncomfortable and not too happy while we were in the throes of darkness and cold. I couldn't help but think upon the kitties who reside outside all year round and who battle the elements on a daily basis, and all the rescue people who take it upon themselves to ensure that these babies at least have food, water and makeshift shelters to help them survive.

The last couple of days I've also been assisting our rescue with transporting some of the kitties from a horrible hoarding situation. In total, there have been 113 cats rescued from this situation and although the large majority of them have been terrified as they've been transported from one end of the city to the other, and then onto foster homes, it's amazing to think how much brighter their futures look as a result of the valiant efforts of some pretty amazing people. People who give of their time, their energy, their resources, to try and help save the lives of animals who would otherwise face a very poor quality of life. My contribution as a foster parent and volunteer, is miniscule in comparison to the long endless hours that these folks put in trying to coordinate, transport, arrange, and assist with all the complex area's of a rescue of this magnitude.

This Christmas I hope that there will be more of us (myself included), who give thanks for all of the blessings that are ours, and who will throughout the coming year, take opportunities to help those around them in whatever way they can - big or small.

Merry Christmas to everyone............

A BABY PACKAGE

Safe Haven welcomed a new guest last Sunday.........

Approximately 2 years of age, this is one CUTE little boy! He was an owner surrender to Animal Control and the staff there really liked him - his paperwork from them even indicates "Nice Cat", so when asked if we could foster him, we readily agreed.

Your never sure how a new foster will react to you upon arrival. Some are terrified and want to do nothing but hide, while others are curious but standoffish. Then there are those that take everything in stride and are even loving and happy from the word go..............this is our Sampson! Within the first half hour of meeting us, he crawled into hubby's lap, wrapped his front paws around his neck and proceeded to nuzzle his face in under his chin. After some serious cuddling, it was then on to belly flops so he could be stroked from one end to the other.

Personality wise he's friendly, fun and fast (and all in that order!). It's been a while since we fostered a boy so young and I guess we'd forgotten just how playful and high energy they can be. Sampson is no exception, he seems to thrive on pouncing on his toys, off walls, and getting in to, on top of, and underneath, anything and everything. The only drawback so far has been that poor Rocky and Silly are quite perturbed at his crazy stunts (which do include also trying to engage them in wrestling and games of chase) and there's a good deal of growling and hissing from the Stinkerboy camp at the moment. Sampson on the other hand isn't fazed in the slightest and can't for the life of him figure out why these two guys just don't want to race through the house at top speed, using everything in their path as jumping off points *L*

Already, we don't expect to have this cutie very long. You'll see for yourself from the shots below - cuteness to this degree has fast adoption written all over it!!

With a favourite toy

The intense stare

His modelling pose

HOME IS CALLING

After 10 enquiries..............Garfield's forever home has finally come.

He just left us afew moments ago with his new Mommy - a lovely young woman who lost her previous kitty (whom she adopted when he was 32 Ibs! three years ago) just a week or so ago, and felt such a void at his sudden passing, that she really wanted to adopt again right away.

Just as I had hoped, someone came who saw the sweetness in Garfield instantly, and who wanted to have him join their family. As always, it's hard to say goodbye but I do so knowing that he's going to be well loved, cared for and treated as he deserves. Best of all, he will be the only kitty so he no longer has to worry about Rocky Rockstar tormenting him.

I'll miss him tonight, and will look for him in the morning as I arise to start the day, but this work is just as much about saving lives as it is about finding good, decent people to adopt these precious souls, so before I know it - the next Safe Haven guest will be upon us.

Until then, kisses to our sweet Garfield boy.