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!!!!