RESCUE SOUTHERN STYLE

Through my presence on Twitter, I follow alot of other cat, dog and animal lovers as well as several rescues both of an individual nature and larger organizations.

One that I recently learned about is Mr.Frisky - a rescue group down in Austin, Texas who do amazing stuff to try and help the kitties in their area. They have a bonded male pair (Paddy & Linus) that I have fallen madly in love with. Two gorgeous hunk of orange tabbies who have been in this rescue's care for 1.5 years believe it or not! They were rescued out of a local shelter after their owner moved and left them behind. The rescue has had afew enquiries since they came into their care but the large majority have been from people who want to make them barn cats or have them live outside on their land - neither of which works for Paddy & Linus) as they need and crave human interaction.

Below is the information that the rescue has posted for them and of course, some beautiful pictures of them. This rescue will pay for transport for the right adopter/s and clearly is very thorough in their care of these two boys. I know my network is small on here but if you could please take a moment and share this with anyone in your circle who could in turn perhaps share in theirs, who knows how many potential serious adopters we could make aware!

Thank you in advance for any thing you can do (big or small) to help these two sweet boys find their loving forever home..............

Please read ENTIRE post; be prepared to answer initial questions when contacting regarding adoption. Veterinary and pet sitter references required in addition to home check.

We rescued Paddy and Linus when their owner moved and left them behind and they were at risk of being killed. The local shelters in Austin would not guarantee they'd be adopted together due to limited space and since they are a lifelong bonded pair (7.5 years now, I have had them since they were 6) and cannot be split up so I took them in until a home can be found (I already have 2 dogs and 3 cats and 3 of the pets are special needs)

Paddy and Linus were previously indoor outdoor cats so they prefer to be outdoors unless it's raining or cold. We built them a covered Catio but they are not as happy as if they had a safe area to be indoor/outdoor cats via a pet door they can freely come and go through. No busy streets, no anti-pet HOAs, big yard required.

They are good around our dogs and cats. They have never been around children.

They are friendly and talk when I feed them and enjoy it when I sit with them and play with them. They are not lap cats (neither is my Garth cat who I adopted at 7 months and he's 5 now and still refuses to be picked up but loves to interact and play) They ARE social, domesticated, and are in NO WAY barn cats nor Feral. They enjoy playing on their cat towers, with their toys, and eating lots of Fancy Feast wet food, (they get dry food too), snuggling together and lazing in the sun.

They are up to date on vaccinations - no vaccinations will be due until 2021, are healthy, and are NEGATIVE on FeLuk and FIV (I had full physicals including lab work and tests when I took them in). They are also microchipped. Veterinary records are available for review to potential adopter.

SMOOTH SAILING

No this isn't Silk relaxing here with us................it's Sully now - exactly 48 hrs post adoption, clearly totally loving his new home.

This is why we do this. This is why we rescue senior kitties from the shelter. This is why our home will always be a refuge for those who are abandoned for as long as we are able. This is why everyone should adopt and not shop.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!!!

YES!!!!!!!

We are so happy to be able to say that Silk has his forever family! The couple came on Saturday and although Silk didn't put his best welcoming self on (he was abit cranky), they loved him and very much want to welcome him into their home. They are very experienced cat owners and his new Dad showed me countless video's of their former kitties that he had on his phone - too sweet. Clearly they love kitties and Silk will be very well looked after by them.

He's not actually leaving us until this coming Friday so we have afew more days together which I'm secretly thrilled about. This is truly a happy ending for this senior boy who really needs a home without other kitties where he can truly be happy.

Thank you to everyone who leaves lovely comments - every single one is read and we are so grateful for the support.

IS IT TIME?

We have a couple coming in a couple of hours to meet Silk. As always, it remains to be seen whether this is his forever family having finally found him but leading up to these meet n' greets one just never knows so we remain hopeful. I know I'm going to sound like a broken record here but I will so miss him. So cuddly and loving, he's gravitated toward me since I've spoiled and fussed over him (as I tend to do with fosters) but this is the nature of foster work and as I've said before, it remains a role that has both positives and difficulties.

What remains most important however is that he have his forever home and that we are able to then offer this same safe space to another who also needs that second chance. I remind myself of this constantly and also that nothing worth having is ever completely easy.

SUMMER LOVELY

I ask you, does the handsome factor get any higher - would you just look at that gorgeous face and lush coat? His color is also really beautiful when you see it up close and personal. But alas, he is still waiting for his family to find him. Likely due to his age and the fact that he also has to go as an only pet...............those two requirements can be abit of a challenge. He continues to do great but he's constantly butting heads with Rocky & Silly so there's abit of refereeing required with the current living situation at the Safe Haven! *L*

As I type this entry, Silk is on my lap, Rocky is laying on the desk directly in front of me fast asleep and Silly is curled up in his favorite bed (also on the desk).............good thing I don't need alot of space to work! The pics included in today's post are all ones I just submitted to the rescue to be updated to his profile - hopeful that these help to at the very least, get afew more inquiries adoption wise.

We hope everyone is having a wonderful Summer!

CAVITY SWEET

Silk is not anything if not off the charts sweet! In fact he's so affectionate, we need two more laps, two more sets of arms, and surely the ability to spend way more time with him just to be able to even touch the level of attention and affection that he craves. Although he's really not happy about sharing his space with Rocky and Silly, otherwise he's a little sweetheart.

No inquiries for him as of yet but it's okay because I personally love having another little fur friend that wants nothing more than to sit in my lap while I read.

HAM ANYONE?

Silk has been with us two weeks tomorrow, which in addition to showing just how fast time flies, also means that he can be added to the rescue site's adoption page because his two weeks of quarantine are officially up.

The great news is that he's taken on the nickname of Cuddle Bug and it fits him to a tee. The bad news is that he can't stand either of our boys and is super jealous sooooooo the quicker his forever home finds him, the happier everyone will be.

So this cutie is up for adoption as of tomorrow - anyone who passes him over because he's a senior is downright nuts; because he's off the charts loving and wants to spend all his time on your lap!

See for yourself...........

SLIDING RIGHT BACK

We haven't had a foster since early April when Clarence was adopted. Although I missed greatly having an extra kitty in the house, it's been wonderful devoting all our time to our two boys Rocky and Silly. Rocky continues to deteriorate but also continues to hang on; we are not anything but completely amazed at how he's strengthened and continues to fight.

On Thursday of this past week an email was waiting for me when I woke up at 4:00am, asking if we would be willing to help a senior boy. I checked with hubby of course but he knew once the words were out of my mouth that I already had my mind made up.

We picked up this gorgeous boy on Friday afternoon and have named him Silk. Approximately 10 years of age, he came into the city shelter as a stray. I may not know much but I've been in cat rescue long enough to know a stray cat when I see one and this fella is 100% not fitting that criteria. For one thing his coat is so soft that it feels as though it's just been shampooed and brushed - literally like silk (hence the name), and in a word, he's gorgeous and has clearly been very well taken care of.

I look at him and wonder, what happened? You've been adored by someone, somewhere, and yet here you are. We only hope that if it's a situation where his owner has passed away, they will now rest easy knowing that he's being well taken care of from here on in.

Meet Silk............

HOME FOREVER!!!

Clarence' new parents have been keeping in regular touch this first week post adoption, sharing pictures and stories to let us know how our boy is settling in. Every time I saw a new email come in, I held my breath somewhat fearing that there would be something negative within.

That was however until I received today's latest picture:

Yup, that looks like a match made in heaven if ever I've seen one!

TIME

I was shocked to receive the news earlier today that our former foster Oscar (previously called Quincy), died a couple of weeks ago after a brief fight with renal lymphoma. His Mom wrote to let us know and since I had just heard from her afew months ago when she wrote to share an update and pictures of how happy and great Oscar was doing, it was a real jolt to hear this sad development.

"M" had adopted him only a couple of years ago and he wasn't that old, which makes it that much sadder. As I got over my shock, I immediately then gave thanks that this beautiful boy hadn't died alone on the city streets nor in a cold, metal cage. He had been loved and cared for and was adored - although his remaining time here was short, it was lovely we think.

A beautiful collage was shared of some of the nicest shots of Oscar so I'm sharing it here so you too can see why everyone should adopt and not shop.

Rest easy sweetheart and give my love to my own kids who are there to greet you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.....

HELLO FOREVER HOME!!!

I've been super concerned about Clarence all night. Not that I doubted "M" and her husband wouldn't be kind and good to our boy, but it's the usual nerves and worries that come with fostering and then having to let go. Needless to say I was super anxious to hear this morning how the remainder of yesterday and more importantly, overnight had gone for Clarence and his new family.

This is what I got email wise just afew mins ago.............

Evidently a new favorite chair for a new boy with a new name - he'll now be called Panda Bear by his family "Panda" for short.

We'll miss you sweetheart but we're so totally overjoyed to see you so happy already.

Happy Forever After!!!!

GOODBYE, GOOD LUCK!!!!

Right now Clarence is settling into a new home - yes that's right, our darling sweetheart finally had an adoption call that has worked out!! Mandy came over earlier today to meet him and we were pleasantly surprised at how friendly Clarence was with her. He stayed around and even went over for petting and chin scratches at one point. Her and her husband are retired and have all the time in the world to dedicate to our handsome friend.

So after 4 months waiting in a shelter and 4 months here at Safe Haven, we are delighted to see Clarence have a home of his very own.

A wonderful way to end the Easter weekend!

OPTIMISM!!

Even though it's been over 4 months that Clarence has been with us here the hopeful light that his forever family will eventually find him still burns brightly! The adoption inquiries for our sweet boy continue but no one has been the right fit for him as of yet.

We took some new pictures of him for his rescue website profile in the hopes that it would aide in showing people what a total hunk he is. Hope you like them..........

PARTY TIME

Wake up calls Safe Haven right now are 3:00am. That's what time Clarence starts banging on the door of his foster room to be let out (we've had to have him sleep in his room overnight due to the fact that he doesn't really get along with Silly). In the last couple of nights, we've tried leaving him out all night - he's very good until 3:00am; then they start fighting. Added to this is the fact that I'm a hardcore insomniac and even if I do manage to fall asleep, I sleep very lightly and so can be woken up by virtually a pin hitting the floor.

Normal wake up time is 4:00am but this hour earlier is literally killing me - I'm so exhausted this week I feel like the walking dead. Once I've managed to feed and water the troops, and clean litterboxes, it's time for self grooming. And this is what greets me every morning as I try to do makeup, hair and give room to hubby (we only have one bathroom); did I mention that our bathroom is 4x6 in total? For the better part of my getting ready, I'm sharing that space with 4 males!!!!!

Someone needs to tell these guys about a girl's need for private time.

READUSTMENT

It will be a week tomorrow that Clarence was returned and he's only now just settling back in. I'm not sure what went on in the week he was away, but he has seemed a lot more nervous and apprehensive with us up until just last night which you wouldn't really expect to be the case with a kitty that spent over two months here with us and was only away for a week.

Thankfully he was returned and this just makes us even more adamant that we will be extra super vigilant in vetting any further inquiries that may come to ensure he's not put through this again. With FIV+ kitties, stress can really wreak havoc and cause health issues that other healthier kitties won't experience, so it's super important that we ensure he's not put through any more undue stress for awhile. Of course, one half us continues to kick themselves that we ever let that man take him in the first place.

Just goes to show once again that no matter how many years you've been involved in rescue, you can still make mistakes, and still have lessons to learn.

BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT

Like with all adopters, I checked in with Clarence' new Dad the day after he took him home last Sunday to ensure everything was going smoothly so far. He sent lovely photos of Clarence lounging around his new home, not nervous or afraid, and seemingly loving life as an only pet. He had already been up on his new Dad's lap for a nap and everything seemed blissful - seemed being the operative word.

When Clarence arrived here at Safe Haven initially it was discovered that he liked to "jazz" the blankets or your feet if they happen to be under the blankets - another term commonly referred to as "humping". The behavior was discouraged from the outset and over the 8 weeks that he was here, it had certainly lessened in frequency. When the adoption inquiry came, we were completely upfront with "R" that Clarence did do this, and emphasized that he would want to discourage it as well. Turns out, that he wasn't as firm with Clarence as he should have been, and found himself being woken several times during the night by Clarence doing this on his bed. We suggested he had to be more firm and if that didn't work, than to place Clarence outside the bedroom for the night - he wrote back in a subsequent follow up email afew days later, that it worked the first night, but he abandoned it after that since he couldn't stand to listen to Clarence crying on the other side of the door. There was also the fact that Clarence was getting up on the kitchen counter when he wasn't home; although we gave him afew different ideas on how to curb this as well, he wrote to tell us that it was really grossing him out. The final straw came when I wrote last night to see how things were going, only to have him tell me that Clarence liked being "underfoot" (his word not ours), too much and it stressed him out when he was trying to cook in the kitchen. Needless to say, I instructed him to bring Clarence back to us immediately................

So my reading partner has returned. Looking very confused as to why he's back here instead of in his new home which he was thoroughly enjoying having to himself, both of us being very disappointed and feeling very guilty that we put him through the move, and our own boys looking somewhat perplexed as if to say "Really, Mom & Dad"?

Clearly this adopter loves the notion of having a cat but no tolerance for actually having one. Our hearts are heavy tonight that this darling sweetheart once again finds himself without a home of his home. Hopefully there is someone out there who will really want to love him forever - because he's waited far too long.

SPECIAL WINTERS DAY

Well I lost another reading partner today...........yes, that's right; our gorgeous boy Clarence had his forever home (and new Dad) come to get him today.

He's going to be an only pet which will suit him just fine AND he's gone to a really nice home where he will be spoiled rotten, of that we have no doubt. Clarence was here just over 8 weeks and we really grew to love him. This afternoon we give thanks that we were able to welcome him here and that all those months sitting in the shelter did not damage the friendly, affectionate, easygoing little guy that he is.

Like we've always maintained, there is a home for EVERY abandoned cat or dog and we thank every single person who opens their home to welcome them in!!

FORGING AHEAD!

Happy New Year to all of you! - so exciting to think that another new one is upon us. So excited for all of the potential lives the rescue will be able to save this year and of course, the small part that we'll be able to play in welcoming some of those kids here to the Safe Haven.

The holidays have been lovely and it's been so nice to spend the past almost two weeks now with our furbabies. Clarence is still with us and I personally find myself loving him more and more each day. Just last night he fell asleep on my chest while I was watching t.v., tucking his head under my chin. No calls for him as yet but it's not really surprising as his FIV+ status will make him abit harder to adopt out (but not impossible!) :))

In addition, we've had afew emails from past adopters which we were so thrilled to receive.........

Our darling Pica:

And our VERY handsome Mako:

Both are entirely loved, spoiled, and happy. What more could we ask for to kick off 2018!!!!