GETTING ACQUAINTED

We've decided to call our new friend, Magnum.  After almost 48 hours of getting to know one another, we thought this was a pretty fitting name for one amazing cat.

Every time I'm around him, the only word that keeps popping into my head is resilient.  Estimates are that he is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 6-9 years of age, and in a four week span of time, he's gone from being picked up by Animal Control, to sitting on death row of a shelter (where he spent the majority of his time), to then being transported to a vet for examination, then picked up again and brought into Toronto, than took another 1 hour journey with us to reach our home.  He's gone from a home to the streets, to a shelter, to another home.............and this is for a boy who is abit older, abit wiser, and judging by his one horribly crinkled ear due to extreme weather exposure, had already been through some very unpleasant stuff.

But at the end of the day, we are still seeing one very loving, affectionate, easy going kitty - even after all of that.  We let him out earlier today so that he could have an opportunity to scope out the whole house while our own boys could watch but not participate.  Magnum made two walkabouts and then suddenly walked into the kitchen, laid down on the floor and began purring; his expression being one of, "Okay, this will do nicely".

I don't think it gets any easier than that.........

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Tonight the Safe Haven has welcomed in a new houseguest.  Actual facts on his history prior tonight are very few at best.  His right crinkled ear from the effects of frigid winter temperatures leads us to believe that he's spent alot of time outdoors, and not by his own choosing.  But by the same token, he has exhibited strong signs of being very affectionate and friendly, so at some point, he was shown love.

The most important thing is that tonight his second chance has begun, and judging by his behaviour thus far, we're fairly certain that in some small way he knows he's finally reached a safe harbour.

As always, we're deeply humbled by the opportunity to be apart of this new beginning for him, and give great thanks to all of the others ("J", "K" and everyone in between), who work so tirelessly to help so many.

THE BEST START TO A NEW DAY!

There is absolutely not another thing that could/would make the start to a new day as fantastic for me personally, as does news of an adoption.

So you can imagine just how amazing this morning has started when I opened up my email to this attachment.......

Oh yes that's Fonzie and Fergus together, IN THEIR NEW FOREVER HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Through abit of networking with former adopters of ours and fellow cat lovers (and alot of prayers), I found out about "M&R" who are huge animal lovers and who were interested in offering Fonzie and Fergus a forever home when they learned of the boys' plight.

Since these two boys were not in the care of the rescue we volunteer with, and thus I wasn't fostering them myself, I stepped back so that the normal processes could run their course in the hopes that this would be a match.    I waited anxiously to see what would unfold with an initial meeting, but tried to relax and remind myself that if this was meant to be, it would be.

To be honest, I had tears in my eyes when I saw this picture this morning.  Not only have Fonzie and Fergus been able to stay together as friends, but they have been welcomed into a wonderful forever home, (sight unseen initially) by two people who I have no doubt will love, pamper, and care for them, just as every kitty deserves to be!!

Don't they just look so comfy on that bed together............so content and so relieved that their time as two homeless souls is now over. 

Again, a HUGE HEARTFELT thank you to M&R who have made this possible, to "F" who took the time to transport, and to "G" - for your amazing efforts in aiding to find these boys their forever home.

Lastly, but most importantly, to Him who answers prayers and keeps me believing in better tomorrow's.

ORANGE, ORANGE AND MORE ORANGE!!!

Whoever thought that the colour orange could conjure up such images of delight or bring such smiles......

As promised, I'm posting pictures of Fergus and his buddy Fonzie who are both looking for forever homes or at the very least, a foster home where they could stay together as best friends.

They've both already been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and viral tested and both are in very good health. If you could see these two boys together, how they've grown so fond of one another, how affectionate they both with each other and with every person who crosses their path, and just how easy going in nature - trust me that you too would fall hopelessly and completely in love with them too!

If there's anyone reading this interested in perhaps trying fostering or who would like to add two wonderful kitties to their life - please don't delay in reaching out. The rewards will be tenfold I promise. :))

Fonzie

Fergus & Fonzie

Fergus & Fonzie

A CAT CRAZY KINDA DAY

I spent this morning volunteering at the Recovery Centre for the TFCP which is really close by to where I live. You might remember that a couple of months back I had taken the Feral Colony Orientation/Workshop that they offer. An invaluable course for anyone who wishes to get involved in helping the feral cat colonies in the city or who may have a feral/stray issue going on in their own backyard. They also were in need of volunteers at the Recovery Centre to assist with cleaning cages, socializing semi feral kittens, etc, and basically just helping with whatever needs attention at their facility.

Sadly, when you do TNRing in colonies, you always run the risk of trapping non feral cats who have been dumped in these colonies or who have made their way there as a food source after being abandoned. It's the friendly ones that turn out to be the real stressers because you want so desperately to find them foster/forever homes, and not have to put them back outside into elements that are less than desirable or safe. Arriving at the RC this morning, I found myself in the thick of just that situation. There were about 7 or 8 kitties who are currently being housed there simply because the colony caretakers who trapped them, soon realized how domesticated they were (and how friendly), and as as result, then found themselves in the predicament of trying to find adopters or foster homes.

This morning I met Fergus and his friend Fonzie. They didn't arrive at the Recovery Centre together, but you'd never know it by observing them. They are two of the most handsome orange creamsicle kitties (no offence Red), that I've ever seen and if you didn't know better, you'd think they were from the same litter. Fergus is approximately 1 years old with a gorgeous medium length marmalade coloured coat, soulful green eyes and a disposition that will just melt your heart..........he tries constantly to climb up your leg and into your arms for cuddling! His friend Fonzie is also a beautiful orange male, approximately the same age who in addition to his amazing, friendly and easy going nature, also comes complete with a gorgeous line of freckles that run right across his nose and a purr so deep that I'd swear there was an instrument in the room when he starts!!

Both boys have been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and viral tested. They are both in excellent health and right now, really need either a foster home or a adoptive home to call their own. They are great friends and would like to stay together if at all possible. I'm posting a picture below of Fergus - not a great one I realize, but at least you'll get some idea of what he looks like (although this doesn't do him justice by any stretch of the imagination). I'm hoping to have a picture of Fonzie shortly that I can share as well.

Today was one of those days when I wished I had a semi out back and a massive mansion, so that I could have brought all these adorable kitties home with me to enjoy the comforts that my own two boys just bask in. Since reality is that I can't do that, I'm hoping I can at least lend a hand in finding someone who would be willing to give two amazing cats a lovely tomorrow.

Here's praying.............

A TEAM EFFORT

A week or so ago a neighbour of mine made me aware of a stray/feral kitty that had suddenly shown up on her back deck. My thoughts immediately went to Cleopatra (our lone feral in our colony of 1), and of course Red (who graces the front of my blog, not only because he is one amazing kitty but because he's the poster cat for every stray/feral encounter I'll have forever more) - both of whom we were able to trap, vet and take care of.

Initially I told my neighbour to keep me posted. Apart of me silently hoping that this was a kitty who had just wandered away from home, and would wander back. But within days I received another update indicating that he was a frequent visitor and gobbling anything put out for him, obviously very afraid and very alone. So having put my years of experience in fostering (and my new venture into the world of TNRing) to work, I set out to make arrangements with all the contacts I had, to borrow a trap, trap him, make an appointment at a Feral Spay/Neuter clinic, get him a a spot at the Recovery Centre and then release him back outside. One neighbour agreed to do the trapping, another agreed to do transport to the clinic, and both agreed that once he was TNR'd, they'd watch over him, keeping him fed and protected as best they could (as they do with Cleopatra), once he was back to living outdoors.

Then I got a call and an email (never a good sign), that our feral kitty was not feral at all. Infact, once the first week of regular feedings were under his belt and he realized he was among friends, he let his little light shine and voila! - one incredibly handsome cat turned out to be also one incredibly affectionate one as well! He was desperate to come inside, torturing my one neighbour with his constant meowing at night and pawing at her balcony door - as if to say, "Hey wait a minute..........why are you leaving me out here?". Now realizing that he was not feral at all and a complete lovebug, I focused on getting arrangements made to have him neutered while the other neighbour focused on trying to find a fellow cat lover who would offer this boy a good home.

Would you believe me if I told you her efforts on the latter proved totally fruitful within hours of starting a serious search? Well they did, and infact as I type this, not even 12 hours later, our sweet little guy has been adopted by a wonderful woman who has named him Riley, has fallen totally in love and best of all..............given him his forever home; where he will be safe and secure (and neutered) inside all the rest of his days.

All I can say is thank goodness I have neighbours who love cats as much as I do because as the saying goes (and rightly so) - it takes a village.

Sweet dreams tonight Riley, may Heavenly Father bless you and keep you safe all the days of your life.

"Riley - Cute As Can Be"

"Riley - Even Cuter Still"

ADORABLE ALERT!!!!!

Some of you may remember my writing afew weeks ago about "Wallemena" a little wee kitten that former adopters of ours had rescued off of a skid of mulch at a local Walmart in Florida during their winter vacationing there. She was all by her lonesome at the time of discovery, very young (approximately 3-4 weeks), and survival at such a tender age without a nursing Mom to nourish her, is dicey at best.

Her new parents couldn't bare to part with her so they had her vetted and brought her home with them afew weeks ago..............not sure how their existing two kitties would react to a new little friend. Well, it turns out that both resident adult cats view her as a non event, so she's settling in nicely and although she hasn't made friends with them, it does appear that she's won over the heart of another special someone..............

Americus & New BBF "Charlie"


 

Yes they have renamed her Americus and report that her and Charlie are madly in love with one another!!!!!!!!!!

To think that this little darling started out on a very rough road and now look at her, I'd say she's landed herself a very sweet pad indeed and all the love a baby kitten can stand.

I personally LOVE IT!!