MAGNUM - UPDATE

We picked up Magnum from the vet last night and I'm delighted (and so relieved), to report that his two teeth extractions went off without any issues at all! It was also determined that his remaining teeth are in great condition (an added bonus), AND that he's approximately 5 years old..........(that's a HUGE YAY potential adoption wise).

He's on soft food for the next little while since his mouth will be abit tender, and has some antibiotics and pain meds for the next little while as well. The only downside in all of this is that we've discovered this morning that Magnum HATES to be pilled. I mean the growling, spitting, swatting type of hate.........a complete 360 degree turn from the normally, big, lovable, easygoing sweetheart he is as a rule.

We made several attempts at pilling him ourselves, my husband normally has no problem doing it solo with either our own boys or previous fosters, but after about 10 minutes of listening to him and Magnum literally wrestling, I decided perhaps the female touch was required. Oh how wrong I was.........my holding Magnum only seemed to exasperate the situation! So then we tried putting the one pill in his wet food, which would have worked great except he ate around it. I then crushed it up and put it back in but he decided he wasn't all that hungry afterall........rrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhh.

So, we had to leave for work. With both of us exhausted and frustrated, out we went with everyone without food for the day. We're hoping that by the time we get home later today, they will all be starving (including Magnum!), and he won't much care what he's gotta swallow med wise to get abit of food in his belly!.

Did I mention he's a big boy (tips the scales at 14 pounds), so perhaps I need to lift a few weights at lunch today to prepare for tonight???????

THIS IS WHY I DO IT

There's alot of not nice stuff in rescue work. I don't write about it much here because most of it is just plain ugly and I don't want to revisit that type of garbage on a regular basis. If you're in rescue, you most likely know exactly what I'm referring to and it doesn't always centre around the cats themselves. In the last couple of weeks, there's been some unpleasant, the kind that makes the bile rise in the back of my throat and has me thinking some very unkind thoughts. Remember the Gong Show? - was on in the late 70's I think, where people came on with said talent, stood before a panel of 3 celebrity judges and were either embraced or gonged off? Well the issues I've come up against in recent days have me wanting to use that big huge pallet to gong "stuff" into oblivion - enough said.

As a result, I've had my share of moments in the years since we started doing this work where I've thought seriously about throwing in the towel. But it always seems that just when I'm giving it the most serious of consideration, is also the exact moment when I'll meet yet another really lovely adopter, or fellow rescue volunteer, or I'll have the chance to be involved in rescuing yet another incredible kitty, OR someone will share a really great rescue story with me and voila, I let that thought go and soldier on.

I was sent these pics today by some of those lovely adopters I make frequent mention of. People who truly are angels here on earth for opening up their homes to cats that were really in need:

Americus - Our Florida Miracle Kitten

 

Remember Amerius? A teeney, weeney kitten about the age of 2 weeks when discovered by former adopters of ours on a skid of mulch at the local Walmart in Florida, while they were vacationing at their winter home?

Elliott (aka Fergus) w/His New Canine Brother Harley

 

And there's Fergus, now named Elliott of the "Fergus/Fonzie duo who both found themselves brought in from the mean streets for TNRing (separetly), became instant friends and then were lovingly adopted by a couple who have two dogs. I put out a plea for them a couple of weeks ago and now here we are two weeks later..........in their new home with their new friends.

The Whole Gang Together!!

These (and countless others), make me VERY GLAD that I haven't quit. That I haven't allowed the unpleasant side of this work, (which unfortunately I know will always be there), win. These stories are what keep me going and I hope they put smiles on your faces like they did on mine.

THE ART OF CHILLIN'

Okay I admit it, I'm not very good at relaxing. I'm one of those people who spends the first 2-3 days of vacation initially, frantically wondering what I'm going to do with myself and then getting somewhat grumpy when I realize that vacation means doing pretty much nothing (or anything other than work). Saturday's are even worse for me because it's my one day of the week that requires all my housework to be done (and I HATE housework!!!), as well as try and mentally prepare for Sunday's, ensure I have my work clothes for Monday picked out and ironed (another thing I absolutely loathe - the ironing part I mean), so I often catch myself running around the house on Saturday's, zipping from one chore to the next, oftentimes taking on two at a time, and usually being three jobs ahead when I'm on job #1. So you probably get the picture............I'm not your Oscar type, I'm totally Felix.

It's no wonder than that many a Saturday I'll come across the boys giving me visual reminders of what I'm supposed to be doing on weekends, and just how easy it is (or so they make it seem).

Ahhh my sweet boy Silly, doesn't his expression say it all. I saw him like that and I actually said aloud, "I know, I know, I'm a freak!" To which he did a little stretch as if to reply "You'll get no argument from me on that one".

Then if that wasn't bad enough, not 10 minutes after putting fresh sheets on our bed, I find Magnum......

Oh yes, I could have sworn I heard him say; "Geez Mommy you really gotta try this!"

The moral of the story? I don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on psychotherapists, self help books or subscriptions to mags on relaxing. I think my furry friends have got all the answers.

PJ PETS - GREAT NEWS!!!

So I just came across this blog post on AdoptMe Canada's Cat & Kitten blog about how PJ Pets is now adopting out cats & kittens from shelters versus selling cats/kittens while those in shelters face euthanization!  Thanks to all of their efforts to ensure that this by-law is complied with; allowing more cats and kittens to find loving forever homes and thus, their second chance!

Please click on the link below to read more :))

AdoptMe Canada's Cat & Kitten Blog! Cat/Kitten Adoption, Toronto, GTA, ON: Pj Pets....

VET VISIT PENDING

We have a vet visit scheduled for Magnum on Monday. Unfortunately he'll have to stay overnight since he requires some dental work. Evidently, a brief examination at Animal Control led someone to say that he needs at least two of his teeth extracted.

I've tried to sneak a peek inside his mouth when he's been yawning and I've noticed that both is upper and lower front fangs (or canines as they are called), on the one side are both gone, and the rest of what I saw didn't look so good. That's not totally surprising given his age and his having been outside, eating goodness knows what - a horrible diet isn't exactly conducive to good teeth!, but still it's unfortunate.

I'm somewhat anxious about his surgery. It's always concerning when a cat has to be put out, but especially one that's older can be even abit more dicey. I'm also disappointed that his trip will likely stress him and he'll probably think that he's been abandoned again when he finds himself sitting back in one of those cramped, little boxes they call cages. This is one of those instances when you wish you could talk to them, explain what's going on, and they'd actually understand.

Tuesday will be a great day when we can hopefully pick him back up for the trek home (pending no complications).

Here's hoping.

FACT & FICTION

Did you know that black cats are more likely to be euthanized first in shelters, last to be adopted, AND carry with them the stigma that somehow they are either unfriendly or bad luck?  Did you know that an older black cat coming into the shelter system has even less of a chance of making it out alive?

Everything above is fact with the exception of the part regarding them being unfriendly or bad luck.................that, as many an English Granny would say, is just poppycock!

Magnum I would hazard a strong guess, has absolutely no idea just close he came to not "making it".   He doesn't and never will, but I do, and so do countless other rescue volunteers the world over.  That is why my heart swells even more when I see him already so happy and content..................some would say it makes for a great story, but in this instance, it makes for even better reality.

Magnum & Silly - Napping Together

PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING!!

Magnum has now been with almost 72 hours but you would think he'd been here all along with these next shots.  

 

No big deal you say?  Yeah you might be right EXCEPT that these shots are in my livingroom on our loveseat - with both of our own boys very nearby; and I for one am thoroughly delighted!! :) :) :)