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!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

On this cold, snowy morning our household wants to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We're so grateful and thankful to be together this holiday season, to have our health, comforts, and to be blessed with so much with which to share.

Clarence is being such a good boy while staying with us and we're especially thankful that we could welcome him here to the Safe Haven so that he didn't have to spend the holidays in the shelter. That said, we think of all those cats & dogs who sit in shelters this morning, waiting patiently and quietly for someone to open their heart and take them home.

Hoping everyone has a very blessed day...........

POST SEVEN DAYS

We've decided to call our new foster Clarence. Having been here just over a week, he's doing amazingly well..............so much so that he spent last night curled up beside me on the bed as I watched t.v.; resting his head on my lap the entire time. Overnight he goes back into his foster room (which he seems to enjoy) since our Silly has been caught bugging him abit largely to avoid any out and out blowups as much as possible.

Just as a precaution we do have our sofa and chair covered which we'll do now for every guest. It gives us peace of mind and ensures more of a happy stay here at Safe Haven. :))

Love this little boy already and again, so grateful that we could offer him our home.

THE ANSWER

Earlier this week, a plea went out from the rescue to help save some cats housed at the shelter. I never stopped looking, but declawed males don't tend to come with any degree of frequency so I wasn't expecting to see anybody when I opened the newest list on Wednesday morning.

He's between 5-7 years of age, has a mild heart murmur and is FIV+. None of those things were what caught my eye - what did however was the part that read "he's been in the shelter since July and although placed in the adoption room, continues to wait". In a shelter cage every day for the past 4 months?! I may have hesitated for all of the 30 seconds before I replied we'd like to welcome him here. A HUGE thank you to the volunteer driver "K" who drove clear across the city in Friday night traffic to bring him to us (he's a total love bug which is why he was a shelter favorite).

After Dooley left us at the end of September, I didn't honestly know if we would foster again. I decided then that if it was something we were supposed to continue to be involved in, than quite simply the Lord would let me know that and as for timing, I left that to Him as well. If there are any skeptics or non believers among you, you'll likely not take much stock in that last sentence, but as far as I'm concerned - He answered and the loving, adorable, gentle, beautiful response lies in my spare room.

SOMETHING HAPPY

We are without a foster at present. The furniture has all been repaired, and we're focusing on our own boys right now, especially since our Rocky is becoming alot more fragile health wise.

But this post isn't meant to be another downer; no this one is to share some wonderful news and shots I received afew months ago from a previous adopter. "M" took Quincy (now called Oscar), home with her two years ago. She's kind enough to drop us a note from time to time, letting us know how her sweet boy is doing and this time around, the update was even more precious as we learned that Oscar has a new feline sister AND a brother in an ex-greyhound dog that "M" adopted. They live in the country now in the Maritimes, and Oscar has been very good about adapting.

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

Doesn't that just put a smile on your face? - it sure did ours!!