RELIEF & RELEASE

The young couple interested in Karma came yesterday morning. If this adoption had been based upon presentation, they never would have left here with our girl; blue hair, tattoos, and some rather poor hygiene seemed to be in abundance, but I learned a long time ago and reminded myself yesterday before I opened the door to these two, that I don't have to like them - I just have to know that they will love and care for Karma.

As it turns out, they were both young but also very animal loving and both very smart. The young girl loved Karma almost instantly, and when she took a moment to share with me the fact that her Dad had passed away from cancer when she was just entering her teenage years, and that her Mom had just overcome a bout with it as well...........my thoughts immediately turned to my younger sister Tanya and her two boys that she left behind when she succumbed to cancer 4 years ago this Summer. I would hope that if one of Tanya's boys were in search of a special friend, that someone else wouldn't judge them on appearance, but instead try to see inside on what might lie beneath.

"B" is a lovely young woman who wanted to offer a senior kitty a home because she knows how often they are overlooked. Karma was very affectionate with her and seemed to really like her; who was I to stand in the way?

Here's our girl in her new home.....

THREE'S A CROWD

Life at Safe Haven couldn't be more volatile if we tried. To put it simply, Karma HATES the boys and the boys HATE Karma. It didn't take us long to figure out that the vicious cycle were caught up in has Karma totally picking on Rocky, and then Silly totally picking on Karma. Since the latter is so out of character for our Silly, we can only determine that he's chasing/stalking and pouncing on her because of the way she's treating Rocky. It's okay for him to beat up on his little brother, but nobody else dare.

I also think that after about 5 fosters in a row or so now that have all been females (and all the glorious truths that come with that), the boys are basically saying ENOUGH! - no more bossy, princess, stuck up types. Rocky & Silly have really overall been good as gold when it comes to their home having been turned into a revolving door of strange fellow feline guests, but with their advancing age (Rock is 13 now and Silly is 11 by best guesses), and thus their lack of as many patience as they may or may not have had before; I think they are both giving the sign that strange cats okay, strange FEMALE cats - forget it!

It seems we've all heard them loud and clear as there was an adoption call for Karma as of this morning. Of course we have yet to determine if this is the right fit, but we're all hoping (some more than others), that that is just what it is.

Fingers, toes and hearts crossed..............may our little muffin be about to go home.

FANCY

I just submitted Karma's bio and pictures to the rescue's website. Hard to believe that two weeks since her arrival has already come and gone, but I think she'll be much happier to move to a home without other cats as she's not enjoying sharing her space with the boys at all.

She becomes a little more trusting each day, but is still quite quick to let you know if you're doing something not to her liking. Brushing her is proving an event all unto itself - I actually have to get hubby to help me since she's not a huge fan of the brush and always ends up rolling herself up into a tight ball and swatting at me for the most part when I try to groom her. Anyone listening on the other side of a door when we're brushing her would think we were killing her the way she carries on! I'm not sure if perhaps her previous owner was somewhat rough with the brush, or if the fac that she has that fine hair which knots so easily is more the cause of her displeasure? Either way, I can brush her out and not ten minutes later her coat will have her looking like a drowned rat all over again - very frustrating to say the least.

Her new thing is hopping up onto the bed with me at night and snuggling in beside me while I'm reading or watching t.v. She likes to lay in the crook of my arm, kneading and purring away.............so very sweet. I've begun calling her my little muffin. :))

PRETTY & CUTE

Karma is turning out to be a doll and a diva all rolled into one. She hasn't been here quite a week and I can report with full confidance that she loves to be petted - a real litte lovebug...............on her own terms. She's not shy about letting you know when she's had enough AND grooming her beautiful little self has uncovered that she has some issues with the brush (hence why her coat has become so unkept). She loves under the chin and down the front but go anywhere near her hind end or the lower half of her stomach and you'll be promptly told about it!

She is also a picky eater - preferring total crap over anything even remotely healthy; which yet again explains why her coat looks the way that it does. We may have a little battle of wills go on shortly (after she's feeling totally 100% from her extractions of course) - since Mommy isn't about to let her be adopted looking more like a ragamuffin than a princess. :)

COPY CAT

CeeCee was adopted just over a week ago and her new Mom has been kind enough already to bless us with updates/pictures. She's doing really, really well and they are both enjoying each other's company immensley. Doesn't she appear as though she blends right in to her new surroundings?

We've really missed her this past week so I was excited to see that there was a kitty just for us on the rescue list that went out last night. "Karma" is 9 years old and was recently surrendered with a couple of other kitties from her previous home (they are not bonded, hence why we're only fostering her) because evidently their owner could no longer care for them. I just read the release form the owner completed and they indicated "health reasons". I try no to judge these types of surrenders because for all I know the owner has been diagnosed with a terminal illness or is facing the end of life in a long term care facility - both of which is neither their fault. At the end of the day, it's done now and the main thing is to help Karma resettle and feel safe once more. Her previous owner did indicate that she's very sweet and loving AND evidently enjoys the company of dogs...........all ingredients to make her awesome adoption material!

Oh and I think I failed to mention that she's another calico.........this time long haired. I'm sure CeeCee would be delighted to know that our new guest is a rescue alot like her.

GOING HOME

CeeCee has been here a month and exactly one week from today, she will make the trek to her new forever home. Yes you read correctly..........she was adopted last night and will be picked up next Wednesday March 2nd. Her new Mom is moving homes and wants to make sure that she gets all the big stuff done before bringing CeeCee to live with her so she doesn't become too scared with too much commotion.

"J" is a lovely young woman who was really looking for a senior kitty to adopt because she wanted to help an older cat that might be getting overlooked. If that wasn't lovely enough, she's a HUGE animal lover, comes from a family of animal lovers, and was totally taken with CeeCee almost from the word go. I was worried our girl would be overly nervous with a stranger, but she really liked "J", so much so that she was licking her toes by the end of their visit! *L*

I'm really really going to miss this beauty - she's been so loving and sweet. "J" offered to have us visit anytime we like but of course that's not possible for me. The only way I can continue to do what I do and let them go, is if I really let them go and keep forging ahead to the next one that needs our help. I read wise counsel recently that I take with me everywhere now....

The Past Is To Be Remembered But Not Lived In.

SMITTEN

Do you think she looks comfy, relaxed, and spoiled? This is CeeCee melting Daddy's heart like only a female can. She's had to work at it overtime since she's been abit of a nasty kitty with Rocky the last few days. To be specific, she's been caught chasing him - something that will tick Dad off faster than anything. There's a golden rule here at Safe Haven that there is absolutely no bullying allowed, by anyone. The fact that she's bullying our elderly, disabled, Rockstar is even worse. Although he couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag due to his wobbliness, he's really all talk and no show when push comes to shove. Not to mention, CeeCee outweighs him by about 5-7 Ibs, easy. All that said, his cranky, possessive, stomping nature can push the best natured foster over the edge, so the fact that CeeCee has decided to try and teach him a thing or two doesn't really come as any huge surprise to me.

The whole situation kind of reminds me of the little girl with the pigtails at school who is constantly harrassed, taunted and teased by the boy who sits behind her in class. You know the one..............he pulls her pigtails, sticks gum on her chair, steals her books only to toss them into the nearest puddle, and calls her nasty names. Eventually, sweet Susie is going muster up enough courage to teach him a thing or two.............

The fact that I've relayed this story trying to supress a giggle and a smile from creeping across my face - that shouldn't concern you at all.