Weds., August 8

We had another adoption yesterday! Faleena went to her new home. Her new family has a lot of time to spend with her and give her lots of love. I believe she is going to be a super happy kitty in this new home! Today, Val and Shelley and Maia will be leaving. Val will be taking Pedra (for her) and Kooper (for Janak)!

Yesterday we had 2 cats that went to the veterinarian's office. Pedra went for her spay. All was fine, physical good and she's completely recovered already. Jaina also went along for her 3rd x-ray. Good news....finally for this girl! She has a 3 out of 6 grade heart murmur, but the engorged heart veins are no longer there! She is better! So, now Jaina can safely go up for adoption. We're all so happy for her.

Badu was kind enough to drop a whisker on my desk. It is FIVE inches long--isn't that incredible! She loves to lay on the desk when Zelda isn't on it. The problem is she's SO big, she literally covers up all my paperwork! Oh well, the things that we have to put up with!

As you probably know, we have started our Be an Earth Angel campaign to raise money for the Feliz Navidad fund. This week we are simply telling stories about different cats that have needed more than the general care. The Feliz Navidad fund is being reactivated to help us cover costs of special needs (surgeries, meds, etc). The website is open already to take any donation that you would care to give. The site is fofrescue.org. Just click on the Earth Angel link and it'll take you to the site.

I will tell you about a cat that I adopted from FFRC a long time ago. Her name is Sherry, named after the person who rescued her. Sherry had a mama and siblings. Unfortunately, all were very very ill. The mama died and all the litter did also, except for Sherry. Sherry was so sick. She had a severe upper respiratory infection. Her one eye is so terribly scarred by this virus, that she no longer has site in it. The other eye is weepy most of the time. She also has heavy duty sneezing fits, even to this day. This is her way of life, nothing more can be done. She's had her share of vet visits, antibiotics, but she is as she is. This is the thing--she's a happy girl. She was given a chance to live. She's one of the most sweetest cats ever. That's what we want to give to as many cats as we can, space permitting and money permitting--just a chance to be happy. This Feliz Navidad fund will help us with this.

We weren't going to reveal the amount of the incoming donations till Sunday night and then do it nightly till the 18th, but..... we have to change that plan. YOU have come thru already to help us with this fundraiser, so we have to keep you up to date on the totals. I should never ever doubt that which I am told every so often. You have our back here. It is such a comfort to know that we do indeed have Angels here on Earth for this Rescue Center. The total last night at 7:15 pm was............$3,669. I am ever so deeply grateful for this.

Please know that if you cannot donate, we certainly understand. We still love your support of the kittycam, your votes and your clicks and most importantly, your friendship.

Octavia came up to me at my desk this morning and stared at me. Then she went to the window that goes to the outdoor enclosure. Mind you, it was still very dark outside. But, I raised the window and out she went. She spent 8-9 minutes gobbling up those spiderwebs that she loves so much. When she was done, she meowed and wanted back in! I guess that was her breakfast!

Bravo has his wonderful leggings on his back legs again. We'll see if they stay on better this time. His surgery is a week from today. We're hoping to prevent any friction wear on his rear legs with these leggings. Want to keep him as healthy as possible for this big surgery.

McCallan is "playing" with 3 kittens--Goodness, Obadiah and Ginseng. He's taking them and rolling them over on their backs, then cleaning their eyes and ears. I guess he didn't think we're doing it properly!

All is well here. We have a happy bunch of volunteers, kitties and visitors.

Thought you'd enjoy this--the Purresa litter!

Tuesday, August 7

Happy day! It's a great day here at the Rescue Center. I look out over the front office and count 13 cats sleeping peacefully. Then in the main area, Derecho & Butterbur are going to town playing on the cushion. A wadded up paper ball is his main toy today. What a joy to watch him play. Then on the far side of the rescue center, there are 5 kittens running up and down the same piece of furniture--must be tag time. In Kitty Campus Room, Cutie and 3 kittens are napping away in the top of the bunk beds--it's a tight fit, but cozy!

I just found out that the second big storm that we had a few days ago produced 1 3/4 inches of rain. It came down fast and hard. The good news is that Kitty City stayed dry.....no flooding! This is wonderful news to me as I was always in great fear that any rain would cause more flooding in the City. This would've ruined the insulation and the wall boards very quickly. This means the Parking Lot Project was a success!

Last night at boxes, we kicked off an event for FFRC. It's known as Be an Earth Angels for FFRC. It's a way of building up the Feliz Navidad fund, which in the past has been used for medical purposes. Our goal is to get our medical bills paid up again, pay for the immediate upcoming surgeries and to then possibly have a bit of extra to pad the Feliz Navidad fund.

YOU can become an Earth Angel! If you can spare $10, please go to our website fofrescue.org. There's a special link there to click on to guide you to a PayPal page. Or if you prefer to send a check or money order, please just send it to FFRC, designated for Earth Angel. This week is a prelimary time, before the real week which is August 12 thru August 18.

We want to recognize our Earth Angels...so all the names of the Earth Angels will be posted on a special webpage. Each night NEXT WEEK, I'll give you an update on how we're doing. If you'd like to jump on board, you're welcome to start the donations now! Very possibly this week, we'll do an update on the PayPal to let you know how we're doing. We'll have a big board ready each night when we give the PayPal and check updates so we can keep track. Even if you can only donate a dollar, it's a dollar more than we had before!

Your Earth Angels donations will go entirely to cover medical bills. In just the past 3 months alone, we've done 76 spays and neuters. Plus, we've had several "special" surgeries--McLovin', Mariska, Fiver (even though he passed away, we still have his bill). Coming up is Bravo's big surgery. It will also go towards Emaline's meds, Farrah's seizure meds, ear medicines, antibiotics. Today, we have a spay that will be done and Jaina's 3rd chest x-ray will be done. Every day here, someone is getting different meds. This will also help with the initial $300 cost that we have in each and every incoming cat and kitten. Flea prevention is also given every single month to every single cat. These medical bills add up quickly!

When we had the Fiver Friday, that was a terrific bonus to us. We were able to get all past medical bills paid up in regards to supplies and veterinarian bills. It was wonderful! We also had enough to cover medical things for a short time after that. But, that fund is now gone and so, we would love to replenish it again. I promise to never ever ask for help, unless it is truly needed.

I know our webcam friends do so much for FFRC and I deeply thank you for this. We could never do this without you. Since we started the webcam, our friends from around the world has helped us in so many ways. We now need for our Angel friends to help us again.

And, if you can't, we understand--truly we do. There's other ways to help--votes, moral support, clicking on the ads, etc. You are ALL angels to me. We run this rescue center, but YOU rescue the rescue center! So, we are calling on all Angels to help us again.

On March 3rd, 2002, Victoria was born at the rescue center. She was born with her eyes open. Even though her sight was limited, this did not curtail her activities! Her right eye deteriorated, and lashes were rubbing against her left eye, causing scarring. On 4/29/02, Victoria underwent surgery on her left eye--a portion of the upper lid was removed and a new one was reconstructed. What a victory! Her left eye was repaired (entropian) on 7/17. At this time, she was also spayed. Victoria found a wonderful home and family when she was adopted. Her picture is in Cat's Corner Room, on the ladder wall. Her surgery was covered by an anonymous donor--another Earth Angel friend!

We had ENVELOPES to open last night! Many many thanks.
Hannah & her mom--birthday card for the Paddys
Nancy D from OH--a donation to FFRC
Jim T and family--donation for Emaline with a note and pictures of their 2 handsome kitty boys
Eric/lovemypetz--visited on Sunday and brought Fancy Feast Appetizers, kitty treats, hammock house and an angry bird toy (which has already been all over the rescue center!)
Thomas P from UK--donation thru PayPal to sponsor Putter, Asha and Magenta
Carol N/cn1919--donation thru PayPal for any need that we have

Bella says thanks for helping with her "emergency bum" surgery this year!
Remember Zelda when she arrived? So very thin and had those awful sores on her hips. She had been stuck between 2 walls and desperately tried to get out. She needed help. Once she arrived here, it took a couple weeks of antibiotics and daily cleaning of her wounds till she was better.

Monday, August 6

We had 3 adoptions this weekend! So happy, such good homes! Joe and Connie who have been visiting from MN, officially adopted Sizzle and Faleen. They are enroute back to Minnesota right now and should be home later tonight. These are 2 nice kittens who thoroughly love to play together. I'm very happy for the kitties and their new family.

The 3rd kitten that was adopted is Raymondo. My daughter, Caryn arrived yesterday with an American Short Hair kitten (similar to a gold tiger) that was found. She was bringing him here to be an FFRC kitten. Once she got here, she decided that she would like to keep him AND adopt a friend for him. No vet reference or personal reference check required on this one!! The 3 girls (and a friend), Kendra, Kerstyn and Kellen were super excited!

We also have another kitten on hold--it's Purrgeron. He's an excellent kitten, so loving. He'll be going into a home where they will heap lots of love on him.

I just talked to a person who adopted a white kitten from us 5-6 years ago. All is fine! This kitten was one of those "extra extra" special ones. She'd been hit by a car, had the lip down to the chin and a fractured front leg. The leg was pinned, the lip was buttoned. This particular kitten went into a depression after it's arrival. It took weeks of super TLC to get her to respond to us. But, once that door opened, it opened widely! Purrs began, eating picked up and playing was fun again! I love happy endings like this and to hear from the family who adopted them that all is well!

Putter, Paddy Cakes and Paddy Purrs had their nails trimmed, their bottoms trimmed and the fur around their feet trimmed. Their mid summer grooming is done, but not without a fuss. As wonderful as Putter is to groom, Paddy Cakes is the opposite. He's a struggle, but it must be done. He easily forgives us though.

We will have an announcement to make tonight after BOXES about a "happening" here at FFRC. We're talking about Angels!


Our sweet Jaina. She will be going tomorrow for her 3rd x-ray--let's hope this one will show improvements over the first two.

Sunday, August 5

We had a terrific storm go thru here last night--2 different fronts. They are calling it another derecho storm (like the one where we lost power for a week). Lots of little branches down, but no trees. The power went off for a short time several different times last night. But, we got rain!! Actually, it was so much in such a short time, that it backflowed into the front office. I've only seen it do that 3 other times before. So.....we had water on the floor which the cats found itneresting. They were "wading" thru it! Little wet pawprints all over!

We got a lot accomplished yesterday for our Catstock--concert/carnival event. It's 9/22. Carnival begins at 2:00 and the Concert begins at 5:30. We have the giant banners ordered now. They will be displayed at 2 locations in town and one in the front yard of the rescue center. Also ordered posters to be put in business windows.

Bravo was so cute this morning. He was "walking" around with a toy in his mouth, almost as long as long as his front leg. He was so proud! Teller is playing with Raymondo. But it's hard to play with a blanket covering you up. Teller pulled a blanket over his head....he must think it's just fine as he's not trying to get it off!

Avent, one of the Fiver siblings, is feeling much better. His cold is almost gone and his activity level is great. The door to Dodger's Pen is now open. Treesa didn't waste even a minute to come out! She's been running and playing all over the front office. Miau is still lounging in the pen, watching all the action. The other cats are going into the pen to visit her though, which she is fine with.

Wanted to give you an update on an FFRC friend, June who made a post on the facebook about needing help with her cats. She gave me permission to let you all know that things are going good. She "received a huge outpour of help from people in the area" and also has someone that has donated 2 months of food for her cats. Isn't this wonderful? It's also has given June the incentive to pass on this act of kindness when she is able to. She wanted to tell you all a thanks for caring.

We had BOXES last night. It was a rather shortened version as we knew the storm was quickly approaching. As it was, the power went off close to the end of boxes. I'm sorry if I didn't get 100% of names/items correct. We were indeed hurrying!
Connie/WarpedMC and Joe (visitors here)--2 reams of paper, 2 giant kitty litters, gallon trash bags, Tide laundry soap, 6inch plates, paper towels, bounce dryer sheets, 2 cases of Friskies, volunteer licorice and a beautiful flowered stool to sit on that Joe made and Connie painted.
Deb11111 (visitor here)--4 laundry soap jugs, 2 Dawn dish detergent, 2 4-packs Clorox wipes, q-tips, paper towels, and styrofoam plates
Rene C/jakesmeomy--1 case of Friskies and 1 case of Friskies shreds
AnnaMarie--2 bulk package handling devices to make it easier to move boxes!
Marlena M/mcm5501 from AZ and her kitties Chompy, Zelda, Marvin, Guinness, Wendy, Reba, Olive & Roxy (the dog)--a very nice card and letter and a wrap for Derecho when he's a bit bigger
Defiance friend--donation to FFRC
Sally H/eaglespirit--card and kitten pictures to share
Sevren--wind up frog toy for Mariska. We gave it to her again this morning and she whacked it!!
Marilyn S sent a pair of leggings for Bravo. These were made by Emily K from MI. We put them on and they fit pretty good, but they do slide off at times. These are to help protect his legs from sores to keep him in top form until his surgery. Thanks Marilyn and Emily!

Jonah of Cat's Cove. He was our very first Cat's Cove cat! He was also our very first cat that needed to have an amputation. Even then, there were Angels here on Earth that helped support the cost of his surgery. Jonah says a big thanks!

Saturday, August 4th

Little Graciela is right smack dab in front of me on the desk--all cute and purring. Goodness is sitting right beside her. Two cuties. Zelda and Asha are curled up together in a basket beside the desk. Can't get much sweeter than that! Filbert is doing his "beached whale" look, right in the middle of the floor. It doesn't matter to him that humans and cats have to step over him. He's awake too--just watching us manuever around him. Cypress is sleeping....in the clear plastic jug. They sure like those clear jugs to play in! Farrah is here also. She has a new lime green collar. We have searched for days for her purple one, but cannot find it. I'll bet one of the kittens shoved it under the washer. She looks rather dashing in that color!

We have guests for the weekend who are staying in Kitty Kastle. It's Connie S (warpedinMN), her husband Joe and another webcam friend, Deb11111. Connie and Joe are here to adopt little Sizzle and to find a second kitten also. I wonder who it will be? They'll have fun deciding today and meeting and playing with all the kittens and cats. So nice to have have 3 of them visiting us.

I just can't get over Bondi. Yesterday, I brought her up to the cam to visit with the webcam viewers. She went back into her grumbling and complaining mode. So, we took her back to her "home"--the office. Instant purrs and rubs came from her then! She is truly the Welcome Room Office cat.

Dr. Darci called yesterday. It's official--the next surgery date is September 8, a Saturday. The new kittens Treesa and Miau had their baths yesterday--they're all fluffy clean. They've become friends and are making the Thumper's Room rock and roll! Such 2 sweeties.

Dawn S, a friend and volunteer, was here yesterday. She spent a lot of time playing and grooming the cats. They love that. She especially was able to spend time with County. Remember when he arrived? He arrived on 6/9/11, all thin and fractured. He had a fractured rear leg and tooth. His leg was pinned and the tooth removed. He still has his pin in, but as long as it causes no problems, he can keep it! Because of you supporters--our Angels here on Earth, he was able to have his surgeries. Thank you!

Last year I had found a pattern for 3-D type cut outs of cats. They're to be placed outdoors in gardens, yards, etc. I loved the design of them and so ordered the patterns. My sister, Judy, and her husband, Dave took the patterns then and had them blown up as big as what the printing shop could do. They spent weeks working on them. The wood is popular, they have 4 coats of black and white paint and several layers of an outdoor protective coating on them. They turned out awesome!! 2 GIANT black/white cats in the front, by the outdoor enclosure. The big "girl" (sitting down) is called Jenna. The big "boy" (standing up) is called Rator. These names were picked from the Name a Cat from the Catathon (in memory of our power-outage and the use of the generators!). Many thanks to Judy and Dave.

I'd also like to personally thank all our volunteers and moderators. This place could not exist without these wonderful people. The volunteers help with the day to day care of the cats and kittens here at the Rescue Center. The moderators help keep peace and happy times going on the cam chat and the ffrc facebook pages. Many thanks for this "job" as well. These people help me keep my sanity! I'd like to also thank the mods for letting me know day or night, when the cam goes down. Sometimes during the day, I'm so busy I don't notice it, so they call me. And at night, I've also asked them to call me. I'd rather the cam be up then off. So, when the cam goes down and they call me, it's because I have asked them to do so. They are respecting this wish of mine. Thanks to all you fine people!

This is so funny! Asha just realized Jenna and Rator are outside the window in view. Every part of her is in "high interest". She has a look on her face, like what the heck is that? Those are mighty BIG cats! We will have boxes and envelopes tonight! Mariska is now in the clear jug, 1 front leg and tail hanging out--she must be part pretzel. All is fine here and looking forward to a great Saturday.

Friday, August 3

Ginseng got his nails trimmed this morning, and he still managed to jump on my back and scurry to the shoulder. I guess there's nothing to do but give him a big hug. He's so happy--all he wants is more and more petting! Jaina and Macallan are napping side by side, with Asha in front of them, cleaning their faces! Tabitha and Talulah are racing up and down the front office floor, just for the fun of it!

We now have 2 kittens in Thumper's Room. The first one, is the one Sigrid had rescued from the tree in a park (a friend of hers used a long ladder). This is a female, ever so sweet brown tiger. She LOVES people and just wants to chatter at us and be held. Her name is Treesa. She now has a new friend with her in Thumper's Room. This is a little kitten (6 weeks old) that someone dumped at a local fishing spot. Here's this tiny baby in the middle of no where. So skinny and hungry. She's white with a colored spot on her forehead. Her name is Miau, another Name that Cat name from Catathon. It's pronounce Meow, which is what this little kitten does--lots of chatter talk from her! Two chatter-boxes together!

Jimmy put the new Cat Go Round Wheel together yesterday. Of course, he had lots of help with this project--cats had to supervise it. There's no decal on it yet, but will be arriving.

We also have a really cool "thing" arriving today at 2:00 ish. It's a surprise, but will show you on the webcam what it is! Can't wait!

We had BOXES last night! Many thanks and gratitude.
Audrey--a PayPal donation in honor of her mom's birthday Blanche M. Happy Birthday!
Kelsey C/leafynightmare & family--beautiful blue rug, 5 bags of kitty treats, laundry detergent, BIG bag of pop tabs for Kellen, case of Friskies can food, box of Cliff energy bars for the volunteers and 4 kitty toys
Renee C/jakesmeowmy--case of Friskies gravy sensations
MadisonPepper & her furrkids--bunches of Fancy Feast Appetizers
Di/TippyNTraylor & Ashley too from FL--stickers, lots of volunteer treats, plastic bags, kitty snacks, 2 "journal book" for adoptions, bubble bath for Jacci, toothbrushes for Kitty Kastle, Chocolate Oreos for Sigrid
Betz from PA--thank you card with a donation for special food for Cutie and friends
Henry R Peeps & Oh My Guinness--birthday card and donation, special for Hank who is now 11 yrs. old
Trudy S from OH--donation in memory of FIver
Sara--(visitor)--case of Fancy Feast, kitty treats and 9-Lives can food
Kaitlin, Kara & Joanie (visitors)--canned food, kitty toys, 3 litter buckets and Whiskas
Nikkaross--a donation to FFRC, in memory of Fiver
Nigel W from UK--a PayPal donation to FFRC
Gusti from Germany--a PayPal donation in honor of Hank's birthday
Lucy O--a PayPal donation to FFRC in memory of Fiver

I've been asked to repost the numbers of our local Bed & Breakfast and 4 hotels here in Defiance. If you are interested in joining us for a great Catstock weekend on 9/22 (Saturday), you may want to make reservations to stay all night! If you are here on 9/21 (Friday), you can see the webcam's mini-concert that evening.
Elliot Rose Bed & Breakfast 419-956-9981
Comfort Inn 419-784-4900
Hampton Inn 419-784-1515
Holiday Inn Express 419-784-0782
Super 8 Motel 419-782-8000
The 4 hotels are all grouped together on the north side of Defiance. The B & B is close to town. All are within 15 minutes of the Rescue Center.

Kiara, Ada Jane and Filbert have been napping a lot on the dryer. I believe they like the jiggly warmth! Octavia did her act again (no, not the thievery act)--pulling out all the plastic bags from the bin onto the floor again. The kittens just wait for her to do this--lots of rustling fun (under supervision of course). Weber has big paws and he knows how to use them. Twice this morning I've seen him snag another kitten's toy--reaches right out, swipes it and then runs!

FiFi and Jaina 2 beautiful girls

Purrdue--one of the Purr kittens, so handsome

Thursday, Aug. 2

Happy August! Since it's now August, our planning for the Concert/Carnival/Catstock is in full gear. Porta pots, giant tent, stage, bleachers have been ordered! Carnival prizes will be arriving soon. I've talked again to Mike Chamberlin--he's our new friend from California that will be doing the concert. If you'd like to know more about Mike, check out his site at: singingtvguy.com Mark your calendar for September 21, Friday at 6:30 as Mike will be doing a special concert for the webcammers! He'll sing 3-4 songs. Then the carnival starts on September 22 at 2:00--lots of games, prizes, fun. A real family fun day. The Catstock concert starts at 5:30, and will be roughly an hour. Putter even has a lime-light appearance for a special song for him! We will broadcast this on ustream!

All is fine here. We have super rambunctious kittens here. Ginseng is leading the gang! He is as loving as he is ornery! Penn gave Avens a complete bath this morning. The small kittens have found that Canton, the new adult, will mother them and give them baths--so sweet. Sundance, the newest orangie, is a purr-machine. He's in constant turbo purr-mode. Cutie was napping yesterday with Frith and Afrafa. Asha is as sweet as always. She always gets her very own breakfast plate. When I show it to her, I just tell her to let me know where she wants it. She leads me to a different place every day, turns around and that's my que to put it down. Just love that!

The kittens made a break for it this morning. Last night when we got the cats and kittens in from their outdoor enclosure, the little cat door wasn't properly hooked. This morning, while still dark, those rascals got the door off and out they went, one after the other! Right now, Derecho is laying on a cat furniture base, about 3 inches from the kitty door going out to the enclosure. He's watching all the action out there. Maybe he'll attempt to go out?

We have a guest, Beth A/eaglewatcher here yesterday and today. She has been doing lots of "jobs" for us. She asked for a list of things to do, and we're supplying her that list! Thanks Beth. She also brought with her a Hoops/Yoyo card for the Paddys, treats for the volunteers, cat treats, chirping cat toys, canned & packets of cat food. We appreciate her help.

Bondi is doing awesome. I continue to be amazed at her. She now resides for the most part, in the Welcome Room Office. She is very content there and is friendly to our visitors. What a difference. She continues to gain weight. McLovin' is on the desk this morning--he's such a love. His lower lip looks beautiful due to the repair surgery on it. Bella is also doing great. She gets a weekly "bottom check" to make sure her "drag pads" on her bottom looks good and no sores are forming. The reconstructive surgery she had certainly was a good job by our vets.

We had BOXES last night. I am in awe of our webcam viewers. Your donations, boxes, packages, votes, encouraging words, clicks on the ads, etc.--these are all things that help this Rescue Center work as it does. FFRC and I are truly blessed by your support.

Helen D from WI--24 pack of Whiskas Tender Bites & Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken--for Badu and friends
Sally H/eaglespirit2011--Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken variety pack and Whiskas Tender Bites Variety pack
Lannml--3 containers of L-Lysine (we use this daily in the breakfast mix--to help keep the Herpes Virus in check)
Gitte--temptation treats for Emaline and 3 cases of Fancy Feast Appetizers for Cutie and friends.
Mrs. Pederson--2 knitted blankies and a bag full of booties
MarciaR from FL--box full of kitty blankets, afghans and a soft bed for the Covies, washcloths, 3 cases of Gravy Sensations, 3 giant bags of kitty treats, and a bag of Tide Pods
TA67 from UK--Stuffed kitty toy named Ickle, 8 cans of Webbox lick-e-lix (our oldsters love this!)
Elizabeth M/lizmo from MI--coupons birthday card for the Paddys
Defiance friend--Chief cash register tapes
cat0801--birthday card plus donation for Hank, Temptations treats
Henry R Peeps and Oh My Guinness--birthday card for the Paddys

Derecho hasn't made it out to the enclosure yet, but Bravo and Graciela have! Those little kittens are a big force together! What one does, so does the other. Derecho is a good friend to both of them.

Please remember to vote for FFRC at The Animal Rescue Site. We would sure love to win a weekly "top vote for the week" award. This is a possible win, if we get enough votes. Because we have won the Big Award last quarter, they will not list FFRC in the main group of winning organizations, which leaves us in the dark as to our standings. Although, we do know we are top in the state of Ohio. What we would love, is if we could win a weekly award, and then ALOL (A Labor of Love) could win the state.

Zavatar watching the bird feeder in the outdoor enclosure.