Thursday, July 4th

Happy Independence Day! Happy 4th! A very wonderful day. 

More and more packages and boxes are being sent out daily. We are just about done with the pile of orders that have been paid for already. More will go out Friday morning. If you haven't paid for your Catathon order yet, please do so! We'd love to get all the items sent to everyone. Thank you. If you find there's an error in your package or box, don't hesitate to e-mail me and let me know. We aim to get every order correct. 

We have two more kittens on hold! Mary/Mrs. Braid is a confirmed hold on Butch. She comes daily to visit him. He will be neutered with the rest of the gang on Saturday. What an awesome kitten. Angie and Bill now have a confirmed hold on Canto. He will be much welcomed into their home! Two awesome-to-be-adoptions! 

Pixel left this morning with Ann and Sean. It will take them 10 hours today to get home. Penn and Teller are awaiting their arrival to meet their new sister. Thanks to Ann and Sean for providing this home for Pixel and for all the help you've given this week in the Rescue Center. Pixel did have her spay yesterday and was just fine this morning. She ate a good breakfast and pottied right before leaving, like a good girl!

Surgery will be done this Saturday morning. This will be our second surgery time in the back Thumper's Room.  It's awesome--we have everything all set and ready all the time--no preparation time needed! The girls that will be spayed are: Sammie, Fiona, Melia, Malia and  Althea.  The boys that will be neutered are: Kenco, Archer, Patches, Little Hank, Beartoe, Dennis, Toby, Canto, Butch and Pokie Dot. Ming will also be neutered, along with an assessment of himself!  We will have Dr. Darcy look at Camvie's eye.

We had BOXES last night! I thank you for your support.
Tigercat54/Great Aunt Julie from IA-2 packages of Dried Salmon Snackers--yum!
Judy M from NB--note, Zelda blankie to use during boxes with purple collar for her adoption bag (I loved this!), 3 purple pillowcases, crocheted kitty pad, stickers for ourspecial friend Hannah, letter for Jenni and Connie, 2 sheets of stamps and kitty cards/envelopes
Eaglewatcher/BethA--Sloggers for Jacci to wear in the barnyard, with paw prints! LOVE them!
Headlyn from FL--5 packages Vita Gravy, baby food jars, 4 sm cans Blue Wilderness, 15 big cans Blue Wilderness and a case of Gravy Sensations
Marysbabies3/Mary I--2 packages of kitty snackers, clamps for mail room. For Day Sale or our store: kitty on a bed, wonderful stuffed extra nice stuffed toys and 2 nice collars (one for Farrah)
Caren F--Senses Massage toy, 1 case of Fancy Feast kitten, 3 cases of Friskies variety
Grumpkitty/Kathy R--24 XL rolls of Sparkle PT and 2 cardboard scratchers
Lily & Jim H from SC--a very nice letter with a donation
Kikimycat from FL--BD card for Cutie with picture and poem. BD card for Muffin with picture and saying and lots and lots of coupons
Henry R Peeps and Oh My Guinness--HB card for Muffin with a donation
Julie C from MA--card with note for Magenta and her very own Walmart gift card! plus 3 sheets of stamps
Phyllis B from MI--note, 2 packages kitty snackers, snackers for doggies, coupons and a gift for Kelly & Molly
Niven, Nigel & Oscar McLovin with help from an anonymous friend sent their mama Amy a beautiful bouquet of roses, balloons and a 4th of July Teddy Bear
Renee C--donation thru PayPal with love to all the kitties
Gillian R from UK--PayPal donation to be used as needed
Gusti from Germany--PayPal donation for Kukster's surgery and soreness meds
Anonymous Friend--donation thru PayPal in honor of Ming. 

We're expecting visitors this weekend! We love visitors! Muffin and Cutie have had good birthdays--lots of extra snackers.

Today we had some extra fun! It was time to bring up the Thumper Room's kittens to join the main area. Since it's rather a slow day due to the holiday, I decided to just open the door to the Welcome Room office and let them all run! We've had kittens and cats running from the Kabana Room clear back to the end of the rear Thumper's Room--lots of fun and playing! By the time we close that door, everyone will know each other and we won't have to put anyone in rooms to acclimate them! Even Paddy Purr was flat out running! 

Sweet Kukster resting and recuperating in Dodger's Pen. 

Weds., July 3

I'm looking around and see Pania on the window ledge "watching" the guinea hens squawking outside. Derecho is also on the window ledge--you can just see his pride at getting up there himself. There's three kittens (Kiko, Archer, Patches--all brothers) in a tight ball sleeping on an orange rug while Hankster and Rufus are flipping around them playing with a feather toy. Three cats on my desk sleeping and Farrah is on the files beside me starring at me (probably wondering when her next pill is due!). Sarah and Mary are here already busily working away. Life is good. 

I am so thankful for all these volunteers that help run this place. We could not possibly be what we are without them. They are also the hands that pet and love the cats. They are also the eyes that keep track of what is going on in the cat world here. They are the hearts that care so very much. I thank each and every one of you.

I am also thankful for you, our supporters of this Rescue Center. I look around and see what your support has brought to us. It's huge. Not only the material things, but the moral support, kind words and prayers and thoughts. It too means a lot to me.

The hardest pars of running this rescue center is many levels. First, there's never ever enough room here to help all the cats in need. And adoption is not the big answer--it's spaying and neutering. We've helped a few families lately to get their cats spayed (thru a special fund by a friend). A man called me the other day--wanted me to take 30 outside cats. He stated a year ago, he had ONE stray cat come to his property. How much simpler life would've been for these cats, had he simply done one spay. Now, many are involved. It's disheartening sometimes listening to these stories day in and day out. 

Another hard part of this rescue center is keeping up with the health of so many cats here. But, with the eyes of the volunteers, we do it. We are ever watchful--did that one eat? did you hear a sneeze? did that one get it's medicine? remember to wash hands. are the treatments done?  It's doable, but takes a lot of constant care.

Then we have people to think about. We are a very complicated bunch of creatures ourselves! There are so many people involved with this rescue center--physically here or thru the cam. I would love to have us all "get along" each and every day. Since we're people, it's not gonna happen 100%. I sometimes take on too much of trying to keep everyone happy. That's impossible too. I sometimes wake up at night, thinking--what can I do here to help this situation, or that situation be better? Well, that's impossible too--to fix everything. So....I have to settle with trying to do the best that I can. People have to make their own decisions on whether they are happy or not. We can always be positive, we can always set by example, we can always be kind--these are our choices to make individually. So, go out and do a good deed for someone today! It'll make the world a better place! 

Another hard part are the finances. We have wonderful, great supporters. And because of this, I try and make every penny stretch and to put your donations to the best advantage possible for the rescue center. I feel a huge responsibility in this department--to do it right, to do it well. 

Yet another hard part, and perhaps one of the most difficult is dealing with the sad things that happens here. Yes, death does happen. Yes, our kitties and cats sometimes get sick. Yes, sometimes it's so very rough. These things take a toll sometimes.

And yet, even though we deal with death, illnesses, people problems, overpopulation of cats and kitties, financial worries and the list goes on---we're still here. We're here because we WANT to be here, we WANT to be a part of this Rescue Center. 

I know this blog is a bit different than usual.....guess I just felt like talking. Always know I will give my best. The reason? It's because I care. And I know the volunteers care and our viewers care. For that I am very grateful. 

Many thanks to our friends:
Bonita S--donation to FFRC thru PayPal
Judith M--donation to FFRC thru PayPal
Carol N/cn1919--donation to FFRC, to be used as needed
Anonymous Friend--donation to FFRC to be used as needed, also a portion to Feliz Navidad Fund for Kukster, Intrepid and Catmandu

Snack time!

Tuesday, July 2

We spent a couple hours yesterday morning taking weights, giving vaccinations, wormings and applying flea prevention. Also we cleaned ears and trimmed toenails. I'm working on getting the surgery list together for Saturday so we'll know who will be spayed/neutered. 

Bearta continues to improve, as does Titoes. Bearto is fine as is Tillytoes. It's so hard when one is under the weather. Bearta's future mama visits her often, which Bearta loves. She's a purrbox for her mama.

Ann and Sean are here, awaiting their adoption of Pixel. They've been very helpful and pitching in helping us do chores here. In the meantime, they are getting to know Pixel better and better! Yesterday they helped us do the individual pawographs.

Camvie continues to eat by herself. I am thrilled that she is eating good! Her good buddy is Merlyn. Butch's new mama has been visiting him also. That would be our volunteer Mary Braid. The whole group of kitties in Thumper's Room are all getting along great. Super action, lots of playing going on!

We took in a new cat yesterday. His name is Ming (a catathon name). I called him a possible Turkish Van yesterday. But, his fur isn't long enough as it's rather short. I also said his rear legs are splayed. Well.....here's a better description of him. He probably is an apple-head siamese blend. He's cream colored with orange points.  He's young--probably about 9 months old and has short fur. His eyes are blue. He's rather a strange boy and I'm still trying to figure him out. His back legs are very supportive of him, but he's not splayed. His ankles touch as he walks and they are held at odd angles. His tail at the base has a definite kink that causes the tail to be held to one side. His eyes are odd--very deep set and very close together, which gives him a different look about him. Did I say strange? Well, it's very strange. Do we love him already? Sure do! He's very sweet. He's also so painfully thin. He doesn't have a great appetite, but enough that I hope we can help him gain weight soon. We will have him neutered on Saturday.

We had BOXES last night! Many, many thanks!
Jatcat--Panasonic phone 6.0--a 5 phone series. Many thanks. Our other phone unit is struggling. This will be a big bonus for us. Also label tapes for the label machine. Extra thanks, Jatcat for knowing our needs.
Conii G from FL--Whiskas, Appetizers and 2 cases of Fancy Feast and Sheba variety. 
Anonymous--a memorial stone for TIppytoes for Albert's Garden
Aunty Fi--a memorial stone for Meg for Albert's Garden
Ann & Sean (Pixel's new owners)--a ceramic cat that Ann made--looks like Badu!  Love it!
Brooke B--a donation thru PayPal for something special for Derecho (will get him a new scratching circle for his beloved turbo track toy!)
Linda G--donation to FFRC thru PayPal

Happy Birthday to Cutie! She is 7 years old today. Cutie arrived here when she was just 3 weeks old and we had to bottle fed her. She was just a tiny thing. She also arrived with 2 cuterebras in her head. These were both removed. She is officially adopted by Gregg, but remains here as an FFRC cat. She is big time loved! Happy Birthday, Cutie. She's already had 2 baby food breakfasts. 

Kohart and Danika have spent 2 nights in Kitty Kastle together. This is in preparation of helping them to bond together since they will be adopted together soon. They sure do love each other and had a lot of fun playing. Thanks to Janet for doing this.

Abbott, Temba, Navi and Zsa Zsa--what an extra sweet litter of kitties. They all look different from one another but all have that sweet face look. Abbott is definately the biggest with Zsa Zsa right behind him. Little Hank and Hankster are also doing great. They're growing and sure do like to play. Today one of the cardboard bed bowls came apart which now will provide hours of a new kind of toy! 

Here's the proof! Camvie is eating by herself along with Intrepid! 

July 1, Monday

Happy July! Neighbors have already been popping off fireworks. The first couple sent the kittens scattering, now it's no big deal to them. When we first started this Rescue Center, we were advised to keep all the cats in their seperate pens--no floor time, no together play time. While I understand the thought behind this, I flatly refused the suggestion. I'll risk a few colds here and there, compared to no socialization of the cats. I'd rather work thru a couple germs and have these cats use to lots of loving, shop vacs, watching things going on outside, have group play times and being use to the hub bub of a busy day! 

Kukster is out for a supervised walk-about. He's doing very well and he's such a super nice cat--very loving. Joline is next to me napping and she is feeling good as well. Emaline has used a 55th life! She is feeling good and is eating again. This girl never ever ceases to amaze me. Her will to get thru these bad times is huge and full of determination. She slept on me for hours last night. 

Ann and Sean are here. These are the people that belong to Penn and Teller! They have returned! Pixel will be spayed on Weds. then travel with Ann and Sean on Thursday to join their family. She will be fine to travel on Thursday. Remember too that Intrepid will also be going on Weds. to have more surgery done on his eye.

We've heard from Courtney and she and the calico crew have made it back to Maine with no problems. Sounds like things are going good. A good bonding time during travel time! I so appreciate having these 4 cats have a great home. 

This week we will have a few more adoptions! Pixel will leave on Thursday. JustMe will be arriving to adopt Zsa Zsa. Sarah will be arriving to adopt Kohart and Danika. Neil will be traveling with Sarah. We still have Bearta, Abbott,  Fiona & Sammie on hold. We also have new boy Butch on hold!

We will continue today to pack up and mail out the Catathon items. We've been working full speed ahead on this, but did take the weekend off of packing. We are about 2/3's done with it, but this will still take a few days. Please be patient with us! The pre-sales are now going out too. We've also sent out the 2013 cookbooks about 2-3 weeks ago. I'm told that media mailing sometimes takes up to a month to deliver.

Many thanks to:
Julie P/tigercat54--2 Tiki cases, Sharpies and salmon cubes snackers (the snackers are disappearing quickly! Emaline likes them too)
Kate from UK--a donation thru PayPal for treats for Emaline
Sean & Ann (our visitors this week)--Tide HE, TP, litter, Mr. Clean, homemade cookies!, volunteer snackers, clorox wipes, Meow Mix cups, Lysol, cat toys, case of Friskies, Book "Dewey", cat snackers, big bag of chocolate M&M's, baby food

I'd like to say a special thanks to so many of you. Frequently, when we mention that a certain cat or kitten needs some special help, I instantly and continually see where prayers are lifted up and candles are lit. I thank you for this. It means a lot to me and this Rescue Center. 

We will be weighing a lot of the kittens this week to see who can have their spays/neuters done this coming Saturday. Surgeries will be done here at the Rescue Center, in our extended Thumper's Room. The cabinets, counters, cupboards are in and things are now in place. Today I hope to start labeling the shelves. This will make it so nice to do surgeries in this room! 

Walter is wound up this morning. He loves watching the birds outside and gets so excited! Cozarelii will spend hours on the ledges watching the bird feeders--this is one time he looks so calm. Jolene's fur is growing and growing. Straight on the back and very fuzzy on her tummy. 

This is Camvie--our smallest kitten who has high energy and is focused on which door to follow us thru! Her right eye has some scarring on it but we're hoping we still get some healing done for it. 

Saturday, June 29

Four of our calicos were adopted today. Courtney, who is from Maine and has been visiting this week, left this morning with her precious cargo on board. She will arrive home tomorrow evening. In the meantime, Courtney will keep in touch with me by text as to how their trip is going. I will pass on her notes. She adopted Kitty Q, Catsparella, Maui and Courbet. 

Next week on Wedsnesday, Pixell will be spayed. We will also be taking Intrepid on the same day for his eye repair. The skin around his eye was badly cut by his accident. It was repaired once, but it didn't hold. Dr. Darcy will do a different surgery on his eye to close this up. So, these two will travel together next week. 

As many of you may know, Emaline has had a very poor past two days. This sweet girl just wants to be loved on. Her day is perfect when she can be in my lap or lay on me by my neck and shoulders. I thoroughly enjoy it. She becomes a velcro girl. Her medical problems sometimes gets the best of her. So, back to full treatment last night for her. This morning she is feeling better. I have promised her a good quality of life and I intend to keep my promise to her. Everyday is a different day for her. Her treatments are having to be done more often to keep her comfortable. Will keep you posted. 

Pumpkin and Bearta are play fighting by my feet--jump, spring and land on each other is the name of the game! Solee is playing with her spring. Seven cats are on the window ledge watching the birds. Pania is snoozing away in her favorite nap spot. Joyful let me pet her full strokes today! Butch loves to play with shoes. Navi and Zsa Zsa were napping together on the pink poof. 

We had BOXES last night! It was wonderful and we thank you!

Mayumi from Japan--2 dozen of TUlle/Cream of chicken food and a toy for kitties that plugs into a cell phone--can always have a toy handy to play with them!

Debra/kittymama2--24 count of TIKI cat wet food, box of Sharpie Pens, 2 packages of Life Essentials salmon snackers

Furkitty and CatHouze--about 4 dozen baby food jars

Donna G--6 bottles of bleach

David/wolfpatch--kitty card with kitties Nutmeg and friends from Last Chance Rescue, indoor/outdoor heated pet mat, 10 cat toys with feathers, 6 cases of Friskies, 1 case of KMR and the icing on the cake.........Chocolate cinnamon cookies!!!!!!!!!!  Very yummy!

Rob & Sarah P/romeosmom--nice letter from Romeo preparing for new siblings coming soon--Kohart and Danika. The letter definitely shows that this family is related to Neil!!! We loved the letter. Pop tabs for Kellen, coupons and snackers

Mike/sophieandlucysdad from MI--coupons

Jim and Kathy T from MO with Smokey and Cali--letter, pics of Smokey and Cali and a donation for Emaline

Tammy L/cassiecat from AZ--14 books of stamps

Susan TC from OH--donation

Caren F--a donation to FFRC, in memory of her friends little kitty "Dee" that passed away yesterday.

Connie K from Defiance--a donation to FFRC, in memory of her cat Larry

Remember to check Cantoncat's website at http://catandninetails.com/  Canton has been kind enough to put up the Future Names of Cats and the Sponsor a Cat, from the Catathon. Thank you so much for this, Canton. We're still working on getting all the names/sponsors to her, but if you don't see your name after a reasonable amount of time, don't hesitate to e-mail me!  

We've had a report from PetFinders. The top 13 cats that were viewed were: Keesha, Zelda, Karena, Octavia, Arden, Raza, Dove, Sara, Snappy, Tabitha, Goodness, Weeja and Whisk. 13 wonderful cats!

I'll let you in on a "happening" for my family! We have been searching for a second horse. As you may know, we returned Georgia to the rescue, due to behavior problems. I was very fearful that someone was going to get hurt. Because of the amount of people that visit, I couldn't take any more chances with her possibly hurting someone. I normally believe in "keeping forever", but in this case, people's safety was a real worry. But, today, we have a second horse coming that we are thrilled about. This horse is 17 years old, a gelding, extremely safe and a joy to ride. He will be arriving around 5:30, so BOXES are iffy! It depends on what's happening on the farmyard! 

Kenco and Tatiana are playing in the sunshine by my desk--tossing about a catnip banana. Fiona just strolled by with Sammie right behind her. They are quite the buddies. Zelda is on my desk. In the mornings, when I go in to feed the front Thumper Room's kittens, I flick on the porch light to wake up the Porchies. By the time I go out with their breakfast plates, all of them are there, looking pretty sleepy, but hungry! Yesterday the Covies had the run of the farmyard. 

The sleepies overtook these three kittens! Taken just this morning.

Friday, June 28

I've just counted--there's 14 cats on the window ledges in the Kitty Kabana room! They sure love watching the birds and the action of what's going on out there. Sometimes the peacocks visit, sometimes the porchies come over to sniff at them thru the screen. There was even a chipmunk a couple days ago that caused quite a big stir. Then I walked out to my desk and there were 4 kittens sleeping on the desk on top of all my paperwork. Add Kukster who was walking around on the floor and it makes for a pretty good morning!

We sent a lot of boxes and packages to the post office yesterday. Some of your Catathon items will soon be delivered. We will work full speed ahead, again today on them. If there's anyone "out there" who have not received your items from the last Day Sale, please e-mail me and let me know. Sometimes we slip up on an order and our goal is to get each one correct.

The 6 kittens are out loose in the back Thumper's Room. They are Toby, Pokie Dots, Dennis, Althea, Canto. Plus we still have Titoes in a top pen. The good news is, he ate a full breakfast by himself today. Wow--this has been a nasty virus, but I believe he's winning the battle. It's been a long, hard week for him, but he's tough. We noticed the last couple days that his breathing is easier, he groomed himself last night and nibbled a bit too by himself. He'll be in recovery mode for a few more days.

Little Canto continues to rest. He's been sleeping a lot and that's ok. Afterall, he's been thru a lot in the last week. He's able to bear a bit of weight on that pinned leg. He's in the front Thumper's Room, along with Merlyn, Intrepid and Camvie.  That Camvie--what a scamp she is. Now, when she's hungry, she climbs up onto the counter and sits beside her bowl of food. She won't eat it but she'll reach her little paw out to you, like --hey, I'm hungry, please feed me. So....we continue to feed her! Won't be long until she's figured out what to do. In the meantime, we're enjoying it!

We have thank yous to give:
Lawrence G--donation thru PayPal
Brad B from KY--donation thru PayPal
Gusti from Germany--donation thru PayPal for Camvie for food and meds, from her neighbour Gisela.
Carol (a friend of Courtney who is visiting) donated the Thomas Train wooden set and Annie Leibovitz book (we will use these for a Day Sale!), also printer paper, snackers, RC food, fancy feast, pet shampoo/condition, cat ped beds, Friskies

We will have BOXES tonight! I crashed last night and no way could I keep my eyes open! So, early to bed for me! But, we will have them tonight. We already have 6.

My heart has been full this week, trying to absorb fully the Catathon event. I am so very grateful for what has happened. So many people worked very hard for this event to take place--people here, people "out there" in cam land. I thank you with a full heart of gratitude. The kitties say they are also very very thankful!

Althea says: "I delcare this Toby to be my friend".

Boxes here, packages there, tape over on the counter, labels on the table--there's stuff everywhere--clear up to shoulder high! Yep--we're packing up the Baskets and Big Ticket Items the the items that were sold for the $28 and under. It's organized chaos. And it's all in the new Mail Room! We are loving it. The counter isn't secure yet, but the cupboards and cabinets are in. We love it.

The back Thumper's Room is starting to come together too. The kittens back there are loving all the cabinets and boxes being everywhere--they are great mountains to climb. By the end of the day--all should be secure to the wall and we can finish filling them up with our supplies!

Our little Catmandu had his surgery yesterday. Poor fella had a really nasty break. But his rear leg now sports a pin and two wires. He;s on a big cushie to rest on so he's quite comfortable. This is a really nice kitten--will come to the front of his pen to be petted, even thou it's less than 24 hours after surgery.

Oh my goodness--there are kittens galore here on my desk, so it's THEIR fault this blog is so late! I do believe someone has sprinkled bonito flakes and catnip on the desktop. I need a kitty babysitter! Do I love it? You bet!

We had BOXES here last night and we are thoroughly grateful!
Debra M/kittymama2 from Arkansas--a case of paper towels
Conii--a big orthopedic pad bed for Kukster, who loves it already
Anonymous Friend--2 cases of Mega Temptation snackers
Caren F--snackers for volunteers--40 count cookies
Debbie & Jim from GA--card with Althea kitty--deluxe pet comb, snackers for the cats, ring toys, skunk, squirrel and forest cat nip toys, nyla bones for doggies, egg cartons for mail room and 2 jars of Blistex lip balm
Anonymous Friend from Wag.com--32 count Friskies
Arden & Charmaine--6 bottles of Tide HE for laundry and 2 boxes of Bounce
Lena D from WV--huge box of chucks pads
Joann/joco51--another big box of chucks pads
Ellen C from UT--donation
Octavia with help from a Wisconsin friend--4 packages of 9-Lives can food, lots of big styrofoam plates, 5 cans of squeeze cheese, cans of clams, salmon and 2 bags of sardines and a forever comfy foam/gel seat cushion! For Amy--note from her kitties, microwave lunches and a bag of Hershey Kisses.
Nancy D from OH--donation
Sarah & Rob P from MO--coupons
Alan Z from UT--donation
Swankitty & Ron--congratulations card to everyone
Courtney--from Maine, who is visiting us this week--Thomas Train wooden set and Annie Leibovitz photographers Life book (for Day Sale), printer paper x3, magic erasers, snackers, RC food, fancy feast, pet shampoo/conditioner, Friskies, Tid soap, cat pet beds
Billypogo & Bonnie who was here for the Catathon and adopted Gallant--Litter, Purex, kiten bags, RC dry food, small paper plates, baby wipes, bleach, cat snackers, KMR, cat toys, Fancy Feast, Appetizers, baby food, PT, Clorox Wipes, Dawn soap and vinegar

Our evening was wrapped up by a lovely poem, written by Widdletiger, about  Zelda Belda--so sweet of you and I dearly loved it!

Fiona--just about ready to tape a nap!  What a beauty.