Friday, June 30, 2017

We are still winding down from Catathon. This whole week has been spent getting the Catathon items out to folks. We are also getting the storage sheds back in order as we empty them out of the items. Hard to believe tomorrow is the first of July. This summer will go way too fast. Last night we received 2.4 inches of rain here---a good thing. And then this weekend will probably have fireworks going off so will have to be extra watchful of Kiara and Shamballie.

We have thanks to give to these wonderful friends!
Leggygal--she sent boxes of Leggydews and adoptions bags! Of course, they are beautiful! 
Brian B--donation to FFRC, to be used where needed
Janet M--donation to FFRC
Judy L--donation to FFRC and for Elsie for a shared Birthday!
Dawn/nokats--donation towards our spay/neuter program
Fran D--donation in honor of Elsie's birthday
Geremy K--donation in memory of Jolien
Melvin S, jr--donation to FFRC
Kelly L--donation to FFRC
Nigel W from UK--donation to FFRC
Diana C.R. from S. America--donation in memory of Mason and Ethan to FFRC

Want to enjoy an awesome FFRC video? Check out the latest creation! 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPfdMkEup48       I do think you'll enjoy this!

We had an adoption on Tuesday. Sweet Breezy was adopted to a wonderful home! This family was very happy to have her join them. 

I've also seen pictures of Henry R Peeps and Nona in their new home--they have adjusted so quickly and are very happy.

I know I have not done BOXES this week (I have 2 in waiting).  I've been so busy catching up and I admit, ready to go in early at night! We'll get back to our routine soon enough!

We have a new baby kitten.  He's a gold tiger with white feet.  He's a gold tiger with white feet and he has a name...........Satori (a Name a Cat name)!  He was found inside a car motor with a bit of car oil on him. He also had fleas and a slight upper respiratory infection. He's feeling better today and is eating good. His birthday is 5/24/17, making him 5 weeks old. 

We also took on 5 itty babies. They are 3 1/2 weeks old. Their birthday is 6/4/17. They were discovered all alone and taken to Dr. P's office. They then asked if we could take them. They are still being syringe fed. Auntie Peggy S is taking care of them for right now. We have 4 boys and 1 girl.  They all weighed 12 ounces upon arrival here on 6/28.  Four of them are black/white and the fifth is a grey tiger/white. We'll get them named soon from our Name a Cat list! 

We also took on an oldster--her name is Binkerbell. She's a muted calico. Binkerbell (or can be called Binky) was removed from a very harmful/scary home. She also arrived with a nasty bite wound right below her left ear. I imagine it was from a dog that was in the home. She's ten years old with a birthday of 5/21/17. She's adjusting well and is out in the Welcome Room while she's healing and becoming acquainted with us.  She's a nice cat and I believe will open her heart to us and make friends.

Enjoy this upcoming weekend! And thanks for what you do for this Rescue Center! 

Tuesday, June 27, 2017 post Catathon

I don't even know where to start in showing my gratitude for a phenomenal 2017 Catathon! This was our 7th Catathon.  Sunday was just an amazable day for FFRC.

I'll start by giving some info! That's always a good place to start.
Round 1--$1,772 
Round 2--$3,920
Round 3--$3,890
Round 4--$5,075
Round 5--$3,865
Round 6--$7,595
Round 7--$14,936 (includes the quad and double amounts)

This makes the total at: $41,053!!!!!!!!  (still makes my legs wobbly!)

The above for each round reflects Baskets, Big ticket items, Catributions, each "thing" for that particular Round.  And then we received more Catributions after the last round.  This brought our total to:

...............you ready for this?!   $42,575

We already started packing items up yesterday! The first load will go out this morning. This will take a bit of time to get everything out, but we have Lynnette and her crew working hard on it! 

We had a special visit by the LaChat ladies. They flew in purposely just to give their thanks to our FFRCNation for helping FFRC!

We will make our goals set for this Catathon! 

You helped us get those lights under the walkway!

You helped us get that cement pad under the Covies jungle gym

You helped us get that cement pad inside the Feeding Station

You helped us pay for that safety fence in the farmyard to keep our visitors safe

You helped us to get that Firehouse insulated for winter time

You helped us pay for the screened in Porch

You helped us put some money in the general account for operational cost needs

You helped us put some money in our spay/neuter program

Words are often inadequate to express my joy for your help. For sharing my dreams; for your invaluable help, support and patience, I say thank you. 

We also had the winners for the Fun-Raiser drawn thru-out the Catathon. And 17 great consolation prizes were given away. 

Sometimes when all the volunteers are busy doing all the million things that needs to be done here, I pause and watch. I am constantly amazed at their compassion.  Sometimes I peek in at the moderators and see what’s up. I am constantly amazed at their kindness to the chatters and their willingness to give so much time of themselves.  Sometimes I’ll scroll thru the FB FFRC pages and marvel at the way the admins keep it clean and family oriented.  Sometimes I reflect on our fundraisers and am in awe of what you supporters do for us. Sometimes I’ll check the cam chat and I see the kindness and the friendships that are there between the chatters.  At the same time, I realize how many lurkers we have that are there watching over us too.  Sometimes I go and check supplies to make sure we are okay in those needs and I once again am humbled by the generosity of the givers. Sometimes I walk around and see all the things that we have built here for the cats and I am filled with gratitude.  And then sometimes I like to reflect back on many of the cats and kittens that we have had here and it gives me much joy and satisfaction, knowing that we truly enjoy caring for these cats. The cats are what it’s all about—to give them a better life than what they had before. And all of this is being made possible by our FFRCNation & volunteers.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

You all know the saying It Takes A Village.  Well, I can vouch that it Takes A Village To Keep FFRC Going.  YOU all are part of that. There's so many levels of help that we receive but....it takes us all to make us "work".  At the Catathon itself, there were over 45 people here for the afternoon. There were many of our mods/admins "out there" that worked behind scenes to make the Catathon happen. Every bid came from a supporter, whether you won the bid or not. 99% of the items in Catathon were donated by you folks "out there". Just a huge amount of people involved and I give you a huge amount of thanks! You all help us accomplish wonderful things here at FFRC.  

The cats have voted (and I agree with them!)---and since the cats have said this, it's true:  there is no better support group anywhere than our FFRCNation! We have a friendship that is real. We have compassion for the cats that is felt by each of them. We are a family of friends that truly care. We cover many miles around the world, yet are connected. 

Friday, June 23, 2017

TWO more days to Catathon! Yesterday we had our phone trial with Arthur Phone Company--we have SEVEN phones ready for Sunday. They all work properly. Thanks to you all who called in to flood the lines so we could make sure all were working!

Our pre-registration is now over. We will make a copy of those records to help us with bid taking, calling the winners and sending items out. Monday morning bright and early, packages will already be in the process of packing and sending off!

Remember, you can still make bids even if you are not pre-registered.

Just so you know:  Minimum beginning bid for any item is $25.  Bidding amounts are minimum of $5 increments.

Highest bidder gets the Basket or Item! The winner will receive a call on Sunday to let them know. At the end of each round, a bell will sound.  If a call is in process and the bell rings, we will of course finish that call.

We have a special friendly competition in Round 7!

Winners of the Fun-Raisers will be drawn during the rounds with the consolation prizes being drawn in Round 7. Many thanks to Pat P, Marcia, Lynnette and Bill for counting all the tickets for the fun-raiser!

I got a registered letter this week---there is a possibility of a special guest appearance after Round 7. Keep your eyes open!

We had BOXES last evening and we are so grateful to you!

Thursday night Pat – broths and appetizers, 2 bags of dry food, and a blanket for a fun raiser consolation prizes.

Denise and Richard – bleach and paper towels

Ellen (Ellsiesue) – weight circles and check for fun raiser.

Diana C from Ohio – donation in memory of Fabio and Olaf (for outside cats), 3 mice and toys, cat treats, bowls, potty bags, case of fancy feast poultry and beef.

Declan (Bigsis)  Cat toys.  Hang over the door toys. These are for siblgings & friends of the Niners

And more thanks!

Sharon S--donation to FFRC

Billie K--donation for the latest new kittens, especiall medical care

Eric M--donation for Olaf, Fabio and Joline

Maite--donation for Paddy Cake and Paddy Purr

Gusti--donation in memory of sweet little Tess
Zoolove--donation to FFRC, for a successful Catathon!

Amelia & Meredith Canales--two wonderful sisters who held a lemonade stand to raise funds for the Rescue Center. I asked what they would like the money to go to and the answer was---anywhere it's needed. Two awesome girls.  Their total for us was $51.00!  A super good "job" by these two girls!  Many thanks.

You might have heard already, but our little Tess passed away night before last. We knew from the beginning that she may not make it. Her heart had such a bad murmur---our fear was that as she began growing, the heart would be more compromised.  She was eating very well and she was growing and had gained a half an ounce already. But, her heart couldn't support her. My comfort is that she was well loved and got to hae lots of kitty friends which she so enjoyed. Thanks for loving her already.

We had two adoptions yesterday~ Two more of the Niners went to a wonderful home! Nona and Henry R Peeps were adopted together to a wonderful couple. They are both so excited to have these two kitties in their homes. They will be well loved. Nona had been spayed at Dr. P's earlier this week.  

We also had a Niner adoption on Monday--Declan. Happy family, happy kitten--good adoption! He was our first of the Niners to find a home~

We had a cat returned yesterday. Her name is Grishko--a name for a dance shoe. Due to family separation, she needed to return. She was well cared for and will be much missed by her mom. She's settling in very well and is out and about in the front Thumper's Room already.  Won't be long until she is in the main area again. She's a long hair grey slight torti cat.

Breezy was taken to HumaneOhio yesterday for her spay, thanks to Angie M.  She and her sister Jackie P drove her there and also returned her last night. So kind of them to do this. Now Breezy can be adopted!

All the kittens are doing very well. After Catathon, we will work on getting all those kittens that are in the back Thumper's Room up here to the Main Area. 

We also took on another kitten too.  Her name is Emmasynne (a name a cat name). She is 7 weeks old, is gold and white. She was found on a country road, all by herself--no littermates or mama.  She is in the back Thumper's Room making friends. 

Rest up today and make sure your phone finger is ready for action on Sunday!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

FIVE days now until Catathon! How exciting--it's zipping right along!  We are very busy with the remaining things that need to be done.  

Thursday, the Arthur phone company will be here about 1:30.  They will work on the lines and then we will plug in the phones. Then........the fun begins! We will ask our viewers to flood the phone lines so we can make sure they are working properly for Sunday!  419-393-2400

We also have 15 large pizzas ordered for Sunday night, after Catathon.

Werlor's will come an extra day to dump our trash so we don't run out of space.

The big screen TV will arrive Friday afternoon---this will go under the shelter house for people to watch the Catathon.

Thursday will work on running off information on the pre-registrations

Saturday evening we will rearrange all the furniture in the Main Area to accomodate the tables, boards, chairs for Sunday.  We will also put up a couple tarps in the shelter house to "darken a corner" for the TV.  

Sunday morning the cams will be repositioned.  Kittens will be moved to the back Thumper's Room for safety. And many of the adults will be put in Kitty Kabana and Kitty Campus rooms. 

In the last week, we have taken on 5 new kittens. To make sure all info has been given, we will go over these 5 newbies:

Adalaide--female, beige/white.  Her birthday is 5/10/17. She was found at night by a volunteer. When called, Adalaide came running very quickly and wanted to be rescued! She is 5 weeks old. She had fleas but generally healthy.

DJ--female, black/white.  Her birthday is 4/29/17. She was found in the Cold Stone parking lot. It appears she may have gotten up in an engine as she has injuries to her abdomen and her left rear leg. Has a good size laceration plus the big pad on her paw has been almost removed.  She too had fleas. 
She is 7 weeks old. Her name is for Doce Junior as she has a face very similar to Doce's.

Zadie--female, grey tiger. Her birthday is 3/22/17. She was found on someone's property, all by herself two weeks ago. They kept her and then decided they could not keep her.  She had several ticks on her. She is 11 weeks old.

Lisa--female, siamese. Her birthday is 5/1/17. She was found alongside a county road, all by herself and was ready to be saved. She is 7 weeks old. Lisa was absolutely starved--so so hungry. Her first plate of food was attacked with much eagerness to eat. A real sweetie.

Tess--female, white persian. Her birthday is 5/7/17.  We have seen this kitten a few times before she was relinquished to FFRC. Dr. Darcy did an examine and discovered a significant heart murmur. She is very very tiny for her age--weighing only 8 ounces upon arrival. She is 6 weeks old. We are syringe feeding her. She craves the attention of the other kittens and is adjusting nicely. Last night she started taking food herself a little bit! Hoping her heart murmur won't have a big bearing on her life. 

We have several more kittens on hold! Some of these kittens should be leaving us soon.  

We had ENVELOPES last night! We are grateful to you!

Anonymous Friend - Chief Tapes

Frances T & Kittle - TX  Butterfly card & Donation

Samantha--our Friday volunteer--donation to FFRC

Clark, Jesse & The Rest - - Chicken Bucks Card with 4 Chicken $5

Happy 5th Birthday Coralie  12 June 2012

Happy 4th Birthday PB Covie  13 June 2013

Happy 3rd Birthday Vern 14 Jun 2013

Happy 3rd Birthday Middy Covie  15 June 2013

Please remember---it helps us alot if you pre-register for Catathon. It doesn't mean you HAVE to bid---but just in case you do! It reduces the time you will be on the phone with us.  

You can go to our website at fofrescue.org to pre-register and to view all the items involved in Catathon!  Remember too--we are currently doing our Catathon Fun-Raiser! It ends Weds. morning at 9:00 am.  To view those items, a video will run periodically on the cam, plus info is on our various facebook sites.  Thanks so much!

Short blog--today will keep us hopping! Enjoy this beautiful day! 

*

Saturday, June 17, 2017

The official countdown has begun. We have 8 days now until Catathon. This next week will be very busy getting the last details done. An exciting time for FFRC.

Remember you can still pre-resgister for the Catathon. We'd like to have all the pre-registrations done on June 22. That way it gives us time to get these records ready for the big day! You can go to our website at fofrescue.org and check out the pre registration info. This doesn't mean you have to make any bids--it just shortens the time on the phone should you call in for bids! To call those bids in, you simply use the regular phone number---419-393-2400!

Tomorrow, Sunday is the first day of the Catathon Fun-Raiser! Watch on our cam and facebook pages for info. We have 10 awesome items for this fun-raiser. The ticket money will be added to our Catathon totals each round. We will have 2 winning tickets drawn for Rounds 2,3,4,5,6.  And in the 7th round, we will draw names for the wonderful consolation prizes!  

This Thursday Arthur Phone Company will be coming to get the 7 phone lines in place for the Catathon! After they have everything connected, we will do as we've done in years past---ask you, the viewers, to call us. We need lots of callers to do this so we flood the lines and make sure all our lines, connections and phones work!  When it's time, we'll give you the thumbs up to call in!  We won't have time to chat---just a quick response and good bye--that way we can keep calls coming in to check them! 

Friday we will have a big screen TV coming to be used in the Shelter House. This is for viewing of friends that are watching from there. Rent-A-Center will be bringing the TV and picking it up free of charge. And no charge for the rental either! Thanks Rent-A-Center!

Yes, only 8 more days. Be sure to take some time to view all the items involved in the Catathon. Every item is wonderful and donated by our FFRCNation!  Many thanks. You can view every round and every item by going to our website at fofrescue.org

Just wanted to repeat what our goals are for the Catathon! As you know, this is our biggest fundraiser of the year! 

GOALS:

Lights under walkway--very dark there

4-4 foot resin tables

6 big recycle containers

Window in Dog Room--Camvi wants some natural light!

Screen In the Porch

Liability Insurance due

Cement pad under the Covies jungle gym

Cement pad inside the Feeding Station

Fence to protect visitors on farm yard--very important due to Mercy's blindness

Insulate Firehouse for the cats

Operational cost needs--much needed

Please know that every penny will be used wisely!

We had BOXES yesterday! YOU are appreciated!

Justme - IA - Happy 3rd B-Day Vern!  2-Boxes Squeeze Ups Delectables plus a System Recovery  Kit

Billie K - 3 bags Royal Canin Baby Cat, and 2 Cases Royal Canin wet food for Babies

Vicki B - 6 bags Royal Canin Baby Cat

Janice K - OH  Large Box of pillow cases, condo pads & crate pads

Amy G - Tsakani's rescue person - A small afghan, rug and paper towels

Joey3100 - 32 rolls Brawny Paper Towels

Plee - 36 Fancy Feast Broths Variety

Anony - Coupons

Tracy L - OH  Coupons

Art & Moe S - IL  Thank You Card

Annette/Furhavenkitties-- 2 more toys for Vesta & Vester for adoption basket

Jan from Hawaii--donation in memory of Joline, Olaf and Fabio

Fran D--donation to FFRC, in honor of Vernon's birthday

Need a good laugh for the day?! Don't forget to check out the FFRC Giggles Videos. We're so sure you'll enjoy these! And then share them with your friends!  Many thanks to JustMe, SonJa and Dawnstar for making this possible. Here are the 5 Giggle Videos:

#1 https://youtu.be/0LzyqHGrfuM

#2 https://youtu.be/vRX27JOXj1I

#3 https://youtu.be/6Q9i8KU9LE0

#4 https://youtu.be/ODYhv1qtvXk

#5  https://youtu.be/SC4B4Gn04Hw

We had an adoption yesterday! The first of the Niners has found a home. Declan went to his new home. Lots of love there for him! More adoptions coming up! 

Have a wonderful weekend! I know I am! My granddaughter Ashlyn is marrying Josh today! 

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Steve and I are back from a quick 2 day off.  We had a very good time--relaxed, read half a book and enjoyed the flea market and downtown little stores. But, as always, so nice to get back home and see my mom, the cats and the farmyard animals. 

I have thanks to give from BOXES on Monday evening. You are appreciated.

Zoolove/Pam T - 1 case of babyfood

Keiko - CA  Kitty bed that looks like a slice of bread , 3 bags of Bonito Flakes, one is for Elizabeth and kitties, case of sardines

PJ_Panda & Bad Kitty - 3 bags of Bonito Flakes

Elaine & Alan B - FL  - 3 cases 24 ct. Friskies, 1 case 32 ct.Friskies, 1 box of Fancy Feast, 1 Box Appetizers

Lannml - 3 bags Bonito Flakes

Donna B & kitty - GA  in honor of Coralie's Birthday - 8 new comfy beds, 2 Tubs Party Mix

Velma T - Canada - Donation for Catathon Help

Wanda - Certificate for FunRaiser/Raffle  worth $125 for graphite or $200 for color drawing.

Don & Joy D NY - Kitty Card & Note  with Kitites--Donation

Melissa L - NY  Donation

Susan W/Susiecat - NJ and Lucy and Charlie - Card, 5 Weight circles, Coupons & Chicken $5

Judyanlee--2000 of 6 inch plates

We also have more thanks to give:

Kathy M--donation in memory or Olaf and Fabio to FFRC

Wanda E--donation to FFRC for a portrait order

Virginia H--doantion in memory of Joline, Olaf and Fabio

Gusti--donation in memory of Joline

Fran D--doantion in honor of Coralie's birthday

Lana H--donation to FFRC

David W from CO--donation to FFRC in memory of Joline, Olaf and Fabio

Brenda R--donation in memory of Joline, Olaf, and Fabio

Lu-little and Benny--donation for Joline, Olaf and Fabio

BillieK--donation in memory of Fabio, Olaf and Joline

Kelly I--donation to FFRC

Mudjie--donation for the Feliz Navidad Fund in memory of her Henry R Peeps

While Steve and I was at Shipshewana, I was able to purchase a beautiful windchime in his memory by Fran.  It will be put up today, in the Angel Garden. I will so enjoy hearing these chimes from my kitchen window. Still miss that boy so much. 

I also had some donations for Olaf and Fabio. I simply didn't know what to do and it actually was hard for me to even think about. And then an idea came to me---these Porchies so love the visitors--to sit in their laps and to enjoy their company. So, we bought a beautiful glider bench--visitors can sit there at our table area and hold the Porchies. This bench will last forever as it's made with recycled plastics. A tag will be made with Olaf and Fabio's names on it.  A tag will also be made for Big All and put on the new porch area where he loved to be.

And now an update on the dog situation: There were actually two dogs involved in the incident with Olaf and Fabio.  Both dogs are now back in their home--one country road behind Power Dam Rd. They are normally never out loose but escaped and caused quite a bit of damage in their time being loose.  I am so grateful for our volunteers. For two nights after the incident, we had volunteers here during the night time, standing guard---protecting our Porchies. They had a schedule ready to go on for days. But now that the dogs are confined, that won't be needed. The hearts of these volunteers are tremendous. As hard as the deaths have been to us all, I would like you all to "let this go".  It won't do any of us any good to harbor ill thoughts on the dogs or the owner. It's over and hopefully will never ever happen again. 

Mama Dandelion Hope is in the main area part of the time. She is doing great---what a sweetie. Her kittens will hopefully be up in the Main Area soon.  Cinnamon, Paislie and Helga are up in the Main Area also. You may mistake them for 3 rolly balls but they are indeed kittens! Their tums are very round! 

Remember to pre-register for Catathon! It sure helps on the day of Catathon, should you bid on an item. We don't have to get as much information on the phone and that speeds things up!  If you pre-register, that doesn't mean you HAVE to bid---it's for just in case you want to! You can pre-register until 5:00 on June 22.   .fofrescue.org/catathon-2017/catathon-2017-preregistration

We are now TEN days to Catathon and counting! View the SCHEDULE & CATALOG--it's available to check out! All the baskets, the big big ticket items, the big ticket items, the small big ticket items  are right there for your viewing pleasure. Each are organized into their Rounds. Pictures were taken by Jen C and the descriptions were done by SonJa.  http://www.fofrescue.org/ca…/catathon-2017-schedule-catalog/       Grab a cup of drink, a snack and read all about it! 

June 18 to 21---more Catathon dates! This is when our Catathon Fun-Raiser begins! We have ten wonderful items in it.  The drawing for this will be done during the Catathon on the 25th. Some exciting times coming up! Here are the items for the Catathon Fun-Raiser--we'll give you the official sneak-peak! Peace Pole (Kindness Matters, 6 foot), Canon EOS Rebel with TONS of extras, iPd Pro 128 gb's, Kuranda Tower 6 level, Harlequin large framed picture, Nanny Cam, Nintendo Mario Kart 8 WII U, Troyer Amish Baasket, 40 inch Smart LED LG TV, Cook Companion Kitchen with many many items. 

I got the official phone call from Bev of SaveARescue! We will indeed receive 800 pounds of Blackwood dry food---a much needed item for us. This was a great opportunity for us---YOU all made this possible by your votes and I thank you.  Please, for the next 6 months, FFRC will not enter this contest. That gives you an opportunity to vote for a rescue of your choice!  

Sunday, June 11, 2017

June FFRC surgery day is done. A light surgery day but we were able to do many of the physicals needed. 
Spayed were: Oh My Goodness, Vesta, Isabella Bird, Nellie Bly, Dandelion Hope
Neutered were: Adare and Vester 
We also neutered a stray cat that a volunteer brought in. 

And we had another male. He is actually now staying at FFRC.  His name is Tsakani. It's pronounced Sa-Kane and it means happy.He's a black/white cat that was hit on the road and was thought to be dead. But, a friend of FFRC saw a little movement of his head and stopped and rescued him. She took him straight to Dr. P's office and an x-ray was done. His left elbow was crushed and not fixable. So yesterday, we not only neutered him but amputated that leg. He's a real sweetie and loves to talk and be petted. He's still recovering from yesterday, is on soreness meds but will be out soon as he is very social. Welcome Tsakani.

This brought our numbers to 5 spays and 4 neuters yesterday. Our total number now is: 224 spays and 163 neuters with a grand total of 387. 

We also did many physicals. Misty, Vernon, Blueberry, Bonnie, Camvie, Magic, Jessie, Elsie, Cutie, Farrah and Seymour.  These physicals were all good with no notations. We also did a few more:
Asha--upper left K9 enamel defect, will watch
Zelda--right inguinal hernia---will watch
Felicity--fractured upper left k-9   will watch
Lucy Ann--has lost a couple teeth, no problem
Pippi--mild tartar-most removed
All in all, the physicals went great.

We are also still doing the Dance concessins. We have 3 of the 4 time slots done. It's hot but selling lots of water. Have to watch the chocolate that it doesn't melt (keeping in coolers). We have our 4th time slot this afternoon and then we can come up with a total for this fundraiser. 

Many many thanks to all the volunteers that help us with the surgery recovery and with the dance recital. We could not do these things without your help.

Many thanks too to Gusti for the drinks for surgery, to Joyce D for the pizzas and an anonymous friend for goodies--all to help us thru this busy weekend. 

And now to explain this particularly horrible day we have had: Next to telling you all about Truckers death, this is the hardest. We had a devastating thing happen last night.  I’ve thought--how can I lesson this blow, but simply---there is no way to sugar coat this. We lost Fabio and Olaf last night.  I also played with the idea of a “soft death” but I cannot do that either, as I need to be honest with you all. I found Olaf this morning at breakfast—still dark out, our usual routine. He was in the sunporch, already gone.  And minutes later I found Fabio by the Werlor, already gone too.  Both had passed from injuries. Both had slobbery fur. That is the hardest thing of all.  I have found out that there was a dog spotted outside the Kitty Kabana window around 1:00 am—with the nose up to the screen.  It was there about 30 seconds. I can only assume that this is what happened to our two cats—the dog.  The dog is described as a lab size, yellowish/brown fur with perhaps a bit of white, with possibly a collar on.

I have made 45 pamphlets that have been passed up and down Power Dam Road already.  Letting people know 2 things---be careful for your cats and that this dog is obviously loose at times and that if this dog is seen, the dog warden should be called for “running at large”.  All the neighbors spoken to were very sympathetic and promised to keep an eye out for this dog and to be extra cautious with their cats.

We will now close those Kabana windows at night.  I feel the firehouse/barn cats and Covies are safe.  It would be extremely difficult for a dog to enter the farmyard due to all the fencing we have along the property lines.

I feel we should bring Mew in at night—he is old and slow. Many of the Porchies are skittish or leery and probably hard to catch for a dog—Annabelle, Caeser, Cliff, Sargent, Zippy, Middy, Spotty. 

The mods will be watching both the Bella cam/dog run and the Kabana for a strange dog and will call me immediately if spotted---even at night.

I don’t know what else to do. Sure, we could cage them all up, but that is not the life of a Porchie and would make for very unhappy cats.

This whole thing has just devastated me. I pray this never happens again. The loss of these two awesome cats is very very hard.  I have to just think that even though their end was tragic that they were both so loved and cared for.

And to add to this, our Joline is now in peaceful heaven.  Her cancerous growth grew rapidly and the last two days she started to struggle.  She went quietly, peacefully and with a hug and a kiss.  She is one of the most gentlest cats we’ve ever had. I will always remember this patient, loving cat. All she wanted was to be loved and to give love. Thank you for taking care of her. 

A very emotionally hard weekend. I thank you all for your support and the love you have for our FFRC cats.  Steve and I will be gone Tuesday and Weds.  We have had these two days planned for just a little while. I have my mom covered for her care and the rescue center. It's time to take a little break.