The Power of One...

Many of you have heard the parable about the starfish on the seashore.  Coming across a young man picking up starfish that had washed up on shore and throwing them back into the sea, a wise man remarked “There are just too many, you can’t save all of them.  Can’t you see that you can’t possibly make a difference?”  At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean.  As it met the water, he said, “I made a difference to that one!”

Tribute to Chris

My friend Chris passed away on October 19, 2009.

She was a talented graphic designer, an avid cat lover, and a dear friend for more than 25 years.

It was Chris who taught me the value of cats – no matter how financially strapped she was, there was always enough money to look after Daisy and Katie and then, Elliott and Molly. Chris specified in her will that I must find a home for Elliott and Molly together (done!).

Once Chris’s final expenses were cleared up, there was a small sum of money remaining ... what better way to honour Chris than by giving the gift of a better life to as many homeless cats as possible.

So far (in just a couple of weeks weeks), Chris has generously helped these little critters:

Coco, a tiny, scraggly feral who couldn’t seem to get enough nourishment to be strong and whose missing teeth probably didn’t help in his struggle to feed himself.

Coco will soon have a new ‘indoor’ home.

Kennedy, who had his tail amputated because of frostbite or infection (or both) but who has now been neutered and will be returned to his west end ‘outdoor home,’ along with his sister, Loralee.  Loralee is recuperating nicely from her trip to the vet and anxiously awaits her return outdoors.

And then there’s Mr. Moxie, a ‘friendly’ who lost his way but was found huddled against a house for warmth in -15 temperatures. Mr. Moxie had some serious medical issues (he had lost half his body weight, judging by his feet size) but he’s recovering beautifully and has already moved into a new home with a loving owner.

Chris always helped with graphic design for my various projects. I do hope she knows about her legacy to the cats – and I wish she were here to design posters to showcase these little creatures!

From your feline friends, thanks, Chrissi!

Marilyn

From our Mailbag....

Dear Pamela,
 
Beau couldn't be better! Anna, Alex, Todd and I just wanted to thank you.  You have given us the greatest gift. Beau is part of our family in a way we could have never imagined. He is a loving, playful, constant companion to our girl cat Belle. They sleep, eat and play together as if they've been together from birth. Beau has brought something special to each of us and we give thanks for him every day. We honestly believe he was sent to us. It's hard to imagine he was once the cat who hid under our beds for nearly the whole first week. He is definitely Daddy's boy. My husband Todd LOVES him and Beau follows him everywhere. Beau plays with the children and lays on each of their beds at night to help tuck them in. He provides constant amusement with his quirkiness.( for instance he tips his water bowl over on the floor before he drinks). I could go on and on!
 
Please be sure to share this with your rescue org. This is a beautiful, happy, healthy animal because of your hard work, compassion and limitless dedication to this wonderful cause.
 
With greatest gratitude,
Karen, Todd, Anna, Alex,Belle and Beau. 

The 2010 calendar with the theme "Kids, Cats & ca-r-ma" is still available.  If you're interested in getting a copy, send a request via email to the Halifax chapter. 

Quinn

...in transition...

I'm a lean cat, a keen cat, a wild cat, and lone;

I'm a rough cat, a tough cat, hunting on my own;

I'm a bad cat, a mad cat, teasing silly sheep;

I love to sit and meow the moon, to keep fat souls from sleep.

I still want out. It's really boring in here. That little dog looks at me funny. He gets to go out and he only eats about half of what I do.

The big human keeps the food coming pretty good I'll say that. I come out quite a bit now so she knows I'm around. And I let her pat my head now to keep her motivated. Even gave her a little purr the other day, she really liked that. Must say it's nice and warm in here. I fell asleep last night before I could howl for more than an hour.

And I'm trying to clean up a bit. I am a big, rough, tough cat but hey -maybe I should pay more attention to appearances.

Quinn will be auditioning for his furr-ever home in the near future.

Riley

A Survivor's Tale

Riley had a rough day. 

Scrounging for food, she was picked up in a dumpster and thrown into the back of a compaction garbage truck.  Heaven knows how long she was squished in the truck with little air, but she was eventually dropped unceremoniously onto the sorting floor at the dump.  Staggering to her feet, this kitty then ran headlong into a steel post.  Picking herself up again - disoriented - she tried to make her way to the nearby woods, but she could barely stand up.  She'd walk a few steps, then fall over, lurch back to her feet and try again.  Her rescuer had little difficulty in catching her and putting her into a box for transport to the vet.

We fully expected that Riley would need to be put down.  Although she had no broken bones, she couldn't seem to coordinate her lower limbs.  Her head was shaking as if she had Parkinson's, suggesting a neurological injury.  But - bless her - the vet said "Give her 24 hours" and lo and behold, she rallied.

Riley is a special case - she's feral but her home environment isn't where we picked her up; and we have no idea where she came from originally.  Where do we return such a cat? 

We need to find her a home.

Simon says

"Find me a home"

11-year old Simon was taken to the vet last autumn to be euthanized by his family.  They were moving and disinclined to take him along - he had become "inconvenient".  The vet refused to euthanize a perfectly healthy, well-mannered cat on ethical grounds.  Trouble is - many people want to take on an older cat, even one as sweet and adorable as Simon.  So there he languishes in a kind of dismal purgatory.  Wanting love but no one to offer anything meaningful beyond a "peck on the cheek".

Can you help?