Sleep is difficult for me right now. Thinking about this kitten, plus the high heat wave sweeping through at the moment doesn’t give me much relief. Last night I spent the majority of the night visiting the cats in the enclosures. It was cooler out there and GiGi the boarder seemed to be begging me to stay with her. Her owner hasn’t come to see her for about a month now. The last time she was here, GiGi spent more time at my side than her. I think the gal got her feelings hurt, for I’ve not seen her since. Supposedly on the 9th of August, she is going to come and pick up her cat and take her home. I hope that happens. If not, I will merge GiGi into the house so she can have companionship.

I am a librarians daughter and I do a lot of reading. I prefer books over Kindle (call me old-fashioned) I just finished reading one of my favorite author’s (Dean Koontz) book Fear Nothing There is one passage that jumped out of me and applies to my life today. I will share it now:

“We are an arrogant species, full of terrible potential, but we also have the great capacity for love, joy, friendship, generosity, kindness, faith and hope.”

My hope is more of us can find the good in others then be confronted with the bad. My hope is that in the near future, the efforts of CATS Inc., and their volunteers will no longer be needed and we can shut our doors with a smile. That’s my hope, the world will walk kinder, pay it forward and live peacefully with all species.

I went outside this morning when the sun woke up, and the cats came running. Gump prefers to stay outside unless I am going somewhere in the car, then he jumps in and wants to go with me! He is fearless and I am glad he wasn’t de-clawed and de-fanged so he could continue to live. Malcolm one of the cats from the hoarder will now allow me to pet his beautiful black belly without fear of reprisal. Turner my oldest outside kitty (she will be 13 this year) was waiting for her turn in the petting zone. Boo (another of Karen’s cats) sits quietly on the sidelines. She will wait until I am walking and then she will do her ritual and weave in and out of my ankles as I walk making it difficult for me not to stumble. I smile when I look at these beautiful cats and this dries the tears on my face which seems to be appearing more at the moment. I know that stepping out of the shadows and challenging abusers puts them and me at high risk. But the risk is worth it if someone who is a danger to himself and others is pulled out of society and put somewhere to receive help.

Those are my thoughts this morning before I wake up Mike and get his breakfast. For those of you who have asked about him- here is his update. His legs still look like a mess. They will never be normal in color again. They are not healing from the inside, but they aren’t swelling either. They are being wrapped once a week in Portland by the experts and three different types of compression are being applied to the legs. He has a total of ten ulcers on his legs now that were uncovered after the laser removed all the crust and dead skin. He is being watched carefully and he was told he should NEVER get out of bed, but if he does it for only 15 minutes at a time and not for half a day. He’s not that good about following those instructions but he does try.

The last time he was in the hospital, his kids came to visit. The boys pretty much cornered me and told me that they would make me an offer. They would tear down our existing home and build on the back of the property a one-story home that was handicapped equipped. They would pay for it all on one condition. I had to stop rescuing cats! I had to concentrate on their dad and that was the deal. I was raw from emotions and bone tired and stressed to the max. I took a deep breath and told them that I appreciated the offer but had to say no. I think they were quite surprised and one said something to me that caused me to burst out crying and run out of the yard. They meant well but it was to overwhelming.

When Mike got out of the hospital and then the nursing home, I finally told him about that conversation. He was angry at first that they would ask such a thing but he promised not to talk to them about it. They meant well, they just didn’t understand. These cats are my ministry and missions are never easy. I am a firm believer that Mike’s cat Taylor has kept him interested in living much more than I ever could. She is so spoiled by him, it makes me grin.

Okay I am rambling now so need to go. Don’t know what’s in store for me today only know that God has given me strong shoes to get through it all. NONE of you know how awesome I think ALL of you are. How you help me on really bad days and how you validate me in so many different ways. So I am telling all of you now from deep within my heart- “THANK YOU!”

That best describes the reaction to my post yesterday, although privately, I have been contacted by many demanding I do something. Know this, I am on it- trying to find out more information about the previous owners who for whatever reason took out their misery on this kitten. I will do all I can to bring them to justice, but I can’t go to the police until I have more of the pieces. I’m not sitting on this- this kept me awake all night and in tears into the morning and more will be shed for this innocent one in the weeks/months to come. This was not a case of a kitten being hit by a car and all injuries sustained at once. This diabolical plotting to break bones and cause this kitten great pain. If this person has done this to a kitten- WHAT is he doing to the people in his immediate circle? I say he, because experience has shown me time and again that most horrendous cases of abuse are done by males. Women also will abuse cats/kittens but they are more subtle about it. This is rage, pure unadulterated rage. I will quote my feline specialist who I shared this kitten’s story with yesterday:

“There isn’t a hell bad enough or deep enough for a person who would deliberately injure a cat. I sincerely hope they find the worst of the worst there.”

On the Gypsy front, she is home and nothing was found to be wrong with her. She has changed though and this morning she bit me. She is pooping outside the litterpan and I suspect that someone mishandled her and although nothing physical happened to her (that can be found) mentally something happened. No one is talking- so I will just keep working with her and see if I can integrate her back into the household at some point.

So please don’t think that I sit on my hands when it comes to abuse and neglect. That is so far from the truth about what we stand for here. All I know at this point is that the kitten was abandoned over a week ago when the people moved out of the residence. I’m glad they left him behind and that he was found and brought to me. His pain is over now- now it is time for Justice.

I have been to the police. They have promised me to take all the information I gave them and chase this next week. This weekend is out (It’s the Oregon Jamboree) the insanity of country western fans drunk on their butts is going to keep them very busy. This town is crazy right now. The only parking lot not full in town belongs to the police- imagine that! The detective knew of me (not sure if that is good or bad) but he said I did a good thing in reporting this and they will find out what happened. The story I got from the woman who originally found this kitten doesn’t add up. The neighbor told her the kitten had got hit by a car two weeks ago (he didn’t see it) he was just repeating what he had been told. IF this kitten had gotten hit so recently, there would have patches of fur missing- plus if a small kitten gets hit by a car and breaks a leg, a pelvis, all the ribs, and the jaw do you think it could get up and keep moving? Doubtful the kitten had no open wounds on it at all. Let’s see what the law can do here-

George called a bit ago, his niece who cleans homes that have been vacated had called him. Inside one rental, she had found a cat and it was injured. She wanted to know if I might take the cat and help it. What can I say? It was George after all- they brought the cat to me- one look at this kitten and I rushed it straightaway to the vet. The only thing that I knew about the cat is that a neighbor when questioned told the niece that the cat had either been beaten or run over by a car.

They saw me right away and when my vet saw the kitten and the shape it was in, his face just fell. (There was no saving this young tomcat) and after he was sedated, they did films. They determined that first, all the ribs were broken and the kitten wasn’t even taken in for vet care. Then, the pelvis was broken- again, no vet care so the pelvis healed improperly. Then the legs were broken- again no vet care and lastly, the jaw. OMG. The problem with the mouth injury is again the vet wasn’t consulted and infection set in- the kitten couldn’t even eat and when the mouth was opened, you could see the squamous cell carcinoma had invaded the mouth. You could also see the entire jaw bone exposed through the gums. My God this kitten wasn’t even 8 months old!! He was so dehydrated and weak- even if we could save him, it would be so costly as there is only one clinic that could do the restorative work on the mouth and the pelvis. It would be so stressful and painful for this RUSSIAN BLUE kitten- it wasn’t feasible. So I kissed the top of his head and stood there as he left a world where he only knew pain in his short life and went to a much better place. On the way home, I had to stop several times at the side of road to empty my stomach.

The vet said the abuse and neglect was intentional- INTENTIONAL to what end? What monster does this chit anyway? He didn’t even have a name and even though they only gave him minimal sedation- he was so ready to leave this world that he was almost gone before they injected him. I’m shaking, I am so mad. Of course the renters are gone and left no forwarding- may they fall into a sinkhole and never be seen again.

Please if you can send any monies to CATS Inc right now, we need it in the worse way. we need it to settle the euthanasia bills as well as Gump’s hospitalization and ….and….and… this has been a sucky week for gray kitties-

Thanks to KFC chicken, the 4 month old kitten has been captured and will be neutered on Monday. He isn’t happy being in captivity so will continue to use KFC to help socialize him. Gypsy is back with us, apparently one of the family members hurt her (whether intentional or not no one is talking). She’s at the vet (there goes that darn bill again!) I am waiting to hear the extent of her injuries. No one is forthcoming about what actually happened to her- but when she saw me again she gave me a huge headbump the minute we were in the car and headed for the clinic.

He knew gentle hands, soft voices and caring hearts. He knew that some people do care. That some of us fight to right the horrible wrongs that some men seem to put upon innocent souls. He knew warm blankets, good food and that love does triumph in the end. But his life had been a struggle and he was tired, it was time to go, to travel out of pain and be embraced by the angels.

In his honor, find a local small rescue operation and volunteer to make a difference. Donate old sheets, kitten food, cat food, money, donate your time. I am talking about the small grass seed rescues not the big dogs. If you don’t know the local rescue lady or gentleman, my bet is your vet does. Or leave a monetary amount at your vet and tell them that this money is to be applied to the next person who brings a stray in bad shape to the clinic, and they can’t afford to pay for all that is necessary.

I don’t know when Smokey Joe ended up in the wrong uncaring hands. All I know, is the end, he knew that he mattered and people were fighting (and praying) for him to make it.

His age is hard to determine. What little teeth this dusky gray tomcat has left are broken and his gums are in bad shape. His back claws are non-retractable, his whiskers and chin gray. He was found in a pile of trash by a man’s beagle while they were out for a walk. The man thought it strange, not only that his beagle alerted to the pile of debris, but that one plastic bag was also encased with wire. When the call came, I left immediately for the old airport where he had been found.

He is thin, emaciated, yet as I lifted him gently into the carrier, he licked my hand. His eyes are goopy, his breathing labored. Whoever put him inside that bag didn’t want him found. God had other ideas. I offered him canned kitten food, the only thing I had on hand, he ate a few bites then laid his head down on my hand and I wept.

He is at the vet’s being given life-giving fluids and electrolytes. Although worms are visible, he has only been de-flead at this time. His body isn’t strong enough to handle to many chemicals but the fleas were covering him. I’ll have to flea-bomb my car later. He could be anywhere from 12 years old to 17 or 18. If anyone did love him in his life, there is little evidence of it. We are hopeful that because he is eating small amounts at a time, that he will live. There is no fever. His eyes show evidence of conjunctivitis perhaps there are corneal ulcers as well but right now, we are just concentrating on getting the infection under control. His tail is shrunken and broken- no telling if it is hereditary or due to something else.

I gave him the name Smokey Joe and he will be at the vet’s for a few days. Although his breathing was labored, his lungs sound clear. The vet believes the plastic bag the cat was encased in has caused the labored breathing. He has a murmur in his heart but it is very faint.

I gave him gentle pets and kissed the top of his head before I left him. I told him to hang in there and be strong, be the tough cat that tomcats are supposed to be. I told him it would only be a matter of time before his jowls filled out again and he had the cheekiness of a tom- I told him a better life waits ahead of him.

I have seen the cow kitty several times since his jail break. The minute he sees me, he scoots away from me. This morning, I sat on the steps and he came out. I had Mason in my lap. I could see that Darby wanted to make Mason’s acquaintance, but I kept my hold on Mason. I don’t need two small kittens outside. They are easy prey for hawks, owls and coons. I am going to talk to George and see if he can build a wire barricade inside one of the larger dog crates. I will put Mason in the back of the crate, leave the door open and hope curiosity wins out and Darby goes into the crate. Then I will slide the door shut and have him again.

The minute I got Gump home and put him in the house, he showed a fever- a high one! They used supportive fluids, kitty antacids and worming medicine on him and kept him for a few days for a couple of hundred dollars in care and told me he was good to go. They kept him in isolation, he was the only kitty out there. I wonder if it is the stress of being inside that does this kitty in, so I put him outside in the barn and he is a happy kitty with cool ears once again. He is stalking mice and bugs, introducing himself the other kitties out there and just apparently not wanting the inside life. Inside, he cried constantly- outside, he is silent and seemingly happy. His fever is gone- He is a strange one both in coloring and personality. He bit Mike last night while he was just lying on his lap. He woke up, lunged straight for Mike’s neck- MIke deflected him with his hands and got bit for his trouble. I think only Prozac will make Gump into an indoor kitty and I hate sedating kittens because of “behavior” issues.

Darby was scheduled for a neuter today, so last night, I captured him and put him in Jedi’s cage. I didn’t realize that one of the walls on the outside catio (it is removable) wasn’t locked in place. When I came back to see how he was doing, the wall was pushed out and he was gone!

I’ve spotted him several times since. He is having a ball, chasing beetles, terrorizing the barn cats (who are interested but so far not schooling him on manners). He’s been down to the creek and back (quite a hike for a youngster) Every time I see him and try to get close, he shoots under an outbuilding or the house. At least he’s not running away. I set out some of my kitten traps last night, but all I caught was a possum and I let her go.

I’m not sure how I am going to get close to this 4 month old- at least it’s a male and I don’t think there are any nearby females he might mate with (at least not with my bunch). He hasn’t run away so hopefully he will stay close and with time and patience and lots of meaty treats, perhaps I can catch him again and return him back to the house. I never thought to check the lock as the wall has always been in place before. I just hope I can capture the hisscape artist before a predator gets to him first.

An elderly woman called earlier and I can’t get the phone call out of my head. She is being ousted out of her home and moving to an assisted living facility in two weeks. She has 3 cats she is unable to take with her and she wants me to take them all. In talking with her, I found out that a few weeks ago, she had 11 cats. She used a Hartz product on them for fleas and 6 cats died. She has two cats she will take with her to the facility but the remaining three cats have no place to go.

I told her I was sorry, that I couldn’t take them. I don’t have the room to put three cats into the house right now- they would at best have to go into one of the enclosures IF they got along with the one cat out there already. I am not prepared to do that. She started to cry and said she got my name off the Internet on a rescue page and if I wasn’t a rescue than what was I?

I lost my patience a bit and told her that I am someone who steers clear of owner-surrendered cats and concentrates instead on the ferals and strays. She didn’t like that answer and tried to guilt me into taking her three cats. I gave her several options of what she could do; she didn’t want to use craigslist, she didn’t trust anyone on there, she didn’t want to take the cats to the local shelter because they charge $65.00 a cat to surrender them and she “didn’t have the money.” I kept telling her I was really sorry- but there wasn’t anything I could do to help her.

I don’t know why some people wait till the last minute to take care of the most important part of their homes- their pets. She kept saying that she heard talk around the town about me and we are the best sanctuary around. I was glad to hear that, but it doesn’t free up the space, the money and the energy her cats will need to continue their lives.

I got off the phone and talked to Mike about it and he said I did the right thing. Owner surrenders never work out- they just never adjust to sanctuary living.

Unable to figure out what is wrong with Gump as of yet. He will continue to stay in Isolation till they figure it out. Chances are good on Monday, we will just go ahead and order bloodwork. He is eating now, but not a lot- very little enough to have Dr. Steve concerned. He also hasn’t passed all that stool sitting in him yet so a foreign body is quite possible. Wish my vet did ultrasounds but those are only done at OSU to give the students training and experience in small animal ultrasounds.