Bobby

Tigger's story was told far and wide. With his natural good looks, his youth (he's only 3-4 years old) and his charm, it was just a matter of time before Tigger got the attention of just the right folks at a rescue group.

©2010 Besty Merchant. Tigger, your worst days are behind you now!

Last night the news broke that Tigger was SAFE and would be having a very happy Thanksgiving in his new foster home. Now he could start to put losing his family behind him and focusing on a happier future. Congratulations to Tigger!

©2010 Besty Merchant. No more tiny cage for this big boy!

Meanwhile, I came across this beautiful little lady. She's at Floyd, in Rome, GA. Her Petfinder ad is HERE. I have no way to get her out. I'm posting her info, in the hopes that someone will go down there and adopt her or a GA Licensed Rescue can save her. They put down 37 cats last week. The odds of her getting out are slim.

Her ID NUMBER IS: 2510 AND SHE IS IN URGENT NEED OF A RESCUE OR ADOPTION!

©2010 Floyd County Animal Control.

I didn't feel that I had the time to be able to wait on getting help to rescue from Floyd when I checked the Henry County Petfinder page and saw THIS little guy (see add, below). My stomach dropped when I saw he'd been at Henry for over a week. I knew that time is not to be wasted. I didn't know if he was dead or alive. The look on his face called to me. It was a beacon shining right into my heart. I HAD to do something for this fine fellow.

Look at that face and say NO to him! I couldn't do it.

Bobbie, who helped us by fostering a sweet black kitty a few months ago, offered to take this cat as a foster. I'm hoping by the time he arrives in Connecticut (sometime in December) I'll have space for him in my home. I just HAD to save his life.

©2010 Besty Merchant.

Right now, this little 4 month old baby is being taken out of his litter box and put into a cat carrier by my dear, Bobby, the most dependable person on this planet. Bobby will get him over to the Vet and deliver him to Bobbie's home (yes, there are TWO folks with almost the same name!). This little cutie is BUSTED OUT! Instead of death, he'll have a chance at a happy life here in Connecticut.

There's something magical about this cat's face. His sweet little white feet. I couldn't stand him being known by an ID number any longer, so I gave him a name. Every time I look at his photo, he makes me smile, so I'm calling him, MacGruber, after the character on Saturday Night Live. If you haven't seen MacGruber, you can see a slew of twisted videos HERE (note: you'll have to sit through a 30 sec commercial first).

©2010 Besty Merchant. I already have a crush on you, MacGruber!

Let's hope his snap test results are negative/negative. It's usually the last hurdle I have to worry about with pulling cats out of a shelter. With any luck, I'll have good news soon. Once I do, I'll update this post. Until then, let's enjoy the warm glow of knowing more kitties are saved, but it's always bittersweet when we know others have been left behind.

UPDATE: FLOYD COUNTY KITTY HAS BEEN RESCUED!!!!!! MacGruber is Neg/Neg on his snap test and we are told he is a complete love-muffin (not a surprise when you look at that sweet face)!

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. Precious gets a hug from one of the Vet Tech's at Eagle's Landing.

Precious went to the Vet. It's the first thing we do when they leave the Shelter. The big question: what was wrong with Precious and what needed to be done right now and what could wait until she arrives in Connecticut in a few short weeks.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. Okay, I admit she looks a wee bit nutty here, but what a lovely coat she has! I like her golden toe (see right rear foot).

Precious weighs just 4.6 pounds. She's not an adult-barely grown. She's only 9-12 months old. A mere kitten. My foster cats are younger than she is and they weigh TWICE what she does.

She's a lovely blend of tabby and calico. Her coat has hints of Maine Coon. Her snap test results were negative for Feline Leukemia and FIV-I always am relieved when we get that result. She had a flea or two, no surprise. She is not in obvious pain, but her lower jaw is broken and one of her canine teeth hits her gum. If left untreated she would adjust and just have a crooked smile, but you KNOW we will not leave her to suffer.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. Inspecting her new room.

Her right front leg has feeling, is warm and has sensation! There is crackling in her shoulder. It is either a broken leg or a dislocation. She is comfortable and can get around with ease, so for now there is no treatment. It may seem cruel not to act right away, but we can move her much faster to the north, to her home, where we can have all the surgeries done that are required. She can recover from the stress of travel without the complication of recovering from surgery. We just know she would break with a URI if we did that.

She is not pregnant and, of course, this cat has probably NOT been spayed. Spaying will be done, as well, when the time comes. For now, she can eat as she pleases and get some rest.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. The paperwork you can see on the bed is the release form from Henry Co. That little piece of paper gave this cat her freedom and her life back.

Bobby drove her to Corinne's. Our new foster Mama. Corinne has loads of experience and many stories of saving little kitties and big kitties, alike. Really with no time to prepare, she offered to help with the blue kittens, then when we didn't need a foster for them and I heard about Precious, I asked if she would mind helping her instead. There was no hesitation, just willingness to be part of this rescue.

Precious arrived and one of Corinne's cats snuck into the room, but Precious didn't mind. They escorted the cat back out so Precious could get to know her new home without added stress. A soft, welcoming bed was just what she needed to take the stress off her injured leg. She purred and relaxed. Wherever she had just been-that cold, scary place, was already a fading memory. She was safe and sound, maybe a bit sore, but in Corinne's warm and gentle hands, it would see her through this tough time. Corinne will also be her chaperone when it was time to leave Georgia forever and begin her new life in the northeast.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. A nice soft bed. No more harsh cage for this injured sweetie.

We're all just pleased as punch that this worked out so well, so far. Thank you, again to Bobby and Corinne for all they did to help this girl to safe haven.

©2010 Betsy Merchant.

Yesterday, I got a plea from Betsy at Henry County Care & Control. One of the other cats hoping to get rescued is a sweet little girl who is, well, is a bit of a “fixer-upper.” I took one look at the photos and tried not to cry. I decided I had to do whatever I could to help her find a rescue.

©2010 Betsy Merchant. Her right front leg bends at an odd angle. Her jaw appears to be broken, too.

This little dear, gets along fine, thank you, even “hauls around”, according to Betsy, even though it's clear, something quite serious happened to her. Most likely she was hit by a car, but we don't know when. We know that no one bothered to provide her with any medical care. How they could look at her and not see that she needed HELP shocks me. To make things worse, now she finds herself waiting to die at a Kill Shelter. What kind of world is this?

©2010 Betsy Merchant.

She not a cute itty-bitty kitty. She may require thousands in Vet care to correct her facial deformity and to possibly amputate her leg. Although she can eat, she does drool. Although she can walk, is she in pain? She doesn't deserve this life she's had, she deserves so much better. The thing is...how can I get that to happen for her?

©2010 Betsy Merchant. Not in pain, this little girl can still move around quite freely.

I guess it's like everything else. You just put the word out and hope the perfect person sees her photo and falls in love. This little cat's body may be broken, but her heart is still full of love. She's a sweet natured cat, even after all she has suffered. I know someone can help her. I just have to find them.

©2010 Betsy Merchant.

I sent out some emails last night, to my “gals,” Connie and Jennifer. I asked them for suggestions on how we can be creative, get this cat to Connecticut and get her help. I would do a fundraiser. I would help get a foster. I would do just about everything I could think of, but I just couldn't adopt her.

©2010 Betsy Merchant. What a FACE!

I didn't have to. Connie, who already adopted Big O-a complete wreck of a beast from a horrible situation in GA and who adopted Little Maria, who had an untreated broken leg, stepped up and suggested that SHE adopt this cat! I balked at first, but Connie prefers to help cats that are in dire straights-the ones that are hard to place-the ones that need a little work (or a lot!). One thing I know about Connie is that when she makes a commitment to a cat, that cat won't have anything to worry about ever again. Connie is a magnificent cat-mama. If she was willing to open her home to this poor creature, then I could make it happen.

©2010 Betsy Merchant.

So as I sat in the car while Sam drove us to New York City to attend The Chocolate Show, I made phone calls. Things began to fall into place. As of this moment, this cat is FREE. She is busted out of Henry County. She's at the Vet being checked out. With any luck, fairly soon she will be at her foster mama's home and in a few weeks, she should be ready to fly to Connecticut-right around Thanksgiving—a perfect time to truly appreciate the miracle that happened for this girl. This girl, former ID# 11/10-4781, now has a home to look forward to and a proper name.

©2010 Betsy Merchant.

Introducing, Precious.

Oh yeah, and the Chocolate Show was awesome, too!

.

I have a penetrating love for cats. It cuts me to the core. The sharpness of the love I have for their very form, their “niblet” sized toes, purring-who wouldn't be moved by that sound? Their soft fur and fluffy, wiggly little behind. The rough tickle of their tongue on your face...the little triangle shaped nose. Ear tufts. Toe tufts. Ruff. I just love cats. It almost doesn't even matter what the cat looks like. It's a cat. I will love it. Even if it drives me nuts and makes me want to run away from home and never come back, I will still love them.

Last week I got an email from our friend, Betsy at Henry County. I had to turn my back on it. There was nothing I could do to help this family. I thought someone else would step up to take them, but no one did. A week later, another plea...could someone save these cats before the become ill?

FROM OUR FRIEND BETSY at HENRY COUNTY CARE & CONTROL:

I posted for this great family about a week ago with no replies. I have taken some updated photos, the kits are doing GREAT as you can see, they are fat butterballs. Mama is fabulous and drop dead gorgeous.

PLEASE get them out of here before they become ill. Right this minute there are no other nursing moms in their area, this is the time to get them moved!

PLEASE HELP US SAVE THEIR LIVES!

ID# 10/19-4193 Mama and 3 kits

©2010 HCC&C. This is the Mama and her newborns.

©2010 HCC&C. “I was just born...zzzzz”

©2010 HCC&C. “Here I am a week later! Look at me! I'm a fine specimen of manliness, right?”

I'm not going to post Betsy's entire plea for help. Though I feel lousy and am overloaded, I did the math. The kittens are too young to be moved anywhere near Connecticut right now, but by December, they WILL be ready to go.

©2010 HCC&C. “What's a belly rub and can I get one?”

I did the usual. I contacted Maria, first. Did she have space to take this family. Of course. Maria would put them in her closet if she had to. What she won't do for cats...I really love her for it. I do.

©2010 HCC&C. “You know you love me. Admit it.”

I emailed Bobby. Can you pick the cats up? Do I have to ask? Of COURSE he will go get them and get them to the Vet for a quick check up. Bobby is a gem. I love him, too.

©2010 HCC&C. The one on the right looks like a guinea pig!

I contacted Carole to see if she could take the Mama in December. I didn't hear back right away. I pondered whether or not to wait. I learned too many times over NOT to wait so I made a choice to take the Mama even if I can't get her placed at AID's no kill facility. In fact, the mama looks a lot like my cat, Squeegee, who passed away seven Novembers ago. This rescue will be in her honor.

©2010 HCC&C. Look at Mama. She's a sweetie. You can just see it on her face.

So...in my overloaded, sick-of-cats, mentally unstable mind, I picked up the phone. I called the folks at Henry Co. The cats were still there. Had no rescue. I said they HAVE a rescue and I will have Bobby get them in the morning.

©2010 HCC&C. Welcome to Kitten Associates, Family. We'll be looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks.

Of course nothing is THAT easy. Mama has to have a neg/neg on her "snap test" and after that hurdle, we just let the kittens get bigger and let mama get some rest outside of the confines of a cage. They will be here the week before Christmas, or maybe a bit sooner. I can't move them when they are too little so we will wait a bit. They'll be here in time to do what I hoped to do last year-have kittens for adoption just before Christmas. Will this be another “Santa's Team” nightmare of sick cats for 3 months? Guess we will find out.

'Cause thsee guys ARE RESCUED and coming to Connecticut!

Two weeks ago four little tabby kittens were going to be euthanized. They were showing signs of developing an upper respiratory infection— sneezing and runny eyes. At the time it wasn't severe. In fact, it could have passed in a few days. The problem was, at Henry County, every sick cat gets euthanized-even IF it could have easily recovered...even if it didn't need to be treated by a Vet. That's the rules. There are too many animals in a facility that does not have quarantine rooms and if they did, they would be “full up” since the animals are exposed to each other and the stress of being in a shelter can make them “break” with a URI, too. Cats are really fragile creatures. I've come to learn that after last year's fiasco with “Santa's Team.” Dogs can take more stress, where cats seem to fall apart. To be crass, it just sucks. It's not fair. It's a senseless death for these animals.

Instead of waiting or emailing, I knew I had to call if I was going to save these cats and call I did. I called everyone at HCCAC and made SURE they were NOT going to euthanize the cats. As some of you know, the cats had 30 minutes-or less to live. A sobering thought, to say the least.

But we don't have to cry over these cats. They're not only safe, but yesterday afternoon, they said farewell to their beyond-fantastic-foster-mama, Maria and began their journey to Connecticut and to become Kitten Associates latest foster kittens.

©2010 Maria Sandoval. From left to right: How do I know? The orange cats are Skittles and Candy Corn and the silver tabbies are Treat & Treat.

Maria made sure to get everyone to pose nicely for the camera before she had to pack them into their cat carriers. For once they stopped moving long enough to get a few cute photos.

©2010 Maria Sandoval. I think this is Skittles? Maria? Who is it?

We cannot forget a special someone who will also be part of the Express to Connecticut-our Rocco! Rocco has been hanging out at Maria's, getting belly rubs, getting some good food. All he's doing is waiting for his ride. With that big belly and sweet face, I just KNOW we will find him a great home soon. Of all the cats, I'm most excited to meet Rocco. Knowing he was abandoned by his family, that he's an adult who's already lived half of his life, well, he should have all the love and comforts we can provide to him. Through everything, he remains a sweet, friendly beast. I just love him already.

©2010 Maria Sandoval. Rocco! You are so CUTE!

Adoptions have been very slow for me. I still have four foster cats. Soon I'll have eight. I keep hoping I'll get some adopters-espeically for Moonie & Patty. They're asleep in a cat bed right next to my desk. They seem to belong here, but I can't afford ten cats of my own. I'm glad they fit in well since I'm guessing it will be awhile longer before I find them a forever home. At least they don't have to be locked up in my tiny bathroom any more. I think my cats are starting to calm down about having them here, too and the fountains of cat pee are slowly diminishing.

©2010 Maria Sandoval. Hold still? for the camera?

Since Izzy and Mark aren't taking another trip down south (really, they DO have a life, you know!), thanks to Judith Hougaz and Deb Parry, the kitties are riding on a PETS, LLC transport. Sound familiar? If you watch “Last Chance Highway” on Animal Planet, it will all make sense. Kyle Petersen, the owner of PETS, also runs dogs (dogs!) to the northeast, some for a rescue group run by a very perky dog lover named, Shelley Brookwalter. Shelley and Kyle's friendship and partnershp to save animals is a highlight of the program. It's a heartwarming show, but it does irk me that cats are rarely ever transported and certainly never part of the show.

©2010 Maria Sandoval. All aboard!

These are the accommodations. Keep in mind, they would be the same in anyone's car, as well. Of course the difference is there are also no barking dogs and more attention on a private transport. It's tough. Most transports are just like this or worse. The hope is they will get going FAST and get it over with SOON. I trust that Kyle runs a tight ship. I used them last year and all was well. Hopefully that will be the case with this run, too.

©2010 Maria Sandoval. This is Steve. Maria gave him the third degree! He better take good care of those cats-OR ELSE!

If there was only some way to tell the cats that!

©2010 Maria Sandoval. WE WANT OUT!

Poor Skittles and Candy Corn are just not havin' it!

©2010 Maria Sandoval. REALLY! LET US OUT!

I feel worse for Rocco. He is old enough for this to really hit him hard. If only we could tell him what waits for him. I think he'd be happy to wait a bit longer and endure the noise and stress of the trip. Hang in there, buddy!

©2010 Maria Sandoval. Awww...Rocco! Don't be scared. This is the worst part of your life. I promise it will get better really soon.

I have to agree with something Maria said to me today...it can't be 9am Saturday soon enough. That's when I'm scheduled to pick the cats up. Connie will be there with me to get Rocco. He'll be going to Animals in Distress just in time for an adoption event. My guys will be meeting Honey B. and Yodel. I sure hope they get along or I'm gonna be in trouble because they'll have to stay in the same room! I also hope the new crew DOES NOT GET SICK...OH GOD...NOT THAT AGAIN!

©2010 Maria Sandoval. Skittles and Candy Corn. I sure hope to adopt them out together!

It's Friday afternoon. Moonie has his paws on my leg while Patty spoons him. It's quiet. The cats are all napping. The sky is overcast and the golden autumn leaves seem to glow. I can't help but know it's the calm before the storm, but I'll deal with it, whatever comes to pass. It's just that caring for and loving sixteen cats is a bit much-even for me.

Deep breath. Knock wood. It's going to be okay.

There's nothing particularly special about a big, red tabby cat who sits in the lobby of Henry County Care & Control. His days of being a cute kitten are years behind him. He was surrendered by his family. They didn't want him any more. We don't know why. We just know they left him in this cage that's barely big enough to hold him.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control. He doesn't know what he did to deserve being in cage, but Big Red hopes to get out.

He's flanked by two other big tabby cats, from other families that gave up on them, too. They all just sit there, waiting to die. The odds of them being rescued are about nil.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control.

I want a magic wand. I would wave it over everyone and, first, of course, get them to SPAY & NEUTER their dogs and cats. Next, whatever cat was stuck in a cage at a kill shelter, I would transport them into a new home-one that would love them and care for them and never give up on them. Lastly, I would make Animal Shelter and Rescues not necessary. With no overpopulation problems and no surrendering of animals, we would be able to spend our lives simply loving our pets, with never a tear shed over an animal being euthanized due to space issues or curable illness.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control.

But I don't have that power, nor do I have the ability to rescue adult cats. Fostering from my home, not a shelter that has visiting hours, makes it impossible to place adults. I know I need help with this. I need a shelter that won't kill this boy, who can take him for me. I need a friend...but who can I ask?

©2010 Henry County Care & Control.

Call it being annoying or call it calling in a favor, but I sucked it up and nagged Carole at A.I.D. to take this cat. He's declawed and neutered. He's very affectionate, too. He could get a home here in Connecticut AND A.I.D just had quite a few adoptions so I know they have space!

I didn't get an answer right away. I had to wait a few days. I spoke with Carole, who told me she didn't want any more males at the shelter right now and listed all sorts of reasons not to take him, but I had just done her a bunch of big favors, including raising almost $900 for Princess's vet bill, so heck, she caved in and said YES. I hope Carole's not mad at me, but honestly, it's about the cat. He's just a big, red goofhead. He needs OUT of that place.

Before Carole could change her mind, I contacted Betsy and gave her the approval to get this boy out. Needless to say, she was thrilled and surprised. The other two cats are still hoping for a miracle.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control. Every cat deserves a name. Meet: ROCCO!

As of this writing, this big cat who tips the scales at 20 lbs...and he is BIG, not really FAT, is safe. His snap test was negative/negative and he got his shots. He meowed and yeoweled in the car and at the Vet. He hates being in the cat carrier and he didn't like getting all those shots.

If he only knew he was being rescued, he might have simply relaxed and enjoyed the ride. I'm guessing he is going to be a handful on transport day, but we have two weeks to wait on that and by then he may not care where he goes, as long as he NEVER goes back to Henry County Care & Control again.

I can't say what it is that made me go to bat for this cat. Perhaps it was that he was nothing special that made him so very special, after all.

Last week, I learned a painful lesson. I waited a few hours too long to say, “YES” to rescuing some kittens from Henry County Care & Control. By the time I called, they had been euthanized. Some of them started to show signs of upper respiratory-something we could have easily managed in foster care, but the rules of the shelter are not forgiving.

I cried a lot that day and the images of those kittens are etched in my heart, forever. Though guilt weighs heavily upon me, it does not stop my need to try again.

Over the weekend, I found out about the kittens you see, below. There are two sets of two-really one litter of four in two cages. Each one sweeter than the last. I knew it would be tricky for me to take them since my fosters haven't all be adopted yet, but I was set on doing just that. I started the work trying to put all the puzzle pieces together. Could Maria foster? Yes. Could Bobby transport them to the Vet and get them from HCCAC for me? Yes. How much would this cost? I need to do a fundraiser.

©2010 Henry Care & Control.

Then, another rescue group in New York stepped up to offer to take two of the kittens-the cute lynx point/siamese mixes. Another group said they would take the other two. Fundraising didn't need to be done, but they didn't have a foster home or a way to get the kittens out of HCCAC. So I contacted Betsy at HCCAC and told her about my weird plan. My group pulls the cats, they get funded by another, they get transported to New York and ultimately get fostered and homed by another group! It's nutty, but who cares? Will I miss having them here, YES, but...they will be alive. That's what counts.

Crazy little details sorted. Directions, confirmations and approvals given, I made the call yesterday morning to confirm rescuing the kittens. My heart was racing. I hoped I hadn't waited too long (again). Betsy was out and they asked me to leave a message. I started to panic. I gave them the ID numbers of the kittens and said that I would be happy to take them and to NOT PUT THEM DOWN. I waited.

©2010 Henry Care & Control.

I waited an hour. I didn't want to be a pest. I hate to be annoying, but I was freaking out! I emailed Betsy. I waited. I finally called HCCAC again and she was still out so I asked if there was someone else I could speak with and a gentleman got on the phone and told me they cats were still "available" and that not to worry. Betsy would call back.

©2010 Henry Care & Control.

So. I worried.

A little while later my phone rang. It was Gerri Yoder, the Director at Henry County Care & Control. She told me that Betsy had contacted her and asked her to call me! That not-to-worry, the kittens were safe and they would hold them until we could pick them up the next day. She gave me her direct phone number at the shelter AND her cellphone number. I never have to worry that I can't reach someone who can help me help the kittens.

I stopped worrying. As soon as I started to relax, Gerri told me it was a good thing the kittens were getting a rescue. They had starting to sneeze-showing signs of getting URIs. Then, it hit me. If I had waited another second, they would have been put down. It was by a whisker that these kittens were saved. I wanted to throw up.

A little over an hour ago, these little babies were not only busted out and rescued, but they have already been to the vet and are on their way to Maria's house to be fostered for the next two weeks. They are just six weeks old.

©2010 Henry Care & Control.

Two have the sniffles, but nothing too bad just now. Bed rest and good food will help them feel better soon. They are out, just in the nick of time...and now they have their whole lives ahead of them, instead of few hours left to live.

©2010 Henry Care & Control.

Welcome to life outside death row, babies. Welcome! Oh and we have a few more kitties to welcome, too. When you rescue four, you just can't stop there, can you? Heck no!

Little Maria and Pauly are safely out of Henry County, in the loving care of Bobby, our devoted driver, babysitter, and photographer of all kitties we rescue from there. Though knowing they're off death row is one thing, but the kitties are never out of the woods until we get them to see the Vet and get the results of their Snap Test, which lets us know with some accuracy (depending on the age of the cat), if the cat is positive for Feline Leukemia or FIV.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. Some of the friendly staff at East Lake, where we often take our shelter rescued kitties.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. Little Maria waits for her exam.

I really hate waiting for results.

If a cat is positive for Feline Leukemia, which is easily transmitted between cats, then what do I do? Guidelines will say euthanize. I am terrified I will have to make that decision one day.

At least for Pauly and Little M., the results were negative. On to the next concern...what is wrong with Little M.'s rear end? Why does one bone in her right leg protrude out? What happened to this little baby?

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. Dr. Segal with Little M..

After a few xray's it was pretty clear what was wrong. Little M. has a broken right rear leg. It's broken near the femoral head, which is basically the top end of the femur that usually fits into the hip socket. Little M., who we are told is only NINE WEEKS OLD, at 2.2 POUNDS, has been living with this broken leg for quite some time. There is evidence of the injury healing itself, but not healing correctly. Little M. can walk, but with a wobble. She does not seem to be in pain, but she will be as she ages, if nothing is done.

Dr. Segal gave us some options:

1. Do nothing but give her cage rest-meaning lock her up in a small crate so she can't move around much and let the break heal on its' own. The result will be that Little M. will have one leg a bit shorter than the other, will develop arthritis in her leg and perhaps never be able to jump.

And...Little M. is sick.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. One of the Vet Tech's checks out Little M.'s hips.

She has an upper respiratory infection and a temp of 104°F. We can't even think of doing any surgery to her until she is clear of the disease. With any luck she will be fine in a week, but she is young, sick and just came out of a shelter. We all know that URIs can last for months.

Even through all of this, Little M. purrs and is a sweet cat. She will even try to play. Her will to live is still strong. One day I hope we can look back on the challenges we're facing with this kitten and realize it all ended up well. I guess my gut will be in a knot until things get sorted out for her.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. Pauly does a great job defying gravity.

Meanwhile, there's Pauly. At about 4 months old, he's a bundle of raw energy mixed with sugary sweetness. Pauly does not want to hold still for the camera, especially when he's being fussed with at the Vet. He is in good shape, but of course, has been exposed to Little M.'s URI, so we will see how big of a mess this turns into.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. Pauly isn't so sure about this...is it a treat or treatment?

Pauly finally burned himself out long enough for Bobby to get a photo of him. His white toe tips and tail tip is adorable! He's got very lovely tabby markings and beautiful eyes. All we have to do is get him neutered and he will be ready to go in no time! Connie said she felt he will do well here in CT-I agree 100%.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. At last, Pauly relaxes long enough to be photographed.

We're going to have to do a fundraiser to help cover Little M.'s expenses and to pay for transport (some day!) to come north. I'm getting the nagging feeling I may have to drive down there to get the cats. I can't imagine putting a cat who recently had surgery onto a big, loud, transport. If any of you are going to be traveling northward in about 3 weeks or so, let me know! Until then, we just have to hold tight and hope that Little M.'s fever comes down and Pauly doesn't get sick, too.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with Permission. Kitty artwork at a Vet's office is always a good sign.

You just never know what you're going to find out once you “bust” cats out of a shelter, but aside from any health issues, in time we'll find the same thing we always do—loving, lonely cats who deserve the best forever home possible.

It's been an emotional week here at Covered in Cat Hair. A week ago we lost Big Boy, then through a miracle were able to pull a sweet Tabby named KoKo out of the same shelter and in just a day got her Vetted and to her new home in Alabama. Our smiles didn't last long, as we found out last night that we lost another kitty named, Jill Ann. At least she died having a name and not a kennel ID number and she died around people who, though they see death all the time, did not harden them to the point where they could not compassionately and lovingly help her to pass. I don't hate these people, rather the opposite. I don't know how they can do what they have to do every day. It's difficult enough to have to report these stories to you. Being there and seeing all that...oh dear, no. So I honor those people here, too.

This was KoKo (see photo below), just two days ago. Bobby, our dear friend and most awesome volunteer, offered to take KoKo from Henry County to the Vet, then drive her 4.5 hours to Alabama where they would meet up with KoKo's new mama, Elke! What kind of person can just drop what they're doing and drive a few hundred miles? Bobby is unassuming and kind. He has a twangy (to my Yankee ears) Southern accent. (I often wonder if he gets a kick out of my east coast/midwestern/mutt mix?) His heart is so big and so full of love for cats, it astounds me. Then add to that, Bobby is so dependable. I couldn't do what I do without him. I know this will embarrass him, but he's a treasure. He really is. I won't embarrass him any further by sharing a photo I have of him, but let's just say his inner goodness is clearly reflected in his warm smile. He's a kind soul and I'm grateful to have his help.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. KoKo in her carrier wondering what is going on, but being a very very good passenger in the car. Though Bobby may have mentioned that she may be a sweet cat, but she's weighs a brick (10 pounds!).

As many of you know, Elke is on of our Covered in Cat Hair friends on Facebook. When Elke first saw the story about Bobbi, the little Manx I rescued, she thought that she'd offer to adopt her, but by the time she was ready, Bobbi had already travelled to Connecticut to be put into foster care here. Elke had been touched by the stories of so many sweet cats needing rescue that she decided she could add one more to her current cat-family of two. When Elke read about KoKo and saw the notes that were left in her cat carrier, she knew she needed to do something. She called me around 8pm EST, the day after my post went live. We had a good discussion about Elke adopting KoKo. I needed to be assured that this was a well thought out decision and that Elke understood what she was getting herself into. She impressed me with her energy and her willingness to take on whatever comes-knowing she'd have to keep her new girl in isolation for two weeks to make sure she didn't bring home anything with her from the shelter, once she arrived. We could have kept KoKo in GA for the two weeks, but Elke was clear on the risks and already has a great cat-only-Vet lined up should KoKo need something.

KoKo did need one thing. She needed a new name, so it would help mark the end of her old life and the beginning of her new one. Her name has been changed to Sophie, in honor of Elke's dear friend's cat, who passed away suddenly.

I thought you'd enjoy seeing some photos from KoKo's journey to become Sophie.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. KoKo peeking out of her new cat carrier just after meeting her new mama.

Okay, now I don't like seeing a cat out of a carrier, outside of a car, but I was assured that there was NO WAY this kitty was going to get loose! I am not going to Alabama to find a cat! Thankfully, it was not an issue at all. Here is Sophie with her new Mama, Elke (below, left) and her sister, who just happened to be visiting from out of town.

©2010 Bobby Stanford. Used with permission. Elke and her sister with KoKo, now Sophie.

I think it's pretty clear they're VERY HAPPY to be meeting their new kitty!

©2010 Elke Napier. Used with permission. Sophie preparing for a belly rub in her new home.

Since Elke has visitors for another day or so, Sophie got to stay in the bathroom. With a thick soft rug to stretch out on and some toys, some good food and love, this kitty was liviin' large. What a far cry from where she was just a few hours previous-in a steel cage on death row.

©2010 Elke Napier. Used with permission. Sophie investigates her new home!

Once company left, Sophie got her OWN ROOM!

©2010 Elke Napier. Used with permission. Queen of the Castle!

Within no time at all she was exploring her new surroundings. Elke reports that so far there has not be any incidents of “inappropriate urination or defecation-” which was the reason for Sophie to be abandoned outside a Vet's office after they had closed for the day.

Although Sophie hasn't met her two new friends, which could cause her to have some issues. So far, so good. I've advised Elke on how to introduce everyone properly. She's willing to take the time it needs so things go smoothly. You can't just put cats in the same room and let them sort it out. With any luck, Sophie will be playing with her new friends, harmoniously and if not, I'll be right here, ready to help.

That seems to be my motto, as of late...