Petey's Long Road

This is a picture of Petey packed up and ready to go to his new home. As you all may know, he went into Foster care last November. Unfortunately, Petey's foster parent did not take care of him as a foster parent should and Petey has grown to not trust people. We definitely suspect that he was abused and by the hands of his foster dad with a broom. It took me with the help of others months to try to get him out of his foster care home. Essentially, his foster parent was holding him hostage. Thankfully, we were able to finally get poor Petey out. The unfortunate part is this once friendly cat is now insanely petrified of people. He would spit hiss and swat and growl if he even saw a human. I had never seen that side of him before and my heart broke. I have had many sleepless nights over this and will continue to do so. A nice woman who has a barn was more then willing to take Petey and a bunch of other cats in to care for them. At this point, after Petey was in a home for so long I felt it was the best option. He will be out of arms way and will hopefully learn to love and trust humans again from a distance and maybe, just maybe in time he will be the Petey he once was. It's for instances like this why shelters and rescues are so hard on adoption interviews. The person who was fostering him actually was associated with a rescue and I personally thought would never do something like this. I was wrong, very, very wrong. Hopefully, now in his new home hours away from the big city lights, I can do right by Petey this time around and he will have another chance. We love you Petey and you will always be with us and I am forever sorry.

Libby

This is Libby. She was trapped on April 13th. She was spayed, vaccinated, microchipped etc on April 14th. She went into a foster home on April 14th, but was so lonely and would howl through the night that we thought it would be best to release her back out. She was released on April 19th.

My Newest Colony Member

This is my next guy that I am going to TNR. His markings are absolutely beautiful. John Christopher has already welcomed him into the Secret Society which is great. John Christopher is so loving that way. Such a loving cat who loves other cats. The great thing about this new guy is he doesn't run from me. I also moved within one foot of him and sat there and he sniffed my finger. Great signs. He definitely can't be a house cat, but it's great to see that he will definitely become friendly with me at least. I will let you know when I trap him and when he is named. If you would like to name him, all you have to do is pay his $30.00 sponsorship fee.

Updates Updates Updates

I have been out of touch with good reason, more on that story to come. However, in the mean time over the next week. I will be posting updates everyday great things to look forward to. So lets get the ball rolling....Stay tuned

Instead of Footprints in the Sand....Pawprints in the Snow

Always a beautiful sight.

Hide and Seek

Happy New Year Everyone! And what a new year it has been already. It's only going into the second month and boy has it been challenging already. Let's move straight to the punch....

My number one guy and colony member, John Christopher went missing around the Christmas Holidays. Typically, John John will come when called and is waiting for me every night when I get home from work. Well around the Holidays this was not the case. I was severely concerned that something might have happened to him. Every day and every night I would go up and down the alleys and streets calling out to him and he was no where to be found. I was very upset because John John has never strayed before, and one of the things that really concerned me is that since accumalating his girlfriend he had never left her side. However, there she was every night, as was his bestfriend, but he was no where to be found. I cried many nights and laid awake wondering what had happened to him. If only I could find him. However, I didn't give up. I prayed to Saint Francis of Assisi. The Patron of Animals, and to my Dear Aunt, to please come to me if he had indeed passed, and was the unfortunate victim of the cold or an accident. They did not come. I prayed for his safe return and still went out day and night calling out to him. Well finally on Thursday, January 14th my prayers were answered. I was letting my last dog out to go potty and I did my typical calling out to John John and all of a sudden I heard a light meow. I freaked. I hesitated for a moment, thinking maybe it was one of my own cats at my back door, meowing, trying to get out since they knew I was on the back porch, they often do this. But I had chills, I just knew. I called out to him again frantically and he responded with another meow. I booked in to my house grabbed a pair of shoes, without a jacket, and ran to the alley feverishly calling out to him. To my surprise and delight, there he was, like an angel, meowing repeatedly at me. That moment it was like the world was still and my own little miracle happened, John John had returned and was home again. I was so ecstatic as was he. He just kept meowing and meowing. His friends greeted him and showed him how they were also happy for his return. I knew he was trying to tell me where he was and about everything that happened, but unfortunately couldn't understand. If only I could be the beast master for one day, to have the gift to be able to speak to and understand the animals. How lovely would that be and I'm sure how heart breaking at the same time. Since then, John John has stayed close with his friends and is there once again every night to meet me at dinner time and to come when called. It's great to have the family back together again. We <3 you John Christopher!

Update-Northerly

With the Seasons to be jolly, Northerly's new parents were ever so kind to spread some Holiday cheer and send some pictures of Northerly in her home. It's receiving pictures like this, that make what I do so worth it. Happy Holidays Everyone!



Please think about donating this season, so I can continue to trap and we can have more happy endings.

Introducing Petey

This is Petey. He was a new member to my colony recently and my instinct right away was that he wasn't feral. He reacted very skittish to everything going on around him outside. He wasn't confidant and didn't carry the street smarts that my ferals have. You could tell he wanted to approach me was a little bit unsure. It was up to me to bring that friendly little cat outside of him. Well my secret weapon of a little wetfood did the trick. I try to feed my secret society a canned/wet food meal once a day besides the dry they get all the time. Well it worked. Petey gained my trust and I was petting him in no time flat. He was rubbing all over my legs welcoming and thanking me. He needed to be trapped and needed to have the chance at having a home. Thanks to a special someone providing a donation, I was able to trap Petey this past Friday night, 11/6/09. I than brought him to the Tree House Low Cost Spay/Neuter clinic Saturday morning to be neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and fiv/felv tested (which came out negative). Petey has now entered into a foster home Monday, 11/9/09 until he can be admitted to a No Kill shelter so he can be adopted out. If you are interested in adopting Petey, please contact me.

Release Day for Guni

Guni was released on 10/18/09 and was very much of a stud about it. He's still a loner and loves to reak havoc on my colony every time he comes. Since his neuter surgery and his addition to the colony his coat has become beautiful. Thank you to the donator, without you this trapping would have not been possible.

Introducing Guni

In celebration of National Feral Cat day, I decided to trap. I figured what better way to celebrate such an incredible day by getting lucky on being able to trap a cat. I also hoped that it would help keep me busy and keep my mind off Milo since he was admitted to my Vet's office for the weekend due to him having to have a catheter in for 24hrs to help with his blockage. So I decided to try. Well I'm glad I did. I was able to trap a newbie that has joined our Secret Society. Lucky me, I was able to trap him within the 30min I put the trap out. I actually stood to the side and watched as it all went down. He was attracted by one of my secret weapons, catnip. I always place catnip at the trip plate in order to entice them in. Who could resist catnip right? Well it worked. I also want to make it known that this trapping wouldn't have been able to take place without donations from you. Thank you. Due to the kind heart of someone, I was able to trap Guni and have him neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated this morning at TH. Right now, he is recovering and I will release him back out tomorrow evening at feeding time. I also have to add the more time I spent with Guni the more I've come to believe that he is possibility a sibling of my Atreyu and Falkor. He has the same colors as Falkor did as a baby. He is truly beautiful. He has a long black haired coat with a smokey grey undercoat (his pictures by far do not do him justice at all!!). If he is indeed their sibling, his age is about 1yrs old. So without further ado, I'd like to introduce Guni to you and again Thank you.

National Feral Cat Day

October 16th is National Feral Cat Day. Make a difference and improve the lives in our nation's cats. For more information on what you can do please go to the website http://www.alleycat.org/

Also, in Celebration of National Feral Cat Day, please think about sponsoring a cat. What better way to celebrate someone than naming a cat after in the memory of a loved one. Please donate today.

Milo my own cat

It's been a rough day. Last night, when I got home from work I noticed that my cat Milo was going from litter box to litter box trying to pee without having any urine output. I monitored him closely and watched his reactions he was straining, lay on his side in discomfort, and was agitated when I tried to check his bladder, he threw up once and knew exactly what I was dealing with. He had urinary blockage. I was only able to know what was going on from my past experience with this. You can find out more what urinary blockage/obstruction is here.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/fusfaqs.html
http://petdoc.com/story/urinary-tract-blockage-cats
http://www.petplace.com/cats/urinary-obstruction-in-cats/page1.aspx

Because of my experience I knew how important it was to rush Milo to the ER. Urinary blockage can kill your cat within hours. We spent all night at the ER and finally got home at 2:00am. I had to monitor him closely for the next 8-10 hours which is critical because blockage can occur again within 48hrs. We went to our regular vet this morning to recheck him and to express his bladder to make sure he was still opened. He is. Thankfully. I will be monitoring Milo diligently the next 48hrs to watch his urine output. He has since than been put on a c/d multi diet and has to be given 200cc's of subq fluids for the next (2) two days so we can keep him extremely hydrated. We need to make sure his continues to pee to flush out his system. Again, the next 48hours are very important. We have another vet appointment Saturday morning to continue to check that the uretha is still opened. I am on no sleep, but it of course is all worth it because he is my number 1.

I cannot express enough, the importance of monitoring your cats and watching their behavior. If I hadn't been aware of my cat's normal behavior and taken him to the ER, he wouldn't be here with me today.

Engywook- Available for Adoption

I'd like to introduce Engywook. Engywook was one of the members of my colony. However, right away I was able to tell that he wasn't feral and had a wonderful demeanor. Engywook is very loveable and such a big handsome boy. Him and I would sit outside in my yard together for hours even in the rain. The rain never bothered him, he loved the company, and he especially loved when he had his catnip toys. Boy, does he love his catnip toys. Other things he loves..being held, loves to be brushed, treats, and playtime, just to name a few. Engywook was admitted to the No Kill shelter Tree House Humane Society where he still awaits his forever home. Engywook is dear to my heart not just because he is such a big teddy bear, but he is also the father of my cats Atreyu and Falkor. Could you be the one Engywook has been waiting for to join their forever home? Could be. To find more information about Tree House please visit www.treehousenaimals.org to possibly visit and adopt Engywook.

The Infamous Racoons

I thought you would all get a kick out of seeing the little culprits that I battled with every night. I have since than switched my feeding schedules earlier so there are no more battles, who like war anyway? Especially when my outside furry children are at risk. I became very worried because one night the coons came out and I whole heartedly believe that John Christopher was trying to protect me. The coon started to walk up and JC went into pounce mode, those people with cats know what I'm talking about. In fear knowing that John would undoubtedly would get killed or extremely hurt my quick reaction was to throw the nearest thing next to me, a plastic cup to scare the coon away. John also got spooked and I think a little mad at me, but he got over it and was right there waiting for me the next night. Anyhow, the pictures you will see below are all from the same night. Mom coon was on the top of the lower garage sniffing out because she knew I was feeding. However, as you can see on the garage directly next to the mom coon, you will see a baby coon watching her, and than in a matter of a second another sibling watching. It was a cute sight, but my ferals come first. Since I have switched feeding times we haven't had any problems as of lately. Keeping the paws crossed and hoping that I don't jinx it. Anyhow enjoy...

Ferals Ferals Ferals

I have some updated photos of the feral colony that I have out back. It is growing at a fast rate. I have new members constantly joining, maybe they know something I don't, a secret society? Not sure, but what I do know is I am lucky to have them. However, with new members comes more spay and neuters, so please in celebration of National Feral Cat Day, please think about donating. We have 5 new colony members, total cost of spay/neuter, microchip, vetting, and vaccines will cost a total of 130.00 for all. Also, please remember if you donate $30.oo you are more than welcomed to name an official cat. Now, let's me some of the members of this secret society....



This is Momma. She was the very first feline of my colony aka secret society. She knows her name and comes when I call her. I am very very protective of her. Maybe it could be because we share a secret. She is the biological mom of my baby Atreyu and my other baby who is deceased Falkor (we miss you all the time!) She is absolutely gorgeous and I love her so. She is spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped.



This is John Christopher. He is my big boy. Again, I am very protective over him (hmmm, I think I'm protective over all of them) John Christopher and I have conversations all the time. He LOVES to talk to me. We talk about oh so many things...the weather, the economy, what kinds of cat food he likes best, etc. Always a good time. He is always the first one to greet me and I look forward to his compnay. He is neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.



These two beautiful black long haired babies are also a part of the SS. They wait for me every night with Momma and John Christopher. I like to call them my fabulous four. As you can see by the pictures, all of them get along fabulously and patiently wait as the others eat until their turn. These two still need sponsors. They still need to be named, spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. Please open your hearts and sponsor one of these cats. Just $30.oo will allow a cat to be s/n, vaccinated, and microchipped. You will also have the honor to name them officially. Please help them to live a longer life and donate today.

Updates

So we have some great news...Adoptions! All five kittens Matilda, Farrah, Jackson, Winston, and Kazimeras were adopted out of the No-kill Shelter Animal Care League. Also, Northerly was adopted from the No-Kill Shelter Tree House Humane Society. Let's give 6 cheers to wishing them long wonderful happy lives in their new homes! All of their new parents said they are doing wonderfully and adjusted very well. Hopefully their new adopters will send us some updated photos in their homes so I can post them soon.

Missing In Action

I just wanted to apologize to everyone for being MIA. It has been very difficult to keep up my blog as of late. Work was getting extremely busy to the point I was so burnt out, especially to come home and than to have to take care of my whole zoo and my colony and take care of the house, phew, I'm tired just thinking about it. Also, on the weekends, I was going to my cousin's house to visit and spend time with my Aunt (who I love sooooo soooo much) who was dying of cancer. On Aug. 23rd, she unfortunately passed away. I have since than been taking my time to mourn and have spent my time alone and with my furry kids and my colony. However, I know she would want me to get back to doing what I love. So over the next few days and weeks, I will have sooo many updates so please bear with me. Thank you.

Sorry that I haven't been so great updating in the past 2wks. I recently put a hold on trapping cats after I finally was able to find the kittens a foster home and a No kill shelter to admit them. Two of the kittens ended up having fleas and well in order to protect my household and all of my kids I had to shell out a hell of alot of money for Frontline Plus for every member in my household. Let's just say there goes the money for my entertainment center. Since there hasn't been any donations lately I have not been able to continue to trap the rest of the colony that has been formed outside my house. I have 3 more members that need to be neutered and spayed. Please if you can make a donation today that would be wonderful.

On another note, it has been an everyday battle me against the raccoons. Every night I have a stand off with a couple of raccoons to try and protect my feral food to make sure my kids eat. It's actually pretty funny. One night, one of the raccoons was standing there staring at me as I was growling at him and he at me. Well he decided to run to the side and started chirping, and I just had this feeling something was up. I guessed right, his sibling came to give him some back up. As soon as his sibling came, he darted out at me. Well let's just say he had me running for the door. Score 1 for him that night. However, the next night came along and I came prepared. It was me against the raccoon again. This time he had his sibling with him right off bat, however what he didn't know was I too had backup, my own secret weapon, my pittie dog Kat. As soon as the raccoons saw her, they took off running. Score 1 for me. Ever since, it has been a constant battle and every night I check on my kids multiple times to make sure they are eating and drinking their food & water and not the coons. Not only do I want to protect my ferals since raccoons are extremely mean and have no problem fighting to protect their food, but I also don't want to hurt the raccoons. Many of you may not know, but dry cat food is extremely unhealthy for raccoons. It can cause gout and can kill the raccoon in time.

Anyhow, I must go check on my kids again. I can always tell when the coons have been by. They have a habit of knocking over all of the water and food bowls. And since it's been extremely warm this weekend, I have about 5 water bowls placed in different areas. So it becomes annoying every time I see them knocked over again, and again, again. Anyhow, paws crossed.

Off to Foster land and than Admit

It wasn't too long ago that 5 kittens who someone threw into my garbage found their way into my heart and home. I have been fostering Jackson, Kazimeras, Winston, Farrah, and Matilda for almost a month now. My little boy Atreyu and I have become quite fond of these beautiful and oh so wonderul kittens and all of their little personalities and quarks. Everyday there was something new. It was like watching your child walk for the first time with their little brother holding their hand showing them the way. Without even a meow they pulled at your heart strings. Well today was the day that I had to play that role of the parent letting their child go off to college and lead their own lives. Today my foster children embarked on a new chapter in their life. They are now going to be fostered by a wonderful women from Animal Care League in Oak Park. They will live with her until they are old enough to be spayed & neutered and than they will be admitted to the No Kill Shelter and go up for adoption at the Animal Care League. Please look for them. As for now, good bye my sweet children, I know you will make your mommy proud. Atreyu and I will miss you! Meow~

Matilda aka Milly Grey Female
Winston Black Male
Kazimeras aka Baby Kaz Long haired Brown Tabby
Jackson Black, Grey, and White Male Tabby
Farrah Short haired Brown spotted and striped Tabby

A little step

Things have been busy in my world as of lately. Actually, being busy isn't anything different than the norm. However, I still have the 5 kittens who have been named Farrah, Kazmir, Jackson, Winston, and Matilda and they are have added to my busy schedule and boy are they keeping me on my toes. Good news, once they have been vetted they will go up for adoption. Because of the added additions, I haven't been able to update my blog as often as I would like and I apologize that.

On another note, John Christopher and Jerome have become very good friends and are coming around nicely. Each one is become increasingly comfortable with me and have been coming to eat with me sitting not even a foot away from their food. Just tonight, Jerome was rubbing his body all over the garbage cans and purring away as his buddy John Christopher ate. This is truly a break through and I can't wait for even more progress to be made. I will keep you updated.