Catching Up! Big News!

Let's start with a pair of CUTE KITTEN photos, shall we? Sasha and Ginger here were found in a garbage can (with rats for company) Not uncommon, folks.  Good news is that they hadn't been there long; were in fine shape, except for having lost their mother. They did just fine here! In fact, they are the only kittens in memory who didn't pick up a cold, or ringworm, or...a bit of runny poo initially, but hey...considering what their diet may have been...Cutest ever! Gorgeous and sweet. Ginger, on the left here, was born to rule. Smart? Oh yeah! And Sasha,  gentle and lovely. It was great having them...and I flirted with never letting 'em go...sooo many frogs were kissed, until the prince(s) came along.  A woman and her daughter, living in a fairy-tale castle in Marin, with a second home, a farm, in Sebastopol. JACKPOT!  They send frequent photos, and the girls are living their VERY best life!! Thank you, ladies!!

Another great 'save'! This lad showed up at one of my colonies with a "Get Me Out Of  Here!" attitude. No collar or chip, no "Missing Cat" posters around, no posting on the County Shelter site...after due diligence, I brought him home, and a friend is fostering (to adopt, I'm sure!) He had been neutered and ear-tipped, as presumed 'ferals' are...but he was no feral, not had been.  He's young, smart, and as you can see, gorgeous! You have to wonder, what misunderstanding brought him to my colony at the vacant lot on Ventura Avenue.
Another young one showed up there too, who was also ear-tipped! He is not willing to let me get close. Someone has either been trapping in the area, or dumping TNR (trap, neuter, return) cats there. Yes, it happens.  And I can understand that the trapper may have thought the cat couldn't go back to where s/he was trapped, and that they'd be fed well at my colony, so...welcome, little one! A lively black/white tuxedo. /he's the second from the right in this photo of the colony. And yes, they're eating my own raw diet! They have the safety of the fully fenced vacant lot, and I can keep a low profile: feed them on the cement; no bowls, save for the water dish (in white by the fence)  to attract unwanted attention from folks who may be hostile. Gotta say though, everyone I've met there has been friendly and supportive! Nice folks!

Aaaaand, Happy Joe Lee still needs a home.  I'd love to keep him, if he'd only stop attacking the other cats. Needs to be an only cat. Joe is super glad to meet new folks...super eager to please, and of course gorgeous and vibrant.  He's still in the cage, and I bring him up into the house every day, keeping an eye on him. He's neutered, FeLV and FIV negative...and maybe three years old.  even if you can't adopt, come meet him! he loves company, and the cage gets OLD.

And last but not least, some of  us from the Animal Hospice Group (animalhospicegroup.com) practitioner certification classes are forming an auxiliary group, Animal Natural Death Support Group.  We will be available to chat with and support folks who are interested in allowing their animals to die naturally, or in just learning more.  Death itself is not painful! Pain can almost always be managed. End-of-life care is an area of veterinary medicine which has been sorely neglected! (as is nutrition, alas) I'll let you know when the group is up and running, and am available to chat before then, if you are wondering how to effect the best outcome for an animal at the end of her/his life. Happy to hear from you at any time! 510-994-1704.

And ending with another lovely photo! Our most recent adoption, Ginger (not in photo) and Sasha, here, with her new friend.! Another perfect home...with perfect adopters! Gotta keep the faith!