Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The power of coincidence
A little over 3 years ago a young teen girl that I knew disappeared from school one Friday evening in early November. Volunteer search teams were organized and about a week after her disappearance, I joined the search teams. In total, I went out on 21 days, including Thanksgiving, a cold blustery day, when we had a total of 6 people going out. I went out that day with the father of another girl who had disappeared years before and been found murdered about 2 weeks after her disappearance.
During that same period of time the following excerpt was published in the UUWorld....and the coincidental nature of the two events hit me in a way that I can't describe. In early March of the next year, her jawbone was found, miles and miles away from where we had been searching, but in a place that perhaps helped the jury to decide the guilt of the person accused of her disappearance and murder.
She was found the Friday before his preliminary hearing the next week. A hearing at which many of us felt there would not be sufficient evidence to charge him with murder, as she had not been found, so who was to say that she was actually dead, let alone murdered.
In another odd twist of fate, I went to church yesterday, primarily to take pictures of our young adults vocal ensemble, for our adult music program bulletin board. I knew that we had a guest minister, who had been speaking at various activities all weekend, and I had read her bio, but somehow the significance had not registered.
When she was introduced yesterday and began to speak, I realized that she was the same minister who had written the excerpt that I had read in 2007. I was profoundly moved by her sermon, as were many of the singers, and members of both the congregations who heard her at the 10 and 11:30 services.
At the end of the first service, for the benediction, she recited The 23rd Psalm, with the word 'Lord' replaced by the word "love". I had been recording the service but did not have my recorder on at that point, I was thinking that I might ask her for a copy later. As it happened, I was there also at the end of the second service, another 'coincidence' having forgotten my rather pricey music recorder in the loft, and only realizing as much after I made it home.
But for the second service, there was a different benediction. But my prayer had not been forgotten, for as I reread her words from 2007 today, there it was..... "Love is my shepherd, I shall not want, Love makes me lie down in green pastures, Love leads me beside the still waters....."
I was able to speak with her after the service, to buy a copy of her latest book, and to ask about the article in the UU World. At that point, I was unsure if she had written it, or if I had misrememberd the article, or if even there was such an article. In my mind, the person who wrote the article was a grey haired woman of 60 something, which did not fit with my experience of Kate Braestrup yesterday; a vibrant chestnut haired sprite.
So today, I went online to the UU World, to back issues, and trusting my memory pulled up the winter 2007 issues, and there it was, the excerpt from Kate's current book at the time.....which follows.... note the date....11/1/07......Cori disappeared 11/9/07.
One thing I am sure of
'God is not less kind, less committed, or less merciful than a Maine game warden.'
By Kate Braestrup
Winter 2007 11.1.07
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The river, she wins......
So after fighting a strong sense of making a wrong choice by moving away from the river, as well as leaving the wildlife that shares this area with us, my 'little room with a view', the friends I've made here, and the endless variety of opportunities to either walk, or run, for as many miles as my legs will take me......
and after spending a sleepless night with my shoulders and neck tied in knots, (painful ones at that), and after thinking about the new house, and the other places I've looked at, and how none of them have the opportunities for Halle to view her world, and watch birds, squirrels, cats, dogs, portulaca possum, and various other friends and creatures.......
and after thinking how can I continue my blog which is titled 'Bon Temps on the River.blogspot.com', if I'm not actually ON the river......
I realized that one more time in my life, I was trying to force myself to do something that may have made sense at some cognitive level, but that made no sense to my heart, and soul........to say nothing of something that made no sense to Halle...she says 7 moves are quite enough for her taste, thankyouverymuch.....
So I'm staying...for once I managed to make the decision before I'd done something that would have been harder to undo (like signing a contract).......
And we supposedly have weather moving in, with freezing rain and snow predicted....Here I have my gas stove, so that if the worst happens, I can still have hot food, and hot water, and coffee, and some warmth.....and we have Frankie who will salt our sidewalks to keep us safe, and each other for company......
Life is good, it is OK to just stay as I am, in fact it is more than OK it is fabulous......to be good with where I am......but it is a lesson that somehow I must keep learning.....
Monday, January 17, 2011
Now may be the time......
I have spent much of my life living within a mile of my river, if not on its banks.....soon after moving into an apartment literally on the banks of the river 4 years ago, there was suddenly talk of how much better the river would be if commercialized.
The talk centered around taking 100 acres of the west bank of the river right at the exact point where I lived. Nothing was said publicly about taking out the apartments, but there was no way I could see to get the 100 acres without tearing down my home and the home of many others.
The river has a path along both banks which gets lots of foot and bicycle traffic, yet, the west bank is 'the road less traveled' and so has many sights that the east bank doesn't. The trail along the east bank is also bordered by a 4 lane road. The speed limit is 40 mph, but many seem to feel that doesn't apply to them, and routinely whiz by going 50, 60, and up from there.
Thus the westbank is quieter, has more opportunities to view wildlife, and to slow down. So when the talk came of 'commercializing' it with restaurants, bars, etc, my heart sank. I protested loud and long to anyone I could find, wrote letters explaining how there seem to be so few areas left where people can be close to nature, without car traffic.
One such experience came when I was walking the path, and a grandfather, and grandson passed me on bicycles. The first I knew of them was as I was walking down a steep incline with a right angle turn at the bottom (if you go straight, you get to go swimming in the river). One morning I heard someone say, "Do you know how to use your brakes", and thought uhoh, and turned to see the grandfather, and grandson who might have been 6 or 7. The grandson replied 'yes' and smoothly passed me, and safely made the turn.
I caught up with them again later, as they had stopped. The young man was picking up goose tail feathers and giving them to his granddad to keep. One was pretty much like another, but the grandfather was carefully taking each one and putting them in his backpack.
Again they climbed on their bikes and road off. Further down the path was a little inlet adjoining a floating amphitheater. They had stopped there again, as the boy had seen many turtles sunning. There were also several little blue herons wading in the water, and people had stopped to take pictures of them.
The boy was wanting his grandfather to take pictures of the turtles as well.Living there, and watching people's joy as they had these brushes with nature, to me is priceless. The path is open to anyone, and all its delights are free. There are many of us who can't take fancy (or even not fancy) vacations to wilderness spots, or national parks, but we can enjoy these sights free, and without extensive travel.
I had recently seen this article which to me seemed to express the feelings and thoughts that I have about my river........http://blog.nature.org/2010/10/why-we-love-rivers-our-threads-of-wildness-and-mystery/
To commercialize this area seemed sure to change the whole 'vibe'. I decided rather than sit there and wait for it to happen, I would simply move to the other bank. There it is more congested, with fewer opportunities to witness nature, and with more traffic, traffic noise, and exhaust, but it is still rather unspoiled compared to some places. I felt it would be safe from further development because there are old historic housing districts nearby, and I was sure the residents of those places would not want commercial development en masse next to their homes.
So evidently I was wrong, and now the plan is to develop both sides of the river, with the current plan to take the apartments where I live (which were quietly sold for such a purpose 3 years ago).
So I've decided rather than stay and worry about when and how and where I'd go, and what will happen to all the creatures, great and small who live and travel through here, I would just move further from the river.
A type of 'out of sight, out of mind' defense. I also decided to try to once again buy a little house, where I can have my own small nature preserve, albeit without a river running through it.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Animal planning......
So many years ago when I was in graduate school, and after spending what was then a lifetime with animals....I learned that animals don't have feelings, and many were theorizing don't do advanced problem solving......Just another example of why I'm a not a huge proponent of the results of research in psychological, educational, kids and animals areas.......
Of course the research community has turned round quite a bit in terms of animals, at least, since then......and my additional 40 years with creatures has just supported my original thoughts......
Still the things they do are amazing, and also quite funny (if not irritating) at times....
There's this guy who comes frequently and stares in the sliding glass door until I put some apple slices out for him.....although there are sunflower seeds easily within his reach, fresh fruit takes precedence at this point...
...and then there's Ms. Halle B Berry Black Cat......
Halle is, as you may have read in a previous post, the only cat that I've had since kittenhood since I was probably 20. The others were adopted as adults from shelters....Halle came from the mean streets of the city as a kitten, albeit a black one, right before Halloween (not a healthy time to be a wandering black kitten).
Halle has, to say the least, not been a very interactive, or affectionate cat. This may support the belief that shelter animals are so happy for another chance.....at this point I can't even say second chance, as Ms. Toby Cat was adopted from a rescue after having been abandoned by her previous owner 3 times at the vet's office, so it was maybe her 4th chance?
Halle's primary interests in life are food, food, food, and watching creatures great and small out the sliding glass door. She does become quite interactive when she thinks it's time for a meal. She also has a strong sense of routine, every night she gets her hairball medicine, one of her favorite treats, and luckily will sit patiently while I get ready for bed, awaiting her turn.
Thank goodness, as I've mentioned, she has switched her morning routine from feet biting, to lying next to me purring until I wake up sufficiently to get up and feed her.
She also, as I've mentioned, used to be quite huge, and as a 'perk' of her new size, she loves to get on top of the kitchen cabinets.....for the most part she goes from the counter, to the top of the fridge, to the top of the cabinets, and back down. Not sure why, other than to prove that she can.....
But lately she's managed to get on top of the cabinets over the range. I am not at all sure how......except that it often involves many missed tries, and lots of banging and noise.......
The thing is that once she gets up there, the only way down (at least independently) is to jump to the floor, and out over some things nearby on the floor.....so she's been stuck up there, until I get her down.....
For the first several times, after I would move a chair over to the cabinet, and climb up on it, she would back away from me, and stay just out of reach. I could call her, and she might come to the edge, but would back away again.....until I managed to grasp a leg, and drag her to the edge, and then down......
But now, it would seem that she knows exactly what she's doing, and that there is a purpose in what she does......because now she walks to the edge looks over and cries.....when I get the chair and climb up, she now will reach out for my shoulder, climb on my shoulder til secured, and lowered to the level she can easily hop down......
Today as I was standing watching her trying to see what she'd do if I just ignored her, she put her feet over the edge and stared at me as if to say...I've done my part, now get up here and get me down.....
It is as if she needs to be reassured that indeed I do cherish her, not only enough to feed her, but to rescue her from high places......
I'm thinking there are probably many of us who would like to be reminded that they are cherished, beyond the point of being fed, but to the point of being rescued from danger.....even if it's only imaginary........
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thoughts from the past week....
Several things have caught my attention this past week related to the shootings in Arizona, and the topics of violence whether directed at oneself or at another.
One of the first interviews that I heard from Arizona included a comment about a woman who had taken the ammunition clip from the shooter. I was in a way not surprised that it was a woman who intervened, but did have a specific mental picture of her as I heard the story.
Last night during President Obama's remarks in Tucson, he mentioned 'petite Patricia' who got the clip away from the gunman, and so my mental picture changed a bit. Later watching a different news service coverage of the event, I saw a woman (albeit from the back) surrounded by people and waving just after the remark by the President. The woman I saw appeared to be wearing black clothing, and had short GREY (no not platinum blond) GREY hair. I thought there is way more to this story than I first believed, and so today have tried to find a picture to confirm my new 'picture' of Petite Patricia Maisch, and her actions. Here is an interview with her posted on You Tube.
.http://youtu.be/TWmHtuGQgms
I am reminded again of some of the experiences that I've written about here, (The kindness of strangers, Anniversaries) that we never know who our angels or heroes will be, and any of us, as President Obama said, can become one.
I had also written about what to do if one is concerned with the safety of an individual, or oneself, and the need to pass that concern or information along to someone in a position to help. One way to do so is to contact "Hotlines" Phone numbers set up for assistance with crisis or possible crisis intervention.
Today there was an article in the local paper today which included the number for one such hotline, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, (800) 273-8255.
There is also an Oklahoma State Hotline to prevent violence in schools, 1-877-SAFECALL, 1-877-723-3225 ext. 651 or http://www.oksafecall.com. I have experience with this hotline, it does work. When I worked in the schools, we had the number posted visibly many places, and staff frequently reminded students, staff, parents, that if they were concerned about a safety issue, one option was to call the hotline.
Another such number is the Child Abuse Prevention Hotline in Oklahoma 1-800-522-3511. I also have experience with this one. In a workshop a former DHS worker mentioned that the calls going to the hotline (at that time, and hopefully still so) were routed directly to a supervisor.
I propose a National Violence Prevention Hotline, and if there is one, much more publicity for it!
We can and must (in my humble opinion) do more to be in safe, caring, respectful community with each other, and to protect each other.
One of the first interviews that I heard from Arizona included a comment about a woman who had taken the ammunition clip from the shooter. I was in a way not surprised that it was a woman who intervened, but did have a specific mental picture of her as I heard the story.
Last night during President Obama's remarks in Tucson, he mentioned 'petite Patricia' who got the clip away from the gunman, and so my mental picture changed a bit. Later watching a different news service coverage of the event, I saw a woman (albeit from the back) surrounded by people and waving just after the remark by the President. The woman I saw appeared to be wearing black clothing, and had short GREY (no not platinum blond) GREY hair. I thought there is way more to this story than I first believed, and so today have tried to find a picture to confirm my new 'picture' of Petite Patricia Maisch, and her actions. Here is an interview with her posted on You Tube.
.http://youtu.be/TWmHtuGQgms
I am reminded again of some of the experiences that I've written about here, (The kindness of strangers, Anniversaries) that we never know who our angels or heroes will be, and any of us, as President Obama said, can become one.
I had also written about what to do if one is concerned with the safety of an individual, or oneself, and the need to pass that concern or information along to someone in a position to help. One way to do so is to contact "Hotlines" Phone numbers set up for assistance with crisis or possible crisis intervention.
Today there was an article in the local paper today which included the number for one such hotline, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, (800) 273-8255.
There is also an Oklahoma State Hotline to prevent violence in schools, 1-877-SAFECALL, 1-877-723-3225 ext. 651 or http://www.oksafecall.com. I have experience with this hotline, it does work. When I worked in the schools, we had the number posted visibly many places, and staff frequently reminded students, staff, parents, that if they were concerned about a safety issue, one option was to call the hotline.
Another such number is the Child Abuse Prevention Hotline in Oklahoma 1-800-522-3511. I also have experience with this one. In a workshop a former DHS worker mentioned that the calls going to the hotline (at that time, and hopefully still so) were routed directly to a supervisor.
I propose a National Violence Prevention Hotline, and if there is one, much more publicity for it!
We can and must (in my humble opinion) do more to be in safe, caring, respectful community with each other, and to protect each other.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Is it just me?
Is is just me or does it seem like someone needs to wake up and smell the coffee, in that it would seem the more violent our movies, TV, video games and so forth become, the more we are seeing people use violence as a solution to those irritating things such as:
People whose political views are different than ours, even if we aren't really sure what ours are or what theirs are; people who get in our way in traffic; parents who ask us to do chores; significant others who don't want to be our significant other anymore; someone who wears a color of clothing that I don't like; someone whose religious beliefs are different than mine, again even if I'm not sure what mine are or what theirs are.......
you get the picture......
As a professional who worked with children for many years, I am always amazed by the experts who do research that tells us that violent movies and games do not increase violent acts in children (one of my favorites along with the finding that sugar intake is not associated with increases in activity level, or just plan hyper behavior in children).
We seemed to have gotten the message regarding sex to a bit, at least there seems to be discussion about limiting young person's exposure, but with violence we just can't manage to get our heads around the fact that people learn to problem solve based on what they see. So if most places they look they see people solving problems with violence, how do they choose differently? Years ago studies were done regarding cartoons which present some of the most violent scenes available.
What on earth has to happen to get us to wake up? First of all there are some people who are clearly risks to other's safety. There are some people who are clearly at risk for their own safety.
If you have a concern about someone pass the information along, if you're at school, tell a counselor, or administrator, if you're a child tell a parent or other responsible adult, if you're an adult report it to the police, or other law enforcement agency.
If you're concerned and you feel that the person that you've told doesn't share your concern, tell someone else. Call a stop the violence hotline, or a child abuse hotline, speak up, speak out, be persistent.
If you're a parent or family member with a child that you're afraid of, get help, keep asking for help from mental health agencies, the school, law enforcement until you have been heard, and you feel that your child, your family and yourself will be safe.
As neighbors and citizens, we simply must demand (in my humble opinion) an end to the showing of violence as a means to resolve disagreements.
That there can be an hour long special on the events leading to the shooting of 20 people, including the death of 6, which is interrupted by a commercial for a new series showing people shooting or blowing up those they disagree which is insanity (again in my opinion) and irresponsibility to the highest degree.
Come on folks, wake up, stop the madness.....who else has to die before we do?
People whose political views are different than ours, even if we aren't really sure what ours are or what theirs are; people who get in our way in traffic; parents who ask us to do chores; significant others who don't want to be our significant other anymore; someone who wears a color of clothing that I don't like; someone whose religious beliefs are different than mine, again even if I'm not sure what mine are or what theirs are.......
you get the picture......
As a professional who worked with children for many years, I am always amazed by the experts who do research that tells us that violent movies and games do not increase violent acts in children (one of my favorites along with the finding that sugar intake is not associated with increases in activity level, or just plan hyper behavior in children).
We seemed to have gotten the message regarding sex to a bit, at least there seems to be discussion about limiting young person's exposure, but with violence we just can't manage to get our heads around the fact that people learn to problem solve based on what they see. So if most places they look they see people solving problems with violence, how do they choose differently? Years ago studies were done regarding cartoons which present some of the most violent scenes available.
What on earth has to happen to get us to wake up? First of all there are some people who are clearly risks to other's safety. There are some people who are clearly at risk for their own safety.
If you have a concern about someone pass the information along, if you're at school, tell a counselor, or administrator, if you're a child tell a parent or other responsible adult, if you're an adult report it to the police, or other law enforcement agency.
If you're concerned and you feel that the person that you've told doesn't share your concern, tell someone else. Call a stop the violence hotline, or a child abuse hotline, speak up, speak out, be persistent.
If you're a parent or family member with a child that you're afraid of, get help, keep asking for help from mental health agencies, the school, law enforcement until you have been heard, and you feel that your child, your family and yourself will be safe.
As neighbors and citizens, we simply must demand (in my humble opinion) an end to the showing of violence as a means to resolve disagreements.
That there can be an hour long special on the events leading to the shooting of 20 people, including the death of 6, which is interrupted by a commercial for a new series showing people shooting or blowing up those they disagree which is insanity (again in my opinion) and irresponsibility to the highest degree.
Come on folks, wake up, stop the madness.....who else has to die before we do?
Monday, January 10, 2011
Anniversaries
So yesterday and today we are having our first snow of the season, and last night there were multiple wrecks due to icy bridges mainly, which get slick quickly even when the roads are not.
Several friends have posted or made comments about people getting home safely, and so I was reminded of first one experience, and then a second along those lines.
I think the first came to mind because tomorrow is the anniversary of an odd experience. One which again teaches the blessing of people, or ? (fill in the blank with who or what you think they are) who magically appear to help one in a difficult situation.
Nine years ago tomorrow, I had gone on foot to the Vet's office with a friend. She had suggested that we go a ways out of our way to cross a busy city four lane street with a light. The vet's office was actually at the end of my street, so I typically would cross there, and just take my chances with the traffic. I thought safety a good plan so agreed.
On the way back, we stopped at the light, and pushed the crossing button. The light turned green, the walk sign came on and we started across. About halfway across, I saw a car coming from our right (approaching the red light), and it was coming quickly. I wasn't sure it was going to stop short of the cross walk where we were so I slowed, kept watching it and said something like "I hope that you stop".
At about the same time, my friend said "Watch Out", grabbed me by the front of my coat and pulled me forward. I looked over my left shoulder just in time to see a small pick-up truck heading straight for me. Luckily for me, although I got hit, it was by the mirror and on my shoulder. The force knocked me to the ground, and my friend helped me up. The truck pulled into a convenience store parking lot, slowed, and then kept going.
My friend helped me to the same parking lot where I sat down on the sidewalk and tried to figure out, if I was OK and what had just happened. A large city water truck had been parked across the street, and the crew with that truck came over to see if they could help in any way.
Another man came by who had gotten the tag number of the truck. My friend who had pulled me to safety, had in addition gotten a description of the truck, the man, and half the tag number.
Someone had called 911, soon a fire engine (first responders) appeared, then an ambulance. I still was not really making too much sense, and my ankle hurt terribly, and we had no car available, so the ambulance took me (slowly no lights or sirens, thank goodness) to the ER.
Once there when looking at my foot, it appeared that a goose had laid an egg on the side of my foot below my ankle bone, but that was my main injury. Later I ended up with a bruise the length of my other calf, which matched the tire mark on my shoe and light colored sweat pants I'd been wearing, as well as a nice bruise on my left shoulder from the impact of the mirror.
My friend walked on home, got my purse and came to the ER. I got sent home with crutches, and one of the currently quite fashionable boots, and ended up dealing with the break in my foot for several months.
Yet there were so many blessings that day! My friend's actions, which probably did either save my life, or at least keep me from having very serious injuries. As a single person dependent working, and working in a field where I didn't have anyone who could substitute for me, plus doing a job where others depended on me to help, I simply couldn't afford to have been really hurt.
More blessings came from all who stepped forward to help, or who offered comfort, as well as the description of the person and vehicle involved, and who gave their name to the investigating officer, as being willing to give statements or go to court if needed. Their eye witness accounts and willingness to step up (including the city workers), helped bring the situation to a quick resolution.
The friend who brought me chocolate chip cookies, as well as the many who offered help later, or support.
The investigating officer who kept in close communication with me as to how the situation was progressing regarding the man who was driving the truck that hit me. The staff in the ER, who were efficient, and kind, even though I was not injured at all seriously.
All these blessings, and so many more that day.
Many lessons to be learned as well. One was that when such things happen, and I am a witness to the events, I now stay until the police arrive, making sure I'm there to give any needed information and willing to be available if information is needed in the future.
You never know when your opportunity to be someone's angel in disguise may present itself......
Several friends have posted or made comments about people getting home safely, and so I was reminded of first one experience, and then a second along those lines.
I think the first came to mind because tomorrow is the anniversary of an odd experience. One which again teaches the blessing of people, or ? (fill in the blank with who or what you think they are) who magically appear to help one in a difficult situation.
Nine years ago tomorrow, I had gone on foot to the Vet's office with a friend. She had suggested that we go a ways out of our way to cross a busy city four lane street with a light. The vet's office was actually at the end of my street, so I typically would cross there, and just take my chances with the traffic. I thought safety a good plan so agreed.
On the way back, we stopped at the light, and pushed the crossing button. The light turned green, the walk sign came on and we started across. About halfway across, I saw a car coming from our right (approaching the red light), and it was coming quickly. I wasn't sure it was going to stop short of the cross walk where we were so I slowed, kept watching it and said something like "I hope that you stop".
At about the same time, my friend said "Watch Out", grabbed me by the front of my coat and pulled me forward. I looked over my left shoulder just in time to see a small pick-up truck heading straight for me. Luckily for me, although I got hit, it was by the mirror and on my shoulder. The force knocked me to the ground, and my friend helped me up. The truck pulled into a convenience store parking lot, slowed, and then kept going.
My friend helped me to the same parking lot where I sat down on the sidewalk and tried to figure out, if I was OK and what had just happened. A large city water truck had been parked across the street, and the crew with that truck came over to see if they could help in any way.
Another man came by who had gotten the tag number of the truck. My friend who had pulled me to safety, had in addition gotten a description of the truck, the man, and half the tag number.
Someone had called 911, soon a fire engine (first responders) appeared, then an ambulance. I still was not really making too much sense, and my ankle hurt terribly, and we had no car available, so the ambulance took me (slowly no lights or sirens, thank goodness) to the ER.
Once there when looking at my foot, it appeared that a goose had laid an egg on the side of my foot below my ankle bone, but that was my main injury. Later I ended up with a bruise the length of my other calf, which matched the tire mark on my shoe and light colored sweat pants I'd been wearing, as well as a nice bruise on my left shoulder from the impact of the mirror.
My friend walked on home, got my purse and came to the ER. I got sent home with crutches, and one of the currently quite fashionable boots, and ended up dealing with the break in my foot for several months.
Yet there were so many blessings that day! My friend's actions, which probably did either save my life, or at least keep me from having very serious injuries. As a single person dependent working, and working in a field where I didn't have anyone who could substitute for me, plus doing a job where others depended on me to help, I simply couldn't afford to have been really hurt.
More blessings came from all who stepped forward to help, or who offered comfort, as well as the description of the person and vehicle involved, and who gave their name to the investigating officer, as being willing to give statements or go to court if needed. Their eye witness accounts and willingness to step up (including the city workers), helped bring the situation to a quick resolution.
The friend who brought me chocolate chip cookies, as well as the many who offered help later, or support.
The investigating officer who kept in close communication with me as to how the situation was progressing regarding the man who was driving the truck that hit me. The staff in the ER, who were efficient, and kind, even though I was not injured at all seriously.
All these blessings, and so many more that day.
Many lessons to be learned as well. One was that when such things happen, and I am a witness to the events, I now stay until the police arrive, making sure I'm there to give any needed information and willing to be available if information is needed in the future.
You never know when your opportunity to be someone's angel in disguise may present itself......
Friday, January 7, 2011
An Update, and New Beginnings
The conclusion of the little black kitty story. I did manage to gather her up yesterday, and decided to see one more time if keeping her with me and Halle might be a workable plan. Inside the apartment, even not in the vicinity of Halle, she just would shake in my arms. If I put her down, she would run to the door and cry to be let out.
I have, besides checking with neighbors, the office, and looking for flyers, been checking the lost and found ads in the paper for the time since I first saw her, with no luck.
I realized again yesterday evening that her best chance was the shelter. There is going to be an adjustment period for her no matter where she lives, except outside, and outside there are just too many dangers for her. Additionally we do have a leash law that includes cats, so if the animal control people see her or are called they would take her to the shelter also.
After we arrived at the shelter, a really nice young man checked her in, and took her back to the vet area. As he carried her back, he said to her, "let's go get some food and water for you". I have had enough experience with the shelter here to know that they will truly make sure that she's healthy, treat her for any conditions that she has (like bad ears), and try to adopt her out. If she hadn't been declawed, my decision might have been different, I don't know.
For now, I believe it was the best thing for her, and the thing that gives her the best chance.
So let's chat more of the adventures in living where I do, in the city, but where there is quite a bit of wildlife. Last summer I was walking on a path that goes from the river back into a neighborhood. Two people on bicycles passed me, then stopped turned around and went the other way. It seemed odd.
A young woman runner then stopped me and said that there was a 'sick' raccoon up on the path, and that she was concerned that it had rabies. So this is about 10 a.m., and there's a raccoon hanging out in broad daylight on a paved path? Talk about odd. So I walked with her up to where the coon was, and as we approached, it started walking, in a very wobbly way, toward us, indeed odd.
In fact I suggested we back up because I wasn't sure what it was planning on doing. It looked quite ill, not like it was someone's pet coon and lost.
So began a long saga, of trying to get someone to come deal with the coon. We were uncomfortable having people ride, jog, walk by it. Especially since many people walk their dogs, some off leash, and many people walk with small children. I was concerned someone would walk up to it and try to pet it, if we just left, or let people go by without telling them.
The young woman suggested that we get it to follow us (not a problem) down to a space where the path takes a Y, and so people could easily be diverted around it. I started calling trying to find someone to come get it. Based on my knowledge (limited, yes) I wasn't sure that it didn't have rabies either.
I called the city, I called a local vet, I called the city again, called police dispatch, called the vet's office (used to be one I used), and asked the phone answerer to ask the vet if these symptoms sounded serious, or like rabies, and if so, would they please call Animal Control, or the police and tell them, with the credentials that they have (and I didn't) that this was a serious public health issue.
The young woman had to leave, in the meantime, a young man jogger had stopped, and stayed with me for the better part of an hour while we waited and hung out with the coon. The coon had moved from one path to another on the edge of a densely wooded area. He then moved off the path and down into the brush a bit. At this point he was clearly having seizures.
Then the young man needed to leave. The coon had previously gone into the brushy area and back out on the path, so I wasn't confident that he was going to stay gone. Additionally, since I'd called the police/animal control initially, I felt it important to stay until someone arrived. I had been told about 45 minutes earlier that they were 'on the way'.
I am not a gun person, but if I'd had one, I would have shot it.
Finally animal control appeared, and there was no sign of the coon. The animal control officer was reluctant to go down into the 'tick infested' brushy area to look for the coon. He said if it was having seizures it was probably quite close to death. He also said that he had taken so long to get there because the call had been coded by the dispatch person as a 'loose dog in neighborhood' not as a sick, maybe rabid raccoon on a public and well traveled path. Once he read the notes with the call, he saw that it was not a 'dog call', and came quickly at that point (an hour later).
In my repeated calls to the dispatch person, she became increasingly rude to me. Each time I called, I apologized, and again expressed my concern. Did she think I was a nut job who just liked to call and pretend there was a potentially rabid animal hanging around?
The animal control officer, and later another friend who is a vet, stated that visually there is no difference in the symptoms of rabies, and the symptoms of distemper. I also looked this up on our friend the internet, and that is what I was able to find also. Both explained that the only way to know positively that it is one or the other is to have the deceased animal's head tested by the state health department. The animal control person said that for some reason the state health department seems reluctant to do so, so even if he'd arrived and been able to take the raccoon away, it probably would not have been tested for rabies. He also explained that there had been somewhat of a in raccoon distemper epidemic in that area (park and neighborhood), and that the areas of disease wax and wane, and move around the city.
I also checked as to whether distemper in raccoons can be transmitted to other animals, and it can be to dogs.
With the current economy in particular, and just with my knowledge of people's actions in general regarding pets, I am fairly sure that there are a number of dogs both living in the area, and that people walk that are not vaccinated against distemper. So again, I felt that this was a public health issue.
I contacted the local newspaper, and two television stations with my information, plus my short video, asking that they do a story on the subject, along with the crucial importance of vaccinating one's pets, not allowing one's dogs off leash, making sure that one's children know not to approach strange animals, and that if they're too young to follow the instructions, that they be in a stroller or in hand.
None of the media outlets followed through.
So once again I'm left with the lyrics of a country song repeating in my head: "God is great, beer is good, and (some) people are crazy".
I have, besides checking with neighbors, the office, and looking for flyers, been checking the lost and found ads in the paper for the time since I first saw her, with no luck.
I realized again yesterday evening that her best chance was the shelter. There is going to be an adjustment period for her no matter where she lives, except outside, and outside there are just too many dangers for her. Additionally we do have a leash law that includes cats, so if the animal control people see her or are called they would take her to the shelter also.
After we arrived at the shelter, a really nice young man checked her in, and took her back to the vet area. As he carried her back, he said to her, "let's go get some food and water for you". I have had enough experience with the shelter here to know that they will truly make sure that she's healthy, treat her for any conditions that she has (like bad ears), and try to adopt her out. If she hadn't been declawed, my decision might have been different, I don't know.
For now, I believe it was the best thing for her, and the thing that gives her the best chance.
So let's chat more of the adventures in living where I do, in the city, but where there is quite a bit of wildlife. Last summer I was walking on a path that goes from the river back into a neighborhood. Two people on bicycles passed me, then stopped turned around and went the other way. It seemed odd.
A young woman runner then stopped me and said that there was a 'sick' raccoon up on the path, and that she was concerned that it had rabies. So this is about 10 a.m., and there's a raccoon hanging out in broad daylight on a paved path? Talk about odd. So I walked with her up to where the coon was, and as we approached, it started walking, in a very wobbly way, toward us, indeed odd.
In fact I suggested we back up because I wasn't sure what it was planning on doing. It looked quite ill, not like it was someone's pet coon and lost.
So began a long saga, of trying to get someone to come deal with the coon. We were uncomfortable having people ride, jog, walk by it. Especially since many people walk their dogs, some off leash, and many people walk with small children. I was concerned someone would walk up to it and try to pet it, if we just left, or let people go by without telling them.
The young woman suggested that we get it to follow us (not a problem) down to a space where the path takes a Y, and so people could easily be diverted around it. I started calling trying to find someone to come get it. Based on my knowledge (limited, yes) I wasn't sure that it didn't have rabies either.
I called the city, I called a local vet, I called the city again, called police dispatch, called the vet's office (used to be one I used), and asked the phone answerer to ask the vet if these symptoms sounded serious, or like rabies, and if so, would they please call Animal Control, or the police and tell them, with the credentials that they have (and I didn't) that this was a serious public health issue.
The young woman had to leave, in the meantime, a young man jogger had stopped, and stayed with me for the better part of an hour while we waited and hung out with the coon. The coon had moved from one path to another on the edge of a densely wooded area. He then moved off the path and down into the brush a bit. At this point he was clearly having seizures.
Then the young man needed to leave. The coon had previously gone into the brushy area and back out on the path, so I wasn't confident that he was going to stay gone. Additionally, since I'd called the police/animal control initially, I felt it important to stay until someone arrived. I had been told about 45 minutes earlier that they were 'on the way'.
I am not a gun person, but if I'd had one, I would have shot it.
Finally animal control appeared, and there was no sign of the coon. The animal control officer was reluctant to go down into the 'tick infested' brushy area to look for the coon. He said if it was having seizures it was probably quite close to death. He also said that he had taken so long to get there because the call had been coded by the dispatch person as a 'loose dog in neighborhood' not as a sick, maybe rabid raccoon on a public and well traveled path. Once he read the notes with the call, he saw that it was not a 'dog call', and came quickly at that point (an hour later).
In my repeated calls to the dispatch person, she became increasingly rude to me. Each time I called, I apologized, and again expressed my concern. Did she think I was a nut job who just liked to call and pretend there was a potentially rabid animal hanging around?
The animal control officer, and later another friend who is a vet, stated that visually there is no difference in the symptoms of rabies, and the symptoms of distemper. I also looked this up on our friend the internet, and that is what I was able to find also. Both explained that the only way to know positively that it is one or the other is to have the deceased animal's head tested by the state health department. The animal control person said that for some reason the state health department seems reluctant to do so, so even if he'd arrived and been able to take the raccoon away, it probably would not have been tested for rabies. He also explained that there had been somewhat of a in raccoon distemper epidemic in that area (park and neighborhood), and that the areas of disease wax and wane, and move around the city.
I also checked as to whether distemper in raccoons can be transmitted to other animals, and it can be to dogs.
With the current economy in particular, and just with my knowledge of people's actions in general regarding pets, I am fairly sure that there are a number of dogs both living in the area, and that people walk that are not vaccinated against distemper. So again, I felt that this was a public health issue.
I contacted the local newspaper, and two television stations with my information, plus my short video, asking that they do a story on the subject, along with the crucial importance of vaccinating one's pets, not allowing one's dogs off leash, making sure that one's children know not to approach strange animals, and that if they're too young to follow the instructions, that they be in a stroller or in hand.
None of the media outlets followed through.
So once again I'm left with the lyrics of a country song repeating in my head: "God is great, beer is good, and (some) people are crazy".
Thursday, January 6, 2011
An answer
So this is for those of you, out there in readerville, sitting on the edge of your couch, chair, recliner, lawn chair, airline seat, waiting to hear the latest chapter in the stray black kitty saga.
It does seem that a firm plan has come to me. As with most plans in life, at this stage of life (later middle age?), it is not one that I'm completely happy with, but considering the individuals involved, me, Halle, the little kitty, various neighbors, my FB friends who failed to jump at the chance to adopt her, etc......the answer seems to be....
First check with the office to see if it is true that someone recently vacated the apartment that she thinks is hers, then it's to the shelter with her. There she will be safe, and warm, and vet checked, her ears treated, fed, and hopefully adopted. Yes, it is a difficult truth that she may also be euthanized. But I've made many trips to the local shelter to visit, and play with the animals, and adopt an animal. Each time I've been there, there have been many people going through the adoption process, for both dogs and cats.
There was also the time that I was there, and a local rescue group was taking pictures of the cats to post on their web page.
The difficulty here, and I also think in other cities, is that most of the rescue groups have, at least in my opinion, overly stringent rules on who can and can't adopt one of their homeless animals. It would be interesting to me for someone to do a study on the rates of successful adoptions when one has such strict policies vs. the city shelter, which will let you adopt if you can just pay the fee.
The fees at the city shelter are reasonable, considering the fee includes vaccinations, and a spay or neuter surgery, as well as the animal. I know that other rescues bill themselves as 'no kill' but I also know that they do have animals euthanized that they feel are unadoptable.
After visiting the city shelter, and another couple of rescues that have shelters, the city shelter to me is cleaner, and more pleasant to visit and the animals appear as well cared for as they do at the other rescues.
Still it is for some reason harder to take this little kitty than it has other strays that I've found in the past. I could just pray that when the weather hits this weekend that someone takes pity on her and takes her in.
Is that a better choice than taking her somewhere where she will definitely be inside, fed, warm, and dry (plus again have whatever vet care may be needed?) One of my other concerns is the thought that she might be with kitten. I am not prepared nor do I have the space in my tiny apartment to take on a family of little cats., besides the fact that my taking her in would throw Halle for a loop, and present a challenge in terms of how to keep them separate to eat, as well as a dilemma on what to do if Halle continues to be the bully that she has in the past etc.
She was, by the way, in front of my apartment when I got up this morning. Her food and water bowl are placed on the other end of the apartment complex from my apartment. One of the other considerations is that despite being in the city, we have quite a complement of wildlife living in, and near by the apartment, which probably also enjoy the food set out for her.
So far I've heard of a fox, and raccoon wandering the apartment grounds (we are on the edge of a river), as well as Portulaca Possum, who was a regular visitor to my patio in October.
We also have a considerable number of hawks year round, as well as bald eagles which winter here.
Once again I'm faced with the fact that I wish for everyone one and everything a home, a place where they are wanted, cared for and safe.
Seems this world has a long way still to go. At least for domestic animals sake, please join the spay/neuter bandwagon, such as http://www.refresheverything.com/projectkittylitter.
It does seem that a firm plan has come to me. As with most plans in life, at this stage of life (later middle age?), it is not one that I'm completely happy with, but considering the individuals involved, me, Halle, the little kitty, various neighbors, my FB friends who failed to jump at the chance to adopt her, etc......the answer seems to be....
First check with the office to see if it is true that someone recently vacated the apartment that she thinks is hers, then it's to the shelter with her. There she will be safe, and warm, and vet checked, her ears treated, fed, and hopefully adopted. Yes, it is a difficult truth that she may also be euthanized. But I've made many trips to the local shelter to visit, and play with the animals, and adopt an animal. Each time I've been there, there have been many people going through the adoption process, for both dogs and cats.
There was also the time that I was there, and a local rescue group was taking pictures of the cats to post on their web page.
The difficulty here, and I also think in other cities, is that most of the rescue groups have, at least in my opinion, overly stringent rules on who can and can't adopt one of their homeless animals. It would be interesting to me for someone to do a study on the rates of successful adoptions when one has such strict policies vs. the city shelter, which will let you adopt if you can just pay the fee.
The fees at the city shelter are reasonable, considering the fee includes vaccinations, and a spay or neuter surgery, as well as the animal. I know that other rescues bill themselves as 'no kill' but I also know that they do have animals euthanized that they feel are unadoptable.
After visiting the city shelter, and another couple of rescues that have shelters, the city shelter to me is cleaner, and more pleasant to visit and the animals appear as well cared for as they do at the other rescues.
Still it is for some reason harder to take this little kitty than it has other strays that I've found in the past. I could just pray that when the weather hits this weekend that someone takes pity on her and takes her in.
Is that a better choice than taking her somewhere where she will definitely be inside, fed, warm, and dry (plus again have whatever vet care may be needed?) One of my other concerns is the thought that she might be with kitten. I am not prepared nor do I have the space in my tiny apartment to take on a family of little cats., besides the fact that my taking her in would throw Halle for a loop, and present a challenge in terms of how to keep them separate to eat, as well as a dilemma on what to do if Halle continues to be the bully that she has in the past etc.
She was, by the way, in front of my apartment when I got up this morning. Her food and water bowl are placed on the other end of the apartment complex from my apartment. One of the other considerations is that despite being in the city, we have quite a complement of wildlife living in, and near by the apartment, which probably also enjoy the food set out for her.
So far I've heard of a fox, and raccoon wandering the apartment grounds (we are on the edge of a river), as well as Portulaca Possum, who was a regular visitor to my patio in October.
We also have a considerable number of hawks year round, as well as bald eagles which winter here.
Once again I'm faced with the fact that I wish for everyone one and everything a home, a place where they are wanted, cared for and safe.
Seems this world has a long way still to go. At least for domestic animals sake, please join the spay/neuter bandwagon, such as http://www.refresheverything.com/projectkittylitter.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
What to do, what to do.....
So Ms. little black cat was hanging around last night and today. I went outside and as she typically does she started off with a meow, started walking, looking over her shoulder to make sure I was following, and meowing.....we went the same way that she's taken me 3 times previously.
Again, it seemed that maybe she would take me to an apartment, and I could find out if someone had recently moved in or out or.....
so today she kind of did that, and nearby was a young woman talking on the phone, standing outside her apartment. So I asked the young woman if she knew whose cat it was....turns out, according to her, the cat has been wandering around for almost a month, and someone had put some food and water out for her, under the pool deck (this person's apartment faces the pool).
I realized that was one of the places that Ms. Kitty had been taking me, her empty food bowl. The young woman and I surmised that it was possible that the apartment that she'd taken me to was empty. She said that the people who'd lived there had had a table and chair outside the apartment, and both were now gone.
At least I now have an apartment number, to ask about tomorrow at the apartment office, but the dilemma still remains, what is the best option for Ms. Kitty. Frankly if I thought Halle would not try to kill her, or would learn to live with her in harmony, I might be up for adopting a second black stray cat, then I could have Halle, and Mini Halle......or Halle before she lived with me, and after or something.....
Truthfully, the siamese part of little black kitty is very apparent. There are times that Halle's probably siamese heritage shines through, but the little kitty, complete with really large ears, and the ability to go for a walk with a person in dog like fashion, except for the meowing, remind me much of my longtime siamese cat from childhood, Pandora.
The weather is supposed to turn extremely cold and wet by the end of the weekend, so some decision seems imminent, as it just doesn't seem like she has a home, if she's been getting fed under the pool deck, and especially since her bowl was completely empty, and actually had water in it as if it had rained in it. It rained about a week ago, so it appears that this bowl at least hadn't had food in it for a while, or the food would have been mushy from the rain.
Part of the dilemma is that according to my new friend, there are several people (including her) who let their cats out to run around, and she is afraid that the cat might belong to someone. But her cat is obviously well fed, and I don't think anyone would mistake her for a homeless cat. Little black kitty has an ear that looks like it needs treatment and again is outside quite a bit of the time, at all hours, especially when you consider that she is declawed on her front paws, so wouldn't be able to climb a tree to get away from a dog or other threat.
Again, it seemed that maybe she would take me to an apartment, and I could find out if someone had recently moved in or out or.....
so today she kind of did that, and nearby was a young woman talking on the phone, standing outside her apartment. So I asked the young woman if she knew whose cat it was....turns out, according to her, the cat has been wandering around for almost a month, and someone had put some food and water out for her, under the pool deck (this person's apartment faces the pool).
I realized that was one of the places that Ms. Kitty had been taking me, her empty food bowl. The young woman and I surmised that it was possible that the apartment that she'd taken me to was empty. She said that the people who'd lived there had had a table and chair outside the apartment, and both were now gone.
At least I now have an apartment number, to ask about tomorrow at the apartment office, but the dilemma still remains, what is the best option for Ms. Kitty. Frankly if I thought Halle would not try to kill her, or would learn to live with her in harmony, I might be up for adopting a second black stray cat, then I could have Halle, and Mini Halle......or Halle before she lived with me, and after or something.....
Truthfully, the siamese part of little black kitty is very apparent. There are times that Halle's probably siamese heritage shines through, but the little kitty, complete with really large ears, and the ability to go for a walk with a person in dog like fashion, except for the meowing, remind me much of my longtime siamese cat from childhood, Pandora.
The weather is supposed to turn extremely cold and wet by the end of the weekend, so some decision seems imminent, as it just doesn't seem like she has a home, if she's been getting fed under the pool deck, and especially since her bowl was completely empty, and actually had water in it as if it had rained in it. It rained about a week ago, so it appears that this bowl at least hadn't had food in it for a while, or the food would have been mushy from the rain.
Part of the dilemma is that according to my new friend, there are several people (including her) who let their cats out to run around, and she is afraid that the cat might belong to someone. But her cat is obviously well fed, and I don't think anyone would mistake her for a homeless cat. Little black kitty has an ear that looks like it needs treatment and again is outside quite a bit of the time, at all hours, especially when you consider that she is declawed on her front paws, so wouldn't be able to climb a tree to get away from a dog or other threat.
My plan is to have a decision by Friday. I wish the knowledge of what is the best for her, Halle and me would miraculously come to me, but I'm guessing it will in the end be just a guess of what the best choice is......As with the weather being forecast,
 |
The courtyard could go from looking like this......... |
 |
| . To looking like this, a rather unfriendly environment for a homeless kitty. |
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Moral Dilemma
So over the weekend a little black cat with a very old, scruffy, tight collar started coming around. I saw it during the day, and saw the collar, so wasn't too worried. Then after dark saw it hiding again, looking quite scared. So I brought her inside and she just shook in my arms.
I do not at all trust Halle, who has literally tried to kill other smaller cats that have stayed with us. For evidence thereof, please check out this little video, of Halle and 'her friend'. He lives around here, but gets to stay outside also, so they have a 'relationship'. The other cat in the video is a male, and Halle is actually larger than he is, and she is half the size she used to be, as she used to weigh a shocking 21.5 pounds. But she is a big girl, and tough to boot.
Since I did not trust Halle, I put the little one in the bathroom with food, water and a toitty. She didn't seem hungry or thirsty, but just scared to death. So after a while I let her out again, because she seemed more afraid inside than out. She did also appear to be declawed in front, which led me to believe that she had lost her people.
When I took her back out, I put her down and she would walk in front of me meowing as if to lead me somewhere. So I followed, hoping that she would take me to an apartment and I could find out if it seemed to be occupied, and she was just 'out', or if it was empty, and she'd been abandoned. Along the way I saw several other apartment dwellers who said they'd seen her, but didn't know where she belonged.
Unlike many places that I've lived, there has been only one other 'stray' cat here, and he was a tough looking tom (see picture below), just passing through. So the fact that she's out, and it's cold really bothers me.
Today I went to the office and asked if they knew her, and of course, the answer is no. They said she'd been around for about 2 weeks. We are supposed to 'register' pets when we move in, but I figure not too many do that, and probably lots of people acquire pets and don't let the office know (as the pet deposit is steep, and the probability of being kicked out over not registering a pet is small).
I had decided that if she was still wandering around today, I was taking her to the shelter. Yes, they may euthanize her. But in my experience, they do try to adopt out adoptable animals, and she is already declawed. At least there she would be not exposed to the elements, cars, dogs, etc, (Halle), and could be fed, and warm.
I also posted her on FB, and asked a friend about taking her. I went so far as 'catching' her and putting her in the cat carrier, which prompted great caterwauling.......and I felt awful. So I let her out. Off she went again, walking in the same direction as the other times, looking over her shoulder at me and meowing. So I followed. The first time we did this she went through the fence by the pool gate, which is locked and I couldn't follow her. It was dark and cold, and I didn't wait to see if or where she came out. Today she stopped short of the pool and office and just hung out in some bushes occasionally meowing at me.
So I came home again to review my options. In the past I've called every rescue I could find, and am always told the same thing; they are full, except for the City Shelter. Today I called the SPCA, and was told again, no room in the inn (because they have puppy mill puppies, ummmm, this is a CAT, and stays in the Cat area, but oh well)......and the kind person suggested call all the other rescues in town, well as I said, I've been down that road before.
I could just continue to hope that she finds her way home, or finds a home. She is not hanging around my apartment begging to come in after all.
So what is the best thing for unwanted, or apparently unwanted pets? In my last apartment residence, I would feed them, and received an eviction notice for my efforts, which is why I now live where I do.
It is also why on the Pepsi Refresh Grant challenge, I almost always vote for the "Spay Neuter Program" grant applications.
I have also had two three cats in the past adopted from rescues, all abandoned, all declawed. Why go to the expense, and put the cat through the discomfort that is the process of declawing, if you're just going to abandon the cat. One of my best cats, that I had for 15 years before she died, had been abandoned at the vet's office 3 (THREE) times before Animal Aid took her, and I adopted her.
One more time I'm reminded of a song lyric, "God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy".
I do not at all trust Halle, who has literally tried to kill other smaller cats that have stayed with us. For evidence thereof, please check out this little video, of Halle and 'her friend'. He lives around here, but gets to stay outside also, so they have a 'relationship'. The other cat in the video is a male, and Halle is actually larger than he is, and she is half the size she used to be, as she used to weigh a shocking 21.5 pounds. But she is a big girl, and tough to boot.
Since I did not trust Halle, I put the little one in the bathroom with food, water and a toitty. She didn't seem hungry or thirsty, but just scared to death. So after a while I let her out again, because she seemed more afraid inside than out. She did also appear to be declawed in front, which led me to believe that she had lost her people.
When I took her back out, I put her down and she would walk in front of me meowing as if to lead me somewhere. So I followed, hoping that she would take me to an apartment and I could find out if it seemed to be occupied, and she was just 'out', or if it was empty, and she'd been abandoned. Along the way I saw several other apartment dwellers who said they'd seen her, but didn't know where she belonged.
Unlike many places that I've lived, there has been only one other 'stray' cat here, and he was a tough looking tom (see picture below), just passing through. So the fact that she's out, and it's cold really bothers me.
Today I went to the office and asked if they knew her, and of course, the answer is no. They said she'd been around for about 2 weeks. We are supposed to 'register' pets when we move in, but I figure not too many do that, and probably lots of people acquire pets and don't let the office know (as the pet deposit is steep, and the probability of being kicked out over not registering a pet is small).
I had decided that if she was still wandering around today, I was taking her to the shelter. Yes, they may euthanize her. But in my experience, they do try to adopt out adoptable animals, and she is already declawed. At least there she would be not exposed to the elements, cars, dogs, etc, (Halle), and could be fed, and warm.
I also posted her on FB, and asked a friend about taking her. I went so far as 'catching' her and putting her in the cat carrier, which prompted great caterwauling.......and I felt awful. So I let her out. Off she went again, walking in the same direction as the other times, looking over her shoulder at me and meowing. So I followed. The first time we did this she went through the fence by the pool gate, which is locked and I couldn't follow her. It was dark and cold, and I didn't wait to see if or where she came out. Today she stopped short of the pool and office and just hung out in some bushes occasionally meowing at me.
So I came home again to review my options. In the past I've called every rescue I could find, and am always told the same thing; they are full, except for the City Shelter. Today I called the SPCA, and was told again, no room in the inn (because they have puppy mill puppies, ummmm, this is a CAT, and stays in the Cat area, but oh well)......and the kind person suggested call all the other rescues in town, well as I said, I've been down that road before.
I could just continue to hope that she finds her way home, or finds a home. She is not hanging around my apartment begging to come in after all.
So what is the best thing for unwanted, or apparently unwanted pets? In my last apartment residence, I would feed them, and received an eviction notice for my efforts, which is why I now live where I do.
It is also why on the Pepsi Refresh Grant challenge, I almost always vote for the "Spay Neuter Program" grant applications.
I have also had two three cats in the past adopted from rescues, all abandoned, all declawed. Why go to the expense, and put the cat through the discomfort that is the process of declawing, if you're just going to abandon the cat. One of my best cats, that I had for 15 years before she died, had been abandoned at the vet's office 3 (THREE) times before Animal Aid took her, and I adopted her.
One more time I'm reminded of a song lyric, "God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy".
Monday, January 3, 2011
A post a day challenge
They remind me of good models, and will turn slightly, change position or expression slightly as I snap away. A friend mentioned yesterday that she and her husband had heard 'my' hawk (she doesn't know I have several) just a minute or so earlier. I told them about my latest friend (the one directly above), and said, 'it must mean something, I don't know what though'.
As I walked away, I realized that I was wearing this hat. For those of you not into obscure NFL teams from the Pacific Northwest, it is a Seattle Seahawks hat. I have been a Seahawks fan for many years, and probably can't really explain why. I do have quite a wardrobe of hats that I wear on my path outings, probably 10 different ones at least, so to be wearing this particular one on a day when we were having a hawk discussion, seemed, well, meaningful......ironic maybe as I said to my friend, "I don't know what my finding all these hawks means". Or another happy example of serendipity, or a moment of Grace, and a moment of Grace + humor. It also may have been good fortune for the 'real' Seahawks, who by virtue of winning their game last night have the honor of being the first team ever with a losing record to make it into the NFL playoffs! Way to go underdog Seahawks.....There's a lesson in that for us all, perhaps another example of never giving up....
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