Cynde Creates: What's new Pussy Cat

Cynde Creates: What's new Pussy Cat: My husband and I have been long time protectors of pets. We have volunteered endless hours at our local shelter and were part of an incredi...

What's new Pussy Cat

My husband and I have been long time protectors of pets.  We have volunteered endless hours at our local shelter and were part of an incredible group who trapped feral cats and brought them to a local vet where they were neutered/spayed.  We would trap 3 feral cats at a time for the operation. During the course of a year, we provided shelter in our home for over 100 recuperating cats. Many cats were previously house cats whose owners decided to dump them in a known feral cat area.  Knowing this, we were able to re-socialize dozens of cats and find permanent inside homes for them.  Nearly all of the kittens (dozens and dozens and dozens) were hand captured and socialized before finding loving homes. We bottle fed many around the clock. I was overwhelmed by how much support we received from our community with donations to fund the expensive neutering costs.

Such kindness from total strangers to help animals that lived deep in the woods, rarely to be seen.  Such trust from total strangers to give checks and cash to me, someone they did not know.  It's the humans that made it possible to save so many lives and stop the population growth in its tracks.

The cat's left ears are clipped/tipped off to represent they are feral cats.  And you may think the younger cats fair better in a home than the older ones.  But, that isn't always the case.  The front cat, Silly, was 3 when he was trapped and the pretty lady behind him, Mama, was 8 years old when she was trapped.  Mama is now a big lap cat. Silly is a kisser.

 Socialization is a tricky proposition.  Some  of the cats hide under the bed for months before they realize they are safe.  Imagine going from hearing crickets at night to hearing all the scary sounds of living in a house with strangers.  But when they decide they are safe, they feel safe and are ready to meet us.  We let each cat decide when that time is. Several were so full of confidence, we could hear them playing during the night right away.  And within a week they were sharing our pillows in bed.

But none of this would have been possible without so many kind people paying the way.  And I am forever grateful.  I don't even know how to express my gratitude. 

Saving one life may not matter to most.  But it matters to that one life.

All Before 6 A.M.

When you can't sleep, it is amazing the stuff that you can accomplish.  Take this morning.  Up at 2:30 a.m....and it's Sunday.  I woke the dogs up and they weren't so crazy about beating every living creature in the neighborhood out the door.  But, they go with the flow and so we all stare at each other while the rest of the house sleeps.  Coffee helps...tons.  And for the pups, they get a Kong frozen with Alpo.  So, it's equal joy for all.  An hour passes, and now barely over the 3:30 a.m. mark, I need a game plan.  Three cups of hazelnut coffee with white chocolate cream helps set the plan.  Exercise.  What person exercises before any hope of daylight?  I have no idea what kind of exercise, so I surf YouTube.  It hits me.  Try Zumba.  A lot of fun even without the volume.  Can't wake up those still hibernating.  Almost surprised the shaking of the floor didn't cause alarm, because there was a whole lot of jumping going on, if only for 23 minutes.  Piece of cake.  Feeling energized, I search the site for a boot camp workout.  I quickly see it's just a matter of which one.  Pouring a fourth cup of coffee, I get the genius idea to opt for the hour long workout. Why not, I have a steady stream of caffeine shooting through my veins. And now the clock inches to 5 a.m.  Still quiet as a mouse in the house.  When is someone else going to raise from the dead?  Need a new plan.  Maybe the cats can entertain me.  Yeah, that's just stupid.  I can go in the dark to the river walk with the dogs.  I take a vote and the dogs are sitting on go.   Sniff sniff here, sniff sniff there and we are back...and it is now 6 a.m.  Oh, shoot me already. But, wait.  I hear someone stirring.  I am not up alone anymore. Daddy's up!  This must be how the dogs feel while they wait for us to return home. 
From zero to wonderful in an instant.