A while ago, I received a mail a friend. It was a frantic mail about a two year old cat that needs bladder expression. Her owners did not want to deal with it and would rather have her put down. The shelter folks fought hard to keep her alive, but soon enough within a week, she was on the shelter's deathrow.
Emails were sent to and fro. There was nothing I could do and people who want a special needs cat...especially a young one...are rare. So Streak was sitting there and waiting to die.
At this point, I was desperately trying to find her history. Sometimes cats have bladder issues because of accidents or overdose of medication leading to constipation etc. I know one case where a cat was told that she'd have to live the rest of her years with a caretaker expressing her bladder and it was cured through homeopathy. It was easy to fix her problem because her vets had given her ten times the dose of a medication causing her bladder to fail.
Sometimes it is trauma...sometimes it's a blockage. Each case is different. But I was positive that if we knew *something* about her past medical history, we could at least try and fix her bladder problem. It gave her more chance to be adopted. I was even considering getting her to SF SPCA or PU which are no kill shelters.
When I contacted her shelter people, they told me that she was actually getting adopted by a couple. I was like..hmm..really? she gets adopted by a couple just a day before she was going to be put down? My first thought was that these shelter folks did not want to reveal that she had to be put down. I carried on and relayed the message that she was "getting adopted"....emphasising the double quotes.
I didnt believe it. I am too cynical that way. But there was a lesson for me. And things revealed themselves to me to teach me a lesson. The lesson was to trust people and that I was too arrogant to imagine that only I cared about animals.
One of the people I emailed was Gail who has a shelter on the other side of the bridge. I have been passing on pieces of info when out of the blue, Gail replies to one of my emails saying that she had just returned from a trip. She also mentioned that she knew the person who adopted Streak. Not only did she know the person, but Streak's guardian used to volunteer at Gail's shelter. She was coming over to Gail's to learn bladder expression. Gail is also a staunch supporter of alternative therapies for animals. Streak couldnt have gone to a better home.
She wasnt getting "adopted"..she really was Adopted.
I took it as a personal message to me from the universe to calm the fuck down and start trusting people more. There are a lot of people who care.
Also...it's a small world, isnt it?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
This and That.
Last weekend, I went to deliver some goodies to the bakesale. The bunnies were parked in front of the cat rooms. They were in makeshift cagey cubicle spaces. The cats behind the glass windows were going stir crazy. pacing up and down, they'd look longingly at the rabbits. just looking at them, i could see the invisible thought bubbles hovering above the kitties' perky ears. it was the same for every one of the cats.
PHOOD!
how do they know..that's what *I* would like to ask them! these cats have probably never been outdoors. they cannot smell or hear the bunnies through the glass windows. but there they were, pacing and twitching their tails...all ready to pounce on their rabbit food.
i dropped my stuff and had to hurry for another appointment elsewhere. i heard on monday that they were able to collect over $850 from the bakesale. unfortunately, $300 of it disappeared! what kind of person steals from an animal shelter?
by the end of the week, i somewhat softened and figured that the person who stole it must have had such a great need for the money that they had to steal it from an animal shelter. i needed to believe that. if i did not, i would have lost all faith in humanity. on the other hand, there are so many other atrocities and injustices in our world. stealing $300 from an animal shelter's coffers must be pretty low down in the ladder.
the good news however was that two kind people donated enough to make up for the money that was stolen. i guess it's a balance of the needy and the generous...the good and the bad in our world. balance..that's the key, i suppose.
for this valentine's day bakesale, i made indian desserts because i figured it would be different and 'exotic'. something like that. but i do like certain middle eastern flavour profiles and so i didnt think twice about doing a little bit of mix n'match. afterall, these two regions of the world have so much in common when it comes to food and especially desserts/sweets.
last week, i made gulab jamuns and the sugar syrup was liberally spiked with rosewater. for the weekend of valentine, i made several treats including one for vegans and for the gluten intolerant. for the vegans it was coconut balls made from frozen coconut shavings cooked in a sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom and then i rolled it in toasted white sesame seeds. for the vegans who didnt care for sesame seeds, there was the naked coconut delight.
for the gluten intolerant, i made rosewater flavoured basundi with a light sprinkling of pistachio ground fine. this is basically like dulce de leche, indian style. the milk is thickened and caramelised. it is sweetened, flavoured with cardamom and further perfumed with rose water. i like it.
for the others, there was kheer which was essentially fine vermicilli cooked in sweetened milk and decorated with raisins, pistachios, almonds. it was taken up a notch by cardamom and saffron. it is one of my favourite sweet drinks and is good served warm or cold.
then there was sticky carrot halwa which had a middle eastern twist by the use of orange blossom water. it's finely grated carrots cooked in milk and then sweetened with sugar. the spices include cardamom and vanilla. and a finally topping of toasted and crushed pistachio nuts.
next time, i am baking something for the cats and dogs rather than for their humans!
p.s. there is a fellow called albert upstairs. he is a black cat and looks interesting. i bet he has a story. i am afraid to go in because i fear that i will get attached to the cats. i really want to spend more time at the shelter and hopefully, i will be able to do that in april or may. it wont be until may, i am afraid. but we'll see.
PHOOD!
how do they know..that's what *I* would like to ask them! these cats have probably never been outdoors. they cannot smell or hear the bunnies through the glass windows. but there they were, pacing and twitching their tails...all ready to pounce on their rabbit food.
i dropped my stuff and had to hurry for another appointment elsewhere. i heard on monday that they were able to collect over $850 from the bakesale. unfortunately, $300 of it disappeared! what kind of person steals from an animal shelter?
by the end of the week, i somewhat softened and figured that the person who stole it must have had such a great need for the money that they had to steal it from an animal shelter. i needed to believe that. if i did not, i would have lost all faith in humanity. on the other hand, there are so many other atrocities and injustices in our world. stealing $300 from an animal shelter's coffers must be pretty low down in the ladder.
the good news however was that two kind people donated enough to make up for the money that was stolen. i guess it's a balance of the needy and the generous...the good and the bad in our world. balance..that's the key, i suppose.
for this valentine's day bakesale, i made indian desserts because i figured it would be different and 'exotic'. something like that. but i do like certain middle eastern flavour profiles and so i didnt think twice about doing a little bit of mix n'match. afterall, these two regions of the world have so much in common when it comes to food and especially desserts/sweets.
last week, i made gulab jamuns and the sugar syrup was liberally spiked with rosewater. for the weekend of valentine, i made several treats including one for vegans and for the gluten intolerant. for the vegans it was coconut balls made from frozen coconut shavings cooked in a sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom and then i rolled it in toasted white sesame seeds. for the vegans who didnt care for sesame seeds, there was the naked coconut delight.
for the gluten intolerant, i made rosewater flavoured basundi with a light sprinkling of pistachio ground fine. this is basically like dulce de leche, indian style. the milk is thickened and caramelised. it is sweetened, flavoured with cardamom and further perfumed with rose water. i like it.
for the others, there was kheer which was essentially fine vermicilli cooked in sweetened milk and decorated with raisins, pistachios, almonds. it was taken up a notch by cardamom and saffron. it is one of my favourite sweet drinks and is good served warm or cold.
then there was sticky carrot halwa which had a middle eastern twist by the use of orange blossom water. it's finely grated carrots cooked in milk and then sweetened with sugar. the spices include cardamom and vanilla. and a finally topping of toasted and crushed pistachio nuts.
next time, i am baking something for the cats and dogs rather than for their humans!
p.s. there is a fellow called albert upstairs. he is a black cat and looks interesting. i bet he has a story. i am afraid to go in because i fear that i will get attached to the cats. i really want to spend more time at the shelter and hopefully, i will be able to do that in april or may. it wont be until may, i am afraid. but we'll see.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
happy new year!!!
i made it to PU yesterday to give my new year gift. once again, the bank demons descended upon me. upon authorisation, they had to decline the cheque even though there was sufficient funds in my account. i checked because my bank was just opposite PU. weird! it happened to me in India too. is there some sort of a message? gah..gah and GAH!
anyways...they were very apologetic and i managed to sort it out. i sneaked upstairs and found a whole bunch of new babes. albert and stevie are still there..SIGH! black cats break my heart when i see them alone and not worshipped. they are GODS! trust me on this..there is soemthing about black cats..
the GOOD news is actually two fold..no..make that three fold!
bradley and sparkles have gone to a good home!!!
*happy dance*
they are with a middle aged/older couple who love them to bits. apparently, old sloth bradley's coat is soft and shiny now. and he's the purring rubbing pesk now..cant believe it...old bradley has a heart condition and was always slumped in a corner with his bbf sparkles. it is amazing how a little love and sunshine completely transforms cats.
sparkles is still shy..but it's ok. i am so happy that they found someone who took them both.
the next good news...*deep breath* The Force who was rechristened Missus Crumpets also found a home. Force has asthma and needs the inhaler twice a day. I was thinking that she'd be in PU forever.
In other news, there is an FIV positive kitty called Marley to keep Jimmie and George company. She is purr-tastic. she is a total kneader.
found these two in the community room
*purr*
anyways...they were very apologetic and i managed to sort it out. i sneaked upstairs and found a whole bunch of new babes. albert and stevie are still there..SIGH! black cats break my heart when i see them alone and not worshipped. they are GODS! trust me on this..there is soemthing about black cats..
the GOOD news is actually two fold..no..make that three fold!
bradley and sparkles have gone to a good home!!!
*happy dance*
they are with a middle aged/older couple who love them to bits. apparently, old sloth bradley's coat is soft and shiny now. and he's the purring rubbing pesk now..cant believe it...old bradley has a heart condition and was always slumped in a corner with his bbf sparkles. it is amazing how a little love and sunshine completely transforms cats.
sparkles is still shy..but it's ok. i am so happy that they found someone who took them both.
the next good news...*deep breath* The Force who was rechristened Missus Crumpets also found a home. Force has asthma and needs the inhaler twice a day. I was thinking that she'd be in PU forever.
In other news, there is an FIV positive kitty called Marley to keep Jimmie and George company. She is purr-tastic. she is a total kneader.
found these two in the community room
*purr*
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
denmark has left the building!
frabjous day! denmark has gone to his forever home. i'll miss that little bastard!
in other news, the force has been rechristened 'auntie crumpets'..why not?!
this sunday, we attended the benefit concert...i have been volunteering with the ticket and raffle sales. i could only manage three weekends..or was it four? i cant remember...but we were able to raise a lot of money with fresh baked goods. several volunteers made freshly baked cookies and cupcakes...i made..among other things: vanilla mini cakes with rosewater icing and pistachio sugar, chocolate-ginger tart, stewed apricot tart...the tarts didnt sell well. the second weekend, i ditched the baking and made little pouches filled with salted pepitas, apricots/pistachios and honeyed pistachios flavoured with orange flower water. also as an alternative to baked goods, i packed some jars of indian spiced tea, mexican cocoa mix and a cardamom heavy chai blend.
the weekend was awesome and i got to meet willie, the golden whose parents were the conductor and producer of the concert. made some good friends, noshed on fruits and cheese and came back home very very late...all in all, it was a good weekend.
in other news, the force has been rechristened 'auntie crumpets'..why not?!
this sunday, we attended the benefit concert...i have been volunteering with the ticket and raffle sales. i could only manage three weekends..or was it four? i cant remember...but we were able to raise a lot of money with fresh baked goods. several volunteers made freshly baked cookies and cupcakes...i made..among other things: vanilla mini cakes with rosewater icing and pistachio sugar, chocolate-ginger tart, stewed apricot tart...the tarts didnt sell well. the second weekend, i ditched the baking and made little pouches filled with salted pepitas, apricots/pistachios and honeyed pistachios flavoured with orange flower water. also as an alternative to baked goods, i packed some jars of indian spiced tea, mexican cocoa mix and a cardamom heavy chai blend.
the weekend was awesome and i got to meet willie, the golden whose parents were the conductor and producer of the concert. made some good friends, noshed on fruits and cheese and came back home very very late...all in all, it was a good weekend.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
not keeping track of dates..but here's Denmark!
I dont even know why i started noting down the dates of my PU visits...thats probably the OCD/anal part of me.
however....here is the latest...Denmark must be becoming good these days because he has been moved to the community room. I have always suspected that he was acting up because he was watching Wilbur being so hyperactive etc. Wilbur has a spirit that cannot be contained in a shelter cubicle.
So...here is Denmark in his (current)digs. The community cat room is much larger and he'd have a lot of space to run about and play. He has to share it with one other curmudgeon. Actually, his room mate is a sweet little black fellow and I suspect that the curmudgeonly face is really an act to keep his zen together.
Denmark is still 'swatty'...but he cant help it. He is a special polydactyl cat and all 6 toed cats are clumsy. Here he is...Denmark and his super expressive eyes!
however....here is the latest...Denmark must be becoming good these days because he has been moved to the community room. I have always suspected that he was acting up because he was watching Wilbur being so hyperactive etc. Wilbur has a spirit that cannot be contained in a shelter cubicle.
So...here is Denmark in his (current)digs. The community cat room is much larger and he'd have a lot of space to run about and play. He has to share it with one other curmudgeon. Actually, his room mate is a sweet little black fellow and I suspect that the curmudgeonly face is really an act to keep his zen together.
Denmark is still 'swatty'...but he cant help it. He is a special polydactyl cat and all 6 toed cats are clumsy. Here he is...Denmark and his super expressive eyes!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Wilbur has left the shelter.
It is not bad news, actually. It is very good news because the lady who rescued him from the streets and left him at PU took him back to foster him. He is still up for adoption, but he is in a better place now where he doesnt have to deal with the sounds of the barking dogs, distractions and all of the other shelter issues.
They took very good care of him, but he was rather unhappy because he *is* a very special cat. I miss him. The shelter feels empty without him. Denmark is still there as is The Force and the best pals, Sparkles and Bradly..but none of them were as worse off as Wilbur was because his spirit was taking a beating behind locked doors. I think I am a little sad because I had hoped to bring home Wilbur, but circumstances didnt allow for it. So, I should really be happy for Wilbur because he is happy. and calm.
It's just that I miss him...a lot!
They took very good care of him, but he was rather unhappy because he *is* a very special cat. I miss him. The shelter feels empty without him. Denmark is still there as is The Force and the best pals, Sparkles and Bradly..but none of them were as worse off as Wilbur was because his spirit was taking a beating behind locked doors. I think I am a little sad because I had hoped to bring home Wilbur, but circumstances didnt allow for it. So, I should really be happy for Wilbur because he is happy. and calm.
It's just that I miss him...a lot!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
June 25, 2008
woohoo! I finally made it to the shelter today. It's been a hectic two months. I offered to cook and fund a charity dinner thang for PU, but I hadnt heard from them, so I figured the money I had set aside for the dinner was better used right away.
I had about an hour and figured I might as well take a looksie. A lot of empty cubicles that almost made my heart sink. I'll be honest. I was looking out for Wilber. Turns out he was moved to the corner cubicle, the one Madame Zippy
used to occupy. I think its a better spot for me. He will be there without all the additional stimulation. Perhaps its a lucky spot and he'll make it to a happy home.
Anyways, there is a note on his door asking even volunteers to stay away. Turns out they are trying out something new. It is a form of feline behaviour therapy. There is a mini football thingy which makes a godawful sound when squeezed. Needless to say, my Wilber, a gentleman of impeccable auditory tastes likes it as much as you or I would like to stick a pin into our eyes. Whenever Wilber tries to bite, I am supposed to give the squeaky football a squeeze which will 'teach' him not to bite. Brilliant idea. I hope the theory works.
Wilber sitting prince-like
In the beginning, he was rubbing himself against me and then did the aloof thing. I spread my hands for reiki and he tried to bite my fingers. I gave the ball a nice squeeze. Then we played the 'Ball in the Hole' game. He was sufficiently amused.
After I left to check on Denmark next door, I spied on Wilber trying to murder his red fleece blankie. He's still got it.
Here's Denmark looking clueless and cute.
Denmark has become totally mellow. He too gave me a good rub-over. We were playing with a fleece mousey when Denmark tried to swat the mouse from my hands. Here is the difference between Wilber and Denmark. While Wilber uses his teeth and does it out of sheer frustration(because he has a spirit that is as big as my ass and no cubicle can contain it). Denmark got his reputation for being 'trouble' because he is a door dasher and he does leave claw marks. The clawing isnt intentional. Being poly-dactyl, he has kinda chunky front paws and he is such a clumsy dear. His claws keep getting caught in the cat tree material too. Poor darling! With his giant paws and LARGE eyes, he looks clueless and so innocent at the same time. He is like a little man-child who has forgotten to grow up and finds everything interesting.
Wilber sez, "I da man here"
Wilber who completely ignored me started getting frisky when I was playing with Denmark next door. He began swatting the glass door inbetween them and Denmark started crouching in attack mode. He gave out his tomcat meowgrowl. So manly, my man-child! While it was cute, I didnt want to start anything between them especially since they are both doing so well, so I left.
Denmark crouching and did the meow-growl thing after this picture
Plenty of new kittens, but Bradley and Sparkles are also still there. They are looking pretty bored...as soon as I move to a new place, I am taking them for a small fostering vacation. I dont think Wilber will be sent for fostering now that they are working on him with behaviour therapy. Jimmie and George are still there, of course. I didnt see Force! I'll have to ask the next time I go there.
I feel good today. My heart feels swollen from love.
I had about an hour and figured I might as well take a looksie. A lot of empty cubicles that almost made my heart sink. I'll be honest. I was looking out for Wilber. Turns out he was moved to the corner cubicle, the one Madame Zippy
used to occupy. I think its a better spot for me. He will be there without all the additional stimulation. Perhaps its a lucky spot and he'll make it to a happy home.
Anyways, there is a note on his door asking even volunteers to stay away. Turns out they are trying out something new. It is a form of feline behaviour therapy. There is a mini football thingy which makes a godawful sound when squeezed. Needless to say, my Wilber, a gentleman of impeccable auditory tastes likes it as much as you or I would like to stick a pin into our eyes. Whenever Wilber tries to bite, I am supposed to give the squeaky football a squeeze which will 'teach' him not to bite. Brilliant idea. I hope the theory works.
Wilber sitting prince-like
In the beginning, he was rubbing himself against me and then did the aloof thing. I spread my hands for reiki and he tried to bite my fingers. I gave the ball a nice squeeze. Then we played the 'Ball in the Hole' game. He was sufficiently amused.
After I left to check on Denmark next door, I spied on Wilber trying to murder his red fleece blankie. He's still got it.
Here's Denmark looking clueless and cute.
Denmark has become totally mellow. He too gave me a good rub-over. We were playing with a fleece mousey when Denmark tried to swat the mouse from my hands. Here is the difference between Wilber and Denmark. While Wilber uses his teeth and does it out of sheer frustration(because he has a spirit that is as big as my ass and no cubicle can contain it). Denmark got his reputation for being 'trouble' because he is a door dasher and he does leave claw marks. The clawing isnt intentional. Being poly-dactyl, he has kinda chunky front paws and he is such a clumsy dear. His claws keep getting caught in the cat tree material too. Poor darling! With his giant paws and LARGE eyes, he looks clueless and so innocent at the same time. He is like a little man-child who has forgotten to grow up and finds everything interesting.
Wilber sez, "I da man here"
Wilber who completely ignored me started getting frisky when I was playing with Denmark next door. He began swatting the glass door inbetween them and Denmark started crouching in attack mode. He gave out his tomcat meowgrowl. So manly, my man-child! While it was cute, I didnt want to start anything between them especially since they are both doing so well, so I left.
Denmark crouching and did the meow-growl thing after this picture
Plenty of new kittens, but Bradley and Sparkles are also still there. They are looking pretty bored...as soon as I move to a new place, I am taking them for a small fostering vacation. I dont think Wilber will be sent for fostering now that they are working on him with behaviour therapy. Jimmie and George are still there, of course. I didnt see Force! I'll have to ask the next time I go there.
I feel good today. My heart feels swollen from love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
