Critters Pet Sitting & Purrever Ranch
September 2004 Newsletter
Hello & happy paws to all! Hope everyone had a lovely holiday. Just a reminder, Critters Pet Sitting will be closed Thurs, Sept 9th thru Thurs, Sept 16th--reopening Fri, Sept 17th. For a complete list of CPS closings thru 2005 please visit http://www.gotcats.org/closed.html Phone calls & emails will be returned Sept 17th. Purrever Ranch will be opened, of course. Email from the ranch may be delayed. I am going to try and stay off the computer & get some much needed rest and just spend some time with the Purrever Ranch Pussycats cleaning & loving the old babies.
Purrever Ranch received our 20th resident in late August. His name is Ellington & he appears to be an aprox 15 yr old large orange/white maine coon mix? Ellington had spent three very long months at CAS & with the shelter as overcrowded as it is, he was at risk of euthanization. He was very stressed and is still a bit "shelter shocked". Ellington is a SOS (survival of suicide) cat. It is an extremely sad story. The old mancat is confused & heartbroken. I'm doing everything in my power to comfort him. It just takes time. The heart is the hardest to heal...I think.
Update on Rose. Good news is that her test results came back much more positive than suspected. But, she did have to have an echocardiogram ultrasound by a second vet, Dr McGee. He believes her heart condition is temporary. Both vets suggest she remain on antibiotics for at least a month. Rose goes back in Wed, Sept 8th for a 2nd urinalysis & will have another ultrasound in a few weeks.
Update on Special. What a tender & loving girl, this bobtail cat is! Her eye seems to have healed completely and she is ever so appreciative. Lots of headbutts & purrs to all those that helped with her medical bills. Special is one contented, healthy kitty!
Some may wonder why I go to so much trouble & that I should just euthanize these old cats. Let me get one thing straight, every cat's life condition is discussed with a veterinarian. If the quality of life is poor, we will make that decision. I am not a martyr nor will I prolong any cat's life that is in constant pain. But all the cats Purrever Ranch are caring for deserve a chance to live & be loved. They can not help it that their humans died or that someone threw them away like trash. They can't help it that they are considered "unadoptable" because most people want a kitten. I have found older pets to be the most gentle, loving creatures on the planet. As I've said before, I'd tell you that I've been rescuing cats all my life but truth be known--they have been rescuing me...
I would like to take the time to thank all of you that have donated to Purrever Ranch and especially to those that have made the decision to donate on a monthly basis. With the theme of every cat deserves 9 lives--are at least one good one, I'm asking you to consider donating $9 each month on the 9th of each month. You can do it here thru PAYPAL. You can cancel at any time.
You may also choose to donate a different amount one time only here Thank you for caring about the senior kitties residing at Purrever Ranch!
Items needed: SCOOPABLE CAT LITTER, Bleach, Apple Cidar Vinegar (safely softens & disinfects laundry), used crib sheets (fav sleeping place is an old baby bed), used cat trees/condos/etc, canned cat food, but what is needed most is monetary donations for vet bills & medications.
I would like to thank two very important rescue (ANGELS!) groups who have been uncommonly generous in helping Purrever Ranch. House of Mews & FOCAS have helped Purrever Ranch solicit funds, donated medicine, supplies & given much needed advice. Please support these wonderful organizations. The House of Mews has nearly 200 cats & kittens needing homes. FOCAS has both cats, dogs, kittens & puppies looking for the purrfect home. If you can't adopt, please consider donating.
If you ever need help on the interstate system...
(Thanks to Christy Massey of FOCAS for sharing!)
You can call TDOT in case you ever need help or get
stranded on the interstate, they go and change your flat tire, gives you gas,
jump your battery or diagnose if is a serious breakdown. The service is free
and the # to call is 901-537-2988. Keep it on your wallet or your cell
phone address book just in case you or somebody you know may use it.
Catkins Diet! Article from Aug '04 DVM Mag stresses the importance of canned food in feline weight loss. A MUST read for all humans who are owned by cats. From my exp & observations, this works! Don't forget to encourage your kitty to exercise!
Dog Play (Great Activities for you & your pooch!)
This is a must read. It is a very moving story.
