It is going to be a long day – here I go!
I couldn’t remember if I was suspose to meet Dustin and Shari at the store at 9:00 or 10:00 so - when I arrived at the store at 9:05 I thought it must be 10:00 so – when the phone rang and it was George asking to meet for coffee I said yes thinking I had 30 to 45 minutes. Well I didn’t. Dustin called at 9:20 just as my coffee was being poured at Perkins to let me know they were at the store and did I forget. I felt terrible and told them I goofed and could they go have coffee and meet me at 10:00. No problem. I still felt bad.
As soon as we were all at the store, I gave them a store key so we would never have a problem again. I want a long lasting relationship with Dustin and Shari. They are exceptional people and everyone should have someone like them in their lives.
While I was at coffee with George, I had talked to him about creating a wood plaque base for these really cool dog bone tiles that I was given while in North Carolina. Dustin gave me the idea of placing the tiles on a wood base with an attractive hook to hang leashes, etc on that could be hung on a wall to organize pet stuff. I think it’s a great idea and they would sell.
George came in to get the sample tile and a drawing of what was in my mind.
I’m always buying “Arts and Crafts” magazine and “Hog Hill Pottery” advertises in most issues. I have always admired their pottery and decided I wanted to go to their studio while visiting my daughter, Alison, in South Carolina. So, together with a childhood friend of mine that lives in the area and my GPS we headed out. It didn’t look so far on the map. Anyway, we drove and drove through beautiful mountains until off in the distance I saw some chimneys and said “that has to be it”. It was.
A husband and wife team create magnificent pieces. I splurged and bought two pieces and we had a great time visiting. They hadn’t ever had somebody from Iowa show up on their doorstep before. I shared that I co-founded Siouxland Paw Prints Rescue and our mission.
They asked if they could donate some very special tiles to me to help raise funds. I was not about to say no.
The story goes that they created these special tiles for a Nascar Superstars dogs bathroom. Yes, I said dogs bathroom. And they would love for me to take them and create something that would help raise funds for SPPR.
I brought home 24 really great signed tiles and with Dustin’s idea and George’s craftsmanship the public will have a chance to buy something very special in the very near future. My plan is to post them on the web site for everyone to see and if interested place an order.
George left the store with the tile and drawing by 10:00 and I left to meet Kelly at Staples to get some ideas for things we need at the store.
Kelly knowing how much Lar loves home cooking had brought a great casserole and a fresh loaf of banana bread for Lar and I to have for supper. There isn’t much Kelly can’t do really well.
By 11:30 I was at the Singing Hills Animal Hospital with Mary Ann. She was due for a checkup and a rabies vaccination. She’s my best girl and has gum and teeth troubles and will have to go back for some teeth cleaning and possibly an extraction or two.
At home I worked on laundry and the donation request letters. I am signing each letter and hoping they will have a good response to help us with future vet expenses.
Back at the store by 1:30 I found a very clean and neat store and Leah working on data entry so I headed back home to continue the letter work and more laundry until 3:00. Leah had to head out and the store is open until 5:00, sometimes 6:00 on Fridays.
Fridays are date night for Lar and I and we generally go to a movie and dinner. Tonight we went to see Green Zone. Not bad. We went down to the store afterwards to tuck everyone in. Tim, Tom, and Jerry, Viola’s cats, have been released from their room and are now allowed to roam the store with everyone. This is there first night out and I wanted to make sure they were doing okay. The three were in the room resting and feeling safe so I closed the door for the night.
It was only around 10:00 but I couldn’t sleep. I continued working on the letters for the mailing until about 11:30 before going to bed. It’s going to be a short night.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Tues, Wed, Thurs March 9,10,11th
I am so behind in my journal – I don’t know if I will be able to catch up. Every day is so packed that I wish I could divide myself into at least four people. Don’t get me wrong – I love what I am doing and feel very good and fortunate to be able to do what I do for the rescue. It was my intent to keep an accurate accounting of my days but each days journal entry takes me at least an hour.
I started to carry around a little notebook to take notes through out the day so I wouldn’t have trouble remembering the day at the end of the day. Unfortunately, I didn’t start with the notebook until the 12th. Recalling each day without notes is so hard.
Tuesday and Wednesday are a big blurr – sorry. What I remember is the great volunteers that came into the store to assist with the daily chores and activities. Leah and Sharon have both been blessings – thanks ladies.
It was either tuesday or wednesday that I asked them to please teach little “Christmas”, the little large patch calico kitten of 10 weeks to not climb up legs to get attention. She would come and climb up the backs of my legs, up my back, and settle on my shoulders and then I would reach up to get her, give her some love and put her down on the floor. She thought it was a great game and did it over and over. I know she was lonely without her siblings and needed a fun family to give her more attention than I could.
Leah and Sharon worked with her and when they thought she actually got it a wonderful family came in and adopted her. I didn’t get to meet them but the ladies reported that it was an excellant placement.
On Wednesday Tim, Tom and Jerry, Viola’s kids, were sceduled to see the vet at 3:50. It was an event! They were comfortable with me and getting there with everyone at the store but. . .one of the vet techs thought she had a hold of Tim but Tim got away from her when he was being weighed and ran through the back of the clinic and ended up in the doctors bathroom. He was frantic and raced about the room and knocked everything on a shelf to the floor – almost. Quick thinking on the part of the tech as she reached successfully across the room saving the treasured dinosaur bone that Dr. Salsbury treasured inches from the floor where it probably would have shattered into many pieces. There is a god – don’t ever doubt it.
Tim was sedated, vaccinated, and returned to his carrier. Tom and Jerry were both leashed prior to leaving the exam room – actually – Tom never left the exam room – Jerry was leashed and I went with him to the scale and back to the room.
I wonder if the dinosaur bone is still on the shelf?
Thursday – let me think for a minute. It was a rather quiet morning.
Around 3:00 a teacher came into the store. She was looking for a companion for her mom. After about 30 to 40 minutes she thought she could choose between Velvet and Teva but wanted to leave the decision up to her mom. She needed to go pick her kids up from school and would swing by and pick up her mom and come back to the store.
Velvet is a great girl but would prefer to be the Queen of any home and Teva who came from a home with other cats and dogs, and moved to Sioux City from Oregon when her owner died, needed the loving touch of somebody with time and a comfortable lap.
I made a deal with the daughter in advance. No matter which cat was chosen a donation that fit her budget would be enough. I felt it was more important to place one of the kids in this family.
Teva, who hadn’t allowed anyone to hold her other than me, went right to this lady’s lap as if she had known her forever. She was so relaxed and comfortable that tears came to my eyes. It was the right fit – Teva had a new family.
I worry about all the kids and feel I know what they need and sense what they are feeling and thinking. Strange? I don’t think so.
The new shipment of microchips arrived sometime during the day and remember it’s Thursday – Survivors on. Please don’t ever call me on Thursday nights until after Survivor or 8:00 p.m. Thank you.
The day didn’t end with the show – I organized the micro-chips in numerical order and worked signing and addressing envelopes for the Donation Request Letter. I’ve signed over 200 letters in hopes of getting enough donations to keep the store open and going full speed ahead. We will stay open but the more money that comes in the more cats we can vet and save. It’s all about happy, healthy, socialized furry friends.
Thank you to everyone for caring and sharing. It is worth it. I promise no funds are wasted or misused in any way. I can not accomplish the mission by myself – it can only be done together.
I started to carry around a little notebook to take notes through out the day so I wouldn’t have trouble remembering the day at the end of the day. Unfortunately, I didn’t start with the notebook until the 12th. Recalling each day without notes is so hard.
Tuesday and Wednesday are a big blurr – sorry. What I remember is the great volunteers that came into the store to assist with the daily chores and activities. Leah and Sharon have both been blessings – thanks ladies.
It was either tuesday or wednesday that I asked them to please teach little “Christmas”, the little large patch calico kitten of 10 weeks to not climb up legs to get attention. She would come and climb up the backs of my legs, up my back, and settle on my shoulders and then I would reach up to get her, give her some love and put her down on the floor. She thought it was a great game and did it over and over. I know she was lonely without her siblings and needed a fun family to give her more attention than I could.
Leah and Sharon worked with her and when they thought she actually got it a wonderful family came in and adopted her. I didn’t get to meet them but the ladies reported that it was an excellant placement.
On Wednesday Tim, Tom and Jerry, Viola’s kids, were sceduled to see the vet at 3:50. It was an event! They were comfortable with me and getting there with everyone at the store but. . .one of the vet techs thought she had a hold of Tim but Tim got away from her when he was being weighed and ran through the back of the clinic and ended up in the doctors bathroom. He was frantic and raced about the room and knocked everything on a shelf to the floor – almost. Quick thinking on the part of the tech as she reached successfully across the room saving the treasured dinosaur bone that Dr. Salsbury treasured inches from the floor where it probably would have shattered into many pieces. There is a god – don’t ever doubt it.
Tim was sedated, vaccinated, and returned to his carrier. Tom and Jerry were both leashed prior to leaving the exam room – actually – Tom never left the exam room – Jerry was leashed and I went with him to the scale and back to the room.
I wonder if the dinosaur bone is still on the shelf?
Thursday – let me think for a minute. It was a rather quiet morning.
Around 3:00 a teacher came into the store. She was looking for a companion for her mom. After about 30 to 40 minutes she thought she could choose between Velvet and Teva but wanted to leave the decision up to her mom. She needed to go pick her kids up from school and would swing by and pick up her mom and come back to the store.
Velvet is a great girl but would prefer to be the Queen of any home and Teva who came from a home with other cats and dogs, and moved to Sioux City from Oregon when her owner died, needed the loving touch of somebody with time and a comfortable lap.
I made a deal with the daughter in advance. No matter which cat was chosen a donation that fit her budget would be enough. I felt it was more important to place one of the kids in this family.
Teva, who hadn’t allowed anyone to hold her other than me, went right to this lady’s lap as if she had known her forever. She was so relaxed and comfortable that tears came to my eyes. It was the right fit – Teva had a new family.
I worry about all the kids and feel I know what they need and sense what they are feeling and thinking. Strange? I don’t think so.
The new shipment of microchips arrived sometime during the day and remember it’s Thursday – Survivors on. Please don’t ever call me on Thursday nights until after Survivor or 8:00 p.m. Thank you.
The day didn’t end with the show – I organized the micro-chips in numerical order and worked signing and addressing envelopes for the Donation Request Letter. I’ve signed over 200 letters in hopes of getting enough donations to keep the store open and going full speed ahead. We will stay open but the more money that comes in the more cats we can vet and save. It’s all about happy, healthy, socialized furry friends.
Thank you to everyone for caring and sharing. It is worth it. I promise no funds are wasted or misused in any way. I can not accomplish the mission by myself – it can only be done together.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 8
All my days start out pretty much the same – but today Dustin and Shari met me at the store at 9:00 to volunteer and help by doing the morning chores and help with data entry stuff. They are wonderful and a great team and I look forward to working with them for a long time.
The four kittens that came in Sunday afternoon, three of which were pre-adopted in the first 45 minutes, were taken to the vet for their health exams.
They were all tested negative, given Rabies shots and microchipped. They are the cutest, sweetest little things and all will have great new homes.
Before heading back to the store I stopped at Lar’s office to pick up more adoption forms. I can’t make legal size copies at the store so I used his copier. Thanks Lar.
Dustin had brought a lazer light for the kids to play with. They were having so much fun and everyone was in on the game and we all laughed at there antics. The kittens joined the fun and ran and played with the big kids for a while and then I gave them each their combination vaccinations. There first baby boosters.
About noon our Chereokee mom and son came in to pick up there two new family members. They didn’t have a carrier but did come with a box that I cut holes in. They were soon loaded and headed to their new home. Lucky kids.
At the same time Clydes new mom came in to pick him up. He will be so spoiled and loved. He will give her so much love and attention in exchange and I am sure they will be best buds for years.
Larry F called to let us know that they would be coming by between 3:15 and 3:30. Perfect timing. Their kitten Rocky and the remaining kitten, Christmas will probably take a long nap to recover from the lazer light fun.
I received a call about 2:00 from a party in SSC. It seems that somebody moved out of a rental property and left behing a mom with three babies. They were left alone without food or water for several days before the landlord went to check on the place. It is so upsetting that anyone would do such an evil thing to innocent, helpless animals that at one time they professed to love. All they had to do was call, ask for help, and so many people and organizations would have been there for the cat and kittens.
I called Kelli and we planned to meet at 4:00 to pick them up. They were safe with food and water and Kelli was willing to foster them. When we arrived to pick them up – they were limp and dehydrated and we loaded them up, and another young male kitten, and took off for the vet. I called Siouxland Animal Hospital on the way and told them I would be arriving in 15 minutes with a mom and 3 kittens and the mom needed fluids immediately. They were ready for us when we arrived and while mom got the much needed fluids Doc did a health check on the kittens. They were checked for ring worm, etc. because their coats were very dull and mom, now named Lady, actually had patches of fur missing. She gave the kittens everything she could and more.
Kelli took them home with her and set them up with Prescription Diet W-D, KMR, and kitten dry food and water, a special pet heating pad, and lots of love. She called later to let me know they had inhaled the food and were resting comfortably.
I took little 18 week old Milo back to the store and got him settled in. He and Christmas hit it off instantly. I did the evening chores and fed everyone supper.
Monday nights are Lar’s bowling nights so I lingered at the store to interact with all the kids. Viola’s boys, Tim, Tom and Jerry are doing very well and will make wonderful new family members for someone.
Time to go home. I have no plans but I am sure there will be something for me to do.
The four kittens that came in Sunday afternoon, three of which were pre-adopted in the first 45 minutes, were taken to the vet for their health exams.
They were all tested negative, given Rabies shots and microchipped. They are the cutest, sweetest little things and all will have great new homes.
Before heading back to the store I stopped at Lar’s office to pick up more adoption forms. I can’t make legal size copies at the store so I used his copier. Thanks Lar.
Dustin had brought a lazer light for the kids to play with. They were having so much fun and everyone was in on the game and we all laughed at there antics. The kittens joined the fun and ran and played with the big kids for a while and then I gave them each their combination vaccinations. There first baby boosters.
About noon our Chereokee mom and son came in to pick up there two new family members. They didn’t have a carrier but did come with a box that I cut holes in. They were soon loaded and headed to their new home. Lucky kids.
At the same time Clydes new mom came in to pick him up. He will be so spoiled and loved. He will give her so much love and attention in exchange and I am sure they will be best buds for years.
Larry F called to let us know that they would be coming by between 3:15 and 3:30. Perfect timing. Their kitten Rocky and the remaining kitten, Christmas will probably take a long nap to recover from the lazer light fun.
I received a call about 2:00 from a party in SSC. It seems that somebody moved out of a rental property and left behing a mom with three babies. They were left alone without food or water for several days before the landlord went to check on the place. It is so upsetting that anyone would do such an evil thing to innocent, helpless animals that at one time they professed to love. All they had to do was call, ask for help, and so many people and organizations would have been there for the cat and kittens.
I called Kelli and we planned to meet at 4:00 to pick them up. They were safe with food and water and Kelli was willing to foster them. When we arrived to pick them up – they were limp and dehydrated and we loaded them up, and another young male kitten, and took off for the vet. I called Siouxland Animal Hospital on the way and told them I would be arriving in 15 minutes with a mom and 3 kittens and the mom needed fluids immediately. They were ready for us when we arrived and while mom got the much needed fluids Doc did a health check on the kittens. They were checked for ring worm, etc. because their coats were very dull and mom, now named Lady, actually had patches of fur missing. She gave the kittens everything she could and more.
Kelli took them home with her and set them up with Prescription Diet W-D, KMR, and kitten dry food and water, a special pet heating pad, and lots of love. She called later to let me know they had inhaled the food and were resting comfortably.
I took little 18 week old Milo back to the store and got him settled in. He and Christmas hit it off instantly. I did the evening chores and fed everyone supper.
Monday nights are Lar’s bowling nights so I lingered at the store to interact with all the kids. Viola’s boys, Tim, Tom and Jerry are doing very well and will make wonderful new family members for someone.
Time to go home. I have no plans but I am sure there will be something for me to do.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sunday, March 7th
I have trouble waking up in the morning - because I have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep - I have been taking 2 Simply Sleep tablets every night. If I take just one Simply Sleep I wake up in the middle of the night and can not get back to sleep. My mind starts working on the next day so I get out of bed and go watch an old movie or something I have recorded.
Anyway, getting up today was so exception. I put 2 ice cubes in my first cup of coffee, then read the paper, in this case Sundays edition and then go feed my kids at home.
Tallie and Peach have been with me for 6 months or more. They came to me with a few sever social issues that I have been working on since there arrival. They are doing much better and it is about time to move them to the store. The reason they are almost ready to go to the store is because of Toby. Toby was thought to be HIV and came to me in January. He is not HIV and has become good friends with Tallie and Peach so when I move them to the store they will go together. I believe this will help them to transition more quickly and easily.
Mary Ann is one of my old girls. She came to me in Oct. 08 from a lady in the LeMars area who had witnessed her being thrown out of a moving car. Mary Ann ran and hid beneath a storage shed at the farm and this lady went out everyday to feed her and befriend her and finally. . .the lady put her in a carrier and brought her to me.
When I let Mary Ann out of the carrier at my house in my studio, which is an unfinished room in my basement, she bolted and leaped and disappeared into the ceiling. She stayed there for 3 days until she finally came down for food I left in a live trap. I was afraid to tell Lar that we might have to remove the basement ceilings to find her.
I carried her to one of the guest bedrooms and let her out of the trap. She ran under the bed and stayed there for a month. Every day I got down on the floor and crawled under the bed to visit with her. I brought her food and keep her litter in the corner. I would talk to her and tell her about my day and finally one day she reached out a paw to touch my hand. It was so cool. She was beginning to open up to me.
Within a week she was sitting in my lap and letting me give her love.
She has a crippled ear due to major ear mite infestation and all other signs of neglect and injury are gone.
It has been 15 months since her arrival and she is my girl. We are best friends and we love each other very much. She cuddles with me in the recliner when I sit down and follows me everywhere. Mary Ann is at least nine years old and is home.
My final cat is Gizzy. She is an over weight 10 year black cat, whose owner died last June and was surrendered to SPPR with two other younger cats that I found homes for. Gizzy missed her loving owner and had a hard time accepting her fate. She stayed in the office closet for weeks, only coming out to eat and use the litter box. I knew she was mourning and kept reassuring her that she would be okay.
It has been eight months and 10 year olds are hard to place. Knowing she wouldn't do well with another change, Gizzy is home too. She has a deep meow, loves me, and is in charge of the finished basement. For a long time she slept on the piano. Did I mention that she was close to 20 pounds when she arrived and is not a slim 13 pounds.
Back to the day.
I was at the store by 9:30 feeding and cleaning and doing whatever needed doing. Sharon came in about 10:30 and again we got the place ready for the day. At 11:00 I dashed over to Viola's to pick up the last three cats in the garage - Tom, Jerry & Tim. They were glad to see me and easy to put in the carriers. Viola said her goodbys and took pictures of them. It was hard for her to let them all go. I will go back next week to check on her.
I put the three boys in a room to themselves where they won't be bothered by all the other cats and then proceeded to work on a donor list for Marcie.
It was quiet for a while until the people that had called about the kittens started coming in. Larry F's family arrived around 2:30 so they would have first choice of the kittens.
Meanwhile, a lady from Saturday, came in with her adult son and granddaughter to meet Clyde. She was going to wait until she returned from her trip but decided if she wanted Clyde she better do it now. So, Sharon helped her with her paper work and instead of taking Clyde with her today, planned to come in on Monday afternoon for him. No problem.
Patty and her husband arrived just before 3:00 with the four kittens. So cute and sweet but because they had not been vet checked I would only agree to pre-adoptions. Nobody was leaving today. Everyone was going to the vet in the morning to get check ups.
Within minutes, Larry F's family chose Rocky, an adorable little gray and white male kitten. Again,Sharon helped them with the paper work while I brought in the couple with their son, from Cherokee. They were planning on adopting one kitten but decided on two. They chose Izzy and Max, two girls, or so we thought.
Mom had to come back to Sioux City on Monday and it would be no trouble to pick them up on Monday afternoon. They were very excited about the two kids and headed over to Target to get toys and supplies.
Sometime during all this, Marcie came in with her family and finished typing out the donor list that I had started at 12:00. She has written a fantastic donation request letter and will personalize each letter with the donor list of names.
When everyone left the store it was close to 4:30 so Sharon and I fed the kids supper and cleaned up before heading out. We were close to being out of litter and Target's ad had listed litter on sale so I met Lar at Target at 5:15 to help lift the 35 lb. buckets into the cart and car.
We also needed to use up our medical money set aside for last year so we bought $250.00 worth of medical things like band aides, Alleve, Zantac, etc. They were out of Simply sleep - oh no!
From Target to Olive Garden. There was no way I could prepare supper after today. Soup, salad, and a shared pizza. Perfect! Home by 7:00 to watch the Amazing Race in my pajamas and a little bit of the Academy Awards. I knew Hurt Locker would win.
Anyway, getting up today was so exception. I put 2 ice cubes in my first cup of coffee, then read the paper, in this case Sundays edition and then go feed my kids at home.
Tallie and Peach have been with me for 6 months or more. They came to me with a few sever social issues that I have been working on since there arrival. They are doing much better and it is about time to move them to the store. The reason they are almost ready to go to the store is because of Toby. Toby was thought to be HIV and came to me in January. He is not HIV and has become good friends with Tallie and Peach so when I move them to the store they will go together. I believe this will help them to transition more quickly and easily.
Mary Ann is one of my old girls. She came to me in Oct. 08 from a lady in the LeMars area who had witnessed her being thrown out of a moving car. Mary Ann ran and hid beneath a storage shed at the farm and this lady went out everyday to feed her and befriend her and finally. . .the lady put her in a carrier and brought her to me.
When I let Mary Ann out of the carrier at my house in my studio, which is an unfinished room in my basement, she bolted and leaped and disappeared into the ceiling. She stayed there for 3 days until she finally came down for food I left in a live trap. I was afraid to tell Lar that we might have to remove the basement ceilings to find her.
I carried her to one of the guest bedrooms and let her out of the trap. She ran under the bed and stayed there for a month. Every day I got down on the floor and crawled under the bed to visit with her. I brought her food and keep her litter in the corner. I would talk to her and tell her about my day and finally one day she reached out a paw to touch my hand. It was so cool. She was beginning to open up to me.
Within a week she was sitting in my lap and letting me give her love.
She has a crippled ear due to major ear mite infestation and all other signs of neglect and injury are gone.
It has been 15 months since her arrival and she is my girl. We are best friends and we love each other very much. She cuddles with me in the recliner when I sit down and follows me everywhere. Mary Ann is at least nine years old and is home.
My final cat is Gizzy. She is an over weight 10 year black cat, whose owner died last June and was surrendered to SPPR with two other younger cats that I found homes for. Gizzy missed her loving owner and had a hard time accepting her fate. She stayed in the office closet for weeks, only coming out to eat and use the litter box. I knew she was mourning and kept reassuring her that she would be okay.
It has been eight months and 10 year olds are hard to place. Knowing she wouldn't do well with another change, Gizzy is home too. She has a deep meow, loves me, and is in charge of the finished basement. For a long time she slept on the piano. Did I mention that she was close to 20 pounds when she arrived and is not a slim 13 pounds.
Back to the day.
I was at the store by 9:30 feeding and cleaning and doing whatever needed doing. Sharon came in about 10:30 and again we got the place ready for the day. At 11:00 I dashed over to Viola's to pick up the last three cats in the garage - Tom, Jerry & Tim. They were glad to see me and easy to put in the carriers. Viola said her goodbys and took pictures of them. It was hard for her to let them all go. I will go back next week to check on her.
I put the three boys in a room to themselves where they won't be bothered by all the other cats and then proceeded to work on a donor list for Marcie.
It was quiet for a while until the people that had called about the kittens started coming in. Larry F's family arrived around 2:30 so they would have first choice of the kittens.
Meanwhile, a lady from Saturday, came in with her adult son and granddaughter to meet Clyde. She was going to wait until she returned from her trip but decided if she wanted Clyde she better do it now. So, Sharon helped her with her paper work and instead of taking Clyde with her today, planned to come in on Monday afternoon for him. No problem.
Patty and her husband arrived just before 3:00 with the four kittens. So cute and sweet but because they had not been vet checked I would only agree to pre-adoptions. Nobody was leaving today. Everyone was going to the vet in the morning to get check ups.
Within minutes, Larry F's family chose Rocky, an adorable little gray and white male kitten. Again,Sharon helped them with the paper work while I brought in the couple with their son, from Cherokee. They were planning on adopting one kitten but decided on two. They chose Izzy and Max, two girls, or so we thought.
Mom had to come back to Sioux City on Monday and it would be no trouble to pick them up on Monday afternoon. They were very excited about the two kids and headed over to Target to get toys and supplies.
Sometime during all this, Marcie came in with her family and finished typing out the donor list that I had started at 12:00. She has written a fantastic donation request letter and will personalize each letter with the donor list of names.
When everyone left the store it was close to 4:30 so Sharon and I fed the kids supper and cleaned up before heading out. We were close to being out of litter and Target's ad had listed litter on sale so I met Lar at Target at 5:15 to help lift the 35 lb. buckets into the cart and car.
We also needed to use up our medical money set aside for last year so we bought $250.00 worth of medical things like band aides, Alleve, Zantac, etc. They were out of Simply sleep - oh no!
From Target to Olive Garden. There was no way I could prepare supper after today. Soup, salad, and a shared pizza. Perfect! Home by 7:00 to watch the Amazing Race in my pajamas and a little bit of the Academy Awards. I knew Hurt Locker would win.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Saturday, March 6th
I got up tired this morning - it's going to be a long day.
I was at the store by 9:00 to begin cleaning and getting ready for a 10:00 opening time. Sharon arrived to help around 10:00 and that was good. Together we got everything looking pretty good.
The cat kids are always glad to see me arrive and I love their morning meows and greetings. I'm certain SPPR has the best cats in town. Let's see you gets a new home today.
Sharon's friend arrived with her daughter and hung out with her for a couple hours. Not good. She's nice but this is a business - I'll have to talk to Sharon about that later.
It was quiet to start so I worked on the computer and created a list of prior donor's that Marcie needed and new signs for the door without K.K.'s phone number. I haven't talked to her in over a week. She was at the vet one morning when I arrived and I said "Good Morning Kris" and she promptly left without saying a word to me. I wish I dared to include some text on our relationship, or rather, lack of but it is probably best to keep my mouth shut. That's hard to do sometimes.
Not much action so I left Sharon and her friend at the store and met Lar at DeKoa's for a quick lunch. Shortly after arriving back at the store Sharon's friend left and people started to come in.
A very nice couple came in to meet that kids. They had to put down an older cat recently and thought they might be ready for another. The looked around and I introduced them to Buford who was in timeout. He was harrassing Prince and needed to have his behavior corrected.
As soon as I opened the door Buford rolled over on this back for the lady and stretched to reach her. Buford knew this was going to be his new mom and dad before they did. They hung out with him for a while and I went to help another family with their daughter looking for a new companion for her. The family from Salix checked out everyone and I thought they were going to adopt Honey when they spotted Mandi napping in the carpet column. I explained that she was formerly owned by a Hospice patient and due to an early eye infection she had a bit of a vision problem in one eye. Within a few minutes they decided she was the one. Wow! Mandi - you struck gold. You are going to love these people and will be spoiled and loved forever.
The couple looking at Buford left saying they would be back tomorrow with their son. They didn't want to make a decision without him.
Marcie came in for me to proof the donation request letter. She is really good at writing and everything. SPPR is lucky to have her helping.
Less than an hour after the couple looking at Buford left they were back with their son. Yep! He's the one. The paper work was completed and Buford went home with his new family.
By this time it was 4:15 and no one was in the store so we started to clean and get supper ready for the kids. I was scheduled to go to a concert with Lar at Morningside college at 7:30. Oh dear - was I going to be able to muster the energy to do this?
Sharon left and I was home by 5:30. I sat down to regroup for a few minutes, grabbed a bite and a diet coke and all of a sudden realized that I had forgotten to go feed the last three kids at Viola's.
It was decided that we would stop on our way to the concert at 6:30 so I quickly changed clothes and we were off.
The kids were waiting for me and wanted their supper. I quickly fed them and said hi to Viola telling her that I would be back at 11:00 Sunday morning for them.
Sweet Lar let me off at the door for the concert. He knew I was tired. We sat in row S for a very enjoyable concert but at intermission I needed to go home. Sorry, I can not remember every leaving a concert early.
Home and in my pj's by 9:30. Night, night!!
I was at the store by 9:00 to begin cleaning and getting ready for a 10:00 opening time. Sharon arrived to help around 10:00 and that was good. Together we got everything looking pretty good.
The cat kids are always glad to see me arrive and I love their morning meows and greetings. I'm certain SPPR has the best cats in town. Let's see you gets a new home today.
Sharon's friend arrived with her daughter and hung out with her for a couple hours. Not good. She's nice but this is a business - I'll have to talk to Sharon about that later.
It was quiet to start so I worked on the computer and created a list of prior donor's that Marcie needed and new signs for the door without K.K.'s phone number. I haven't talked to her in over a week. She was at the vet one morning when I arrived and I said "Good Morning Kris" and she promptly left without saying a word to me. I wish I dared to include some text on our relationship, or rather, lack of but it is probably best to keep my mouth shut. That's hard to do sometimes.
Not much action so I left Sharon and her friend at the store and met Lar at DeKoa's for a quick lunch. Shortly after arriving back at the store Sharon's friend left and people started to come in.
A very nice couple came in to meet that kids. They had to put down an older cat recently and thought they might be ready for another. The looked around and I introduced them to Buford who was in timeout. He was harrassing Prince and needed to have his behavior corrected.
As soon as I opened the door Buford rolled over on this back for the lady and stretched to reach her. Buford knew this was going to be his new mom and dad before they did. They hung out with him for a while and I went to help another family with their daughter looking for a new companion for her. The family from Salix checked out everyone and I thought they were going to adopt Honey when they spotted Mandi napping in the carpet column. I explained that she was formerly owned by a Hospice patient and due to an early eye infection she had a bit of a vision problem in one eye. Within a few minutes they decided she was the one. Wow! Mandi - you struck gold. You are going to love these people and will be spoiled and loved forever.
The couple looking at Buford left saying they would be back tomorrow with their son. They didn't want to make a decision without him.
Marcie came in for me to proof the donation request letter. She is really good at writing and everything. SPPR is lucky to have her helping.
Less than an hour after the couple looking at Buford left they were back with their son. Yep! He's the one. The paper work was completed and Buford went home with his new family.
By this time it was 4:15 and no one was in the store so we started to clean and get supper ready for the kids. I was scheduled to go to a concert with Lar at Morningside college at 7:30. Oh dear - was I going to be able to muster the energy to do this?
Sharon left and I was home by 5:30. I sat down to regroup for a few minutes, grabbed a bite and a diet coke and all of a sudden realized that I had forgotten to go feed the last three kids at Viola's.
It was decided that we would stop on our way to the concert at 6:30 so I quickly changed clothes and we were off.
The kids were waiting for me and wanted their supper. I quickly fed them and said hi to Viola telling her that I would be back at 11:00 Sunday morning for them.
Sweet Lar let me off at the door for the concert. He knew I was tired. We sat in row S for a very enjoyable concert but at intermission I needed to go home. Sorry, I can not remember every leaving a concert early.
Home and in my pj's by 9:30. Night, night!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Friday, March 5th
What a great day!
It all started when this wonderful lady from Salix(she called yesterday) came to the store at 9:30 with Teva. Teva's mom lived in Oregon and recently passed away from lung cancer and moved to Iowa with her aunt. Unfortunately, her aunt wasn't able to keep her and wasn't sure what to do until she saw the KTIV intereview about Siouxland Paw Prints Rescue. She was so happy to find an organization with so much compassion and integrity that she could trust to take Teva in and find her a new home.
Teva and I headed to the vet after the aunt left to get her health check. She spent the day there with the team at the clinic and came home later in the afternoon with a negative feline leuk/aides test, a Rabies vaccination, and a new microchip. I will give her combo vaccination Saturday morning - remember to save money.
Teva is about 5 years old with beautiful long black hair. She is gentle and loving but a bit nervous and shy which is to be expected from all the changes occuring in her life. I'm sure we will find the perfect match for her very soon.
As soon as I returned to the store the door started turning. A sweek lady that had called earlier in the week stopped in to see what litter mates we had. Trying to decide between Abby and Clyde or Honey and Opal was difficult. They all tried to give her love and cuddle with her on the sofa.
Mary S. came in needing some help with a big boy cat named Clew. It seems Mary and Clew had crossed paths for some time in her neighborhood before he decided to call Mary's home his home. He is suspected to be between 2 and 3 years, unaltered, and full of energy, if you know what I mean. He has a damaged ear due to an altercation with another wild guy out htere and isn't the handsomest but Mary loves him just the same.
I offered to help her with the expense of the neuter, a blood test, and vaccinations for $20.00 and she quickly took me up on the offer. We filled out the voucher and I called the vet to schedule the sugery for the 17th. Mary will not miss the appointment and will gladly help Paw Prints in the future it I need her.
Meanwhile our lady looking for litter mates was so impressed with the store and all the cats. She has a four day weekend coming up and will be back to get her two new family members then so that she can help them settle into their new home. Whoever she chooses will have a great new home.
Sharon and Roger came in to help with the cleaning. Remember they had just shampooed the carpet the night before and did a great job. Today, was window washing day. Roger is so thorough and detailed. He is one of the nicest people I have every met. Sharon too.
Sharon will help at the store this weekend. She is a long time cat lover and is great with customers and her help gives me a break to work on other things - like cleaning at home, etc.
Several more people came throughout the afternoon. A mother and daughter came in and fell in love and adopted our little Sparrow. I knew she would be adopted quickly. What a lucky little gire. She is coming back next Friday so I can give her a combo shot. She just had a major deworming at the vets and they recommended holding off with the vaccination for a week. No problem.
I left the store at 3:00 to run home and let Cooper out to go potty and then ran over to Viola's. The most amazing thing happened. I put out the canned food topped with some fresh cut up turkey from Viola's kitchen and the illusive Nancy walked over, let me pick her up and put her in a kennel and she was caught! For 5-6 weeks she wouldn't let me touch her and today I was able to pick her up!! Shocking!!!
Sunday, I will go back to Viola's for the three boys - all of who sit on my lap and love being petted and cuddled. They have all been neutered and vaccinated in the past but will go to the vets on Monday for blood tests, current vaccinations and microchips and then back to the store to settle in. I think they are going to do very well and be happy to be out of the garage.
I called Mike, the cat whisperer, but he was busy until 8:00 tonight so I met Leah, his wife at the store. She has some extra time and is going to help at the store. I want and need to keep it open seven days a week but need help to do that. She is willing and able and can help in many ways. She took Nancy back to her house and reunited her with the three little black and white kids from the other day. I know they will work their magic on the four and they will be up for adoption at the store before long.
Just before Leah left Mary V came in. Mary is another volunteer that I am indebted to. She is very helpful and passionate about Paw Prints mission. She retires from teaching fourth drade at the end of this year after teaching for 30 years. Wow! She is looking forward to helping this summer in a greater capacity and we welcome her with open arms. She is one of the great ladies.
Mary helped me get supper ready for the kids and do a final litter box cleaning. It is my date night with Lar and I needed to leave for the night. We locked up and each headed in different directions.
Lar and I headed to the mall theatres to see "Alice in Wonderland" in 3-D. Much darker than I thought it would be but very well done. I thought it was one of the best movies of the year, so far.
Lar went with me to the store to turn off the back lights and do a final check and then we went to Perkins for coffee so I could stay awake to type this entry. I have made a commitment to keep this journal and will do so. I think I will enjoy looking back at the end of the year and hope to keep you entertained with what goes on for me at Paw Prints each day.
The cats need us. We need to give of ourselves to make a difference. Thank you.
It all started when this wonderful lady from Salix(she called yesterday) came to the store at 9:30 with Teva. Teva's mom lived in Oregon and recently passed away from lung cancer and moved to Iowa with her aunt. Unfortunately, her aunt wasn't able to keep her and wasn't sure what to do until she saw the KTIV intereview about Siouxland Paw Prints Rescue. She was so happy to find an organization with so much compassion and integrity that she could trust to take Teva in and find her a new home.
Teva and I headed to the vet after the aunt left to get her health check. She spent the day there with the team at the clinic and came home later in the afternoon with a negative feline leuk/aides test, a Rabies vaccination, and a new microchip. I will give her combo vaccination Saturday morning - remember to save money.
Teva is about 5 years old with beautiful long black hair. She is gentle and loving but a bit nervous and shy which is to be expected from all the changes occuring in her life. I'm sure we will find the perfect match for her very soon.
As soon as I returned to the store the door started turning. A sweek lady that had called earlier in the week stopped in to see what litter mates we had. Trying to decide between Abby and Clyde or Honey and Opal was difficult. They all tried to give her love and cuddle with her on the sofa.
Mary S. came in needing some help with a big boy cat named Clew. It seems Mary and Clew had crossed paths for some time in her neighborhood before he decided to call Mary's home his home. He is suspected to be between 2 and 3 years, unaltered, and full of energy, if you know what I mean. He has a damaged ear due to an altercation with another wild guy out htere and isn't the handsomest but Mary loves him just the same.
I offered to help her with the expense of the neuter, a blood test, and vaccinations for $20.00 and she quickly took me up on the offer. We filled out the voucher and I called the vet to schedule the sugery for the 17th. Mary will not miss the appointment and will gladly help Paw Prints in the future it I need her.
Meanwhile our lady looking for litter mates was so impressed with the store and all the cats. She has a four day weekend coming up and will be back to get her two new family members then so that she can help them settle into their new home. Whoever she chooses will have a great new home.
Sharon and Roger came in to help with the cleaning. Remember they had just shampooed the carpet the night before and did a great job. Today, was window washing day. Roger is so thorough and detailed. He is one of the nicest people I have every met. Sharon too.
Sharon will help at the store this weekend. She is a long time cat lover and is great with customers and her help gives me a break to work on other things - like cleaning at home, etc.
Several more people came throughout the afternoon. A mother and daughter came in and fell in love and adopted our little Sparrow. I knew she would be adopted quickly. What a lucky little gire. She is coming back next Friday so I can give her a combo shot. She just had a major deworming at the vets and they recommended holding off with the vaccination for a week. No problem.
I left the store at 3:00 to run home and let Cooper out to go potty and then ran over to Viola's. The most amazing thing happened. I put out the canned food topped with some fresh cut up turkey from Viola's kitchen and the illusive Nancy walked over, let me pick her up and put her in a kennel and she was caught! For 5-6 weeks she wouldn't let me touch her and today I was able to pick her up!! Shocking!!!
Sunday, I will go back to Viola's for the three boys - all of who sit on my lap and love being petted and cuddled. They have all been neutered and vaccinated in the past but will go to the vets on Monday for blood tests, current vaccinations and microchips and then back to the store to settle in. I think they are going to do very well and be happy to be out of the garage.
I called Mike, the cat whisperer, but he was busy until 8:00 tonight so I met Leah, his wife at the store. She has some extra time and is going to help at the store. I want and need to keep it open seven days a week but need help to do that. She is willing and able and can help in many ways. She took Nancy back to her house and reunited her with the three little black and white kids from the other day. I know they will work their magic on the four and they will be up for adoption at the store before long.
Just before Leah left Mary V came in. Mary is another volunteer that I am indebted to. She is very helpful and passionate about Paw Prints mission. She retires from teaching fourth drade at the end of this year after teaching for 30 years. Wow! She is looking forward to helping this summer in a greater capacity and we welcome her with open arms. She is one of the great ladies.
Mary helped me get supper ready for the kids and do a final litter box cleaning. It is my date night with Lar and I needed to leave for the night. We locked up and each headed in different directions.
Lar and I headed to the mall theatres to see "Alice in Wonderland" in 3-D. Much darker than I thought it would be but very well done. I thought it was one of the best movies of the year, so far.
Lar went with me to the store to turn off the back lights and do a final check and then we went to Perkins for coffee so I could stay awake to type this entry. I have made a commitment to keep this journal and will do so. I think I will enjoy looking back at the end of the year and hope to keep you entertained with what goes on for me at Paw Prints each day.
The cats need us. We need to give of ourselves to make a difference. Thank you.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday-March4th - I think?!
It's 9:00 at night and I am trying to recall the day - I'm sure it will come to me eventually. I made it to the store about 9:30 - feed the kids and did the chores - oh yes - Kelli came down to take pictures of the newer arrivals and work on the computer - the darn printer will only make copies and for some reason we can't print the work we're doing on the computer. Andy to the rescue - he will have it figured out in minutes.
The little girl that arrived yesterday, now known as Sparrow, is so cute and had to go to the vet at 10:00ish for her blood test and check up. Except for worms she's great. She is a dilute calico - gray and tan - and approximately 4 months old. She has a great personality and is extremely friendly. Very playful.
Gerry and Dutch help out on Thursdays and came in about 11:00 and stayed until 1:30. They are a fabulous couple that have worked with ferrel cats in their neighborhood for years. They have also fostered several cats for us. Most recently they took in Mary - a long haired beauty that was hit by a car last October. She had a broken front leg, broken back toes, cuts and bruises, and a head laceration. They fell in love with her and decided that she had a home with them.
Dutch has set up the far back yard of their property to be a heaven for animals. While I was visiting last fall there were 2 bucks, a doe, and a fawn grazing and multiple birds and squirrels. There should be more people like them.
Gerry addressed envelopes for a mailing we are trying to get out. It is a donation request letter that we hope will generate some much needed capitol to continue until we get a grant.
I left them at the store around noon and headed to Viola's. I successfully kenneled the 3rd 6 month old kitten. Hey! That leaves Nancy the orange and white 1 year old and the 3 long haired orange boys. The boys are friendly and come and sit on my lap and love to cuddle. Nancy is the challenging one. I don't want to live trap her but may have to.
I took the kitten over to Mike's house. He is a cat whisperer and magically will transform the 3 little black kittens into loving sweet house cats. Go Mike.
Back at the store I decide to scrub the bathroom and store room to make them shine. I think we will be really busy this weekend and may not have the time to deep clean like I like to. It is very important to keep things very clean and smelling like no cats are in the building. Cleaning is key.
I also run to pick up "Sparrow" from the vet and pick up extra Drontal for deworming and some combo vaccine to vaccinate a few of the kids. By doing it myself I save quite a bit of money.
The files are in order and everything is ready for the weekend. A few people have stopped in to visit and check on the cats. I'm pretty sure one of the ladies will be back to adopt "Sabrina" tomorrow with her husband.
Sharon and her son Roger arrive about 5:00 to shampoo the carpets. We had some muddy feet and I didn't think it could wait until Monday - our usual day to shampoo it. I headed home about 5:30 and yes I cooked. I stir fried vegtables, mixed them with rice and sauce and surprised Lar. It wasn't very good. Sorry. I'll follow a recipe next time.
Everyone that knows me knows that I have only missed one episode of Survivor since it started years ago. So, from 7 to 8 on Thursdays, watching Survivor is what I do. I would love to be on that show or Amazing Race. I wish I was younger and I would apply.
I headed back down to the store after 8:00 to tuck everyone in for the night and make sure all was well. Sharon and Roger left the place perfectly and I just gave everyone a little pat and love, grabbed the garbage bag and headed back home.
Oh I forgot but sometime during the day I went to Sam's for supplies and Best Buy for printer ink. I should have stopped at the pharmacy and picked up my meds - I better remember to do that tomorrow.
Sweet dreams everyone.
The little girl that arrived yesterday, now known as Sparrow, is so cute and had to go to the vet at 10:00ish for her blood test and check up. Except for worms she's great. She is a dilute calico - gray and tan - and approximately 4 months old. She has a great personality and is extremely friendly. Very playful.
Gerry and Dutch help out on Thursdays and came in about 11:00 and stayed until 1:30. They are a fabulous couple that have worked with ferrel cats in their neighborhood for years. They have also fostered several cats for us. Most recently they took in Mary - a long haired beauty that was hit by a car last October. She had a broken front leg, broken back toes, cuts and bruises, and a head laceration. They fell in love with her and decided that she had a home with them.
Dutch has set up the far back yard of their property to be a heaven for animals. While I was visiting last fall there were 2 bucks, a doe, and a fawn grazing and multiple birds and squirrels. There should be more people like them.
Gerry addressed envelopes for a mailing we are trying to get out. It is a donation request letter that we hope will generate some much needed capitol to continue until we get a grant.
I left them at the store around noon and headed to Viola's. I successfully kenneled the 3rd 6 month old kitten. Hey! That leaves Nancy the orange and white 1 year old and the 3 long haired orange boys. The boys are friendly and come and sit on my lap and love to cuddle. Nancy is the challenging one. I don't want to live trap her but may have to.
I took the kitten over to Mike's house. He is a cat whisperer and magically will transform the 3 little black kittens into loving sweet house cats. Go Mike.
Back at the store I decide to scrub the bathroom and store room to make them shine. I think we will be really busy this weekend and may not have the time to deep clean like I like to. It is very important to keep things very clean and smelling like no cats are in the building. Cleaning is key.
I also run to pick up "Sparrow" from the vet and pick up extra Drontal for deworming and some combo vaccine to vaccinate a few of the kids. By doing it myself I save quite a bit of money.
The files are in order and everything is ready for the weekend. A few people have stopped in to visit and check on the cats. I'm pretty sure one of the ladies will be back to adopt "Sabrina" tomorrow with her husband.
Sharon and her son Roger arrive about 5:00 to shampoo the carpets. We had some muddy feet and I didn't think it could wait until Monday - our usual day to shampoo it. I headed home about 5:30 and yes I cooked. I stir fried vegtables, mixed them with rice and sauce and surprised Lar. It wasn't very good. Sorry. I'll follow a recipe next time.
Everyone that knows me knows that I have only missed one episode of Survivor since it started years ago. So, from 7 to 8 on Thursdays, watching Survivor is what I do. I would love to be on that show or Amazing Race. I wish I was younger and I would apply.
I headed back down to the store after 8:00 to tuck everyone in for the night and make sure all was well. Sharon and Roger left the place perfectly and I just gave everyone a little pat and love, grabbed the garbage bag and headed back home.
Oh I forgot but sometime during the day I went to Sam's for supplies and Best Buy for printer ink. I should have stopped at the pharmacy and picked up my meds - I better remember to do that tomorrow.
Sweet dreams everyone.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March 3, 2010 The day after the KTIV story
I recorded the news story and watched it much later. For some reason it made me cry. I need to accomplish the goal of 500 spay/neuters this year and future years and I'm afraid I won't be able to. $62,500 for 500 spays/neuters. To some not a huge amount. Plenty of Siouxlanders have mega bucks and if Opra or another super star called them to help they would gladly send a check because nobody says no to Opra. Me - they say no to.
I got up early this morning -6:45 - had my coffee and checked the papers headlines. I thought if I got up early I could start on the desk sitting in the front entry. It will make me and for sure Lar crazy if it sits there and doesn't get worked on. So with cut up t-shirts in hand I managed to clean many years of dust and dirt exposing the beautiful wood grain. Let it rest and get up early again tomorrow.
I was at the store by 9:30 with all the kids waiting for me to arrive. They were hungry and followed me back to the food prep area. I started the morning chores and the first calls started to come in. I lost count but I would say at least 20. Most were from people needing help with the expense of spaying or neutering. Others know me and wanted to congratulate me on a great news interview. No one offered money to help.
People started to stop in asking for help - one woman drove down from Akron. She lives on a farm and she has 10-12 cats she needs help with and shared that her elderly neighbors have at least 100 cats and they are starting to come to her place and she is afraid of what is going to happen.
I need to pursue ferrel/farm cat spay/neuter grant monies so these problems can be addressed. Marcie P was in the store at the time and is helping me research grants, etc. With time we will find help.
Stephanie, my eldest daughter living in Seattle called to tell me she set up SPPR on Google. She explained that now when anyone googles animal rescue, etc.in Sioux City, SPPR will magically show up. Thank you Steph.
Another lady came in wanting help with her male cat. She had been to the vet but because only one testicle had dropped would require surgery to remove the other and she couldn't afford it. She had already had the cat vaccinated and blood tested so I called the vet and scheduled the surgery. She hugged me and thanked me and left. Nice lady - I'm glad she stopped by.
One of the calls was from a gentleman calling from work down on Harbor Drive. A young cat was waiting by the building when he got to work and would I take the cat. He could bring it to the store at lunch time. He said it was friendly and let him hold and pet her. He will call me when he is on his way to the store.
I dashed to the vet to pick up Sabrina 2 - she was pregnant and spayed yesterday and ready to come home. She did very well. She is only 9 months old and very sweet and will make somebody and great companion.
Our gentleman with the cat arrived around 2:00 with the cutest 12-14 week old calico kitten. So sweet. He was so happy to see the news story and have a safe friendly environment for the kitten. He also presented SPPR with a $50.00 donation. Thank you Chad. Every penny helps and makes a big difference. Your little girl goes to the vet in the morning for a vet check, blood test, shots and her microchip. She's so prescious she will probably be adopted by the weekend.
I needed a break so I dashed home to have a frozen vegetarian dinner and let Cooper, our 12 year old dog, out to do his business and rest for 30 minutes. Some day I would like to take a nap and not have a thing to do.
It was time to go to Viola's to feed the cats and visit her. She is doing so much better and I think she is healing and may surprise us all. Meanwhile the 5 remaining cats need to get in carriers and come with me. The 3 boys will be easy but that darn Nancy and the little black and white 6 month old are being difficult. I don't want to live trap them but I may have to. Tomorrow I have to get them into my kennels.
Back at the store by 4:00 - more drop ins and many more phone calls. A couple dropped in and need help with 20 or more cats in a residential neighborhood on the northside. They come out at sundown and will call me to come check it out tomorrow evening. Slowly we will see if we can help.
It is estimated that Sioux City has more than 17,000 cats living on the streets in the sewers and wherever they can find a home. It is truly an emergency. Can anyone hear me and help.
I was at the store until 7:00 - fed the kids supper and cleaned the litter boxes one more time - did a little paper work - I have got to get caught up with the new cat files and organize the microchip records.
I came home to Red Pepper Tomato Soup and a terrific grilled cheese sandwich. Thanks Lar.
I got up early this morning -6:45 - had my coffee and checked the papers headlines. I thought if I got up early I could start on the desk sitting in the front entry. It will make me and for sure Lar crazy if it sits there and doesn't get worked on. So with cut up t-shirts in hand I managed to clean many years of dust and dirt exposing the beautiful wood grain. Let it rest and get up early again tomorrow.
I was at the store by 9:30 with all the kids waiting for me to arrive. They were hungry and followed me back to the food prep area. I started the morning chores and the first calls started to come in. I lost count but I would say at least 20. Most were from people needing help with the expense of spaying or neutering. Others know me and wanted to congratulate me on a great news interview. No one offered money to help.
People started to stop in asking for help - one woman drove down from Akron. She lives on a farm and she has 10-12 cats she needs help with and shared that her elderly neighbors have at least 100 cats and they are starting to come to her place and she is afraid of what is going to happen.
I need to pursue ferrel/farm cat spay/neuter grant monies so these problems can be addressed. Marcie P was in the store at the time and is helping me research grants, etc. With time we will find help.
Stephanie, my eldest daughter living in Seattle called to tell me she set up SPPR on Google. She explained that now when anyone googles animal rescue, etc.in Sioux City, SPPR will magically show up. Thank you Steph.
Another lady came in wanting help with her male cat. She had been to the vet but because only one testicle had dropped would require surgery to remove the other and she couldn't afford it. She had already had the cat vaccinated and blood tested so I called the vet and scheduled the surgery. She hugged me and thanked me and left. Nice lady - I'm glad she stopped by.
One of the calls was from a gentleman calling from work down on Harbor Drive. A young cat was waiting by the building when he got to work and would I take the cat. He could bring it to the store at lunch time. He said it was friendly and let him hold and pet her. He will call me when he is on his way to the store.
I dashed to the vet to pick up Sabrina 2 - she was pregnant and spayed yesterday and ready to come home. She did very well. She is only 9 months old and very sweet and will make somebody and great companion.
Our gentleman with the cat arrived around 2:00 with the cutest 12-14 week old calico kitten. So sweet. He was so happy to see the news story and have a safe friendly environment for the kitten. He also presented SPPR with a $50.00 donation. Thank you Chad. Every penny helps and makes a big difference. Your little girl goes to the vet in the morning for a vet check, blood test, shots and her microchip. She's so prescious she will probably be adopted by the weekend.
I needed a break so I dashed home to have a frozen vegetarian dinner and let Cooper, our 12 year old dog, out to do his business and rest for 30 minutes. Some day I would like to take a nap and not have a thing to do.
It was time to go to Viola's to feed the cats and visit her. She is doing so much better and I think she is healing and may surprise us all. Meanwhile the 5 remaining cats need to get in carriers and come with me. The 3 boys will be easy but that darn Nancy and the little black and white 6 month old are being difficult. I don't want to live trap them but I may have to. Tomorrow I have to get them into my kennels.
Back at the store by 4:00 - more drop ins and many more phone calls. A couple dropped in and need help with 20 or more cats in a residential neighborhood on the northside. They come out at sundown and will call me to come check it out tomorrow evening. Slowly we will see if we can help.
It is estimated that Sioux City has more than 17,000 cats living on the streets in the sewers and wherever they can find a home. It is truly an emergency. Can anyone hear me and help.
I was at the store until 7:00 - fed the kids supper and cleaned the litter boxes one more time - did a little paper work - I have got to get caught up with the new cat files and organize the microchip records.
I came home to Red Pepper Tomato Soup and a terrific grilled cheese sandwich. Thanks Lar.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Part 2 of day one
I headed over to Viola's house to check on her and her kids around 2:00. I found Viola in her kitchen cooking and feeling so much better. She was smiling and cooking and happier than I have every found her. She is such a sweet heart - 84 - living on her own with her cats/kids. Two are in the house and five remain in the garage. Presently 3 of the five will come to me and sit on my lap for some attention while the other two are still unsure of me and the changes that have occurred. I was hoping to move them to the store, after a visit to the vet for updated shots and a little check up, this week but I'm thinking it's going to be another week. I have been going everyday for the past month to feed them and clean their litter boxes and to interact with them. I want the move to not traumatize them more than necessary.
After leaving Viola's I went to store to meet a couple that saw the KCAU story Monday night. They fell in love with Beary and Chunk and adopted the two siblings. It looks like a really good fit with a wonderful new family that will love them and be a forever home. Just as they were leaving more people came into the store to check it out. They thought it was so cool that the cats could roam around and not be in kennels. They stayed for a while and more people kept coming.
I headed home about 5:30 - to tired to cook that supper I would have liked to - so, Lar and I went to Texas Roadhouse for supper. Should I feel quilty? Only a little - maybe tomorrow I'll cook.
After dinner we both went to the store to feed the kids supper and tuck them in for the night.
I forgot to mention that we received notification that we were awarded a $250.00 microchip grant from Junior League. Hey!! $250.00 will buy 50 micro chips and help return our cats to their adoptive homes if they every get out of their homes.
I believe that it is in the best interest of all cats to be only house cats and never go outside unless they are in a carrier or a harness and leash with their owners. It is too dangerous out there for them. Too many preditors and too much disease.
It is after 10:00 - I'm pooped - good night - sweet dreams everyone.
After leaving Viola's I went to store to meet a couple that saw the KCAU story Monday night. They fell in love with Beary and Chunk and adopted the two siblings. It looks like a really good fit with a wonderful new family that will love them and be a forever home. Just as they were leaving more people came into the store to check it out. They thought it was so cool that the cats could roam around and not be in kennels. They stayed for a while and more people kept coming.
I headed home about 5:30 - to tired to cook that supper I would have liked to - so, Lar and I went to Texas Roadhouse for supper. Should I feel quilty? Only a little - maybe tomorrow I'll cook.
After dinner we both went to the store to feed the kids supper and tuck them in for the night.
I forgot to mention that we received notification that we were awarded a $250.00 microchip grant from Junior League. Hey!! $250.00 will buy 50 micro chips and help return our cats to their adoptive homes if they every get out of their homes.
I believe that it is in the best interest of all cats to be only house cats and never go outside unless they are in a carrier or a harness and leash with their owners. It is too dangerous out there for them. Too many preditors and too much disease.
It is after 10:00 - I'm pooped - good night - sweet dreams everyone.
Finally I'm beginning this saga/3-2-10
Hi everyone. It was my intention to begin blogging at the first of the year but never had the energy at the end of the day or skill to begin. Fortunately, Kelli came over and showed me how easy it is.
I started out the year in Greenville SC visiting my daughter Alison over the Christmas holiday and ended up somewhat stranded due to the weather conditions up north. Oh my!! Then on 1-7-10 I received multiple phone calls and texts telling me about the Pet Smart roof collapse and the urgent need to pull cats from SC Animal Control because the animals from Pet Smart were being taken to AC. My house was empty of cats because I knew I would be away so I told the volunteers to take up to 10 to my house for safety. As it turned out we pulled 8 and because of a city license for one, a micro chip on another, and checking the neighborhood that one was picked up in, we were able to return 3 to their homes very quickly.
I left SC on the 8th and drove from Greenville to Atlanta to Birmingham to Memphis to St. Louis to Kansas City to Omaha and finally arrived home in Sioux City on the 9th. During the trip home I was on the phone with Jim Johnson asking for help with a retail space to adopt cats from and in very short order Jim and I found and agreed to a perfect location. I had the USDA inspector check out the locations to make sure I would be allowed to use the space and with minor changes the Cat Adoption Center opened its doors in late January. We had our first adoption almost immediately and during the month of February we had 24 adoptions. Fabulous cats and kittens, completely vetted, are now in wonderful new homes.
I love what Siouxland Paw Prints Rescue has accomplished since it started on June 2,2008. Each day is never what I expect and that is why blogging about each day sounded like it might be of interest to all of our friends and families.
So, today is March 2, 2010, the store is closed except by appointment or chance, and we have an ad in the SC Journal. I started my day at 7ish with the usual morning activities followed by a great cup of coffee that my husband makes each morning. I need it fast to get me going so I put 2 ice cubes in it to make it drinkable immediately. I go sit in my chair with the newspaper and scan the headlines and generally find a few articles to read. I always read my horoscope hoping its going to share good news of a good day. Then to the shower and I'm off.
Many of the cats at the store are in the window waiting for my arrival. It is such a great welcome and makes me smile and laugh and eager to be with them. The store is home to them and they all love the place. If you haven't come by please do and check out why it is such a happy cat place.
The cats all have dry food and water available throughout each day but get canned food each morning and evening. When they come to SPPR they are frequently malnurished, depressed, or stressed, and enjoyable food helps them settle in quickly. They get love and attention and are playful and full of fun.
While they eat I clean litter boxes and sweep, vaccuum, do dishes, work on files, enter data in the computer, all the while being entertained by the antics of the cats. I've tried sewing cat toys at the store and get lots of help from the kids, especially if cat nip is involved.
The other night I had a container of cat nip for toys tucked away in a bag, in a box, with a kennel on top of the box, and sometime during the night the little stinkers broke into it and had a party. A kitty cam would have been very entertaining!! There was cat nip everywhere.
When I leave the store I generally have a bag of garbage (I take it home to put in our trash bin to save money), and several loads of laundry.
Today when I left the store I received a phone call from a lady that took in a pregnant stray. She had already decided to keep the cat and had it to the vet. Lucky cat - it had respirtory infection and an eye issue and had a convenia shot and needed eye drops. She was looking for someone to take the kittens when they were old enough. Since the cat wasn't very far into her pregnancy I offered to have her spayed and the kittens aborted. I hate doing this but knowing that thousands of cats are euthanised in SC every year and that we have an abundance of kittens all year it was decided that spaying her would be the best option.
It is my dream and hopefully many others to have a managable cat population that is healthy and spayed or neutered. There will never be a shortage of cats or kittens. They will never become and exclusive pet for the rich. Not going to happen but not euthanizing thousands here in SC is a mission of Siouxland Paw Prints Rescue.
I met with Kelli at my house to figure out the web site. I purchased a Go Daddy site 1 1/2 years ago and haven't had the skill to work it. Computers are not my thing. Thank you Kelli!!
My husband just called. He calls me most days at 11:45 to check in with me and see how things are going. We have been married for 40 years and I think its pretty cool that he calls.
I will be heading back to the store to continue the cleaning process and check on the kids. About 2-3 o'clock I'll head over to Viola's to feed her cats, soon to be SPPR's. I'll tell you all about Viola tomorrow. She is a cool lady with health issues and needs help with her herd of kids.
I have a 3:30 appointment at the store to show the cats. Word is out because of the recent television interviews. I would like to have at least 40 or more adoptions monthly. It's doable. I need everyone to spread the word about our new location.
After the appointment, I need to go home and clean house and start cleaning and refreshing a wonderful old desk Lar and I bought in Omaha at an antique store on saturday. I think it would be nice if I found the time to make supper too.
Have a great day everyone. Remember, a house isn't a home without a cat or kitten.
I started out the year in Greenville SC visiting my daughter Alison over the Christmas holiday and ended up somewhat stranded due to the weather conditions up north. Oh my!! Then on 1-7-10 I received multiple phone calls and texts telling me about the Pet Smart roof collapse and the urgent need to pull cats from SC Animal Control because the animals from Pet Smart were being taken to AC. My house was empty of cats because I knew I would be away so I told the volunteers to take up to 10 to my house for safety. As it turned out we pulled 8 and because of a city license for one, a micro chip on another, and checking the neighborhood that one was picked up in, we were able to return 3 to their homes very quickly.
I left SC on the 8th and drove from Greenville to Atlanta to Birmingham to Memphis to St. Louis to Kansas City to Omaha and finally arrived home in Sioux City on the 9th. During the trip home I was on the phone with Jim Johnson asking for help with a retail space to adopt cats from and in very short order Jim and I found and agreed to a perfect location. I had the USDA inspector check out the locations to make sure I would be allowed to use the space and with minor changes the Cat Adoption Center opened its doors in late January. We had our first adoption almost immediately and during the month of February we had 24 adoptions. Fabulous cats and kittens, completely vetted, are now in wonderful new homes.
I love what Siouxland Paw Prints Rescue has accomplished since it started on June 2,2008. Each day is never what I expect and that is why blogging about each day sounded like it might be of interest to all of our friends and families.
So, today is March 2, 2010, the store is closed except by appointment or chance, and we have an ad in the SC Journal. I started my day at 7ish with the usual morning activities followed by a great cup of coffee that my husband makes each morning. I need it fast to get me going so I put 2 ice cubes in it to make it drinkable immediately. I go sit in my chair with the newspaper and scan the headlines and generally find a few articles to read. I always read my horoscope hoping its going to share good news of a good day. Then to the shower and I'm off.
Many of the cats at the store are in the window waiting for my arrival. It is such a great welcome and makes me smile and laugh and eager to be with them. The store is home to them and they all love the place. If you haven't come by please do and check out why it is such a happy cat place.
The cats all have dry food and water available throughout each day but get canned food each morning and evening. When they come to SPPR they are frequently malnurished, depressed, or stressed, and enjoyable food helps them settle in quickly. They get love and attention and are playful and full of fun.
While they eat I clean litter boxes and sweep, vaccuum, do dishes, work on files, enter data in the computer, all the while being entertained by the antics of the cats. I've tried sewing cat toys at the store and get lots of help from the kids, especially if cat nip is involved.
The other night I had a container of cat nip for toys tucked away in a bag, in a box, with a kennel on top of the box, and sometime during the night the little stinkers broke into it and had a party. A kitty cam would have been very entertaining!! There was cat nip everywhere.
When I leave the store I generally have a bag of garbage (I take it home to put in our trash bin to save money), and several loads of laundry.
Today when I left the store I received a phone call from a lady that took in a pregnant stray. She had already decided to keep the cat and had it to the vet. Lucky cat - it had respirtory infection and an eye issue and had a convenia shot and needed eye drops. She was looking for someone to take the kittens when they were old enough. Since the cat wasn't very far into her pregnancy I offered to have her spayed and the kittens aborted. I hate doing this but knowing that thousands of cats are euthanised in SC every year and that we have an abundance of kittens all year it was decided that spaying her would be the best option.
It is my dream and hopefully many others to have a managable cat population that is healthy and spayed or neutered. There will never be a shortage of cats or kittens. They will never become and exclusive pet for the rich. Not going to happen but not euthanizing thousands here in SC is a mission of Siouxland Paw Prints Rescue.
I met with Kelli at my house to figure out the web site. I purchased a Go Daddy site 1 1/2 years ago and haven't had the skill to work it. Computers are not my thing. Thank you Kelli!!
My husband just called. He calls me most days at 11:45 to check in with me and see how things are going. We have been married for 40 years and I think its pretty cool that he calls.
I will be heading back to the store to continue the cleaning process and check on the kids. About 2-3 o'clock I'll head over to Viola's to feed her cats, soon to be SPPR's. I'll tell you all about Viola tomorrow. She is a cool lady with health issues and needs help with her herd of kids.
I have a 3:30 appointment at the store to show the cats. Word is out because of the recent television interviews. I would like to have at least 40 or more adoptions monthly. It's doable. I need everyone to spread the word about our new location.
After the appointment, I need to go home and clean house and start cleaning and refreshing a wonderful old desk Lar and I bought in Omaha at an antique store on saturday. I think it would be nice if I found the time to make supper too.
Have a great day everyone. Remember, a house isn't a home without a cat or kitten.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
