Saturday, January 30, 2010

Caturday: Munson

Ohh, Caturday, welcome once more.

Meet this handsome, handsome guy, Munson. His gorgeous face (and markings) caught my attention. He's for adoption through Paws For Life Coalition, a wonderful, local rescue doing all it can to help the animals.

Munson was abandoned in a rusty old trap along with his brother, in front of a shelter. He is super sweet, talkivtive and a purring machine.
He is neutered, up to date on his shots, negative for FIV/FeLv, wormed, flea treated, and microchipped. He is about 9 months old.

No small children under 12 please.
Vet refs required
All cats and kittens in private home foster care require an approved application in order to show them.
We do not adopt our cats out beyond a 4 county area from Camden County. We also cannot return out of area phone calls. Thank you for your understanding!
Please email pawsforlife1@aol.com for more info!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Farm-life Fridays: Angie - Some Pig!

This article is just great!

Here is an excerpt from Paw Nation's Some Pig! A Heartwarming Tail of Pig Friendship:

Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary's national shelter director, recently wrote a heart-warming blog post titled A Reason to Get Up in the Morning that made us fall in love with the place all over again.

Coston shared the story of Angie, an elderly pig living at Farm Sanctuary's New York property who found herself alone after her pig companions died. Coston told Paw Nation that Angie had always been a happy pig who loved playing with her friends. Once she was on her own, however, Angie became depressed. She even lost interest in going out to the pasture.

"We were thinking Angie was done," Coston told Paw Nation, "She was old. She wasn't eating and she was just laying there. We were thinking we might have to put her down." Coston went on to say that pigs are very intelligent and exhibit sophisticated emotions. Like humans, they are even prone to getting ulcers when they are stressed and upset.

Farm Sanctuary staff tried introducing new friends to Angie, but she rejected each with "a bite on the rump or a run around the stall." Eventually, though, a new porcine pal would win Angie's heart. The tiny piglet, named Fiona, arrived at the sanctuary and became curious about Angie. And so, Coston told Paw Nation, with much trepidation the staff placed the piglet in the pen with the grouchy old lady.

"To tell you the truth, we were scared Angie might bite her. Fiona was so curious and just walked all over her, and Angie let her. After that they were together all the time." Even though Angie was eleven years old and arthritic, she spent every day rooting through the dirt and rolling in mud with her young buddy. Coston told Paw Nation she wasn't sure whether Angie thought Fiona was her baby, but that they always acted very tenderly towards one another...


Read the full article here
Read Susie Coston's A Reason to Get Up in the Morning here

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Dogs On Thursday - Elvira

Hooray! Hooray!! Another dogs on Thursday rolls around again.

This week, I'm spotlighting Elvira. Elvira is at North Shore Animal League in New York state. It's not an uncommon fact that large, black dogs have a much harder time finding a home, but look at that gorgeous face!

Elvira deserves a good home. Here is what the website says about this lovely girl, Elvira.

Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix
Adoption #: R120955
Gender: Female
Age: Young
Size: Medium

Don’t be fooled by Elvira’s shy demeanor when you first see her. She is full of spunk and ready to play. She loves going on walks and has lots of energy. She is smart, affectionate and loyal. And Elvira is a bit of a goofball. She needs someone who will be the pack leader and tell her what to do, so she can follow. She would benefit best with someone who will also take her out for lots of exercise to drain her energy. She is still a big puppy and needs to be active. So if you are looking for a happy, friendly pup with lots of love to spare, come to the Animal League and adopt Elvira today.

If you are interested in adopting Elvira, contact meganr@animalleague.org

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Working On it Wednesdays

I need to work on my procrastination this week. I have letters I've been meaning to write, books to be read and most importantly - my resume to edit and send out. I have a lot of time house sitting, so I need to start taking better advantage of it.

There's so much to do though that I get overwhelmed. This week I'm going to pick 5 small tasks and try to accomplish them.

I'll post them and how far into them I got next week for you to see.

Anything you've been putting off you can accomplish this week with me? Whatever you're doing, enjoy it!

~*~

Update On Last Week's Working On it Wednesday:
I showed up to the mediation meeting with my friend, Monique, who is also a witness for the actions that went on that night. I had a little notebook for notes and the photos I had taken of my bruises and wounds over the days they needed to recover. I dressed very nicely, walked into the room for mediation and sat down. I was nervous, sooo nervous. I had been snippy all day with people and put off getting ready to the point I rushed, but I made it there about the same time I wanted to (about 10 minutes early).

As it turned out, all my nerves were for nothing - the girl never showed and I found myself disappointed. True, I didn't want to see her and there is absolutely no excuse for what she did, but I still wanted to hear her nutty explanation. Oh well, to court it goes now for sure since she never showed...

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Caturday: Buster

This handsome man is Buster out at Best Friends in Utah.

Breed: Domestic short hair
Gender: Male
Age: Mature
Size: Large

When he sees you coming, Buster will meet you half way, all the way, any way you want --- if you'll agree to spend some time talking to him and petting him. It doesn't matter what you talk about as long as you're talking and petting at the same time. Life is good when people are around!

Buster has certainly had his share of ups and downs. A woman found him as a stray, lounging outside her house. When she took him to the vet, she learned he was FIV positive. Normally, this would be no big deal, but Buster occasionally fought with her other cats. And if things got too rough, well, there was the possibility that Buster could infect the other cats if he broke through their skin.

So Buster lived outside of the woman's house in a feral cat colony. He started getting kind of weak, so the woman thought he'd be better off at Best Friends.

And he is! He's feeling great again, playing with his kitty friends and getting in some good loving with people when they come around. So life is on the upswing again for Buster.

But you know what would make his life totally over-the-top great? A forever home with loving people and maybe other loving cats, too.


Enjoy your Caturday, folks! Let's hope there are lots of adoptions in this new year ... hopefully one for Buster too :)

Friday, January 22, 2010

New Camera!

I got a new camera for my birthday. Hooray! HOORAY!!

Here's the first picture I took with the camera...

Ok, it's not the best. I had no idea what I was doing. Honestly, I'm pretty sure I didn't even really know I was taking a picture. And here's a photo of me when my mom was convinced she knew better than me and could figure my new camera out. I tried to stop her...

Thanks mom! Ok, here we go, I picture after reading my manual, finding the flash and finally starting to get things under control. Nothing fancy, but a success all the same:

And for your entertainment, some photos since getting my camera under control and having some fun things to take photos of. Enjoy!



Farm-life Fridays: Darby

Meet Darby. Darby is an absolutely Arabian horse. Though they're always hoping for a furever home, for now Darby is lucky enough to be cared for by Best Friends Society.

Breed: Arabian
Gender: Gelding
Age: Mature
Size: 14.30 hands
Rideability: Pasture Pal

A beautiful Arabian gelding!

Born in 1986, Darby is definitely a "pasture pal" nowadays. He's got a little arthritis in his knees, so he'd much rather know you by getting a scratch on his nose than a ride on his back.

But he'd just love to stroll your pastures or be a friend to your other horses. He enjoys hanging with the guys, and he really adores the ladies! But not both at the same time, for some reason. That makes him start arguing with the other boy horses about which lady belongs to whom! But either a group of girls or a group of guys would suit him just fine.

He's a slender fellow who takes his meals in stride - munching a little throughout the day, and never really wolfing it all down. A horse with a modest appetite? Amazing!

He's polite and courteous to humans. And he's hoping that his long, silvery nose is just what you're looking for on a new best friend.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Dogs On Thursday - Kia



Several years ago on my birthday, I was walking to class when I walked through a small puddle and ::bam:: fell right on my butt ... well, not right on my butt exactly as it would turn out. As I got up, looking around and completely embarrassed, I took a step or two and realized something was very wrong. I hobbled back to my apartment, almost blacking out in pain twice, got in my door, stripped off my clothes (I think the pain had me hot) and fell on the sofa. My roommate came out and offered to take me to the hospital. I said, "No, no. Call 911. I can't walk anymore than I already have!" As it turned out, I'd apparently broken my foot in two places.

Now, what does this little story have to do with today? Well, my very kind doctor LOVED his dogs - Rhodesian Ridgebacks. This post is for him (and in the hopes this lucky girl gets a home of her own). Here's the information on Kia out of Pets Alive...

Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback, Lab (Mix)
Size: Large
Age: Adult
Breed: Female

I'm Kia. I'm about 5 years old. I used to have a warm bed to sleep in. Now I find myself at Pets Alive. And even though these people are really wonderful, watching over me and taking good care of me, I really do wish for a new home with a warm bed to sleep in. Maybe yours? I'm not sure how I feel about very young children, but older ones would be rather nice. I'm not a cat person.


Good luck in the new year, Kia!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Working On it Wednesdays

For awhile now, with my friends concerned for me and everything that's been going on in my life, I've said that I'm "working on it" ... and I am. I'm trying to be more social, trying to be more grateful for things than I do dwell on the bad, writing more for my own well being, continuing to see a therapist even though I have no job, etc. I'm working on it.

To encourage this, I'm making a day of the week in this blog that I dedicate to bettering myself as a person from the inside out and from the outside in.

For this first post, I'm going to state that today is a day to focus on my strength and my dedication for doing what is right. Tonight, I have my mediation with the girl that assaulted me on New Year's Eve. I'm terrified, but she should not get to just walk away after randomly attacking me, someone she doesn't even know, for absolutely no reason while I was just lying on the ground watching a movie.

On that note, I also wanted to finally post my resolutions which I'd put off for some time due to the way New Year's Eve went. Sure, it's a rarity people keep all of their resolutions, but here they are all the same:
- Say one sweet thing to 5 people each week
- Secure a full-time job and start career building!
- Keep writing in my gratitude journal
- Read more
- Write hand-written letters to the people in my life
- Learn to be able to be happy by myself, and be a stronger person
- Drink 3 glasses of water a day
- Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants
- Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
- Try my hardest not to compare my life to others. I have no idea what their journey is all about
- Don't have negative thoughts or things I cannot control. Instead invest my energy in the positive present moment
- Work out at least 3 times a week
- Don't waste my precious energy on gossip.
- Remember that no one is in charge of my own happiness except me
- Keep in mind that 1hat other people think of me is none of my business and doesn't matter anyway.
- Embrace the goodness and be grateful when I realize I'm in a good moment.
- Do the right thing!
- Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
- No matter how I'm feeling, I will get up, dress up and show up for planned events and adventures
- Learn to work my new camera and use it often
- Post at least one photo a week


So what are some of your resolutions?? Areas you need to work on your strength? Share away, friends

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Personal Post

On my private journal. Feel free to email me if you want access.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Caturday: Jade

This gorgeous girl is Jade. She was just done with quarantine and being socialized a bit more when I left Tabby's Place earlier in 2009. Since spotlighted this week, read on about her a bit more:

Gender: Female
Age: 11 years
Breed: domestic shorthair
Color & markings: black/brown tabby
Personality: friendly, timid

Jade is a pretty brown tabby, about ten years of age (as of 1/2009). She has an old spinal injury that causes her to have an awkward gait. Right now, she's clearly not bothered by it, so we don't plan on pursuing further diagnostic testing unless she becomes uncomfortable or we see the condition worsening.

Jade is a little nervous at times, and she doesn't like quick hand movements going toward her. Personality-wise, she's a funny little thing. She gets along very nicely with most people and can be quite affectionate, but she doesn't like our Executive Director at all. It may be that she doesn't care for men, but we can't say that for sure; it's also possible that she doesn't care for the fact that Jonathan gives her medication (she's on an appetite stimulant right now). Meantime, because she is on the skittish side, we think she'd do better in a home without small children.

Jade really is a lovely girl, and we hope you'll soon come in to meet her.


I can't say what it was about this girl, but this poor girl always had my heart. She came in with a few others, but it was always Jade that I pushed with a bit more while socializing with her. I hope she finds her place.

PS: Almost my birthday. Almost my birthday!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Farm-life Fridays: Cherry

I love cherries! Love them! I have shirts with cherries, a make up bag, purse, panties, even shoes with cherries on them. In fact, I often wonder why I haven't gotten them tattooed on me yet either... oh well, something for the list maybe :) Anyway, guess what this girl's name is!? Introducing Cherry! She's out at Best Friends Society and here's some more info on her...

Breed: Pot Belly
Gender: Female
Age: Adult
Size: Small

Cherry may be a shy gal with people, but don't let this petite swine fool you! This pot-bellied pig is small on size but big on attitude.

Cherry was born in 2002 and came to Best Friends when a rescue group had trouble keeping their dogs separate from their pigs. The pigs were getting beaten-up!

She's an independent lady who can take care of herself and most of her pen mates too!

Cherry likes to spend days sitting in her mud holes, sleeping for hours and dreaming of having someone to love and take care of her. She's comical to watch and would make a lovely pal!


PS: It's almost my birthday!! :)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Dogs On Thursday - Mr. Chips



Meet sweet and slightly shy Mr. Chips. Mr, Chips is located in Utah at Best Friends Animal Society.
Here is what Mr Chip’s profile says about him:

Breed: Australian Shepherd
Gender: Male
Age: Mature
Size: Medium

They call him Mr. Chips because he can only eat whitefish and potatoes! (Fish and chips.get it?!)

Mr. Chips was only two years old when he came to Best Friends, and he was in poor shape because he was not given the right diet. Instead of being a puppy and growing up learning how to be a good companion Mr. Chips was chained up outside throughout his puppyhood. It's no wonder he's still a little shy around new people.

But once he gets to know you, Mr. Chips goes from shy to lovey-dovey pretty quickly, giving kisses and asking for belly rubs.

He's also pretty sweet on his dog friends --- when he gets to go on walks with a special friend, that's like the best thing ever, because he can be with his favorite canine friend and his best human friend at the same time!

Mr. Chips is getting on in years, born in 1996. After all he's been through, doesn't he deserve to live out the rest of his life with the Best Life Ever in a loving home with loving people?


Wishing you luck and love in the new year, Mr. Chips. Hopefully you find your furever home soon!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Caturday: Topaz

Meet Topaz. I'll be honest, it was this girl's eyes that caught me while I was browsing through Best Friends's adoptable kitties.

Breed: Domestic short hair
Gender: Female
Age: Mature
Size: Medium

She'll stick out her paw to shake "hello" with you!

Topaz is a neat cat. She really uses her paws all the time to communicate. She's snuggly and purry, and just precious.

She had a home once, but when a new roommate moved in (and Topaz was NOT consulted ahead of time!) Topaz didn't like the new person and stopped using her litter box, out of spite.

So Topaz was returned to Best Friends. Poor little thing. She looks at everyone now like, "Please take me home! I promise I won't pull any tricks this time. I learned my lesson!"

Topaz still has some minor litter box issues but with the right people and a little time, we think those issues will go away.

All she wants is another chance to be part of a loving family...

Friday, January 8, 2010

Farm-life Fridays: Phantom

It is almost to the day 5 years ago that we brought our Phantom home, so I thought it appropriate to post this Phantom on today's Farm-life Friday. Aside from being tiny compared to our big guy, this guy is also out at Best Friends in Utah right now instead of Jersey. Here's more on him:

Breed: Morgan
Gender: Gelding
Age: Mature
Size: 14.20 hands

Old in years but young in body, Phantom may well be the Jack LaLanne of horses. And you can still ride him!

Born in 1982, Phantom is sound as can be and healthy as, well..a horse. In fact the only sign that he has seen a few years are his teeth which aren't what they once were. He shows no signs of arthritis or other ailments that other senior horses often suffer from, and he is still just fine with being ridden.

But don't be fooled into thinking that just because he is an older man, he just leisurely ambles down the trail. Quite the contrary, Phantom has fire in his feet and needs an experienced rider. He is a good boy and doesn't buck or spook, but in his 25 plus years, no one has ever taught him about stopping, standing still and smelling the roses. All he knows is to go, go, go.

Phantom has an incredible richness of heart and is looking for someone who can love him for the rest of his life.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Dogs On Thursday - Andy



Look how adorable this little guy is! This is Andy and he really needs a home. He's been looking for a home for awhile now, but I think he needs someone that knows and understands Chihuahuas. Andy is from Jersey, just like me, and looking for a home through the wonderful rescue Animal Alliance. Here is more on Andy:

Breed: Chihuahua (Mix?)
Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Size: Small

Loveable, cuddly Andy is a real sweetheart of a dog. He loves to be held and carried and dressed in warm sweaters in cold weather. He's a bit leary of strangers but a few minutes of proper introductions and he's everybody's best friend. Andy is housebroken, obedient and affectionate with a very expressive little face. He loves to cuddle under the covers at night and he snores a bit. This is a loyal and loving little dog, smart and eager to please. Andy would like to be the only dog in the house so he can have all the affection he so deserves.


Love you lots, little man. I hope you find a wonderful home soon. You're on my mind often.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Not Me Monday - A New Year



It was the fabulous (and famous) MckMama that started the idea of Not Me! Monday. Head over to MckMama’s blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing (but really have!).

Let's start this new year and new Not Me Monday off on a good note (or a few)...

Who didn't hastily, physically retaliate after getting randomly & brutally attacked, but instead showed patience, tolerance and respect for the law by simply pressing assault charges? Patience? Not me!
Who finally adopted out her foster kitten to the purrfect person? Oh, not me... Congrats, Olive and her new mom! Hope things work out wonderfully!
Who started a "gratitude journal and, so far, for every single day of the new year has faithfully filled in things I'm thankful for? Wow! That couldn't be me, could it?!
Who will be celebrating and remembering her aunt tomorrow, the day of her passing 8 years ago? Not me!
Who jumped with glee and considered getting it signed in blood when I was told I'd soon be allowed to foster a dog again sometime soon? Oh no, not me!

Yay! For me and all these "not me" things I did. Expect more sarcastic entries, but for now I thought a positive note was important.

Be good, my friends & readers.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

New Year's Eve

Someone randomly, violently and for no good reason hurt me. I'm not sure how much I can write here because I'm pressing charges against this person. Paranoid me is worried if I post too much, I'll get myself in trouble OR if a buddy of this crazy girl this person comes across this and there's too much posted, she'll take it to twist around. Check out the heel prints I have on my shoulder now from getting kicked in the back of the head while I was lying down...


Here is what I will say though: I hope the incident that happened on new year's eve was the "cherry on top" of a horrific year (getting my dad's diagnosis, losing my job, moving back home and everything those things combined have forced me to deal with). I am thankful for my friends, will not let the bad outweigh the good of the night and I remain hopeful for the new year ... but I'm not considering it a "new year" until the wounds from that night are gone. Expect delayed resolutions until then as well.

On another note, I got the comment from my mom yesterday that we're going to put up new fencing out the side door and when we do ... I can get a foster dog! Wahoo!!! Warm up a few days, Mother Nature, so we can get posts in the ground and I can save another life, please!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

2010 - whoa

On my private journal. Feel free to email me if you want access.

Caturday: Bellis

I love, love, love Bellis! Love her!

She first came in while I was still working at Tabby's Place and apparently came back after I left. Here's a cute picture of her from the site and her information should you be looking for one very special girl to add to your family...

Gender: Female
Age: 3 years
Breed: domestic shorthair
Color & markings: orange/white tabby
Personality: friendly

Kitties don't come much more unique or incredible than our sweet Bellis. Prior to arriving at Tabby's Place Bellis was living as a stray, a hard life for any cat, but a near impossible life for Bellis who had two non-functional eyes. Thankfully, Bellis was found by an animal control officer and taken to a local shelter. Though very affectionate, Bellis was continually passed over by adopters at the shelter and the staff eventually deemed her unadoptable. Her fate would have been a grim one had her shelter not just come up on our waiting list.

Bellis arrived at Tabby's Place in April of 2008. Her non-functional eyes were terribly infected and uncomfortable, so she had surgery to have them removed. Yes, she looks a little different now, but she's beautiful all the same. Due to her blindness we try to limit the changes to environment, but incredibly she gets around just as well as any visual cat. She plays with toys, of course, the noisy ones are her favorites. She climbs and jumps and wrestles with the other cats. Bellis doesn't seem phased at all by her disability. This is likely the only life she's ever known and she's very happy with it.

Unfortunately, Bellis has developed the very inconvenient habit of inappropriate urination, as in she doesn't always use the litter box. We've determined that this is due to the fact that even though she has been spayed, she still experiences heat cycles. This is likely being caused by a small piece of uterine tissue that remains in her abdomen. Bellis is scheduled for surgery so that this tissue may be removed; however, even if the surgery is successful, we may not be able to break Bellis of this habit.

Undoubtedly, Bellis requires a special type of owner with a big heart and lots of patience. But, Bellis is well worth it. She has lots of love to give and will amaze you every day with her brave and carefree spirit.


Good luck finding a new home in the new year, Bellis! Lots of love, little miss.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Farm-life Fridays: 3 Lives Saved

I thought it only appropriate to start out the new year with a story of multiple lives saved! Enjoy this story from Farm Sanctuary...

Three Ducks Saved by Heroic Act of Compassion

When good Samaritan Rina Deych and her son Julian decided to go food shopping one day in September 2009, they didn’t suspect that a trip to the grocery store would turn into a dramatic rescue. But when they drove by Boro Park in their hometown of Brooklyn, New York, they saw a throng of people gathered together, and as they got closer could hardly believe their eyes: a circle of children were taunting and tormenting three little ducks lying helplessly on the ground, while the adults just stood by and watched.

Shocked by the scene they’d stumbled upon, Rina jumped out of her car and demanded that the mob stop hurting the battered and terrified young ducks. Sadly, according to Rina, only two people among the crowd acknowledged that she was right to stand up against the senseless cruelty that was occurring. As Rina and Julian scooped the ducks up into their car, one man thanked the pair before they drove off with the birds in tow.

Skipping their supermarket spree, Rina and Julian brought the ducks – now named Mishka, Fedor and Alexi – back to their house to feed and care for them. Mishka seemed to have some film over his eyes and they were all missing a few feathers, indicating they may have been packed tightly in cages with their bodies forced to rub against wire. However, we are still not quite sure where the ducks came from...


More here on Three Ducks Saved by Heroic Act of Compassion

Happy new year, friends. Wishing you a wonderful, happy, healthy 2010! Let's hope lots more lives are saved too :)