Dear Abby - Meet Twinkles and Murray (A Rescued Pets Spotlight)

Dear Friends, 

I hope you are having a great week!   All is fine here, except we are expecting some rain and thunder here today.  (Regular readers will know how I feel about thunder!)

I am excited, though, to have some fun visitors to introduce you to today.  Angela, who is a dachshund person and one of Momma's friends, is visiting with her dog Twinkles and kitty Murray.  Angela and her family have a wonderful group of furbabies including Twinkles (Lab mix), Murray (tabby cat), Gizmo (Dachshund), Sarge (Weimaraner), Miss P (gray tabby cat), and Gimli (white cat).  I have to mention that Gizmo just celebrated his 10th birthday (Happy Birthday, Gizmo!) and he has his own Twitter account -- @GizmoAdventures.   He is one of the world's great doxies, and you should look him up on Twitter!

Twinkles and Murray are both rescues, and have wonderful stories.  Twinkles is a Lab mix dog who is 10 or older.  

Abby:  What is Twinkles' background and how did she end up in rescue? 

Angela:  Twinkles was rescued by my grandmother about 7 years ago. She had been dumped and was also run over. Her hip was broken. She healed and now walks with a limp. Twinkles came to live with us when my grandmother moved into an apartment that did not allow big dogs. 

Abby:  How were Twinkles' first days at your home? 

Angela:  Her first few days, you could tell she was sad and missed her mom. But it didn't take long for her to fit right in. She gets along great with Gizmo and Sarge and even has her own bed for the first time.  (The picture below shows Twinkles with Gizmo.)

Abby:  What are a few of Twinkles' favorite things?

Angela:   My favorite thing is to watch her do zoomies. Despite a bad hip, she still runs like the wind. She also loves to dance in puddles and do spins and splash in them. 

Murray is a beautiful cat who is 4 years old.  

Abby:  What is Murray's background and how did she end up in rescue? 

Angela:  Murray was rescued by my brother and his girlfriend. She jumped on the roof of their car in a snow storm. They got her off the hood and put her in the car;  she was just a kitten. They had her for 4 years and she came to live with us on Christmas Day this past year.  

Abby:  How were Murray's first days at your home? 

Angela:  She spent her first week hiding under chairs and beds. She did want to socialize. We think she was mostly heartbroken that her daddy left her with strange people (we have been around her before, but she was a kitten) She finally came out and is now best friends with my mom. She follows her everywhere and sits in her lap all during the day. She loves to go outside and explore and watch the birds. My favorite thing about her is that when you pick her up, she looks just like Garfield after he gets in trouble. She is full of sass and attitude, but she is very gentle with everyone and purrs almost nonstop. 

This picture of Murray surrounded by toys was one of the first times she came out of hiding after first coming to live with us.

Thank you for visiting, Angela, Twinkles, and Murray!  I loved visiting with you all here today.  Twinkles and Murray, you found a wonderful home where you are much loved.  Please give my love to Gizmo, Sarge, Miss P, and Gimli.

If you have questions or comments for Angela, Twinkles, or Murray, I hope you'll leave a comment below.  Thank you for reading, and have a great weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo 

Dear Abby - Meet Ninja (A Rescued Pet Spotlight)

Hi friends!

I hope you are having a good week.  It has been a nice, quiet week here - my favorite kind.  

I am looking for more rescued cats, dogs, bunnies, ferrets, birds, etc. (!) to interview here in future weeks.  If you have a fur baby who would like to be spotlighted, please leave a comment below.

Today a beautiful cat named Ninja is visiting.  Ninja is a 10 year old tortoiseshell.  My Momma is a big fan of tortie cats.  Here is Ninja's story!

Abby:  What is your background and how did you end up in rescue? 

Ninja:  Farrah picked me up off the street back in August of 2005, when I was about 6 weeks old. I was hiding in the bushes at the homeless shelter she was volunteering at, and I wandered out when I heard her voice because I was hoping she would have food. She found me some food in the kitchen and she and her friends spent the next two hours trying to play with me and win my trust. Then she brought me around to a bunch of other cats--I think she was trying to see if one of them was my mom? I don't know where my mom went, but all the cats she found hissed at me. I think she felt really bad, so she ended up just taking me home.

Abby:  How were your first days at your new home? 

Ninja:  I got the impression that I wasn't supposed to be there, because she seemed to be trying really hard to be secretive about it at first. Her dad didn't seem to like me much, and Farrah got into a huge argument with him when he found out about me. To this day, I steer clear of him, but her mom loves me and always listens to me and spends time with me! Before her parents found out about me, I lived in her backyard and she'd stay outside with me every afternoon and work on things while I tried to lie across her notebooks.

Abby:  What are a few of your favorite things? 

Ninja:  I like lying on top of Farrah or her mom whenever they're sleeping and giving them throat massages! They don't seem to like the second part as much, but they never move away when I do it, so I think they secretly don't mind. Farrah has a tendency to try to do everything and never seems to take a break, so sometimes when I catch her sitting or lying down, I'll curl up on her and it works like magic! She doesn't move. I really like drinking water from the faucets, especially the one with extra-filtered water upstairs, but I'll only jump up there when I know someone will be there to turn it on for me. I also really love having my cheeks scratched/brushed, and sitting next to cords and making chewing sounds. I don't actually chew them though; I just like to pretend.

Abby:  Do you have any tips for people who want to adopt a rescue pet? 

Ninja:  Patience and a lot of [unconditional] love. I had almost starved to death before I was found and given a home, and it can take a long time to learn to trust again. If you're looking for a furry friend, please adopt and don't shop. There are so many wonderful pets in all different breeds, ages, and demeanors out there at rescues and shelters who would love to find a forever home. If you have a pet who hasn't already been neutered or spayed, please consider doing so! 

Abby:  Is there a rescue group you want to send a shout out to (with link to group?) 

Ninja:  Every time Farrah comes back home, she always smells like a bunch of other cats and she has a lot of cat hair on her clothes that are not presents from me. I think she might be hiding another cat from me, but as long as she doesn't bring another one home, I guess I can forgive her. 

Farrah's explanation: In medical school, I volunteered at and eventually started living at a cat rescue/sanctuary called Please Save A Cat.The lady who runs the shelter is one of the kindest people I will ever know--she takes care of over 80 cats (strays, surrendered pets, and cats from local shelters who've run out of time), and also cares for pets of deployed military personnel so that they won't have to worry about them while they're gone--all for free! The rescue is run entirely on donations and out of her own pocket, so I would drive back there to help out whenever possible, even after I had to move 3 hours away for my clinical rotations. 

Isn't that a wonderful story?  Ninja's mom, Farrah, is a dedicated cat rescuer.  She is doing a lot of great work for kitties!  Thank you, Ninja and Farrah, for stopping by!

If you'd like to leave a comment for Ninja, or just say "hi," you can do this in the comments below.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Dear Abby - Meet Zeus (A Pet Rescue Spotlight)

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a great week!  I have some good news to report this week.  I went for my annual physical and everything went well.  As a matter of fact, I lost weight and now can now have a little extra kibble with breakfast and dinner.  Hooray!  This is very exciting news in my world.  

I get a little scared at the vet, but I do like all the extra attention and sweet talking that I get.  There was a little boy in the waiting room who was waiting for news about his senior cat, and I gave him extra attention and comfort.   I hope that made him feel a little better.

Today I have two special friends visiting.  Zeus is a 6.5 year old cat.  He has long grey hair and he is very handsome!  He lives with my dear dachshund friend Oz.  Zeus brought along his mother, Barbara, who is a good friend of my Momma.

 

Abby:  What is your background and how did you end up in rescue?

Zeus:   I don't want to think much about the first 3 1/2 years of my life as it wasn't the happiest of times for me. I was surrendered by the person who first had me to a local vet clinic, where I stayed until my family rescued me. Some of staff there really cared for me, but I had to spend a lot of time in my cage. Several people took me home to "try me out", but brought me back again. I ate a lot of food and became quite chubby. They also had to shave my fur in order to keep me clean. Lots of people laughed at the "chubby cat" and some even took photos. The word "vicious" was even mentioned (which I am not). It seemed as though no one wanted me.

Then my life changed. I saw my now Mom and knew that I wanted her to take me home. I went up to her and meowed & meowed & meowed. She thought I was talking to her (which of course I was). I heard her saying that her family had never had a cat before, that they weren't really "cat people". But over the weeks I worked on her and I knew she liked me. I heard her on the phone to my now Dad and human brother Patrick, telling them why she thought I should come and live with them.

When Mom heard some people laughing at the "bald, fat, cat" one day, I heard her say "Enough, Zeus is coming home with me". I heard her telling the staff that her family only takes in a pet when they can promise a forever home. They don't return animals, they find the way to make it work. She is true to her word.  Now I have my forever home!

Abby:  How were your first days at your new home?

 

Barbara (Zeus's Mom):  The family was nervous about having a cat living with us. We worried that we were inexperienced. We knew all about dachshunds and guinea pigs and rabbits. But Zeus made it easy. He wanted to be part of our family. He didn't hide, not ever. He was always in the room with one or all of us, lying on the furniture, on our belongings, wherever he wanted. He is very interactive and constantly talking with us. He ignored the guinea pigs (much to our relief) and had excellent bathroom habits. It was obvious that the cat and dog could coexist, even if they might not ever become friends. Zeus made it very easy to love him.

 

Abby:  What are a few of your favorite things?

Barbara:   Zeus loves all of us, but he prefers his Mom. He loves to eat, any often begs for food, But, for health reasons we have him on a reducing plan, which we must enforce despite his attempts to coerce us into feeding him more than his allotment. Zeus loves to be comfortable and can lie wherever he wants. He loves to claim our belongings and we have been known to select another outfit to wear when he snuggles up on the one we set out on the bed.

Zeus:  I love to be where my family is. Sometimes I like to snooze in private (under Patrick's bed, in the laundry pile, on the humans' beds), but usually I like to be with people. My Dad won me a cat bed in a Christmas raffle, and I LOVE to sleep on it. Especially since it is in the living room, where the action is.  I like that no one complains that I shed all over the place. Mom even bought a new vacuum to help clean up the stray fur. I love that my people never get mad at me, even when I wake them up in the middle of the night (I am still  partially nocturnal, after all). I love having conversations with my Mom, even though we don't speak the same language I know she cares. I even love that dog, Oz (but don't tell him).

I spend a lot of time staring out the window and sliding glass door, especially at night. My people wonder what I am looking at but I see & hear all of creatures of the night, lurking in our backyard.

Barbara:  Zeus is now a long haired cat, as he is meant to be. We have him professionally groomed regularly and brush him at home. Colleen, of Muddy Paws in the Guild,  has taught us all about keeping Zeus' fur clean and mat-free. Our vet, Dr. Gawen Thompson, of West Hill Animal Clinic, has taught us everything we need to know about caring for Zeus.  There is not one shred of evidence to indicate Zeus is anything but a loving, friendly, grateful kitty.

Abby:  Do you have any tips for people who want to adopt a rescue pet?

Barbara:  Our message to everyone out there is don't be afraid to open your heart to a needy pet. We followed our hearts and have the most amazing cat as part of our family.  Zeus has made our lives better and we all love him more than words can say.

Also, you can find a cat who needs a home in many places. They are often surrendered to vet clinics and pet stores also work with Rescue Groups to find these cats' homes.

www.westhillvet.com 

www.muddypawsintheguild.ca

Thank you, Zeus and Barbara, for stopping by!  I really enjoyed your visit, and I know readers will, too.  Zeus, you found an amazing home!

Friends, if you have a question or comment for Zeus, please feel free to leave a note in the comments, below.

Wishing all my friends a good weekend.  For my dog and cat friends who have a human Momma, be sure to be extra sweet on Mother's Day!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo 

 

Dear Abby - Meet Cosmo, Max, Whipper, and Snapper (A Rescue Pet Spotlight)

Dear Friends,

I am so excited!   Kitties are visiting the blog this week.  I love cats and am so happy to introduce you to FOUR cats from the same family!   

Meet Cosmo and Max

Cosmo and Max are Siamese cats who have lived together their whole lives.  They are 16+ years old. 

This is Cosmo:

This is Max:

Abby:  What is your background and how did you end up in rescue?

Cosmo and Max:  Well some lady bought us separately when we were just tiny little kittens and kept us together. But she ended up, in 4 years having 4 kids under 5 and when she got pregnant with #5, she decided Daddy had to give us up. We were too much work for her.

So she had a rescue put an ad on Petfinders for us and said we had to stay together.

Mommy’s cats had all died but one old raggedy black cat (Twilley was 14 when they came..MOM) so she needed some cats to love cause she’s been a cat lover forever. She paid the rescue service the adoption fee and came to the other lady's house and fell in love with us both. Her family came too and they brought us home. 

Abby: How were your first days at your new home?

Cosmo and Max:  We screamed the whole way here and for like a week we lived under the big bed. But we finally relaxed with all the good food and toys and petting. 

Abby:  What are a few of your favorite things?

Cosmo:  We’ve been here a long time now and we love the whole family but my special human is Dad. Max’s special human is Mike – Mom’s son.  (Mom loves on both of us and we take naps on her electric blanket.)  But Dad and me, we used to play catch with paper trash balls and those rattley mice. And I used to jump up on Dad’s shoulders all the way from the ground and then he’d walk around with me sitting there like a prince or something. I’m blind now but I still play with the rattley mice and chase that red light thing mom got for the little girl cat.

Max spends time with Mike, sleeping in his room and watching TV with him. He even moved to FiIladelfia with Mike for a long time. But they both came back after some unhappy circumstances and I’m happy cause I missed him and Mike. Max thinks he’s in charge and he “patrols” and protects the house and yard from the possum monster and those stupid squirrels. 

Abby:  Do you have any tips for people who want to adopt a rescue pet? 

Cosmo:  Just do it. I’m so glad we never had to live in one of those cage things. I’m a Siamese. I don’t belong in that kind of place. And now I’m old – I wouldn’t like it. Everyone please go rescue a pet today – no pet should have to be alone in a cage… that’s so sad. 

Abby: Is there a rescue group you want to send a shout out to?

Cosmo and Max:  Well, Mommy got us on Petfinders and Cats Bridge to Rescue helped her with the girl cats we share the house with. So yep – them. 

Meet Whipper and Snapper

Whipper and Snapper live with Cosmo and Max.  They are girl cats, and 4.5 years old.

This is Whipper:

This is Snapper:

Abby: What is your background and how did you end up in rescue?
 

Whipper and Snapper:  We were born in 2011 when it was hot. Mom saw us under the big thing in the “driveway” and fell in love with us and our whole family at first sight. And she had to bury our one brother who died. That’s when she decided to feed all of us so we wouldn’t die. And she did for a long long time. BUT there was a big big big rainstorm that made water go everywhere and we sat outside and yelled for her to get us some food that wasn’t water-logged. She did. But our mama and our other sisters never came back after the big wet. Mom even built us a little tent on her porch for the cold and the rain but she didn’t think it was working (Whipper says it wasn’t ) so she made Dad come out with these hot things to put under our covers and keep us warm. That was nice but when it was winter almost, it wasn’t doing the job so one day, she put our food in a big box and when we went in to get it, she trapped us and wouldn’t let us go back out. She took us to the doctor and now she says we’re princesses… umph!  Always were. 

Abby:  How were your first days at your new home? 

Whipper and Snapper: Scary cause the humans kept touching our furs and the other boy cats didn’t like us. But we’ve convinced the boys that we’re ok. And now I like having head rubs and Dad petting me. (Snapper says Whipper sold out..because she’s always mushing up to Cosmo and sometimes even Max!)

The kitties' Mom, Beth adds:  "For the record, Whipper lived under the china closet behind 40 boxes of eBay stuff except for meals and potty breaks for like 8 mos. Still doesn’t let us pet her ... or even touch her ... or get too close. BUT she shows up on time for meals and plays with me with trash balls and the laser beam."

 

Abby:  What are a few of your favorite things?

Whipper:  Cosmo… he lets me sleep with him and mom bought me a red light beam to chase.

Snapper:  I like Dad, he fixes the curtains so I can look out and fluffs the blankets on the sofa at night so I’m warm - and I love the food.

Abby:  Do you have any tips for people who want to adopt a rescue pet? 

Whipper and Snapper:  Find a nice cat and take them home and feed them lots of good stuff.

Abby:  Is there a rescue group you want to send a shout out to?

Whipper and Snapper:  Cats Bridge to Rescue cause they spayed us and got us our first shots. http://www.catsbridge.org/

Thank you so much for visiting today, Cosmo, Max, Whipper, and Snapper!  I loved meeting you all and learning about your lives.  You found a GREAT home.

Dear friends, if you would like to leave a message for these beautiful kitties, or if you have a rescued cat or dog who would like to be share a rescue story, please let me know in the comments below.

Love and a happy weekend to you all,

Abby xoxoxo