Animal Rescue

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR WITH A GUEST SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #125

As Kitties Blue embark on a new year, we’d like to wish all our followers, friends and supporters a new year that brings each of you only good things. This past year was overly sad for us and many of you. Our resolution for 2017 is to put on happy faces and try to look ahead with positive attitudes.

We wanted to begin 2017 by doing something special, so today we are introducing you to a friend and giving her the honor of guest hosting the first Sunday Selfies blog hop of the new year. And here she is now.

We’d like you to meet Allie. Look at that gorgeous face! Allie is a seven-year-old, bi-eyed, short-haired, white-furred beauty. She lost her elderly person and went through a grieving process but now is ready for her new home. She is in a wonderful Barn Cat Buddies foster home, but it is not her first one. We’d so love for her to have a New Year’s miracle and find the loving, forever home she deserves.

Allie would make a great companion for a senior person. She loves to snuggle at night and sleep next to her person in bed. She is a little shy at first but once she realizes you are kind and gentle, she will respond with head butts and affection.

Allie is fearful of other cats, so if you have a quiet home with no other cats or possibly just one other, you and Allie would be a purrfect fit!

Allie is house trained, spayed and current on her vaccinations. She is currently located in Hardy, Virginia.

If you think you or someone you know would be interested in Allie, please leave us a comment. We can send you additional photos as well as her contact information.

This is our Sunday Selfies blog hop, and we’d love for you to join in the fun. All anipals are welcome. We do not discriminate! “Come one, come all,” we say! To join the hop, use the link below. You may want to add the hop to your blog as well. If so, the code is below. If you do this, would you please be so kind as to add our badge to your post and/or link to The Cat on My Head. And don’t forget: The hop remains open for entries through Thursday at midnight.

Thanks for a great year, dear friends. We wish everyone a happy and blessed 2017.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, mauricio, Misty May, giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Mom Janet and Dad Tom

REMEMBER ME THURSDAY® WITH POETRY

Remember Me Thursday® Awareness Movement

We are joining Remember Me Thursday® and have lit a candle at RememberMeThursday.org for our sweet Swizzle again this year. Swizzle is the kitty we continue to sponsor at PAWS of Connecticut. She’s been waiting for more than two years for her new forever home. We pray daily that this sweet and beautiful senior kitty will find the loving human and home she deserves.

The Remember Me Thursday® global awareness campaign encourages individuals to light a candle this day (literally or virtually) and to opt to adopt, reducing the millions of orphan pets euthanized each year.

Candles lit on this day (the fourth Thursday of September annually) across the world honor the pets who lose their lives without the opportunity to know the comforts of a loving home. These candles shine brightly on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption—just like beautiful Swizzle.

This being Sammy’s (onespoiledcat) Thoroughly Poetic Thursday and the prompt letter for the week being “O”, I have written a poem for orphan kitties.

OPT TO ADOPT ORPHAN CATS

Most of us were orphans at one time,
Whether roaming the streets or shelter confined.
But then one day our luck suddenly changed.
A human stopped in whose heart we would claim.
They took us home to keep us safe forever
With food, shelter and love as our caregiver.
So today, will you please a candle light
And pray for the orphans to not give up the fight,
As they wait and long for their special human
To find them and become their number one fan.

Please join me, other pet-lovers and advocates and animal welfare organizations around the world in lighting your own candle. Visit the link listed in the first paragraph to light your candle and learn more about Remember Me Thursday®. Or light your own candle at home. Just make certain it is either battery operated or in an area your pets cannot access.

September 22, 2016 by Janet Blue Adoption Animal Rescue Poetry Remember Me Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 26

TO CATCH A CAT REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Though I love cats and kittens, I never thought I could fall in love with a mother cat (Oona) and her three kittens sight unseen. But that is exactly what happened when I read Heather Green’s book, To Catch a Cat. The book interweaves the story of Heather’s and boyfriend Matt’s first foray into kitten rescue and socialization and Heather’s memoir. You learn the intimate details of Heather’s fears, foibles and perceived shortcomings all while meeting and falling head over paws for kittens, Zero, Two Spot and Number Three.

The story begins when Matt and Heather discover three tiny kittens living in Matt’s neighbor’s backyard in Union City, New Jersey. Manhattanite and workaholic Heather and laid-back architect Matt take on the task of rescuing these kittens. First Matt builds an outdoor shelter for mom and babies. Then the waiting for the right time to capture the kittens begins. Once the kittens become indoor residents, the socialization process starts and continues until just the right homes are found for the three. During this process, Matt and Heather learn about feral cats and trapping and Heather learns about herself.

This is a book you don’t want to miss. It is definitely for anyone who has ever loved or rescued a cat, but it is also for every animal (regardless of species) fan or caregiver. This uplifting story of discovery, love, devotion and emotional growth will touch your heart.

My only complaint was the lack of photos in the book. But do not let that keep you from reading To Catch a Cat. Head over to @ToCatchaCat on Facebook to see photos and videos of these darlings as well as photos of other kitties saved by Heather and Matt.

Heather Green and mom cat Oona

Heather Green is an award-winning journalist and free lance writer. For 12 years she covered the Internet and digital media for BusinessWeek and has appeared on CNN, CNBC and BBC. This is her first book.

The best part of this post comes in the way of a giveaway for this gem of a book. I have three copies to give to our readers. As I am doing the mailing, I will ship worldwide. That means, everyone can enter. To do so, please leave a comment on this post no later than 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 16. Winners will be selected using Random.org.

10:30 AM Update

I just received these adorable photos of the kittens and wanted to share with everyone.

Screen Shot 2016-07-11 at 10.11.13 AM To Catch a Cat

Clockwise from upper left: Zero, Two Spot, Number Three, Number Three, Two Spot.

July 11, 2016 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Book Review Giveaway 35

FIONA’S PROFILE SELFIES

Sunday Selfies: Week #100

Though I agreed to take some selfies for today, I didn’t agree to look at the camera. For those who don’t know, I am super shy. Nonetheless, I feel so fortunate to be here for the 100th Sunday Selfies post. When I was diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD at the end of December, I did’t expect to be here more than six months later.

I must admit that I am not doing as well as I had been. I haven’t been eating much lately, and Mom is worried about me. I am scheduled to see Dr.Neel on Tuesday for a check-up. Mom’s pretty certain I have lost weight, but she and Dad are hoping it isn’t too much. They are going to ask Dr. Neel if I can take my appetite stimulant more often.

I will be back on Thursday to give you an update on my condition. If you could purrlease continue your purrs and prayers on my behalf, I sure would appreciate it.

This is our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. The link to add your selfie is below as is the code to add the hop to your blog. If you do the latter, can you purrlease display our badge and/or link back to The Cat on My Head. It would be great if you could also visit the blogs of some of the other pawticipants.

Last Day to Help Steel Mill Kitties with Comment

If you haven’t had the opportunity to read our post about the kitties who need to be rescued from a steel mill, you can do so here. We are having a comment-a-thon, and Mom has pledged $1 for every comment on that post. The comment-a-thon ends today at 5 p.m. ET, so purrlease, if you haven’t already done so, pop on over to that post and comment.

Book Review & Giveaway Tomorrow

Have you been waiting for another great cat book to hit the market? To Catch a Cat by Heather Green is just that book. Mom will be reviewing it tomorrow, and we have three copies to give away to our readers. You definitely don’t want to miss the opportunity to win one of these books.

So…see y’all again tomorrow.

Purrs and paw-pats, Fiona

July 10, 2016 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Comment-a-thon Health Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 49

LILY OLIVIA: PEWTER PET ART

Caturday Art Blog Hop

Lily Olivia is entering Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art Blog Hop. Today’s entry was created by using posterize in Picasa and the Pewter filter from Dreamscope. The frame is from PhotoFaceFun.

As you can see, the original photo, taken in my suitcase, was super blurry. In this case, I believe that helped make the finished art more interesting. Lily O. hopes you like it.

This is our submission in Athena’s Blog Hop. To enter your own art and/or view the other submissions, click on Athena’s badge.

Helping Our Barn Cat Buddies Friends

A few days ago, I wrote about the plight of some kitties living at a steel mill. The TNR/Rescue group, Barn Cat Buddies, with which Tom and I volunteer are trying to rescue and find “homes” for these cats. To help out with funds, I am having a comment-a-thon to benefit the steel mill kitties. If you haven’t left a comment on my original post, you can do so by clicking here. I will be donating $1 for each comment made prior to 5 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 10.

If you can spare a few green papers, you can donate by visiting the Barn Cat Buddies web-site (link in header). If you cannot help monetarily, please share, share, share on social media. I really appreciate those of you who are already doing this. Thanks!

Sunday Selfies Blog Hop

Tomorrow will mark our 100th Sunday Selfie Blog Hop. Fiona will be your host. She has been rather puny lately. She has an appointment with our vet, Dr. Neel, on Tuesday. I am hoping to get the okay to give her the appetite stimulant more often. In addition to being here tomorrow, she’ll report on her vet visit and CKD on Thursday.

She hopes you’ll join her tomorrow.

July 9, 2016 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Barn Cat Buddies Caturday Art Blog Hop Comment-a-thon 16

PLEASE HELP OUR BARN CAT BUDDIES FRIENDS

This was not the post we planned for today, but some of our furry friends need your help. If you are regular followers, you know that Barn Cat Buddies is the alma mater of Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo. This is also the TNR/Rescue our humans support and for which they volunteer.

Barn Cat Buddies, Inc.

PO Box 111

Salem, Va 24101

540 344-8707 ext. 3

The Roanoke Steel Mill Cats…

We recently received a call from a very concerned young lady working at a Roanoke steel mill. Nine years ago this kind cat caretaker sterilized and vaccinated several adult cats living at the mill. In addition she found homes for over 60 kittens.

She did an amazing job but as it sometimes happens,

one pregnant cat eluded her & now there are

more cats and kittens residing at the mill !

Cat, one of our Barn Cat Buddies Co-Presidents,

was invited to tour the facility.

Imagine her surprise when she was required to suit up in steel toed shoes, safety glasses, and a hard hat !

Nothing Prepared Her for What Came Next…

…She witnessed cats darting between massive, ‘heated’ steel plates, some racing to avoid

a huge industrial magnet that could come down

killing them instantly,

and living with ear splitting noise

from machines running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

After witnessing the living conditions of these animals,

Cat knew B.C.B had to find a way to rescue

as many animals as possible.

But Here Lies Our Challenge:

We have taken in so many ear tipped cats

from shelters this season that there is literally

” NO ROOM AT THE INN “

We DESPERATELY NEED the public’s help

in adopting the MILL CATS

to barns or other non-traditional homes.

Once we have a plan, we can start trapping.

Cat says: “This was an amazing experience…one

I hope never to repeat. The cats living in this active

steel mill are a resilient bunch deserving of a future.”

If you can take in a pair of Mill Cats, please go to barncatbuddies.org & fill out an application.

If you cannot help please share this email with others…

And as always, financial help would be

greatly appreciated.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts…

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Barn Cat Buddies

PO Box 111 Salem, VA 24153

(540) 344-8707 ext. 3

We know most of our readers do not live in our area, but even if you can’t help physically, any amount of green papers would help. You can visit the Barn Cat Buddies web-site to donate. Barn Cat Buddies is a 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

In an attempt to help these furiends, we are going to make this a comment-a-thon. Our mom will donate $1 for every comment left on this post prior to Sunday, July 10, at 5 p.m. ET. So please tell everyone you know to leave a comment as she is not putting a cap on the amount.

Thank you, friends!

Purrs and paw-pats, Barn Cat Buddies alumnae, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

July 5, 2016 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Barn Cat Buddies Comment-a-thon Kitty Written Blog 59

PLEASE HELP OUR FRIENDS AT PAWS

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you know we support PAWS of Connecticut. We have been sponsoring one of the residents, Swizzle, since July 2014. (You can see Swizzle on our sidebar beneath the Adoptable Cats heading.) We are supporting them now as they participate in Fairfield County’s Day of Giving.

Today, March 10, PAWS IS PARTICPATING IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S GIVING DAY.

Please visit our donation page today and donate at least $10.00

https://fcgives.org/#npo/pet-animal-welfare-society-of-connecticut

Hosted by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation,

Giving Day is a 24 hour online event to “Give Where
You Live” and celebrate our work, and the work of all
local nonprofits.

We invite you to be a part of this fun and exciting event!

Last year, over 13,000 people participated! Not only will
your gift help us reach our goal, but it may qualify us to win

additional grant prizes. Gifts of any size can make a HUGE difference.

(The minimum gift allowed is $10)

Follow us!

to stay in the loop on Giving Day!

With your help we can continue to make a difference

in the lives of homeless pets in our community.

Don’t forget to follow all of the action with

#FairfieldCountyGives

PAWS was founded in 1962 and over the past 50 years we have rescued

and rehomed over 16,000 pets and helped thousands more with low cost

spay/neuter services, medical care, food donations for owners struggling

to keep their pets and more.

With your support we can help create a bright future for pets in need!

www.pawsct.org

If you can help with a donation of at least $10, that donation gives PAWS a chance to win cash prizes up to $25,000! Sure hope you can help out.

Meow Giveaway

This 160-page book is filled with gorgeous kitty photos. Each is accompanied by a quote about cats. This really is a must have for anyone who loves cats and beautiful photography. We are giving away two copies. You can read my review and leave a comment here prior to 5 p.m. E.T. today for aa chance to win. Winners will be selected using Random.org and announced tomorrow.

Instagram

We are now on Instagram. Our user name is Kitties.Blue. We have added an Instagram button to our sidebar and you can reach us by clicking on it. I’d like to thank Carol Bryant (Fidose of Reality), BlogPaws Marketing & Social Media Manager, for her telephone tutorial on setting up and using Instagram. I won this session with her on the #BlogPawsChat on March 1. BlogPaws Chats take place on Tuesday evenings from 8 to 10 p.m. E.T. on Twitter. They cover a range of topics, and prizes are always given away. If you aren’t participating, you are missing out on an great opportunity.

R.I.P. Lexi

It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell to Lexi from the blog Deziz World. Seventeen-year-old, tabby Lexi (with her gorgeous green eyes) was a service cat for Mom Audra. Deziz will be handling service duties on her own for the time being. If you haven’t already, please stop by and leave your condolences.

March 10, 2016 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Giveaway Rescue Thankful Thursday 16

CHRISTMAS SHELTER PROJECT 2015

We purrticipaed in Lola and Lexy‘s Christmas Shelter Project. Mom and Dad delivered goodies to our local no-kill shelter, Angels of Assisi in Roanoke, Virginia.

Mom and Dad dropped off food, litter, treats, lots of toys and the cat tree/scratcher we recently reviewed for Chewy.com. Astrid had decided that tree belonged to her, and we are pretty sure she’s upset that it’s gone. Mom will probably be ordering another one for her.

Mom asked Dad to take some photos of some of the kitties, but for whatever reason, he did not. Maybe he didn’t hear her ask. (He doesn’t always wear his hearing aids!)

Mom says there are about 15 kitties waiting for their forever homes. Six of them are black, and Mom fell in love with every one of them. This little girl, Nod, a two-and-a-half-year-old Bombay mix is one of them. She is on Petfinder (Pet ID: 9517080) if you’d like to offer her a forever home.

Allie (Friends Furever) and Mau (from the Cat Scouts New Year’s Eve party), the remainder of Kitties Blue and our Mom and Dad wish you a happy new year with thanks for being our friends and supporters. Each of you mean the world to us.

Purrs and paw-pats. Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty may, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

January 1, 2016 by Janet Blue Adoption Animal Rescue Christmas Christmas Shelter Project Kitty Written Blog 33

THE SUGAR SHIP PRODUCT REVIEW

The Sugar Ship is a new company (started in 2015) with a unique product. They contacted us a couple of months ago and asked if we would like to sample and review their product on our blog. We jumped at the opportunity to try something new. We never know when we might find a new food, treat or toy that becomes a favorite.

We kitties, however, were not the only ones excited to try it. So was Mom. The reason: This is not just a product designed for cats or dogs but for humans as well.

So, what is The Sugar Ship’s product? It is a treat-filled, high quality, reusable, canvas tote bag measuring 18″w x 11″h x 3.8″d. The bag features a front pocket with either a cat or dog silhouette imprint. The tote is packed with people snacks and dog treats/dog toys or catnip/cat toys/treats. Totes also can be purchased with only cat or dog products.

This is the purrfect house warming, hostess or holiday gift for the family who shares their home with a furry friend.

People snacks may include nuts, chocolates, hard candies, sweets, pretzels, bagel crisps or artisan snack chips. Many of the products are all natural and organic.

Kitty recipients will enjoy an assortment of brand name cat toys that may include feathers, balls, mice or stuffed birds, as well as edible cat treats and catnip. All cat treats are 100% natural and made in the U.S.A.

Doggies will receive brand name dog toys that may include rope toys, stuffed animals, rubber chew toys and tennis balls, as well as edible dog treats. All dog treats are healthy, natural and made in the U.S.A.

Totes with treats are priced between $25.99 for a pet only tote up to $49.99 with treats for both humans and pets. Shipping is free.

Here’s what the humans received in our tote:

Our humans don’t eat a lot of sugary sweets, and they prefer dark chocolate so the two center items were gifted to our kitty sitter, Chris (to her delight). The rest of snacks didn’t last long. Mom really enjoyed the tea candy. She’d never had anything like it before and found it tasty and refreshing.

The kitty items in our tote were the bomb!

We of course enjoyed the toys and catnip, but our very favorite thing was the Pure Bites 100 percent natural, freeze-dried, chicken breast cat treats. In fact, some kitty got their paws on the closed packet after we’d tried them, and helped her/himself by tearing the package apart. But we give all the items a gold star.

Every purchase supports pet adoption.

All tote bags include information on the charity that has been supported through your purchase. The Sugar Ship donates five percent of proceeds from all tote bags to humane societies, no-kill animal shelters and rescues working to save lives through pet adoption and spay/neuter initiatives.

We encourage you to visit The Sugar Ship’s website to learn more about the company and try their products. You also will have the opportunity to meet their adorable, rescued pets/mascots: Pirate Pawpaw, Shipmate Shyly and Sailor Sweet.

Disclaimer: Kitties Blue were not monetarily compensated for this review. We did receive the products pictured above at no charge to us. The opinions expressed with regard to the product are ours alone.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

June 11, 2015 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Kitty Written Blog Product Review Thankful Thursday 20

BLOG THE CHANGE FOR ANIMALS WITH BARN CAT BUDDIES

As part of Blog the Change, we are excited to share the following information with you from Barn Cat Buddies (Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo’s alma mater).

Thanks to a generous grant from the McCausland Foundation, Barn Cat Buddies announces The FREE Feline FIX! The goal is to spay/neuter/rabies vaccinate approximately 600 felines this winter totally FREE to cat/kitten owners AND caretakers of managed colonies. The mission is to hugely impact the number of litters that would be surrendered to local pounds and shelters this spring and summer.

Making this an incredible offering for cat owners/caretakers is the lack of restrictions to taking advantage of this opportunity.

1. No income requirement.
2. No zip code requirement
3. No limit to the number of cats per household and
4. Open to community (feral) cats as long as a caretaker is feeding and monitoring the cat or colony.

PLEASE NOTE: This grant ONLY covers the cost of a spay or neuter, rabies vaccine and ear tip for cats in traps. The surgeries will be performed at Angels of Assisi (our Santa Kitty Toy Hop recipients). If the Assisi medical staff determines a feline needs additional medical treatment, that is the responsibility of the pet owner. To apply simply call the Barn Cat Buddies hotline at 504-344-8707 ext. 3* do not leave your message on Assisi’s line please.

Please spread the word through social media!

January 15, 2015 by Janet Blue Animal Rescue Backstory Barn Cat Buddies Blog the Change for Animals Roanoke Virginia 23

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.