Siren on Katz

Stop watching me! I'm fine. The meds worked. I'm trying to sleep.

Before I turn around and settle in I want to tell you about Ellen.

She has a blog called Katz Tales

She helps lots of cats in her neighborhood and is offering her e-books to help raise money for them. They are very very reasonably priced. I can't read but I imagine they are good since they make Mom laugh. She's difficult to amuse.

This post will help explain what Ellen is doing.

All the e-books are right there on her blog sidebar.

In addition to all the cats she helps Ellen is Mom to ...

Au

Guido 

Target 

I like orange cats. They're so easy to find and bite. Gently of course.

Mom likes Ellen because they are alot alike. I know this is true since without people like them I would be in a world of trouble. I probably wouldn't be here at all.

OK, I'm getting misty now.

Have a Good Weekend Everyone

Nap

Eat

Nap

Dogs in the City

is a TV series that premiered this past Wednesday on CBS.

The one hour show features segments about dogs and their humans. In the first episode we met ...

Charlotte - she has an aggression issue and has bitten both dogs and people several times. Her human, a very stubborn and opinionated young woman, insists on continuing to bring Charlotte to work each day regardless of the risk.

My favorite scene is when the dog trainer sits on the floor in the corner to watch over the new behavior he has suggested to the human only to have her still screw up.

Then there's a newly married couple and their bulldog Beefy. Beefy belonged with the husband before the wife came into the picture and Beefy is not at all pleased with being part of a couple of humans. He will not walk on his leash for her and barks incessantly when the couple goes to bed.

The third segment is especially lovely. A retired NYPD detective and his young daughter have a giant dog named Rosie. They are concerned that Rosie is too fat and need help in feeding her better and giving her more exercise.

There are so many things to love about this show - the dogs, wonderful scenes of NYC and even the humans.

And Justin

Justin Silver is a stand up comedian who turned his love for dogs into a business and a charity. Justin has a company called The Language of Dogs and is founder of  Funny for Fido  where he brings comedians together to raise money for grants to animal rescue organizations.

Although he is official human to two dogs - Chiquita and Pacino, Justin fosters many homeless dogs and will often take in a dog he is working with until he feels sure that the situation is safe and happy for both the dog and the dog's people.

After watching the first episode of his show and seeing him interviewed many times I will admit to absolutely adoring this guy. He's a born NYer. He has an incredibly big warm smile, not to mention incredibly big shoulders and arms. While he definitely has a bit of NY swagger and attitude he is so patient and loving. Especially with the humans who are so often the cause of dog issues.

So take a look at Dogs in the City - Wednesday at 8 PM EST on CBS.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Cookies and Crapola - Week 2

Let's see if I can keep up a regular post with a theme. I enjoyed sharing the bits and pieces of last week's first Cookies and Crapola post.

We'll start with a giant stinkin' heap of crapola. The Trump boys ...

These overly entitled miserable sacks of nothing but Daddy's money went on a killing spree while on an African safari. They slaughtered an elephant, a leopard, a buffalo and an alligator just to name a few of their kills. Then they posed with the dead animals for their "trophy shots". You can read about it  here  but I warn you, there are photos.

Here's a mix - for some it's cookies and for others it's crapola.

Where every single college team in the nation plays for a spot in a bracket that people walk around with close to their hearts. It goes on forever and ever and ever more. I like basketball, I even played basketball in school, but this is just too huge for me.

I missed my second tai chi chih class on Wednesday. It was nearly 80 degrees out and the classroom was not air conditioned and the windows don't open. I walked in, felt the heat and turned right around and left.

Outside I had this titillating conversation with the building manager.

"It's hot as hell in there"
"The air isn't turned on" he replies.
"I noticed that, hence the hot as hellness"
"Air comes on in May, it's March" he tells me smugly.
"Yes, but it's 80 degrees today"
He counters with "Yes, but it's March"

I walked away to my air conditioned car.

As always my cookie is Hope.

We played dress up in her room. She has a trunk full of costumes.

Have a good weekend everybody.

Hopeful Yet Realistic

Soon after I adopted Isadora I discovered that she was sick with an immune system disorder that caused her gums to swell and split open. Imagine the worst case of gingivitis times 10. After trying many treatments I decided that removing all her teeth was the best hope. That surgery was done just a year ago. The success rate for the surgery is at best 60% and gets lower the older the cat is. Isadora is 3, Siren is 10.

Isadora's issues are better but she still suffers relapses. They're not as severe and don't last as long.

About 6 months after Isadora joined us Siren began exhibiting similar symptoms. Little is known for sure about this disease. A very small group of vets and researches say it's a virus; more say it's environmental, poor nutrition in stray moms, or perhaps it's genetic. They thought a bacterial cause had been found but that was disproven.

The most effective treatment is a combination of long lasting, heavy duty steroid injections, antibiotics and pain killers. The steroids can cause diabetes as they did with Siren 6 months ago. I changed his diet and once the drug was out of his system his blood sugar was normal. Good news. Bad news is that none of the other treatments are working. Since Christmas Siren has lost 2 of his 10 pounds and is so miserable that it breaks my heart just to look at him.

So we come to yesterday. I took both Siren and Isadora to the vet and had them treated with everything that will make them feel better NOW. They need to eat. They need energy. They need to be happy NOW.

I will continue a high protein, low carb diet for them and the vet will monitor.

It was a difficult decision but using an ineffective treatment is absurd.

Cross your fingers for us

I have linked to Cats on Tuesday, I could use a hug from some fellow "cat people"

And on we go

Sweet Shirley

No, that's not a close-up of me. My eyelashes aren't that lush.
That is Shirley looking deep into the hearts and souls of anyone who believes that all beings deserve respect and care.

Shirley now lives at The Elephant Sanctuary, after decades of circus work where she was repeatedly injured by other animals or by performing the absurd tricks that entertain people with pea brains.

This is Kenneth Feld, CEO and Chairman of Feld Entertainment.

The wild, cruel animal is not

behind the bars of a cage.

He is in front of it.

~ Axel Munthe

FE is the parent company of Ringling Brothers Circus. Mr. Feld - aka dick, douche, scum, asshole - recently "gladly" paid a $270,000 fine for egregious violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Of course he's "gladly". He wasn't shut down. The animals weren't confiscated and he'll continue on his merry way of making millions in blood money.

The fine was the highest ever levied against one corporation. At least there's that.

In the spirit of the season I wish for Mr. Feld whatever nature thinks suitable. The image I carry is of a tragic elephant dung accident where a certain spec of trash becomes a needle in a dung heap.
 
I won't describe the violations, it's just too much. I can't even type the words. You can Google all the eyewitness accounts and employee statements and federal investigations.

I'm going to go back to Shirley. She's been reunited with an elephant she worked with. Jenny was a baby when they worked together 22 years ago. Shirley recognized Jenny right away and they have been looking out for one another ever since.

I meant what I said and I said what I meant – an elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent

~ Dr. Seuss

my dear friend Jay, at Bailey’s Buddy, also posted about this a few days ago. You can find a link to the live elephant cam at the sanctuary on his sidebar. Thanks Jay for always speaking up for the elephants.

Just A Cat

If I had a dollar for every time I heard "but it's just a cat" I could adopt more cats and give them good homes.

I'll never understand the notion of trivializing a life.

My good blogging friend known best as Lucy's Mama of  LUCY’S CAT LOUNGE   took in a cat whose people were moving and leaving her behind. The No Kill shelters were all full so I assume they were just going to dump her at any shelter or just leave her on the street.

Lucy's Mama took her in with the intention of finding her a home. She already has two cats and was concerned about the cost and work associated with caring for a third, plus the stress on the two cats already entrenched in their habitat.

While looking for a place for the newcomer, Lucy's Mama noticed that she seemed uncomfortable. Long story short - a visit to the vet confirms kidney issues and the need for surgery.

Lucy's Mama has decided to keep the cat and get her well and make her happy.
I can so relate to that. From Sheba to Jinxie and now Isadora I have always been found, been chosen by animals who need help.

An independent, non profit rescue group called Companion Critters (and they're from Jersey!) has started a fund to pay for the surgery.

If you go to  LUCY’S CAT LOUNGE   you will see the CHIP IN link right there on the sidebar. I hope you will consider helping.

I almost forgot! It's not just a cat. It's ANNIE ...

Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.

~Colette

Dear Alaskan Wolves

Hey there wolves. I noticed you wander about a lot ...

Not that I blame you; what with the need for food and shelter. So I got to thinking.

While wandering, would you do me a favor? I'd like you to look out for this creature ...

No, not the beautiful caribou now dead after being tortured and laughed over. The evil piece of trash that killed the caribou. That one. You may not recognize her in this shot - what with the fake frontier terrorist outfit on.

She usually looks more like this. Bat shit fucking crazy ...

If you could give her a taste of her own medicine I'd be forever in your debt. I'm already sending as much as I can to NRDC and WWF. I'll try to do more.

Here's a few more clues:

She likes a fair fight. Ya know - machine guns from a helicopter. I'm sure you've run and hidden from her ...

She drags her brood about with her surrounded by press who responded to her twat tweet telling them where she was and begging them to leave her children alone.

Her Big Papa is a wily one. He likes to look like a sports star ...

and then sometimes he makes believe he loves America by wearing a red tie and having a flag follow him around ...

You may remember that he led the charge to have Alaska leave the US. Probably so he could kill more without regulations. Not to mention the meth labs and prostitutes.

Oh - one last thing. Your former part time quit as soon as the money got big Governor has another crazy woman with her, also surrounded by children she's protecting from public scrutiny ...

Would you believe they're shooting guns together!?

Thank you dear wolves for your attention to this matter. Give the caribou my condolences.

Be careful out there.

"They're Just Like Big Dogs ..."

Anyone who knows me knows that I adore all things Craig Ferguson and so I watched his Shark Week special on The Discovery Channel. I normally shy away from Shark Week and shows like it; I feel they sensationalize animal attacks and are far too forgiving of the humans who caused the trouble to begin with.

If you’re in a wild animal’s environment then respect the animal. I was pleased that this was the exact philosophy of Craig’s dive buddy - a lovely young man named Chang Sein Chin. I can’t find much info about him but you can check out the Dive Center they used HERE

I learned a few things – a Bull Shark has a testosterone level of 900. The average human male’s level is 40. Imagine a Bull Shark at a frat party!?

Sharks hold onto each other with their teeth when mating. This leaves bite scars. Been there – Done that.

Interwoven with scenes of Craig being adorable and funny and scared shitless at the notion of hand feeding sharks there was (for me) far too many scenes of hanging human flesh and blood in the water. There goes Discovery again – if it bleeds, it leads.

Yet – Craig and his dive buddies so clearly felt a sense of wonder while among the sharks and so I ignored the unnecessary shark attack footage.

The best part of the 60 minute show is the last 15 minutes. Craig is taught how to hand feed the sharks and they all descend to a prepared area and then later move onto a beautiful old wrecked ship. The warmth of the rusty colors beside the shimmer of sharks and men in metal mesh suits was beautiful.

The look of awe and enchantment on Craig’s face when he came up from the dive is one of his most endearing moments. “I fed them, I really fed them” he tells everyone on deck.

He goes on to describe the sharks as beautiful, magnificent, amazing, and my favorite – “they’re just like big dogs” - said with a giant grin.

You can view some great clips from the show HERE







I got the above photos from TMZ. Who knew there was paparazzi underwater!!

This Is Not The America We Advertise

My friend RAMBLING WOODS did a wonderful informative post about saving birds devastated by the oil disaster in the Gulf. She included many links to follow.

I’m going to link to the National Audubon Society – check out their AUDUBON ACTION CENTER

A former EPA administrator calls BP ‘Serial Environment Killers’. You can read about all their blunders and short cuts and outright illegal maneuvers HERE

There never seems to be consequences for the rich and greedy. Wall Street throws the economy into chaos, people lose jobs and homes and yet they collect bonuses and go on about their merry way.

Now we have BP CEO Tony Hayward.

I think this quote …

"We're sorry for the massive disruption it's caused to their lives," Hayward said."There's no one who wants this thing over more than I do, I'd like my life back”

… pretty much sums up the kind of man he is.

I wonder if that’s what he’s telling this worker. Hurry up, I have theater tickets waiting in London. Or perhaps he’s telling him he’s not really sick from the dispersants and the oil, just don’t eat the gumbo.



"I am sure they were genuinely ill, but whether it was anything to do with dispersants and oil, whether it was food poisoning or some other reason for them being ill, you know, there's a—food poisoning is surely a big issue when you've got a concentration of this number of people in temporary camps, temporary accommodations."

Christie Todd Whitman – the brilliant mind who brought us the declaration of safety at Ground Zero just days after the towers fell is once again sharing her wisdom as she trots around raising funds for more asshole Republicans.




You can read all about her wanting to do nothing, regulate nothing HERE

There are no consequences for the powerful and ignorant.

Thanks to Christie and this piece of crap …



... 7 of 10 First Responders at Ground Zero are sick. Many have died. The legal proceedings to develop real programs to help them go on and on – it’s been nearly 10 years.

10 years

In case you're not sure who the piece of crap I refer to is - it's the one pointing toward his political future, already planning how many times he can mention 9/11 during a speech - it's NYC's former king Rudy Guiliani. The sack of shit next to him, wearing a jacket from the Ahmadinejad bat shit crazy leader line, is none other than Prince Georgie.

How many years will the people and wildlife of the Gulf Coast suffer? After Katrina suicide rates in the region rose 30%. I saw an interview with the wife of a fisherman. He had finally finished the back breaking work it took to restore his business and now this. She says he walks around aimlessly, he doesn’t sleep, he has fits of anger and long bouts of silence.

They can’t pay their bills. They will lose what little they rebuilt. Their children are in college and she fears she won’t be able to continue their tuition payments.

Clearly there are consequences for them.

This is not the America we advertise.

We Take Care of Family

Isadora had quite the weekend. Her biopsy results came in Saturday and the vet was so concerned that Isadora needed to go back Sunday morning to start a regimen of antibiotics and steroids.

She has an immune system disease that attacks her teeth and gums. There is a lot of discussion in the medical community about how this condition comes to be. There is no cure - and treatment success rates vary, there are so many variables.

I truly believe that animals have a sense of what we are thinking and feeling. Isadora didn't fight me to get into the carrier. At the vet's office she licked my hand and she kissed the vet.

On the drive back home she kept talking to me and I kept telling her it would be OK. We'll deal with it best we can. She has been giving me deep loving looks ...



I've been asked if I would consider returning her to the shelter. The answer is no. She became a part of the family the moment she walked in the door. Animals are not damaged goods to be returned if we're not satisfied.

Today is better.

Siren and Isadora's good friend Rosie (and her mom DARYL) sent them some gifts ...



This led to Isadora wanting to be brushed ...




And then Siren joined in ...




He's a bit rowdier than Isadora. She did enjoy watching him ...





The biggest goal now is to get Isadora to eat. If only cats liked lasagna, no one can resist my Italian food.