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Sunday, May 6, 2012

In Honor of Faith & Atticus..Momma and kittens that were burned in Georgia.



To play the game Pass It On, stand or sit in a circle. One person begins the game by thinking of a short phrase, then whispering the phrase into the ear of the person standing or sitting beside him/her. That person then whispers it to the next person and so on. The last person says aloud what they heard whispered into their ear. Finally, the first person tells what he/she whispered in the first place. Ever feel like we play that game on FaceBook? Post a traumatic picture and watch how many times the story changes from the original content. In the mean time we armchair warriors sit behind our monitors saying the most hurtful things possible, conjure up drama that would be the envy of any daytime soap opera, and of course bludgeon the people with what they should have done. 
I watched this happen with the story of Faith and Atticus, the mother and kitten burned in a Georgia fire. No one EXACTLY knows what happened (because there were NO witnesses) but we have conjured up the most evil of stories. When Faith's story first broke, I purposely tried to follow every thread possible. And the bottom line was everyone was so hot to seek retribution and vengeance, they forgot about the real story. Most did not read, they reacted, over and over and over. But I did watch an entire community of fuzzlebutt lovers come together. People that do not live that area need to remember that not all states are alike. Police departments are ruled differently and the views on the worthiness of a little fuzzlebutt are dramatically different from those who are reading this.
The real story? There are a LOT of ferals in that area. A man had a substantial pile of brush and seemingly that's where Faith nested. He started the pile on fire. Whether or not he knew she was there NONE of us will ever know. We can guess to our wildest imagination but we will never know. Faith was seen by the man that fed the strays over a several day period. At that time she was able to come and eat and run away. He contacted Paula Radley who graciously took in the kitten Atticus and took Faith to the vet. Faith unfortunately declined from her wounds and was in pain. Paula with the help of Petra Brooks made the hardest decision ever to send Faith to the Rainbow Bridge. It takes a lot of courage to make that decision.
There is one unsung hero in all of this. Paula Radley. Quiet and unassuming she readily jumped in for these kitties. She currently has Atticus in her care as well another teeny kitten that may be a step sibling of Atticus. Paula is truly a kitty savior and could use our help. On a meager monthly income she cares for 80 cats and a dog! Yes 80 cats! With the help of a couple of kind angels, she was able to vet, spay and neuter 35 of them. The remainder she has done on her own. Needless to say there is very little if anything left over for her own needs.
I have set up an Amazon Wishlist for Paula with hopes that we can help her out with some kitty basics. This was my idea as I thought she truly deserves some love from us. Many people have asked what they can do to honor Faith's name and help in the care of Atticus and the other kitty. If everyone could send a even a small item of food or litter that would truly help Paula out. Just pick something off the wish list and have it sent directly to her home. Just to feed these kitties it takes a box of 32 cans per week,16 pounds of cat chow per day, and 2 bags of the 21 pound of litter a week. Just remember that Amazon doesn't say who the package is from, so everything will arrive anonymously.

You can look for the wish list by typing in Paula Belinda Radley located in Georgia OR this is the link to the wish list I set up for Paula http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&id=2FQ3VZ7RLBTA3&type=wishlist




Walmart is in Hinesville, GA. If you want to order things there, Paula can go and pick up. She has to go into Hinesville to do her shopping anyway. There is nothing out in her "neck of the woods." They live directly on the marsh. 


A giftcard for Walmart can be mailed to 
Paula Belinda Radley
196 Faye Drive 
Midway, Georgia 31320 


Faith will be looking down and proud to know her friends cared so much.

34 comments:

  1. An angle looking out for another angle. so heart warming

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  2. is there a Chip-In to contribute to? I just went to the site to make a purchase - the shipping and handling is nearly the same cost as the items (canned food) that I selected ... I would rather give the money directly - I'd rather the shipping and handling fees go for product (food, supplies) than to pay for transport ... please look into establishing a Chip-In as an alternative ... it seems like that would be more efficient and a more effective way to use donations...(I selected $40 of canned food - the S & H was more than $30 ... I'd rather donate the additional $30 to the cause!)

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  3. Is there a Chip-In to contribute to instead? I just went to the "Wish List" and selected $40 of food to be directed to Paula - the shipping and handling was over $30 ... I would much rather donate an additional $30 directly to the recipient than use it to pay for transport - the $30 can do so much more good if it is available for product (food, supplies) It's more efficient and will be more effective - while the 'wish list' is a nice idea - it is not practical or economical...

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  4. Kittena...I will get Paula's paypal address and you can just donate directly to her ok? May not hear from her until tomorrow. Her mother has recently developed some heart problems so she's really swamped..Mary

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  5. Direct money contributions are a much better idea. Why make Amazon and the shipping companies rich when the money can go to a much better cause.

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  6. it would be a great act of kindness for a company such as Amazon to reduce or waive the shipping charges in cases like this! for the love of animals....

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  7. I have been told if you pick the items that are offered directly from Amazon-then the shipping is free for orders over $25. You just have to make sure you pick the items that say "offered by Amazon.com" or else yes...you will end up with excessive shipping charges. Not all items are from Amazon directly......they have partner merchants also but free shipping does not apply to them.

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  8. Is there a Walmart nearby? I'd rather send a gift card where she can get the food, litter, etc. cheaper.

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  9. Walmart is in Hinesville, GA. If you want to order things there, Paula can go and pick up. She has to go into Hinesville to do her shopping anyway. There is nothing out in her "neck of the woods." They live directly on the marsh.

    A giftcard for Walmart can be mailed to
    Paula Belinda Radley
    196 Faye Drive
    Midway, Georgia 31320

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  10. Thank You All So Much, this means so much to me. I don't know what to say. I pray someday I will be able to give back and do more. I am so thankful for you all. God Bless all of you, and God Bless You Mary.
    Love You All, Paula

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  11. I don't have paypal, can I send also money to Paula?? I did that earlier and it came always at the good destination! I put it in two envelops so then they don't see it there's money in it!!!

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  12. As long as that's ok with you I'm sure Paula would be thrilled. She's in tears with the responses from people :)

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  13. I am sorry, so sorry. And I hope your kittens get better very soon. I love your kittens, they are cute. We have cats and one is fat. And the other one is medium and looks like a cow. I love your kittens.

    Spoken by a six year old named Ella, and typed by her eleven year old sister, Taylor.

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  14. Paula what a gift of love you do for these precious lives. I'll be sending a gift card directly to
    your address for Walmart. Thank You for all you do. As a momma to 5 kitties my oldest
    19 yrs old I have my hands full. I cant imagine 80.

    Just wanted you to know the world does indeed care and that your support system stretches
    further then you may realize.

    Love,
    Barb from NJ

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  15. Paula I just wanted you to know what a blessing you are to the feline world. I will be sending
    a gift card direct to you. As a momma of 5 cats with my oldest going into his 19th year my
    hands are so full. I can't imagine 80 cats. God bless you!!!

    Just wanted to let you know that your support system stretches further then you may
    realize.

    Love,
    Barb

    pss. pls give Faiths boy a ton of love from me. He is so precious.

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  16. Thank you Taylor for typing for Ella! The kitties send their love back to you! Ms. Paula who takes care of all those kitties thinks you guys are pretty wonderful and said to give you kitties a hug and a kiss for her!

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  17. Thanks Barbara..Paula will be so thrilled. She still can't believe how people are reaching out to give her a helping hand! ~ Mary

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  18. Ella and Taylor, the kitties were so happy to hear from you, they started jumping and playing, they told me I should name my other two kitties Ella and Taylor, what do you think? Abigail and Atticus said to tell you they love you, and to give your kitties a big hug for them. Thanks Ella and Taylor,
    Love Paula, Abigail and Atticus

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  19. Thank You so much Barbara, you are an angel, I will give Abigail and Atticus a big hug and kiss from you tonight, Thank You, and God Bless You. Paula

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  20. Paula is my daughter and she has the deepest love for animals, the cats and kittens come first with her...they eat before she does..she keeps their house clean, and she is a great mother....they are her children..................

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  21. I tried to order food for them but my account needs their address. How do I do this?

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  22. I tried to order from amazon but my account needs the address to ship to-please help me so I can help her!

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  23. Hi roselovesorange :)
    Thanks so much! Here's all the info for you, address is in the last paragraph


    You can look for the wish list by typing in Paula Belinda Radley located in Georgia OR this is the link to the wish list I set up for Paula http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&id=2FQ3VZ7RLBTA3&type=wishlist




    Walmart is in Hinesville, GA. If you want to order things there, Paula can go and pick up. She has to go into Hinesville to do her shopping anyway. There is nothing out in her "neck of the woods." They live directly on the marsh.


    A giftcard for Walmart can be mailed to
    Paula Belinda Radley
    196 Faye Drive
    Midway, Georgia 31320

    ReplyDelete
  24. THANK YOU THANK YOU, We received a box with 3 bags of cat chow, 2 boxes from Wags with 2 big bags of litter, and a 32 can box of friskies, I can't tell you how much this helps me, I don't know who sent this, but Thank You and God Bless You.
    Thank You Faith, I Love You
    Paula Radley

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  25. 2 more packages today, every time I open a package, I say God Bless the person that sent this, you are all kind people with really big hearts, I hope I can help someone like this someday, and Thank You Kathleen, you are all a blessing.
    Thank You All, Paula Radley

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  26. Thank You Irene and Little Tommy Trouble, This helps me more than you know,Little Tommy Trouble sounds like a cutie.
    Thank You Joan, you have made Atticus and Abigail very happy.
    Thank You Thomas and Brittney, For praying for Faith, and for your donation, and I did give Atticus a smooch and told him it was from you.
    Thank You Jennifer, and everyone that has donated, all of you have helped me more than you will ever know. God Bless You All.
    Paula and Her 82 babies

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  27. Sadly little Atticus (newly named Abigail), the remaining kitten of Faith (momma killed in GA fire) passed away yesterday (5/18/12) at the vet. She's been losing weight and was being treated for Coccidia and she lost the battle. RIP little one. Paula is so very heartbroken and is Trish who was eagerly awaiting to adopt this baby.

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  28. such a beautiful idea, do you have meanwhile the paypal details? I, living with 5 cats in Northern Germany, would prefer to donate some money too

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  29. I am so terribly sorry about the loss of little Atticus. now he is reunited with his mom and siblings on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

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  30. Please contact me at munchkin08@peoplepc.com THANK YOU ~ Mary

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