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.

One Very PRECIOUS Reason Not to Adopt Long Distance

My name is Precious, I am a 3 year old tortie, and I have a very important story to share. Late June 2011, I was turned into New York's Animal Control as a stray along with my 5 newborn babies. Then I caught the dreaded cold and I was scheduled to be killed on July 13th. A woman from Michigan was so very determined to adopt me and my babies. Anjellicle Cat Rescue only agreed to help her as she seemed to really care because she drove 10 hours to come pick me up and then 10 hours back to Michigan. 

                       

                     
Sadly 3 of my babies died while in the shelter. Everyone was so happy that it looked liked I had someone who really cared. Little did they know. A few days ago, Anjellicle, was notified that I was dumped at the Michigan Humane Society. I tried to be a good girl but I guess I just wasn't good enough. It's believed that one of my remaining babies died and the other we just don't know where she is. Guess they only wanted me for my babies and nothing else.

When I got dumped at the Michigan shelter I ended up in quarantine because I scratched at someone. They don't know how scared I was. All this traveling from state to state, cages, babies are dead and gone, and I'm in heat again. The nice people at Anjellicle were really upset about me! Someone cared! They couldn't understand why this woman would not have called them rather than dumping me again at a shelter like garbage. They were even going to find someone to come pick me up because I likely would have been killed if I wasn't deemed adoptable.

My quarantine was up September 29th and my new foster family came to get me on September 30th. They live in the same area in Michigan. They made sure that I was spayed before I left, so I wouldn't have to be traumatized much more by going back and forth to the vet's. They already have kitties and doggies in their house! 

Today, I'm sitting in my mom's office at home, with her and my new 23 year old kitty sister, Sammy. My tummy still hurts from my surgery and I'm so scared again. I don't mean to but I hiss and growl only because I'm so afraid something else is going to happen. I can't take much more rejection, cages, traveling and unfamiliar faces that are cold and foreign to me. They gave me a brand new bed that pads my swollen belly. They tell me I'm so special I even get my food and water in Fiestaware bowls! I know the other kitties and doggies want to meet me but they will have to wait a while until I'm feeling much better and have gained some confidence. Somehow, I don't think I'll ever have to leave here. Today I feel so loved, so warm as I bask in the sun, my tummy has been filled with warmed up food, and I know this time I AM safe. 

PLEASE if you ever consider a long distance adoption think twice if not ten times! Precious was lucky only because others cared. Adopt or foster from your own state, there's never a shortage of fuzzlebutts that need help. What happens if they get sick or you don't want them..the rescue in the other state can't get their animals back immediately! This lousy (and I'm being very nice here) adopter cost Anjellicle many hours that could have been put to helping the hundreds of kittens and cats they rescue. This adopter cost them in higher than normal vet fees for being out of state. What you did to Precious and her kittens was nothing short of torture. You only thought of yourself. You only wanted to congratulate yourself on the back for being a hero for saving a cat and her kittens from the e-list. You only wanted a tiny baby to look at. I hate to even think of what happened to this kitten. I suspect nothing good as you refuse to answer anyone's emails. Your refusal to answer much less dumping this girl like yesterday's trash speaks volumes as to your character. Precious has been so traumatized by all of this it will take much time and work to make her feel whole again. May God forgive you for your ignorance. But guess what? Our family is willing and honored to give her this time she needs. We will teach her to feel confident. We will show her what it means to be truly loved. We will deny ourselves in order to make ends meet just to be able to help her. Precious is now HOME!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little Star. When you go out tonight look for the brightest light in the sky. That will be little Star.

I sell on an ecommerce site. We are a fairly tight knit community of sellers many of whom are one step beyond furbaby lovers. We constantly post about love of furkids, share information and just plain try to help each outside the realm of day to day ecommerce activities.


Last night I was contacted and asked if I could help someone with a kitten they had found. Many others had already jumped in and made many suggestions as the "finder" (and I use that term loosely) was concerned about the kittens health as there were "white things sticking to the fur". By the end of the night we guessed it may be blowfly eggs on the fur and beneath the skin. At all times, I kept in contact with the "finder" who appeared to be germ phobic and obviously not a furbaby person. We tried our damnedest to tread carefully so as not to offend her but yet save this young baby.


The baby was placed in a box out near a barn..alone all night. It's eyes were sealed yet could walk. I can only imagine the pain and grief this little one felt crying for someone to care for him/her. No food, no water, no comfort because someone was too terrified of "white stuff".

I belong to a VERY special group of rescue people. I am so proud to call them my friends. Nothing stops them, nothing. They work their regular jobs and do rescue on top of that. Think of the hours involved. I've watched as they laughed in joy at the conquests of saving one cat. I've wept with them as they lost one baby after another yet they do not stop. You really have to know them to realize the work they do, day in and day out. They save the cats that are to be euthanized in the morning, staying up all night trying to figure out how they can squeeze in just one more kitty. How they work together like a finely tuned engine, no one skips a beat. How they immediately stop everything at a drop of a hat to save a cat or kitten. How they spend literally their entire paychecks on this work. Their reward is the happy little purr and smooshing of happy feet from their wards and the knowledge that this small wee being is going to eventually live in a home where they will never know hunger, fear, cold, or being unloved.

Back to last night. When it became obvious that the "finder" would not do a thing to help this kitten, many of us ran for our FaceBook friends in the business. I contacted my group. In no time flat they were organizing a rescue. Let me explain that this meant they dropped what they were doing, stopped their dinner, their families, and their nightly chores of cat care for so many just help one little Star.


It was a battle to communicate with the finder as she was too worried about how she would look to her children, her fear that the police would be contacted, totally irrational fears of disease. Yet she was HAPPY that her children were able to find a kitten.


One of my rescue friends was willing to drive 2 hours each way to go pick up the kitten if it was still alive. "Finder" had signed off and out for the night to put her kids to bed. Didn't care that people were working their asses off for most of the night. Didn't bother to check on the kitten, alone in the dark and hungry. I finally went to bed around 4am resigned that Star would be in heaven.


Today around noon, I find out the kitten is still alive and "would I get someone out there right away so she didn't look so bad in front of her kids". Again the rescues go full speed ahead to get someone there as fast as they can. Did I mention that "finder" was offered money to cover vet costs if she would only take the kitten in? Did I mention that this group of unbelievable people were willing to cover and fund raise to cover all vetting costs out of their own pocket, to spend their hard earned dollars on the gas expenses, taking the time off of work without pay, that they bartered with yet another rescue within an hours drive time to get the baby picked up sooner. Did I mention that if the baby had survived it already had a home?


I sit here crying my eyes out at their supreme efforts to save Star from a woman who claims to be so worried about her children. So worried that she pointedly stated that this was not her responsibility (wait didn't she ask for help initially?). 3 of us called her. She was begged to please go give the kitten something to eat. She shoved a can of tuna at the kitten (my interpretation). Her response was that she was grossed out because the "white things" hatched into worms and were eating the kitten, that she wished they'd never found it.


In between the emails and activity on both threads in 2 separate places, people were voicing their jubilation that something was being done to help this kitten. No one said a word to the "finder" who had again grown silent, too silent. She finally responded stating that "we all should be ashamed of ourselves for damning her"?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? and then shortly thereafter deleted the thread.


One of the ladies called the "finder" again to ask her to check on the kitten. Baby Star had died alone, cold and in the drizzling rain.


I received this note of THANKS from the "finder":
"she called (meaning the rescue) i checked the kitten it died and she hung up telling me she wished i would have been more responcable with the kitten??!! and wouldnt run away from it, wtf ok i did its not my cat for one I dont have wild cats either ok no pets at all so how am i getting the blame i tried to get the kitten help ok without getting my kids all worked up over it ok they are a fucking mess as well and she said that and hung up the nerve wow should have never asked you bonanza wierded opoinonaters for any help wow soooo annoyed right now!! I mean really"


She's annoyed? Lady, you have NO IDEA what annoyed is even close to. Oh yes this was also directed to me: "THANKS for your help…..and thanks for making me to be an evil no caring bitch much much appreciated :) "


It's OK "finder". Take your shots at me I have nothing but sympathy for you. I do however take great offense that you called one of the ladies back later on screaming "that it was her fault because a rescue didn't get there in time, that she was a fucking (I apologize) bitch for upsetting your children"


How dare you? You could assume no responsibility what so ever in this horrendous mess. People were running like madmen because you wouldn't lift a damn finger. Again HOW DARE YOU? How can you look those children in the eye and blame someone else...you could have taught them how much people really do care. So many valuable lessons to make them stronger in their values. Now they learn to be bitter, run from responsibility and pass the buck. How does one raise their own children if you are so sickened by germs. How do you handle the children that are sick, that vomit, that get diarrhea..are they left on their own as well? I understand not all people are pet people. But at least have the courtesy to be respectful to those that tried to help you.


To my dear rescue friends..words can never convey the sheer admiration and love I have for each and every single one you. Day in and day out you fill my inner self with peace and love by your acts of love and kindness.


To my fellow selling friends...we are a family of crazy fur loving maniacs and I couldn't go a day without you. You care, you share and above all else you give.


To the "finder"...you have to look at yourself in the mirror and live with how you treated an innocent animal that needed your help. You have to look at your children and know the real truth. Karma bites hard..real hard. You have my sincerest sympathy.


Tonight I feel truly blessed as I look into the sky, seeing that one big bright Star. I know you have crossed the bridge and will always be loved and cared for. Please know that despite the fact that we never saw you nor held you, that you were as surely loved as any kitten could have have been been.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are.


Up above the world so high,


Like a diamond in the sky.


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are!



When the blazing sun is gone,


When he nothing shines upon,


Then you show your little light,


Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are!




Then the traveler in the dark


Thanks you for your tiny spark;


He could not see which way to go,


If you did not twinkle so.


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are!




In the dark blue sky you keep,


While you thro' my window peep,


And you never shut your eye,


Till the sun is in the sky,


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are

Why Own A Dog?

Why own a dog? There's a danger you know,



You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.


There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger.


While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.






One dog is no trouble, and two are so funny.


The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey.


The fifth one's delightful, the sixth one's a breeze,


You find you can live with a houseful of ease.






So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?


They're really quite easy but, oh, Lord the hair!


With dogs on the sofa and dogs on the bed,


And crates in the kitchen, it's no bother, you've said.






They're really no trouble, their manners are great.


What's one more dog and just one more crate?


The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty,


The floor is all footprints, the furniture dusty.






The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?


Who minds a few noseprints and a little more hair?


So let's keep a puppy, you can always find room,


And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.






There's hardly a limit to the dogs you can add,


The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.


Each one is so special, so useful, so funny.


The vet and food bills grows larger, you owe BIG money.






Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,


Except other "dog folks" who live the same way.


Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too,


But your weekends are busy, you're off with your crew.






There's dog food and vitamins, training and shots.


And entries and travel and motels which cost lots.


Is it worth it you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?


Then that favorite one comes and climbs in your lap.






His look says you're special and you know that you will


Keep all of the critters in spite of the bill.


Some just for showing and some just to breed.


And some just for loving, they all fill a need.






God, winter's a hassle, the dogs hate it too.


But they must have their walks though they're numb and your blue.


Late evening is awful, you scream and you shout


At the dogs on the sofa who refuse to go out.






The dogs and the dog shows, the travel, the thrills,


The work and the worry, the pressure, the bills.


The whole thing seems worth it, the dogs are your life.


They're charming and funny and offset the strife.






Your life-style has changed. Things won't be the same.


Yes, those dogs are addictive and so is the dog game.






Unknown Poet

Pet Food Drive for the Needy was an OVERWHELMING Success...THANK YOU!!!

 Sometimes you just don't know what to say. And this is one of those times. In our last blog, we asked for donations to help feed the needy pets just in our community. Hope Center in Macomb offers a FANTASTIC free food pantry, but the one thing they lacked was pet food. So many people surrender their animals because they cannot afford pet food or they will deny themselves in order to feed their fuzzlebutts.

On March 12, 2011 we set up a chip in on Facebook in the amount of $600.00 to go purchase cat and dog food for Hope. In less than 24 hours our target goal was met and exceeded! We collected 662.00! Paypal removed $23.42 in their fees so we had $638.58 to spend as responsibly as we could.

We decided to look for the smaller 3-5 pound bags so that it would reach more people. In order to make the dollars stretch we had to purchase the cheaper brands, but at least we know a lot of furbabies will have full tummies as will their owners. After going to several different grocery stores, wholesale pet stores and just the dollar stores we scored what we think was a pretty darn good haul!  

On March 15th, in total, we purchased 175 bags of dry pet food or a total of 661 pounds of food. We purchased 94 bags of cat food weighing 315 pounds and 81 bags of dog food that weighed 346 pounds. Total amount spent in all was $677.08

On March 16th, we delivered it to Hope. They were ecstatic and extremely grateful. And oh so surprised with what a bunch of loving FaceBook animal lovers could do in such a short time. They will be featuring this in their newsletter as well.

OOPS, cut off our own heads lol. That big white box is the huge ones you see holding watermelons or pumpkins, just to give you an idea of the amount of food

To say Thank You just doesn't seem enough. We see so many of you day in and night out working to save so many animals with the biggest hearts of gold that we have ever met. To call you our best friends is an honor. We sure love you and we know that all the lives that you have and will touch, will love you just as much.

Kitty Kisses and Puppy Hugs,
Fuzzlebutts

When You Have to Decide on Food/Prescriptions for Yourself or to Feed your Furbaby...This Should Never be an Option!

A growing number of Americans are giving up their dogs and cats to animal shelters or just letting them go outside to fend for themselves as the emotional bonds between people and pets get tested by economic ones. As owners face unemployment, home foreclosures, evictions and other financial hardships they are forced to decide to feed themselves or their pets. They will skip their own prescriptions just so their furbaby can eat.

Fuzzlebutts wants to help owners keep their pets and to prevent more from being sent to shelters, sometimes death and just plain starving to death. We may be small but we can help and make a difference. When income plummets, desperate people find themselves unable to feed and care for their beloved pets, causing heartache for the owners and swelling the population of homeless animals. They're just brokenhearted, because the last thing they want to do is give up their pets.

This hit me like a brick when I found this agency this morning, not 2 miles from our home. Hope Center in Macomb is a "one-stop-shop," also referred to as a "human services mall," that will provide access to services for individuals and families in need. The focal point of the "one-stop-shop" will be the client-choice food pantry, the only client-choice food pantry in Macomb County, which will stand as the cornerstone and main focus of Hope Center in Macomb. The current unemployment rate in Michigan is 15.4%, with Macomb County's rate at 18.4%. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Macomb County's current level of poverty is at a population of 44,010. Hope Center in Macomb is located within a 10 mile radius of 87.7% of this population. Hope Center in Macomb is located on the main thoroughfare, Groesbeck Highway, just north of 14 Mile Road in central Macomb County, allowing ease of accessibility to those in need. They provide human food but only on a rare occasion receive pet food or litter to be able to give out.

So Fuzzlebutts has decided to take on a mission of their own. We are collecting funds to buy food and litter for this agency to be able to provide! Please help us feed and care for some our local pets by donating to the chip in. I will spend the weekend collecting manufacturers coupons and we will shop responsibly! We are so excited to be able to help as there have been many times that people have helped us when we were down on our luck. Even a dollar will help! If we can raise enough we will let you know what we buy and when it is taken to Hope. If for some God forsaken reason that we cannot raise enough, what monies received will be returned to the donater. This will be our first attempt and if all goes well we will do again in the future.

With all paws crossed,


fuzzlebutts
 

You are invited to a VERY Furry Valentine's Party In Howell, Michigan!

You are cordially invited to attend the First Annual Livingston County Animal Control Valentine's Day Party!
Come meet the love of your life - your very own fuzzlebutt! - at Livingston County Animal Control's first ever Valentine's Day Party and Open House.

There will be refreshments, valentines for the animals, cat and kitten adoption specials, and goodie bags.

They are offering a special cat or kitten adoption  -  adopt one furbutt, get one  deal – pay full price for a cat or a kitten and get a pal for that feline for a dollar. Now how cool is that! I love that they offer these deals so cats are not put down!

Even if you can't attend how about contributing to their Kuranda Bed drive? On the floor no more!

Thousands of dogs in animal shelters across the country sleep on cold, wet, concrete floors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cats in cages have little alternatives to sleeping in their litter pans. Kuranda beds offer them warm, dryness and comfort.

The party is on Thursday, February 10, 2011 from  noon to 4pm. They are located at 418 S. Highlander Way in Howell, Michigan 48443

Here's just a few of the fuzzlebutts you can adopt as your Valentine!

These sad little souls need you as much as you need them. They cry for the owner that handed over the leash to strangers and left them all alone. They are confused by the unfamiliar sounds and faces that surround them. They long for the touch of a human mom or dad again and maybe some kids to play with. They long for lots of good food and water, a warm home, love and a promise to never be abandoned again no matter what. Can you make that commitment to offer love to a fuzzlebutt? Sure you can :)

Love,

Fuzzlebutts