A Happy Ending

Most of the time I am a pessimistic cynic.  Although I voraciously read fairy tales as a child, as I aged I have found them to be a horrid influence and should be avoided at all costs.  Happily Ever After?  Maybe sometimes, but certainly not for the vast majority of people.  So, why the title of this post in light of how I view the idea of a happy ending? 

As regular readers and friends, you know that I've been involved in animal rescue for a number of years, although not so much any longer.  That is primarily because I generally don't do adoptions and those cats and dogs I've rescued have remained with me.  At my age and state of physical and financial health, I just can't take on any more.  I chose not to do adoptions because I have seen all too often the animals who have been tossed aside as if they were nothing more than trash.  We humans can be a cruel and uncaring species and I can't trust that a stranger will provide a permanent, loving home for a rescued animal.  Only once in the few times that I re-homed an animal did I allow a cat to go into the home of someone I did not know. 

This is the story of one very special kitty that went to a couple that I know well and then she subsequently was re-homed.  I could never have imagined just how much she would be loved. 

Several years ago I was at my veterinarian's office with one of my animals - I don't remember which one or even the purpose of the visit.  Craig, one of the vet techs asked if I could help to find a home for a cat that had been brought to them by the owner for euthanasia.  Craig, for all the years that I had known him, had never shown an interest in cats but when he brought her into the exam room, it was obvious that he felt she was special. 

First let me say that this photo does not do her justice.  I have seen, and fallen in love, with many, many kittens and cats over the years, but when Craig brought her into the exam room she lit up the room.  There was something really special about her.  Even now, years later, when I think of her it seems as if there was a glow or aura surrounding her.  Once seen, I knew I had to find her a home.  There was absolutely no doubt in my mind.  I left the office with her in a carrier. 

Dharma's life didn't start out well.  She was apparently born with a neurological problem.  It wasn't as severe as I've seen in other cats, but she was wobbly when she walked and she couldn't stand up and eat from a bowl.  Her original owner brought her to my vet to have her declawed.  To this day I don't understand why he would do that to a cat with her problems.  (For the record, declawing should rarely be done).  Not only did she need her claws for some semblance of stabilization but anesthesia could worsen her condition.  Soon after the surgery, her owner brought her back to the vet, saying she could no longer "handle" her and wanted her KILLED (my word, not hers, but euthanasia does not apply here).  The fact that my vet didn't kill her still amazes me because it's the only case that I'm aware of that he tried to re-home an animal. 

It's been my experience that cats with disabilities don't realize that they aren't "normal."  Whatever disability they have, is normal for them and they continue to carry on.  I kept Dharma (well, this actually was the new name she would be given by the couple who adopted her from me) overnight.  She had a method she had developed to eat dry cat food.  She would use her paw to get the food out of the bowl.  Then she would stretch out one front paw while pushing the food with her other front paw into the outstretched one.  Then she would eat the food trapped against her outstretched leg.  Although it took her longer to get where she was going, she went wherever she wanted to go, including into the litter boxes. 

I brought her into my office the next day in hopes someone would fall in love with er and take her home.  Joe took one look at her and was smitten.  His girl friend, Eli, would be coming in to work in the afternoon.  He said, "I don't care what Eli says, she's going home with us."  Well, Eli arrived, took one look at Dharma and melted too.  I was thrilled because I knew both of them loved their cats dearly. 

As the days passed, the two of them fell even more deeply in love with her.  She got along great with their other two cats, Pudge and Root.  They named her Dharma.  Eli is an old soul in a young woman.  She's a fan of the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan.  Other than that she and I have very similar taste in music (the 60s).  Joe's sister visited them and proclaimed she was going to take Dharma, because she, too, had fallen in love with her.  Then Joe's parents - both his mother and father - fell head over heels for her.  Within the year, Dharma had become the darling of Joe's parents and moved in with them. 

Over the years, Eli would tell me how pampered Dharma was.  Joe's parents got stairs for her so she could get onto the bed.  And, no doubt because of the love lavished on her, her instability lessened over time.  All of them moved to California just over a year ago and Dharma is esconced as the princess she really is.  Although Dharma's original owner did a horrible thing by rejecting her, she also made it possible for this kitty to find the home she truly deserved, where she is honestly cherished.  That's something I wish for each and every cat and dog on the planet.  A chance - whether it's a first, second or even third chance,  to live in a home where they are loved and given the care they deserve. 

The above are some photos Eli sent me of Dharma with her "mom & dad" in California.  Dharma likes to sunbathe on their patio by the pool.  They've installed fencing around the pool to insure Dharma is safe.  And she is supervised at all times -

I can't express how grateful I am to Eli, Joe and his parents for taking this wonderful cat into their lives and cherishing her.  If I've served no other purpose here on earth, this one act makes my time here worthwhile.  Sometimes there really is a happy ending. 

Poor, Poor Pitiful Me

I know that I’ve been strangely silent of late.  I’m still at home recovering.  I went to see both my surgeon and infectious disease doctor last week.  The surgeon found another area, near the first, that caused him concern.  He excised more skin and there was additional drainage from that area.  I go back to see him this Wednesday.  The infectious disease doctor doesn’t seem as concerned.  At my urging, he continued my IV antibiotics for another week, then is switching me to oral antibiotics.  He didn’t change the IV antibiotic even though the first area is still draining and a new area has cropped up.  I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, but it seems logical to me that the current IV antibiotic not only hasn’t cleared up the infection, but also hasn’t stopped it from spreading.  Hopefully the results of the culture sent out by my surgeon will result in trying a different antibiotic.  

PICC line for IV antibiotics - not me in picture

I had planned to put up a post following the massive tornado strike in Moore, OK early last week.  It’s written (mostly), but I just lost my motivation.  The focus is on the plight of animals in all types of disasters.  Following the unexpected minor surgery last Wednesday, I was in a lot of pain and, frankly, feeling sorry for myself and down in the dumps.  Yes, I can be ridiculously self-centered and pissy.  I really don’t make a good patient, maybe because I’m an impatient person and I despise being held back by infirmities.  

I haven’t felt like watching my favorite “political” programs on MSNBC or even Jon Stewart’s show.  The crap going on both on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures across the country is so overwhelmingly horrible that it is demoralizing, at least for me.  The firm grip that major corporations and uber-wealthy activists (yes, Koch Brothers, I’m talking about you) is unbelievably maddening.  Often times it leaves me feeling hopeless, which is much easier to accomplish in my doom and gloom mindset.  Instead, I’ve spent much of my time napping, playing Cat Herder – an online game, or watching television.  On the television front there is some good news.  Both The Glades and Longmire are premiering tomorrow night.  Major Crimes on TNT will be back on later in June (bad news, these shows conflict with each other).  In the fall, ABC has picked up the Joss & Jed Whedon/Melissa Tancheroen show, The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – WHOO HOO!  There is the problem that it’s opposite one of my favorites – NCIS.  Love me some Mark Harmon.  

I will make a shout out to the incredible women of Sky Dancing.  I have been getting my political fix from them.  With their amazing posts, a couple of times each day, I am able to keep up with not only the rancid news of the day, but amazing stuff happening as well.  Sky Dancing has been my lifeline to the real world through the eyes of like-minded bloggers and readers.  Thanks to one and all there for giving me a modicum of sanity in this insane world.  And, of course, my darling kitties and crazy dog, Maggie, have kept me smiling…..except when Maggie insists on barking at absolutely nothing.  

Going On Hiatus

I am about to leave for the hospital.  I have no idea how long I will be in.

Talk to you when I return.

My Version of a Vacation

Don't get excited, there was no tropical isle with a beachfront cabana, nor a cabin overlooking a crystal clear lake on some mountain.  I certainly don't have money for anything like that.  I am a stay-cation type of person.  Besides I couldn't let a cat/dog sitter into this disaster of a house. 

What I do before I take time off is make a ridiculously long To Do list.  I know, of course, that I will not possibly be able to accomplish everything on the list, but it is a goal to shoot for as well as a way to remember some of things that REALLY need to get done. 

I've been off since last Friday, April 19th and I go back to work tomorrow.  I actually surprised myself and got quite a bit more done than usual.  The major stumbling block this time was my back.  I could only do a bit at a time and then have to sit down.  Of course, I ignored the first item on my list and sat down at the computer.  Oh, well.  I never said I was perfect.  Far, far from it, if you have to know. 

I will say that the cats and dog seem to get along without me quite well.  If I was home all of the time, Maggie would be going outside at least 27 times a day.  If I stood up, Maggie headed to the back door.  It didn't matter if she had just come inside 15 minutes earlier.  Obviously, since things were boring inside, there was bound to be something more exciting outside.  Add to that, she would expect a treat every time she came back into the house. 

So, my list is below.  Whatever is in RED is what I got done.  I have every intention of trying to get to some more of the items this weekend. 

APRIL 2013 TO DO

STAY OFF COMPUTER!!!!!

CRATE, CAT CONDO, & CARRIERS (1)– OUTSIDE/WASH

4 CARRIERS & SMALL CAGE OUTSIDE ONLY

CLEAN OUT FRIDGE & FREEZER

FOLD/HANG UP/AND-OR PUT AWAY LAUNDRY

REORGANIZE KITCHEN SHELF & DRESSER

CLEAN FRONT PORCH

VACUUM

CLEAN OFF DINING TABLE

ORGANIZE LIVING ROOM SHELF/TABLES

FIX LAUNDRY BASKET

CALL PLUMBER

COBWEBS

LAUNDRY/LITTER BOX AREA

NOT SO GREAT ROOM

LIVING ROOM

REVOLUTION – 3 DONE, 21 TO GO

CRITTER PHOTOS

CLEAN FAN

BLEACH LITTER BOXES

CLEAN AC FILTER

TARGET – CHAIRS & CLOCK

VET APPT – CHATSWORTH – FRI 940 AM

EYE APPT – 2 PM MON

JUNK MAIL – ORGANIZED BY SIZE, MORE TO DO

LAUNDRY – FRIDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY/WEDNESDAY

CHANGE BEDDING – BEDSPREAD ONLY

WASH MY STACKED UP DISHES

SCOOP BOXES

2 ON FRIDAY

5 BOXES SATURDAY

2 ON MONDAY

2 ON WEDNESDAY

FIX DRYER VENT

REPLACE OUTDOOR BULB

COOK

MAC & CHEESE

POTATO SOUP

SWEET & SOUR TOFU

TOSTADAS

GROCERY SHOPPING 

 

I'm going back to work to relax!

Contacting Your Elected Officials

My regular readers know that I am proud to proclaim that I am a Liberal.  Rarely do my elected officials agree with my position on most of the issues of our day.  It's no different this time.

I support restrictions on guns and ammunition.  This issue is scheduled to finally be voted on in Congres, nearly FOUR MONTHS after the massacre of 26 children and adults in Newtown, CT.  Reports have said that many of the children's bodies were nearly blown apart due to the type of weapon used, the proximity of the shooter and the massive number of bullets Adam Lanza discharged from his weapon.  I cannot imagine how the parents of those children are coping.

Adding to this horror, these parents have to endure the rhetoric coming from gun advocates, whether it is Wayne LaPierre of the NRA or elected officials across the country.  Fortunately some state legislators have stepped up and passed stronger laws to regulate guns and ammunition.  That isn't' enough though.  People can cross the state line and go to a neighboring state that has few, if any, restrictions to make their purchases.  Federal regulations are necessary. 

After hearing a story on NPR this morning about the NRA's latest lobbying effort, I decided it was time I let my Congressmen know how I feel.  Unfortunately it isn't as easy as it once was to send those messages.  I had to go to each individual contact page for each of them:  Senators Nelson and Rubio and Congressman Webster.  I started here:  Contact Elected Officials.  I found it interesting that on Senator Nelson's page (the only Democrat in the group) that Gun Control was listed as a topic.  That wasn't an option on either Senator Rubio's nor Congressman Webster's site, both of whom are Republicans. 

Here is a copy of my email message, sent to each of them:

Fortunately I have a job.  That means that I cannot camp on your doorstep nor repeatedly call you to express my views.  I would hope that my opinion carries as much weight with you when making a decision on a critical vote as someone who visits your office.  I am a registered voter and I vote.

I support universal background checks on ALL gun sales. 

          

I support limiting the capacity of gun magazines.  This will go the farthest in preventing mass slaughter of innocent Americans.

I also support restrictions on assault and semi-automatic weapons.

How many more people must die before Congress has the courage to protect us?

I encourage each and every one of you reading this to let your voice be heard, whether on this issue or others of importance to you.  More often than not our elected officials listen to their aides and lobbyists and not to the voters themselves.  Voting isn't enough.  Speak out - speak up and let those in government know that you are listening and paying attention and you want to be heard as well.