(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Looking for a new best friend?
Here are just a few of the wonderful PAWS cats waiting for their forever homes...

Louie

Allie

Bella

FURever Home Friday - Pepper Edition

We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Pepper the Cat finally found the forever home for which she had been waiting more than two years. We're happy to report that she is doing fantastically, and already has her new mom and dad wrapped around her paw! Check out the e-mail and pictures her mom sent the day after they adopted our spicy pal...

Here are some pics from last night and today of our new baby grandma!!! We didn't have much time to take photos because we were too busy petting her!! Pep has adjusted pretty much immediately! By 3am she was following me into the bathroom (she already used her litter box) and just saying hi, then we just snuggled and had a bonding session then she went off to explore. Then this morning at 7 when I got up we spent the whole morning deciding which rug she liked the best! She spent the whole evening with us in the living room talking and hanging out and we pretty much could not stop loving her!

Now she is snuggled, next to the radiator just purring and we are in bed. She is just so amazing and I love just hearing her talking to us. And as soon as we say Pep Pep she comes waddling in! And as soon as she hears my voice or Chris's voice she just gets up from wherever she is and comes in for a head dive. We have pillows and blankets everywhere but she seems to like the soft rugs the best. And of course it's just so quiet here I don't think she even knows what to think!

She seems to be enjoying full body rub downs with no complaints and is beyond friendly and lovable. She hasn't shown any signs of attitude whatsoever! I actually can't believe how funny she is - she just always wants to be wherever we are! It's hilarious! We think she wants her space and time to explore- but then there she is...those little legs come running in "Hey guys! Don't forget about me!" How could we EVER forget about you Pepper!!!!?! You are our family now!!! - Mariclare and Chris

Thank you, Mariclare and Chris, for adopting our spicy senior Pepper. We are so happy for you all!

Easy Like Sunday - Tiger and Shadow

Sweet sisters Tiger and Shadow, taking it easy in the PAWS kitchen. :)

Wordy Wednesday Challenge 2011 - Kessa is READY

After more than two years at PAWS, our pal Kessa is READY. Ready to be adopted into a loving, forever home. Ready to give you kitty kisses on your hand (or your arm, face or head) like there's no tomorrow. Ready to curl up in your lap and claim it as hers alone.

This sweet girl was found outside in a feral cat colony by a dedicated PAWS volunteer. She's got tons of personality, and she's come really close to being adopted a few times. But it's never quite worked out for our buddy. And while the shelter may be nice, it's not a real forever home. And though Kessa's a patient girl, she's definitely READY to be adopted.

Kessa is 4 years old, spayed, up-to-date on vaccinations and has tested negative for FIV and FeLV. Won't you please consider giving this wonderful kitty the forever home she so deserves?

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Thank you to Sammy, Andy, Shelly and Mom Judi from SAS; Maggy, Zoey and Mom Ann from Zoolatry; and the Cat Blogosphere for putting on the Wordy Wednesday Challenge 2011. And special thanks to Judi for making the awesome graphic above for Kessa! :)

Our New Angel Maggie Pulls Some Strings

Thank you all for showering us with so much kindness, love and support as we continue to mourn the loss of our Maggie. We've been totally amazed and overwhelmed (in a good way) by the many thoughtful comments, purrs and prayers of friends both old and new. We're sure that our Angel Maggie, whose antics always made us smile and laugh, would approve. And maybe, just maybe our sweet girl is pulling a few strings to give us all a little happiness. Because on the very same day that Maggie went to the Bridge...

...Pepper (that's her in the picture above), the spicy senior PAWS kitty who won "Best Picture" in the 2010 Petfinder "Whiskers Awards," finally found her forever home! After two years of waiting, Miss Pepper was adopted by a nice young couple who we're sure will spoil her rotten. According to our friend (and PAWS staff member) Matt, it was love at first sight. Maybe it's just a coincidence that it happened on the same day as Maggie's passing. But maybe not. After all, our Maggie always knew how to make us smile. :)

Goodbye for now, Sweet Maggie

Thank you all for your love, support, purrs and prayers, which have meant so much to us.

After this week's cancer diagnosis, two very rough nights, and episodes that were becoming all-too-common, we made the agonizing decision to have our beautiful Maggie gently helped to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. We knew it was time -- and the look in Maggie's eyes told us she was exhausted and tired from her constant and ongoing battle. Tracey and I were with her as she passed into eternal slumber.

Maggie's absence in our house is palpable, and we are all absolutely devastated. Although we adopted our girl just a year and a half ago, we loved her so much that we can hardly remember a time when she was not here with us.

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Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...
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Fly free, angel Maggie. We miss and love you, sweet girl, and look forward to seeing you when we get to the Bridge.

Hugs, kisses and snuggles,

Dad Kevin, Mom Tracey, and brofurs Sammy and Moosey

Not the news we wanted :(

We heard from the vet this afternoon, and sadly, our sweet Maggie's tumor is malignant. This kind of cancer -- called a mast cell tumor -- is apparently not commonly found internally in cats (it is actually most often found in the skin of dogs). In the coming days, we'll be consulting with an oncologist and our wonderful vet about possible options. As we've said all along, any decisions we make will be based on what is best for Maggie, her comfort, and her overall quality of life. In the meantime, we'll all just keep loving her as always. Thank you all, and please keep those purrs, prayers and good thoughts coming.