(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Oreo + Catnip

This is our handsome and adoptable friend Oreo.

And THIS is our handsome and adoptable friend Oreo on catnip! :)

And now for my next trick...

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!

That was fun.

Easy Like Mother's Day - Ladycats Lounging

Penelope

Minnie Mouse

Tessa

We hope YOUR Sunday is as easy as the one these three adoptable kitties are having.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Patches

This is our beautiful and adoptable friend, Patches.  She can be a little shy at first, but is friendly once she gets to know you.  Patches would do best in a quieter home, with no small children or other animals.  She's about 3 years old,  spayed, microchipped, current on all her vaccinations, and has tested negative for FeLV and FIV.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

 

Happy Cinco de MEOW-YO, everybody!

Here's wishing you a day full of fun, and MEOWgaritas, tuna tacos, and catnip-filled pinatas!

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Have you heard?  Our friend PepiSmartDog was there to welcome sweet Sammy when he arrived at the Rainbow Bridge.  Be sure to check it out here.

Pepi and Sammy in Pepi's golden pram

Thankful Thursday - The Love of Friends

Since it's Thankful Thursday, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you -- our amazing friends -- for your outpouring of sympathy, purrs and prayers since our sweet mancat Sammy departed for Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you Alasandra, the Cats and a Dog for this beautiful image of Sammy at the Bridge

The mom and the dad find the mornings and right before bedtime to be the most difficult, since these are the times when Sammy was always the most active.  Brofur Moosey, a very sensitive cat, is noticeably out of sorts.  He clearly misses Sammy, but we know he will be okay with time (just as we all will be).  Until we are, we take much comfort in the mantle of your care, compassion and love.  Thank you.  We appreciate you all.

Fly Free, Sweet Sammy

(Thank you to the Cat Blogosphere for this beautiful badge)

Our hearts are utterly broken.  This afternoon, we said goodbye to our sweet, 19-year old cat, Sammy. We were so very blessed to have him here with us for almost seven years.

We always marveled at Sammy's ability to survive and keep on going. He was found in a feral cat colony, and ended up at PAWS when they rescued him from a kill shelter. Sammy was the closest thing to a real-life Superman(cat) we've ever known. Nothing, it seemed, could stop him. Not a pellet in his leg (discovered years later during an x-ray). Not bartonella (diagnosed when we first adopted him). Not chronic anemia, kidney disease, a heart murmur, arthritis, or hyperthyroidism. None of these were a match for our Dootie.

But with Sammy's health issues increasing (and Pancreatitis now in the mix) over the past few months, and with much greater speed over the past two weeks, we knew we might soon be faced with a most agonizing decision. After two days of watching him really struggle, and seeing a look in his eyes that told us he was tired of fighting, we knew it was time to say goodbye. Our compassionate veterinarian, Dr. L., and vet tech, M., came to our house, and our beloved Sammy slipped peacefully into eternal slumber in his favorite basket, with the mom and the dad petting and kissing him.

There are so many things we will miss about you, our special boy. Your sweet and gentle, happy go lucky nature (we never, ever heard you hiss or growl ... not even once). The way you would let all those kittens jump on top of you during your time at PAWS. Your funny sounding meow. The way you covered your eyes whenever you slept. Your sweet and contented smile whenever you were sleeping. The way you curled up between the mom's legs every night. The way you would lick the dad's big toe, and rub your head-y on it (for whatever reason, you didn't like the mom's toe very much). The way you loved being brushed, and tried to take the brush and do it yourself.  The way you would freeze your paw in mid-air while cleaning your face.  The way you could still move pretty fast when food was involved (or your brofur Moosey made you mad). Seeing you slumbering in your hammock, or your wooden bed. And of course, the love, joy and laughter you brought into our home each and every day.

Thank you Ann and the Zoolatry Girls, for this lovely image

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. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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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There will never be another cat like you, Sammy. We love you always, sweet boy, and will see you when we get to the Rainbow Bridge. Wait for us, okay?

With all of our love,

Dad Kevin, Mom Tracey and brofur Moosey

Easy Like Sunday - Lap Cat Allie

Here's gorgeous house panther Allie, getting some quality lap time.  This sweet and snuggly girl is a genuine lap cat, likes to play, and has the softest fur ever.  She's a favorite with all the humans at PAWS, and gets along with other easygoing kitties.  Why, we all wonder, is she still waiting to find her forever home?  Come meet her today, and fall in love. 

FURever Home Friday - Over the Moon!

When our pal Roger was gotcha’d earlier this month, we promised a more extensive adoption update sometime in the not-too-distant future. We’re excited to say that TODAY is the day for that update!

Each and every time an animal leaves the shelter is cause for celebration, but sometimes there are adoptions that send our hearts soaring. So whose adoption, you’re wondering, has us over the moon?

Our sweet friend, Dottie :)

Beautiful 16 year-old Dottie found her way to PAWS when she was trapped in a feral colony and deemed to be adoptable. Early in her stay at PAWS, she was found to have very advanced glaucoma, precipitating the need to have both of her eyes removed. Despite losing her vision, Dottie kept her sweet disposition and adjusted amazingly well. She was even okay with other mellow cats in her room. Now all that was needed was someone to take a chance on a blind senior kitty. Well … two years later, that someone – our friend and former PAWS volunteer Maureen – is now fostering (with the possibility of adopting) Dottie! Dottie’s new housemates include Rosie, a very mellow cat, and Harvey, a super sweet little dog who also just happens to be blind. Thank you, Mo, and congratulations to you, Dottie, Harvey and Rosie!

Other lucky kitties who found forever homes include:

Stoney, who found his way to PAWS after being found as a stray after Hurricane Sandy

Roger

Scoots and Louie, who were adopted from PAWS as kittens, and came back when their owner was transferred for work out of the country

Scoots and Louie (Louie's picture courtesy of the awesome blog, Sundays at the Shelter)

Sunny

Here's the full list of all the cats in the most recent PAWS graduating class:

Agnes

Dottie (to foster)

Elvira and Eloise (together)

Eunice

Grayson

Indy

Irwyn

Joe

Mama

Roger

Scoots and Louie (together)

Stoney

Sunny

Tiger (to foster)

And finally, here’s a short "happy tail" from Parsley’s new mommy and daddy:

“At first we thought Parsley was not going to leave her room, and then she became sociable.  We are really enjoying her … thank you for all the work you and the people at PAWS did to make her a happy cat who makes us happy.”

Have a great weekend, everybody! :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Here are (from left) Bunny, Mindy and Santana, hanging out in PAWS Cat Room 5 while they wait to find their forever homes.

Easy Like Sunday - 3 Views

PAWS graduate Sammy is spending the day lounging in his beloved bed.*

We hope your weekend is as relaxing as Sammy's. :)

* For those of you who asked in the comments of our previous bed post, we STILL have not been able to find out where the bed came from. It was donated to PAWS, and it seems to be custom-made, without a label, serial code, or anything else that would provide us with a clue.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Basket Girls

Roommates Cinnamon and Tessa are enjoying some

comfy cozy basket time in the PAWS records room...

Cinnamon: I sure do love this leopard-spotted cat bed (in my basket).

Tessa: Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

Halfway to the weekend ... hooray! :)

Easy Like Sunday - Elmer

Here's handsome, playful and adoptable Elmer, waving hello before he settles in for some Easy Like Sunday lap time.*

 Have a great Sunday, everyone!

* After 1 1/2 years at PAWS, Elmer recently decided he is a lap cat. :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Kipper

Everybody loves Kipper.  And he loves everybody (dogs, cats and kids) right back!  Kipper is totally easygoing, and loves being pet and snuggled.  This big and gentle mancat has quickly become a volunteer favorite, and would be a great addition to any home. Come meet him today, and fall in love! :)

(Fast) FURever Home Friday!

US: Hi Roger!  Guess who's been adopted?  We'll give you a hint ... this handsome kitty has a cute pink nose and tabby markings on his ears and tail.

 WHO, ME?  Seriously?!

It's true!  Our buddy Roger has been been adopted.  All of the volunteers will miss this lapcat who always made us laugh with his funny lounging poses, but we're SO happy for him and his new family.  Have a great happily ever after, Roger.  We love you!

We'll have a more extensive adoption update sometime soon, but just couldn't wait to share the good news about Roger.

Have a great weekend, everyone! :)

  

So Very Thankful :)

Our blogging friend Spitty the Kitty (also known to many as King Spitty) recently celebrated his 1000th blog post, a number that in and of itself made our heads spin.  But THEN Spitty and his human threw in a wonderfully unexpected surprise by deciding to celebrate their milestone with a commentathon to help PAWS!  They pledged one dollar for each comment received on their big post.  And since they received 65 comments, their commentathon raised $65 for PAWS!  How awesome is that?!

Thank you, Spitty, for your friendship, thoughtfulness and generosity.  We love you, pal (and your human, too)!  We're also thankful for everyone who took the time to comment and help Spitty and his human celebrate their special day.

And now, here's a picture of sweet sisters Gracie and Zoe, two of the beautiful and adoptable PAWS cats that will be helped by Spitty's donation. :)

Sisters Gracie and Zoe: "Thank you, Spitty!"

Happy Easter! :)

HAPPY EASTER from all of us at Animal Shelter Volunteer Life!

Hugs and headbonks,

Sammy, Moosey, Tracey and Kevin (meowmeowmans), and all the PAWS cats :)

FURever Home Friday!

QUESTION: What's better than Friday?  ANSWER: FURever Home Friday, of course!  We're so excited to share the list of PAWS kitties who've found their forever homes since our last update.

Do you remember gentle, loving Princess Margaret Rose?

She's been adopted!

And what about sweet and silly Annabella?

She found her very own forever family, too!

And funny and snuggly Parsley?

Yup ... gotcha'd!

PAWS staff, volunteer and ladycat favorite Milo...

...also found his happily ever after!

Here's the full list of the latest PAWS graduating class. ConCATulations to all these kitties and their new families! :)

Alice
Annabella
Annette
April
Dickson
Eliza
Hannah
Marigold
Milo
Olive
Parsley
Peek-a-boo and Hopscotch
Pinto
Princess Margaret Rose
Toby

And finally, here's part of a happy tail (er, tale) from Oracle's new mommy that we KNOW will make you smile. You may remember that Oracle lived at PAWS for FOUR YEARS before she was adopted!

"...If by 'adjusting' you mean, has she taken over, yes. Thank you for Oracle. I knew she was the one when I met her and she is a wonder. Is she sitting with me yet? No, she sits ON me. Sleeping with me? What do you think? She's very polite, doesn't wake me up, but immediately leads me out of the bedroom, sharp left, another sharp left, and goes behind her dish tray, which she has invariably pulled out into the middle of the kitchen. Once fed, she spends the morning playing, exploring and cuddling. The afternoon is spent sleeping in her special chair until around 4 or 4:30, then it's very broad hints to fed her ... She's affectionate, beautiful, funny, everything a cat should be. And I love her."

Oh, how we love happily ever afters! :)

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Happy Birthday to the Mom!

Happy birthday to the Mom (Tracey)!  We and the Dad love you very much, and hope you have the bestest day (even though you and Dad have to work) today.  Thank you for all you do for so many, and for your kind and caring heart.  And for loving US so much and so well.  We're so thankful and lucky that you are OUR mommy, and that you (and the Dad) gotcha'd us!

Love,

Sammy and Moosey (and the Dad)

Easy Like Sunday :)

Hi everybuddy!  How are you planning to spend your Sunday?  We're going to take turns napping in this awesome cat bed that the Mom and the Dad found for us at the PAWS store.  Isn't it cool?

Sammy: Zzzzzzzzzzzz

Moosey: Okay, enough with the camera ... I'm trying to take a nap!

Have a great Sunday!

Love and headbonks,

Sammy and Moosey

Friends on Friday - Minnie Mouse

It looks as though pretty Minnie Mouse has made a new friend in the meeting room cat tree.  That really doesn't surprise us, because this super adoptable sweetheart is a friend to everyone she meets.  She loves humans, and gets along well with other cats, too. :)

Come meet (your new BFF) Minnie Mouse today!

Tabby Cat Tuesday - Holly

We love our sweet tabby friend Holly SO much. She adores people, snuggling, being pet, and being talked to. This beautiful girl, who is about 10 years old, ended up at PAWS after she was found wandering outside an office building. Even though Tracey and I were sad to learn yesterday that Holly is in the first stages of kidney disease, it's clear that this darling kitty still has lots of love to give.

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, "...it is quite common nowadays — thanks to innovative medical and surgical procedures — for some cats to live for one to three years or even longer following early diagnosis (of kidney disease)."

Do you have room in your heart and home for Holly? This special girl will fill your life with love and affection, and be the best friend you've ever had.

Happy St. CATrick's Day!

Happy St. CATrick's Day from the PAWS cats,
and all of us here at Animal Shelter Volunteer Life! :)

All of the party cats pictured in today's collage are adoptable (and waiting to meet you).

Bottom row: Santana, Trina, Sheba, Patches, Bailey, and Amanda.  Top row: Cinnamon, Elmer, Merritt, Max, Tessa, Shadow, and Sparky

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Tai

We love Tai! She may be eight years old, but she still plays like a kitten (when she's not snuggling on our laps)!

Come meet this adoptable, blue-eyed beauty today! :)

Stuff on Sunday :)

This is Princess Margaret Rose, a super sweet and snuggly kitty waiting at PAWS for her forever home.  Hey Princess, what have you got planned for today?

Just taking it easy.  It IS Sunday, after all.

Good plan, smart girl.  Meanwhile, after Tracey and I are done volunteering at the shelter, we'll be driving one leg of an amazing multi-state transport of kitties, including Brutus and Marigold (of the Royals), from New Jersey to their new home in Massachusetts.  We'll also be giving a ride to another cat named Kiera, who is traveling all the way from North Carolina to Maine!  If you want to read about this tremendous and moving endeavor, click HERE.

When you're done with that, check out how PAWS is celebrating St. Patrick's Day!  First up is a "St. Patrick's South of the Border-style" night at Rio Border Cafe (330 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, CT) on Thursday, March 14th.  Rio is generously donating ALL profits (dine in AND take out) from 5PM until closing directly to PAWS.  Click here to learn more.

Then there's PAWS' special "Erin Go Bark/St. Catrick's" adoption event, which takes place March 15-17.  The event will feature special reduced adoption fees (cats will be $75 and dogs will be $160), and adopters will receive a free goody bag for their new best friends.  And all adopters will have the chance to choose a lucky golden coin to get even lower adoption fees!

Have a great Sunday, everyone! :)