Thursday, January 30, 2014

Feline Friday - Toots!

It’s only fitting that today we feature our newest writer for the StreetCats blog!
Yes, Toots accepted the position and we’re so happy that she did.





Toots is very observant! She likes to hang out at the top of a cat tree by a window, at StreetCats, so that she can see everything that happens around her, as well as keep tabs on what’s happening outdoors. She does like to take time out from her cat perch watch duties to come down to play with the volunteers or to have her head scratched from time to time.




Despite her small size and youthful appearance we believe her age to be about 7 or 8. Toots came to us after living for 3 years, on the streets of Tulsa, outside the apartment building where her owner abandoned her when he moved out. (I’ll refrain from commenting on him). She did have a friend who helped to keep her fed and tried to bring her into her home several times, but her cats and Toots just didn’t get along. Toots has adjusted well to living at StreetCats with numerous kitties coming and going, but because of the rough times, always defending herself outdoors from other cats, we think she would prefer living in a home as an only cat. As I understood her, she’s looking for a home with a patient person who can offer her lots of love.




Toots is very healthy! Like all of StreetCats kitties she has been to the vet for spaying, and shots. And also like all of our kitties, she as been microchipped and registered!



 If you are interested in meeting Toots come by StreetCats at 6520 E. 60th St, in Tulsa, 10:30 - 5:00 Tuesday though Saturday, or call our message line, 918-298-6006. We would love to show you around and introduce you to Toots!



Monday, January 27, 2014

Longevity

There's not much of that around here these days.  Longevity, that is . . . at least among the cats.  I mean cats have practically been flying out of here!  I think I'm the old timer here now and I've been here less than a year . . . 10 months to be exact.  The other cats are lucky to experience living at StreetCats for a month before they get adopted!

Oh, by the way, this is Toots.  Yep, I agreed to write this blog for as long as I'm here.  And who knows whether that will be for another 10 months or a day.  I'm not too worried about that . . . adoption doesn't necessarily appeal to me.  Maybe I'll tell you why some day.  But I'm writing this blog because I'm getting a bit bored around here.  Janie said I should show you a picture of myself so that everyone will be able to think about what I look like while they are reading this.  So here you go . . . a picture of me, Toots.  Occasionally I hear someone say I'm pretty.  I wouldn't know.  I don't do mirrors.


Okay, that's enough about me.  Let's see, what were we talking about?  Oh yeah, longevity.  Now when it comes to the people who work here, now there we've got longevity!  By the way, these are people, aka humans.  Lulu called them servants and I sort of get that.  They do pretty much everything for us!  Janie called them angels, and I get that, too.  I mean they saved her life.  But let's face it.  They're just people, albeit good ones for sure!  I lived on the streets for three years before I was rescued and, believe me, you can't trust all of them.  But the ones that come here?  Yep, good people.

So here is one of the longest serving people you'll ever know!  She has been volunteering here (all the people are volunteers, you know) for about ten years.  Wow, that's older than I am!  She is a StreetCats foster mom.  She keeps cats at her house for a while before they come to StreetCats . . . just to be sure that they're ready to be adopted.  And she covers the phone line for StreetCats.  If you call the phone line you'll get an answering machine and then this volunteer will call you back to see how she can help you.  And she comes to the shop once a week to clean and play with the cats . . . mostly clean.  Well, sometimes she even comes more often because she's always delivering cats or some such.  Oh yeah, I'm supposed to tell you her name.  It's Lindsey Dickinson.  And here she is with Ranger.  Yep, Ranger has come and gone, but Lindsey is still here and I frankly expect her to be for at least another ten years!  She likes to volunteer here!  Some of the cats really LOVE her and I appreciate her, too.  So thank you very much, Lindsey!


So, okay, that is done for today.  I'll keep my eyes and ears open around here and report to you on any goings on you need to hear about.  Right now it's My Furry Valentine over and over and over!  I'll tell you if the recording changes!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Good Fortune Lies Within Bad

I have so much to tell you!  But before I start . . . HOW ABOUT THAT FELINE FRIDAY!!!!  I know I'm going to be watching for those posts!  And you should, too!  You'll get to see all our pretty kitties!

Now, I bet you are wondering who said this . . . I mean the title of this post.  Well, I will tell you!  This phrase . . . Good Fortune Lies Within Bad . . . was said about 2000 years ago by a very wise Chinese man named Lao Tzu.  And the story I am about to tell you is an absolutely amazing example of just what he was talking about!  (I know it doesn't always happen that way, but this time it sure did!)

I know I told you when I first started writing this blog that my angels at StreetCats saved my life.  Well, it is so true!  I was in poor health when I came to StreetCats and I had to have a kind of surgery they call "exploratory" and I've been having to take medicine every day.  And well, to tell you the truth, I just haven't been thriving.  Just in case you don't know what that word means, it means "to make steady progress, to flourish, to grow vigorously."  I apparently haven't been doing any of that!  Well, my angels were so worried about me that they took me back to the spa, Feline Specialties.  I don't mind going there, but I could tell that they were really worried about me!

Here is something else I think I told you about.  After my angels saved my life, one of them named Katie, Katie Springs, took me to her house and she "fostered" me.  What that means is that she nursed and cherished me, but only for a while.  And I thrived at Katie's house!  My thriving at Katie's house was why I was brought into the shop at StreetCats.  They thought I was doing so well that I could be adopted!  And everyone was so excited about that!

But my bad fortune (as mentioned above) is that I did not thrive at StreetCats.  I thrived with Katie, but not at StreetCats.  I can't explain it and neither can the angels, even the ones at the spa.  Did you know that there is actually a human diagnosis called "failure to thrive?"  I guess maybe cats can have that, too.  I know my angels really wondered what was going to happen to me.

So . . . if that was my bad fortune, not thriving at StreetCats, what was my good fortune that was within my bad fortune?  Oh my gosh, there could not be any better fortune than the one that has come to me!  Here, I'm just going to show you!


Katie has adopted me!!!  Can you believe it?!  Yep, this is me in my forever home with my new mom, Katie!  When she saw me back at Feline Specialities (remember, she works there) she just knew this was the answer!  She and I have been talking and talking, just catching up!  (I LOVE to talk!  They say it's because I'm part Siamese.)  I never knew that a kitty could be so happy!  Katie decided that since it seemed the only place I thrived was at her house, well, that's where I should live!  My favorite angel is now my mom!!!

Now don't worry about the blog.  I am going to convince Toots that she should do it!  I don't know if Toots will ever tell you much about herself as she tends to be a somewhat "private" cat.  But I will tell you now that she is a real street cat.  She lived on the street for three years before she was rescued and I can tell you that means she is smart!  I don't know if Lulu is still reading this blog, but I can tell you that I won't stop!  I'll be checking in often to see how things are going!  And I know that Toots will give me the straight story!

Okay, one more picture, just to show you again how happy and lucky I am right now!  And it is so special to know that my angels that are reading this are just so happy for me, too!  Bye bye!


Feline Friday!

Vanna




Vanna is our resident diva. She is beautiful and oh so special and she knows it!

She originally came to StreetCats after she was abandoned. Her estimated birthday is December of 2008. She was adopted in 2012, but unfortunately the owner returned her to us recently. She, the owner, had developed serious medical conditions and was unable to care for her any longer. Once a StreetCats kitty always a StreetCats kitty so of course we took her in and will help her find a new home.


Diva that she is we think that she would prefer to be in a household without other cats.

If you are interested in meeting Vanna come by StreetCats located on the east side of Sheridan at 6520 E. 60th St, in Tulsa (behind Charlie's Chicken), or call the message line at 918-298-0104.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You!

Oh wow!  I haven't heard from Lulu in a long time and I don't know if she is still reading this blog.  I sort of hope not, but if she is I bet there is going to be some kind of an explosion somewhere!  She is not going to like this one little bit!  One of her "servants" doing this?!  It would not have been allowed on her watch!

Oh . . . you're wondering what I'm talking about!  This is just so exciting and I just can't wait for the first installment!  There are going to be more pictures!  Pictures of cats and kittens!  That means you get to see more of the things that happen at StreetCats!  I'm telling you, it's a happening place and this is just going to be so special!

Oh wait, you still don't know what I'm talking about!  Okay, I'll tell you!  Drumroll here, please!  I don't know how to type a drumroll so I guess you'll need to use your imagination here.  So are your eyes closed and there is a drumroll in your head?  Okay, open your eyes!


A human angel (not a servant, Lulu!) is going to start contributing to the blog!  Now do you understand why Lulu would be so upset?!  Oh she would be hissing and spitting and growling!  It's sort of scary to think about!  But I know that my angel, Vickie Sanborn, is a nice angel who takes beautiful pictures!  She hasn't taken all the pictures I've posted, but the really good ones are hers!

And now she is going to start putting more pictures on the StreetCats blog!  When you see a post entitled Feline Fridays, just know that it is our angel Vickie who is posting.  Just to clarify again, she is not a cat.  She is an angel.

Any questions?  If you have any, just post under comments and I'll respond.  Isn't this just going to be so neat???!!!  Oh, I just thought of something.  Do you suppose that Lulu is so happy in her new home that she doesn't even care about "her" blog any more?  Hmmm.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Give It a Rest, Angels! Really!

I'm just going to tell you immediately!  I'm worried about my angels!!!!  They are so busy!  They are always busy, with cleaning, washing, feeding, preparing vouchers, selling things from the shop, bringing in new cats, making volunteer schedules, taking cats to the spa!  I mean, really, it is unending!  But now with My Furry Valentine coming up on February 9, less than a month away, it is even worse than usual.  Add to that list of things the fact that they are now planning food and drink for the event, sending out invitations and requests for donations, tracking donations, making beautiful baskets for the silent auction, planning decorations!  I could go on and on!  Oh my, if they were busy before, well, I'm just worried!

And I realized something just the other day.  I have never seen one of my angels nap!  I thought that maybe it was just my very dedicated StreetCat angels who don't nap, but actually I've never seen the angels at our spa, Feline Specialities, nap either!  Is this just one more area in which my human angels are lacking?!

So I want to show my angels how this important break in the day is done!  Now here is a picture of Miss Molly, a very beautiful napper.  But beautiful or not, there are benefits to this habit!


See . . . it's easy, you just curl up and before you know it you're asleep!  Angels, you humans are in the minority if you are not nappers!  85% of mammals are polyphaisc!  That means that you monophasic angels who don't take naps during the day, who divide your day in two (sleep time and awake time) are in the minority!  And besides that, napping can be very good for you.  It's fun, sort of a mini-vacation!  Here, let me show you another example.


Now this is Donald taking a "power nap."  He has been adopted and I'm sure his great napping ability is one reason he was chosen!  Napping helps with alertness, enhances performance, and reduces mistakes and accidents.  Now if you don't happen to believe me about that, check with the National Sleep Foundation.  They'll tell you!

And now I'll show you a picture of the best napper there is at StreetCats, although I must say that writing this blog has definitely caused some issues in regard to my napping time.  This is me, Janie!


You see what a perfect curl I make!  And please don't let anyone tell you that napping is a sign of low standards, laziness or lack of ambition!  I mean I do get the blog written, don't I?!

So angels, let me catch you curled up like this from time to time.  It will be good for you!  You'll still get everything done for My Furry Valentine!  And, that reminds me, if you haven't gotten your ticket yet . . . well, do it!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

The Scoop, The Skinny, Everything You Need to Know!

I told you I'd figure this out!  And I did!  They were here again last night and just as soon as I saw them gathering their chairs I put Dottie on the case!  She was the logical choice to help me figure it out.  It sure couldn't be one of the kittens . . . they get distracted from any task I give them almost immediately! And besides, Dottie hung out with the angels at their last meeting so she already had a clue about what was happening.  And after tonight?  Success!

It's a party!!!!  WE'RE HAVING A PARTY!!!!  And it's only about a month away!  The angels call it My Furry Valentine!  I think Valentine's Day has something to do with love because there are hearts and it is all about red things and flowers and candy.  I think they'll be having all of those things at the party!

I was so relieved when Dottie said we don't have to be there!  Because, I'm sorry, but hearts, candy, flowers . . . they just don't do it for us!  Now if they want to have chicken, turkey, salmon and almost any other fish, I would show up!  Let's face it, the party is not for the cats . . . well, this is so confusing, because it IS for the cats!  What I'm trying to say is that it's okay that we won't be there because we are not at all interested in being there.  But the party is specifically planned to help StreetCats have enough money to take care of US, the cats!  Now do you understand?!  I bet a bunch of you got an invitation in the mail, but if you didn't here you go.  Consider this your own personal invite!


Hee, hee!  Pretty sneaky aren't we?!  Dottie took a picture!

So this tells you everything you need to know:  the date, the time, where to go and how much it costs!  (Remember, all proceeds are for us cats!) Now I've not ever been to this event, so I'll have to take the word of the people who've been here planning this.  They say it is a very special, happy fun time!  And it is put on by my angels, all volunteers, without exception!

So finally I just want to say that you should come!  And tell everyone you know that they should come, too!  You . . . and they . . . would be just as welcome as my canned food is when they bring it to me!  Hmmm, something tells me the potential attendees (angels, all of them) might not quite be enticed by that thought.  How about each and every one of you would be just as welcome as spring is going to be in a few weeks!  And this fun, cheery, happy event will most definitely make the last weeks of winter fun!  I won't see you there, but my angels will be telling me about all of you!  I love you!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Broken Hearted!

Gosh, I'm really wondering how much longer I'm going to be able to do this blogging job.  When I gave in to Lulu and said I would do this job I had to start paying attention to everything going on around here.  And, because I'm paying attention, right now my heart is broken!  And you are probably asking, "Janie, what happened?!


This is Lizzie.  Lizzie just came to StreetCats.  Lizzie is an older girl.  She is 13!  Wow, I hope I live to be 13!  But when I'm 13 I hope my people don't decide they don't want me any more.  How can that happen?!  What was so wrong that Lizzie's owner chose a very drastic way to no longer take care of Lizzie . . . and I'm not talking about bringing her to StreetCats!  Thankfully someone intervened and here she is.  Don't you love her white chest and paws?!  She has four white paws!

So how do I mend this broken heart?!  If I can mend Lizzie's broken heart, then mine will be mended, too!  Just so you'll know, Lizzie is healthy!  She has a wonderful appetite and no behavior problems at all!  And she's sweet!  One of my angels pulled Lizzie onto her lap today and Lizzie just purred and purred and rubbed against her.  Why, why, why????

Please help me mend Lizzie's broken heart so that I can go on writing this blog without crying all the time!  And please help me mend Lizzie's broken heart so that she can live again!  She deserves to grow old in a home where she will be given a diamond collar and a little brandy in her cream.


Oh, Lizzie, don't worry sweet girl.  You are a StreetCats cat now!  My angels will take beautiful care of you from now on and you will see more sunshine like what you are seeing in this picture.  My angels will find a perfect home for you with hands that want to pet you and hearts who want to love you!  And until that happens, I love you!