In memory of Johnny Boo

I'm very sorry to post that Johnny Boo was put to sleep this morning. His Mom did the best she could for him, but something was terribly wrong.

Although none of the tests showed anything, he seemed to be suffering. He was ill a lot and the other cats avoided him. After struggling for months to get him to put on even a little weight and stop his constant bouts of diarrhea, it was decided that his good days were too few to continue to put him through it.

Don't be too sad. He still had a loving and warm home for a few months where he had good care and was safe and peaceful. That is MUCH more than I can say for what his life was like outside.

Something happened before we got to him. Perhaps poison that damaged something (Please people, NEVER use rat poison! It kills more owls, hawks and cats than it does mice and rats).

If there's a lesson in this (and God, I hope there is for someone somewhere) let it be that neutering is the loving thing to do when shelters are so jammed full that good animals are put down by the thousands each year.

If you would like to send a donation to the only shelter that would help me wth this kitty, here is their website with address: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA643.html

If you would like to do something with a national organization that does amazing work with animals, consider this one were you can donate online: http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/ng/index.cfm

or support the local rescue group in your area.

Thank you for your support and caring.

Make or Break for Johnny Boo

Folks, if you see this our little guy is once again in need of prayers.

He is down to 5 lbs and has diarrhea again. He goes to the vet tomorrow, and she is suggesting putting him down.

He is losing patches of hair, lethargic, and sick.

I am going to pay for liver/thyroid screen and to have him checked for ringworm.

But I don't know if little guy will make it.

If he goes, he had a home and love. He wasn't outside starving and being beaten up by the other cats.

If he goes, I'll know that both his new Mom and I did all we could do to give him a chance.

Sometimes love and caring is all we have to offer.

Results

Well, Johnny-Boo got good results from the doctor on the tests. No idea why he was losing weight. Short of doing extensive and expensive tests, we're not sure what's going on. The vet suggested just loving him and giving him a bit more time to settle in.

If the weight loss continues, more tests will have to be done.

In the meantime, he's enjoying the other kitties, adores his new Mom, and is warm, happy and fed.

: )

A Weighty Matter

I received an email from Johnny-Boo's mom today. He is now down to 6lbs. He has lost another 1/2 pound. He is doing a bit better with his poo, and eating well, but losing weight.

A sample goes to the vet tomorrow for testing. He may be tested for diabetes and thyroid as well, depending on what the sample shows.

So, Johnny-Boo is not out of the woods yet, so to speak. But he is in a home that is warm, full of love, soft places to sleep, lots of food and a caring, loving new Mom.

Prayers, once again, for this little guy are truly appreciated.

Learning to Play

I heard from Johnny-boo's Mom the other day. She said he's still having a bit of trouble in the litter box now and then. I'm hoping it's just the residual effects of eating out the dumpster and nothing more serious than that.

She said that he is beginning to make attempts to play. That was great news. He didn't seem to have any idea how to play with toys. I thought, perhaps, that his new baby sister might tempt him into playing. She's quite the active kitten. Hopefully, that will be the case.

In any case, he seems to be really enjoying his home and loving the chances to sit and/or sleep with his new Mom, and is getting along well with the other cats now.

I hope to have pictures in a few weeks of him with his new baby sister. I might have to wear a disguise so I don't frighten him! : )

Another Chapter for Boo

He's in a wonderful home now with two brothers (a bushy, skittish older male cat and a smallish white and orange boy kitty with whom there was a brief rivalry) and his new baby sister who is black and white just like he is.

Last week he got sick. He had vomitting and diarrhea, which is hard when you only weight 6.8 pounds! He lost two ounces and his new mom said she thought she was going to lose him. But Boo (now named Johnny) is fighting hard still. A visit to the vet and a shot seems to have him back on track. He lost ground with his weight, so he'll have to gain that back (fingers crossed and prayers going up!).

The cutest part was that when he heard my voice and saw me, he ran and hid in the bedroom! I think he thought I was there to take him away from his wonderful new home and he was NOT about to go! I assured him I was just visiting, but he watched me out of the corner of his eye very wearily during my visit and hopped down to be near his mom!

So, again, Johnny Boo can use some prayers.

His mom says that he is such a lovey--loving to snuggle on the chair with her, and sleep with her when it's his turn. He keeps an eye on his little baby sister. He is always close by when she uses the fountain to drink. He's not sure he should let her, but he stands close by and watches. : )

In his picture (at the very bottom), you can see he's a bit worried (and terribly thin).

So, just a quick update! Thanks for your continued prayers for a little guy who could really use them.

Creatures Great and Small

I had lost my reverence for life for a while. I felt that I was surrounded by people who were uncaring, unkind, and bent on venting their anger at every turn. Angry gestures in traffic, people assuming the worst without giving you a chance, and, most especially, the man who felt it was okay to shoot at and throw firecrackers at a starving animal.

I felt that intimidation, rage and even evil were all around me. It felt like the bad guys were winning.

And then I started to sink. One thing I have always held on to is my faith that good wins out, that God--whatever name you choose to give that force--was the animating spirit in all things good and kind and compassionate.

But when I could only despise my neighbor, I sunk into the same anger that surrounded me.

And then Boo showed up. Despite his bad treatment, he was willing to trust. Did he have any choice? He was starving. He had to chance it. And that is when my little furry, whiskered, black-and-white teacher offered me the chance to change my view.

I got him to the shelter and after the director settled him into a safe crate, she turned to me and said, "There are good people out there." It was matter-of-fact, out of the blue. And still I was skeptical.

Then a wonderful lady told me she would take Boo into her home with her two other cats. Her home was so peaceful. She is a very patient, kind person. She cares for her kitties the way she cares for everything living. It was like balm to my wounds. I think maybe her soothing voice coaxed me out of my sadness just as it coaxed Boo out of his crate.

Then as I turned to leave, I told her, "You're an angel." She smiled and said, "There are lots of good people out there just like us." It was the second time in three days that someone had said the same thing to me. I knew a message was being delivered. I peeked at Boo, who was snuggled on a soft afghan an I felt my heart open again, as if a tight band had been released.

Yes. There are many good people out there. People who sent encouraging words; people who prayed; people who kept their faith that things would work out when I was struggling to believe it.

I thank you all from the bottom of my renewed heart. And I am thrilled to share the following email from Johnny's (aka Boo) new Mom:

hi wendy.............GOOD NEWS! our little guy is clean!...no infections or feline aids or leukemia...today he had his nails clipped...got his next set of shots..and we're good to go for one year...johnny weighed in at 6.8 lbs and dr. pam believes he's abt 2 1/2 years old soooooo on feb. 18, 2011 (that's the feast of st. bernadette, one of my favorites) he will be 3....he's a great little traveler...hardly mewed...right now he's napping upstairs on my bed while joey and honey are down here with me...last night was his turn to sleep with me...tonight it will be honey's turn...gotta be fair....oh how i love him...doc says we must fatten him up...split a can of tuna packed in water amg the 3 kitties once a week...boy, does he loooove that

have a peace full day and God bless you real good...
you are johnny's godmother