Sal - A Death Row Cat Who Touched My Heart

When I started following cats and other pets on Facebook in 2011 after adopting Lola, I had no idea that they, and their families, would come to mean so much to me.  I was amazed at how an animal I had never seen in person could find their way into my heart just by reading their story and seeing their photo on the computer.  I have laughed at their antics, liked their cute photos, and cried when they made their journeys to the Rainbow Bridge.  Real, heart wrenching, sob inducing tears. I have sincerely felt like they took a piece of my heart when they passed.  It’s not every animal I see on Facebook that makes me feel that way, but there are some, for reasons I still cannot wrap my entire mind around, that touch me in a profound way.  Sal was one of those beautiful little souls. 

I used to follow a page on Facebook that would spotlight animals who are on the euthanasia list in the city shelters.  Every night I would see those little faces, most of whom were terrified and barely holding on to life, staring at me through the computer screen and I would cry.  I felt completely helpless because there was nothing I could do to help them, nothing I could do to change their situation, and nothing I could do to alter the horrid shelter system they found themselves in.  Eventually I had to stop reading the page.  But one night in May, 2013 a friend tagged me in a photo of a cat named Sal.  Sal was on “the list” and desperately needed to be pulled. In his photo he looked sick, heartbroken - and defeated.

It was that same look I had seen so many times in the eyes of so many animals.  I immediately pledged money for his rescue and started to pray because I knew it would take a very special person to take this cat.  I checked over and over to see if he was saved, and by a miracle, he was.  A wonderful woman named Carolyn Albers had him pulled with the help of Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals and Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.  Sal was safe.

20 Random Things About Lexy

Last week Lola shared 20 Random Facts about her. Today is my turn. I hope you like them.

Lexy

1. I’m a rescue cat. I was left behind by my family when they moved.  They left me outside.
2. When Mother saw me at an adoption event she wasn’t even looking for a cat. But it was love at first site.  She wanted to take me home right then and there.
3. Mother describes me as “contemplative”.  I can be seen looking out of the window as if I’m deep in thought.
4. I LOVE catnip.  I can smell it a mile away.
5. I really like Lola, even though she’s indifferent to me.  I always get her to play chase with me, though.
6. Mother has to hide the treats and she has to make sure the dry food is in a container.  I can open any cabinet and package to get what I want.
7. I am the inspector of the house.  Everything that comes into the house has to have my seal of approval – grocery bags, mail, clothes, you name it.  I have to approve.
8. My favorite toys are small, soft, toys.  I have a couple of mice and fish that I love to play with, but my absolute favorite is my toy weiner. It’s an appeteaser from Fat Cat.
9. I am terrified to leave the house. When I go to the vet I shake and I try to stay as close to Mother as I can.
10. I’m learning something from Lola – I’m meowing more! I like talking to Mother.

20 Random Facts About Me

I was nominated by a couple of my Facebook friends to share 20 Random Facts About Me.  This was a lot of fun! Lexy will be working on hers next

1 . I’m a rescue cat. I was saved from the city shelter by my Aunt Leslie.
2. Because I was so sick when I was young, I have something called chronic sinusitis. I sneeze a lot and often have a runny nose.
3. I don’t react to catnip. It does nothing for me.
4. I’m a picky eater sometimes. I drive Mommy crazy.
5. Mommy always brings me my breakfast. I’m usually sitting in a window waiting for it.
6. I’m an author! We donate ten percent of the proceeds of our book to animal rescues and shelters.
7. My favorite toys are my string and the cat dancer toy. I don’t play with my mousie as much as I used to
8. I take over Mommy’s Queen sized bed at night. I either sleep on top of her, or right next to her so she can’t move.
9. Whenever Mommy opens the bookcase (or another cabinet in the living room) I come running because I think she’s taking out the cat dancer.
10. One of my most favorite things in the world is Mommy’s jewelry! Whenever she opens her jewelry box I come running!

Rescue Series: Speedy The Cheeky House Bunny - Saved at an Auction

 

We are very excited to have a guest post today from Speedy The Cheeky House Bunny!  Speedy shares his rescue story with us, and we're sure you'll love it. We are so glad Speedy was rescued, and even happier that we're friends now.  Thank you, Speedy!
Lola

It all started the day I arrived at an animal auction.I was in a cage with 2 other bunnies,we were all a bit nervous not really sure what was going on.All we knew was that nobody wanted us and were put up for auction the the day's final sales which usually meant the Reptile Breeders would buy us cheap, the 3 of us for 1 british pound.Luckily for us we were Brought at the last minute by this really nice man and he took us all home with lots of other bunnies.He housed us all in big hutches in his lounge,keeping us in the groups we came in so we wouldn't be lonely and then advertised us for rehoming in a local pet shop.

"This is Thumper just before he left for the Rainbow Bridge

#WordlessWednesday - Contemplating

Mother's holiday wake up call

Today may be a holiday and mother may be off, but kitties have needs.  I'd like to point out that I was being helpful by letting her know her blankets were on the floor.

Lexy

Mother, I thought you'd like to know that your blankets are on the floor.
 While you're picking them up, perhaps you could feed me.

One Of Our Pinterest Boards

Hello everyone! We're participating in Blog Paws February Blog Prompt Inspiration today by sharing one of our Pinterest Boards.


Follow Lola_The_Rescued_Cat's board Rescued Pets From My Book on Pinterest.

This is board is very special to us because it features all of the rescued pets from our book; Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat.  We hope you'll check out our board, and our book, too!

Lola

Lola The Photo Bomber

When Mother bought new sneakers on Saturday, I got this magnificent box.  I decided to let Mother do a photo shoot of me in my new box since it's so lovely and I look like I fit in it just purrfectly.  Well, sometimes little sisters can be a pain in the tush, as you can see from the photos below.  Lola now has a new nickname: "Lola The Photo Bomber"! We finally did get a good photo at the end.  We hope you like them!

Lexy



Just a second, Mother.  I think Lola is
standing there.

#WordlessWednesday - How to convince your human not to make the bed.

Lola

Kittyland Dancing With The Stars!

Hello everyone.... Lexy here.... I want to tell you about a very special event happening on Facebook.  Every year our good friend Prince Pan Pan and his brother, Prince Pippin, host a fantastic event called Kittyland Dancing With The Stars! Round 1 of the event takes place tonight at at 7:30 PM.

Photo courtesy of Prince Pan Pan

Each couple chooses a pet charity to represent in the contest. The contestants who receive the highest number of votes will not only be the 2015 champions, but a cash donation will be made to the charity of their choice.  They will also win a prize package, and the Mirror Ball Trophies. The amount of the donation will be the proceeds of a special DWTS fundraiser created for the event. The designated charities of the second and third place winners will split the proceeds of a SPECIAL FUNDRAISER to be held later this year.

This is such a fun event! My partner is my good friend Jake from The Royal Ruskies.

Photo courtesy of Prince Pan Pan

Not Really a Wordless Wednesday - Part 2

Last week I took over Lola's diary for a day and published a post about a photo of her that I think speaks 1000 words. I had originally considered posting it as part of #Wordless Wednesday, but Lola had other ideas about that (she can be an opinionated kitty at times.)

I also have a photo of Lexy that speaks to me in the same way.

I took this photo of Lexy about 10 minutes after bringing her home.  A little back story - Lexy was in a shelter for a time period of anywhere between 9 to 12 months (most likely on the higher side of that estimate.) For all of that time she lived in a cage.  She was also part of an adoption event every weekend, and she spent those weekends in a cage on display looking at people with her big, expressive eyes trying to woo them into taking her home.  That really broke my heart and was part of the reason I wanted to take her home right then and there.

Fast forward to her gotcha day.  As soon as I got her home she used the litter box, sniffed around a little, and then jumped in the window to look outside.  I don't remember how long she sat there, but I couldn't even lure her out with Temptation treats.  After all of those months of not seeing the outside world she was so excited to sit in that window, feeling the breeze on her fur and watching the goings on of the world.  When I look at this photo words that come to mind are awe, excitement, happiness, wondrous, exuberant.  At one point she looked at me and then looked back outside. I just know she was saying "Thank you".

You stole a piece of my heart that day, Lexy, and I never got it back.


Dawn