DANCING PAWS ANIMAL WELLNESS CENTER

Craig and the caboodles had a wonderful treat this last week. The doctor and staff of Dancing Paws Animal Wellness Center of Richfield Ohio came and spent 4 days at the ranch administering vaccination boosters, flea treatments, exams to over 250 caboodles! They had planned this trip for months in advance and started collecting donations from Ohio residents for the ranch as well as supplies, medications and toys. It was a tremendous outpouring of generosity on their part. 

Dr. Neal Sivula , and staff, Stephanie, Michelle and Nick worked tirelessly along with Craig giving the cats at the ranch superior treatments and bundles of loving care. The cats LOVED having new friends there to hug and rub on, and the doctor and staff fell in love with many of the caboodles. 

Along with administering vaccines and other treatments for the cats, the vet team gave Craig allot of praise for taking on such a huge responsibility and running his ranch beautifully, They saw that the cats were healthy and happy and truly at home at the ranch. We cannot thank Dr. Sivula , Stephanie, Michelle and Nick enough for everything they have done for Craig’s babies and for the welfare of the ranch. We hope they can come back again in the future, their new friends will be waiting for them with big purrs!

To read what they had to say about Caboodle Ranch after their visit click on this link: (you may have to copy and paste)

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=10595&uid=98397403692

Some Info and Updates!

Hi folks, this is Nanette, Craig’s faithful assistant and volunteer. Craig asked me to write in to his blog about a couple of things. The first being something that has been brought up a couple of times from recent visitors to the ranch. They asked why did the ranch grounds look a bit untidy in camp and up the driveway. It concerned them that it didn’t depict the photos on the website. They also asked why there were some cats that had a runny nose or eye or that looked like they had lost fur or weight. I always do my best to assure people that what they ‘see’ isn’t always what they think it is. Meaning, the ‘untidy’ grounds are the way they are not only because it’s deep summertime and things are all grown in, but the grounds are maintained for the cats and not for people. When I told people this they even laughed and said “I never thought of it that way, of course it’s for the cats!” The long grass provides not only shade but also coolness against their bellies when they lay down as does the now over grown pine trees up the drive-providing extra shade in a very hot summer. If Craig were to mow or weed whack all that nice tall grass down , just for looks, the cats would be forced to lay in the woods where it is not as comfortable. 

If someone sees a cat that looks less than perfect, we urge them to NOT make assumptions of lack of care/medical attention or unhealthiness. What they may see as a cat that has patches of fur that are thinned out, I see (like in this last trip, last week) a cat who had NO fur when it came to Craig and now has almost all of it grown back in from his care and the treatment of Revolution! The very same for a cat someone may see with a runny eye or nose. These cats recover much faster outside than they would inside in a cage, and they are getting their daily medication to help them as well. Craig recently had a group of vet interns and professor of Veterinarian Medicine, visit the ranch and she concurred that the cats do indeed do much better outside. A cat would be isolated if it had a more challenging illness but not a simple cold. On my most recent trip, I walked right past a certain cat , “Old Timer” because I literally did not recognize her! When I saw her last, she was covered head to toe with mange and ring worm, but from Craig’s total devotion to getting this cat better, she has ALL her fur back and is healthy as a horse! Craig has received major kudos on all his work and the good health of his cats this summer. That means allot to him not only because they are acknowledging his exhausting efforts but because his babies are his world and he wants what’s best for them. There will always be a situation now and then, it IS a working ranch after all. But Craig’s statistics are amazingly high for good health and far exceeds any other shelter in Florida. With new guidelines that Craig has painstakingly followed for his cats, they have flourished and enjoy a very healthy life.

Another update, is the fence! I got to see first hand, the progress of the ‘no more coyotes’ fence! It looks fantastic! One whole side of the first 7 acres is almost complete, as is the front of the ranch and the other side is well on its way. It is a long process because Craig requires help putting it up and the weather has been extremely hot and it’s very hard for volunteers to work that physically in the heat. But it IS going up and it’s wonderful! Also, the new ‘Yellow Brick Road” should be completed next week! Craig has formed a beautiful path up the entire entry to the ranch and curved it around the office. He will have help pouring the concrete, stamping a brick pattern into it and tinting the concrete yellow. This will really brighten up the entry way, give visitors a nice clear path to follow AND it will be handicap accessible as well!

Craig wanted me to tell everyone that his precious “Cling On” (aka the Cougar) had gotten very ill a few weeks back, and Craig thought he was going to lose him. This is the cat that Craig saved from being euthanized when the vet said nothing could be done for his damaged liver and illness. Well, Craig worked around the clock on Cling On and he made a comeback then AND now! 2 weeks ago, Cling On was ‘down for the count’, but Craig would not stop trying to help him. Little by little he responded to treatment and now he is on his feet and eating on his own and being himself again! The most wonderful part of my visit was to see Craig and Cling On together.  When Craig would walk into the room, Cling On would jump up and start prancing in place and literally hold his arms out for Craig to hold him. Cling On would wrap his arms around Craig’s neck and hug him tightly, while constantly rubbing his head against Craig’s face. He is so grateful Craig never gave up on him and shows that love and gratitude every day, it’s a beautiful thing.

I had ‘an adventure in rescue’ a couple weeks ago, which ended up having me make an impromptu visit to the ranch last week. I have been feeding a group of strays for about 8 months or more that were abandoned, dropped off, etc next to an empty building. They became my other cat family. Well, the man who owns the property was selling the building and needed to have the cats leave. He was very nice and understanding, but it needed to be done FAST. So , I gathered my 3 traps that day and began the task. Each day I trapped 2 then 3 then 4 a day! And what I thought was 4 kittens turned out to be 7! All in all, I got everyone. I ended up renting a cargo van because the cats were in very large ‘travel cages’ and would never have all fit inside my Jeep. I also picked up 3 kitties in Virginia and 2 kitties in central North Carolina!

It was a VERY long road trip, stopping at every rest stop to keep cages clean, give water and crunchers, comfort and console. 

We arrived the following morning (going on 30 hours of no sleep) and Craig and I took them to their new temporary housing for their adjustment period. The cats were SO happy to not be in the van anymore or in cages! They instantly started rolling in the hay and sipping water. Now, just one week later they are truly thriving and settling in to ranch life. They are safe, happy and healthy and I can rest easy knowing they are with Craig. Craig offers the most amazing safe haven for cats that have nowhere to go and no one to love them. He is truly as ‘life saver’. 

Stay tuned for more updates and more stories from Craig very soon! And thank you everyone , as always, for your support and generous donations to the ranch. We could not do it without every single one of you!

 
-Nanette-
 

Caboodle Evolves!

There have been many positive changes and improvements happening at the Ranch these days. From new outdoor litter boxes to protective fencing going up around the first 7 acres of ranch land. NOW, there is another wonderful thing evolving. A new “Gated Community” made exclusively for Leukemia Positive cats! Caboodle is about saving lives and second chances, not putting cats to sleep because they have a disease. And according to Florida state law that animal does not have to be put down unless the leukemia has come out of remission and that animal is sick.

So Craig has decided to build a unique ‘gated community’ for these special cats. It will be an outdoor kennel, about 100 feet by 100 feet, with all amenities of Caboodle! Roofing, shade, little houses, kitty condos, feeders, fresh water and it will also be built with at least 3 live trees inside it for hammocks and climbing. These cats will be able to live out the rest of their lives in luxury, comfort and safety. The kennel will be isolated from the other Caboodles, being outside the fencing perimeters and in a wonderful location Craig has hand picked just for them. They will enjoy exclusive outdoor living at its best!

Many people were concerned that the ranch wasn’t aware of all the care a leukemia cat can need, but we are. Craig is ready for any extra medical attention these cats may need and fully understands their situation. Madison Veterinary Clinic backs Craig on his innovative idea and is happy to know these cats, and more like them, will have a safe haven to go to if diagnosed.

Craig will need your help to make this all happen, and happen soon. If you would like your donation to go to one of our specific fund raisers, just indicate it in the memo section of your check or in a note on PayPal. For this cause please write Gated Community, and it will go directly to the building of this special home. 

**A special “Thank You” to Rachel Mooradian, of Topspin Creative Corp of  New York, for coming up with the name for the leukemia cats new home! Rachel has been an essential part of trying to get Caboodle Ranch on a show in Japan called “Amazing Stories”. We will keep you all posted of when it will air and hopefully have a link to view it! 

  
NO MORE CALLING ‘PATCH’

“Patch! Patchie!”   Day after day for four years I’ve called her. She is Tommy’s sister, the one with the bee bee in her side just under her flesh. Like Tom, she doesn’t like cats either and chooses to live down the street. She picked some guys house, living under it. I’ve seen her in his drive, he has a dog that used to bark, I’d hear it from time to time. The guy would pass by the ranch on the way home from work, he’d wave when we saw each other, which wasn’t often.

I don’t know what happened, there was no sign of life at that house anymore, no dog barking, now that I think of it, not for awhile now, where is my Patch? The freshly graded dirt road shows no tire marks into the drive. I’m concerned. Could he have moved taking Patch? I call and call her for days.

Whenever I’ve called Patch, she’d show up, she may have missed a wet food feeding earlier, so I’ll walk into the woods with her can so she can eat in peace. I took a photo of her beaten path like a rut through the pine needles and leaves. Where is she? Sometimes I would see Patch late at night eating from the dry food feeder near the Receiving Center. She’ll cry when she sees me and I’ll go give her some attention and she’ll head out.

It bothers me sometimes, I never know when I won’t see her again. I need to keep her home. I have considered ‘grounding’ her when I fence in this place, she’ll have to find a spot to live. Nanette was here the day Patch showed up. My beautiful Patch! I went to get Nanette, she’s only heard of her, now she gets to meet her. I walked ahead of Nanette so I could hold Patch, she hasn’t been around anyone in years. Patch had an injured front paw, it was time to ground her. I placed her in a cage for the first time in her life, she didn’t like it and complained for 2 days.

After treating Patch for five days I let her out. I placed a foot stool in front of her cage , it’s her ‘condo’ now and she can come and go as she wants, but she does stay at the ranch now. A For Sale sign is in front of the home now that she made her home. Maybe it’s not the same there anymore, but I’m sure glad she decided to stay with me.

OUTDOOR LITTER BOXES:

This is exciting huh? Six big 8 foot by 12 foot pressure treated wood frames holding sand and soil, excavated from the pond, works to fill these new litter boxes. I used to laugh when I saw people in gated communities walking their dogs carrying a small bag. Pay back now, I bought spades and pick up poop with a big bag. So be careful when laughing at someone…

TWO THUMBS UP!

Big day for the caboodles! Today Craig, the ranch and his caboodles got a big ‘two thumbs up’ from Madison Animal Control Director, Jamie Willoughby and Madison Veterinary doctor, Dr. Lewis. They were happy to see all the positive changes and improvements happening at Caboodle Ranch and especially happy to see the bright happy, healthy faces of the herd. In just a few short weeks Craig and volunteers have made improvements to the ranch that secures the ranch’s cleanliness and optimum health levels of the cats. Dr. Lewis will start the vaccination boosters next month on all the caboodles, and the cats will also be getting micro chipped for identification and tracking health info. 

Check out the photo gallery titled “Improvements For Caboodles” for pictures of the changes happening at the ranch. Thanks to your support Caboodle Ranch can continue to save lives, improve health, and give cats a second chance to live a life of freedom and happiness.

FENCING

I went to our town hall a few weeks ago thinking I’d need a permit? I was told ‘no’, but did request a letter of approval for the fencing I selected. Thanks to all those that donated to the fence fund, I can begin ! 

I had over 1000 feet delivered Saturday morning, but there is not enough of me to put it up so I asked my son Rob for help. He’s a contractor. For this, he and his helper will start next week. I expect it may be slow going as first we’ll need to rent a tractor to clear the way. The code calls for minimum of 25 feet from the street which is where we’ll start.

SICK WITH PAIN

Another one of those expressions that I got to experience firsthand (no pun). Never in my life has anything hurt as bad as the bite I got on my hand from “Kiss” the cat. I was thinking of this as I put the story together; I guess it was 1971. I was with my wife and my 3 year old son Rob. We went to the grand opening sale in a basement store. I slipped and went down the whole flight of stairs. I picked up tremendous speed splattering on the basement floor in front of dozens of people.

 I stood up and found mouths dangling open as horrified people looked on. I put my broken arm in the belt of my winter jacket and said to the people “I’ve just made my grand entrance!”. When I looked back up the flight of stairs, my wife, holding the rail with one hand and Rob’s hand in the other, was laughing. I asked what was so funny. She said Rob had asked “what’s daddy doing?”. But anyways, I didn’t feel bad, but lost 6 weeks of work.

Kiss has always been on the feral side, and when I found her in bad shape, sick and needing my help, she was not very friendly. When Kiss bit me I still finished up the IV trying to ignore the state of shock that I was going into. I was still trying to believe what had happened. My hand was starting to throb. Nanette was down for the week, I needed her now more than ever. Over the next few days, my hand started to grow in size, a sick feeling would come over me and my stomach would twist. All I wanted to do was sleep. I walked around keeping my hand elevated, chest level. Holding it to my side would start it throbbing like you wouldn’t believe.

Nanette would tell me to go lay down, and I did. I would pass right out. After a few hours I’d get up, tried to do a few things, everything was a great effort. Whether refilling water bowls or just opening a bag of cat food, it was almost impossible. I just wanted to sleep. I would lay on my recliner and put my hand up near my shoulder, it was rough trying to sleep with the pain. A cat would test me once in awhile stepping on my hand during the night and saying “hey, does it hurt when I do this?!”

The next morning Nanette was at the ranch early. She was pushing the loaded wheel barrel up the drive way and about to top off feeders and change out litter boxes. Me, I’m not even breathing normal. My hand is unsightly. Kiss was going to need more fluids, he was in rough shape. I held his scruff real tight with my good hand trying to get her out of the cage. Putting the IV needle in when I could barely hold it.

Nanette had everything under control. It was a good feeling. I spent most the day sleeping. The next day I found out that I could lose part of my hand if it went untreated. A heavy duty prescription for an antibiotic was called in to CVS. Nanette invited me to her hotel room to rest and relax and watch TV. I don’t have TV at the ranch so it sounded good to me. When I got to the room, I didn’t watch much TV, I passed out again. I woke up several hours later at 2:30 in the morning; Nanette was  just getting back from the ranch. She told me that everything was okay there.

 I head back, I don’t like to leave the cats for long periods of time. Looking around, I couldn’t believe it, everything was done! Making my rounds I saw that Nanette had done everything that needed to be done, just as I would have done it. 

Today, some months later, Kiss and I are fine. We’ve called a truce and I’m allowed to pet her, but with caution. She will even come to me at night and sleep on my chair! Nanette was really my ‘right hand’ in my time of need. Thank you Nanette.

PUTTING ON THE BREAKS:

I offer the people a nice service. I want to keep it that way. But sometimes you need to step back a bit before moving forward. In January, it began to look like the ranch couldn’t make it past April. The cats and I didn’t want to be seen standing by those signs that said “Will Work For Food”. Recent press did generate donations but I need to watch the budget a little closer so that I can continue to care for the cats that are already here and cover the expenses of the ranch (land mortgage, electric).

 I need to sell off one of my 5 acre parcels, up the back of the ranch. That property isn’t needed at this point. And I’m considering selling my PT Cruiser, which was to become the Cat Taxi; hopefully I can get what I bought it for. The land line to the office will be turned off to save money as well. You can call my cell phone (which will be working again this weekend!), just be persistent-you will reach me.

Some of these decisions were based on this past winters vet bills which exceeded 2000 per month. Food cost is a fixed expense at 800 per week, and cannot be reduced, as it is with the utility bills and mortgage. These changes will ensure that we do continue on and maybe when the economy bounces back a bit we will be able to move forward again. 

On a happier note, the fence materials will arrive at the ranch on Saturday the 16^th! Thank you all so much for enabling this to goal to be reached for the safety of the cats! I need to take the time now for repairs and maintenance of the ranch to keep it safe and presentable. 

NO FLEAS PLEASE!

It’s been the worst year ever for fleas. Last year not a bite on the cats, thanks in part to Advantage flea treatments used at the ranch. I’m told the hot dry weather is creating conditions where flea eggs are hatching and not dying off with treatments. Advantage is not working this time around, results are much better with Frontline. I was even ready to put it on the back of my neck! It’s the first year that I’ve been bitten all over. I know now how all the cats feel. The grounds were recently sprayed with a product ‘Malathion 5EC’, and will be applied every 2 weeks. Another product I will try will be delivered this week called ‘Sevin’ which is time released granules; you use a grass seeder to apply to the grounds. 

I have noticed some of the cats improving in appearance. Maybe over the next several weeks the cats will be healthier and happy looking again. I never feel they are neglected; I care for all of them every day.

CHEAP DATE:

I asked around, “Anyone wanna go to Daytona Beach?” At 3 hours away, I’d be talking to myself. Rat Cat said “Yeah! I’ll go!”, jumping up and down. I had bribed her by saying I’d get her a Rotisserie chicken. We were on our way by 4pm.  She was enjoying the ride; she was lying on my left shoulder, eyes beginning to close. My Big Eyes would have been on my lap, maybe he is. 

Half way there I decided to stop at s Petco and get the Rat a harness. She came in with me on my shoulder to get fitted. Just down the street was a Wal-Mart and we got a nice hot chicken dinner as promised. I flicked some of the breast meat onto the console and she ate it happily. 

It was almost 8pm and dark when we got to where the action was, at the Iron Horse Saloon. It’s an open area with lots of biker people, loud music. I’m not sure how she’ll react and I wanted to introduce her to Sandra at the Wall of Death. I park the truck, put her on my shoulder, put her harness on and secure her to me. I don’t want my girl to run off with someone else. I walked through the quiet parking lot into the busy Route 1 when I stopped to get a feel – of how she’d do around the loud bikes. She looked around amazed, stood tall, taking the world in. I felt she would stay on my shoulder so I continue.

We walked past idling bikes waiting to park. Many people were drinking beers, pointing at us and making the usual comments. There was the Wall of Death! Sandra was on stage! The show was about to begin, I waved Sandra down to meet the Rat. Rat could not stay and watch the show, but I could. I took Rat back to the truck and went to watch Sandra do her routine.

Our next stop was Main Street in Daytona Beach where we walked the strip and had our photo taken by many people. I felt proud. I saw the Rats head bob as she took in all the smells of sausage, pork chops and turkey, offered by vendors. We pass up the food making our way towards the beach and a local pizza place. I ordered us 2 slices of cheese pizza, a coke and a cup of water. We walked over the steps and onto the famous Daytona Beach where we sat and ate. The Rat thought this was the biggest litter box in the world, and breathed a sigh of relief.

It was after 11pm when we returned to the truck to make the long trip home. I feel tired, the Rat was very lucky; she got to sleep the whole time. I guess after chores were done, it was going on 5am. If you’re gonna play, you have to pay…

 

WHERE’S THE DONUTS?

I go to Wal-Mart often for cat food, donuts too. Live Oak Wal-Mart is closest, almost 18 miles. I go after dark when all outdoor work is completed, I’m tired. I get to the store; don’t tell me, no cat food? I can’t believe it. When I ask why, they tell me they sell a lot. So why not have more delivered?! Donuts? Plenty, in the donut section, where else? But there are none! I buy the Entenmanns Softee donuts, my cats love them. As for the cat food? Now I have to drive 20 more miles to Lake City. I know they will have cat food. 

When I first shopped at this Wal-Mart I had to ask “where are the donuts?”. The clerk didn’t understand me, didn’t speak English. But I find them myself, in the dairy section. I want to be back at the ranch, I’ve got to work past midnight, this takes time, too much time.

I decided to try another Wal-Mart in the opposite direction, the place is new and farther than I thought. Only four bags of food in stock. Litter is 4.00 a bag! I use the Special Kitty Red bag and it’s usually 2.78 at the other Wal-Marts! I’m just not winning tonight, “where’s the donuts?” I looked at the Bakery, no donuts; I asked Customer Service, she made a face and says to look in Bakery. I asked other clerks, no one knew! I wish I had an empty box to show them! Maybe sign language will work.  

No luck. My poor cats. Bear loves donuts; I can’t go back without them. I pass a Publix near the highway. I stop there. I walk into the store, my eyes fall on a donut display, not the Bakery, but donuts! I’m happy. I stop to look at the many variety packs, no good! Two boxes are upside down; I turn them over and felt my eyes grow big. It’s Softees! 12 plain donuts in each box! I took them to the register right away; 6 dollars should cover it (they are 2.98 at Wal-Mart). I see 4.69 being rung up. Crap. I dig deeper and find change! Whew! But we have donuts, boxes of gold at this point. Never the less, I’m happy because a day without donuts is like a day without sunshine.

I know this; the donuts will stay in my truck tonight. I have made the mistake of hanging them in the plastic bag on the office doorknob. The cats treated it like a Piñata. The bag was shredded and all the donuts gone. They had donut time without me. You snooze you lose Papa, the cats told me.

More and more cats join me for donut time now; please enjoy our newest YouTube video of donut time, filmed end of February…

BIG EYES IN THE SKY

I was driving back to the ranch after having lunch in town. I realized I was in a daze, my thoughts on Big Eyes. I’ve just lost my traveling companion. A malignant tumor took his life inside of a two week period. Seems just yesterday he was in my lap, today he is gone. I feel so sick. He had an incredible thought process. Our communication seemed through his eyes, a gentleman was inside that little body.

I took him to Jacksonville for a second opinion. He didn’t stand on my lap this time nor did I get my hugs , instead he walked between the front seats to his pillow. This cat came to the ranch about two years ago. An indoor cat for years, he made the big adjustment to the great outdoors. Seemed the new lease on life made this 16 year old guy feel young again. We had fun everywhere we went, and he did go everywhere. He had a way of making me feel guilty if I left him behind. He’d be tapping his foot with his hand on his hip when I got back.

This trip to Jacksonville would be his last. At the vet office, I let him walk around the waiting room, he would sway and side step. Of course they wanted me to consider the option; I wouldn’t put him to sleep. Maybe I’m selfish, but I don’t have the right to take a life, or the heart. I never give up hope, I won’t kill a friend. 

I reached to the back seat on the way back to the ranch; I felt his bony body, petting him. I hand fed him when we got back home, gave him his medicines, I still had hope. He laid down on the office floor seeming content on the sleeping bag. The next morning I tried to feed him, the paw came up, ‘no’ he said. I gave him an IV. 

Later, when I got ready to head out for lunch, I picked him up carrying him down the drive towards the truck. He tried to push my arms away, he didn’t want to go, it was awful. I carried him back to the office and went to eat. When I returned, he’d fallen, laying with his head against the water bowl. He would never walk again.  I laid him on the heating pad regulating the temperature the rest of the day just before he died. I held his head in my hands, facing his big eyes toward mine. “We will see each other again” I said. He died a few minutes later, he did not suffer. I laid him on a soft knitted blanket and let his friends be with him for a time. There seemed so much life still in those eyes, even though I knew he had passed on. I called Nanette and we cried. I laid him to rest the next morning. 

More than a month had passed and Nanette came to the ranch to help out. She presented me with a certificate; a star had been named after Big Eyes. She had printed out a beautiful picture she took of Big Eyes in the driveway. A star ornament with his picture hangs from my rear view mirror. I miss him so much.

COTTON BALL

I was walking back to my place through the woods when I spotted what looked like a small pile of cotton at a distance off the trail. I went for a closer look, Oh my God! Crackers, she’s torn all up!

I sat up, is this a dream? So real, I turned on the light. Where’s my Crackers? Gee, she’s usually in, why not tonight? It’s mild outside, maybe she’s out in the yard? I can’t go back to sleep, I’m too wide awake. I got up and went outside. I call “Crackers!” Nothing. The location in my dream is up behind my place, I’ll look there. It’s very dark, I look, I call, shine the flashlight in every direction. I decide to climb the ladder that leads to the roof of my place. I leave it up so the cats can use it. As I climb, a small pile of cotton appears just in from the edges. It’s Crackers! She’s sound asleep. I shine the light across the roof, a dozen cats lay sleeping including Meatball whose face turns my way.

I’m happy now, just an awful dream. I thought since I’m so awake I’ll treat myself to a hot chocolate, I think I have a package of mix. As I made my way to the office I pass other bodies undisturbed. I opened the office door, more bodies, it’s 5am. I step over them carefully, no one seems to move. I make my hot chocolate, sneak a couple of the morning doughnuts and head to the pond with a couple of cats.

I can’t see. It’s black out, no stars, no moon. I finished up and turned in. At day break, there’s a heavy rain falling on the metal roof. A rumbling, a sound like thunder, is actually a dozen or so cats scrambling off the roof heading for the ladder. In comes Meatball. A big jump onto my chest was like getting hit with a big wet mop. She’s soaked, so now I say ‘oh well’, and fall back asleep.

EVEN IF IT ISN’T, IT IS

I had a call from a neighbor a bit of a distance away, claiming one of my cats was at their home. They have a few of their own cats, so no big deal. I drove over shortly thereafter; a lady greeted me with a smile. She pointed to a cat condo on her front porch, ‘there’ she said, ‘in there’. I peered inside, hmmm, something funny about the eyes, doesn’t look like one of mine. I frightened the cat I guess, she jumped from the porch , falling when she landed on the ground which indicated she wasn’t well. A chase pursued, she was heading for the nearby woods. I had to catch her in the open or her getaway will be made good by thick brush which would restrict me. 

I didn’t have a net or trap, but I was determined she’s coming home with me.  She wasn’t running fast, fell a few times. I had her; she’s too exhausted to put up a fight. I got into the truck, laid her across my lap. The cat is not mine, but is now. I’ll tend to her needs, give her a home. No doubt Animal Control would have been called if I had said she wasn’t mine.

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

My son Rob called, said he’s getting tickets to the Twin 125’s at Daytona for tomorrow’s race. Not much notice but I won’t disappoint him; it’s something we have shared for years. I’ll need to get up at 4am and leave by 9 to get there. I wrapped up the day at midnight, 4am came quick. I’ve programmed myself, work inside my place, then the office, and receiving center until daylight, then get the outside things completed. I feel the anxiety, I can’t leave anything out. It’s going on 9. Everyone that needed it got their medicine and their IV fluids. I’ll get changed up. 

I put a big cage in the truck for a sick cat, a Rat Cat look alike, they could pass for twins. Its two hours to my son’s house and my son’s house is in St. Augustine, 137 miles. I can give her another IV and feed her there before we head out to the track, another hour away. 

I took some canned food out of the back of the truck, changed by boots and slowly backed out of the drive. I looked at all the faces watching me, I hate leaving them. A friend of mine will stop by later to make sure they are okay. 

The ride was going fine, seemed long; I can’t wait to get there. Cruise control is set at 74mph, cars pass by me, I decide to follow them, 80-85mph. I arrived at Rob’s , took the cage out of the truck placing it in the garage. I look towards the truck , a cat is on the side of the back bed, it’s mine! He’s been back there almost 2 hours in the open! I can’t believe it. This cat is always lying on the truck. I didn’t see him when I took the canned food out.

I still can’t believe it. I gave my sick cat an IV and some baby food before heading to Daytona. I feel she’ll be okay; I put the cat that hitched a ride in the cage with her so they can keep each other company. We get to the track at 12:15, glad to finally be there, it’s already been a long day.

I watch the race, I think of my cats, worrying like a mother hen. I get back to the ranch at midnight. The same faces greet me that I’d left behind earlier, they are all happy to see me. I set the guy down that likes to live dangerously with them. I go back to work. 2:15 am, Craig’s beat, ‘move over guys, make room for daddy.’

TEXAS RAT CAT

I may have written about this little long haired orange female, arriving from Texas early spring of last year. This is the same cat who escaped from the outdoor kennel the first night. I think she’d had enough of being confined; a three day ordeal in a pet taxi was enough. She was covered in poop head to tail and had left a streak against the white kennel roof where she scaled the fence and squeezed her butt between the fenced top and roof.

Her smile was ear to ear when I showed up the next morning and saw my face. The tough little Texan liked a sip of coffee with her doughnut; she was a regular at doughnut time by the pond.

When Nanette was at the ranch, The Rat spent the night with her at the hotel room. That night she had diarrhea and wouldn’t eat. Nanette told me that the Rat was sick and losing weight. I started her on fluids but the diarrhea persisted, not due to coffee. I tried everything but a cork. She became weak and her gums white and loss of appetite. She would lie on her stomach not wanting food. I started to force feed her Gerber baby food and Doxycycline mixed in a couple jars a day. She had Nutrical, Pedialite and anything else I could think of, but she was fading fast. I felt that she wouldn’t make it.

I kept trying every hour every day giving her something. I was snacking on a Vienna sausage, offering her a piece, she tried to eat but only a nibble, but she tried and that was important. The next day I had some chicken that I brought back from lunch. I took her to the truck and she tried a piece, only small bites seemed to make it down, it gave me hope. I took her to lunch the next day, outside the restaurant I gave her some chicken and she ate it! The diarrhea had stopped, I gave her constant fluids. Back at the ranch I set her down in the drive and she followed me on weak legs.

She’s well again, goes everywhere with me now, rides on my shoulders looking out the truck window. I went to Wal-Mart, as I so often do, I came out with a basket of cat food. I get into the truck and she said ‘where’s my chicken?’. I got back out of the truck, bought a rotisserie chicken. We both sat and gorged in the front seat. I laugh as I write this. My little friend is all better now; the Rat has my heart…and my chicken.

NEW RECRUITS

Forty six little bodies bouncing along the highway in a nice white horse trailer with the letters “ANIMAL CONTROL” on the side. Were they scared? No, they knew they were headed to a good life at Caboodle Ranch. Two heavily armed officers escorted them in a new white pick up with the green letters “SHERIFF” on the doors.

I waited for their arrival, just before dark they showed up. The big doors opened, so many bodies in big cages. “Welcome to Caboodle Ranch!” I said. All the paperwork was in order fresh from the vets. We took them up to a big outdoor kennel with fresh straw, spring water and topped off feeders.

I finished up after dark with the use of a flashlight and a wheel barrel transporting them in pet taxis up back. They really weren’t scared. I sat down in the kennel, petting most of them, a sweet bunch. So many lives getting a second chance. The temperature was mild; I don’t normally use the kennels in the winter months. A few days passed when I got word of a cold front approaching, 20 degree weather. I just can’t subject these cats to harsh weather, they were indoor cats. I’ll have serious health issues if they stay outside.

Late in the day, here I go again, pet taxi’s in the wheel barrel, getting them all inside after preparing cages that afternoon, or at least 15 trips from the kennels to three heated trailers, I was dying by 9pm, but they were all indoors and warm. The cold night passed, a half inch of ice in the outdoor water bowls, yes, it gets cold in Florida. After a few weeks I started letting the newcomers out a few at a time, they fit right in, running and playing. 

Some people call me a cat hoarder, seems disrespectful; Mr. Cat Hoarder please. No, but it’s nice to help people who can’t keep their pet any longer and save that precious life. Most shelters are full, they can’t help people. Caboodle Ranch can keep taking cats and donations and volunteers will keep making that possible.