This isn't just a melodramatic title for a post that could be called "Stop the world I want to get off", I'm actually quitting.  Been trying to post this for a couple of weeks now, but it's hard to write and just didn't feel like it was time to say it out loud yet. 

We knew that my husband's company might be doing layoffs and so we've been careful with our spending this year and I've been trying not to take in new cats.  In fact, in the last year I've only taken in twice (sure they were multiple intakes each time, but it sounds better to say it was only twice!)  I've had a few returns which have prevented me from feeling like I'm making progress in getting more cats into new homes and less cats in my home.  So in November we learned that we were smart to be worried; he did get laid off.  We don't know where his new job will be, but we know it won't be in the St. Louis area. 

I still plan to blog, but I don't know when Heartland will take the link to this blog off their website, so if you have nothing better to do than to read about me & my animals, make sure to bookmark the link.  I will chronicle the days leading to the end of fostering and moving with pets.  Contrary to popular belief, you can take pets across state lines!  One of my most hated excuses for giving up a pet is that people are moving.  We've moved 6 times in 17 years with more pets than the average family and never left anyone behind.  Although if you read my post from yesterday, you'll understand why I'm nervous about taking Jimmy across the country - maybe we'll just sedate him. 

In the mean time we're trying to get the house ready to sell.  I have quite a bit of clutter to clear out.  Five years of sinking deeper into rescue has meant that things like closet cleaning have gotten neglected.  Too many litter boxes to clean to worry about the well being of the dust bunnies.  I'm also working at Muddpuppies, trying to put more money into the savings account and enjoying the employee discount!

Rescue is like the mafia, once you're in, it's really hard to get out.  I should know, I've been trying for the last year!  I worry about the cats that would be getting returned to me, but I won't be here to take them back.  I have to believe that I was just part of their journey and that I wasn't meant to see the rest of it.  I know that many will die in shelters, but I could only play a small part in their lives.

So now you know why I've been looking for people to foster some of my fosters.  If you can help out, that would be great!  This is your last chance to adopt a cat from the Krazy Cat Lady!   

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Jimmy, like most of us, has his share of issues.  One of the most inconvenient of his would be the motion sickness.  I can not feed him and take him for a car ride without having a big mess to clean up.  Car rides have become quite the production - making sure he hasn't eaten (and reminding the people at the boarding kennel not to feed him on pick up day), draping a big sheet over the seat and all crevices that have had to be cleaned in the past as he hangs his head over the sheet, cranking the cold air on him even when it's already cold outside - you get the picture.  He fears the car.  He won't load up and starts to drool when placed in the car.  It doesn't matter that we go really fun places, he hates it. 

So I tried a new product at Muddpuppies - it's a blend of organic oils that you put on the dog's chin before you get in the car.  He's still not happy about it, but in 4 car rides, he hasn't thrown up or drooled.  It used to be on the trips where he didn't toss his treats, he still needed to be wiped down at our final destination because of the disgusting drool that would make a St. Bernard look dry. 

Today's trip was the real test.  We had a training session about 20 minutes away - on some really winding roads.  He made it out there fine and even after having a lot of treats, he didn't get sick on the way back! 

I really didn't expect this treatment to work.  I thought it was snake oil, but figured it wouldn't hurt to try it out.  I'm a believer!  Hopefully some day I'll feel brave enough to take him out for a ride without having to protect my car!

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Without our volunteers and businesses like PetSmart hosting us, we wouldn't be able to help hundreds of dogs and cats each year.  So here's to say Thank You to the people volunteering every Saturday, even when the weather is nice - even when they have to face the elements when the weather isn't so nice. 

Here are some scenes from Saturday's adoption day.

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Grasshopper took the day off from being at Muddpuppies, but didn't get adopted, so back to Muddpuppies he went.

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This is Toby, he's had 9 years to develop his loving personality and would love to find a home by the holidays.

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This will be the new website picture for Taffy & Elizabeth.  Another week at adoptions and no interest - I know their day will come and in the mean time these sweeties get to hang out with me.

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This little kitten is a favorite of her foster mom

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This kitten was adopted and playing on his new boy's lap attacking his sunglasses

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Still looking for a home

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Here is Dreamsicle/Gabby Rose.  Her time at PetSmart is up and another foster home will be taking her over for me.  She loves kittens and will be in heaven in her kitten room.  She's still available for adoption, so even though you won't be seeing her at PetSmart don't forget that you can still take her home.

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Pearl is looking for a home, she's so soft and so playful!

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Jackson has runny eye issues that have scared away a few potential homes.  He's so sweet and can sleep anywhere! 

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Speaking of sleeping kittens, this guy was cracking us up as he kept shifting his position.

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Last weekend I took some foster cats to Muddpuppies with me while I did pictures with Santa. No one got adopted, but I did have a lot of fun playing with all the dogs (and one cat) who came to see us.  But the highlight of my day was getting to see Tyler and Millie!

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They were both Heartland dogs and both were doomed without our help.

Millie came first - she was found in a rural area, but where there were some houses.  Our foster's husband drove by 3 days in a row and saw her in the same spot, so on the 3rd day he stopped, went up to the house and asked about her.  She'd been dumped and like so many dogs, refused to leave the spot where she had been abandoned.  She was obviously pregnant and the homeowner had been putting out food, but didn't know what to do with her.  So she was fostered, and the puppies weren't coming.  They had to be delivered by C-section and I was lucky enough to get to help play nursemaid to the newborns and watch to make sure they were breathing while the vet and techs worked to save the next ones.  I'll never forget that day; it was like being on Animal Planet!  The pups were quickly adopted, but we weren't sure who was going to step up for this quiet, shy girl who showed the signs of birthing multiple litters. 

A single woman adopted her (and if you know of a middle-aged, single, good-looking, dog-loving man she would love for me to pass that information along) and took her to obedience classes that were taught by her foster mom.  Millie was in the best possible home and we were so happy for her.

Tyler came next.  He was the first dog that I ever fostered.  Lexi doesn't really count - I knew that I wanted to adopt her, it was a matter of getting my husband to say yes.  We met Tyler in a St. Louis County shelter and his time was up.  How could there not be someone looking for this dog?  He looks like a caricature of a Golden that someone played shrinky-dinks with and gave stubby legs.  We were evaluating dogs that day and he wouldn't let me put him down.  He didn't want to go back in that cage and I couldn't blame him.  I was hooked and begged my hubby to let him stay for awhile.  If we hadn't already had 2 dogs, there's no way I could've given him up.  In fact I don't know that I could've let him go to someone I didn't know. 

Then Millie's mom popped into mind and so I was bold enough to contact her and arrange for her and Millie to meet Tyler.  That guy has charisma because it was love at first sight for her too.  Millie adores him and he's helped her to come out of her shell and be brave. 

With so much bad news in the world today, it was so nice seeing happy dogs in forever homes with owners who spoil them enough to come and see Santa!  You know that their Christmas stockings will be overflowing!

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Santa knew just what Clarence and I were hoping for this holiday season!  A special angel to come forward and offer Clarence a break from living in a cage at PetSmart!

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As you can see Clarence has Santa wrapped around his little paw.  It was hard to get a good picture of him because he liked Santa so much!  Here he is throwing his whole body into his head-rub!

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After dealing with crazy dogs all day, Santa was enjoying a peaceful cat!  Clarence gets to go live in the house where Milo, the FIV+ boy is being fostered.  Apparently this kind woman takes in all kinds of strays - including her brother.  He is crashing in her basement for a couple months (he calls it his man-cave) and was excited to have some company down there!  What a win-win situation.  Clarence gets a break and a bed to sleep on and her brother gets to have a cat with his cat-wise sister around to supervise.  Purr-fect!

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Today someone else called about fostering Clarence - we're in the process of interviewing them to see if they'd be a suitable foster home and if so - there's no shortage of cats who need a place to hang out for awhile!  I will continue to post about cats needing a place to go - please open your heart and home to a pet in need! 

Adopt or foster because we can't save them all, but with your help, we can save one more.

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One of my adopters sent me this today in response to my post about Sunshine and Shadow and why we try to keep certain cats together.  Here are my very shy, former feral girls.

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I've been tempted to try to get footage of Koko's cuddling rituals on video, but I don't have the right equipment and I honestly don't want to be in the video!  So I was happy today to come across this clip (thanks Erin!)  Koko is a lot like this kitty once he gets to know you and feels comfortable!

Raw Video: Policeman Vs. Kitty

I really hope that someone gives him a chance.  He deserves a home of his own and a real bed to share.  So if you're looking for a cat with TONS of personality, consider fostering Koko!

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Grasshopper didn't work out in his new home and got returned.  I thought I'd heard it all, but I should know that there's always a new story to be heard.  This time the very nice family had to make a hard decision.  They loved him, he loved it there, but one of their dogs HATED him.  In fairness to the pet who came first, Grasshopper had to go.

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He's enjoying the good life at Muddpuppies while he waits for a new home.  His laid-back personality made him the perfect candidate for an in-store foster.  He gets to hang out with Jack and Jill (who are warming up to the idea of sharing their space) and the constant parade of dogs doesn't bother him in the slightest.  He's already tried out all of the cat beds and has staked a claim on his favorite cat tree and knows just when the sun is shining on his spot. 

Stop by Muddpuppies to visit him.  Grasshopper would fit into just about any household as long as he got a lot of attention! 

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Here is a nod to my friends down in Rolla - doing what they can in a rural area that doesn't have much respect for the feelings of pets.  Too many people in rural settings see pets as disposable, as property instead of companions. They are working hard to improve the life of the animals in their area and are even talking about a spay/neuter program.  I wish them the best of luck.  Here are some of the wonderful pets they drove all the way up here to an adoption event.  Too bad it was such a gorgeous day that no one was spending it shopping indoors!

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The only dog that made the trip was Bobble - a cute little beagle/italian greyhound mix.  He got a bit chilly and needed his sweater!

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This kitten was labeled as feral at a shelter earlier this week - she's so not feral, but if she stayed there she would've been euthanized, so now she's in foster care!

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This beauty has a bobbed tail, so did her kittens

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They brought along two gorgeous siamese cats, I was in heaven and so tempted - but I was good and let them go back to Rolla!

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The buff and the gray are two kittens that have been aging in foster care - just like these two!

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Here are my Taffy and Elizabeth.  Low turnout at adoptions partnered with a runny eye have really hurt the chances for these two.  No one has even been interested enough to ask if I would split them up.

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It was a long, tiring day!  Bobble loved having his "mom" sit still enough to snuggle for a nap.  Being foster moms, we are usually too busy to sit still for very long!

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I brought along my Jimmy because he actually came from the shelter that these guys work with!  They were thrilled to see him and both remembered him well.  I found out that I actually saved him on his last day.  I had no idea that it was so close.  Poor Jimmy with his puppy ways had been returned four times!  He doesn't look so full of energy after a day at PetCo

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But check out those ears!  Just one of the many things I love about my Jimmy Baby.  I was glad that I brought him along.  Since it was so slow, we had a chance to practice our obedience training with new distractions and when that was done, I got to just sit on the floor and cuddle him.  Even though we didn't get any adopted, it was a good day spent with new friends and silly dogs.

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I've been trying to get a good picture of Koko for a long time, but he's one of the most camera-shy pets I've ever met!  So I had to settle for in-crate pictures at our adoption event on Saturday.  Koko is looking for a forever home or a new foster home.

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Koko has been at my house for 1.5 years and he deserves a place of his own.  I pulled this guy from a shelter when he was just 8-weeks-old thinking that early in kitten season he would be in a forever home very quicky.  It turns out that he has irritable bowel - but he's better now and ready to handle a new home.

He had loose stool from the start and it took a long time to get him over it.  We tried moving him to a new foster home when he was just under a year old and he was very nervous making the change and the loose stool came back.  He was on many rounds of a nasty-tasting medicine, but he has stayed sweet through out it all.  Finally we found a food that agrees with his system.  And now he's learning that new environments aren't so bad!  He'll still need a slow introduction to a new home (a couple of weeks in a bathroom) but he'll adjust! 

Koko is an amazing boy - his good food keeps his coat so sleek and shiny.  He looks just like a panther.  You don't have to actively pet him, he's more than happy to jump up in your arms, give you a hug and rub against you, twirling in all over you!  He's always sweet and gentle.  He gets along with other cats just fine - he needs to be fed separately to keep him on his special diet.

As long as he gets his special food, his tummy is very happy!  Koko eats Prowl, which is a dehydrated food - just add water and he eats it as a soup.  He can also eat a raw diet or a combination of the two - just ask me for details! 

This sweetie will have you wrapped around his paw in no time! 

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