August 18th, 2006 Update

In late June, I was trying to concentrate 100% of my energies on helping our tongueless cat, Ballou.  Unfortunately, I still had to go to work and this is where my distractions began. 

I had to fly into Atlanta on the 25th to spend the night in a hotel so I could work an early trip to Mexico on the 26th. At 6:30 on the 26th  I heard a pitiful sound outside of my second floor room.  I opened the door and a nine week old tortoiseshell kitten ran in.  She was desperate to get in out of a terrible storm and sat in my lap, purring while I put my makeup on.  Although I would strangle anyone who called me that early, I tried two of my friends that live in Atlanta to see if they could help out.  One answered, but she was in Florida on vacation.  The other didn't answer.  I went down to get her some milk from the breakfast area and found out from reception that she'd been abandoned by a family two days prior.  I brought her down with me when I checked out and was told, "No pets are allowed."  Since they had already told me she'd been abandoned there a couple of days before, it seemed silly to explain that she was not my pet, but theirs, but that I was willing to take responsibility for her if they could just keep her safe until I did my two day Mexico City trip followed by a day of standby duty. 

They looked at her like she was a cockroach that they wanted out of their lobby immediately.  I asked them to at least point me in the direction of the safest place to put her out.  I had to walk outside in a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning, pry each of her tiny paws off of me, set her down and walk away while she screamed and I sobbed.  The shuttle driver, a wonderful woman named Patricia, saw that I was very upset.  I explained why and she promised to try to keep an eye on her if she could find her when she got off work at 3:00 that afternoon.  I did my Mexico City trip and grieved the entire time knowing that I'd left a nine week old kitten who'd turned to me for help outside in horrible weather with people who despised her to probably die. 

Well, Patricia came through for us!  As soon as our plane touched down back in Atlanta the second day, I checked my messages.  The important one said, "I've got the kitty.  Do you still want the kitty?''  God, did I want the kitty!  The following morning, I bought a soft sided carrier at the post office in the airport.  Then Patricia dropped the kitten, now known as Georgia, off to me curbside.  We spent the day in the Delta flight attendant crew lounge in a very nice supervisor's office.  She set us up with a litter box filled with paper from the shredder, food and water.  She also gave me a special letter allowing me to travel home on the flight attendant jumpseat with a rescued animal. 

We got home late on the 28th.  I took her directly to the shelter where Cindy had a cage all set up for her.  Unfortunately, the mouth that I'd been trying not to see caught Cindy's attention as soon as she saw her the next day.  She took her straight to the vet where we found out that she had a fractured jaw, a tooth broken off at the root, and split gums.  Sometime between me putting her outside and Patricia getting to her, she'd been kicked in the mouth!  Well, despite her first nine pretty sucky weeks of life, she spent only ten days at the shelter before her new mom, Susan, fell madly and deeply in love with her and promised her that no one would ever hurt again.  With a few more trips like that one, I'm going to need to retire early because a person can only take so much!   
And so...my attentions turned back to Ballou...Click here to read his story.

Ballou's Story

Ballou's rescue began much like Rain-Beau's with a post in the Urgent and Rescue sections of Petfinder's message boards. Here was his post:

Tongueless Cat in Desperate Need of Surrogate Tongue

Unfortunately I'm not kidding. In 2001, Ballou's original owners brought him straight from the vet's office to our shelter. They said that he had jumped onto a chair with dry cleaning, slipped on the plastic, and had his tongue pierced with the metal hanger. He freaked out and by the time they were able to get to him, his tongue was so damaged that most of it had to be removed. Instead of then waiting on him hand and foot for the rest of his life to help make it up to him, they dropped him off at our shelter.We cared for him for eight months while we tried to find him a home. Finally a local newspaper did a story on him and he was adopted by a special ed teacher. It seemed like a match made in heaven. Then last week, after all of this time, she called us saying that she was moving and could she please come drop him back off? Oh yeah, and could we possibly take one of her other cats too? She was at the shelter all of 20 seconds dropping him off. No goodbyes, no tears....obviously no soul inside of her! The picture below of Ballou shows the state he was in when she dropped him off.
So the search is on again. Ballou's dream owner would be a groomer. That would be almost too good to be true. His second best situation would be someone with a very non-threatening, cat-friendly dog...one of those dogs that just licks incessantly who could help him do what he can't do for himself. Last but not least, and really just as good, would be someone who was around a lot who could wipe him down with a warm wash cloth every time he's done eating.

Ballou is a beautiful cat when he's clean, and you can tell that he desperately wants to be clean. After only being at the shelter for a week, he already runs to the front of his cage when we walk in the door and rubs his cheeks all over the bars trying to get our attention. He needs to eat mostly wet food that he bites into and kind of tosses back to swallow. He still has all of the natural urges to groom, so if that wet food isn't wiped off of him, he smears it all over himself as he mock "grooms". He can drink water from a very large bowl or from a fountain. Here are some ways you can reach us if you think you might be able to provide him with cleanliness and love not necessarilly in that order. Our shelter is in Deerfield Beach, FL, but I am a flight attendant and could help him get to just about anywhere if necessary.

Then, a very nice person I still don't know who goes by the screenname of bcoo on Petfinder, became the true catalyst for Ballou's rescue when she sent me the following:

I sent your information to Golden Hearts Animal Sanctuary. The woman who runs it seems tireless in her care of special needs animals. I have taken three special needs cats there from our shelter and visited there myself. You can see their websitewww.goldenheartsas.org and visit their blog to get an idea of how complete the care is that each animal receives. Good luck. This kitty deserves better.

Thank you very much! I just looked over the website and, wow! What great stories the kitties have! They are very lucky! (I'm originally from California, too.) I'm still kind of hoping that someone will say, "My mom's a retired groomer, and she has a small dog that loves cats and would love to lick Ballou day and night!" I know I'm hoping for a lot, but we will keep all roads open. The more people that know he's out there, the better chance he has to hook up with his perfect home and family. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks again! Beth

(Man! Was I being stubborn or what?!)

OK. I know one of the older goldens she has there does "take care" of some of the kitties and some of the kitties groom each other. Her screen name is goldenheart here on petfinder and you can read her posts. She has been a vet tech for umpteen years and works with a mobile vet service that does house calls. Her work days aren't as long as the regular vet tech since she works with a single vet that schedules things around raising her own kids. I think Scooter and some of her other charges wouldn't be alive if not for her care.

Well, I just read the blog. If he can't be someone's only kitty, this could be a really great place for him. We are very interested. I just posted his story this morning, so I don't know if anyone else will respond or not, but please let me know if after reading Ballou's story, your friend thinks that her sanctuary might be the place for him. Thanks again! Beth

I decided it was time to actually contact the person in charge of Golden Hearts Animal Sanctuary which I now know is Stacy.

Hi, The person that uses the screenname bcoo has been writing to me about you. She didn't tell me your name, (or hers), but she read a post I wrote about Ballou. He's a cat that's been in, then out, then back in our shelter. He has no tongue. I think she forwarded you his post. We adore him. The shelter I volunteer at has approximately 100 cats. We have a small store front. Most of our cats are out on the floor, but Ballou can't stay out with them, because leaving him out with food available is like leaving a toddler out with finger paints. He needs to have his fill, be wiped down, and then have a food free environment, (dry food is fine), till his next meal. That means he's pretty much in a cage with us with only some short supervised times out. If you're full, I completely understand. I know what kitten season is like and I can't even imagine compounding that with puppy or baby goat season. So, did she forward you his story? Is your sanctuary a possibility? Are you as inundated as we are with annoying people trying to give you their animals? I read through your whole website. Never read your bios or blog when you've been traveling for 3 days and are emotionally exhausted! It wasn't a pretty site. I'm surprised my keyboard isn't fried from salty tear damage! Anyway, let me know what you think. Thank you! Beth

Wow, I hope they were happy tears, I cry them often too! Bcoo did forward your post to me, and yes, he is welcome here! The only qualification I ask ~ does he get along with other cats? It sounded like he lived with others, but I couldn't tell for sure. There are not only other cats who would be more than happy to help him with his grooming issues, but there are 2 dogs who would see to it that his coat glistens. Have a great weekend, Stacy

Well, the first time we had Ballou when he was somewhere in the 1 yr old range, we had him out on the floor for almost 8 months. That means he was with all of the other cats we had in the back room...that would have been about 30 of them. He was slightly more happy filthy and out then clean and in a cage. I remember that sometimes it seemed like he did get picked on by certain cats almost as if they knew he was "different." But he was pretty good at just ignoring them and going about his business. With the special ed teacher, she definitely had at least 2 other cats, so that was normal for him for almost 4 years. Now that he's been back with us for a couple of weeks, he's already strutted straight out of his cage a couple of times while we were wiping him down and walked off, (in a room with at least 90 cats). The one time we found him a few minutes later sleeping in a cat tree. So he definitely doesn't stress about things. As for the dog thing. I honestly don't think he's ever seen a dog, but I just know in my heart of hearts that a dog could end up being his best buddy. There would of course have to be a very calm, perfect introduction. Ballou's first instinct when you try to clean him up is to back up, but once you begin petting him with a warm wet wash cloth, he begins to purr and relax. His mock grooming rituals are very detailed and meticulous with 0 results. So, I think that once a friendly dog got to work licking all of the yummy wet kitty food off of his body, he'd be in a state of bliss. Maybe I'm delusional! I got in from flying last night and I might have to be on call next week, but for July, I will be off Thursday through Sunday every week. So...a Friday or Saturday sometime next month would be good for travel days to get Ballou out there. He had his teeth cleaned this last week. He had to have 2 pulled, but the rest are now clean and good. He's eating as if nothing happened. I was really worried about him because he had to go under anesthesia twice in barely a week, first to be groomed and then for his teeth, but he came out of it just fine. So...help me pick out a day for his big move. Thanks! Beth

Wow, welcome back! I'm glad he did well through anesthesia, though I'm a vet tech & know better, I worry like crazy anytime someone needs it! I work Fridays till 2pm or so, I'm off on Saturdays; I work with a housecall veterinarian, so my Fridays are often flexible. I can accommodate whatever works best for your schedule. Please give Ballou my best, let me know what works for your schedule, and also let me know if you need vet ref's, adoption app, or other paperwork completed. Stacy

Hi Stacy, I just got in from three incredible days of flying with a kitten rescue in the mix. I lived in San Diego for 3 years a long time ago and my college boyfriend's father still lives there. We've kept in touch for 20 years! He's excited to help me in my Ballou adventure, so he'll pick us up at the airport and drive us to you. We're thinking about the second week of July on Friday or Saturday. I need to check the flights and then get back to you. Thank you for being so helpful!

That sounds wonderful! We can also pick you up if and help you get around if you need. You're also welcome to our guest room (complete with a cat) if you need a place to stay. We've been hitting the 100 degree temperature mark regularly, unfortunately - we'll look forward to meeting you guys if we haven't melted away! Take care, Stacy

Hey Stacy, That was exactly the e-mail I needed to receive! I didn't know how to not over tax my friend Paul who lives in Oceanside, which I now know is very far away from the airport. This is what I think we might do. He will still pick me and Ballou up and get us to you. Then I'm going to take him out to dinner. Then I would love to stay in your guest room. Only one cat!? I guess I'll make due. Then I found a shuttle company that I will have take me back to the airport very early the next day.

No need for that! We'll be more than happy to get you back to the airport. We're always up early ~ I won't take no for an answer! We can always arrange for many, many more cats!

Hey Paul and Stacy, I'm just touching base with you. I leave tomorrow for Milan and will be getting home late Wednesday night. Then on Thursday, when I'm brain dead and jet lagged, I'm going to try to call you both. I want to be sure I have your cell phone #'s in case Ballou and I start getting bumped off of flights or something. (Hmmm. Was I psychic?) While I'm away, he's going to get his travel health certificate, and Cindy's going to buy him a harness for his stressful walk in my arms through the metal detector. I'm totally dreading that! Hopefully, I'll talk to you both for a few minutes the day before THE day. Talk to you then! Beth

So on July 14th, Ballou and I were off. I went to the shelter very early. Boy is it a mess that time of day! I felt very little guilt stepping over the piles of hairballs and who knew what else without cleaning them up as I was on a mission. I approached him with the dreaded harness and put it on him before he knew what hit him. He was zipped up in his carrier and sitting beside me in my car in a matter of minutes. That wasn't so bad! We checked in at West Palm Beach International Airport with no problems at all. Then it was time to go through the metal detector. The security guy was super nice. I told him that I was going to cover Ballou's eyes, walk straight through and then put him directly back in the unzipped, waiting carrier. I also told him that my only concern was that Ballou's harness which had metal in it would set the detectors off. I opened the carrer to show him the harnass which was no longer a problem because it was doing nothing more than decorating the floor of the carrier. Ballou, A.K.A. Houdini, was probably out of that thing before I even got him out of the shelter. Anyway, the flight to Atlanta was great. Ballou cried a little during take off and then again during descent, but he was a great traveler.

In Atlanta, we went to our connecting gate for the next leg to San Diego and our luck started to run out. Ballou and I had to fly standby since I'm an airline employee. The flight had been wide open just the night before, but that was no longer the case. Besides being full, it was delayed because they were waiting for the pilots to arrive from another flight. I knew that there was one flight attendant jumpseat that was not taken, but it is not standard to fly on the jumpseat with a pet. Where would we put Ballou? In a closet? In an overhead bin? Hey, I would have considered any of those options, but it didn't seem professional to ask. So I waited until I was sure that we really weren't going to get on before I finally mustered the courage to ask one of the agents. He was very busy, and a bit stressed, but I started my question, "Excuse me. I know that there is still a jumpseat available, but I was not standing by for it because I have this cat. (The guy had that kind of glazed over look that says, "I'm busy"). I continued, "He has no tongue! He's going to a Sanctuary!" Now, I had a real human being looking back at me. He said, "I guess if the crew doesn't mind, it wouldn't be a problem." So I left everything and literally ran down the jetway to ask the crew. They too had that glazed over look that said they'd had a stressful boarding with the full flight and the delay. When I got to the part about, "And he has no tongue! He's going to a Sanctuary!" The said, "Well, go get him!" I did. He went under the last row of seats just a few feet away from me. We weren't even going to be that late...until we had to abort our landing. Yup. We were on our final approach, when we all of the sudden started to climb again very sharply. The flight attendant in the back who was working the flight was very glad to have company at that point. The captain came on a few minutes later saying that the flaps were sticking midway and wouldn't go into position. We ended up flying for another half hour or so and then landed with emergency vehicles lining the runway in case we needed them. It was all in all a spectacular entrance made by Ballou!

My friend Paul was there to help us with the final leg of our journey. It was wonderful to see him and we got to do a lot of catching up as we sat in traffic on the long drive to Valley Center. I was really worried about Ballou at that point because he hadn't had any food since the night before. He wasn't even trying to talk. He was just silent. We followed the directions given to us by Stacy. The closer we got to the sanctuary, the more we had to pay attention. There were beautiful hills with mountains in the background and hidden drives. We were desperately trying to read the numbers on posts and mailboxes when I saw the most beautiful thing hanging from a gate.

Ballou was home. We were met by Stacy, her husband Steve, and one animal after another, each one sweeter than the last and each with an amazing story. We fed Ballou right away and then put him in the guest room I was going to be using that night. He of course retreated under the bed, but when I lay on the floor talking to him, he rolled around upside down like his normal flirty self and rubbed his cheeks on anything he could reach. I began to relax too. I took Paul out to dinner and made a new Olive Garden fan out of him. I knew they were good! I turned in early that night and for someone who's not usually a good sleeper, really slept. Until 2:00 in the morning! Ballou jumped up on the bed and was purring and purring. He head butted me, got a couple of hugs, and then jumped over to the window and talked. Then he came back with more purrs and head butts. Then he went back to the other window and talked some more. He was obviously having a good time, so I went back to sleep only to get up at 5:00 and start another long but much less stressful day of flying home. When I got home I went straight to my computer and read the following:

Friday, July 14, 2006

A Boy Named Ballou

This handsome boy, Ballou, arrived late this afternoon after a long journey with his rescuer Beth. Their adventure began very early this morning in Florida ~ yes, Ballou has now traveled coast-to-coast, making friends and racking up those "frequent flyer" miles! Thanks to Beth, the folks at Delta airlines, and Beth's friend Paul, Ballou's adventure to his forever home is now complete.

Ballou looks like pretty much any other handsome black cat you would meet, that is, until you watch him eat. Due to an accident earlier in his life, part of his tongue was amputated, leaving him unable to groom himself or eat mashed up canned food (he needs the can shape so he can grab it to eat it!) His forever home in Florida turned out not to be the case, and Feline Friends has been working hard to place him during the heat of kitten season. When asked if he could live here if they could get him here, I said "Why not?" (Maybe Phoenix would consider grooming him instead of herself!)

He's pretty shy, and I'm sure trying to figure out what the last 24 hours were all about, so here's a picture of him before he left Florida, contentedly "making biscuits" with his paws. I hope that with some time, he will learn there are many friends here who can help him stay clean!

I answered:

Hi Stacy and Steve, Well, I got home last night at about 8:30. I quickly found your blog entry about Ballou. That was almost as sweet as his "Welcome Home, Ballou" sign! I slept amazingly and am about to go into the shelter for the last day before I fly again. I will be printing out your update and sharing it with everyone. So far, every time Ballou has thought something bad was about to happen, it did. It might just take a while for him to realize that pattern has been broken. What he has going for him is that he is naturally gentle and flirty, so hopefully when bad things keep not happening, he'll follow his natural urges and open up all the way. Oh yeah, when his food starts to get mushed flat, it's not ruined. If he's still working on it, you can just pile it back up with a spoon. I feel like Heloise for Ballou. If I think of any other Ballouisms, I'll pass them on right away. ;-) Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I'll be in touch when I get back from flying. Beth

I guess this would be the epilogue section:

I just wanted to let you know that Ballou is doing pretty well. It was still cool outside when we got back from the airport this morning, so I went ahead and introduced him to Scooter's group. I think Phoenix (the white hairless girl) is in love!! She's always hanging out near wherever he is. Scooter's intimidated (another boy) and everyone else welcomed him with no problem.Ballou's a little nervous about it but getting better. I fed him tonight in a carrier which went well & I was able to clean him when he was done with no trouble. He was purring until he saw the other kitties watching! In spite of the warm weather, he spent quite a bit of time outside, under the bench, taking everything in. He doesn't seem too panicked about the dogs.Anyway, I just wanted you to know that he's getting along okay! It was great meeting you too! (pictures soon!) Take care, Stacy

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that Mr. Ballou is doing great! He's worked in with the kitties that live in the house pretty well. I do think Phoenix has a serious crush on him. While you & I thought that feeding him in a carrier would work well for him, he had other ideas. Once he discovered the joys of being out in the enclosure, a carrier simply would not suffice for a meal. He would sit in the carrier and cry and cry (I tried waiting him out, but...) for up to 45 minutes at one meal. The solution became simple ~ he wants to eat outside too! So we close the kitty door, he eats outside, the others eat inside. He gets cleaned up, then I open the kitty door. He eats better this way, and doesn't even mind the dogs watching him. He also now spends the day sleeping on the bench or on the carriers outside too; he's quit hiding when he hears the goats holler or a car drives in. Pictures on the way hopefully this weekend if the power doesn't go out again! Take care, Stacy

Stacy, You're the best! I was going to write to you today, but when I turned my computer on...there was your letter. Poor Ballou! He probably thought you had him in the carrier to ship him back to Florida! The solution he figured out for himself sounds much better! It is such a relief to know that he's relaxing and getting into a routine. I'm going to be writing all of this down soon and posting it up on our site sort of like I did for Rain-Beau. I will be vague about exactly which amazing sanctuary in the San Diego area took him in if you would like. I want to be sure that we are not the cause of you receiving hundreds of requests to take in more animals. You really do deserve a lot of credit though, so let me know if you'd like to remain unnamed or named.

Today temps hit 112 degrees, & we're all melting, except the office cats, who, Ballou included, are peacefully napping with the fan blowing on them. Ballou has opted for the fish tank bed, which I made by turning the stand around so the cats could crawl in it for privacy. Thank you for sharing Ballou's story. By all means, you can mention us by name. Have a super weekend! Stacy

And...as Stacy put it, that's how Ballou found his Forever Home.

June 2, 2006 Update

It's a win, win situation!  According to one of our volunteers, Amy Fischer, helping the kitties can help you back.  Please read the wonderful article below that appeared in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Monday, May 29, 2006 edition.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Second Chances

Stories of Hope

By Brian C. Feldman

Monday, May 29, 2006

     Amy Fischer has found helping abandoned cats a way to divert her attention from debilitating treatment for a second bout of cancer.

     When she's not too sick from her medication, Fischer, 57, of Boca Raton volunteers at Feline Friends, a no-kill shelter in Deerfield Beach.  Already overpopulated with 75 felines, the shelter is bracing for the annual baby boom, so Fischer's volunteer shifts, although irregular, are appreciated.

     "Amy is fabulous," said shelter director Cindy Weber.  "She has a wonderful attitude about life and volunteering.  She is really warm and caring and one of the funniest people I have met.  With all of her problems, she still has a great attitude and never appears to be down, which I find amazing."

     Fischer was in remission from breast cancer for 18 years when she was diagnosed in 2000 with chronic myelogenous leukemia.  It is a condition in which the bone marrow makes too many white blood cells, according to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Web site.

     "I went to my family doctor after a blood test as part of my routine physical checkup, and my doctor never got past the white blood count," Fischer said.

     Fischer supported her husband Alan, 54, through treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of lymphatic cancer.

     "It's hard to say what I felt with that diagnosis, after dealing with breast cancer and Alan's illness," she said.  "I was in disbelief, and a little bit numb."

     Fischer's doctor sent her to an oncologist to discuss having a bone marrow transplant, but she decided Gleevec, a new drug in clinical trials, would be a better alternative.  At the time, Fischer was working for an ophthalmologist, but had to resign because of the drug's side effects.

     "I worked there through the first few weeks, but I got very ill," she said.  "I was weak with dizzy spells.  It was hard to concentrate and I decided to leave work.  Suddenly, I had a lot of time on my hands, and I had to start thinking of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  Although for the first several months I really couldn't do anything, I wanted to find something that would enable me to have a fuller life."

     Her sister recommended she channel her time into something she was passionate about.  She considered volunteering to help the hearing impaired, and took sign language lessons.  As part of her search, she visited the Feline Friends shelter, and things clicked.  I'm not there to pet the cats," said Fischer, who has two cats of her own.  "I medicate, feed and clean.  As a no-kill shelter, our space is limited and with adoptions slow this time of year, we have lots of cats to care for."

     Fischer said she maintains a positive attitude.  "You get out of life what you put into it.  I don't have the time for self-pity.  Volunteering there pulls me right out of my problems."

     For more information about Feline Friends, visitwww.felinefriendsfl.com or call 954-596-0848.

January 26, 2006 Rain-Beau's Story

Our special needs kitty, Rain-Beau, also had a holiday miracle which deserves a much more in depth story.  Please read Beau's Travel Diary below.  It will give you your daily, maybe even weekly dose of hope.

First, I think that I need to explain why we, a group whose mission statement says that we will provide a permanent home for homeless and abandoned cats and keep them safe and healthy within our shelter for the balance of their natural lives, were looking for another more permanent home for Rain-Beau. 
We are a very small shelter.  The key to our being able to continue to rescue is adoptions.  Many people are weary of adopting a shelter kitty anyway and then there was Rain-Beau. He was so friendly that he'd get people's attention as soon as they came in the door and the first thing they'd say was, "Oh!  That cat's sick!"  Then we'd have to try to explain that actually he was feeling pretty good.  That they were looking at the nursed back to health version of the kitty we'd taken in April.  That when we first got him you couldn't even tell what color his eyes were under all of the scars and goop, (green) and that his congestion was so pronounced in the beginning that you could hear him breathing from across the room even if a train was going by and the washer and dryer were running.  We also got a lot of, "Oh, so that's the cage for the sick kitties."  Rain-beau shared a cage with two perfectly healthy kitties, Miles and Moo-Lan.  We were starting to wonder if their chances for adoption were being hampered by the stigma of living in the "sick" cage.  So that's what led us to the following:

On November 26th, I was packed and ready to leave early the next morning for a three day trip.  I had just received word earlier that  another local, more permanent shelter had agreed to take Rain-Beau.  Since I was feeling a little unsettled about it, I turned to a resource I'd used only once before in six years.  I wrote to another volunteer, Amy, about it since I didn't want him to be gone before I got back from my trip.

 

Hey Amy,

I just posted the following on Petfinder's message board: 

Rain-beau is a male, adolescent dilute tortoiseshell.  He's the only male tortoiseshell we've ever seen at our shelter.  He was born into a family of cats that was not being spayed or neutered by their owners.  Some of them were very sick but they were not receiving any veterinary care.  His brother ended up needing his eye removed.  Rain-beau had to have a lot of scar tissue removed from his eyes but he can see just fine.  He's been at our shelter in Deerfield Beach, FL for about six months now.  Since he doesn't look completely normal and has an amazing amount of boogers, the general consensus is that he will not be adopted.  So.... we are about to offer a generous donation to another shelter that is more or less a permanent home.  They are very interested.  I should be thrilled that the story has such a happy ending.  Instead, I'm sad that we are giving up on his chance for a normal, real home.  He's SO friendly!  He is such a cuddler and gives so much love.  I think he'd actually make an amazing addition to any home.  I just want to be able to sleep peacefully knowing that I threw out the fact of his existence to as wide of a community as I could before we completely gave up on him.  If anyone has any ideas about an actual home with real people who could love him, then please let me know.  Thanks! 

I just want to make sure we've exhausted all avenues for the sake of my own soul.  The Petfinder message board was where I found a home for Tex, the cat at Acacia that was Leukemia and Aids positive.  You never know.  I'll check for responses when I get home from my trip on Tuesday night.  Try to stall Rain-Beau's leaving until at least Wednesday.  Thanks!

Beth

Of course I couldn't wait to check for a response until I got home from my trip, so I checked it before I left for the airport the next morning.  


I saw your post and I'm willing, more than willing to give him a home with me. I currently have 2 males with eye problems. One is blind in one eye and the other has limited vison due to injury to one eye. I also have other normal cats. I adopted both cats with eye problems because I knew they needed a loving home too. Only glitch is I need him transported up here to me in Kenosha, WI. I'm willing to pay for transport if you can set something up. Please let me know. Thanks and God Bless. Karen

That's when I danced around the house screaming!  I tried to keep in mind that I still didn't know if Karen was an axe murderer and she still didn't know the scope of Rain-Beau's boogers!  I responded to both Amy and Karen.

Hi Amy,

I  checked my e-mail this morning and already have a reply!  Theoretically I guess I could fly him there since I'm a flight attendant.  Maybe while I'm away you could contact Karen and find out a little more about her via e-mail...like how many cats she has total...would he get to stay indoors, etc...

In the meantime I'm going to write back to her and let her know that I received her response and will be away traveling till Wednesday and that someone else might contact her.  Thanks!

Beth

Hi Karen,

I never thought I would get a response so quickly!  The good news about transport is that I'm a flight attendant so I'm sure I could manage a day of flying to get him to you.  Unfortunately I leave today, Sunday for a three day trip and won't be able to work on anything till I get back.  Another volunteer, Amy, might write to you while I'm away to get some more info.  I look forward to talking to you when I get back from my trip!  Thank you so much!

Beth

Hi Karen.  My name is Amy and I'm also a volunteer at Feline Friends.  Beth forwarded all your corrsespondence before she left for her trip.  I was curious as to how many cats you have in all and are they indoor, outdoor or both.  Do the kitties with eye problems hang with the others?  Are there children in the house.How do you feel about claws??  Please e-mail me and I will be in touch with Beth between her flights.  Thanks.  Amy

Hi Amy,

I have 6 cats.  They are all indoor cats, it's way too dangerous for cats to be outside now days.  I have a 100 year old 2 story house with lots of windows for sunbathing.  My daughter  is 16 and 2 of the cats are hers.  The ones with eye problems do interact with the others.  Most of them end up on my bed at some point during the night.  No need for an eletric blanket :)  I do not declaw my cats, I find that to be cruel and unnecessary.  I have several scratching posts around the house and they all use them.  One of my cats came to me already declawed, he's the only one. I have multiple litter boxes set up and also multiple food stations.  I'm a widow and home most of the time.  Favorite thing to do is have a nice fire, lay on the couch with the cats and watch movies, read or talk on the phone.  My cats are a big part of my life.  We are involved in a lawsuit for my husbands death and when that is done I plan on setting up something to have my animals taken care of when I can no longer do so due to illness or death.  I never want them in a shelter again.  Talk to you soon. Karen

(Well, that e-mail was when we all allowed ourselves to officially get chills!)

I think "I" want to live in your house- Ha!Ha!"!  I will leave a message for Beth to call me when she can and I will relay your wonderful reply.  Thanks.

I've got a sleeper sofa for guests :)  Karen

Hey Karen,

I'm home and so excited for Rain-beau.  So is Amy.  Tomorrow I will share everything with our director, Cindy.  I'm sure she will be as excited as we are.  Then we just have to pick a good travel day that works for all of us.  What is the closest major city to you that Delta flies to?

Hi Beth,   I'm soooo excited too :)  Can't wait!!  The closest city would be Milwaukee.  Please let Cindy know that I plan on keeping in touch with you to let you know how Rain-Beau is doing and any updates.  I'll even send pictures of him with my guys.  I've told my guys they're getting a new brother and of course you know how cats are LOL.  Just think, he'll be coming home for Christmas.  What a great gift for us both.  I'm getting my fireplace cleaned today and will be buying a few more cat snuggy beds for them and we'll be ready for the winter!  I also have 2 great vets that I use.  One is traditional and one is holistic.  Only the best for my guys:)  Karen

Hi Karen,
Cindy is in complete agreement that you would be the best home for any of our kitties and a dream come true for Rain-Beau.  I have made a reservation for Monday the 12th.  It doesn't look all that hard.  I just
have to bring a good book and hope that Rain-beau is VERY quiet and doesn't embarrass me amongst my colleagues.  Cindy says she has a soft sided carrier that can use and you can keep.  I'd hate to have to try to switch him into a different carrier in the ladies room or something.  I will buy him a harness so that I can safely take him out of the carrier for security.  I think the holistic vet sounds like a very good idea for Rain-beau.  Maybe you can lessen the amount of boogers he blows.  My boyfriend, Miles, a beautiful black adolescent who's about Rain-beau's age and has shared a cage with him for a long time, eats each and every one of Rain-beau's boogers before we can get back to them with a wet paper towel.  We will break the news to him gently
that his supply is about to dry up.

Beth-  If my daughter goes somewhere on spring break this spring, I think I'll give myself a spring break and pop down there for a few days and volunteer to help out.  It would be a welcome change of pace.   Karen

 

Hey Karen,  Yesterday one of our new vets went by the shelter and made a travel health certificate for Rain-beau. Tomorrow we're going to start practicing putting his travel harness on him.  I don't think that's going to be much fun!  We have a tranquilizer for him that I'm going to try not to use but I'll have it with me just in case.  I'm going to try to call you on Saturday.  I hope you are still excited.  We all are!  Talk to you soon!

Beth

Hi Beth-

I can't wait.  I'll be home Sat. morning and then Sat. night after 6 pm., I have to be in Milwaukee with my daughter for her modeling class.  I hope all goes well. :)  Karen

Hi Karen,

Rain-beau is very excited about having a model for a sister!  He's a huge flirt!  I wish you guys luck.  I will just call you on Sunday then before I go to the shelter.  I usually head that way at about 12:30 or 1:00 EST. 

Beth

Well, Monday the 12th was Travel Day!  I got up at 3:30 AM.  For anyone who knows me, this was a complete miracle!  I read vampire books, and hate mornings!  I shocked all of the cats at the shelter by walking in on them in the middle of their nightly, private party.  Rain-Beau was already dressed in his new harness. I attached his leash and tricked him into his carrier with catnip.  He talked to me loudly all the way to the airport.  We're going to Mil-where?!  It's HOW cold?!  I had a quarter of a valium in my pocket just in case he planned to keep up his dialogue on the plane.  Luckily, once we were on board, he was a purrfect traveling companion.  Neither of us needed the valium!  That day, he literally was on planes, trains, and automobiles.  It took us two flights to get there.  Karen and I walked right past each other when I exited security in Milwaukee.  Then I called her on her cell phone and we looped back.  It was almost like a drug deal!  I only had about five minutes to hand over the goods before I had to get back to the same plane I'd just gotten off of.  So, she really didn't get to meet him until she got him home.  I spent the next few hours traveling back home, silently chanting, "Please love him!  Please love him!"  Of course, I walked straight to my computer when I got home.  I read:

Hi Beth!

We got home fine.  He didn't make a peep.  He's upstairs in the bathroom where I keep one of the litter boxes and food/water for the cats.  A few of my guys are checking him out.  All is quiet and he let me pet him and he comes to the edge of the carrier when I call.  What a handsome boy.  Thanks again.  Karen

Oh what good news!  I just got settled in back home myself.  It's 5:00.  It was probably one of the best ways I've ever spent a day.  I'd do it again a 100 times to hook you guys up with each other.  I keep forgetting to tell you little facts about him.  He is very oral.  He's a nibbler.  He loves to nibble on anything hard and shiny while you hold him...like your buttons, watch, earrings, etc...Sometimes he even gently nibbles on your chin!  He also would sometimes try to nurse off of his two cage mates.  Luckily they were nice and didn't mind. If I would lie down in his walk in cage with him, he'd either go to sleep on my chest or groom my entire scalp!  His favorite toy in the world is a feather toy.  He'll show you how well his eyes still work when you get him going with that.  That's all I can think of for now.  You'll probably be telling me little known facts about him soon. ;-)  Have a great first night!

Beth

Hi Beth,

It's me Rain Beau, isn't this neat my new mom let's me use the computer.  Wait a minute---Hi Beth-Karen here, Beau likes to sit on my lap while I'm on the computer and taps on the keys.  Anyway, he's doing great.  He's started to eat today and has been all over the house.  His favorite place is napping on a spare pillow in my storage closet (the door doesn't shut all the way).  We took a nap this afternoon on the couch with a nice fire and he slept on my shoulder curled up against my neck and purred me to sleep.  I bought him a feather toy today and he loves it.  He follows me around the house and calls for me if he doesn't see me or wants to know where I am.  What a delightful little furball.  Thanks for adding joy to my life. Karen

Oh Karen!

You are the best mom in the world!  I forwarded your e-mail to Amy and told her to print it out and hang it up at the shelter.  I leave for a 3 day trip to Amsterdam tomorrow.  (That's even exotic to me!)  I will be going with my heart at peace.  Thank you for loving him!  We always thought he was pretty special but didn't think that anyone else would ever see it.  Thank you!!!

Beth

He likes to lay on my lap when I'm the computer and on my shoulder when I lay on the couch.  He is such a cuddle bug and soooo sweet.  We love him.  My daughter said he is beautiful also.  Who could look at his face and not fall in love with him? 

Hi Beth! 

Got your phone message, we were actually in FL on vacation for Christmas.  I wish you could see Beau right now, he's playing on the loveseat with my 2 chihuahuas and my persian mix.  They are taking turns batting at each others tails.  He has adapted perfectly here.  He seems more and more at ease with everyone and loves to play with the chis all the time.  He gets right in the thick of things with them and whatever toy they've decided to play with.  Happy New Year to everyone at the shelter from Beau!!

Hi Beth-
Well Beau loves to sleep on top of my head at night
and I wake up with a new meaning for bed head!!!  His
nasal problem seems to be getting a little better.
Maybe being out of the shelter environment is helping.
We love him sooooo much.  Thanks also for the
carrier.  When I come down in April I'll bring it back
with me.  Karen

Hey Karen,
Thank you so much for staying in touch.  Everyone is really enjoying reading
your notes.  As a matter of fact I'm going to try to put the whole story of
Rain-Beau up on the news section of our website. The one thing that

 I never thought to ask you is how you came to be reading that folder

 of the message board that night?  You must have read it almost as

 soon as I posted it because all I did was sleep and wake up to find

 your response.  Just curious.  You can keep the carrier if
you want, but if you are able to bring it, it might serve another kitty
someday.  Thanks!
Beth

Beth-
I think Beau would love to be in the newsletter and so
would we. I have to tell you that my daughter
adores him.  She'll lay on the couch nose to nose with
him and talk to him and he reaches out and pats her
arm or face with a paw.  She said she understands him
and felt connected to him as soon as she saw him.  I
have a feeling that after freshmen year in college
(2008) that she'll be taking him with her when she
gets an apartment.  Then he can tell everyone about
college life.  Maybe he should write a book and we
could all be famous like KoKo and YumYum or Midnight
Louie.  I was up that night because I couldn't sleep
(common widow problem) and I surf that sight alot to
see if there are animals I might be able to help or
directions I can point people in to get help.  Take
care.  Hope you get some rest after this last trip.
Karen

In the middle of January when I showed them what has morphed into Beau's Travel Diary, I got back the following:

Hi Beth,
It's me Rain-Beau aka Beau for short.  My meowmy left
the computer on and I found your email.  I'm going to
be famous!!  Tell all my friends at the shelter I
think of them often.  My new home is very neat.  I
have 2 new little chihuahua brothers Josh and Bently
that I love to play with.  They help me keep my face
clean and my new favorite place to sleep during the
day is in their little canvas night crate in my
meowmy's bedroom.  It has lots of soft blankets and
these cool little pillows made just for them.  I'm
telling you this place is the Hilton of the cat world.
 Wait, I think someone is coming downstairs... got to
go.....

Hello Beth,
I see my celebrity cat was on the computer again LOL!
:)  He is a joy to us.  My daugther refers to him as
one of her boys.  She has decided that he is her cat now.
At night when Beau isn't sleeping on my head he sleeps
in front of her bedroom door.  He also loves to lay in
the recliner with me and the chis for an afternoon nap.  I
brought back these really neat catnip balls from
Disney World and they all love them.  The chis like to
bat them around too.  Who needs cable, I've got my own
entertainment and I get kisses from everyone besides.
This is great.  Love to everyone, Karen, Beau and all
the crew at the cat Hilton

And that's how Rain-Beau got to live happily ever after.