SDKittens Blog

Live Longer

Terie — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:13:17 +0000

The secret to a long life, from Frank Cuckles, 108, the last surviving veteran of World War 1: “When you start to die, Don’t.”

6 HIDDEN WAYS TO HELP YOUR HEART

Heart disease is the #1 killer in America. The good news is a healthy heart is within everyone’s reach. The basic rules everyone knows: Eat less fat and more fruits and vegetables and keep blood pressure & cholesterol low. However here are some other ways to boost your heart health:

1. Don’t Skip Breakfast
Most heart attacks occur between 7am and noon – possibly because the cells that help blood clot (platelets) are stickiest then. Eating breakfast appears to make platelets less sticky and less likely to clump together and block a vital artery.
2. Lighten Up
People who overreact to stressful situations are more likely to have heart trouble.
3. Meet the “A’s”
Antioxidants – vitamins A, C, and E – appear to slow plaque formation in the arteries.
4. Kick Tobacco If You Are Using It
Smoking affects more than your lungs. Fact is, within a few years of quitting, you’ll cut your risk of heart attack by at least half.
5. Get Off The Couch
Sedentary living – even more than high cholesterol – is one of the greatest risk factors in heart attacks. Tip: Just 20-30 mins of moderate exercise like taking stairs, or some brisk walking will deliver what you need. Get up, get going a little and live longer!

6. Stop Making it all about You
Take your mind off yourself, your life and your troubles. Be thankful for what you have, and give to someone who isn’t as blessed. A great way to do this is to adopt a rescue animal – maybe even one that’s not very adoptable, and support a rescue (like us!). We have animals with defects or deformities with loving personalities and good hearts that would love a home where they are accepted for who and what they are. Providing this type of home and love will make your heart (and soul) sing! Now what could be healthier than that!!

No Stress

Terie — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:48:03 +0000

I was stressing – wrapping paper everywhere, can’t find my list – so definitely can’t check it twice, kittens walking off with my ribbon – ten days before Christmas – yikes!!
Then, I look over at my boy Subway – chillin’. Just watching me spin out of control. As far as Subway is concerned there’s food in his dish, room by the space heater and a soft quilt to nap on – life is good – No stress!!

The Story of Mike & Ike

Terie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:28:09 +0000

The Story of Mike & Ike

Mike (aka Mikey) is an 8 week-old abused and neglected German shepherd pup confiscated by animal control in Fontana, CA when it was discovered that someone was selling underage and malnourished pups through the local want ads. Many of the other puppies didn’t survive more than a few days with their new owners.

A lone survivor, Mike was severely anemic and dehydrated. He was hospitalized for several days before he began to show even the slightest interest in any type of food. When he finally did start eating it was only hamburgers, then eventually he moved on to cheese and some dog treats. Over the past few days he’s regained some weight and has been able to eat enough that his IV catheters could be removed but, he’s still rather finicky and he’s fighting a severe upper respiratory infection.

Frightened and ill, Mike wouldn’t stop crying in the hospital until a member of the staff placed a kitten in his kennel with him; a technique often used to comfort ill or lonely horses by placing other livestock such as a goat with them. Since the kitten belonged to the hospital staff he couldn’t accompany Mike when he was transferred to SCGSR. Enter Ike, a rescued kitten on loan from SDKittens, to help Mike through his recovery while in foster care. Even after all he’s been through Mike is a very sweet and loving puppy, inseparable from his new pal Ike. We’ll keep you posted on their progress.

SDKittens

Giving

Terie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:09:44 +0000

I know you don’t need to be sold on the value of rescuing animals in need. You already get it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t keep visiting the website, spreading the word about animals that need homes, buying SDKittens t-shirts and bags, and events wouldn’t get sold out.
What you may not be aware of, though, is how important your gifts are in providing abused and neglected rescues with the medical care and attention they need to get healthy enough to go to forever homes. That’s where fundraising is super important – providing budgetary support for critical feline needs and closing the gap between adoption donations and the full cost of animal medical care and treatment.
We want you to give not only because your heart is led to do so, but also because your mind has confidence in your investment.
We talked to some of our previous donors about why they give, and here is what they had to say:
“Treatment of rescued animals only lasts a short while; but getting them into a permanent home and creating a family is something that lasts forever – I would give to that as often as I could; be it the change in my pocket or a multi-figure check.”
“Our gift ensures that when an injured feline needs emergency medical treatment, SDKittens can say YES to paying for that treatment, even though it may not have been budgeted.”
“This is one of the very few charities where 100% of donations go to the health and care of the cats/kittens. So I know my money is going exactly where I want it to go.”
“I know that between POTENTIAL and SUCCESS lies my gift to SDKittens.”
To help us achieve SUCCESS, please go to our website (sdkittens.org) and donate.
Thank you in advance for your gracious gift.
SDKITTENS

Don’t Hold Back

Terie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:51:20 +0000

Today I am reminded that life is short, time is precious, and the details will take care of themselves – I must always follow my heart immediately with rescue.
It is so easy to get caught up in putting things off until tomorrow, or until I think I’ll have more time – even more so – more money. I was asked to take an older, not particularly attractive, male cat with just an ok personality. He had been in the shelter for a while and there wasn’t a good chance of him being adopted. He’s an ok cat – but he would never be anyone’s first choice – I wasn’t sure I could get him adopted, and I knew he would be in my cattery for a while at the very least. My cattery is already full of misfits with attitude and health issues, but at least it’s peaceful. I wasn’t sure I could get everyone all riled up by adding this new boy. And then there’s the lack of funds. Kitten season is going to gear up and get hot and heavy in just a few short months and I’ll be facing vet bills and I am already out of just about every single supply I need, including food, litter, vaccinations, etc. I just needed to think about it. So, I thought – what would I do? How would I manage?
It’s not like I dwelled…I called the shelter the next afternoon…the cat had already been euthanized.
My heart sank as a flood of regret came over me. I couldn’t believe I had waited until it was too late. That cat was waiting for me to rescue him and now I can’t even say, “I’m sorry.” i can’t describe how awful I feel. I’m not delusional, I know I can’t save them all – but this one stings! deep!
We have no money and a goal of rescuing over 100 kittens in 2010. If there are zero health issues and zero emergencies we will need to raise $12,500, and that does NOT include cat litter, cat food, cleaning supplies, crates, litter boxes, towels, bottles, formula, etc.
It seems daunting – It seems IMPOSSIBLE – but everyone better gear the heck up because I am NOT SAYING NO!!!! I am rescuing recklessly, and I am counting on you all to be there.
100+ in 2010
LET’S DO THIS!!!

SDKittens

PS. Life is short – Do not put off what you should do RIGHT NOW! Say you’re sorry. Call your Mom. Hug your Child. Live your life with no regrets. Commit to rescuing – donate TODAY – and don’t look back!!!

Whew!

Terie — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:45:29 +0000

With the HUGE plumbing project over and the repair work almost completed things are settling back to normal. Thank goodness. The cats and I were working each others’ last nerves! They hated to be cooped up, and I just wanted to hide in my bedroom and cry as “strangers” ripped at the walls of my house (like shredding my very soul).
Carter (white persian) probably got the worst of it – with all that fur, he was like one big dust mop – a feline romba – picking up every little piece of plaster and sawdust there was. He was practically gray.
But today he went to the groomer, and now he’s so pretty and smells so nice. All the cats seem more relaxed – I think they all knew Carter being groomed would signal the end of the craziness.
And it did!
SDKittens

Hiding

Terie — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:40:43 +0000

Cats are experts at hide and seek. They are better at hide than I am at seek – and they know it. Sweet Norman was nowhere to be found. He’s not a little guy, and he’s not particularly agile, so I had no idea where he might be when I couldn’t find him and desperately needed to because they plumbers are still working at the house and the cats need to be contained. I checked all the usual fave spots: behind the sofa, under my towel after pulling it off the towel rack, in the dirty clothes, under the bed..no Norman — and none of the other cats were giving him up (I had to admire the solidarity). Finally I found him – in the shower!!! Did he know the plumbers were on their way, or was he enjoying making me feel stupid by hiding in plain sight. We may never know. Touche’ my Norman!
SDKittens

Remember: Every day deserves a chance

Terie — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Joy

Terie — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:52:13 +0000

I truly do not believe there is anything that shows pure joy and exuberance the way a kitten does. When they are playing, there is no denying that the joy is visible. Running so fast across the wood floor that the back end goes faster than the front end and all of a sudden the motion is full tumble – stopping only long enough to regain balance before going again! When eating, it is with such gusto – joy that’s lip smacking good! And kittens nap hard. All systems shut down, they are OUT cold.
I wonder how much different my life would be if I lived it like the kittens do: playing, eating, napping, loving with total abandon. I am going to pick a day and try it – no, not try, I am going to give it my all – each activity 100% – all out!
They are only five weeks old, and teaching me so much!
SDKittens

Rockin’ their world

Terie — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:15:43 +0000

Here’s the thing about owning a historical (almost 100 year old) home – there’s a bunch of crap that needs to be fixed!! all the time!! (I need a reality show)

This season’s big project – PLUMBING. I’m not talking “fix this one leak” – I’m talking “repipe this mutha!!” What’s a gal with 5 of her own cats and 15 rescue cats to do when workers are everywhere laying plastic (it’s a TOY!) and busting holes in walls (holes that cats can fit into!) all over the house. Clearly, none of these fine gentlemen own cats! and clearly, my cats can out think these guys. This is not good. My money is on Snuggit to be the overall victor!

There was only one choice. For the safety of all, all must be locked up. My 5 are in my husband’s home office. He is thrilled beyond compare. There is already litter everywhere and someone has gnawed through his speaker wires. The cats have access to this room all the time. They are trying to send a message! Three are in the room where I keep holiday decorations. I can’t even describe what’s going on in that room other than to say all holidays are now happening at once! The remaining 12 are in kennels and it is not a good scene. There is much unhappiness all around. There is yowling. And there are some very disturbing death stares that I’m not sure are meant for me or the workers, but all of us are concerned. I can not stress strongly enough to the workers that this project needs to zip right along – no dilly-dallying – these cats need to be free asap! The supervisor estimated 10 days and I laughed out loud (a sure sign of insanity). This house won’t even be standing in 10 days if 20 cats have to remain cooped up.

The saga continues…