Adopt Don't Shop ~ And Have You Considered Fostering?

One thing I have learned with my Foster Fail (Kia the cat) is that having three rescue animals in the house again takes time and training. Thus falling far behind on my blog posts.

I spy a cat.

And then there is this monkey... 

Her favorite spot. Away from the dogs.

Two shelter cats that have stood out in the last two weeks:

This 4 year old orange/red tabby is a hoot!  He's incredibly outgoing, curious and confident. He's a bundle of love and energy.  

He is a funny guy - as in he had us laughing with his antics.  He climbed on the "obstacle course/trapeze" all the way to the ceiling!

He's a thinker. We could see him problem-solving his way to the top of the tower. He's obviously active and an adventure-seeker.

He did it!!  The only cat we have observed making it this far!

Once he had accomplished his goal he was ready for treats and some relaxation ~ and purring.  

He is truly a gentle giant and just a GREAT cat!  He's available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter, 15750 East 32nd Avenue in Aurora, Colorado 303-326-8280 - ask for A173954. He's a keeper for sure!

Up next is this great guy - a gorgeous, healthy 5 year old grey/brown tabby. He is another curious boy, playful and oh so adorable! 

He has an spirit of adventure, too, and enjoyed climbing the trapeze.

But the best part?  He's a cuddle bug, too! He loved being held and purred loudly. He was so relaxed after exploring and climbing he just curled up and listened to us chatter on.  

I mean, come on ~ look at that face!  He's just waiting for you at the Aurora Animal Shelter, 15750 East 32nd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 303-326-8280.  Ask for A173786.  You won't be sorry!

If you can't adopt right now or aren't quite sure, consider fostering. Fostering an animal gives them a break from the animal shelter and may even save their life. And wow - do they relax once they are in a real home! I can tell you from my fostering experience (which lasted about 5 minutes before we adopted Kia) it is a wonderful way to really get to know an animal.  

While fostering your foster animal is still available for adoption and you can provide valuable information about the pet ~ which in turn makes it rise to the top as far as adoptability!  You have first-hand knowledge of what this animal is really like and that is gold!

Hear That? That's Me. Helicopter Mom.

Since Kizzie came into my life my husband has called me Helicopter Mom. 

I tend to worry about every little thing. Like she'll slip out of her collar (this has happened). Or she will slip out of her harness (this has happened).  

Or she will fall in the water.

(This has happened.)

Helicopter Mom was taken to a whole new level when highly energetic, always active, always on the go Koko came into my life. I turned into the Queen of Helicopter Moms - the ruler of Helicopter Mom-dom.

I worry that he will fall in the water. Oh wait. He just jumps in.

I worry that he will run away. He does love to run, that boy. 

(He's on leash here.)

But he has run off leash twice. And those incidences scarred me for life. 

I am scared to death that he will escape - it's the adventuresome terrier in him.

I have a hard time trusting anyone else with them because I'm super vigilant. My husband has just kind of turned the leashes over to me and thank goodness ~ after 6 trips in a year ~ I completely and utterly trust our beloved dog sitter. You have no idea what a huge step that is for me.

So when I expressed to Yukari the other day (who knows all about my Helicopter Mom problem) that I worry about the shelter animals when they're adopted out ~~ are they going to safe homes? Are they going to get the care and the love they deserve? She smiled and replied, "Not only are you a Helicopter Mom to Koko and Kizzie but you are a Helicopter Mom to shelter animals, too!"

I'm hopeless.

I have found some really fun ways to help shelter animals. A number of businesses will donate to shelters ~ usually food/meals or sometimes monetary donations.  Here are a few I've found and enjoy:

These awesome rings came from The Animal Rescue Site  

Every purchase funds food and care for rescued animals. Y

This ring is here

This one is really fun because the paw portion of the ring spins!  

It's not only bling, but entertainment as well!

Unfortunately I don't remember where I got this bracelet but 

I know that the site also supports shelters.

It says, "The Road of Life is Sweeter When Traveled With a Dog" 

I got this fun tee from I Heart Dogs

(But, of course I care about cats, too!)

Every purchase feeds shelter dogs.

I have bought sweatshirts for me and things for my dogs from

 In the Company of Dogs

Chateau Le Paws supports No Kill Shelters across the country ~ 

enjoy wine for a good cause!

My little business cmh design LLC donates a portion of every sale 

to The Aurora Animal Shelter,

Best Friends Sanctuary, The Dumb Friends League and

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital 

(but that's another story for another day.)

And because I like to support local artists and I love his work

I commissioned Sean Brown to make these custom pieces that 

can either be worn as pins or with adapters as necklaces.

This is Kizzie

This is Koko

Of course I love cats, too ~ an eyeglass case I bought in 

Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.  It reminded me so much of

my beloved A-choo I had to buy it.

I won't even start on all my Hello Kitty things...

So yeah, I'm the Queen of Helicopter Moms. The rest of you can relax. I've got this.

Oooo! Ahhhh! But Keep Your Furry Friends Safe!

The 4th of July weekend is upon us!  Yay for family time, a day off work, barbecues with friends, trips to the mountains ~ whatever you and your family enjoy doing. Often our pets (especially our dogs) are part of the family time as well.

Along with some rather loud booms and bangs that go along with the 4th... firecrackers and fireworks are a tradition.

Not everyone enjoys them, though. They can really freak dogs and cats out and set them into panic mode very quickly. To them all they want to do is get away from the noise. If not closely monitored, many run away trying to escape the noise.

Which explains why July 5 is the busiest day at animal shelters ~ people turning in stray animals they find wandering the streets ~ lost and frightened. But actually they may be the "lucky" ones. Others won't make it to shelters and may even lose their lives to accidents or attacks.

I would be devastated if my little guys ran away.

Which is why our 3rd and 4th of July will be spent at home (after some vigorous morning hikes) with just my husband and my little monkeys. We'll make yummy food and play fetch and may even bring out the tunnel. 

We'll play loud music and watch action movies (and don Thundershirts and eat calming treats, too...)

My friend, Yukari, has some excellent suggestions for keeping your pets safe on the 4th. Take a peek at her blog post and keep your pets safe and happy on this fun ~ but noisy ~ holiday!