Updates All Around

I don't have enough of any one subject to make a full blog entry so I thought I'd take today to piecemeal updates on different projects.

1. The Battle of "You Know."  As mentioned in a prior post, I am trying to break myself of saying "You know" and "okay" in everyday speech.  Progress is being made in that I'm catching myself saying it (4 times last night at Wendy's in about a 20-minute time frame--sheesh!) but I haven't yet stopped  saying it.  That will come.  I'm also expanding the "no-no" list to include "actually."  I start way too many sentences that way.  "Actually, I think you're right."  "Actually, I think we turn left here."  There is just no need.
2. Big Cat Book Project.  Completed and turned in.  I'm very happy with the final product and they seem to be too.  The release date for the book is April 2006.  For a person with little to no patience, I chose a really poor field to enter.
3. Lessons In Stalking.  My first ad for the book came out in the November issue of Cats & Kittens.  The editor there was good to me and not only placed an ad, but gave me a book review and put a picture of my book in the Table of Contents for people to flip to the review.  I'll just sit back now and wait for the orders to start pouring in. =)
4. Decorating Diaries.  We meet with the bathroom woman this week.  I don't think that's her official title (at least, I hope not) but lucky her, that's how we refer to her since we'll be selecting the cabinets and tile with her.
5. Cats.  They're lucky their cute.  I spend 10 minutes every morning going around the bottom half of our home, opening windows to let in fresh air.  We have the old fashioned windows that swing out vs. up, so to open a window means pushing up the storm window, shoving the window open, locking it, then pulling the screen down.  Not to mention bracing most windows with a post so they don't accidentally slam shut on a kitty tail.  My point being, a fair amount of work is involved.  So what do the cats do?  Hunker down in the air-conditioned upstairs for five-hour siestas.
6. Public Speaking.  I'm signed up to do an October workshop for the WGOT and the library on Public Speaking Tips for Writers.  However, looks like my Saturday magazine writing class is not going to make.  The college instructor said the gas prices were really hurting attendance at non-mandatory classes--people just can't afford to drive out to them. It's schedule again for November so I remain hopeful I'll still get the class--and some magazine writers--going.

And finally, Dena's tip for the day.  Throw out your scale.  We got rid of ours about 2 months ago because it was never right and would show a six pound weight gain or loss from day to day--talk about mood swings! But I feel great without it.  Now I actually go by how I look and how my clothes fit vs. a number on the scale.  Yeah, yeah, the experts have been saying that for years but who listens to them?  Trust me--much happier life with no scale.

Donations to Help Pets Made Homeless by Katrina

This is a list compiled by my friends at the Cat Writers Association and I think specifically by writer and radio personality Steve Dale.  If you wish to donate, here are some verified and legitimate options:

American Kennel Club Canine Support and Relief Fund
( http://www.akc.org/news/hurricane_katrina.cfm ) or mail a donation to AKC Companion Animal Recovery Canine Support and Relief Fund, c/o American Kennel Club, 5580 Centerview Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27606. You may also call 800-252-7894.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (2005 Disaster Relief Fund) ( http://www.aspca.org/disaster ) , or call 212-876-7700, ext. 4516.

American Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams ( http://www.avmf.org/ ) , or call (847) 925-8070. AVMF supports state and Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT) training and equipment for deployment in times of disaster. Make donation to AVMF AVMA Medical Assistance Team, 1931 N. Meacham Rd., Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Cat Fanciers' Association (Disaster Relief Fund and the newly formed CFA
Gulf Shore Fund) ( http://www.cfainc.org/ ) , 732-528-7391. The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., P.O. Box 1005, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0805.

Code 3 Associates (Code 3 Associates, Inc. is dedicated to both professional disaster response for animal rescue operations and to training individuals working in animal related law enforcement throughout the country. Also works with EARS Emergency Animal Rescue Service - from the United Nations) ( http://www.code3associates.org/ ) , 303-772-7724; Code 3 Associates, P.O. Box 1128 Erie, CO 80516.

Humane Society of the United States ( http://www.hsus.org/ ) , or call 800-HUMANE-1. Or send check to, HSUS Disaster Relief Fund, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association ( http://www.lvma.org/ ) , or call 800- 524-2996.
Make donations to the Dr. Walter J. Ernst Jr. Memorial Foundation, 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, Make note on your check that the contribution is for Hurricane Katrina Relief.

Noah’s Wish (an animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to rescuing following disasters). ( http://www.noahswish.org/ ) , or call 530-622-9313, or send a donation to Noahs Wish, P.O. Box 997 Placerville, CA 95667

North Shore Animal League ( http://www.nsalamerica.org/ ) , or call 877-4SAVEPET.

Perhaps the organization most in need will be the Louisiana SPCA. It’s likely their building has been destroyed, though this is unconfirmed. Their website has not been updated; their New Orleans address and phone no longer exist. It’s unclear how to help them today. But at some juncture, there will be directives available through their website: ( http://www.la-spca.org/ ) . Other affected city shelters will require help as well. A Mobile, AL shelter site is at ( http://www.mobilespca.org/ )

Animals Left Behind

My heart is breaking. I know the human devastation from Katrina is overwhelming, but my heart feels like it is ripped out of my chest every time I hear the stories about the animals suffering.

On Oprah today they were doing live coverage of the hurricane.  I lost all control when Nate spoke to a 24-year-old man who'd been with his dog for 14 years and was being told he'd have to leave the dog behind to get on the helicopter to safety. Actually, the man never said a word.  It was an older man next to him who explained to Nate that the man and the dog had rescued him from his house.

What most struck me was the young man's pose. He had pressed his forehead to the animal's forehead and they clung to each other--emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I burst into tears and even momentarily changed the channel thinking, "I can't watch, I can't watch." I made myself turn back thinking, "I must watch. I must watch." 

Neither man was going to get on the helicopter without the dog.  And yet, that meant they would most likely starve, the dog along with them. No options.

Nate stepped in on this one and saved the dog, reuniting him a day later with the two men.  But that's just one.   I can't bear to think about all the other animals, scared and starving and separated from their owners, and their owners just as frantic for their welfare in return.

I believe we all must act on our passions. My heart goes out to the people, but it overflows for those with animals, trying to feed them, to save them. I will be focusing my energy and money on getting needed food, supplies and transport to animals. The human toll is immense, but I know if I were separated from my cats, I'd give everything I owned if I knew someone was taking care of them and feeding them and being kind.

I'm going to be posting some places where donations may be made.  I understand people perhaps first wanting to focus on human lives.  But so many of us out there have had pets and animals who have touched our lives, asking little in return.  If you're one of them, I hope you'll consider making a donation to help all the volunteers who are working night and day to help all the abandoned, lost, and scared animals in need.

Cat Talk: How to Keep Your Owner Happy

Notes From A Cat: How to Keep Your Owner Happy

Copyright 2005, Dena Harris

1. Resist the urge to show them your backside every time they enter a room
2. Remind yourself the suitcase is not for peeing in
3. Hop in their laps while they're watching TV and start purring. Humans need to be reminded real life is more interesting than sit-coms
4. Do not jump from behind closed doors to attack the dog (or at least limit yourself to no more than twice a day)
5. Twine yourself between your owner's legs no matter what they're doing.  Bonus points apply if they're carrying something heavy
6. Allow them to think it's their idea that all the comfy chairs in the house are reserved for you
7. Rub your head on all available surfaces to mark what's yours.  Owners will appreciate this clear delineation of who owns what.
8. Every once in a while, allow them to pet your belly.  It feeds their soul.
9. Sleep with them at night. They feel safer knowing you're nearby.
10. Insist on being groomed at least twice daily. It's good for your owners blood pressure and overall health.