Susan's blog - March '09 entries
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Digging and ducking
March 17, 2009 : 9:20 AM
It's been a busy couple of weeks getting ready for our expansion into
the Tokyo area, as well as the remodeling of our main shelter in
Kansai. We had a workday this past Sunday to level the ground for the
new concrete slab. It's hard for me to believe that David tore down
most of the enclosure all by himself, disassembled the stone wall in
front, and removed all of the hedges. Still there was lots to be done
on Sunday, as the old enclosure was built around a traditional Japanese
garden, which had sloping ground. We needed to remove an amazing amount
of dirt, in order to flatten it, and the volunteers worked hard all day
to chip away at the stony, sandy, ground. They hand shoveled all of the
excess dirt into wheel barrows and wheeled it to a farmer's field
around the block. The procession of wheel barrows must have been quite
a site for the neighbors, who may have thought we didn't have any more
surprising behavior left in us! So, it's all flat now, and only a bit
more work to be done removing a couple of trees (the builder told us
today that they really should go). The concrete slab for the new
enclosure will probably be laid this Monday, which is such a dream come
true. The cats have adapted to the change much better than we hoped,
though the cool weather probably has them enjoying the inside just
fine. We moved those that were more friendly into the kitten enclosure
(now kittenless!) and left the standoffish ones to live in their indoor
space, only.
One of my little 4 year old English students stopped by for a visit,
and seemed completely unconcerned with the chaos of the dirt removal
going on around us. She wanted to come in and pet the cats--she has
taken a real liking to Michael, and sometimes stops by with her mother
to pet him through the enclosure fence. Adults are sometimes taken
aback by Michael's missing eye, but Saku chan is not bothered at all,
except to say that she hopes he gets better soon! This visit, Saku chan
brought her pet duck to see me. I had met Pii-chan when he was a little
yellow ball of fuzz, but was surprised to see him fully grown! He
follows Saku chan around like a dog would, and nibbles on her
coat--again, I was impressed by how calmly she interacted with his
nibbling beak, completely unafraid. More pictures from our workday...
Comments
March 23, 2009 at 10:09 AM
posted by: japancatnet
I had never visited a shelter before I came to Japan 15 years ago, and
David had never even had a pet, so this has been a real learning
experience for us! We just couldn't accept the sad situation for cats,
here, and the more we look around at other places in the world, the
more we see all kinds of people doing a similar thing! It's very
encouraging to know that we are not alone--which is the great thing
about Best Friends Network, isn't it?!
March 19, 2009 at 6:47 AM
posted by: atuttle32
I am so amazed by all that you accomplish. Wonderful work on this
project! And it's amazing that though I'm in the United States, we all
have the same goal - saving the animals!!
Keep up the wonderful work!!
March 19, 2009 at 3:11 AM
posted by: japancatnet
They all worked so hard! I'm hoping that we can have a party for
everyone soon at Cherry Blossom time. I am so proud of David, who has
worked day and night to prepare for the building of both enclosures.
Even when things get rough, he hangs in there and refuses to get
discouraged, which is often what keeps me going too.
Saku chan is a gem--I saw her while walking home recently, and she said
"How is the little cat with one eye doing today?" The experience has
encouraged me to take Michael on a trip to Tokyo to meet a Girl Scout
troupe. They want to meet one of the shelter cats, so we've introduced
him by picture, and their leader has explained about his eye. Michael
is one of the sweetest, purringest cats ever, and I think these kids
will love to meet him.
March 18, 2009 at 8:52 PM
posted by: missydog
What great volunteers to work so hard on this project which I know was
difficult and tiring. All I can say about David tearing down the wall
and removing the hedges is wow! I had an evergreen bush removed last
year and it took two men.
I love the photos of Saku chan with her duck and with Michael. What a
sweet little girl. Looks like you have a future volunteer there.
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Cat takes the cake
March 23, 2009 : 9:58 AM
Chiffon, named by Saku-chan, is our newest rescue. She came in last
week when someone took her to be destroyed, and we were able to offer
an alternative. She's a very healthy and friendly 4 or 5 month old
kitten, that really ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, when
fate stepped in. We now have a waiting list for young ones, so we
should have no problem rehoming her right away.
The men came out to pour the concrete for the new enclosure today, and
sure enough, they found little paw prints across one of the corners,
when they returned from lunch. We tried to tell them not to worry about
it, but they smoothed it out, and we stood guard until they finished.
They were really nice guys, trying to make everything look good! We
moved the ferals' food away from the area, so hopefully it will be safe
tonight. Just looking at the concrete and knowing how much easier it
will be to clean, once the enclosure is up, gives us a great feeling!
Have spent the last week frantically trying to iron out new issues with
our expansion to Tokyo. We have some wonderful new volunteers, and I
know that we did the right thing in creating a new group there. It's a
bit far to go, but since we are taking cats and kittens out regularly,
it seems like we are bound to be out there anyway. I'm going out with 3
cats tomorrow. Muffin and Jessie are going to try living with the kind
woman who is fostering Polly, their sister. These two are very big boys
now, and I wonder what it's going to be like getting around with them
on the trains! Besides them, I'm taking Michael, who is going to visit
the Girl Scout troupe. It should be quite a menagerie! I'll stay in
Tokyo for several days, talking with volunteers and helping with TNR
projects. My classes are on spring break, so the main problem is
leaving David to cope with the shelter work himself. There is always so
much to do, whether it's communicating with people about TNR
projects/rescue/rehoming or just taking care of the shelter cats. On
top of that, there are the disappointments when things don't go as
planned, with the need to improve and rework plans. We cannot afford to
be discouraged (as David says!), with so many lives depending on us
everyday. Believing that we can help people to do so much good, and
seeing the good at work, makes it easier to get up and go on.
Just finished our new TNR information page--anything I've left out?
Comments
March 30, 2009 at 11:22 PM
posted by: japancatnet
Chiffon was only here at our shelter for a week, before being adopted
by a wonderful couple in Kyoto! I'll be posting pictures when we get
them. What a waste if she had been destroyed!!
The new enclosure (paw prints and all!) is now up! We are putting on
the finishing touches of adding seating for humans, etc., and will
update on that soon.
March 30, 2009 at 4:20 PM
posted by: Linacuracao
It's always heart breaking whenevr I read about someone just dumps a
cat in kill shelter. Thanks to you, Chiffon will have better future and
hopefully will be adopted soon.
Good luck.
March 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
posted by: atuttle32
Chiffon is beautiful, and the name is perfect.
I'm glad that all is going so well - and I love the story of the paw
prints. Sounds like the kitties were giving their blessings on your
work, doesn't it?
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Scouting in Tokyo
March 31, 2009 : 12:02 AM
Tired, but pleasantly so, from my recent trip to Tokyo. I stayed with
our newest adopter, Judy, who gives new meaning to the title kind and
long-suffering hostess! Not only did she throw her arms (quite
literally) around the three siblings that she adopted, she welcomed my
frequent need to discuss animal welfare issues at length--was she ever
in for an earful! Michael, who was only there with me for a visit, made
himself right at home, and Judy managed the need to address Michael's
sudden emergency health issue. He developed difficulty passing urine,
and we could see that he was straining. After a trip to an emergency
clinic, several trips during normal clinic hours, catheters (ouch!),
xrays, meds, and analysis, we found out that Michael has a large stone
in his bladder. This must have been causing him quite a bit of
discomfort, over time, but he has been able to hide it very well. He
eats like a horse, runs around playing like a clown, and snuggles down
for a pet and a purr with anyone willing to lend a lap. We are so lucky
that we noticed the straining at Judy's and got him in for treatment
quickly. Also lucky that Judy has taken Michael on as her sponsor kitty
(are you getting the complete picture of the kindness of this woman?),
and is helping transfer his recent medical information to our vet here.
He will probably need surgery and special food thereafter, but we're
expecting him to come through this with flying colors now. I imagine
this sweet little guy is not just a favorite down here on earth, but in
regions above, as someone up there must have really been looking out
for him.
Another reason I went to Tokyo was to meet a group of Girl Scouts, from
a Tokyo area military base, that had taken us on as their community
outreach project. They decided that they wanted to help an animal
shelter, and chose us after learning about us on our new Tokyo Meet-up
group that Tracey put together. What a great group of girls! Tracey and
I were both floored by the huge pile of cat food and supplies that they
had gathered from the donation boxes, placed around the military base.
I talked with the girls about our responsibility to care for animals,
and what we should do when we have problems with care. They all had
great questions and answers! The troupe leaders had also adopted pets
that they lived with on the base, so were very understanding about
shelter issues. Talking with all of these American girls reminded me of
being a teacher back in the States, so I felt a little nostalgic about
that! I'd love to continue working with families on the base to place
cats in foster or adoptive homes there, as well as address the feral
cat issues on the grounds. More pictures from my recent Tokyo trip...
While I was away, the workmen came out and finished putting up the new
enclosure--Wow! It's very nice, with a streamlined design, concrete
flooring, and convenient water access. Now a little bare, compared to
the previous surrounding greenery, but we are excited by the prospect
of creating a greener space by some well placed potted plants
surrounding it.
David kept busy taking care of all of the cats, not to mention the
snack needing workmen, and also managed to put together our new forum.
It's a great idea, as it will give people a chance to help us answer
cat questions, and to connect to others helping cats in their own
communities. Anyone is welcome to stop by to register and introduce
themselves! JCN forum link...
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