Sunday, November 14, 2010

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 4 - Thank you


One of my first friends on twitter and an inspiration for my interest in world peace is my wonderful friend @zbluemoon (Bebe). I am so very grateful for the enormous support of #purrs4peace and the generosity of spirit exhibited in her tweets. She very kindly agreed to allow me to share a bit of her story with you and so I now turn this post over to this very sweet friend.

“Our house is full of former lost souls who have found love and happiness with us in the coastal Santa Monica Mountains in Southern California. We share everything with many cool cats, sweet dogs, lizards, and birds. Most of our fur babies are from various animal shelters and pet rescues. Two kitties were rescued from a television studio where I use to work and we found homes for most of the stray cats on the back lot at the studio.

Emma the pug is a wish come true for our youngest son who has Asperger syndrome and Bipolar disorder. Our other dog, Lemony Snickett, was shuffled from shelter to shelter all over southern California until we found him. It took just one look into his beautiful deep brown eyes and we were in love! Lemony always kisses everybody so we nicknamed him, Snicky Licky.

While camping in the red desert of Navajo Indian lands in Monument Valley, which is located in northern Arizona and southern Utah, a stray doggy suddenly appeared during a midnight full moon. Josie is a very smart and sweet old soul, who gets along wonderfully with all beings.

Last spring we rescued four tiny squirrel babies from our huge pine trees when their Mommy suddenly disappeared one day. Those babies live nearby and have made their own families in some tall pine trees. We are always on standby to assist our local squirrel rescue group.

Many trees surround our property filled with a variety of wild birds such as seagulls, blue jays, hummingbirds, sparrows, robins, doves, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, titmouse (plural = titmice?) finches, swallows, crows, red-tailed hawks, owls, and more. Every spring a pair of mallard ducks come for a stay and share their newborn babies with us. The cats especially enjoy watching them!

About nine years ago, I cared for a tiny five-week old baby boy Persian and British Blue mix kitty, which I nicknamed Itty Bitty. We bonded so tight that when it was time to return him, I wrote a letter expressing our deep mutual love, offered to purchase him and to find another kitty just like him as a replacement, since the new owner had never even met Itty Bitty. It was a longgg night waiting for an answer, however, the next morning Itty Bitty was given to us! The new owner refused any money and shared Itty Bitty’s story with us.

Itty Bitty was born in Berlin, Germany and traveled to San Francisco, California with his owner, a young woman who was the girlfriend of one of Neil Young’s guitarists. Since they were performing in a three-day concert, their friend drove the kitty seven hours south to our home so I could take care for him. One week turned into two because Neil and his band, Crazy Horse, were producing a new song about 9/11. When the guitarist (I’m protecting his identity) returned home he was excited to see his new baby kitty. This very kind man understood Itty Bitty and my bonding, so he very generously gave him to us. I was so touched at his selflessness and cried for hours.

Itty Bitty sired one litter with his love, Bella, and they had three baby kitties. Since these are the only kitties we’ve had since we were children and the fact that we had both parents, we decided to keep the entire family! One baby was named Bono (think U2) and he is my avatar on Twitter. (See the above photo). Bono is a white flame point Persian with very large, lengthy whiskers. His paws are huge and he’s a very longgg, muscular, heavy cat. When I whisper his name, his light sea blue eyes get soft and his demeanor becomes tender and gentle… otherwise, he’s very strong and determined, although he always obeys his daddy, Itty Bitty. Bono’s little sisters are both incredibly sweet, inquisitive, and very affectionate.

All of our other precious kitties are strays or rescues and get along real well with each other and they are all very, very loving. All our cats and dogs are spayed or neutered.

Our oldest kitty is Coral (@CoralKittyCat) and it took us a few weeks to rescue her from UCLA. She’s fasssst! We will celebrate Coral’s 19th birthday on Thanksgiving this year! Although she’s an old lady, she’s still pretty fast and always wants things her way… J

I hope someday you’ll join us and the world can live as one.

~ John Lennon IMAGINE"

Thank you my friend Bebe. You are a source of inspiration and enlightenment. Much appreciation and applause (*four paws clapping*).

Bravo and thank you to all the Purrs 4 Peace purrrrrticipants who include:

@BettinaWagner; @PawPurrry; @SnowyWestie; @MedusaJ; @Pookandgrace; @CyberBonn; @JoannaVroom; @SmudgeBestCat; @Brutusthedane; @Pawsnreflect; @diddlebus; @HollieCatRocks; @Dogstoyevsky; @BunnyJeanCook; Brian Frum; @Mariodacat; Marg; K9friend; Crazykittykat1; Neyland D. Cat; Sweet Praline; Megs; Da fambly kitties; Harry Spotter; Smokey Pino (@Smokey8); Star Purrfik; Susan Ellington; Betsy Gunderson; Beaver Cat Ochoa; Bastet Sab; Marie Cat; Kate Viscardi; Cokie Cat; Chabichou Malabar du Roupillon; Mog Lickorish; Eveykitten Chezum; George Mulkerins; Jennifer Bolger; Mara Bestija; Pookey Lou; Sheila Odom; Mary La Ferlita; Lexington Thompson; Lisa Adams Monzon; Draco Marika Leonardi; Tyson Lockyer; Charlie Homer; Will Appleby; Chiara Leonardi; Thistle Fur Angel Johnson; Jasmine Johnson; Twinkle Johnson; Anja Hattenrath; Smudgie Hb Matthews; Patrizia Anzani; Angelina Leung; IcyCat Whitefur; Emily Cat; Chunks Mather; Louis Cat; Heba Cat Rady; Linda Louise; Elvis Fleksnes; Helen Melon Redshaw; Shazzer Anna; Rebecca Forrest-Pawprints; Atkinson Bubby Rose; Janet Carleton; Basil Blencowe; Ginger Meghalaya; Michelle Webster; Pretty Princess Orca; Ogden Thomas; Kelly Dugas Coveney; Krystal Grohman; Katherine Wiggins; Melody Woodall-Smith; Caroline Ashall; Terri Craig; Mandy LeKitkat Ristow; Sandra Jackson Alawine; Amanda Konzelman; Lisa Butler; Susan G. Bush; Morrigan Benton-Floyd; Kate Viscardi; Kelley Goodman; Jane Worwood; Brenda Kerr; Lisbeth West; Christelle Hoffstetter; William Davis Burke; Gato El Gris Zoff; Bianca Caviglioli; WillowFisher; Jmuhj Acat; Mojito R. Corgan; Goliath Jacawaca; Romeo Gatti; Barfi Watson; Kippy Johnson; Max Buckle; Carlzy Hutchings; Leslie Ann Ellis; Jan Meeuwsen; Willi R. Mccluney; Christine Harris; Mandy may McEntyre; Faythe Roberson Goldsmith; Frank Lampcat; Candis Catfixer; Laura Mcmillan; Sasha Koen; Snow P Brown; Arsène Le Pépère; Cats Meow; Diana Edens; Louis Cat; Michelle Stringer; Baguera jean Bigeant Haskoucet; Briar Ishooman; Bob TheTomato; Muffin Bergeron; Feria Chan; Toby Poppy ‘n’ Finn; Julz Lee; Woody Edens; Mousie Kitteh; Evelyn Murphy; Abednego Herr; Patches Meow Cat; Socks hermes Overend-tunnicliffe; Herbie Cat; Ercole Gatto; Puffin Webster; Milo Catface; Jean Gizzi Boobonivich; George Crow; Dan Scott; Cyndy Mccluney; Foggy Cato; Paula Santos; Henry Thomas Stockman; Tippi Rathke; Meghan Lamb; Annie Lucas; Charlie C. Faunch; Sam Iam; Julie Anne Stephens; Ciaran Moylan; Vancat Onlion; Minuit Et Lumiere; Georgie Laidler; Widget Cat; Alasandra Alawine; Ginger Meghalaya; Rumpy T. Drummond; Hobbes TheWonder Cat; Oscar N George Fee- Linez; Birman Bond; Katie Bourke; Cathy Keisha; One-Eye Hynes; Spookie Diosa Gris; Tuppy Glossop; Jenny Buttons TheHippo; Claire Bear Baker; Zoe Lindquist; Ami Lutkus; Chichi Persiancat; Skylar Fruffybottoms; Felisha Van kedisi; Morgan Lear Jones; Milly Fluffybum Tamblyn; Missy Rattitude; Joni Gallo; Jackee Daily; Suzi Amelia Meyers; Choco Where’zmahkittehcatnipz Marquez; Judge Thread; Alex Nancy Cowens; Fiona Jackson;Jayne Ashmore; Brenda Griffin; Kathreeya Atthakor; Annika Malino; Leah Turner; Cassandra Bull; Jennifer Marie Zeares; Yi-Jiun Chen; Mari Peippo; Lisa Beals; Kerry Blanc; Ann-Karin Vinje; Mai Liss Haugland; Tracy Manson; Irma Murray Brieve; Fiona Lickorish; Jill Buss; Robyn Dadson; Alicia ‘Kitty Meanstreak’ Lestat; Nikki Rose Waldeck; Karla Moore; Amanda M. Ciluffo; Felix Gill; Lorraine Rice; Joey Salazar-Jimbo; Wendy Morland; Ann Jenkins Jack Wagon; Helen Kallipe Smith; Sophie Hudson; Wendy House; Vicki Stringfellow Cook; Pa Hulja; Andrea Hall; Tamy Perrault; Maria-Paz San Martin; Jane Bolash Gump; Sandy Rakowitz; Melody Lie; Penni Osinski; Cat Wolf; Annemarie Devine; Raven Elise Hernandez; Robyn Miller; Deborah Ailman; Eleonora Matsumoto; Jenny Threet; Cris Marr Carey; Renee McMullen; Cathy Rabe Bass; Sugar Dial; Abady Alshamari; Lenor Elena Sabal Damun Vidoz; Bunni Gevuld; Daniele Morre; Abe Buntz; Jo Macro; Chandra Flores; Dawn Stergin; Rachel Lbrockton; Patricia Perrings; Diana Jojstrup Andersen; Handsom Wilmot; Carma Mia Carey; Tara Tia Tarantino; Chibi Nakamura; Straw Beary Stanley; Oscar Peek; Trinity Noel Gilfillan; Pawing Charity; Bonnie Gaines; Karene Brewis; Billy Justakittygambly; Jessie Brewer; Berit Synnove Dale Vardal; Sophi Mewsalot; Gata Cuca Laruca; David Adrian Charles; Starsky N Simba Catnip; Isis Villayes; Mica Maca; Jasper Green Judy Clark; Joseph Jewell; Aimee Vinciguerra; Carolyn Sanders; Tamar Arslanian; Sarah Vitez Vranic; @Louinga; @EarthLifeShop; @Tweetypie54; @Hubothecat; @Miaoow; @Danapixie; @Cool_Cat_;@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; Kitty Token; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; @Tradertoms; Ingred Beaudelblinken; produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Sharon Keenan Spiegelhalter; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @Oneevilcat; Scully_cat; @LilyLuWhoT; @greycatlady; @supernatural808; @KittyKassieCat; @ChloeToby; @Ads60nyc; @Crazykittykat1: @tabbyteztweets; @salamicat; @JustAnotherTrnd; @tiddlesfry; @Wildboutbirds; @MadLabM; @MavTheTiger; @BigWidu; @Pandafur; @GinaTheMinPin; @CheshireK; Mindy Apellaniz-Blunt; @EllaBellaKitty; @JassieKitty; @KealohaKitty; @Spike_cat; @JinJinDoggy; @PixelDoggy; @Hemmingwayscat; slywy @Karolka @ellnhank @RonSupportsYou @Pookandgrace @lisbethwest @MariahsVisions @L0veSA; Jitka Vavreckova; Peter Askin; Rebecca Spath; Sandy Fox; Mwroc Cat; Meowwie Cat; Biddie Cat; Shannon BlackCat; Sharon Patton; Robin Jaske; Leena Savenius; Marie-Louise Holmdahl and Kissen; Daisy Hawkins; Sultan Kivanc; Martha Vitez; Laurie Moore and her 19 cats; Pickle Cat; Lori Williams and Baby Cat; Maureen Birch; Maria Litra; Lily Sassymeow; Simone Purrington; Kath Henry; Alfie Sanders; Howard Worndle; Josiane Brademann; Amy Forst; Handsom Wilmot; Carole Blackwell; Lesley Shannan; Sue Hamilton; Nicole Downey Curra; Trizia Norris; Lisa Beth Hutson; Lise Beals; Katherine Owens Bosley; Chris Bush; Letisha Dior; Susan Price-James; Specer Pierre; Lenore Elena Sabal; Kimberly Lefever; April Ancliffe Crawford; Sherry Hensley Black; Debra Bean; Diana Hojstrup Andersen; Oscar Peek; Ariel Bosley; @Kyann_Zorain; @Louinga; @MarmiteMC; @Quadpawd; @ChatteMuse; 
@maxwellvintage ; @tweetypie54; @LastChanceMI; @MELIBABY333; @gegaard; @sabrina0008; @purrfik; @scottydsntkno; @JessieJaney; @pandafur; @martisunshine; @MaggieTKat; @ParkerSKat; 


@Mulder_Cat; @toughteddybear; @pawsnreflect; @CRITTERATI; @Tradertoms; @LindaPoVergara; @grrlysquirrel; @IQXS; @MiauLaGata; @MuffinTheCat1; @mssuzcatsilver; @NutmegTorby; @joeybeancat; @iamtammycat; 


@Pumpkinpuddy; @alxrocksh ; @StellalunaKat; 


@Kyann_Zorain; @Brian106sc @Hubothecat @EllaBellaKitty @JassieKitty @Kealoha_Kitty @JinJinDoggy @PixelDoggy @Quadpawd @inquarters14 @SnotfaceCritter @ElizabethKoning @ShaynaCat @CathyKeisha @Smokey8 @HollieCatRocks @grrlysquirrel @LilyLuWhoT @purrfik @henryandfriends @tweetypie54 @perrythebirman @Boomiethecat @HollieCatRocks @CathyKeisha @BuzzLucas @no_crybaby_doGs @mariodacat @JennyRosePetal @SmudgeBestCat @Boomiethecat @ChloeToby @perrythebirman @southbaygirl @konahead @greycatlady

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 4: Calling all Superheros


"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanuel Kant

YOU can be a superhero. It’s true! Everyone has the power to be a superhero in the life of a cat or dog, puppy or kitten, who needs to be rescued.

This weekend (November 12-14th) PetSmart is conducting a National Adoption Weekend in hopes of finding lifelong homes for more than 18,000 animals nationwide. Adoption is the way to reduce the number (over 4 million each year) euthanized in U.S. shelters. Even more perish on the streets. To every animal adopted, his or her mummy/daddy is a hero – a superhero- a human of extraordinary abilities and nobility who has vanquished evil and through whom their life has been saved.

My mummy is just such a superhero. She saved me 5 years ago and she’s done it again. Meet my new sister Zuzu pictured above. About 6 weeks ago mummy was walking in a nearby park and a tiny black cat appeared out of the bushes. Although the kitty approached mummy and seemed to want her attention, she would not allow mummy to touch her. Mummy offered her part of a muffin and the kitty hungrily gobbled it up. Mummy began to bring real cat food to the park on a daily basis. Mummy was frantic with worry for the kitty due to a hawk hunting in the park picking off squirrels and pigeons. She also feared for the kitty due to the traffic on the nearby street and humans who might not be so kind. Soon the kitty came to the sound of mummy’s voice. But it took almost a month before the kitty let mummy touch her and then another week before mummy could pick her up.

Zuzu did not immediately appreciate her rescue. She was quite scared and managed to pry up a grate and escape air vent. Soon however she was lured out. Now, although she is still a bit skittish and scared of other people, with mummy she purrs on sight and craves cuddles and kisses. She stares up at mummy with adoration and insists on licking mummy’s face. Zuzu has gained about a pound (but still weighs only 6 pounds.)and so is not quite so skinny. The vet thinks she is about 7 months old despite her tiny stature.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about her…I have been mostly staring at her from afar with a few close encounters…but mummy believes we will be good friends soon.

So this month lets purrrrrrrrr for all those other superheros out there and for the ones in the making….all those humans who not only save the lives of animals but provide them a safe and loving home on a daily basis.

GET READY

2:59 GET SET

3:00 GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr Purr with love and compassion. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, Purring.... Imagine every human heart inspired by kindness and generosity toward animals. #purrs4peace

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Imagine every abandoned animal comforted, their fears soothed, their hungry stomachs filled. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, ........... Imagine every all animals in need led to the rescuing arms of a human and living in a safe home.#purrs4peace

Purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr,

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Empathy replaces ambivalence, compassion replaces greed, peace replaces chaos. Purrrrrrr #purrs4peace.

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平 #purrs4peace