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itself
07-09-2011, 04:26 PM
Well, July 4th weekend we did our annual volunteering at Best Friends in Utah. This is our second year, and last year, for some reason, we became attached to the cats in the Kitty Motel. They are amongst the sickest and less adoptable cats.

This year was even more fulfilling. We really got to know all the cats in all of the rooms. We helped clean, walked cats outside on harnesses, and did afternoon brushings. Each night, we took cats on sleepovers.

Wolfie and Tiger Tim came first. They are two buddies, and have been here for many years. They cuddled with us all night.

The second night we took one of the office cats. He spends most of his time alone, other then when office staff are there. He is FeLv discordant cat, and can never live with another cat, not even a discordant positive one. So Spotty was off for a sleepover. He is three legged and the sweetest thing ever. On Monday, we took him for an outing at Angel's Landing. You will absolutely fall in love with him when you meet him!

Then the last night, we took another office cat, Koala. If you want to talk about a heartbreaking story. Koala came to Best Friends a year ago, and was diagnosed with small intestine cancer. She was very ill when she came in. This was only the second sleepover she had been on, as her health had improved only in February. Koala is a Manx cat, and the smallest bundle you have ever seen. She apparently was not getting along with other cats, they were terrorizing her. So, condemned to an office all alone, an affectionate cat that loves attention. When opening the office, you could hear her meowing her brains out. So sad that she was spending all her time alone. Still on cancer meds, subcue fluids and prednisone, she looks darn great for a cancer diagnosed cat!

Well Koala did well on the sleepover too. Purred away and loved every moment.

We left for Utah again this past Friday night. Koala is presently perched on our sofa enjoying the comforts of our home. The normal hissing and growling, but she will fit in perfectly. Our four cats already love her, and so do we...

bmccasland
07-09-2011, 06:53 PM
Congratulations on Koala adoping you! Pictures, we need pictures! :D

Koronin
07-09-2011, 09:22 PM
Congrats on your new addition! You're the 2nd internet friend whom I've read a review of visiting Best Friends. My other internet friend recently graduated from vet school and her visit there was part of why she decided to go to vet school.

nancielle
07-10-2011, 08:54 AM
Congratulations on Koala adoping you! Pictures, we need pictures! :D

Totally agree with this! :D :D :D

itself
07-12-2011, 04:41 AM
And pictures of the little cherub....


http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r45/itself_photo/KoalaMeetstheFamily046.jpg



http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r45/itself_photo/KoalaMeetstheFamily070.jpg

Jiten
07-12-2011, 06:33 AM
I love this story! Hurrah for Koala and the family she adopted! :) May Koala's health continue to improve. Ooh, she's so purrty.

Aggie_Ama
07-12-2011, 11:10 AM
Beautiful! I love my manx, they are the most loving, carefree cats! And i have had three, they all have the biggest purring motors.

badger
07-16-2011, 08:38 PM
your thread made me smile. Thank you for volunteering and giving those kitties some much-deserved attention! and congratulations on your new addition - she's gorgeous!

jelee1311
07-16-2011, 10:17 PM
Itself you are my hero. I watched Dogtown on Natgeo channel religiously and after all their work with the Michael Vick pitbulls I knew I had to donate. I'm hoping to go volunteer some time next year. Congrats on your new kitty!She is beautiful.

itself
07-17-2011, 06:57 AM
Thank you all! She is doing really well, and adapting well with our four other cats. She has a wonderful personality, and we feel blessed that she adopted us!

By the way, Best Friends has cabins and cottages on the grounds that you can stay in, and you can bring the dogs and cats for sleepovers. They are well equipped with coffee makers, microwave ovens and refigerators. Just email them and they can let you know if there are openings when you want to go. Typically, you need to give them at least a years notice, as they are very popular.

The restaurants in Kanab are fair, so we tend to pack a cooler and bring our Coleman camping stove to cook food. That way, when we do a sleepover, we don't have to leave the little baby alone.

If you do go eat, Rockin' V Cafe is your best choice. The Rewind cafe was ok, it got great reviews, but we found our lunchtime sandwiches nothing special. Their coffee, however, was excellent.

Another place to stay is the Parry House. Really cute units, but be aware, the coffee makers are single serving! I am not sure if they allow sleepovers or not.

indysteel
07-17-2011, 07:48 AM
What a wonderful story, itself. I could kick myself now for not visiting there when we were in Utah this past April. We have hopes of going back, so I'll not make this same mistake again. Thank you for your loving service to these cats.