Weekly Photo Challenge: Delicate
Well, this was my initial DELICATE post — a precious periwinkle dragonfly resting along the Apoxee Trail in the Grassy Waters Preserve. It was my companion for the better part of a half-mile; this gossamer creation following me as I hiked — perhaps because I was head-to-toe in periwinkle!
That is, until Sunday evening, when a starving black kitten crossed my path. I’ve been TNRing (Trap-Neuter-Release) many kitties, in my wee attempt to help control the populations. (Our county has a severe feline overpopulation issue.) Apparently a lovely woman nearby is doing the same (THANK YOU, stranger!). Sometimes, it’s not cheap: If the kitties are sick, pregnant, need medications, or if assistance is needed with trapping (they can be wily)…it quickly adds up. But these guys need help. Many have been abandoned, the sad products of foreclosed homes and other circumstances. I’ve seen pets left behind for a simple move / long vacation, shockingly.
Maya (??) caught in the flash
My guys are rescues…. And it’s easy to see which ones can survive out there, and which ones cannot. This girl falls into the latter category. She tried desperately to find a home for as long as she was alive, apparently. Maya (?!? still playing with her name) crossed my path in another section of the neighborhood, and, according to one of the tenants, she has no litter mates, and was unable to reach the food provided by the woman caring for the other strays (being so tiny and timid). She had been trying to sneak into the homes of many residents — to no avail. An absolute sweetheart, one of the friendliest felines I’ve ever seen, she wants nothing more than love, safety, and shelter. But every bone in her body is razor-sharp: each vertebrae, her hips…. She was starving. At 6 months old, she has the body of a 4-month-old. I’ll never understand how a starving animal could be repeatedly turned away by so many, nor do I want to understand.
Enjoying the view from inside
Right now, while her body’s very delicate, she’s a survivor — like so many souls on the streets, she’s a combination of delicacy and strength. And despite what she’s seen, despite her physical hardships and emaciation, despite her continued unsuccessful attempts at finding a home (until now), she remains the sweetest little soul.
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 
Big, big like for you! She’ll have a great life from now on.
Aw, thanks!! I wish I could really convey her sweetness. WOW.
Now (well, in two weeks, when she’s all healthy) — introduction to the boys! Heeeeeh.
She looks like a Dharma to me! Thanks for all you do for our neglected animals. And love your blog. I’m learning more and more about the wildlife in this great state of Florida.
I LOVE that name!! How perfect. She such a little miss, I’ve been calling her Miss Maya… But that may very well change.
And, thanks SO very much. I’m thrilled I can share this area’s most amazing and unique landscapes and wildlife — it’s so special, truly nothing like it in the entire world. Here’s to loving it all that much more, to ensure its continued protection!
Beautiful! Always have loved butterflies, and a huge thank you for helping the kitties. If we all did a little something, we would be so much further ahead!
Thank you so very much!! You’re absolutely right… Just a wee bit of help, from each person, can go SO far, the world over. We’re all here together, and it behooves us to work together — especially for those with no voice, otherwise.
I don’t know why people get pets then abandon them..whether the traditional ones like cats and dogs or the exotic ones like snakes and iguanas..either way it causes problems and/or suffering. It is just irresponsible. My daughter in law is also a cat rescuer. My son always told her when her cats died that they would not replace them. Yeah right!! I think he just tries to disguise the fact that he’s grown attached to having feline companions in the house!!
I’ll never, never understand the mentality of living creatures as OBJECTS. It’s rampant, and needs to change. These are living, breathing, sentient little beings. To throw them out like the trash is unfathomable.
YAY for your daughter-in-law! And, heee…. Wait till that time comes. One will see. 🙂
Thank you for being a completely awesome person. We have way too many cats where I am too and it drives me crazy. My roommate and I have two rescue cats in our tiny grad-student-stipend-affordable apartment, can’t fit any more. Keep up your TNR-ing and best of luck to maybe-Maya in her recovery and new life!
Aw, thanks SO very much! How wonderful of you two to help what little ones you can… EVERY bit helps. Every bit.
The real rock star is Brian Clancy, who in the last decade evolved to cat-trapper extraordinaire, and general feral feline spokesperson and HERO. He visits colonies on a nightly basis, TNRing those he can to control the populations, feeding them, providing medications — rain or shine. And through his one-man non-profit, he helps those like me trying to do our tiny bit to help. (There are several dotted around this area, I know there are!) Like I said: a rock star!!
love the dragonfly shot- awesome!
Thanks so very much! She was such a brilliant, amazing color.
Wow. Good on you! Not only for caring about the poor unfortunate strays but also for taking this cute little girl in and giving her a great home.
We have always had rescue cats, and our tux Jack, we adopted from a feral colony that we were feeding. And 21 years later he is still here with us.
SO wonderful! I adore hearing these stories…. YAY for you! 21 years, what a gentleman! Obviously a happy boy. I lost my older girl at 20 — she was abandoned in a nearby field, where I used to work, a lovely Maine Coon — in June. So fate seems to want me to keep the number at 3. I’d love to find homes for those kitties I’ve TNR’d, but they seem very happy outside — I don’t know how thrilled they’d be coming inside….
Great minds -er- act alike. I have three blacks, one tabby, one calico and one Persian — all just sorta drifted in at feeding time. All are now neutered, inoculated, and proprietors of this establishment.
Aw, WONDERFUL! Just beautiful. Hahahah, they do become the proprietors (love it!!), don’t they?
I had three, but in June I lost my older girl (who I found abandoned in a field). So it seems as though fate would like to keep the number at 3. The outside strays are another story, though — those I’ve been able to TNR. I played around with adopting them, but they seem very content outside. I don’t think they’d be overly thrilled coming into the house.
She found the best place to be and it was meant to be for her to show up at your doorstep. Maya is a lovely name and you better keep her forever!
Heee! I can’t fathom releasing this sweet little soul. If you saw her… GASP. All love. Like you say, meant to be. I wasn’t supposed to be in that area, that late — but that’s how the Universe works, yes? Miss Maya. Hmmm… Still playing. But I like. 🙂
Good luck for the cat, and that portrait of her is just wonderful.
Thanks so much! It was tough to get a portrait of her — she just wants to wrap herself in my skin right now. So keeping her separate from me was a feat in itself… 😉
Beautiful Captures – Have a Great One:)
Thanks so very much… 🙂
Hi–maybe you know this group http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=355….
If not, you can search for members of a feral friends network in your area–and become part of the network. Maybe that other rescuer would also become part of the network?
The site is worth cruising around…..
VERY nice!! I’ll definitely keep this handy, and forward it along to my trapper friend. THANK you! It’s easy to feel quite alone in this process… Lots of “if you need help” and absolutely no follow-up.
Thank you for caring.
I have 8 rabbits, (all spayed and neutered) three horses (one not doing very well, still) an old cat who had one day left, and a guinea pig who was destined to live her life in a box in a hallway. I’ve had more at one time than I do now.
Problem is that there’s little outreach for spay and neuter. Folks don’t bother, wait too long, can’t afford it, or just want to allow their cat to have ‘one litter.’
So, we’re up against a big wall on this. Most folks are do nothing folks, and we’re never going to understand. Best we can do is act, and stop asking the unanswerable questions.
Love.
VERY true. I run up against that wall quite often. Can’t afford it? Nonsense. I’ll find you a place anywhere for $25-30. And many people will help. The other ridiculous commentary I hear: But he’s a guy… Yes. He’s a male that, if unfixed, may develop cancers.
So many animals are simply abandoned or dropped off in remote locations — all over this country. Left to suffer and starve, wondering what they did to deserve such a fate. Our family has cats, dogs, horses (I’ve had ferrets) — all rescues, straight from the streets. Well, except the horses, who came from the killer’s auctions. Hopefully with education comes help. That’s honestly the only hope for these lovely sweethearts.
Almost made me cry with this one. I’m so glad she found you. (And I think Maya is a great name.) Love the dragonfly too. What a beautiful color.
Aw, thank you so, so much. I’m so glad she found me, too — it really was one of those meant-to-be scenarios. Right time, right place (my friend and I shouldn’t have been there that late, y’know). Things happen for a reason, and I’m just glad it was to meet such a soulful, sweet little girl who needed help *then.*
That dragonfly was just fascinating! We were perfectly matched, but of course her colors were au naturel… Amazing.
You can’t imagine how overwhelmed I am when I look at your beautiful pictures. They really show how much you care for these friends of ours. Thank you.
You’re so very kind…and incredibly poetic, I adore your phrase “these friends of ours.” That they are.
Thanks very much, it’s greatly appreciated!!
I will never get used to how callously humans can treat animals. They have no idea that we are all connected. If they had that consciousness, they couldn’t do it. It is such a BIG experience to have a connection as you did with the dragon fly. I think it is auspicious.
You say it so very beautifully… We ARE all connected. And you’re right, if these people felt it a bit more — there would be far less pain.
I too thought it was very telling that I began with the visiting dragonfly! This lovely totem, a divine messenger, leading me to this little soul. Just wonderful.
I must stop beating around the bush and earmark a yearly contribution to cat shelters!
I say the SAME when I see the Humane Society commercials… But I figure, with as much as I spend on food for the strays: errrgh there’s my annual donation, hahaha! But they do such good. They all do!!
My sister is a vet and volunteers to do spays and neuters in her area. This is a huge problem.. My two orange boys and all of my cats have been rescues..it breaks my heart…Michelle
SO wonderful!! YAY for her, thank you thank you thank you! I know a woman who devotes her free time and energy to do the same…. SO amazing. SO kind.
All my guys are straight from the streets, such sweet little souls that they are. And yep, my family has dogs and horses that are rescues as well. Gentle as they could be. As another commentator says: If everyone helps and contributes just a tiny bit….
There’s a wonderful story about a Christmas cat written by Loren Eiseley – you can find it here . When I mentioned it to montucky, he pointed me to his own story of rescuing a homeless cat. I think it’s clear that there are certain animals who are graced with the ability to survive, just so they can bring love and pleasure to humans, and experience the same in return.
Now, I have your wonderful story to add to my list – it is just wonderful to hear these tales. And good for you, for being willing to side with life!
What a wonderful story… Thanks so very much for sharing it!!
Her story broke my heart, particularly. They all do. Our meeting was most definitely a thing of fate, and while it hurts my soul to think of this starving kitten continually ignored for months by humans, despite her best efforts, she found someone to love her and vice-versa.
My other guys have all come straight from the streets as well… Sweetness and gentleness through and through. As another blogger states, if each person just did a tiny bit to help, the world would be a different place for these living creatures. Thanks so much for your kind words — I love the “siding with life” thought. 🙂
How sweet of you! We don’t have the severe overpopulation issue here, luckily. I’ve been blessed with some sweet cats. Winter was an amazing long hair white cat who everyone loved. Kind, gentle, loving, fun. He got cancer, but had eight good years. Thanks for loving the animals! 🙂
Ah, thanks so very much! All our guys are rescues… Kitties, dogs, horses… Even a ferret in the past! But the kitties, they come straight from the streets, due to the issues we have here.
Your Winter sounds like he was a real beauty — wow.
How wonderful that she found you! She’s beautiful. I’m so glad this potentially heartbreaking story has a good ending. 🙂
Ditto… And thanks so very much! I’m so very happy that this ended well. There’s thankfully a few kindhearted souls helping our strays, abandoned guys, and ferals — serving to balance the tide of others. This girl is pure sweetness, for sure. Next step: Introduction to my other rescues, hahah! THAT will be fun. 🙂
I’m so very, very glad you take care of them.
There are so many who help, thankfully…. To help balance the tide. And some who devote SO much of their lives to help. I just do a bit, but I sure wish I could do more!!
What a beautiful dragonfly (one of my most favorite insects) and bless you for having the heart and passion to care for these precious furry “throw-a-ways” of the world. Stories like this both break my heart and fill me with hope. The hope comes from knowing there are people like you out there in the world!
Thank you so very much…. You’re absolutely right; I try so hard not to be angry at the situation — for all those people who ignored a starving kitten for MONTHS. Months. How can one turn a blind eye? How? Ah well. I just keep thinking, as you say — of all those amazing people who help. And there are so many… Just look at the beautiful comments! And I do very little compared to others, including a man I know who travels around the area TNRing the colonies, and feeding them EVERY night, rain or shine… Or the woman (vet) who offers her free time for spaying. Lots to be hopeful for, so I can’t remember those who turn a blind eye, or abuse and abandon these guys.
What a good person you are. That’s one lucky kitty. Saw lots of cats out on their own in Pompeii, the Roman Forum, and other European locations but they all seemed well fed.
There are so many who help, fortunately — helping to balance the tide of those who abuse and abandon these guys. May that latter number dwindle with time… But the real rock stars are those who devote their time and energy to free spayings, and feeding and caring for the colonies. I work with a man who does this full-time (a non-profit), and know a woman (vet) who travels around South Florida doing free fixins’. THESE are amazing people!! All my guys are rescues, from the streets — so here’s to the integration process, once she’s all healthy…. Hahahah!
Impressive. Reminder of all the good folks… a nice one for the season. Hope you and your husband are having a good Holliday Season.
EVERY GENTLE SOUL FINDS A GENTLE, KIND SOUL – THOUGH THE SAD FACT IS THAT EVEN YOUR GENTLE SOUL CANNOT RESCUE EVERYONE BUT IT IS GREAT THAT YOU TRY AND SAVE HOW YOU CAN. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU AND GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO WAKE AND MOVE OTHER GENTLE SOULS TO ACT ACCORDING TO THEIR HEARTS TO RESCUE THOSE WHO NEED RESCUING.
What a wonderfully sweet thing to say…. As sad as her situation was, I too firmly believe that everything happens for a reason! I wasn’t supposed to be there at that time – and I’m rarely there to begin with. The Universe conspires to make things happen, yes?
What lovely shots of the cat! And that dragonfly picture is exquisite.
Thanks so very much! Tough to snag her, little all-black squirrely girl that she is…. 🙂
Sweet little girl. All I can say is, any creature that comes into contact with you is the luckiest critter in the world.
Such an amazingly kind thing to say… THANK you for that! I always wish for these homeless sweethearts to find their ways to loving arms. This girl really is the sweetest little thing — had no idea what to do out there.
Much love and happiness to you and yours — happy early New Year’s! 🙂
FeyGirl, I’ve nominated you for the “Blog of the Year” Award. To see the nomination, visit the post: anotherlovelyday.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/thank-you/. I hope you have a wonderful new year!
~ Sandy
You’re so very kind — THANK YOU! What a lovely surprise, and an honor coming from such photographic and writing talent. I can’t wait to investigate your other nominations…
You are such a sweetheart helping the feral cats and for all you do for nature conservation. When I reach the point of self-sufficiency and I have a little extra, I’ll send a donation your way to help with the cats. I hope you adopt the kitty Maya. She’s beautiful even if fragile.
You are the sweetest thing ever, to even think of reaching out and helping in such a way!! Please worry about yourself first and foremost. So far, fingers crossed, I’ve managed to afford the strays and ferals, even if it IS not the greatest food… 🙂 It’s food, right?
I’m definitely keeping Miss…Sara! That’s her new name. Hoorah! She’s too sweet, and I do believe things happen for a reason.
As someone who has engaged in a bit of feline rescue, this story warms my heart. Thanks for sharing it.
How wonderful…. THANK you from across the blogosphere and miles!! Every bit helps these sweethearts, yes? I keep meaning to post portraits of the other little lovelies / abandoned guys I’ve TNR’d. Sweeties.
If I weren’t (physically) allergic to cats, I’d do the same – catch and get them neutered, but y’know I just had this image of huge cats, catching humans and neutering us… !
Hahahah!!! That’s great. You have a sci-fi short in the works.
I’m actually allergic to kitties, funny. I know so many who are, and the have multiples in their households. It’s hysterical. Allegra rules the roost, as does the vacuum. 🙂