Rescue Rover

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineChristmas and New Year Good Wishes!

Welcome,

I simply want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year today and let you know that I have enjoyed writing these blogs for you. Feeling that I have received a pure gift in having Regal in my life and, then again, feeling her rich presence as I wrote her story, it seems only natural to want to share the beauty things that I have received. One of these gifts has been a growing awareness of and deepened appreciation for animal care and rescue advocates.

For now, having been in the intense process of writing and publishing Regal’s book for the past 2 ½ years, I have decided to take a much needed vacation for the remainder of December and will restart my next blog entries on January 11, 2009 as I continue to honor those involved in animal care and rescue.

Being animal lovers, you may want to consider giving Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline to one or two of your animal loving friends or family members at this Christmas time. Regal is a biographical account of my Regal Cat’s life which reveals her vast array of feelings, intelligence, and spiritual nature. Regal’s story is heartwarming, softly humorous, and touching. She also draws the reader to an increased sense of responsibility because of the renewed awareness of the magnificence of our animal friends. Regal really represents “Everypet” and any animal lover will relate with her and be reminded of their beloved pets. This is a beautiful 6” x 6”, hardcover gift book of 216 pages. You may purchase this book on my website at www.catacumen.com.

In the meantime, I wish you a Holy Christmas Season and a Happy New Year.

Blessings, Linda

Linda FortuneAuthor of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

What PAWS does to help animals.

Welcome,

As I said before, I got personally introduced to HYPERLINK “http://www.paws.org” PAWS as a wildlife organization during my rescue of an injured bird, a western tanager. I was deeply touched by this beautiful bird and was upset seeing her injuries and feeling her fear after she was so badly injured from some form of altercation. I was told that often a bird will fly into a window and be stunned. In this state they are easy prey for a predator, probably an outdoor cat that happens to be near.

After looking in the phone book and calling a veterinary hospital, I was referred to PAWS. PAWS, I was told, was the most appropriate organization to help a wild bird or animal. While PAWS was ultimately not able to save this female bird’s life, I was grateful to learn of their services and to know that they are available to help in time of need.

PAWS stands for Progressive Animal Welfare Society. They have been a northwest leader in protecting animals since l967. Their mission has three main areas of focus. They care for and rehabilitating wild animals, they provide shelter for homeless cats and dogs as permanent homes are sought, and they provide advocacy and educational services. I will explore these three areas in more detail in January.

Next entry: Christmas and New Year Good Wishes!

With blessings, Linda

Linda FortuneAuthor of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

My take on California’s Prop 2 election vote.

Welcome,

Before I continue with what PAWS does to help animals, I just have to extend my joy and salute the people of California, The Humane Society of the United States, Oprah Winfrey, and all the people who worked on passing Proposition 2 in California. How animals are treated is certainly a core issue and at the heart of all rescue organizations.

Proposition 2 will stop the worst abuses of factory farms. It will stop the confinement of farm animals to limited spaces for the duration of their lives. Let me quote directly from Wayne Pacelle’ blog on November 5, 2008:

“Giving farm animals a little extra room to stretch their limbs, to move like animals should, is a small matter for us humans. But it’s a very big thing for a hen who would otherwise be confined with a half-dozen other birds in a cage about as big as a filing cabinet for her whole life. It’s a really big thing for a sow who would otherwise be stuck in a crate so small she can’t turn around. It’s a way big thing for a calf who would spend life chained inside a miserably tiny crate.

Prop 2 will phase out those inexcusable confinement systems and usher in a new era. No state in the U.S. and no Agribusiness titan anywhere in the nation can overlook this mandate: people do not want their farm animals treated with wanton cruelty.”

I feel very deeply about how animals are treated in whatever setting they are in with us. Having become acutely aware of animal feelings, intelligence, and spiritual natures as I was writing Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline, I have come to an increased deep sense of responsibility, that we humans have in the compassionate care of all our world’s animals. The passage of Prop 2 in California is a major step in the recognition of this responsibility. It is a dawning step in the development of our own human consciousness.

I totally concur with Wayne Pacelle again when he states “As a result, you’ve brought forth a new, more compassionate age.” I say, let us all continue this work of compassionate care of all animals and learn to see the magnificence of all animals as we learn to live more ‘in the present’ with them. This will not only enrich their lives but our own as well.

Next entry: What PAWS does to help animals.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

My personal take on PAWS.

Welcome,
It’s true, you can assume that I must have felt quite strongly about this little bird to have driven 130 miles round trip, with gas prices what they are, to try to get help to her. Even though I was not sure she could be helped, I acted for two reasons.

Obviously, the preciousness and vulnerability of the little bird herself had touched me but, also the PAWS receptionist had. In fact she made some comment of being a little surprised that I would come all that way. I told her that she was part of the reason. Her presence on the phone, being so warm and caring, had contributed to my making that choice. To me, the receptionist’s manner was so humane, humanity at its very best, that I thought “If this woman is representative of the quality of the PAWS organization and their care and concern for wildlife of all kinds, then I want this bird to have a chance in their care. I, too, can go the extra mile.”

Even though the final outcome was not what I had hoped for, I was comforted in knowing that, if she could have made it, she would have done so in their care. And I was right about the receptionist. Her sensitivity in calling me, rather than sending a card, was another indication of the care that must exist in the bellows of the PAWS organization for her to have taken that extra step.

When I read the PAWS mission statement, I thought how this fine receptionist was living this mission. Here is that statement as taken from a PAWS pamphlet. Check out the last part of the sentence.

“The mission of PAWS is to advocate for animals through education, legislation and direct care. A Northwest leader in protecting animals since l967, PAWS shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers people to demonstrate compassion and respect for animals in their daily lives.”

Next entry: What PAWS does to help animals.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineThe bird’s outcome.

Welcome,

Upon returning home, I immediately got back into the canning of pears. It felt good to turn my attention to the physical process of canning. Still, I carried a concern for the condition of the little bird while, at the same time, feeling some relief in knowing she was where she needed to be.

About two hours into the canning process, I got a call. Here was the receptionist again in her very personal and caring manner. She said she wanted to call rather then send a card. Her sensitivity to me was showing. She knew I really cared about the bird!

She shared the results of the examination. The little bird did have puncture wounds and that confirmed that she had had an encounter with a cat. She also had fractures in the ‘bones’ across her chest that govern her wings and, of course, her wing feathers were badly damaged. Eventually tail feathers could grow out but, with the severity of her other wounds, it was deemed that any kind of a recovery would take months and she would still never be able to fly again. With these results, it was deemed more humane to stop her suffering and to put her to sleep.

I understood the severity of the injuries and was not surprised by the conclusion. I rested in knowing that I had done all I could and was comforted in knowing that she had been in the presence of a sacred chant just before her transition. Silly as that may sound to some; I know the benefit she received from that.

Postscript: The following Monday I had a friend over for lunch and we were eating out on the patio. At one point my friend pointed out this beautiful bird sitting on a nearby branch. As I looked, my friend picked up the immediate change in the expression on my face. My heart’s feelings were revealed. There was a male western tanager. I instantly knew that he was looking for his mate, the beautiful little female western tanager I had tried to help. Some birds do mate for life, you know, and my heart ached for him and his loss. Regal had taught me well. All living creatures do have feelings and, while I may not know exactly what this male western tanager was experiencing, I do know he was feeling some distraught, in some form, as he looked for his mate!

Next entry: My personal take on PAWS.
With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

My experience at PAWS.

Welcome,I drove north through Seattle all the while keeping an eye on the little bird. She would periodically flutter around the cat carrier seeking a way to escape. She would then settle down and just look at me with her big beautiful eyes. Her eyes touched me deeply. I could see her spirit and her soul through her eyes.

I tried to reassure her in a number of ways. These three things helped me if not her. I immediately started to play a cd of a sacred chant from my lineage of meditation. This particular sacred chant has been of obvious comfort to other animals in my experience and I thought it could be of help here. If nothing else, she might experience the holiness in some way and be calmed. I also sent her Reiki energy since I am a Reiki practitioner. And, I spoke to her with a reassuring quality in my voice.

After arriving at PAWS and finding the entrance door to the clinic, I returned to the car only to find the little bird perched on the water dish edge. She was drinking some water and, I’m sure, soothing her dehydrated body and little throat. I felt some comfort in that.
The receptionist was again warm, welcoming, and immediately responsive. Her sensitivity and caring nature radiated out from her being. She took the bird in the carrier back into the clinic observation area. She returned and said that they would let the bird have some time to settle down after her drive in a car. She then recorded the information I had to offer. She also got out a bird book and identified the little bird as a female western tanager. She showed me the pictures of both the male and female. Truly, they are beautiful birds, yellow with grays and whites. The female’s colors are softer while the males are more dynamic and colorful.

Before leaving, I asked her if they would let me know what they found out with their examination of the bird and what the outcome would be. I left reassured that they would send me a card and I knew that, if she was to make it, she was in the right place for care.

Next entry: The bird’s outcome.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

PAWS, a discovery of warm and caring assistance.

Welcome,Continuing with the bird rescue, I’m sure that you can understand that my heart was beating too. Experiencing the presence of this little injured bird, her inner presence through my connection with her eyes, brought out much tenderness within me and I wanted to be of help. Having made the decision to do something, I immediately wanted to secure her safety in case there was a predator lurking around. I got my small cat carrier and proceeded to pick up the little bird, which cried out in fear and possibly pain, and placed her in the carrier. I also placed the water and sunflower seeds in with her.

Upon making the call, a PAWS receptionist answered the phone immediately and was very warm and reassuring. I felt an instant comfort in having a living, responsive human being on the other end of the line who was engaged with me. It felt so good not to be alone in finding help for my bird. Upon hearing about the situation, the receptionist calmly asked some questions and gained some knowledge from my assessment of the bird’s condition.

She commented that they had been receiving a number of birds into the clinic with what appeared to be similar in injuries. She said that often birds will hit the glass of a window, are stunned, and can then be easily pounced upon by a feline that is in the vicinity. If this be the case, they would be concerned about an infection due to the bacteria on a cat’s claws and, of course, they would be concerned about what damage there was to the wings. Tail feathers would grow out again. She asked where I lived and invited me to bring the bird in for an assessment and rehabilitation if possible.

It was the receptionist’s warmth and receptive manner, giving me much hope, that influenced my decision to drive the sixty-five miles north through the heavy Seattle traffic to the PAWS clinic in Lynnwood. On one level I knew that the bird was badly injured and there was probably little hope of saving her. On the other, if there was a chance, I wanted her to have the chance to fly again.

With little bird in hand, I headed north.

Next entry: My experience at PAWS.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

A bird rescue story

Welcome,
Rather than addressing animal adoption today, I will instead tell you about what transpired this past weekend which initiated a learning experience. On Saturday I went out into my back yard to pick some pears to can. Upon returning to my house, I noticed a small yellow/gray bird huddled by the patio foundation. As I approached, this little bird jumped away from me. I could see the terror in her body as her wings fluttered as she scampered to get distance. I say ‘her’ because her colors were very soft and not distinct and powerful as male colors often are. I could also see that she was injured. She had no tail feathers and one of her wings had reduced feathers. She was breathing heavily and I could see her fear. My heart immediately ached for her.

After carrying the pears into the house, I started to ponder what to do about this beautiful little creature. She obviously needed help, was vulnerable, and was seriously injured. I put some water in a dish and, with some sun flower seeds, proceeded to return outside. Again the little bird scurried away out of fear and found a small shaded spot under some tomato leaves. Feeling better that she was out of the hot sun, I place the water dish and food near her.

My first call went to the emergency animal hospital in my community. I found that they did not treat wildlife but would euthanize a bird or animal that was suffering. They also suggested and provided the phone number to another alternative—PAWS, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society.
The little bird appeared very alert and as I connected with her eyes, I was aware of her spirit and of her being. I naturally wanted to do all that I could to help. I decided to call PAWS.

Next entry: PAWS, a discovery of warm and caring assistance.

With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

More about homeless animals.

Welcome,
The number of homeless animals in our communities is enormous. In Tacoma, Washington alone, The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County finds homes for more than 7,000 shelter animals each year. This amounts to an average of 150 animal adoptions each week. This particular shelter finds homes for more animals than any other shelter in the State of Washington. On average, they have over 50 dogs and 35 cats available for adoption on any given day.

Considering that this number of homeless animals does not include those which come to the shelter hurt or too ill to be adopted out, it is easy to see why the numbers would indicate that it will take a united community effort and individual acts of responsibility to adequately deal with the population of homeless animals.

We all need to take constructive action. While foundations and organizations unite with the Humane Society in their effort to offer spray and neuter clinics, it will also take more responsible actions on the part of every animal owner. We need to adequately take care of all animals that we allow to come into this world by arranging for their placement into loving families, for their adoption through an organization such as the Humane Society, or we need to have their pets neutered and spayed before births can take place. Our animals are worthy of the highest treatment and care. They, too, deserve a life of quality. Homelessness is not a good option for them just as it is not for us.

Next entry: Animal adoption.
With blessings, Linda

Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

The Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County

Welcome,

The Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County provides an invaluable service to our community. With the defining mission of this organization and through the efforts of their staff and the many volunteers, they work tirelessly to provide compassionate and good care for all the animals that come to them. They reunite lost pets with their owners, they provide medical care to injured animals, they facilitate adoptions, and they provide love and comfort for the animals waiting to be adopted.

The Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County has also adopted a ‘no-kill’ shelter policy and has been working diligently toward reaching this goal that was set two years ago. What this means is that the shelter is working to end the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals. This goal is admirable and its realization will take the efforts of many people in the community both from organizations and from responsible behavior of our citizens.

Since the Humane Society is an open shelter, every animal regardless of its medical condition or behavior issue is accepted, evaluated, and dealt with in the most compassionate way. Because of the presenting difficult problems, not all animals are able to be healed and be held for adoption. This sometimes means that the most loving thing to be done is to give the animal a dignified passing.

Because of the large population of animals in our community, it will take all of our efforts to help solve the homeless animal issue. Toward this end, the Humane Society staff work in conjunction with numerable other organizations in the area that are committed to animal welfare. Utilizing donations from individuals and foundations, groups of these animal welfare organizations have worked together to provide for both a high-volume, low-cost spay neutering and a mobile spay-neuter clinic vehicle which have served the area during the course of this year.

Next entry: More about homeless animals.

With blessings, Linda