A Few Words From the 'Rents - New Beginnings

Get a beverage of your choice, this is a long one...

Me at the HSoAC circa 2012- my home away from home and my heart. I'm lovin' on Meowser, he got adopted into a great home after a year at the shelter.

The first photo I took of our home in O Hi O to share with hubby back in Kansas City.

Our last day in Kansas City - July 2007, you can read all about that day here.

So many things have happened over the last few months, but the most significant change is that we have decided to follow our hearts and move back to Kansas City Missouri! O Hi O has been a great experience, many happy memories and some sad ones as well, but the time is right to start again in the land of BBQ, great activities, great people and Wayside Waifs!

The Hardest Part of Leaving? Right Here...

I have been honored to be a part of this great organization for the last two and a half years. It's going to break my heart to say good-bye when I walk out of the doors for the last time. If you ever want to see the meaning of dedication in action, spend a day there with the staff and volunteers. It will blow you away. They live the mission every day, and the animals that find their way into the shelter are treated with love and respect. If you have to be a shelter animal, this is where you want to be waiting for your forever home!

So, looking back, what's happened with us over the last seven years?

Here's the happy stuff - 

The reason we moved, my job at this great hospital. 

Ricky-Tiki Tavi - the first photo of him, he literally just showed up on our front porch.

He may be deaf, but that doesn't slow him down or make him any less a gorgeous house panther!

Fletcher - the first photo of him with his very happy Dad.

A few months later - Kharma Kitty. Helping fill a Parker sized hole in our hearts.

Lookit' that face! She is so awesome and loving. We know Parker Pie had a paw in this choice!

Christmas in the big house is always a treat. Parker loved the tree!

It was a joy living here!

The warmer weather was a joy as well.

Not everything was happy in our lives - we suffered some great losses. Heartbreaking ones.

We lost our beloved Parker on May 24th, 2012. It's a loss that still stings.

World famous for her smoochies, she left a hole in our hearts. 

A year later, Diamond Doggie decided to join Parker at the Bridge. Another devastating loss so soon after Parker. He was such a good dog and loved us unconditionally for over 11 years. 

Who was a good boy? You were Diamond.

May 1st, 2002 - May 31st, 2013. Always faithful, forever loved.

 But this guy needed a home.

And he fits in perfectly!

So my friends, we begin another chapter in our lives. Back to a familiar city, back to friends and family that we have missed very much. 2014 will be a year of changes, Hopefully more good ones than bad. We'll celebrate one last holiday here in O Hi O then strike out with our furry family to KC. Please wish us luck. We'll still be here on the "internets" - just a little further west.

I have one favor to ask of you. If you can find it in your heart to send a small donation to our little shelter here in Ohio, please click here and donate. Please tell them it's for helping Fletcher and Kharma find their forever homes with Parker's family. They really need the help - and remember - it's good Kharma!

Smoochies from all of us - The 'rents, Puff, Powder, Rudy, Ricky-Tiki-Tavi, Fletcher and Kharma.

And, Puff, Powder and Rudy want you to know that they are all doing fine and look forward to going back to KC and show the new kids the ropes out there.

Yup - we do!

Perfectly Parker's Mom Asks For Help

This is our little shelter's welcoming sign.

Our mission is "The Humane Society of Allen County (HSOAC) is dedicated to the elimination of cruelty, abuse, neglect and abandonment of animals. The Society will shelter animals in times of need, locate lifelong homes and promote responsible pet ownership through education, legislation and sterilization."

 

 

We find responsible forever homes for the animals that pass through our doors.

 

My Hubby and I are included in the hundreds of adoptions that happen every year! (Hi & welcome Kharma!)

 

We make magic happen all of the time.

 

 

Kibbles had lived with us for 5 years before finding a perfect forever home. 

 

 

Kittens (Snickers pictured here) get lucky on adoption days

 

After a home "ear docking" that resulted in a botched job, these adopters saw the beauty in Van Gogh

 

And you all know Fletcher's story. No dog alive today could be loved more than Fletcher.

 

 

We predicted a very happy life for Kessler. We were right!

 

The before photo of Slim Shady and Lemonjello. They were rescued from a woman who had put them in a box and set them in the street on a hot summer day. I went and scooped them up. Our Vet Clinic gave them TLC and the care that they needed.

 

Slim (now Alexander) got a great home with two of our awesome volunteers.

 

Lemonjello is a spoiled orange love-muffin with lots of kitty sibs. He couldn't be happier!

 

The Boney Boys spent months in the clinic gaining back their strength and their trust in humans. All three were adopted out to wonderful homes. Today they are thriving and loving life.

There is an important reason that I am posting this today. We cannot continue without your help. I know many of you followed Parker's blog and became a part of our little family in O Hi O. Today, I am asking that if you could find it in your heart to once again honor Parker or Diamond's memory by helping other animals in need - please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Allen County. I wish I could personally give you a tour of our shelter and show you the miracles that occur on a daily basis here. We do so many amazing things for so many creatures and we do it on such a small budget. To continue, we really, really need help. I rarely ask Parker's blog readers, but the need is great. Any amount is appreciated. Thanks for considering this request. Parker and Diamond send their love from the Bridge. I send my appreciation from our little corner in O Hi O.



Hey Kitties - We're Back!

Mommy has some mad photography skillz said no one ever...

 

 

Hi everykitty! Ricky Tiki Tavi here. So, what do you think of Zoolatry's redesign of our bloggy? We think it's pretty spiffy! Maybe we can convince Mommy to post a little more often now that we look so darn good!

When last we left you, Daddy was getting ready to have surgery on his leg and foot. Fun times kitties, fun times...His accident was in mid-October and it's just been the last few days that he is able to walk without a cane and wear a shoe. Daddy tends to be a little on the hyper-active side, so all of that sitting around just about drove him over the edge. All of us kitties (and Diamond Doggie) were the very best nurses he could have. We kitties acted like blankets and kept him warm and anchored. Diamond stayed at his side and made sure he kept his foot off of the ground. We were invaluable I tell you...just invaluable. So what do we get as a reward for all of our 24 hour nurses duty? We get abandoned by the 'rents. That's right kitties. The 'rents have the nerve to go on vacation at the end of this month. Before you start to send us tea and sympathy, know that we are being left in awesome hands. Our pet sitter - Auntie Megan, is going to stay at the house. Diamond even gets to go an a spa day with her. Since she works at our little shelter she is going to take Diamond for a day of nail trimming, baths and grooming. HAHAHAHAHA! I'm so happy that I am a cat.

Speaking of me, I think you all know that I am deaf. Does it bother me? NO! Do I use it to my advantage? Yup. Do I know hand signals for treats? Yup. Do I use it to garner sympathy when I do stuff I shouldn't? You betcha'! Life is good kitties, life is good. Rudy Toots and I are best bros. Powder is a lot of fun to chase and terrorize, Diamond is fun to mess with, But Puff - no one messes with the Puffster. I learned the hard way that she is NOT to trifle with. She keeps me in my place and I give her the respect that she demands and deserves. She and Powder turned 15 on April the 1st. You'd never know that they were geriatric kitties, Mommy says thank Cod that they are happy, healthy and very playful.

Mommy is now the board president at our little shelter. She spends a lot of time trying to help them help all of the animals that they care for. I think that's great. All of the animals there deserve the very best care and they deserve forever homes. It's still Mommy's passion.

Out of all of this they still miss their Parker Pie. I know that without her, I would not be where I am today. Because of her, we have a blog and a set of 'rents who do all that they can to help animals in need - like me. Thanks Parker, I owe you a lot.

Peace out kitties. Love is all we need.



Hey Kitties - We Have a Question...

Avery and her new Human

A Sweet Farewell

On Top of the World

Hay guys, Mommy had an idea and she'd love some input. Would you guys read a blog from our little shelter? The board of directors is thinking about starting one, but we'd love to hear if you would read it, and if so, what would you enjoy reading about? All input and suggestions would be welcomed. We figure if Mommy is spending a lot of her time out there, she could at least share with all of you what it is that they do there and some cool shelter stories.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and input.
Keep those tails high!
Love,
Ricky Tiki Tavi, Puff, Powder, Rudy and Diamond Doggie

Looking Both Forward and Back, It's All Good

Destroying the lamp switch in 3, 2, 1,...

Hi guys! Ricky Tiki Tavi here. Life is fun in our little corner of O Hi O! So much to do, so much to learn! I learned what a window is. You cannot jump through it. It's impossible to do no matter how many times I try. But you can have a blast with the lamp cord. It's my new favorite toy. I think I have been given a new name. "No No Ricky". I hope I get to keep my other name. Ricky Tiki Tavi is a lot nicer...

So, what's been going on you ask? Wrestling with Rudy, exploring what's inside the trash cans in the bathrooms and why, oh why I can't get through glass windows? Daddy discovered that he can't fly when he took a 20 foot spill from a ladder a month ago and he's been recovering ever since. Once Mommy got over her heart attack after witnessing Daddy's failed flying attempt, she has been taking care of him. He's a lot better now, but for the first couple of weeks she had to help him with his chores. He sprained his ankle pretty bad and now I have another game - Daddy calls it "let's try and kill Daddy". I call it "I just want to walk where Daddy is walking." Fun times kitties.

Mommy has been working a lot of hours and she was gone all of last week hunting for green papers away from our little corner in O Hi O. She got back on Friday and everyone was pretty happy to see her return.

While she was away, a great thing happened...

 



Bob and his new Mom

Bob was our little shelter's longest resident. Mommy wrote about him 5 years ago here. He came >>>this close<<< to living at our house, but four cats had always been the limit here. So on Thursday a wonderful thing happened. This wonderful lady had lost her kitty and she and her husband wanted a kitty to help heal their heart. Bob was their guy. We are happy to report that he's settled in nicely and loves sleeping with her and his new Daddy. YAY BOB!!! If you check out our little shelter's facebook page you will see what an awesome week it has been.

I have been told by my sibs that there is a very good day coming this week and it involves Turkey! And it means that I get to meet my Mommy's very best pal. Auntie Lois is flying in to meet me and help me celebrate my very first Thanksgiving! I can't wait to meet her and let her spoil me even more than I have already been spoiled. My sibs tell me that she is awesome!

So, I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday and you get lots of treats.

Mommy and Daddy are thinking of sweet Parker Pie and will acknowledge her six month anniversary of going to the Bridge on Saturday. Thanksgiving was one of her favorite days. There will be a special prayer said for her at the Thanksgiving table. She's what our little family was grateful for. I have such big paws to fill.

Anyhow kitties, I love my life here and I am grateful for my family and for all of you that have welcomed me into the cat blogosphere. You rock!

Happy Thanksgiving and remember, the window aways wins...

 

November is National Diabetes Month!

Hi kitties - Ricky Tiki Tavi here and I want to ask you a huge favor. My Mommy told me that every November Parker would take a stand against the awful, rotten, crummy disease of Diabetes. So I thought it might be a good idea if I continued in her tradition. The wonderful Zoolatry lady made these sidebars for us. When Mommy saw what she had created, her eyes got very, very leaky. After she dried her tears, we decided to ask all of you to share this sidebar on your blog.
You see, Parker always wished for a cure for Diabetes as Mommy has the no good disease. I want the same thing. So if you would, help spread the word that a cure must be found.
Last week it was 5 months since Parker Pie left for the bridge. My family misses her very much, but the good news is that they are so happy that I have arrived. I help fill the hole that Parker left in their hearts.
Mommy is super, super busy helping the animals at our little shelter. She always tells me how very lucky I am, but I already know that. Rudy and the Calico gals are learning to love me - kinda. I want to play all of the time, and they don't always like my advances. Rudy is a great wrestling buddy. He kinda likes to throw down with me. The Calico gals, not so much. Puff throws a mean left swat and a pretty big hiss. She still holds the "Queen of Everything" title. Powder just gives me the stink eye and runs away. Diamond just sighs and stays out of my way. He's pretty smart for a dog.
I went and saw Dr. Joe for my rooster shots last week. I am happy to report that I am healthy and have gained 1 pound and 1 ounce since my visit three weeks earlier! Mommy says I am growing before her very eyes. I am sleek and shiny and very, very handsome. I'm called the little house panther!
I hope you are all doing well. We all love and miss you.
Love and Hugs,
Ricky-Tiki-Tavi

A Day At Our Little Shelter

What's in here?

 



Oh dear, it's another rescue mission.

 

Nine lab mixes were brought to our shelter after a hoarding situation was discovered. More than 100 dogs were found in various states of illness and neglect. Shelters in a 4 county area stepped up and took in as many of the dogs as they could. Our awesome employees took in nine dogs, gave then a medical exam, vaccinations and tests for heartworms. They were scared and many of them had never known the loving touch of a human. They were given their own kennel, warm and soft blankies and toys. Oh, and food, lots of good food.

 

Many of the dogs suffered from sores from laying on hard surfaces. All were covered in fleas.

 

 

 

Some had bitten ears from fighting for the food that was tossed into their outdoor kennels.

 

 

This scared boy will soon know what love and good care is all about.

 

 

It's no secret that many shelters are low on funds. Very low. We are no exception.

 

You see those injections and the white package? That's the minimum testing and medicine needed for each dog. Each medicine and heartworm test costs us $100. So, 9 rescue dogs x's $100 = $900. We want to keep on helping the abused, neglected and abandoned animals in our county. We really need help. So if you have any spare change, a rich uncle, just hit the lottery, or know of a way that we can raise funds, please let Mommy know, or go to www.hsoac.org and make a donation. We have over 300 little lives depending on us.