Thanksgiving Visitors at Rustic Hollow 2011

    After years of family Thanksgivings together, Wanda and I find ourselves without family to share the holidays with.  Wanda's sister and family live over 12 hours away and get-to-gethers are mainly via email and phone chats. My family-well it's just me folks. Unless you count the spirit of my mother who strolls the floors of The Kitty Kottage (my childhood home now over 100 centuries old-and that's another story for another day).

   Wanda and I enjoy the quiet holidays sitting under the furs and spending time and sharing toys and treats with all the feline residents at Rustic Hollow. This Thanksgiving meant a five-day break for us at home. Other years we would find ourselves back in the Nashua Reporter newspaper office working during the holidays on the  next edition of the weekly newspaper that we published for nineteen years. There are no breaks, no holidays from the newspaper, but now that we are 'retired' from the newspaper publishing business, we are full speed, full time focused on C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter, a full time job in itself. More time for grant writing, catching up on correspondence, and...of course, sitting under furs.

 

    This Thanksgiving was going to be that..time spent together at home with the furs. Well, we had more than the 'furs' to reckon with this Thanksgiving. And what a wonderful time it was....

   Thanks to Henry! 

     Henry is a young beautiful red tabby full of love and life with the diagnosis of FIV. Please understand that FIV cats are totally adoptable and can live in multiple cat homes....but that's a blog for another day.  It is still very difficult to place FIV cats in adoptive homes, so Henry was coming to Iowa.

   All the way from West Virginia. Henry was to arrive Thanksgiving Eve and his chauffeurs were Daniel and Julia Snell. They were making a little 'jog in their journey' as they were moving to California and Iowa and Rustic Hollow was one stop they were making with young Henry. They got a later start than they had planned, and a call from the road from Julia to let us know that according to their GPS they would be arriving around 8:30 in the evening at C & W and asked if that would be a problem.

 

  I told them no, it was not a problem, and since they were arriving so late, I offered them overnight accommodations in our new building, Bradley's House. The upper level is finished enough now and the bedroom is ready for guests along with the bathroom which includes a tub and shower. A breakfast nook offers fruit, nuts, a refrigerator for staff to keep their lunch in and have a break in...and a nice view out the window of staff member Becky's miniature horses, donkeys, pot bellied pig, and Magic, the Llama who guards the herd. They are wintering at Rustic Hollow and can be seen milling around and munching their hay from the lofty windows in the upper level at Bradley's. Our volunteers Bob and Lynda come over an hours drive to volunteer for several days at a time, and find the accommodations to be comfy, including their 'sleepover kitten' Scamp who nestles between their heads and spends the night watching over them.

  Okay, it's a Conklin thing to get a bit 'off the subject' so let's get back on track.... I'm getting away from the real story here.

   I offered Julia and Daniel a place to stay the night, and Julia said immediately: "Well, before you offer us a place to stay, you have to know.... we are traveling with two dogs, three cats, and snakes and other reptiles...." her voice trailed off. I said immediately. "Not a problem. Come on IN." 

   They arrived around 8:30 PM and we got Henry settled in his room in Apollo's  House, our FIV building. Then, Daniel and Julia had the huge task of settling in canines Samson (BIG Samson) and Penny, cats Milo and two others whose names are as elusive at the moment as they were for their entire stay, Drago the Bearded Dragon, Rafael the red ear slider, Rupert the Jungle Carpet Python, Temperance the Ball Python, Chuck the Crested Gecko and, a whole lot more of those little fellas... and Brozaka,  the most beautiful, brightest orange corn snake I've ever seen. All were as tame as a kitten and when Daniel and Julia finally got themselves settled in, I was introduced to each and every reptile traveling the long journey to California with the couple. And got to hold them as well.  It was a wonderful evening. Wanda of course, was in bed by 9 and missed the entire first evening with our travelers. No matter, we promised we'd share breakfast with them in the morning.

 The dogs were so thilled to have so much space to run around in outside (and inside) as well. Samson and Penny always sleep with Julia and Daniel, so they took the BIG Queen sized bed upstairs and all Samson took was the stuffed calico kitten on one of the twin beds in the bedroom. Well, he took it but he didn't get to keep it. 

   They took a tour of all the buildings, checked on Henry who had already decided he was ready to play and stretch HIS legs from the long journey as well. Their cats were released upstairs and two simply disappeared. Milo was the bravest, spending most of his time on the bed as well after checking out the upstairs and the downstairs that is separate from our cat rooms.  Much conversation later, I departed so they could get some rest... It was already after 11PM, but It was a wonderful evening with a very interesting and charming couple.

   Around 8:00 AM Thanksgiving Day, Wanda and I headed for Kwik Star to pick up eggs and bread to make some breakfast for our guests. We have toaster ovens, a griddle and a Foreman Grill so staff can make sandwiches for lunch, or for our staff breakfasts which we hold upstairs in Bradleys as well. So with help from staff member Teresa, who is a great cook herself, we had juice and toast and pancakes and eggs for our guests....and a great chance to get acquainted and enjoy their company. Staff member Becky (the one with all the miniature horses on site) came up and got to hold the snakes and pet Drago and meet chat with our guests. 

   Daniel is originally from England, and his accent was pure enjoyment. I loved it.  The morning went very quickly, and they entertained cats in all the buildings and finally it was time for them to pack up and get on their way to California. I think they may have enjoyed their stay at C & W a bit more than at the Super 8 the night before. I KNOW for a FACT that the dogs and the cats enjoyed it more. Samson and Penny were beside themselves with all the space and freedom and outside to run in. Their only moment of panic was late the night before and they were outside running and playing when suddenly, in the darkest area of the farm, they heard noises and discovered the miniature horses in their yard. The barking was deafening as they tried to drown out their own fear with loud barks. Didn't phase the horses one bit, but Samson and Penny were ready to get back inside after that and settle in on the bed. 

   I will say that this Thanksgiving of 2011 was a very interesting and enjoyable time with some very special visitors...thanks to Daniel and Julia and their whole troupe.

Sanctuaries....Can they be a feline's 'forever home?"

Sanctuary: "a place of safety"
Animal Sanctuary: "a place where animals are brought to live and be protected for life."

     What distinguishes an animal sanctuary from other institutions is the philosophy of all who care for the animals act on behalf OF the animals with the firm belief that the animals come first and that all animals are of equal importance. At least, that is how it is at C & W's Rustic Hollow Shelter, Nashua, Iowa.
 
       It is with sadness and anger when I read about failed sanctuaries who have warehoused  animals for years, keeping them in cramped cages, with little or no interaction with people....or socialization....and often not much veterinary care. Sadness for the animals, and anger at the people who housed them so poorly.
      
       Those 'sanctuaries' are NOT sanctuaries. They are hell holes that animals survive in til they die. Those are the sanctuaries that give the really good ones a "bad name" and all sanctuaries are lumped into being sad places for animals to live, even for a short time.
   
       And it is with joy when I know of sanctuaries who truly are a 'place where animals are protected for life.." and where 'the animals DO come first."  So, to all the doubters and unbelievers out there who view ALL sanctuaries as such a sad place for animals to live out their lives in.... open your minds and realize that sanctuaries truly CAN be one of the best places and the best life an animal has ever had or could have. Don't just take a one-sided view of that word "sanctuary," or 'animal sanctuary"...
        
      From what our many rescue friends all across the nation tell us, C & W does live up to being one of the places where animals (and their human caregivers) ARE all of equal importance. And all get a great deal of loving attention over at least 8 hours of the day, and many more when volunteers visit and stay overnight or even several days to be with the felines that reside at Rustic Hollow.
    
      I stand by my belief that the good sanctuaries provide a great quality of life and a real 'home' to felines who truly benefit from being there- truly a real 'forever home.' A 'forever home' they would not have had in many, many cases. Not a chance at one. C & W Rustic Hollow offers that 'chance at a lifetime' and we do not worry if the feline stays here forever and is not adopted. Many of the furs that come here have already been adopted out (sometimes twice),  rejected and back in a rescue cage.

           I find it interesting when someone says that you have to place ALL animals in 'forever homes' and NOT in a sanctuary where they will be left alone with little or no interaction. It makes me wonder if they have ever been to a reputable sanctuary ever?  I counter their point with these thoughts:
       I have observed the hours of interaction my staff and volunteers give to the felines that reside at Rustic Hollow.. and the hours that volunteers spend with them regularly. I see the love that is given all day and sometimes into the wee hours of the night to our C & W furs......
      AND..... I wonder.... how many hours are spent with the 'family pet(s)' every day in homes across America?  Dogs may get more attention, because, after all, you have to let them out to do their business frequently...Or did you chain them in the yard for that? But people get up, gather to eat breakfast, go to work, go to school, bowling in the evening, party for another member, everyone comes home tired, watch a little TV, go to bed......
      Where's the fun for the family pet? If there time set aside for playing with your family dog or cat. What do THEY do all day while you are gone shopping, to work, to visit friends, go to exercise at the gym, etc.etc.etc.etc.........
   
       I KNOW what they do at Rustic Hollow. They are pretty much 'kept awake' more than they would like, by a lot of activity, a lot of interaction, visitors, playtime, laser lights, oh, and the TV plays the Catsitter video DVD's with soft music for the TV buffs. They have their outdoor 'catios' to check out the 'real outdoor TV' of birds and people, and keep an eye on the three dogs too.
  
       There have been MANY times when I take a late afternoon visitor on a tour just after their caregivers have gone home.....and only ONE or TWO will grudgingly get up to check out the visitors.... the rest open an eyelid decide that some of their buds will entertain, and go back to sleep. Of course, cats do sleep 16 hours a day. So perhaps they are NOT bored all day waiting for their 'people' to come home.

       But I can tell  you they are not bored at C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter. Their quality of life is very important. Our buildings are homey and some ARE actual HOMES.
 
        And, Wanda and I are fortunate that some 25 felines let us live with them. Sound like a lot? the only time we see more than half at a time is at breakfast time and dinner time. Then it appears to be a lot. Three levels to be in, we can be here all day long and the majority of the cats are not at all interested in 'mingling' with us. As is true with many in the other five shelter homes the furs have here. The furs that come to live in our log home are the very senior cats, hospice furs, and those needing greater medical care.
    
         So.....how can you judge that the animals are better off in a family home than a sanctuary? I say that that judgement might put a cat who is 'adoption challenged' at greater risk in a 'forever family home' and sometimes, with less activity and interaction with people. I say you can't truly judge.
       
          And on the same line of thinking, if you only want them to go to a 'forever family' and they truly are 'adoption challenged.' it may become a death sentence even in a 'no kill' organization, since so many still say, 'we never kill any 'adoptable' animal.'  You know what that means, I am certain.

        No, you can't judge that a sanctuary is never a good place for an animal til you have seen how a reputable one operates from day to day. And see how the animals really feel about their 'forever home'.
Come visit the felines at Rustic Hollow and let them show you how they live each day....in between naps, ya know. 
       I also am very adamant that IF you are thinking of taking an animal to ANY life care facility or sanctuary, it is a MUST that you visit that facility yourself, spend time with the animals and see how they are cared for daily. See how they live from day to day. Visit more than once. It is truly important you know where your pet is going to live out his life if you can no longer care for that animal. Planning for your pets future is an important part of caring for your beloved companion animal, if something should happen to you. But please visit the places you see on the web that profess life care. If you cannot visit personally, have someone else visit. Get references, talk to their veterinarians........ This....Is....So.....Very..... Important.  Just ask Mr. Thomas, who went to a Texas 'ranch retirement center' and when the horrid conditions were confronted at this ranch/farm, over 220 cats were removed by the Texas SPCA. Thomas' collar read 191, but we told him he is  #1 with us. He was one of the lucky ones. His rescuer got him out and to Iowa. He arrived in 2003 I believe. He is 'adoption challenged' but loves his clean and neat home at C & W. Oh, did I mention we strive for a high standard of cleaning and keeping the felines living areas better than some homes. They appreciate their surroundings to be 'clean', their bedding soft and cuddly. It is a MUST.
  
       Every animal IS adoptable to the right family. But that just doesn't happen for so many. Their chances grow slimmer each  month....just ask a sweet little feline that lives at Rustic Hollow that lived 8 years in a cage. EIGHT YEARS!  And I can name several others who grew up in and lived in a cage....at a RESCUE even. And little Red who lived in a tiny cage in a basement, stacked on top of another cage with another cat...used for breeding. Hey, the list is long here...every feline has a special story.  Every feline has a 'forever home'.  I have heard over and over people tell me that when they came to visit C & W for the first time, they were so sure they would 'feel sorry' for the animals. And, upon leaving are delighted to tell me that 'they would not feel sorry for ANY of the felines that get to live at C & W."  That is certainly our goal too.
    
       Come share their story....come visit the furs... at C & W's Rustic Hollow Shelter.  I know of several other really great sanctuaries, too... some just for Feline Leukemia kits, who have a terrific home, and a chance at a lifetime too.
  
       That is what it is all about at C & W..... a 'chance at a lifetime' for some really wonderful furs.

                                 http://www.rustichollowshelter.org/.