Good news! Blind kitty has a new home and a way there!!

[Sara Manasseh]

Hello all!

I posted two threads over the past several weeks about a blind kitty I took in who needed a home and a way to get to that home once one was found. Her success story is wonderful! Through the help of amazing folks at Pet Talk, Cora will be flying to her new home in NC this coming Monday. Her new owner has 4 blind cats and takes excellent care of them. She is obviously devoted to their care, comfort and safety. She and her daughter are quite a find for Cora. I couldn't have asked for better.

You all have been so amazing and caring to me that I don't know what to say. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

love,
Sara

[jazzcat]

Wonderful news!!!!!

[QueenScoopalot]

Pet Talk is kind of a magical place huh? Great news about Cora (and Peach). I'm glad things worked out with your dear pets, and now you'll have the peace of mind knowing they're both safe. :) :)

[rg_girlca]

Oh Sara this is such wonderful news. I have been reading your posts about Cora.

Will you be able to let us know how Cora handled the flight and how she does in her new home?

This woman who has 4 blind cats sounds like an Angel.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is wondeful news!!!:D

[Sara Manasseh]

Cora's new owner has a website, "Blindkatrescue". She will post photos of Cora there. She'll also call me with news of Cora's arrival and how she's doing. I'll let you all know!!

Sara

[Cinder & Smoke]

:)

Have a Safe Trip, Cora! ;)

This "may" be the web site of Cora's New Home -
spelled Cat rather than Kat >>>

http://blindcatrescue.com/ (http://blindcatrescue.com/)
..

[Randi]

This is just the best news!! :D I hope you'll be able to keep us updated on Cora and her new sisters/brothers. Perhaps you can persuade her mom to join PT! :)

Will you post the website, please?

[Sara Manasseh]

Cinder and Smoke got it right. That's the lady who is taking Cora in. She had 5 blind cats, one of whome died very recently (over whom she's heartbroken). She is extremely dedicated to felines...

Sara

[jenluckenbach]

What wonderful news :D

[leslie]

ok it is now monday! wondering wondering wondering how things are going for Cora!! please keep us posted! give us an update! This is also (aside from we all care!) educational in terms of learning how your darling manages the flight and all...(and you too!) Give us the details! Did she fly from Detroit, how many flight changes and any sedatives or airline concerns on your part and how did it go on the recieving end (i wish I had your phone number!)

[Sara Manasseh]

Cora was doing fine when her new owner (Alana) called to say that she had arrived in Raleigh. Cora flew from Grand Rapids to Cincinnati to Raleigh, on Delta Airlines. The temperatures were right for the flights (i.e. less than 85 degrees). One thing that Alana suggested that I do was write "Blind Cat!" in several places on Cora's crate...

The agents at the ticket counter were ooh-ing and ah-ing over Cora and called her a "miracle kitty" after I told them how Cora had survived the Michigan winter in spite of being blind. They also wanted to know how on earth did I find a home for her? I told them about Pet Talk (and how dozens of folks on Pet Talk were helping me to find a home for Cora), and about Blindcatrescue. The airline agents were astounded that such help and such incredible pet advocates existed!

I don't know any more of the details about how the flight was for Cora. It was a four-hour trip, all told. I will ask Alana for more details about how Cora was acting when she picked Cora up.

Alana emailed to tell me that she's making an appointment for Cora with an eye specialist. She's wondering about Cora's trauma-damaged eye. The vet that I took Cora to said that the eyeball might have to be removed at some point, if it continued to swell over time. We'll see what the eye specialist says.

Alana also wrote that Cora was sleeping comfortably on her daughter's bed.

I'll update you more, soon!

Sara

[Sara Manasseh]

I didn't give Cora any sedatives...

[leslie]

Well heck and tears of happiness! thank you so much for that touching story! I hope Alana will join pet talk at least long enough to send us pics and an update on how Cora is doing in her new home! How are you doing? Do you talk to Alana on the phone? Do you talk to Cora on the phone? (kidding). Are you sad? (mixed feelings?) She was sleeping on Alana's daughter's bed? Well that's a good sign! How old is her daughter? I hope you took the financial doner up on their offer! Whoever it was, that was awfully nice! DogDukesmom and me hope you stick around sara! When you can, keep us posted on Cora and Sara (and Romeo if you want!) And pics are cool! And don't forget to mention how you are holding up! did you move yet! I am so glad Cora and Peach got homes! So glad...

[smokey the elder]

What a wonderful person Alana is to make a home for blind cats! I'm glad the airline people liked her. It sounds like Cora did very well on the flights.

[Sara Manasseh]

I thought you all would appreciate this part of Cora's tale: Alana and her daughter Stephanie (who is eleven) lost one of their blind kitties to a liver disease last week. That particular kitty spent most, or all, of her time in Stephanie's room. (If I'm remembering correctly, she never wanted to leave Stephanie's room, because she was so timid.)

So, where do you think Cora is hanging out? Yep, you got it: she's been hanging out and sleeping in Stephanie's room! I hope that Cora will help to soothe the grief of their recent loss. I hope that Cora's sweet presence in Stephanie's room has been a comfort to Stephanie, and to her mom. I bet it has.

Isn't that wonderful?

Sara

[QueenScoopalot]

Sara, I'm so delighted that things worked out for both Cora & Peach. It sounds like both fell into a tub of butter. ;) Thanks for the update, and do stick around and keep us all posted on the 'kids'! Jan

[rg_girlca]

This is such good news Sara. I am sure that little Cora will help ease the sorrow that Alana and Stephanie are feeling for the loss of their beloved cat.

I hope and pray that Cora's visit to the eye specialists goes well.

I, like QSA, am so glad that everything worked out for Cora and Peaches.

[Sara Manasseh]

you all warm my heart!

[Sara Manasseh]

I wanted to try to answer some of leslie's questions!

I surely will encourage Alana to join pt. I bet she'd love to keep you all updated!

As for how I am doing... Well, it was very hard to say goodbye to Cora, and to Romeo, and to Peach. The grief is too overwhelming for me to even begin to feel. Right now, it is simply too heavy for me to carry. I can't bear it.

In addition, my good friend who was in the hospital died on Sunday. Her family got to be there and was at her side as she passed away. I didn't know her for very long -- only as long as I knew Cora -- but loss like that always brings on strong emotions.

I take a TREMENDOUS amount of encouragement from knowing that all three of my dearly loved pets and companions are now beginning to bond with their new owners, people who I can trust to love them and to care for them well. It's like I have had kids, and have been blessed to know that they are loved wherever they are. That is what we really care about, isn't it? Even if I am inexpressibly sad that Cora, Peach and Romeo are no longer living with me, I can still love them from where I am, and I can still feel that sweet satisfaction that comes from taking tender care of a pet. I can feel that love that is glad, and even joyful, to know that the one you love is being loved, even if not by you. I can take joy in knowing that they are being cared for.

I have been talking with Alana on the phone, and we have been emailing quite a bit, too. I plan to call her tomorrow to hear in person how things are going at this point, as well as how Cora acted after her flight (scared? withdrawn? tired?)

I took RichB up on his offer to help pay for the plane flight. He is sending me a check for half of the cost! That amazes me.

As for whether I stick around, I sure want to! And I will definitely keep you posted and send pics when I get them. By the way, since I've never done this kind of thing before, how do we keep chatting? How do we keep finding one another amongst all these threads and posts? Do we keep talking on this thread, or start another one together? ?

Leslie mentioned the idea of me writing about how Romeo is doing. I really would like to say a few words about Romeo and how things have worked out for him.

I found Romeo several years ago when I was working as a baker. He was sitting outside the door to an apartment each time I went by on my way to and from work. After a week of seeing him every day sitting in exactly the same place, I realized that he might be waiting for an owner who had not come back. Sure enough, he was bony, and terribly hungry. He had faithfully waited a full 7 or 8 days right by that apartment door, hardly budging an inch! It took me about two tenths of a second to decide to adopt him.

He has been a joy of a cat. Burly and big-headed, he looks like a fighter, but he's not. He only wants to have lots of people to love and be loved by, and to go outside and do cat-kinds of things for at least a few hours each day. He's a fun cat, and an extrovert.

The person who adopted him is the first one who knew that I had adopted him: my coworker at the bakery. Now, she has adopted Romeo into a home that houses three animal-loving teenagers. Her two girls love to cuddle and to hold him. Her teenage son didn't like the name "Romeo" at first, since it didn't sound tough enough, to him. But now, his commentary on Romeo is that he's "tight". (I guess that means "cool" in current teenager language.) Romeo will get to go outside a whole lot (especially since teenagers will be going in and out the front door all the time); but, best of all, he'll get to live in a household where there's lots of love, and a whole lot of company to pay attention to him.

What Romeo loves best is to get in the center of a group of people and roll onto his back and just drink in the attention and the delight of the people that are around him. I think he may wonder whether he's found heaven, once he's adjusted to leaving me and he has staked out his new environment.

So, you can see that I have reason to feel very grateful for how things have gone since I realized I'd have to give up Cora, Romeo and Peach. Each one -- count 'em: all three! -- have been taken in by owners who have a whole lot to offer them. A whole lot.

Well, I've talked your ears off. We certainly will have to keep in touch!

And hopefully I can hear about YOUR pets!!!!

love,
Sara

[leslie]

so good to hear from you and I think once you hear from alana about the flight for cora you can start a new thread called "blind kitty's trying time in air"! On cat general! It would be good educational info for anyone contemplating sending cats anywhere via airplane! Thank you for the story on Romeo- he is in Champaign now?
And the best way to stay in touch is just read the posts and respond to the ones that interest you! That way, we will know you are here! Give advice when you have some and give support when asked! That's about all pet talk is about in a nut shell! go to dog house for other news like abuse or neglect stories or off the wall stuff! (non- pet related- we are there too!) Again, you did good Sara. I am sorry about so many losses at once and hope it hasn't triggered the loss of those past.... Are you all moved and settled at least and ready to vote?

[blindcatrescue]

Hi Everyone, thank you Sara for inviting me to join :)

Cora is doing great. She went to the eye specialist today. She was one eye that is abnormally large because of secondary glaucoma. He feels that it would be best to go ahead and remove the eye. He does not feel that she is in any great pain (and her behavior leads me to believe he is correct) but he said it does cause them occasional headaches, so next week we will have that done. Her other eye has a completely detached retina that could be caused by trauma or worms of all things. Apparently round worms can cuase blindness in cats and dogs.

Someone asked how did she do with the fleight? Apparently did ok, she was not fearful when picked her up, as a matter of fact she had one paw out of the crate reaching out. I moved her into a larger crate (it is a 2 hour drive home from the airport) so she would have a litter box and gave her food and water. She dove into the food, ate for a bit and then curled up in the litter box and took a nap.

She is adjusting pretty good. She is not fond of the other cats (which is a shame, they are very friendly) when they are not around (they go outside alot) she comes out in the rest of the house but prefers to stay in my daughters room more. Although, she did meet Stephanies ferrets the other day, lets just say, she was not amused LOL...

Someone asked how old is my daughter. She is almost 12. We have been a foster home for the local animal shelter for 5 years and have had over 90 fosters with us over the years. she has shared her room many a time with cats. The shelter would give her the feral kittens to tame.

You can see pictures of Cora on my website

blindcatrescue.com

I wanted to thank Sara for letting us adopt her as our new family member. She is a delight!!

Alana

[leslie]

Well thanks loads and loads for posting and I will definately go look at her pics! You should look at QueenScoopalot's two blind kittens and see what you think! they are being adopted by a pter in November. Pics are in Cat general - I dunno the best way to find them except maybe to go to members, then queenscoopalot, then back up a month or less for pics of gracie and oops! can't remember what the boy is being named...! Thanks loads again! You do a lot of good work!
Welcome to Pet talk!

[blindcatrescue]

Thanks Leslie.

I saw queenscoopalot's babies and as a matter of fact offered to take them if she had not found them a home. I am glad that she was able to find someone.

alana

[leslie]

oh! ok! Wow you are very nice! Do you think the girls eye needs to be removed? it was bulbing but not so much now... have you been following thread re: little tyke that was lost in the grocery store and jan took in on sunday? He was so weak and filthy. come to find out, his tongue doesn't work. So off to the vets we went! See "Off to the white coats" for update! It's good news in a way- he can survive as long as whatever got him wasn't shredding rabies. i'm sure you are familiar with the routine regarding rabies...

[jazzcat]

Alana - thanks for the update on Cora. It sounds like a happy ending for her, especially since she has an expert cat girl as a roommate.

Welcome to PT and I hope you will stick around and introduce us to all your kitties on the Cat General board.

[AmberLee]

Welcome to Pet Talk. It's so nice to know Cora is settling in nicely to her new home and what the prognosis is. I hope to hear from you often in the future.

[kiara-cat]

yay glad you fond cora a good him were she will be taken care of well:) ;)

[Laura's Babies]

I sit here with tears in my eyes reading these recent posts. I have been keeping up with this one from the beginning. Thank you blindcatrescue for being so kind as to help resolve this situation and giving Cora a good home and I really want to thank you for joining and posting on here and leading us to Cora's pictures! (Which I have seen already)

I have a special place in my heart for special need kitties so I was very interested in this one. I really admire people like you who do this kind of work and just want you to know, you and what you do, are apperciated. Stay with us on PT and tell us about the kitties you have and post pictures if you can.. We would love to have you here!

Sarah, you hang around too and check in with us!

[leslie]

Agreed! Sara and Alana! don't be strangers! And Sara, about Peach, if you get news about her, share that too! Last I heard she was ok with family with children? Did Cora have surgery?

[Sara Manasseh]

hello! Peach's new owner promised pictures. i'm eagerly awaiting them. i have no other updates on Peach yet.

Romeo was still settling in at his new home, the last i heard. he's timid, so he was spending some time in a closet at first, but he would come out right away if someone called him. he was rolling around and wanting his belly scratched now and then, which is a sign that he's happy. i'll call his new owner again soon.

i'm not sure whether Cora has had her surgery quite yet. i expect Alana will give an update soon after the surgery...

[leslie]

We shall wait for further news! Thanks for sharing and I hope you are a bit at peace now knowing they are all doing ok...!?

[Sara Manasseh]

i called Romeo's new owner and he apparently is doing famously! he's enjoying the teenagers hanging out and coming and going; he's enjoying being cuddled and fussed over by the girls; he's going outside but not going too far... he is quite happy. he's doing all the things that he used to do that were signs to me that he was happy: he sits right in the center of any group of people who are at the house, so that he can be the focus of attention; he rolls onto his back a lot and purs and plays; he gets onto their computer keyboard; he gets on laps and sleeps in the kids' beds and is being abundantly loved by the three teenagers as well as by his new mom.

i'm waiting for news on Cora's surgery...

[leslie]

Oh well! So glad his home worked out! Let us know how Cora's surgery went (eye removed?) and also how is ol' Peach doing in her new home in CO? With KIDS!!!!

[blindcatrescue]

Cora has not had her eye removed yet, with the constant hurricanes we decided to wait till next week. The vet is 2 hours away and I don't want to be driving with the awful weather! There is no problem with our waiting, she is not showing any signs of discomfort. She is doing wonderful, such a sweet loving girl!

alana

[Sara Manasseh]

hats off to cats who stay loving and sweet in spite of having experienced human neglect and cruelty in their lives!

hats off to new owners who promise a good life to them after all!

(hats off to God, too, who desires mercy for all creatures!)