Hollie and Sam Together Forever

@HollieCatRocks, @SamTheCatRocks & Pepi all crossing OTRB together....on their way to Hollie's Welcome Banquet......Gpd's Speed.....XXX

We all lit candles for you and Sam for your safe crossing and welcome homecoming.

I took this from @TheNascarKitty's post on the #Nipclub Blog.  He said it best...

"The very heart and soul of twitter has passed to Rainbow Bridge, but in her own words it's "Not Goodbye, but See you later".

Very few of us can say we haven't been touched by Hollie. She was always one of the first to congratulate, console, hug, support, and reach out to all the Anipals. It almost seemed she never slept, because when you needed her she was there.

Personally, Hollie helped my Darling @DCKitty and her Mum & Dad, and myself get through the grieving for Dominique and learn to cherish and embrace the memories and joys we shared. When I passed to #RainbowBridge Hollie was right there comforting and supporting, and giving kind words to my family.

This was something that happened every day. We all took it for granted that when we were in need Hollie would help us feel better.

She sat daily with @TheRustCat as he was in his last months before crossing to #RB, and was there non-stop for @PetieTheCat when he was sick, and on and on. Hollie was just there.

The love story between Hollie and @SamTheCatRocks helped anipals realize that RainbowBridge is not the end, but a new beginning. Their wedding, and recent reception were huge events. Hollie is larger than life, and there is no doubt she'll be a huge asset to #RainbowBridge.

This Thursday, DEC. 2nd, 2010 #NipClub is dedicated to HollieCatRocks. We'd like this to be the biggest, most over-the-top pawty ever on twitter for our beloved Hollie.

Events are still being planned, but let's pull out all the stops for Hollie, Sam, and the Wee ones."

- @TheNascarKitty

Sara's Memorial Service 11/16/2010

Following is the Memorial service held for Sara the 26 year old white dove that is/was @ShiloSiberian's sister:

@JessieJaney: @Pumpkinpuddy hello Pumpkin on #sarasporch

                           @StarskyCat please come join us Starsky on #sarasporch

@Pumpkinpuddy:  @JessieJaney Nice to meet you, even under such sad circumstances. I'm following you now. #sarasporch

@StarskyCat:  #sarasporch RT @StarskyCat: @MrTibbsatAP @MrTibbsatAP @hemmingwayscat @JessieJaney Can I help? My human says I'm great to cuddle

@GinaTheMinPin:  @Pumpkinpuddy @hemmingwayscat I'm here, too #sarasporch

@MrTibbsatAP:  @StarskyCat @hemmingwayscat @JessieJaney Hello Starsky - yes thankyou. I am sure you will be very welcome too. #sarasporch

@SeattleP:  @hemmingwayscat Oops wrong #sarasporch I'll just be here quietly during the ceremony.

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Here too! Would anyone like to say something?

@JessieJaney:  @hemmingwayscat Me me me me #sarasporch ... waving my paw

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @JessieJaney @ShiloSiberian May Sara the beautiful bird of peace find true peace and contentment OTRB. RiP Sara #sarasporch

@JessieJaney:  Where is the good in goodbye? So I'll say farewell sweet Sara and may your journey be soft and gentle OTRB #sarasporch

@danapixie:  #sarasporch will be in every ray of sun,every breeze that blows, every drop of rain.She will not be forgotten, she is loved @hemmingwayscat

@JessieJaney:  @StarskyCat @Pumpkinpuddy ty both for following me it is good to make new friends when saying farewell to another #sarasporch

@GizmoGeodog:  RT @danapixie: #sarasporch will be in every ray of sun,every breeze that blows, every drop of rain.She will not be forgotten, she is loved @hemmingwayscat

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  @JessieJaney take a turn, everything is SO beautiful! #sarasporch

@Pumpkinpuddy:  #sarasporch I didn't know Sara, but I know how sad it is to lose a friend and wanted to be here to support Sara's family and friends.

@ShaynaCat:  RT @Pumpkinpuddy: #sarasporch I didn't know Sara, but I know how sad it is to lose a friend and wanted to be here to support Sara's family and friends.

@GinaTheMinPin:  The feeling of love is very strong here on #sarasporch this evening ♥

@JessieJaney:  @ShiloSiberian I didn't know Sara but I have this peaceful feeling as we say wish her well OTRB may she fly free #sarasporch @hemmingwayscat

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Thank you all for making this so beautiful. I chose 2 things I found, 1 for us, and 1 for @ShiloSiberian and family.

@ShaynaCat:  RT @Mulder_Cat: @Muffycat1229 We got a special three-way wormhole just for this weekend! Plus free pretzels. #SarasPorch #RykersPorch #MuldersPorch

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian "If the future seems overwhelming, remember that it comes one moment at a time." -Beth Mende Conne

            #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian They that love beyond the world cannot be seperated by it. Death       cannot kill what never dies. -William Blake

@GinaTheMinPin:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Those are truly beautiful quotes, furiend :) #sarasporch

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Oh those are beautiful thoughts and words for Sara & her family #sarasporch

@Pumpkinpuddy:  RT @ginatheminpin: @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Those are truly beautiful quotes, furiend :) #sarasporch

@danapixie:  “@ChatteMuse: @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian Set free the butterfly on wings of a white dove PEACE ♡☮♡ xx~*CM”

@ShaynaCat:  RT @danapixie: “@ChatteMuse: @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian Set free the butterfly on wings of a white dove PEACE ♡☮♡ 

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch I didn't know Sara either but I saw that someone was hurting for her and I wanted to reach out and help. So may joined me ...

          #sarasporch I am SO proud of my friends, anipals and human. Thank you for sending off and caing for a fellow animal that U didn't even know.

@GinaTheMinPin:  @hemmingwayscat We are all part of 1 big Anipal Family; doesn't matter if we knew Sara or not, we still feel her family's pain #sarasporch

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Would anyone else like to say anything?

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian All animals, humans and anipals are important. Love transcends species as does the pain of loss. #sarasporch

@ChrisGroove1:  I just wanted to drop by and leave sum purrrrs and blessings #sarasporch

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  @GinaTheMinPin #sarasporch That is why I love you all so much!

@ShaynaCat:  RT @MrTibbsatAP: @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian All animals, humans and anipals are important. Love transcends species as does the pain of loss. 

@JessieJaney:  @hemmingwayscat and why we love you back ... you make us all better anipals 

#sarasporch

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  I will leave everyone with a final thought, though we can all stay as long as we like, I just need to get it out to feel better. #sarasporch

    #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian "Dawn is born at Midnight." -Carl Yung

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Sara is now free of pain and flying high OTRB. Love & healing purrs to her family #sarasporch Goodnight. all.

@JessieJaney:  @MrTibbsatAP night night Mr Tibbs #sarasporch

@ShaynaCat:  RT @hemmingwayscat: #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian "Dawn is born at Midnight." -Carl Yung

@ShaynaCat:  @MrTibbsatAP 'Night :-) #sarasporch

@JessieJaney:  @hemmingwayscat thank you for having us on #sarasporch ... was beautiful ... am going now to find a sun puddle!

@GinaTheMinPin:  Lovely service for Sara. Good night to all on #sarasporch.

@Harley_Bird:  love is stronger than death RT @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch Would anyone else like to say anything?

@ChrisGroove1:  Thank you for letting me drop in and share in the lovely service #sarasporch Bless Sara.

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Thank you all for coming. Stay as long as you'd like or leave. We all understand each other's needs.

       #sarasporch I am still sitting here, at #rykersporch and at #muldersporch ~ Love you all dearly!

@ShaynaCat:  @hemmingwayscat Me too, but am going to have to get some sleep - purring 4 #SarasPorch , #RykersPorch & #Muldersporch. 'Night :-)

@athenaspazycat:  *sitting pretty on #sarasporch* What happened to poor Sara?

@StarskyCat:  #sarasporch #rykersporch #muldersporch Sleep now - anyone who'd like to cuddle, tuck into my fur - I'm not speciest. x

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  @Harley_Bird #sarasporch Thank you! *hug*

@GizmoGeodog:  Ur a wonderful furriend RT @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch I am still sitting here, at #rykersporch and at #muldersporch ~ Love you all dearly!

@PepiSmartDog:  #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian 's 26 yr old Sarah & Pepi crossing OTRB together. http://twitpic.com/37hj2j Pls RT

     

@PepiSmartDog's advice to @ShiloSiberian or "Crossing Over the Rainbow Bridge"

@PepiSmartDog said beautifully:

     "@ShiloSiberian So very sorry about Sara. Please know she is here with us OTRB & we will take very good care of her.  She had a wonderful Welcome Banquet where we had all sorts of grains & greens imaginable! She even joined the Conga line!  She sleeps with us on our #ComfyCuddleCloud, with all us anipals here OTRB. We have shown her our Waving Cloud too, where we go everyday 2 wave 2 our families. Remember 2 look up = U'll KNOW it's Sarah by the flickering star, that's HER waving to U.
     Times when you wonder if Sara is really alright OTRB, please take time to sit down, turn volume on high, for the music and join us Over The Rainbow Bridge.  Beautiful.
     When the day arrives that you find yourself standing at the Rainbow Bridge, Sara will be there waiting for you and U & her will be together again...forever. But while she waits, she will be surrounded by friends, & laugh & fly free & eat anything & be able to do everything ! But she will never forget U. She loves U. Sara knows U love her too.  HUGS HUGS XXX"


Thank you @PepiSmartDog for comforting @ShiloSiberian and family, and all of us left on this side of The Rainbow Bridge.  Thank you SO much!

This is not Sara, but an image used to show her flying freely.

Nimbus and Diabetes

Nimbus

(a.k.a. Crown Prince Joseph A. Nimbus of Iowa)

Most of us know TSB and Nimbus and his fur-siblings on both Facebook and Twitter @UsThreeCoons ~
Well, TSB has been hit hard by the economy and lack of good jobs.  She is struggling to buy Nimbus his insulin because she has to use human insulin which is quite expensive.  I decided to try to give them a Christmas gift by raising money to help pay for his insulin for a couple of months.  I have a Chipin widget here on my blog (right at the top right) and I was hoping that everyone could throw in a dollar or more to help them out.  Christmas is coming soon! Nimbus will be a warm purring kitty knowing that we care! *hugs* to you all! I know you're such generous spirits!

L.A. Unleashed

ALL THINGS ANIMAL IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND

« Previous Post | L.A. Unleashed Home | Next Post »

Update: Nico, the deaf shelter dog whose photo inspired online rescue community, has a new home in Indiana

September 1, 2010 | 12:53 pm

Last year, guest blogger Janet Kinosian shared the story of Nico, a shelter dog who was rescued through the efforts of Southern California rescuers and a community of animal-loving Facebook users. Since then, Nico's story has gotten even better; here, Kinosian fills us in on what's been going on in the life of this hard-luck dog who became one of the luckiest couch potatoes in Indiana.

Remember Nico, the defeated deaf white Dogo Argentino at South Los Angeles animal shelter -- who moved so many people with the sad photo of him first posted on Facebook? Nico, the forlorn animal who evoked the agony and utter defeat so many discarded animals must experience? Well, it's a joy to update you on Nico's life.

Just look at these two photos side by side: Can this possibly be the same animal?

Photos like the one on the left aren't anything new on the Web: Tens of thousands flood Facebook alone on a daily basis. What was different about Nico's photo, though, was what it captured: the loneliness of an animal that lay against the shelter's wall full of sadness, seeming to have lost all hope. That only spurred on Southern California rescuers.

And that's where the photo on the right comes in.

Things have worked out well for Nico SwanGarris. That's his new name and he lives now with his two moms and new sister, Brisby, a pit bull mix who is also deaf and white, in Indiana. He still loves balls, baths and life as a major couch potato, says Bridget Swan, who, with her partner Melissa, adopted Nico in November 2009.

Last August, Southern California animal rescuer Nikki Audet first posted Nico's photo on Facebook, and Kelley Gibson, a rescuer and animal transporter based in a San Diego, helped get him to the Hamilton County Humane Society in Indianapolis. Nico likely didn't know how lucky a hand he'd been dealt.

He quickly went through training to help him with issues resulting from his deafness and teach him how to navigate in a world of sound. His bumps and nicks and battle scars were attended to. He was happy and safe when Bridget and Melissa decided they wanted to adopt a dog, and Bridget's friend said she should see this dog at the local humane society.

Swan remembers that, at first, the animal agency was a bit wary of her adopting Nico. She didn't understand why until she was clued in by shelter staff that Nico was a bit of a celebrity and they wanted to make sure she was adopting him for the right reasons.

These days Nico walks in parades with his new moms, “loves to sit up close on your feet so he knows when you are walking away,” says Swan, and “in general is 100% low-key. He'll get a wild hair in him once in a while, but he's a mellow guy, and he deserves it after all he went through back then. He just loves people -- despite whatever was done to him -- and gives lots of kisses. He's very generous and free with his kisses. He's just so dependent on us, and he likes to hang with you 24/7.”

Nico has had one setback: A cancerous tumor was discovered and removed shortly after his adoption. Recently, Swan and Garris learned that the cancer has returned, but they remain optimistic about his future. "We are attempting a holistic approach so that we can hopefully avoid an ear amputation," Swan says. "We know that he will beat this just like all the other terrible things he has put up with in the past. He is a loving fighter and is strong."

According to Swan, finding toys for Nico can be a bit of a problem, as he loves and chews up Kongs, bones and anything he can wrap his canines around. He also has hundreds of fans on Facebook who hear about his daily happenings and send him messages of love and support.

Asked what Nico might say now that he's safe and sound, Swan replies: “The main message is this: Just because it's a cute small dog or puppy doesn't mean it'll be your best companion. Go for the downtrodden, defeated dogs, look at the underdog, because they will give you all their love and gratitude and forever be grateful you literally saved their life.”

So this soulful, special dog, once full of sadness, now lives out the good life in the Midwest. It's the happy story ending all dog rescuers wish for but often don't always see -- though every animals deserve nothing less. We're wishing Nico a happy, healthy and cancer-free future!

-- Janet Kinosian

Janet Kinosian has written freelance for the Los Angeles Times, L.A. Times Magazine and L.A. Times Syndicate for 18 years.  In addition to reporting, she's a media consultant who can be reached atJanetKinosian.com.

Top left photo: Nikki Audet

Top right photo: Deena Crouch

Family photo of Nico with his adopters and "sister," Brisby: Akasha Thorpe

All other photos: Bridget Swan

Twitter: @latunleashed

Facebook: launleashed

Organizations that can help with vet bills

Organizations that can help with vet bills

Need some help?

Feline diabetes can be managed very frugally in most cases. If you need help to manage your cat with diabetes, you may be eligible for aid.
Catastrophic veterinary bills are unusual but no one is immune. If you feel you can't handle your vet care costs, don't give up.
Don't forget to contact your vet first and see if you can arrange a payment plan or perhaps a barter for the vet's services. Also, contact your LOCAL animal rescue and aid organizations.

FelineDiabetes.com is an educational service and does not provide financial assistance for vet bills. Requests to FelineDiabetes.com for financial assistance will be discarded.

This is a list of USA organizations that help owners that cannot afford vet care. There is also a listing for a link to possible UK assistance organizations. Some of these links are to commerical enterprises, some to non-profit organizations. Their listing here is a courtesy. FelineDiabetes.com is an educational service and does not provide financial assistance for vet bills.

Feline Outreach
[www.felineoutreaach.org]
"Feline Outreach is a charitable organization formed to promote the routine and medical care of companion animals, particularly cats." (Note: Feline Outreach was founded by people who have diabetic cats.)


IMOM
[www.imom.org]
"Mission Statement: Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged." (Note: IMOM has a special fund for diabetic cats)

American Animal Hospital Association 
[www.aahahelpingpets.org]
"The heartbreak happens all too often? A pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook. Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship? Making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don't have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."

Angels 4 Animals 
[www.angels4animals.org]
"Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need."
Care Credit 
[www.carecredit.com]A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. "Care Credit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget."
Cats in Crisis 
[www.catsincrisis.org]
"Cats in Crisis Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and humane organizations care for cats with chronic or emergency medical conditions through financial and fundraising assistance."
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
[www.fveap.org]
"The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion." The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
Help-A-Pet
[www.help-a-pet.org]
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion."
Shakespeare Animal Fund
[www.shakespeareanimalfund.com]
“Anyone can apply for funds, but SAF offers assistance primarily to those on fixed incomes or with annual incomes below $35,000. Exceptions are made depending on circumstances. It is always a one-time grant”
The Pet Fund
[thepetfund.com]
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost."
United Animal Nations
[www.uan.org]
"The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."
UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills
[www.petloversonline.co.uk]
"Most of us can cope with the financial commitment involved in the day to day care of our pets. However, how many of us come out in a cold sweat when our pet is ill or injured and we know we have to take it to the vet? Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford it but, some of us who love our animals dearly cannot. Unfortunately we do not have a PDSA or a RSPCA Centre within our area, but there are a few charities who may be able to help."

If you have a related link to list here, please email the webmaster. 

Gunner - @tweetypie54

Gunner

It took me a while before I was able to write this but I think now is fine.  I read last Thursday that Gunner was going to be put down because the vet suggested that it would be the best thing for him.  I had a VERY difficult time hearing this since I had just begun to know him.  That wasn't the only reason, of course, I always take it REALLY hard when I hear that someone is passing OTRB.  Gunner hit me hard in my heart though.  I've talked to his family quite often since then, and he's written in his blog since then and I feel like he's still around.  

  I was really lucky, I sent him a Halloween card and he took a picture with it before this happened.  We (myself and SO many of his friends) sat on the #porchwithGunner when he was sick before that and we got a beautiful picture of us all together.  I am lucky to have these memories!  I was told after that, that he was normally much more likely to be in his signature black sunglasses, so when I saw the above picture, I had to post it instead of  mine with the Halloween card...besides, that's a permanent fixture on the sidebar! *grin*

  What I really wanted to say here is that we're sad to have seen you go Gunner, but we're so happy that you're OTRB with so many of our other anipals!  Happiness, warmth and plenty of noms... what could be better?  So here's to you Gunner, we ALL love you SO much!

The Famous Zackary Rabbit

Virtual Community: Worldwide Friendship (Reposted from "Pirulo Furry's Thoughts")

We all are dealing with sick anipals the world over.  Pirulo said it best in his blog, so I'd like to just let him say it and let you link to it from my blog so you can read it.

Virtual Community: Worldwide Friendship (Reposted from "Pirulo Furry's Thoughts")

Inigo