The Funny Farm Writing Club has unanimously decided to post the latest update on the All Cat Katrina animal rescue efforts. We are saddened by the horrors the storm victims have been enduring - human and animal - and are grateful to know there are people out there who will risk their lives, dig deep into their pockets, offer shelter and do their best to help humans. And we are grateful that there are others who are willing to risk all to rescue the victims' four-legged friends. This is one of the groups who is actively involved in rescuing animals in New Orleans.
Percy,
FFWC Secretary
Update Sept 5, 2005, Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue
All Creatures Are Truly Special, Inc. http://www.allcatsinc.org
Some VERY GOOD news to begin with--we have reunited 32 animals with their families and have supplied all of them with food. They are presently in Kenner, LA. Our plan is to post messages about all the rescued animals when we have the means to do so on-line.
Our total of rescued dogs and cats is now over 400. We have also assisted in helping trapped cattle get to safe, dry places where they can graze.
We have had to bring about a dozen dogs to the Valley shelter due to their urgent need for medical attention. If you can help with these costs by paying their bills at the vet directly or by a special donation, it would be greatly appreciated.
A representative of the Forsyth (GA) County Humane Society has visited us in Valley and plans to ask their membership for financial help.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WHICH NEEDS TO BE DONE. BUT WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY FOR FUEL AND DRY FOOD--AND OUR CREW WILL HAVE TO LEAVE UNLESS WE GET MORE FUNDS. PLEASE HELP US STAY AND HELP THE REST OF THE ANIMALS WHO REMAIN IN DANGER.
AS A REMINDER--YOU MAY MAKE A DONATION FOR THIS RESCUE EFFORT BY:
1. VISITING OUR WEBSITE AND USING THE SPECIAL KATRINA RESCUE LINK.
2. SENDING MONEY VIA WESTERN UNION TO CAROLYN KEETON AT VALLEY AL AND/OR BARRY HARBIN AT ALBERTVILLE AL. PLEASE BE SURE TO LET THEM KNOW THE CONFIRMATION NUMBER--CALL CAROLYN AT -
3. SENDING A CHECK TO CAROLYN AT THE VALLEY SHELTER - MADE OUT TO ALL CATS INC AND A NOTATION FOR KATRINA RESCUE. 4907 23RD BOULEVARD, VALLEY AL 36854.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED IN ANY WAY THUS FAR.
Meet the Funny Farmers: (l-r) Marcus, Taylor, angel Cyndi, angel Rusty, Micah, angel Merci & angel Percy.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA ANIMAL RESCUE
HURRICANE KATRINA ANIMAL RESCUE
© 2005 Janice Price
www.jansfunnyfarm.com
Buddy sidles up to the desk and peers at the computer monitor. “What are you doing, Percy?
Standing on the secretarial chair at the computer, Percy responds without breaking stride in his typing. “I’m writing a journal entry for the club about the Hurricane Katrina Relief effort to rescue animals.”
“But aren’t there agencies to deal with helping the survivors?”
“Yes, Buddy, but they deal with rescuing people. There are so many people who need help, the agencies are overwhelmed and help is slow and chaotic for them, at best. Many people are having to abandon their pets to die. They don’t want to; they just aren’t allowed to take them with them to shelters or on buses. It’s breaking their hearts and making a horrific situation even harder for them to deal with. One little boy cried until he vomited when his dog, Snowball, was taken away from him because evacuees were not allowed to take pets on the buses leaving New Orleans..”
“They should let us run the rescue work,” Merci chimes in, standing on her hind legs to see what Percy is typing. “We could straighten that out in no time! After all, we straightened out Jan, didn’t we?”
“Well,” Percy says, fervently, “there are some groups already helping to rescue as many abandoned animals as they can find. Some of them are on rooftops, in trees, or other dangerous places, and they don’t have any food or water either.”
“Jan gets newsletters from some lady named Carolyn who runs a rescue shelter named ….. uh, I can’t remember the name of it.” Buddy looks at Merci and asks, “ Can you?”
“Yes,” Merci says, after thinking for a few seconds. “All Cats. All Creatures Are Truly Special, or something like that. I think they’re in Alabama now. They used to be in Georgia, didn’t they, Percy?”
Percy nods, distracted as he reads over what he has typed. “How does this sound, guys?”
Rescue operations are under way for surviving animals. Carolyn Keeton and a group of volunteers left for New Orleans on Wednesday, August 31st to help the endangered cats and dogs who have been left behind. The Coast Guard has given them permission to enter the city, and the Chief of Police has promised to help as much as possible. A helicopter will be available if needed. If anyone would like to make an online donation for the Hurricane Katrina All CATS Crew, just click on this link for All Cats, Inc.
Buddy and Merci both nod their approval. “It sounds good to me,” Buddy says.
“Do you think you should add that donations are desperately needed to help pay for things like paper products – food dishes, paper towels, toilet paper, etc, since only biodegradable items are allowed to be taken into New Orleans?” Merci asks.
“Good idea, Merci.” Percy’s toes fly over the keyboard. “Drat. Jan really needs to get on the ball and clip my nails. They snag the keys.”
“And,” Buddy chips in, helpfully, “ don’t forget to let people know they can also mail donations to All Cats.”
“Right,” Percy agrees. “If they have any questions, they can e-mail us and we can find the answers.”
“Right!” Buddy smiles. “Merci and I can find anything. We’re good hunters and trackers.”
“Wait, shouldn’t we add something about folks donating to agencies to help the people displaced and stranded by Katrina?”
Buddy shakes his head. “Not really, Merci. Jan already wrote about donating to the American Red Cross or other agencies to help the human victims. She posted that story on Mercy And Percy . But only cats and dogs live on the Funny Farm.”
“And Jan. Don’t forget Jan. She’s not a dog or a cat. She’s a klutz.”
“And it’s off,” Percy announces, hitting the send key.
“You’re a good cat, Percy, “Buddy praises him enthusiastically, as he taps him on the back, the force of his tap knocking Percy off the chair. “I’m glad you’re my friend. If I ever need help, I know I can come to you and you’ll e-mail everyone until you find help for me.”
“Or at least he’ll email everyone until they put a spam block on his e-mails,” Merci laughs.
Percy,
Secretary of The Funny Farm Writing Club
© 2005 Janice Price
www.jansfunnyfarm.com
Buddy sidles up to the desk and peers at the computer monitor. “What are you doing, Percy?
Standing on the secretarial chair at the computer, Percy responds without breaking stride in his typing. “I’m writing a journal entry for the club about the Hurricane Katrina Relief effort to rescue animals.”
“But aren’t there agencies to deal with helping the survivors?”
“Yes, Buddy, but they deal with rescuing people. There are so many people who need help, the agencies are overwhelmed and help is slow and chaotic for them, at best. Many people are having to abandon their pets to die. They don’t want to; they just aren’t allowed to take them with them to shelters or on buses. It’s breaking their hearts and making a horrific situation even harder for them to deal with. One little boy cried until he vomited when his dog, Snowball, was taken away from him because evacuees were not allowed to take pets on the buses leaving New Orleans..”
“They should let us run the rescue work,” Merci chimes in, standing on her hind legs to see what Percy is typing. “We could straighten that out in no time! After all, we straightened out Jan, didn’t we?”
“Well,” Percy says, fervently, “there are some groups already helping to rescue as many abandoned animals as they can find. Some of them are on rooftops, in trees, or other dangerous places, and they don’t have any food or water either.”
“Jan gets newsletters from some lady named Carolyn who runs a rescue shelter named ….. uh, I can’t remember the name of it.” Buddy looks at Merci and asks, “ Can you?”
“Yes,” Merci says, after thinking for a few seconds. “All Cats. All Creatures Are Truly Special, or something like that. I think they’re in Alabama now. They used to be in Georgia, didn’t they, Percy?”
Percy nods, distracted as he reads over what he has typed. “How does this sound, guys?”
Rescue operations are under way for surviving animals. Carolyn Keeton and a group of volunteers left for New Orleans on Wednesday, August 31st to help the endangered cats and dogs who have been left behind. The Coast Guard has given them permission to enter the city, and the Chief of Police has promised to help as much as possible. A helicopter will be available if needed. If anyone would like to make an online donation for the Hurricane Katrina All CATS Crew, just click on this link for All Cats, Inc.
Buddy and Merci both nod their approval. “It sounds good to me,” Buddy says.
“Do you think you should add that donations are desperately needed to help pay for things like paper products – food dishes, paper towels, toilet paper, etc, since only biodegradable items are allowed to be taken into New Orleans?” Merci asks.
“Good idea, Merci.” Percy’s toes fly over the keyboard. “Drat. Jan really needs to get on the ball and clip my nails. They snag the keys.”
“And,” Buddy chips in, helpfully, “ don’t forget to let people know they can also mail donations to All Cats.”
“Right,” Percy agrees. “If they have any questions, they can e-mail us and we can find the answers.”
“Right!” Buddy smiles. “Merci and I can find anything. We’re good hunters and trackers.”
“Wait, shouldn’t we add something about folks donating to agencies to help the people displaced and stranded by Katrina?”
Buddy shakes his head. “Not really, Merci. Jan already wrote about donating to the American Red Cross or other agencies to help the human victims. She posted that story on Mercy And Percy . But only cats and dogs live on the Funny Farm.”
“And Jan. Don’t forget Jan. She’s not a dog or a cat. She’s a klutz.”
“And it’s off,” Percy announces, hitting the send key.
“You’re a good cat, Percy, “Buddy praises him enthusiastically, as he taps him on the back, the force of his tap knocking Percy off the chair. “I’m glad you’re my friend. If I ever need help, I know I can come to you and you’ll e-mail everyone until you find help for me.”
“Or at least he’ll email everyone until they put a spam block on his e-mails,” Merci laughs.
Percy,
Secretary of The Funny Farm Writing Club
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
JENNY
JENNYJenny. Died August 23, 2005. Age 17
Beloved friend and companion to all of Jan’s Funny Farm residents.
We love you and miss you.
The Funny Farm Writing Club
© 2005 Janice Price
mercyandpercy@yahoo.com
Read "Jenny's Love."
(Type "Jenny's Love" into "search this blog" at Mercy and Percy. It is archived under August 23, 2005)
Friday, August 05, 2005
WAKING THE DEAD
Waking the Dead
Copyright 2005 Janice Price
“Why are you sitting alone,” Percy asks, sitting down on the bedroom rug beside Buddy. “Why aren’t you up to some mischief or bothering Jan to play tug of war with one of her good socks?”
“I’m laying low,” Buddy says quietly.
Percy’s ears perk up at the hint someone else might be in trouble. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything,” Buddy claims, aggrieved Percy thinks the worst of his behavior, even though he usually is plotting something that gets him into trouble.
“He’s sad.”
Buddy and Percy turn toward the bed, where Crystal, Cotton and Cyndi are resting.
“It’s true,” Crystal says, as Cyndi nods her head in agreement. “Cotton is right. Buddy is sad.”
Percy eyes Buddy carefully. The gleam is missing from his eyes and his head is bent as if he is carrying a great weight on his shoulders. “You are sad! Is it because of Jenny?”
Buddy’s head bows even lower and he stares at the rug.
Cyndi answers for him. “It’s too soon after losing two other friends — Miss Mother’s Benji and Mr. Jimmy’s Murphy.”
“What’s too soon?” Merci asks, entering the bedroom and sitting down in front of the large oscillating fan.
“Jenny.” Cotton says, simply.
“Oh, yes, Jenny. She hasn’t always been the friendliest cat, but I’m going to miss her when she’s gone. I’ve actually become fond of her. She gets around quite well for one who is blind.”
Crystal says, “Grayce was my favorite, even though Jenny was top cat around here, until I took that title away from her a couple of years ago. I still miss Grayce. I’m going to miss Jenny too.”
“Jan has been giving Jenny lots of extra attention lately.” Cotton asks, “Have you noticed that?”
“Well, of course she is. She knows it’s highly unlikely Jenny will be with us much longer. Besides, Jenny eats small portions at a time, so she needs special attention,” Cyndi adds.
Crystal says, sadly, “Grayce died suddenly and Jan didn’t have a chance to say good-bye. She knows Jenny’s time is short, so Jenny is getting as much attention as Jan can give her. Jenny was always affectionate but independent. She never liked to be held before, but now she’s eating up the extra attention.”
“I thought I would bawl last night when Jan suggested we say good-bye to Jenny because Jenny was going to go to sleep and she probably wouldn’t wake up.”
“You?” Cyndi asks, in surprise. “I never thought of you as the sentimental type, Cotton. Perhaps it was from lack of sleep since none of us got much rest last night, between Jan sitting up with Jenny and Mr. Clatterpuss waking the entire household after we all finally drifted off to sleep.”
“I resent that Mr.Clatterpuss remark!” The voice comes from underneath the bed.
“Come out from there, Cameron,” Percy demands. “What are you doing under the bed?
“Hiding.” Cameron’s head appears from under the bedspread. “I’ve been trying to keep out of Jan’s way. I figure she has enough on her mind with Jenny being so old and tired.” He tilts his head and changes his tune. “Actually, Jan — all of you — should be thanking me that Jenny is still with us today.”
“What?” the group choruses, in unison.
“Have you lost your mind?” Cotton demands.
“No,” Cameron asserts. “But if you remember correctly, Jan told us in the wee hours of the morning that when Jenny went to sleep, it would likely be for the last time; she probably wouldn’t be waking up again.”
“But Jenny is alive. She did wake up again.” Merci shakes her head, in confusion. “What does that have to do with you?”
Cameron looks around at the group. “It has everything to do with me. I’m not any more prepared to say good-bye to Jenny than any of you, so I couldn’t get to sleep when all the rest of you did. I tossed and turned on the counter, until in desperation, I decided to try a relaxed breathing technique I read about in a book. I took a deep breath, stretched, and suddenly there was a deafening clatter! Scared me out of one of my nine lives.”
“That’s because you pushed the dish draining rack off the counter, and all our stainless steel food bowls and Jan’s silverware went bouncing around the kitchen. The noise was loud enough to wake the dead!” Merci reminds him.
“Exactly!” Cameron exclaims. “The noise woke Jan, all of you guys — and Jenny!” He looks around at the blank faces of his friends. “See, Jenny did wake up. She’s not dead. You should all thank me.”
Percy shakes his head, in disbelief. “And you guys think Buddy and I are daft? Cameron, if Jan had caught you last night, you would probably be minus three inches in height and another one of your nine lives. I think you should go back under the bed until your concussion heals.”
“Now wait a minute, guys,” Buddy stands and moves toward Cameron. “Cameron is right. Jenny is still alive. We should thank him for waking her from the dead.” He drops a huge paw on the back of Cameron’s neck and says, in all seriousness. “Thanks, buddy. I’m sorry I never paid my Funny Farm Writing Club dues when you reminded us they were due.”
“Pkd[g,” Cameron mutters, his chin scraping the rug under the weight of Buddy’s paw.
Percy,
Secretary of the Funny Farm Writing Club
Copyright 2005 Janice Price
“Why are you sitting alone,” Percy asks, sitting down on the bedroom rug beside Buddy. “Why aren’t you up to some mischief or bothering Jan to play tug of war with one of her good socks?”
“I’m laying low,” Buddy says quietly.
Percy’s ears perk up at the hint someone else might be in trouble. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything,” Buddy claims, aggrieved Percy thinks the worst of his behavior, even though he usually is plotting something that gets him into trouble.
“He’s sad.”
Buddy and Percy turn toward the bed, where Crystal, Cotton and Cyndi are resting.
“It’s true,” Crystal says, as Cyndi nods her head in agreement. “Cotton is right. Buddy is sad.”
Percy eyes Buddy carefully. The gleam is missing from his eyes and his head is bent as if he is carrying a great weight on his shoulders. “You are sad! Is it because of Jenny?”
Buddy’s head bows even lower and he stares at the rug.
Cyndi answers for him. “It’s too soon after losing two other friends — Miss Mother’s Benji and Mr. Jimmy’s Murphy.”
“What’s too soon?” Merci asks, entering the bedroom and sitting down in front of the large oscillating fan.
“Jenny.” Cotton says, simply.
“Oh, yes, Jenny. She hasn’t always been the friendliest cat, but I’m going to miss her when she’s gone. I’ve actually become fond of her. She gets around quite well for one who is blind.”
Crystal says, “Grayce was my favorite, even though Jenny was top cat around here, until I took that title away from her a couple of years ago. I still miss Grayce. I’m going to miss Jenny too.”
“Jan has been giving Jenny lots of extra attention lately.” Cotton asks, “Have you noticed that?”
“Well, of course she is. She knows it’s highly unlikely Jenny will be with us much longer. Besides, Jenny eats small portions at a time, so she needs special attention,” Cyndi adds.
Crystal says, sadly, “Grayce died suddenly and Jan didn’t have a chance to say good-bye. She knows Jenny’s time is short, so Jenny is getting as much attention as Jan can give her. Jenny was always affectionate but independent. She never liked to be held before, but now she’s eating up the extra attention.”
“I thought I would bawl last night when Jan suggested we say good-bye to Jenny because Jenny was going to go to sleep and she probably wouldn’t wake up.”
“You?” Cyndi asks, in surprise. “I never thought of you as the sentimental type, Cotton. Perhaps it was from lack of sleep since none of us got much rest last night, between Jan sitting up with Jenny and Mr. Clatterpuss waking the entire household after we all finally drifted off to sleep.”
“I resent that Mr.Clatterpuss remark!” The voice comes from underneath the bed.
“Come out from there, Cameron,” Percy demands. “What are you doing under the bed?
“Hiding.” Cameron’s head appears from under the bedspread. “I’ve been trying to keep out of Jan’s way. I figure she has enough on her mind with Jenny being so old and tired.” He tilts his head and changes his tune. “Actually, Jan — all of you — should be thanking me that Jenny is still with us today.”
“What?” the group choruses, in unison.
“Have you lost your mind?” Cotton demands.
“No,” Cameron asserts. “But if you remember correctly, Jan told us in the wee hours of the morning that when Jenny went to sleep, it would likely be for the last time; she probably wouldn’t be waking up again.”
“But Jenny is alive. She did wake up again.” Merci shakes her head, in confusion. “What does that have to do with you?”
Cameron looks around at the group. “It has everything to do with me. I’m not any more prepared to say good-bye to Jenny than any of you, so I couldn’t get to sleep when all the rest of you did. I tossed and turned on the counter, until in desperation, I decided to try a relaxed breathing technique I read about in a book. I took a deep breath, stretched, and suddenly there was a deafening clatter! Scared me out of one of my nine lives.”
“That’s because you pushed the dish draining rack off the counter, and all our stainless steel food bowls and Jan’s silverware went bouncing around the kitchen. The noise was loud enough to wake the dead!” Merci reminds him.
“Exactly!” Cameron exclaims. “The noise woke Jan, all of you guys — and Jenny!” He looks around at the blank faces of his friends. “See, Jenny did wake up. She’s not dead. You should all thank me.”
Percy shakes his head, in disbelief. “And you guys think Buddy and I are daft? Cameron, if Jan had caught you last night, you would probably be minus three inches in height and another one of your nine lives. I think you should go back under the bed until your concussion heals.”
“Now wait a minute, guys,” Buddy stands and moves toward Cameron. “Cameron is right. Jenny is still alive. We should thank him for waking her from the dead.” He drops a huge paw on the back of Cameron’s neck and says, in all seriousness. “Thanks, buddy. I’m sorry I never paid my Funny Farm Writing Club dues when you reminded us they were due.”
“Pkd[g,” Cameron mutters, his chin scraping the rug under the weight of Buddy’s paw.
Percy,
Secretary of the Funny Farm Writing Club
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)