Sunday, July 5, 2009

One Last Call For The Royals...

Ok, Gentle Readers....Here's the situation.

As I spoke on in last nights post, The Royals, King Lear the Huge and Little Queen Mab, my fosters need a home. We have heard back from the Sanctuary, and they can take them, tho as always, they have not much room. I liked the letter we received from them, and I have been thru their website, and read everything I could find on the internet, and am satisfied they are a wonderful group, who do great work and the Royals would be well treated. (Go and read on them, amazing people)

But my heart would be happier if they could go to a Home and find their person.

Read on, and if you think you might be this person, or know them, please write to me at fabulouslorraine@gmail.com

1. You are a women. Sorry guys, King Lear can't handle men. You would need to be single and planning on staying that way, or part of a secure long term women-women relationship, perhaps. NO children.



2. You are not a student or someone whose future plans are uncertain. This MUST be a final home for them. You should live within driving distance of the Twin Cities, MN. I can't fly these cats anywhere.

3. You have no other pets. Lear and Mab will need everything you have. And a lot of it. You will need a lot of time with them, and a lot of patience.



4. You need to be aware that Lear is an EG Bengal, an F2. If you did not understand that sentence, these are not the cats for you. Lear, and Mab have serious trust issues. You will be starting over with them. And I can offer you NO guarantee they will turn around for you. I have had no success in getting them used to other women here, tho they have responded to me, and may, when with another women only, respond to her too.

5. Ideally, you will have had some experience with exotic cats, EG Bengals, or Bengals and/or animal rescue and working with damaged kitty minds. While later generation Bengals ARE domestic cats, the early generation are much closer to wild animals, especially when they come from breeders who don't socialize them properly, and have been thru several homes, as these have.



6. You need to understand that Lear and Mab will never be cuddly cats. They are not cute little kitties with spots. They are not Leopards who will love you. If you can win their hearts, they will bond with you. But only you. If you think living with a semi-wild animal is a fun adventure, you DO NOT understand what you are getting. That is the biggest problem we have in Bengal rescue with EG's, people thinking they are getting leopards who are tame, and when they act like wild animals, GOSH DARN, they can't handle it.

7. You will need to convince both myself and Janet, director of Great Lakes Bengal Rescue, that you are the person to try this. We have a lot of Bengals in foster homes who would make wonderful, lovely pets. A later generation Bengal may be the best idea you ever had.



8. Lear has never been aggressive with me. I can pet him while he eats, he does play, he seems permanently worried, and is very protective with Mab. No litter box issues. Eats anything and everything.

9. I don't have the time to keep them on a permanent basis. They need someone to be THEIR person, who is devoted only to them. Magic, my F1 guy who I have been working with longer than the Royals, has more special needs that the Royals do, and he takes what spare time I have. I am succeeding with him, as you know if you read this blog, but he will never be a tame kitty. And indeed, if he had claws, I would not be able to home him, he does swipe at me. Lear and Mab never have, and as an F2 Lear is a gen further off ALC than Magic. Mab is a sweetie, she is timid, but you will most likely win her easily. They MUST stay together.



10. You REALLY REALLY need to understand that I mean every word I have written here tonight. You can't go into this with any illusions. I believe it is POSSIBLE that they can bond and love and trust, but only possible. Don't think I am kidding. You can't have these cats if you are not as I have described. They WILL NOT work with men, kids, other pets, or someone who does not know what they are doing, or what they are getting into.

If you are the person I am looking for, please write to me.

Love, Lear and Mab,
Lorraine

113 Comments:

At 22:40 Anonymous CJ :) aka the crazy cocker lady said...

Lorraine, I know this was a difficult decision, but I am sure you are sure in your heart that this is the best thing for the Royals.

I am not the home for them - not with a teenager revolving door, five special needs cocker spaniels, a Maine Coon and a Manx - but I am sure that even if they go to the Sanctuary they will be well cared for by whomever you decide to pass them to.

They will be with you in your heart forever. I haven't been here on your blog for long, but if there is one thing I have become convinced of is your heart.

I'm thinking of you and the Royals down here in Dallas. :)

At 22:51 Blogger vampi said...

*fingers crossed* i posted a link on my blogs

At 22:58 Blogger Dragonsally said...

box of ticks

fingers crossed for the Royals

At 22:59 Blogger Lyndyn said...

Sending good thoughts north!

At 23:01 Blogger Ana said...

Long-time lurker, first-time poster here.

I wish so badly that I could be the person to take the Royals, but as a student, my life is far too unpredictable. My heart reaches out to you and your efforts for the Royals and for all Bengals. Know that, even if these guys have to move to a shelter, your internet presence has helped many a person, including myself, either take up fostering or consider it for the future (As soon as my life becomes more stable and I am otherwise able to do so, I hope to begin fostering cats, possibly even Bengals).

Thank you for all your inspiration, and I wish you the best of luck.

At 23:03 Blogger Maura Anderson said...

Sigh - I wish I could help. Let us know if they go to the Sanctuary, maybe I can swing a donation to them in the Royals' name.

I have both a husband, children and 7 other cats, so I know I'm not the home for them.

HUGS - I know it's hard and I'm thinking good thoughts for them and you.

- maura

At 23:04 Blogger Beez said...

(((sending Home vibes))) and *hugs* for you.

It still may be that the Sanctuary will be what he/they need. Like I said, it may be far less stressful a life for the big guy if he has the space to roam and just be the wild cat that he is- without having to worry about the pesky humans that keep bothering him.

...and he does worry so.

At 23:24 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Thank you, all.

Your support means a lot to me, and having people knowing they are NOT the home for EG Bengals is something I really really want to get the word out on.

I have been e-mailing with the head of the Sanctuary and she and I are kindred spirits on the subject of EG cats, and what they need in a home.

If they go there, they will be loved.

It's hard, but it may be the best thing for them, Don't WANT to, but I can't give them what they need on a forever basis.

At 23:46 Blogger Lynda the Guppy said...

Good luck. I wish I was the person you were looking for, but I don't meet any of the Bengal's requirements. A friend of mine got a Bengal and I know how beautiful they are. I also know how wild and unpredictable they are.

Good luck. and I hope Lear and Mab get where they need to be.

At 23:49 Blogger AletaMay said...

Well explained! Hoping for the best.

At 23:52 Blogger Bridget said...

So hard, but you make every decision with your full heart, and with the desire to help them as best you can. The Sanctuary looks tremendous, and very deserving of support. It may be just what The Royals need - a place where Lear need only tolerate humans who will generally leave him and his Lady be. I wish, dearly, that I knew of a realistic lead on a person for them.

However, you should know this: The Story of the Royals has cemented my decision that there will be a time, probably in the not-too-distant future, when our home will be opened to fosters.

You do good work, lady.

At 00:11 Blogger Karen B. said...

Here's hoping that you find an excellent home for The Royals. I know that I'm not the person for Bengals at all, right now.

I've posted on my LJ/DW journals, FWIW. Have you considered asking the likes of Elise to post?

At 00:27 Blogger Kitty Cat said...

i hope you will amend your post to include the photo of the two of them looking out the window, it is bar none, my very favorite-- and shows their royal spirit.

They can and will respond when it is their only challenge to do so==when they have no other distractions between them and their person.

Q, you have given them so much, just know you have done your great part. am so happy to have known the Royals, and wish i was your person you are looking for.
xox from Canada, coming back to US tomorrow.

At 00:47 Blogger Madeline Carol Matz said...

It sounds as if you have made the best choice for them and you. ***hugs***
I know it wasn't an easy decision.
I dearly home they find their home...

At 00:55 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am also not their person, but I hope with all my heart they can find The One for Them. If you don't object, I'll mention it on my podcast this week; maybe some kind, literature-loving knitter will the be answer to your prayers?

You have my good thoughts today. I know this can't have been easy. ::hug::

At 01:32 Blogger Ms T said...

Lorraine, I just want to reinforce what others have been saying. Whatever you do will be the best thing for the Royals (and the rest of your furry family). There is no way you could ever have let them down - that's just not you.

Arohanui

At 03:01 Blogger Lexocat said...

Agreeing with previous comments here. You can't help but do the right thing for The Royals. That's just what you do. In the meantime, keeping everything crossed for you and for them.

At 03:12 Blogger spacedlaw said...

I hope they can find someone special who will care for them.
They should be fine at the sanctuary too but might end up craving for a little more personal human interaction there.
Hugs.

At 04:36 Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here we have fingers and paws and fins crossed for Lear and Mab. The Sanctuary sounds a great place if no one can take them on. As mentioned above, if they do go there, maybe we could send funds the Sanctuary's way to start them off?

licks and purrs

At 06:40 Blogger Phiala said...

Good for you for realizing that "cats I am caring for" is not always the same as "cats that are mine". Tough, very tough.

Unrelated, and sorry to bring in non-cat stuff but I just found out:

Big Scary Deadline was an application to the Viable Paradise SFF writing workshop, and was indeed big and scary. I made the waitlist, and am "strongly encouraged to apply next year".

I am *quite* pleased with that, given the competition and that I only got my app in two weeks before the deadline. I would like to go, of course, but "the instructors liked it, you just weren't in the top 24" is just fine. (I'd have been happy with "this didn't suck", honestly.)

At 07:04 Blogger One Sock Short said...

Heartfelt fiend vibes headed your way.

At 07:11 Blogger Jess said...

The sanctuary looks really great. It's good to know they'd be loved there-- and I think Beez is right that what Lear really wants is space to roam that's all his. Still hope we find them their person, but if not, the'll still be in a good place.

That's good, Phiala! Keep applying. There are lots and lots of good workshops out there.

At 07:39 Anonymous moogiemom said...

Long time lurker. Mother to bethofalltrades. I have posted a link to your blog on my FB and twitter accounts and requested retweets. I have not seen posts by "Steve" yet but will poke on this end. You are such an incredible person caring for all these beautiful cats. My hat is off to you. I wish you the best of luck in finding them homes.

At 08:07 Blogger dabbler said...

Lorraine, well written. I found myself thinking this morning about some experiences I had years ago, treating adoptive kids who had 'failed' out of families. For some of them, the best possible place was a loving, non-demanding-of-bonding group home. There they could excel, because no one wanted something that was for them, impossible (at least at that point in their lives).

So perhaps the Sanctuary is where King Lear can be safe, loved, and free to be his own damaged self.

And, Phiala : \o/ for great response to writing workshop!

At 08:09 Blogger Erin Underwood said...

Oh, wow. It just hit me that soon there will be no more Lear and Mab posts - or at least very few of them. I wasn't expecting this to make me sad. I'm really going to miss them.

However, I'm happy and hopeful that they will find an awesome home.

At 08:10 Blogger Erin Underwood said...

Q, thanks for taking such good care of them - and us. You are an amazing person.

At 08:23 Blogger Precision Grace said...

I wish I lived closer.

At 08:28 Blogger Beez said...

Congratulations Phiala. That's WAY better than "doesn't suck".

At 08:34 Blogger DataGoddess said...

Have re-tweeted and posted to FB. I know that whether they find their person or they go to the sanctuary it will be a good alternative for them.

Phiala,way to go!!!

At 08:43 Blogger Erin Underwood said...

Phiala, that's really good! I attended VP in 2006.

They usually end up taking 1-2 people from the waitlist each year. Good luck! I hope you get in!

Have you considered Stonecoast (MFA) or one of the other workshops?

At 08:51 Blogger One Sock Short said...

Had a moment to look at the sanctuary site. It does sound like a good option, especially since they are willing to keep Lear and Mab together. Maybe a home will come though, but if not, I think you will have done well by them. If I didn't already have a cat, I'd probably have a serious Q&A session with you about them. As it is, I will add myself to the list of fiends willing to sponsor them if that will help.

At 09:25 Blogger Marjorie said...

The sanctuary does look like a good place, and as others have said, If Lear & Mab do go there I am sure thet many of us here would want ot do our bit to help with a donation, even though we cannot offer homes. I think Dabbler's point about the comparison with damaged kids is a good one - *we* may feel a home is best, but the santuary may meet Lear's needs better.

Hugs and love to you,and love to the leopards (I know they wouldn't want my hugs)

At 09:37 Blogger Precision Grace said...

so, we have this really big garden that backs onto a massive field that backs onto a forest and more fields and an orchard and... Yet Louie insists on going out the other way, thru the village and across the main road to get to another field there where he likes to hang out. He tells me the reason for this is because there are more rabbits there and he just likes it better.
Cats. They just need to be able to do their own thing.

I think Lear and Mab will be ok. The sanctuary sounds nice enough and may be just the thing for them. It can certainly give them better care and accommodation than any single human can I reckon. Plus there are all those people to have a cuddle with if one feels so inclined.

My hat off to you Lorraine for doing all that you are to help. It's certainly more than I'll ever do probably.

(and all this for a ticky box)

At 09:46 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Morning all! (And Hi Moogiemom! I am really enjoying working with your daughter! And Thank You!)

(For those of you who don't know her, Bethofalltrades is AFP's assistant)

Lear and Mab will be happy there. They have some requirements tho that require a trip to the vet. To say that this will not be fun in a very large understatement.

At 09:50 Blogger spacedlaw said...

Vet trip?
Trip = cages or something to carry them in.
Cages = playing catch a cat.
Vet trip = NOT happy cats.

You should get help for that and mind that they don't claw you in their frantic effort to escape.

At 09:56 Blogger Precision Grace said...

if I may be so bold; try telling them exactly what are you going to do and where you are taking them and why and that they will come back to the house with you afterwards and that it's for their own good (if its true). Don't ask me how, but cats do seem to respond to being reasoned with (well, mine do, we used to have to hunt Louie down like a wild cat and now he just grumbles when I put him the carrier and is as good as gold)
They appreciate being prepared for whats to come, even if they complain on the way over.

At 10:07 Anonymous Scott Gordon said...

Grace, you have to remember, though, the cat has to want to be reasoned with.

Lorraine, I am hoping that someone will be able to accept these beautiful animals into their home.

At 10:08 Blogger Precision Grace said...

well, yes, Scott, you have to give the cat the reason to want to be reasoned with.

At 10:09 Blogger Precision Grace said...

BTW, did Fred the cat ever make it back? I've been meaning to ask for a while..

At 10:33 Blogger hope said...

Morning Fiends,

I am sending a Lear and Mab appeal to all my electronic contacts; and sending big vibes for a happy outcome, whether it's a person or the sanctuary.

Phiala, wow, congrats! You definitely don't suck!

My Carrrrrmelita has ok kidney numbers, but her liver seems to be working too hard. This may be the stress of moving (she lost 1/2 of a pound since her last exam, and she only weighed 4.5 lbs to begin with), and some cleaning product residue in our new house.

I've ripped out all the carpet and scrubbed the floors and walls with vinegar, and am feeding her more. She seems happy, but then, she's a happy little cat anyway. We'll recheck her blood profile in August.

It's cool in Seattle, yay!

At 10:52 Blogger gaypet said...

Very well said!

At 10:54 Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish I could help here, but husband and male Maine Coon Cat will mind living in the garage... (husband could fend for himself - no way Maine Coon is moving away from Mama!!).

At 11:05 Blogger Lyndyn said...

I think that Dabbler makes an excellent point and that the comparision with children who do better in a group rather than family setting is a good one. I tend to focus on what Mab and Lear would be getting in a human centered environment rather than on what they would be asked to give...an interesting perspective change!

At 11:19 Blogger Hellie said...

Good thoughts from me too, and likewise when I have a home suitable it will be open to a kitty that needs a safe, loving home.

The sanctuary does look like a good, loving place, from the descriptions of their residents they obviously take care to learn and accommodate the needs and wants of each individual cat. If this is destined to be Lear & Mab's new home, I think they would be happy.

ps on a completely unrelated note, thank you for the 'Sunshine' recommendation, am half way through and can't put it down (well, except when I'm forced to by inconveniences such as going to work. Grrr)

At 11:24 Blogger Lyndyn said...

OH, I LOVED Sunshine!

At 11:30 Blogger Hellie said...

I am too! And my Dad used to call me Sunshine when I was a little girl :o)

At 11:33 Blogger gaypet said...

It will be wonderful if The Royals can find the right home. However, some animals are not going to WANT to be pets and may be much happier in a place where they are safe and cared for and otherwise left alone.

I hope there is someone out there who reads the post and a match can be made. I am also really glad that the sanctuary is an option. Lear and Mab have each other and maybe that is enough. If they were lions or tigers we would not expect them to conform. We would find the best place and let them be as wild as possible.

It continues to make my heart happy that you, Q, are doing what is best for them even if it is hard. That is the real test isn't it. :)

At 11:59 Blogger Dan Guy said...

Bless you, Lorraine. I'm hoping for the best.

At 22:08 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Um, NO ONE posted at all today? Are we out there? You didn't like my post and troubles?

Where are you all? Is something wrong?

Have you left me alone and Fiendless or is something wrong with Blogger?

At 22:10 Blogger AletaMay said...

:waves:

I'm here! I was not on the computer much today and thought something was wrong with my phone email because it was so quiet here!

At 22:11 Blogger Marjorie said...

Blame Aleta. I was off having lunch and being a tourist with her, so no commenting!

At 22:15 Blogger AletaMay said...

Oh yeah right... blame me. Sure.

At 22:21 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Well good thing SOMEONE is! Just because I have to be gone for a day doesn't mean you lot can! What am I supposed to read after my long hard day of work if you aren't chatty????

Work is interesting to say the least. When ones Bosses life takes a new leap with movies and a Newbury, and then he adds a rock star and her schedule to the equation, things are bound to get hectic. I love it, but it IS intense.

Add to that my side life of Cat Rescue and it makes for not a whole lot of down time.

I need my Fiends to hang with! This last weekend, more than ever, proved how dear you are to me!

And you are, like , totally my social life.

At 22:23 Blogger Marjorie said...

So, not a good time for me to be saying good night because I'm off to bed, then?

Isn't it time Sally was up??

At 22:27 Blogger AletaMay said...

I can't for the life of me figure out how you keep all those balls in the air Q! But you do!

No going to sleep Marjorie! I mean Madam. :snort:

At 22:28 Blogger One Sock Short said...

I've been trying to be a good little librarian and do my homework. But it might be possible to distract me from Gaskell for a bit ;-)

I feel as if we're all kind of holding our collective breath, making wishes for the Royals. The more I hear about the sanctuary, though, the more it sounds like a good place for them to just be themselves, together.

Had a great evening catching up with my friend last night. Won't see much of her the rest of the time, as her class goes till 10:00 every night. I'll wait up for her, but I'm sure she will be exhausted. At any rate, I can make supper or tea for her, as needed.

Am kinda bummed that any LibraryThing flash mob event is likely to take place before I can save up vacation time and money for another trip :-/ The collection would be very interesting, and I haven't been able to do much actual cataloging at work lately. I miss it.

Umm, what else? Can't really think of anything. Except to say again how much this past weekend meant to me. All my close friends are long-distance, so spending time with so many wonderful people at once was just marvelous. I can't remember the last time I've laughed so much my sides ached.

That's about it from me. Unless anyone has questions about the English book trade to 1800 ;-)

At 22:28 Blogger DataGoddess said...

I'm still here, it's just been a day. And I just finished dyeing my hair and am afraid to go look into the mirror...

At 22:29 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Bed indeed! Marjorie, I should think not! Sleep on the plane tomorrow, that's what it is for. VERY sorry the day got away and we could not get together, this makes me sad.

Sally should be up. Hmmph.

And where is everyone else?

Man, ONE day, I leave you and look what happens! Naughty Fiends, you must be punished!

Took Janet/Bengalgirl to point it out to me, in the course of our writing about the Royals and a possible new friend for Magic....

At 22:29 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

What colour, Data? Fear not...

At 22:35 Blogger DataGoddess said...

A possible new friend for Magic?? That would be cool!

The box said 'burgundy', but last I looked there were plum colored highlights, which is what I wanted. I've never managed to get the purple I wanted, so I'm afraid to look...

At 22:39 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I am worried about the Royals too, wondering if I am doing the right thing. I think I am, but it is hard. Very hard.

Janet and I are on the same page on this, and she has far more experience than I do.

I do want a friend for Magic, he is loving Mim, and I think a friend for him would make him happy, We are on the lookout for an EG youngling for him.

There is some rescue I will be posting about after I get some more info, 10 young Bengal males at a shelter in Golden Valley MN , all in need of homes, but I will find out....

At 22:42 Blogger Lyndyn said...

I'm here! Just distracted and waiting on pins and needles to find out what is going to happen to our Ohio library funding...BEST case scenario -20% of our state funding...worst case scenario 50%...

Grim, Grim, Grim...and not in a funny fairytale way, either...It has been a very tough couple of weeks...this would basically gut our excellent state library system if it comes back at the -50%...I'm guessing they will probably not go that extreme and will do something like 30-35%...which will still cause massive layoffs, service cuts, etc. etc...

AM going to ALA at the end of the week (we'd already bought the tickets otherwise, I'd be sitting this one out.) I have tix to the Newbery Awards Banquet so will get to see Boss give his speech. I saw Louis Sachar give his a few years ago for Holes - SO fun! :)

At 22:48 Blogger AletaMay said...

"The right thing" is to do the best thing you know how to do and are able to do at any given moment. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

Lyndyn -- 50% cut in libraries would be crazy sad. I know tough choices must be made and all that, but to cut on something that provides free services at a time when people will need those services more then ever seems just shortsighted. :sigh:

At 22:50 Blogger AletaMay said...

Also Q I am really glad you have Janet to help you process and think through all of this. It is good to have someone you know and trust who Knows Things.

At 22:52 Blogger Lyndyn said...

Yeah...we are SO busy...busier than ever...my county system is better off than most, because we also have a local operating levey...about 70% of the libraries get all their money from they state...

We'll see what happens...fingers crossed...

At 22:52 Blogger Lyndyn said...

Q - will you get to visit the Sanctuary?

At 22:59 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Not ok on the library funding!

Sigh again...

And yes, I will get to visit the sanctuary, I am going to drive them down, it is a few hours away, but I will feel better seeing their new home, and meeting the people, they want me to come.

At 23:02 Blogger AletaMay said...

You'll be seeing the part of the world I grew up in. Yup.

At 23:21 Blogger Lyndyn said...

It's hard, I know Q. I used to cry whenever I would place a dog - even the hard ones...I was happy for them, but there was a sense of emptiness, too - if that makes any sense at all.

I'm glad that you will get to drive them down and see the place. I hope you will take pix!

At 23:36 Blogger Lyndyn said...

I know that this isn't the destination that you had hope for at first for the Royals, but imagine what their fate might have been had not a million small turns led them to your door in the first place. They could have ended up stuck in tiny cages as breeders, they might have been dumped out at the side of some country road to fend for themselves. They might have just been euthanized.

Instead, they found their way to you. You've brought them along as far as you can take them and now you can guide them along to a place where they can be together and content.

Your are a conductor on the Bengal Underground Railroad, Q. =o)

At 23:42 Blogger Dragonsally said...

*rushes in panting*

Hi Lorraine
Hi evrybody *pant pant*

just got back from the shops, and before that I was watching the 2nd Harry Potter. Gotta rewatch them all before I go to see the new one.
One can never have enough Alan Rickman and Miriam Margolyes

Am about to 'refresh' my hair colour - shall be back in about half an hour - maybe less

At 23:50 Blogger Dragonsally said...

oh damn. I just deleted a really clever comment *cries*

I've just got back from the shops, and before that was catching up with the second Harry Potter film. Must watch them all again before we see the new film.

And you can never watch enough Alan Rickman or Miriam Margolyes.

Am about to 'refresh' my hair colour...so I'll be back shortly

At 23:52 Blogger Dragonsally said...

oh, Sally is disclosed as a fool -didn't lose the comment, I've posted twice

runs to hide now!

At 00:06 Blogger vampi said...

just got home from work. it's been crazy today. tomorrow is the michael jackson memorial. i can safely say now that it was the thorn in my side all weekend.

i mulled over not going, but decided to go. it will never happen again, it will be a spectacle, and the audience will be amazingly hysterical, in multiple ways i assume.



oh wow 10 more bengals? how are people so stupid? my prayers go out to them. fingers crossed one might be good for a magic buddy.

At 00:13 Blogger Lyndyn said...

OK, fiendlings...1:11 time for sleeping. (used to be 11:11 was time for sleeping...)

Sweet and/or spooky dreams to all according to your inclination. ('cept those of you yet to have your lunches!)

At 00:23 Blogger Na said...

Hey peeps! Sorry, I am on the road again, headed back north, and have little online time for a while.

Had a terrific time in Austin, but maybe too much, am now behind on work, which I am doing while travelling. Gack. But worth it. Speaking (tangentially) of work, Q, did you get an email from me a week ago? I sent some tidier comments for you to pass on re: the manuscript.

In Austin, in a used book/media store I scored two CDs, one Throwing Muses and one Kristen Hersch. Enjoying them muchly.

Re: Central Tejas, witnessed on the way down what havoc an extended drought is having on the region: many fields of dead crops. Also read a local article about honey production in the region being at 25% it's norm -- not enough water for bees or the flowers they need.

Madam Marjorie (she calls from afar), safe travels home!

I had some pithy thoughts, so I thought, to add re: the Royals, but it has all been said very well. Soothing thoughts to you, Q. Hard choices, but sounding like a good outcome, all things considered. I am in great awe of people who provide animal sanctuaries, as well as rescue and fostering.

To sleep I must. Another very long drive on the morrow.

At 00:29 Blogger spacedlaw said...

Could do with some sweet dreams, right now, but there would be some complaints, so I am having tea instead.
Good whatever to you, fiends.

At 05:42 Blogger Phiala said...

Oh no, Q feels abandoned! Can't have that.

I loathe my boss and need a new job. Just thought I'd share. But I want to stick with this one for 2 more years if at all possible. (May not be.)

I finished a short story last night, but didn't get any of the important things done - the ones with deadlines and people waiting for them.

Vacation was most excellent, but didn't make me happy and relaxed and rested. I had such high hopes.

Must go buy lottery ticket, just in case.

At 07:48 Blogger Erin Underwood said...

Q, the right things are usually the hardest to do....and you're definitely doing the right thing.

Lyndyn, that's horrible to hear about the libraries, but not surprising.

Dang it! I just ripped my shirt sleeve down the length of the arm, and I have to go to a big meeting shortly in which I will be grilled by 8 people about a transition plan for the new boss. This is not my day.

At 08:18 Blogger Precision Grace said...

A very embarrassing and surreal moment: just saw that my pajama bottoms have a massive rip in the, ahem, backside. It was intact last night when I went to bed! I daren't think how this came about.
*red face*

At 09:17 Blogger Lyndyn said...

PGrace - you've been having dream adventures, I suspect!

At 09:34 Blogger Dan Guy said...

The sorts of "dream adventures" that end in the seat of your pajamas ripping, we guys call "prison nightmares".

At 09:37 Blogger Jane said...

I wondered where everyone was yesterday, too, and didn't dare make a peep. The comment about holding our collective breaths seemed on target to me.

Sanctuary for Lear and Mab may be just what it sounds like - a place of refuge; asylum. Which is what they need, isn't it?

Phiala, congrats on the wait list.

Fingers crossed on the library funding...

And the ripped PJs, sounds like wild nights to me :-)

At 09:37 Blogger vampi said...

lol @ dan. you are so funny.

At 09:38 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Morning. Need tea. Too much to dream last night and too much to do today.

Tomorrow: Jonas Brothers! This excited me more than one would think.

At 09:41 Blogger Lyndyn said...

LOLOL, Dan. :oD

At 09:42 Blogger vampi said...

so you see kitty tommorrow then? have fun :)

i think some of the silence was out of respect for the post topic. quite a serious post.

At 10:16 Blogger gaypet said...

Have fun today!

At 10:21 Blogger Jess said...

Ah, we just get quiet sometimes. If we were still in Stillwater, this is the bit where we'd all be looking for the gondola guy.

My excuse last night, at least, was that I was playing around with zoo pictures. I have been to the zoo!

You're doing what you can, Q. The Sanctuary looks like a place cats can be happy. Their bengal area looks really nice.

Lyndyn, hope the library funding thing works out better than expected. The Ohio situation makes me sad-- I worked in that library system for a while. OhioLink was my friend.

Everybody's ripping clothes, and I appear to have done something bad to my wrist. Ow ow ow. What's happening to us?!

At 10:24 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I do see Kitty tomorrow. Which makes me happy!

She loves Lear deeply too. I had a long talk with him last night tho, and explained things. I think he's good.

At 10:37 Blogger spacedlaw said...

Wrist?
My right calf has been killing me ever since I came back, a little more each day. Now putting ice packs on it, will turn to lavender oil for secour in a moment too. I can't really walk any more. No fun.

But, hey, tomorrow is a Kitty day!
You girls take pictures and report, 'kay?

At 10:49 Blogger gaypet said...

Well, Nathalie, that sounds like no fun!! I hope you are better soon.

Nice photos, Jess. Love the "Big Mama" one in particular. I would love to have that in my yard. :)

At 10:50 Blogger gaypet said...

Marjorie, I hope you have an easy flight home. It was great to have you here!

At 11:01 Blogger Jess said...

Woohoo, Jonas Brothers! That's right! :)

Gayle, it's yours for a mere $5000! I want one next to my front door. And I want to rig it up so the eyes begin to glow faintly red when visitors approach.

Ouch, Nathalie. :( Hope the ice helps. I'm icing, too. The wrist thing is stupid and all my own fault. I tried to shift a heavy stepladder with one hand. Pfft.

At 11:56 Blogger Arwenn said...

I hope all ailing Fiends are feeling better soon!

Jess - I sometimes wish that my body would beep at me like a computer warning...."are you sure you want to do this?". I'd be much healthier :)

At 12:26 Blogger spacedlaw said...

Icing and Lavender oil do seem to work (as long as I am not moving thta is). Old age is an ugly thing.

For the fiends who never made it to Stillwater, I'd like to advertise that some (reduced) reporting on the place is available on my LJ.
No fiends pictures, but these can be seen on Flickr. I still need to add some pictures on there so watch that space.

At 13:43 Blogger dabbler said...

Jess, love those zoo pictures. My favorite memories of the Pittsburgh Zoo are of watching a giraffe use its looong tongue to eat the leaves the keeper was carrying up a ladder to the treetop basket before said keeper made it back down to the ground, and then looking expectantly for the next delivery.

And watching one of the elephants, sequestered off from the rest, have loving trunk twining with a friend who couldn't see him/her.

Nice zoo, great pictures.

And ache relieving wish for the joint impaired. I swear by arnica in thses situations...

At 13:45 Blogger dabbler said...

Oh, and Arwenn I SO NEED one of those early warning systems...maybe when our reality is more virtual?

At 13:53 Blogger Erin Underwood said...

Jess, $5000! You're giving that photo away, girl!

At 13:54 Blogger Erin Underwood said...

PGrace - LOL! Clothing is terrified of us!

At 14:24 Blogger Siri said...

driveby tick

At 14:57 Blogger Marjorie said...

Thank you all for god travel wishes! I hav made it as far as Chicago, and now have 4 hours to wait in the airprt for my flight. God thing I have sevral books.

and about 1.30 hours of internet access, until the battery gives out!

CNN has been showing Michael Jackson constantly - how much, really, can there b to say abut one prson? Is there no other news in the World today?

It was so wonderful to meet so many of the Fiends, and thank you again Gayle for invitng me n the 4th.

At 15:02 Blogger Jess said...

Erin - $5000. Here she is in all her mantisy glory. She's about eight feet tall. Not sure whether she's made of aluminium of steel-- the artist used to have a website with all the info on, but it's vanished.

At 15:04 Blogger Jane said...

Scary..

At 15:06 Blogger One Sock Short said...

Er, welcome to Chicago, Marjorie. Next time, we'll have to arrange for you to see more than the airport ;-)

Happy reading.

At 15:10 Blogger spacedlaw said...

I was wondering if this mantis was not made by this artist

At 15:27 Blogger Jess said...

Nope-- local fella by the name of Don Jones.

I like those brass bugs! Wow.

At 17:39 Blogger Dragonsally said...

Morning all.

Great photos Jess. I love Mantises (is that the correct plural), that sculpture would do well in my yard too!

Breakfast time.

At 18:11 Blogger Laurel Krahn said...

I don't post often, but just wanted to add some words of support as I think you (Lorraine) are doing fabulous work here.

King Lear and Mab are so very beautiful and I can only imagine how hard it will be to give them up. I think you've done all you can (and then some) to find their person.

The Sanctuary really sounds wonderful and I know I'll be making a donation to them if I ever have some spare funds.

'Course reading about the many wild cats and bengals who are mistreated makes me sad and angry. Grrrr. And wishing I could do more to stop the stupid and to help. Glad to know someone who is doing a lot to help.

At 22:22 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Ah, home..

And a new post up...

At 17:43 Blogger Zooleft said...

Lorraine,
I am a long-time, now retired, zookeeper with cat experience. Unfortunately, my peeps and myself all have other animals so I also can't provide the home you seek. However, I am a little curious as to why no men. Were they abused by a man? I would think the right man wouldn't be a bad thing, but perhaps I have missed some post about this. Anyway, just wanted to say I know first hand how heart breaking it is to work rescue and then make the choice that you cannot be the right home for the animals you must have bonded with by now. Best of luck finding the right homes for them. I'll keep them in mind in case someone presents themselves.

At 18:27 Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Hi Zooleft,

Feel free to write me at fabulouslorraine@gmail.com

Lear was adopted from breeder by a young Chinese girl, who left them when she went back to CHina. (Great.) their first foster home was a man and a women, and Lear would NT let the man near, despite him being a cat lover.

In their second home, a single guy, Lear did not like him and never got close, in fact, when the man's father came over, he peed all over the sofa where he sat, then peed on the man's head in the night.

The first home said they were nervous, but liked being petted.

It is hard, but it just doesn't sound like he is going to get any better, and he could be dangerous f he felt threatened. There is, as you know working with wildcats, a world of difference, and being used to people is not the same as dommestic...

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