The Amazing Resiliency of Bebe's Cats

The kitties are installed in two small rooms in my home, awaiting their chance to meet fosters or adopters on Sunday at PetMAC in DC (petmac.org).

It can't be easy to weather the changes they have seen in the last few months since my mom passed away and the newest change, from their home of 12 years (their whole lives) to these small rooms with one hissing cat (mean old Alice) and one barking dog (Jacques doing his job "scaring" away the mailman) just a closed door away.

Regardless, sweet, shy Nany is already venturing out of her open kennel for ear rubs. I'd consider Nany (momma to all but Vixen) the shyest of the bunch and maybe the sweetest too as she rarely will hiss and never lashes out. Nany has lived nearly her whole life avoiding human contact - easy to do in my mom's home. But it's taken just one day for her to come around to the view that the human touch is not so bad. Yeah, those head rubs are pretty nice - I think I'll come out to get more of those.

After a day Delilah is reverting to her own sweet self, greeting me when I come into the room with a purr and gently rubbing against me for pets. Gracie is still unsure of what to make of her new surroundings but her little purr motor is starting up today. Georgie, who is so outgoing but still bearing a grudge against me for the grooming I gave him yesterday is still waivering between popping me one and getting his head pet. And good ol' Vixen, steady tabby girl is her ol' friendly, outgoing self. No doubt in her mind that all is well as long as there is someone to rub her head and feed her.

Come Meet Bebe's Cats This Sat 8/29 from 12pm-2pm

The chance you have been waiting for. After months of reading about the adventures of Bebe's cats, now is your opportunity to meet these darlings.

When: this Sat. Aug 29th from 12pm-2pm

Where: PetMAC DC - 4220 Fessenden St. NW Washington, DC (petmac.org)

Nany, Georgie, Gracie, Delilah and Vixen are looking forward to meeting you and hoping that you consider fostering or better yet, adopting one of them.

Each cat adopted will come with a $500 credit towards vet care and a $250 credit towards cat supplies at PetMAC. There is an adoption fee of $50, donated to Homeward Trails Animal Rescue. For more information even after the event, please contact LoisLHT@yahoo.com or call 703 749 7949

Bebe's Cats Say Good Bye To Their Home of 12 Years

Change is afoot for Bebe's 5 remaining cats. Remember that Henry found a great home in Arizona where he is thriving. He still has his moments where he does the Greta Garbo thing (I want to be alone!) but most of the time he is sweet, affectionate and on the prowl for some pets from his adopters. Thank you Kat for giving Henry such a great new home!

Ok, so what about the fabulous five felines? After hanging out at Bebe's house since March with only one visit a day from Stephanie for food and litter cleaning, the time came for Nany, Georgie, Delilah, Gracie and Vixen to move out. The cats are now temporarily dormed up in bathrooms at my house in northern VA. As all us cat lovers know, cats get very attached to their homes so this move is pretty big and understandably, they are not exactly dancing. But given all they've gone thru since Bebe passed away, they are doing remarkably well.

The search goes on

These sweeties are still looking for homes. I was up to NY to see them all recently and they are going well but a bit lonely. Now that the weather is nice they are all spending more time in the outdoor enclosure but they were happy to have company while I was there. Delilah, Georgie and Vixen were particularly eager for head rubs.

Please continue to ask neighbors and friends - we need to find these beautiful cats homes soon! THANK YOU!

Flyer with New Photos!

Please consider posting the new flyer for Bebe's cats at work, your vet, your local pet supply shop. THANK YOU!!!!

Please see additional photos on my facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Lois-Lef/598098615

and contact me if you'd like me to send you the flyer.

THANK YOU!

Bebe's cats need your help: Henry Settles In To His New Home

Bebe's cats need your help: Henry Settles In To His New Home

Henry Settles In To His New Home

Henry has settled into his new home so well. One of the resident cats is hissing a little at Henry but that is to be expected and in a few weeks, will probably decide that Henry is not so bad after all.

Henry is loving the loving he is getting from Kat and has taken a real shining to Kat's husband. Kat says he is a real lovebug, gentle and sweet. Yay! We are so happy that he's found such a great home!

Photos of Delilah!

She is a beautiful long hair dilute tortie and she is so sweet. Please help Delilah find a new home.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=79563&id=598098615&ref=nf

Photos of Vixen

http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=598098615#/album.php?aid=79290&id=598098615

And Now We Are Five

Stopped in to visit Bebe's cats. What sweet loves - Delilah, Georgie and Vixen were all happy to have the extra company and eager for the extra pets.

Gracie gave me the cold shoulder, cold stares and a hiss or two at first but by day three Gracie was accepting pets - I mean, who doesn't like a nice head rub? Poor Nany - she was close to her son Henry and I bet she misses him.

These great cats are still in need of homes. They are so good looking and so sweet. Please continue to get the word out about them and help us find adopters.

Henry Is In His New Home!

More good news for Henry. The trip to the vet for his dental went well - he had a couple of teeth extracted and the rest look good. Now Henry has a nice clean set of pearly whites.

Henry went straight from the vet to his new home with Kat. He was still a bit groggy from his surgery. Henry was was greeted by one of Kat's other felines who walked right up to Henry's crate for a nose stiff. No hissing from either party which is always good! We have every expectation that Henry's move to Kat's home will be smooth. We are SO happy Henry has found such a great home with Kat!

Henry in Arizona - Photos!

Henry Flies The Friendly Skies!

Henry's journey to his new home in Phoenix began last night. After a stop at the vet's to get his health certificate, I got Bebe's house and crossed my fingers that Henry wouldn't hid from me - the poor guy is a bit shy with strangers and that's how he sees me. The gods were watching because, while Henry hardly walked up and shook hands, his evasive moves were not well polished. 10 minutes later I had him by the scruff and he was in a small bathroom chilling out. It is so funny that he will do his best to avoid me in a large space but in a small space, he is all lovey dovey - he'll let me pet him, pick him up, purring away.

Henry gave me no argument about getting into the crate. But unfortunately, the crate was too big to meet the airline's standard so Henry waited in the car in the too big crate while I dashed into Petco for a smaller crate. Then we were off to Lia's house on the other side of the Hudson. Lia, our saint, had planned a trip to Phoenix and had generiously offered to take Henry on the plane with her. From our emails, phone converations and meeting, yesterday, I knew Henry would be in the best possible hands. Lia left Newark, NJ around 6 am and by noon, Lia and Henry were in Phoenix. Yay!

Susan met Lia at the airport in Phoenix and there was Henry in his crate, now a transcontinental traveler and no worse for the wear. The plane was late and Susan learned from Lia that Henry was to blame - during the last security check the airport personel insisted that Lia take Henry out of the crate and Lia, who was not taking any chances on losing a cat at the airport absolutely refused. YOU GO GIRL!!!!! Lia will have to tell us later how this stand off was resolved. Inquiring minds want to know.

Upon arriving at Susan's house, Henry was escorted to another tastefully appointed (litter box, water, yummy food and comfy cat bed) bathroom. We figure our traveler must have been hungry and thirsty after his long flight. But first things first - before Henry settled in for a good feed, he delivered a few gentle head butts and requests for pets while purring away.

Next up for Henry - a trip to the vet for a dental and then he goes to his new home with K.

Sue, how about sending us some new photos of Henry in sunny Phoenix?

Our fingers are crossed that the other 5 cats - Nany, Georgie, Gracie, Delilah and Vixen have luck as good as Henry's and find homes soon. We are grateful to all our friends who continue to work to get the word out about these beautiful and sweet cats.

Logistics for Henry's trip

The airline says Henry needs a health certificate for his flight to Phoenix. The vet says, no problem. I can pick it up any time. So excited that Henry will be airborne soon and on his way to a new, wonderful life in a new wonderful home.

Fingers crossed that Delilah, Gracie, Nany, Georgie and Vixen get so lucky soon. Thanks to all of you who are doing what you can to spread the word and make this happen.

And The Beat Goes On

I wish I had more news to report. Since the last update, I've talked to more people, pleaded, cajoled for friends, acquaintances and even the occasional stranger to forward the blog with the story of my mom's cats to their contacts and to sign up as a follower. The one positive is I've discovered the power and appeal of Facebook!

No far, not a nibble more. Henry is still the only cat who has a home to go to. Nany, Delilah, Gracie, Georgie and Vixen are still in need.

Here are these beauties again. I'm still believing that a miracle will happen and we will find loving souls who will open up their hearts and homes to these cats.

One Down, Five To Go

Henry has a home and will move to his new home in Phoenix in the beginning of May. Delilah, Gracie, Georgie, Nany and Vixen are still looking. Vixen was this close to a home but no dice. Please continue to help spread the word on these sweet cats. Please sign up as followers on the blog - this will help the blog show up on more searchs. THANKS!

Henry to take to the Sky!

Thanks to Lia, Henry will be making his way to Phoenix in early May. Lia is heading out that way and is kind enough to take Henry on board with her. SUPER YAY! Finding Henry a great home with Kat and her husband in Phoenix is a little bit of a miracle. THANK YOU LIA, THANK YOU KAT!

5 more cats and 5 more miracles to go!

A Home For Henry - Coffee, Tea or Henry?

Great news for Henry, the medium haired grey kitty. A friend of Susan's in Phoenix has opened her home to him. They are eager to meet Henry and welcome him into their home. This sounds like the perfect place for sweet Henry - a quiet home with kind and patient humans and other feline friends.

Now we are scheming on how to get Henry out to his future new home in Phoenix. Because temperatures get high in Phoenix, airlines don't allow animals in cargo.

WE ARE HOPING THAT WE WILL FIND SOMEONE WHO IS TRAVELING TO PHOENIX FROM DC, NY or somewhere in between. WHO CAN TAKE HENRY IN HIS CAT CARRIER ABOARD THE FRIENDLY SKIES.

if you are traveling this way or know someone who is, please let us know asap.

Yay! a good report from the vet

good news for Nany, Gracie, and Vixen. The results of their full blood work is back and everyone's results were normal. The kitties may not be spring chickens but they are all robust and healthy and should have many, many more good years.

Bebe's cats on Petfinder now - here's what you can do

Bebe's cats are on Homeward Trails Animal Rescue's Petfinder now. Homeward Trails is the wonderful animal rescue group that Lois volunteers with in Northern Virginia. BTW, these cats are indoor only cats - my mom had a small secure outdoor enclosure for them.

Here are the links:
Nany: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13357076
Georgie: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13354552
Henry: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13354705
Gracie: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13354220
Delilah: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13343369
Vixen: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13362718





I'll have the links for Vixen later today.

This means that someone who is looking for a cat and lives in the metro DC area, will see Bebe's cats as available. Our goal is to get other rescue groups in the country to do a courtesy posting on their Petfinder site for these cats.

So here's the action plan:

• Please send the Homeward Trails Petfinder link to everyone you know and ask them to do the same.
• Please contact reputable animal rescue groups in your area and ask them if they would be willing to do a courtesy post for these cats. Send them the HT petfinder link as this makes it easier for them to help. Let them know that they should use Lois' email as the contact.
• Post Bebe's cats on Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.com/) in your area. You can use the anyonomous option for your contact info and just forward any inquires you get to Lois at LoisLHT@yahoo.com or LoisLHT@gmail.com.

THANK YOU!

Everyone goes to the vet

Georgie, Henry and Delilah went to the vet on Tues. Yay! all three cats got examined by the wonderful Dr Saunders at The Cat Clinic of Nyack, got current on their vaccines and had full blood work done. The good news is that Henry and Deliliah are in good health. Georgie, however is starting to see a decline in his renal (kidney) functions. Georgie will go on a cat food designed for cats with declining renal functions and he can look forward to several more golden years. Georgie, Henry and Deliliah were all brave little kitties at the vet and behaved well.


Today, Nancy, Gracie and Vixen had their vet visits. Now all 6 cats have

had their health exams and are now up to date on vaccines. Gracie had a much needed shave as she was horribly matted - she is now sporting a lion cut and without a doubt feels much better. I expected that she was going to have to be tranquillized for the shave but that didn't happen. Rather, Gracie was a real trouper and let Roseanne and Marsha shave her without hardly a fuss. Thanks, Roseanne and Marsha! Nany, Gracie and Vixen had blood work done and the results should be back Friday or Saturday. Fingers crossed for a good report!

In Honor of Our Mom

My family and I are so touched and grateful for the kind words of sympathy on the passing of our mom. In a time of sorrow, we feel blessed to be the recipient of such kindness, love and support. A few people have asked us to identify a charity so that they may make a contribution in her name. In accordance with her love of animals, we'd like to recommend some animal rescue groups:

This is a local shelter which my mom often contributed to:

Hi-Tor Animal Shelter
Pomona, NY 10970
845 354 6308
http://www.hitor.org/pages/about.html

This is a local no kill shelter:

Hudson Valley Humane Society
200 Quaker Rd
Pomona, NY 10970
(845) 354-3124
hvhsociety@aol.com

By making a tax deductible contribution to one of these organizations, you will be helping save the lives of abandoned animals in Rockland County, NY.

Also,:

This is a small non-profit cat rescue in northwestern VA. Cindy runs this rescue and sanctuary for hard to adopt cats just about single handed.

Casey's House
161 Pine Grove Road
Bluemont, VA 20135
703-220-9965
info@caseyshouse.org
http://www.caseyshouse.org/

This is the wonderful animal rescue group that Lois has volunteered with for the last 5 years.

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue
PO Box 100968
Arlington, VA 22210
http://www.homewardtrails.org/

By making tax deductible contributions to these organizations, you will be helping save abandoned animals in the mid atlantic and southeastern states.

A Death In The Family - Bebe's Cats Need Your Help

On March 10 my mom, Bebe passed away. Bebe bravely fought cancer 4 times over the past 15 years with help of her amazing doctor, all the while maintaining her well known sense of humor. My mom was a woman ahead of her time. She was a proud entrepreneur, owning and operating a fabric shop for 40+ years. She had a lifetime love of dance, music and ice skating. She also loved to travel.

Bebe loved animals, rescuing many in her lifetime. At the time of her death, Bebe was "mom" and caretaker for six senior but healthy cats. For a variety of reasons - including allergies and very full houses of our own rescued animals -neither I or my siblings are able to adopt my mom's cats. With great hope, we are reaching out to you - friends of our mom who loved her and those who never met her but are moved by the plight of her cats. We are hoping that perhaps you know someone who might be interested in adopting one or more of these gorgeous sweeties and if not, that you will pass this blog on to your friends in the hope that they might. Please help us find homes for our mom's beloved cats.

MEET BEBE'S CATS:

NANY is the momma of Georgie, Henry, Deliliah and Gracie. Like Georgie, she is a long haired solid grey cat. She is even more handsome then her Georgie, which is saying something. She has a beautiful full mane. She is not one to seek out people and is timid with stangers but she allows humans to handle her without a big fuss and she has recently discovered that she REALLY likes a rump rub. Nany gets along with other cats. She is just a little over 12 years.

GEORGIE is a handsome, sweet and affectionate solid grey long haired cat. He LOVES to have get head rubs and will push into your hand to get more. If you stop before he is ready, he might let you know he wants more pets by poking your hand with his paw. Georgie gets along with other cats. He is 12 yrs old.

HENRY is Georgie's more shy brother. He is slightly bigger than Georgie with a beautiful medium length coat. He is solid grey, like Georgie, except for the smallest little tuft of white hair on his belly. He is 12 yrs old and gets along with other cats. Henry is very timid and not one to seek out people. Amazingly, he is a gentle fellow when handled and finds that he enjoys the attention, purring away when he is pet and combed.

DELILAH is a very pretty long haired dilute tortie. She is a tad shy with new people but warms up with a little time. She loves to be pet and loves head rubs. She gets along with other cats. She is 12 years old.

GRACIE is Delilah's sister and just as pretty and sweet tho a little more shy. She is horribly matted but on Thurs she will see wonderful Dr. Saunders at The Cat Clinic of Nyack for her vaccines and a well needed shave. It takes a little while to gain Gracie's confidence but when you do, she rewards you with a purr - she enjoys a gentle pet. Gracie gets along with other cats. She is 12 years old.

VIXEN is a very sweet silver tabby. She is the "odd man out" in that she is not related to Nany and her offspring and she is the only short haired cat in this group. She is also the most outgoing - she loves pets and it doesn't take any effort to get her purring away - she will happily curl up besides you on a sofa or bed for hours. She gets along fine with other cats but she would be just as happy as an only cat. I am not sure how old Vixen is. She may be as young as 9 yrs or as old as 12.