A Must Read for ALL Mommies and Daddies!

Please have your humans read this article from the Truth About Pet Food! I don't want any of my earth furriends to die from Nutro or ANY cat food like I did! Be safe!!!

Soon to be Published Paper finds Shocking Results from Pet Food Testing

Mommy Talked to Ted!

Hi everyone, I'm turning my diary over to mommy for a minute so she can tell you about her conversation with Ted! Samoa's mom and Hazel Lucy's mom also had conversations with him this week, and you can read about them here (Samoa) and here (Hazel Lucy).

Hi everyone, it's Tabby's mom Lisa. I wanted to tell you what I discussed with Ted today.

I briefly mentioned a couple of the issues that the Community Homepage is still having, such as anonymous rosettes not showing up and the Purr Board not updating. They will be working on these problems. Ted also said that they aren't happy with the new Catster logo and that they will be creating a new one. Overall, they are continuing to tweak the Community Homepage as your suggestions come in, and he welcomes any and all feedback.

My main focus was on the community's concerns over the Nutro ads. I thanked him for his lengthy reply to Tabby's diary, which I truly appreciated. I know many members are still upset that we weren't getting any answers, and he apologized for that as well, stating that he is away from the office. He admits that communication could have been better.

I briefly summarized the events of the past three years - the HUGE recall of 2007, the cat food recall of May 2009, the puppy food recall of October 2009, and the many complaints by consumers despite the fact that there were no further recalls. Ted promises to listen more carefully in the future to the community, the FDA, and other websites. I plan on sending Ted the links to the Truth About Pet Food website, including this article, as well as a list of recalls as listed on the FDA website.

Finally, Ted emphasized that they need advertisers in order to pay the bills. I understand this. They do not get enough money to pay for everything through subscriptions and zealie purchases. I asked about the idea of raising the price for Plus subscriptions. In order to get rid of all ads, the annual price for a Plus subscription would be a lot of money. However, if they went to different pricing levels, it would be a lot more reasonable. In other words, you would still be able to pay $20 a year for Plus, but you'd have ads on your pages as they are now. But you'd have the option of paying $40 a year for no ads anywhere on the site as you view it.

And let's remember, the Nutro ads are only going to be on the Vet Blog page through the end of June.

I welcome your comments! :)

Hugs and lots of love,
Lisa

My Story - Part 2

"Ernestine! There's no way Mommy is going to name a cat Ernestine!" I was in a panic. "I need to do something to lead her in the right direction!"

On March 15th, 2007, I directed Mommy to a website for a shelter that is kind of close to my Earth home. She saw the pictures of two kittens. One of them was a dilute tortie named Tess. Mommy decided to fill out the adoption application for Tess. For two days, she waited to hear back from the shelter that her application was approved. On March 17th, she did hear back from the shelter and her application WAS approved! However, Tess had already been adopted by another family.

Mommy was saddened by this, but I knew it was all just part of the plan. I then directed her to the Kitten Krazy website. Mommy called Kitten Krazy and explained our story to the owner, Wendy. She told her that she was looking for a kitten to help heal her heart, as well as Tucker's. Wendy told her that there were two 6 month-old-orange and white kittens that had been spayed and neutered the day before. Mommy told Wendy that she would be over as soon as she could to meet them!

That is when Mommy met Ernestine and Marty. Marty was very close to Ernestine, but was otherwise very shy. Mommy couldn't even get close enough to him to pet him. Wendy explained to Mommy that Marty would actually adjust better if Ernestine were adopted. Mommy turned to Ernestine and there was a spark between them, something that told Mommy that this was the kitty she should take home.

And so she did! She really struggled with the name, though. She tried to come up with an Irish name because Ernestine had been adopted on St. Patrick's Day. The only "T" name she could come up with, however, was Tara. And that just didn't seem to click. That's when it came to Mommy ... Tess. She should name her new kitty Tess, after the kitten she had applied for two days earlier. Only she changed it to Tessie because it "flowed" better.

(To be continued)

My Story - Part 1

It was March 12th, 2007. Mommy was crying. We were at my vet's office, and the vet was telling Mommy that my kidneys were bad. They brought me into the room, and Mommy held me. She was still crying and I didn't feel very good. The vet left the room and Mommy held me tight. She started talking to me about the Rainbow Bridge, and told me that it was a beautiful place and that I wouldn't be sick there. There were catnip fields and a milky stream. And trees ... lots of trees to climb. And lots of other kitties to play with.

I rubbed my head on Mommy's face, my way of telling her that yes, I was ready to go to this beautiful place! Mommy just cried some more. She left and then it was just me and the vet. All of a sudden, I felt really tired, so I went to sleep. And when I woke up, I wasn't in the vet's office anymore. I was outside! I was in a beautiful meadow with acres and acres of grass in all directions. There was a catnip field over to the east, and a milky stream to the west. And beyond the trees, I could see the biggest rainbow that I had ever seen before.

I thought to myself, "This must be the Rainbow Bridge! I made it!"

I looked around for Mommy, but I didn't see her anywhere. I walked and walked and saw lots of kitties playing. No one looked sick, and that's when I realized, I wasn't sick anymore either! I felt like a kitten again! But I still wanted to try and find Mommy, so I asked one of the other kitties for help. He took me to see the Great Cat. I asked the Great Cat where I could find Mommy, so he led me to the beautiful rainbow. He told me, "You are at the Rainbow Bridge. This is where you can wait for your Mommy. It is not time for her to leave her life on Earth yet, but when it is, she will come here and you will cross the Rainbow Bridge with her." I looked confused, so he continued. "You can see your Mommy anytime you want - just come here to the rainbow and look at your Earth home. You can even fly down and visit her sometimes. She won't be able to see you, but she'll know you are there."

I looked toward my Earth home and saw Mommy. She was still crying. I also saw my Earth brother, Tucker, and he looked so sad. I turned to the Great Cat and said, "I must do something! They miss me terribly! What can I do to help them?"

The Great Cat said, "Why don't you send another kitty into their lives? They will know you sent her."

I asked, "How will they know?"

He said, "They will just know."

I then looked a little bit north of my Earth home. There was a lady that was driving two orange and white cats to a cat shelter called Kitten Krazy. One of them was named Ernestine, and the other was Marty. "This is my chance!" I said. "Kitten Krazy is really close to my Earth home!" Just before the lady pulled into the driveway, I sent a little piece of my soul to Ernestine. I then turned back to the Great Cat. "Now what?"

"Now we wait."

"Can you tell me why I had to come here?" I asked. "I am only 2 1/2 years old. Why did my kidneys go bad?"

He said, "It was your food. Your Mommy does not know this yet, but she will find out in 4 days when the recall is announced. The food you were eating, Nutro Max Cat, was made with tainted wheat gluten and that made your kidneys fail."

"NO! That can't be! Are you saying I was poisoned??? Why would anyone want to poison me?"

"You and thousands of others, I am afraid. Just so they could make a profit. Your Mommy and all the other mommies and daddies will find out, and they will be hissing mad! They will file a lawsuit, but it will take over 3 years to resolve."

I sat in silence for several minutes, letting this all sink in. Mommy would be devastated all over again when she found out. I needed to make sure she found Ernestine and brought her home. But by this time, it was getting late. I said "good night" to the Great Cat and decided to try out my new abilities. I flew down to my Earth home where Mommy was asleep, and settled in bed next to her. She must have felt my presence because she said, "Tabby?" And then we drifted off to sleep.

(To be continued)

A Note From Mommy!

Mommy has been thinking of me a lot lately! And today, I got this note in my mailbox ...

Dearest Tabby,

Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.
All I have are memories and a picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part.
God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart.

Love,
Mommy

Stevie's Two Wishes

Please read the following diary entry from our furriend, Stevie:

Today I'm writing for our ever-growing cat family! We learned that we will be getting a new brofur!! He's blind like ME! His name is Bones, and he's coming from a high-kill shelter in SC. I was in a high kill shelter, too, and trust me, they are NO FUN! Some wonderful furriends and CCLs - like Meowmy - are going to rescue Bones then transport him to us!! We sure love blind cats in our house!

It snowed today but Meowmy says there are a few stars peeking through the clouds. She says if I make a wish, it might come true. I'm going to make TWO wishes! And YOU can help them come true!!!

Wish #1:
Many of you have read the heartbreaking story of my sisfur Eve. I never got to meet Eve, due to the neglect she suffered at Okefenokee Humane Society in Waycross, GA (Ware Co.) Meowmy and Eve's to-be adoptive Mommy Terry, along with their friends, are asking everyone to write snail mails or emails to the folks on the list below. Be polite but ask for an investigation into the conditions at OHS. So far, we have had only one noncommittal reply. You can read my back diary entries for that actual letter. If enough of us write and express our concern for the animals still there, surely someone will listen to us. Please help us bring Justice for Eve!!
http://www.catster.com/cats/1086369 (Eve's Page)

http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-a nd-kitten-blog/humane-society-it%e2%80%99s-not-always-a-paws ative-place-part-1/2010/02/16/(Part One of the Catster blog about Eve)

Eve's Petition: You can sign now!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/166/justice-for-eve

People to Write for Justice for Eve: (Email is fine, but sometimes 'snail mail' gets more attention and is harder to ignore. We only have emails for some people.)

Jim Brown. jamesbrown45@bellsouth.net County Commissioner
Chairman
Carlos Nelson carlosnelson@wayxcable.com County Commissioner
Victor Aldridge aldridgefarms@wayxcable.com County Commissioner
Kathy Davis ( not animal friendly) kdavis@wayxcable.com County Commissioner
Gene Dixon phone (912) 285-1319 County Commissioner

The mailing address for those listed above is:
Ware County Board of Commissioners
P.O. Box 1069
Waycross, GA 31502-1069

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Gail Boyd gbarronboyd@warecounty.com County Manager
***************************

No Address for the OHS Board Members but here are the emails:

Deen Strickland cdsatty@accessatc.net O.H.S Board President
Dr. Jim Morton jcmjr@wayxcable.com O.H.S. Vice President
Sirena Cady sirenacady@gmail.com, OHS Treasurer
Susan Winge winges_08@hotmail.com OHS Board Secretary.
Dr. Wes Blount satillanimalhosp@bellsouth.net
OHS Board Member Veterinarian ( Was doing weekly visits)
Darla Moumberg silhouettes@accessatc.net OHS board Member
Millie Hopkins Millie@wayxcable.com Board Member past president
Heidi Flowers. heidif@uga.edu OHS Board Member

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You can also snail mail Dr. Blount at this address.
Dr. KT Blount
Satilla Animal Hospital, Inc.
511 City Blvd.
Waycross, Ga. 31501
Dr. Blount is a vet serving on the OHS Board. He is the only person to respond to Meowmy's emails. His very short, very unhelpful response is in my previous diary entry.
*********************************

Tommy Irvin
GA State Commissioner of Agriculture
Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Email: tommy.irvin@agr.georgia.gov

The man in charge of all shelters receiving public funds in GA.
*******************************

Mary Green
Division of Animal Protection
Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Email: AnimalProtection-Administration@agr.state.ga.us

It is her responsibility to oversee all shelters in GA that receive public funds. Her office would be the one to conduct such an investigation of OHS.

Even these state officials, whom Meowmy supports with her taxes, will not respond to her emails or letters. Please join those who BeliEVE in Justice for Eve - and all animals who are abused or neglected!


********************************************
********************************************
Wish #2:

Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight...I wish I may...I wish I might...find justice for my friend Muppet and the FLOCK cats.
http://www.catster.com/cats/624959 - Muppet's page

Muppet is my furriend, and she's a survivor, like me. She was at a huge cat 'rescue' called FLOCK. These cats were left to starve and several hundred did not make it. Muppet was critical but she was so strong and fought so hard to live! And she did! Best Friends Rescue took over and thanks to hard workers like Muppet's wonderful furever mommy and others, the surviving cats had a chance for happy, healthy lives.

Unfortunately, the case against the bad people who ran FLOCK was DISMISSED!!!! I'm going to quote now from Muppet's diary:

"...And on this note, and the main reason for my diary entry, we are asking all of our Catster friends to please write a letter to our District Attorney, Bob Beckett, letting him know how outraged every animal lover is that his office failed to properly see that there was justice for Flock. Although he has filed an appeal, we want Bob Beckett to know just how many eyes are upon him and how he better not let his office mess it up this time! Meomy was told that this case was ‘purposely hidden so the outcome would be a dismissal.’ And in today’s paper it states, “Beckett’s notice of appeal was filed yesterday. Gibson (General Council for FLOCK) said that surprised him because he and Beckett had struck a deal that the case would go no further.” Struck a deal? Humph!!

If everyone who cares about this case could please write a 'snail mail' letter to Bob Beckett, it could really help this case a lot. We need a flood of mail to come in. And thank you to everyone who already have sent letters! *grateful hugs*"

Mr. Robert Beckett
District Attorney, Nye County
1520 E Basin Ave
Pahrump, NV 89060

I'm just a blind cat in GA, saved from death row, but I speak for so many when I beg you to write to DA Beckett and to those with authority over Okefenokee Humane Society. Sadly, neglect and abuse of helpless animals happens every day. Usually there isn't much we can do. Here is the chance for caring, truly HUMANE people like my Meowmy and Muppet's Mommy to join your voices together and take action! Write DA Beckett, please. Write or email those in Ware County who can help the poor animals still at OHS.

You CAN make a real difference! They may ignore a few of us, but they cannot ignore us ALL.

Bless you for caring! Thank you so very much, HQ, for giving us the opportunity to inform Catsters and Dogsters about these heartbreaking cases. We love Catster!!!

STILL Looking for Justice!

To all my fellow angels and their earth families ... from all of our pawrents' letter writing, asking for JUSTICE FOR EVE, only ONE response was received that mommy knows of. And it wasn't a response that satisfied mommy or any of her friends. So I will ask you to please keep writing on Eve's behalf! Please! And thank you!!!

Majik is one of today's DDP's! I am copying her diary entry here because it contains some valuable information about how you and your pawrents can help Eve!

We finally got the emails of the board members of the Okefenokee Humane Society!! These are the people who have control over the animals, like Eve, waiting there for forever homes. I'm also posting the county commissioners emails as they control funding for OHS.

Please!! Take a moment and email them, asking for an investigation of the circumstances surrounding Eve's malnutrition, spaying and death. Be polite but firm. Let them know we are also writing the state agriculture department. Eve's death should matter, and we are the ones who can see that it has meaning and importance. Bless you!!!!

Jim Brown. jamesbrown45@bellsouth.net County Commissioner Chairman

Gail Boyd gbarronboyd@warecounty.com County Manager

Carlos Nelson carlosnelson@wayxcable.com County Commissioner

Victor Aldridge aldridgefarms@wayxcable.com County Commissioner

Kathy Davis ( not animal friendly) kdavis@wayxcable.com County Commissioner

Gene Dixon phone (912) 285-1319 County Commissioner

Deen Strickland cdsatty@accessatc.net O.H.S Board President

Dr. Jim Morton jcmjr@wayxcable.com O.H.S. Vice President

Sirena Cady sirenacady@gmail.com, OHS Treasurer

Susan Winge winges_08@hotmail.com OHS Board Secretary.

Dr Tinker & Wes Blounts satillanimalhosp@bellsouth.net OHS Board Member Veterinarian ( Was doing weekly visits)

Darla Moumberg silhouettes@accessatc.net OHS board Member

Millie Hopkins Millie@wayxcable.com Board Member past president

Heidi Flowers. heidif@uga.edu OHS Board Member

Still Looking for Justice

In past diary entries, I have shared the heartbreaking story of Eve, who is now my sweet goddaughter here at the bridge. You may remember that she was allowed to get malnourished by the staff at the Okefenokee Humane Society. I hope you will read the Catster blog for the two part article featuring Eve's story.

This leads many of our humans to wonder, what can we do now to help? I think my fellow angel Scarlett said it best in her diary:

All the Bridge Angels were celebrating today because the Cat's Meow featured our darling Angel Eve!!! Her story has touched the hearts of caring people around the world. Quite an accomplishment for one little kitten!

Meowmy wanted me to post an update. She and Mommy Terry, along with friends and supporters of Eve's, have written to the government officials mentioned below. As of today, they have received a total of 0 responses. It seems Eve's mommies and their furriends are being ignored by those in a position to help improve the situation at Okefenokee Humane Society.

In Eve's memory, all the Bridge Angels are asking any of you who can to contact these people, asking for an inquiry into Eve's case and conditions at OHS. If enough voices are raised, perhaps we will be heard. We'll be sprinkling angel dust for luck!!!

Tommy Irvin, GA State Agriculture Commissioner:
tommy.irvin@agr.georgia.gov

Mary Green, Head of Animal Protection at GA Dept.of Agriculture
(Note: The email link is no longer working. Perhaps a FAX or phone call would be even more effective.)
Tele: (404) 656-4914
Fax: (404) 463-8195

Love,
Tabby

Eve

So much has happened in the past week, and I deeply apawlogize fur not writing before now. Boingo and I have been helping Eve settle in with her new pawrents here at the bridge, Oingo and Hazel. And Boingo and I are pawsitively honored to be her godpawrents.

But let me back up a little. In my last diary entries, I wrote about Eve, the seven month old kitten that was going to go live with Boingo's mom. She was staying with Stevie's mom until she got strong enough to travel. You see, she had been at a shelter called the Okefenokee Humane Society for the first seven months of her life. That shelter did not treat her very well. They let her get malnourished and very, very sick. They even allowed her to be spayed in her weakened condition. When Stevie's mom picked her up from the shelter, she couldn't walk. She tried and tried to get stronger, but it all just proved to be too much for her. She had trouble breathing, and Stevie's mom rushed her to the vet. (In fact, in the four days that she was with Stevie's mom, she saw three different vets.)

But on January 3rd, Boingo's mom and Stevie's mom made the loving decision to help her come to the bridge.

If you like, you can read the whole story in my furriend Scarlett's diary.

And please take a moment to have your mommy or daddy sign Eve's petition to have the Okefenokee Humane Society investigated, so this doesn't happen to more cats and dogs: JUSTICE FOR EVE

Rest assured, Eve is happy and healthy now. She is the happy kitten that she should have been since the day she was born. She can see purrfectly, breathe just fine, and she can outrun even the fastest runners here at the bridge. And she is LOVED ... she is loved by all the bridge kitties, and so many humans back on earth.

Love,
Tabby

Also ...

If anykitty would like the chance to help Eve, please pmail me and I will tell you how. :)

Love,
Tabby