2008

GRACIE  In April '07, CIW had a call from Amanda, the manager at Kibbles and Gifts in Half Moon Bay, to ask for our help. A young female cat had wandered into a conference room at a coast side hotel. She had greeted all the guests and then made herself at home but she couldn't stay there and her rescuer didn't want to put her back outside. We found that Gracie liked people especially men, but was very unhappy around other cats. So it was better for Gracie not to be at the Adoption Fairs. That makes it very difficult to find her "forever" family. Miracle of miracles, Gracie and her new Dad met! Princess Gracie had found the person who recognized what a wonderful little girl she is! Ain't it wonderful?!?

MISTY  I've found a kitten running in the middle of our street but no one has claimed her. Can you help? It's a familiar phone call. This time we were able to help and that's how Misty came to CIW. Further searches did not bring forth a family who had lost this kitten but not to despair! Along came a wonderful young couple who were looking for an active youngster to join their family and they met Misty! They thought that she was the perfect choice for them. Lucky family!

MANNY & RAVEN  Four very young kittens were found in a garage. They were too young to be away from Mom. In time they grew into wonderfully socially sweet kittens. Minute Man (Manny) the runt, grew strong and handsome with a few white hairs on his black chest. Raven, his sister, became the talker and cuddler. Along came a couple who just love kitties and have a special fondness for black kitties. They met Manny and then Raven and immediately knew that these sweeties were meant to be a part of their family. Now they are! How perfect is that!

SUZIE & ROSIE  In July, a family of 4 little female kittens and their Mom were discovered living in a parking lot of a very busy business, feet away from El Camino in Redwood City. All 4 kittens, Mom and now Dad have been trapped, spayed and neutered. The kittens have been re- socialized and the older cats are works in progress. One day a young couple called to say, "We would like to adopt 2 kittens." They chose to invite Suzie and Rosie to join their family (lucky girls). Instead of fighting for their existence in a parking lot, these girls have a warm, loving, safe home with a Mom and Dad who love them. Don't you wish that all animals could have what these girls have?

NINA  This year, CIW and the Palo Alto Animal Services began a new program. CIW takes dogs to our Adoption Fairs to see if we can find their "forever" families. We get to evaluate the dogs in a home environment and give insight into their behavior and temperament that is unable to learn in a shelter environment. One of those little dogs was Nina. Nina had been in the shelter for several months and had been to several CIW Adoption Fairs when a great family came to see Nina and fell under her charm. A match was made! The little dog who had been a stray, had found the family and the canine big sister who were meant for her. How wonderful is that!

WHISPER  Whisper was one of 4 kittens Jo fostered 8 years ago long before CIW was born. Whisper (then Peanut as she was the smallest) was a wonderful, shy kitten. Her favorite things were to be brushed and combed and get lovin’. A fine family adopted Whisper but they had a very lively son who scared Whisper. Then they invited an equally rambunctious little dog to join the family and Whisper was more scared. Instead of being a part of the family, Whisper lived in the garage. Not the life for a shy cat! When the family came home from a vacation with 2 more puppies, they decided that maybe Whisper deserved more than they could give her. That's when CIW came into Whisper's story. Jo brought Whisper back to her first home knowing in her heart of hearts that she wanted Whisper to be a member of her family but first Whisper had to win her husband's heart. She did! Here is where she is staying! Jo and Bruce love her shy gentle personality. She is getting to know the other cats and to learn that not all dogs chase her. We're so happy she's here! Welcome home Whisper!

LOLA  Lola was found alone in a box in the middle of Skyline Blvd. She was lucky. Her rescuer looked after her for a little but needed help finding Lola's forever family. So she came to CIW. Then Lola went to stay with another family while her foster Mom was away. Who knew that Lola had met her "forever" family! Now Lola has a big kitty brother and sister to play with, a Mom, Dad and 2 girls who love her, to look after her. Lola's miracle rescue is complete! Wow!

PHOEBE & ISABELLA  Phoebe and Isabella were two of a litter of four kittens found and rescued from a surfer's shed in El Granada. They left their Mom when they were about 3 weeks old. Mom disappeared too. The kittens grew into healthy, happy kittens and in time they needed to find their "forever" homes. Two of the kittens were placed then CIW was called to help. Along came two families. Each family had older resident cats but wanted to have a wonderful kitten join their family. Phoebe's family have 3 children for her to play with while Isabella's family have a wonderful kitty for her to get to know. How lucky are the families who recognized what wonderful kittens these sisters are! How lucky are the sisters!

SMOKEY  CIW receives many phone calls from folks who are needing help rehoming a family companion animal. We received such a call about Smokey. Smokey's caretaker had passed away. Although all the family loved Smokey, they all had companion animals of their own and Smokey wanted to be a solo animal. Along came and angel who had recently lost her 18 year old solo companion kitty. She didn't know if she was ready to adopt but she thought she would like to foster. It didn't take long for her to discover that Smokey filled that empty place in her heart and in her home. Many happy years together!

DOTTIE  In Feb.'08, CIW was contacted because a little dog was rescued after almost being hit by a car on a very busy street in Redwood City. No flyers or inquires came asking about her. Because of all her spots her foster family named her Dottie. Dottie decided that her foster family were meant just for her. In due time, they decided that Dottie was right. They invited her to be a permanent member of their family. Good things take time. This is a very good thing!

ANDY & NICKY  In Fall 2007 a call came to CIW, "There are kittens playing on my patio. Can you help?" And help we did! CIW was able to rescue the kittens. We tried to catch the Mom cat too but she disappeared after she saw the kittens were safe. Andy and Nicolette (Nicky) grew into wonderfully social, playful, interactive, and beautiful kittens (we're only a little prejudiced ; ^))but their "forever" family never appeared. Christmas and New Year passed and Andy and Nicky were still waiting. Oh where could their family be? Then along came their perfect human Mom and her son who fell in love with these wonderful babies. They invited Andy and Nicky to join their family. Lucky kittens! Lucky family! What a wonderful day for everyone!

NUTMEG  From time to time, we find that we have open cages at the Adoption Fairs. At the Pet Place in Menlo Park, owner Lynn Macy allows people who are needing to re-home their companion or rescued animals to post a flyer on the doors or window. CIW called a couple of the families whose flyers were posted and asked them if they would like to bring their animals down and show them at the Fair. Nutmeg's family responded and brought Nutmeg. Less than 15 minutes later, a couple came looking for a companion kitty for her Mother who lived with them. Mom's previous companion kitty had passed to Rainbow Bridge and Mom was lonely. There was an instant connection between the family and this lovable kitty who had been labeled "feral" but who was only very shy. Nutmeg went to her new home and after a little more than two weeks the family reports that Nutmeg sleeps with Mom most of the night and sits beside Mom to watch the TV that she (Nutmeg) seems to find fascinating. For this match the moon, stars, and planets were aligned helped along with a big dose of good luck! We're happy for you all!

CLEO & MARLEY  A little, very pregnant cat turned up on a young couple's doorstep last year. Four days later, Momma Sam cat gave birth to 5 kittens - four boys and one girl. With the help of her humans, Mommy Sam did a great job raising her kittens to become wonderful family companions. The young couple watched the kittens grow. they watched when Sam and three of the boys found their forever families and they found it was harder and harder to bring kittens Cleo (Cleopatra) and Marley to the Adoption Fairs. When the kittens were younger, the young couple had thought that Marley and/or Cleo were meant to be part of their family. Now it was decided that indeed the kittens would truly become family members! This adoption was in the stars months ago! May the force continue to be with you!

CHARLIE  What do you do when you're a very young dog out on your own, hungry and you don't know how to find your way home? You rely on people and luck for help. It worked for Charlie! Charlie was rescued from the San Jose City Shelter after he was picked up as a stray and no one came looking for him. This handsome young man had luck on his side. CIW was contacted and Charlie went into a foster home. He won friends and admirers with his puppy charm. Along came lady who discovered she had a "crush on Charlie." Now he has a family who adore him, three children to play with him and a home that was meant for him. Continued luck to you all!

DOODLE  A cute little scruffy brown stray Was homeless in old San Jose. The shelters were scary. He was so wary. Now safe with his "buds" he can play! Doodle's days of fear and homelessness are past. Doodle's "forever family" were already a CIW adoptive family. They decided they would like to foster. Doodle was not the first companion animal that they fostered and not their last! Now Doodle can help other animals get back on their feet and become the wonderful companion animals we know they are! How excited we are for you all!

JAMIE  Late in 2007, CIW had a call for help with a very young kitten who was rescued from a garage roof. When Jamie's blood was tested, the results showed that he had, at least, been exposed to feline leukemia. Over the next few months Jamie's body fought off the leukemia virus and won! He's a healthy leukemia negative boy now! Jamie's foster family fell in love with this charming young kitten. They say he has brought peace to their home. Well done Jamie! Congratulations family!

BAY & APOLLO A litter of handsome kittens were born in a barn in Half Moon Bay this past August. Their Mom did a wonderful job raising her four boys. Then St Francis took a hand. The kittens and their Mom were rescued. Mom was spayed and the boys were neutered. Mom was released back to the barn. The boys have been socialized and have found their "forever" families. Their rescuer kept one of the kittens and placed another brother. Then CIW was called for help. Handsome brothers Bay (now Maverick) and Apollo (now Luke) are with their new Moms. Now there are more happy families. A long and wonderful life to you all.