Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

THURSDAY AUGUST 5 2004

7:00 P.M. UPDATE

Operating Fund rises a little, and we're receiving pledges to take care of surgeries

     We've never had so many dogs needing expensive surgeries at one time before, and we're very grateful to those of you who are earmarking rather large donations to help cover the costs of these surgeries. We'll report on which dogs are going to be scheduled when and the exact costs of the different operations as we get second opinions after sending x-rays around, which we're in the process of doing.

Update on Kitten Oliver's adoption

   Oliver's new adventure

     Kitten Oliver only meowed about six or seven times as I was getting him in the car to take him to the big city where his new family awaited his arrival. He settled right down in his crate on the cool plastic floor of the crate -- not the fluffy towel. The crate was big enough for a little litter pan and a bowl of water. Ollie watched the sunlight dance through the crate, but was soon fell asleep. He woke up several times and sat up to look at me for a few moments, but he couldn't keep his eyes open for very long during the almost two-hour ride.

     When I arrived at the Cooper Clinic, where Dr. Mitchell works, the first woman who saw me greeted me as if she knew me and showed me right in to the receptionist.

     Very quickly a crowd of people gathered and peered into little Ollie's crate wanting to see him. We opened the crate on the receptionist's desk and everyone oooohed and ahhhhhed at little Oliver. "Do you have others like him?" a woman asked. "I know where we can get more kittens," I answered. (If anyone would like a kitten as small and cute as Oliver, just give us a call and we'll direct you to other rescues who have kitties just like Ollie.)

     Oliver sat up tall looking at everyone, but didn't come out of his crate. Then, a lady reached in to pick Ollie up to hug him. "How beautiful he is," everyone was saying. Our regular Adoption Day volunteer, Susan Devers, came and showed me to Dr. Mitchell's office, where I knew she would be to pick up Oliver later in the evening.

     We immediately saw that eleven-year-old Christopher was waiting for Oliver, sitting at his mother's desk.

     Christopher was very happy that his kitten had finally arrived. We opened the crate on the carpeted floor and Ollie came out, curious but cautious. Soon, though, he wasn't afraid at anything and began running and darting around the room with freedom he hasn't had at Straydog (due to some of the doggies who don't like cats.)

     Christopher began playing with Ollie, wiggling his hands on the floor. Ollie wiggled his body like cats do when they are about to pounce and started pouncing at Christopher. I enjoyed watching the boy and kitten have a wonderful time. Oliver ran in circles, stopping every so often to pounce at our wiggling hands. "I've wanted a cat for a long time," Christopher told me. "My room is about this big."

     Dr. Mitchell came in a few moments later and also fell in love at first sight with the kitty. We talked more about nails. I showed her how to cut his nails, though Oliver was too excited to let me trim more than two nails at a time.

     Soon I had to leave. I felt very good about Oliver having a nice young fellow to love him and care for him.

     Today there was a message on my voice mail from Dr. Mitchell saying that all has gone well with Ollie. After dinner last night (her message said) they went upstairs to check on Ollie, and he was asleep on Christopher's bed in the middle of all the stuffed animals. "He poked his head up," Dr. Mitchell said, "and it was a Kodak moment, but I didn't have a battery in the camera. I will get my camera ready and send you pictures." (That will be great!) "Oliver's eating his meals and using the litter box and is continuing to be very playful. We think he's wonderful and thank you for your help! We think this will work out great!"

     Yea! We at Straydog are very happy that Ollie has a wonderful home with more room to play and a young boy eager to love him!

     Thank you, Mitchell Family!!!

Upcoming August Straydog Newsletter in the works

     It's been over a year since we published one of our 32-page (or 64-page) magazine-type newsletters, pulling stories right from the Daily Dog Logs. This is a simple procedure, but it's very, very time consuming. If anyone who has print composition skills would care to volunteer to help put together this booklet, please let me know at BillArnold147@yahoo.com.