Stewie Six Toes, a Polydactyl, was rescued from a yard in Beacon yesterday where he was dumped. This sweet something of a kid loves making biscuits with his big feets, rolling around like silly string and cuddling with his stuffed animal elephant friend. Stewie has tested positive for Feline Leukemia (FeLV), but I suspect this may be a false positive due to his age. Young kittens like Stewie who is only 5 weeks old  can test positive for FeLV but not actually be infected. I plan to give this baby boy lots of love and nourishing support and re-test him when he is older for more accurate results. Until then, Stewie is master of his own private domain away from the other cats and kittens as a safety precaution. As a standard, it’s wise to isolate any new cat or kitten you introduce into the home until he/she has been tested. Special thanks to Christy, Jennifer, Danielle, Karen and Jerry for their generous help with getting Stewie safe and sound.

Every morning Yoko sits at the kitchen table with me and asks “What’s for breakfast?”.

A new neighborhood cat showed up at my house recently. I’m calling him Brutus because he is twice the size of Cassius and Renee put together. Cats are usually territorial, but Cassius and Renee warmly welcomed this pushy newcomer in. I suspect instead of helping to keep cats away and guarding our place like a gargoyle, Cassius is inviting them over. Brutus is big, beautiful and way too clean and friendly to be a stray. I told this neutered boy to go back to where he came from, but he doesn’t seem to be listening.

One of the many things I do for the Coalition is check mail at the post office box. I always get choked up and weepy when I receive a letter, card or notice that someone has made a donation to the charitable fund as it means so much to have the support. Thank you, for caring and staying connected.

I went to visit my friends at Nichols Hardware today to find that their beloved shop cat Sasha had passed away on Monday, peacefully and of natural causes. Sasha was 16 year old, and looked pretty frail the last time I saw her, but still in good spirits. I am deeply saddened by the news and feel heartbroken for the Nichols’ loss. Sasha was one of the coolest cats I’ve had the privilege of knowing.

My neighborhood stray Renee Richards, formerly known as Simone Simone Swift, helps me make a stencil for the handmade paper hats I’m making for the Beacon Barks parade this Saturday, April 30. In addition to the hats, I’ll have kazoos and face painting for marchers that I will lead dressed as a giant cat in a mascot costume. It will be a presence not to be missed. Please join us and show your support for community and its homeless cats.

Riddick was one of my colony cats who showed up in bad shape today, struggling for breathe and clearly in a great deal of pain. It was determined that he had extreme internal and external injuries from either being hit by a car or from an attack by another animal. Riddick was given the gift of euthanasia by a wonderful local veterinarian to end his suffering. I didn’t know Riddick well, but I am deeply saddened by this loss. Riddick will be buried somewhere beautiful and sacred to honor the body and the life that struggled so hard. It’s a rough sketch of an existence out there for the street cats, and I encourage you all to do your part to help the future suffering of others like Riddick by advocating for spay and neuter and supporting humane initiatives like the Coalition. Just a little bit of effort can make a big difference in the lives of our less fortunate community members.

I saw this tag in Newburgh while having breakfast over the weekend. The we of you and me and the change that can be is everywhere.

Atherton was hand delivered to his wooded wonderland home in New Paltz today. He settled right in with Stacey and Rich where the mutual adoration was instant. Endless gratitude to Peter Iannarelli for connecting the dots that designed this happily ever after.

Jimmy Macaroni and his siblings LooLoo and Najinsky were rescued as newborns from Rombout Avenue in Beacon last September. The clan was fostered by local folk who ended up adopting all three kids. I visited with Jimmy and his siblings recently who are all grown up, doing good and have become master climbers.