Stewie Six Fingers (Six Fingers of Fun) aka Wild Bill Big Fingers

June 2011 – April 2012

I was in the middle of a hectic day at the animal hospital I was working at when a friend brought a then 6 week old Stewie in to me for help, stating he was abandoned in her front yard. Of course, I welcomed the kid into my arms and got him comfortably settled with nourishment and a snuggly stuffed elephant friend, treated for a mild upper respiratory infection and tested for disease. Stewie had the biggest Polydactyl feets I’d ever seen that dwarfed his diminutive body. Everyone immediately fell in love with this little doe eyed boy and were all devastated when he tested positive for Feline Leukemia (FeLV). Testing continued throughout Stewie’s young life in case his status was a false positive due to his developing immune system, but time proved the positive to be a valid result. Regardless, Stewie thrived, gaining in size, weight and personality. Stewie’s beautiful, joyful presence became a very special part of my life and animal family, forming a particular bond with Atticus. In December 2011, Stewie was adopted by a kind friend and neighbor of mine named Fred. Stewie and Fred became best friends who shared a life filled with laughter, music and a love for nature as witnessed through the many windows of their mountainside bachelor pad. I felt so incredibly fortunate to be able to maintain a relationship with Stewie, visiting with him regularly and eventually introducing an equally goofy canine friend into his family who Fred and I named Walter. Walter and Stewie were the closest of companions. Fred likes to say that they both “came through The Curtain”. Fred and I were so hopeful that Stewie would be able to maintain his health and live a long life, but our hopes were shattered when Stewie’s health took a sudden decline in late March. Though young and full of verve, Stewie was struggling with breathing and battling lethargy due to fluid surrounding his heart and lungs. Stewie was able to stabilize his health with medication, but his overall well being continued to slowly fail in the weeks to follow. Despite this, Stewie strove to maintain his playful spirit but in the past week, the brutal illness began to overcome him, depriving him of energy and stealing his weight away. Fred and I worked to maintain a normal life for Stewie, concealing our sadness and the hospice care. In time, it became painfully clear that Stewie was no longer happy and was ready to pack his bags. To honor Stewie, we made arrangements to help him leave this world with dignity and with the remnants of his health that remained. We felt that he would enjoy waiting for his ship to sail at home.  And so, I prepared ceremonial elements and a lovely area in the garden between two blossoming apple trees while Fred hand carved a special wooden vessel. All of Stewie’s stuffed animal friends were present along with his non-stuffed human family and Walter. Atticus chose to hold vigil in Stewie’s favorite sleeping spot. The flowers in the garden adorned themselves with their brightest Spring wardrobe and the trees put forth their most brilliant green leaves while the sun orchestrated a magnificent radiance that was accompanied by a gentle wind that blew through our sorrow. The bamboo wind chimes danced lightly in the background and the scent of sandalwood incense soothed our broken hearts. It was an incredible day that was created just for Stewie, almost as if all of Nature was present in its finest form to help see this special kid off. Shortly after 2:00 PM on April 20, 2012, Stewie passed back through The Curtain and onward to the beyond. Stewie left our lives all too soon, but we are grateful for the beauty and life lessons this remarkable little being showed to and shared with us. Stewie is survived by his father Fred, his mother Nicole, dog brothers Walter and Atticus, cat sisters Lo and Lydia and by his beloved Aunt Karen. Special thanks to compassionate care of Ethical Veterinary who lovingly assisted Stewie to the other side.

A Fond Farewell
It is with a great deal of sadness that I announce the closure of Community Cat Coalition at the end of September. The decision was a difficult one but after dedicating myself in a full time volunteer capacity to the emotionally and physically exhausting effort of rescue work for the last several years (in Brooklyn and Beacon), it’s become necessary for me to walk away. As part of my work, I’ve humanely helped nearly 300 cats and kittens. I am deeply grateful for each and every gesture of support that was extended to me and for every connection I was able to make with members of the community through doing this work. For this, and so much more, I am eternally thankful. Connecting with community has brought me tremendous joy, and I have loved every opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, both the human and feline kind. I encourage you all to put forth whatever effort you can to make your own mark towards positive change in your community. Any effort, big or small, is meaningful and can make a world of difference to help end suffering. Thank you, cats. Thank you, community.

I spent a good part of the day packing up the former CCC space. When taking down the signage, I got very emotional while recalling all the time and labour spent at the space and the various cats and kittens that shared time with me there. The “phantom” signage reminds me of Wonder Woman’s invisible plane, and made me realize that Community Cat Coalition isn’t just here, but (could be) everywhere. And that is a beautiful notion.

Stewie Six Fingers was re-tested today after waiting a month to let his immune system develop. Unfortunately, he is still testing positive for FeLV (Feline Leukemia). Kittens can actually test a false positive for FeLV up to six months (and Stewie is now about four months old). Knowing this, I’ll continue to test Stewie every 30 days while looking for either an understanding foster or permanent home for him.

Stewie and his friends remain in good spirits despite his continued positive status for we know that FeLV positive cats can still be adopted into homes with either no other cats or other FeLV+ compadres and lead good lives. Please contact CCC if you are interested in either fostering or adopting Stewie. Special thanks to Audrey, Cheryl and Arwen for their stellar support.

I’m working on a colony in Beacon that I’ve been inspired to name after the family in The Sound of Music. Today, I was able to humanely trap four of the seven cats in the colony. A foster home is needed for the three young ones who will need some socialization. Please contact CCC if you are interested in this form of volunteer assistance. Pictures of the family to come.

Seeger was gently assisted to the other side today after learning of the severity of his injuries. He was also determined to be FIV+ which was inhibiting his healing ability. Seeger was first sighted as injured by a neighbor on Kent Street in Beacon over a month ago but wasn’t seen again until this week. After days of trying, I was finally able to rescue him. I am deeply saddened by Seeger’s circumstance and by his loss, but set that aside knowing he is no longer suffering. Endless gratitude to the veterinary staff of Hopewell Animal Hospital who extended their time, love and care to helping Seeger. Seeger will be buried in a sacred space amongst other rescued Beacon neighborhood cats who have passed on.

Seeger is resting comfortably and getting treatment for the severe wounds to his neck, legs and body. The injuries almost make it look like he got caught in one of those barbaric wildlife traps. While the exact cause of his injuries is unknown, Seeger is stable and has a hearty appetite and thirst.

Seeger is a colony cat I neutered over a year ago on Kent Street who showed up recently badly injured and emaciated. Thankfully, a couple of concerned neighbors notified me of the matter. It’s taken me days to get him, but Seeger is finally safe and receiving treatment.

Stewie Six Fingers, the little guy with big hands and presence, is thriving after being rescued from a yard in Beacon where he was abandoned on Independence Day.  Though he tested positive for Feline Leukemia (FeLV), I am hopeful he will re-test negative in a few weeks. It’s common for young kittens to test a false negative for FeLV as they can encounter the disease which will register in their system but it isn’t actually present in the blood cells.

Renee Richards, my beloved neighborhood stray, has been missing for a few days now. I’ve been caring for Renee (and her partner in crime, Cassius Clay) for almost a year now. It’s not like her to not come around, and I am weepy with worry.