Celebrating Murph's Life and Pati's Family's Love and Your Love, Too!

Pati wrote this morning to let us know that Murph has joined his mom at Rainbow Bridge.

I refuse to be sad (OK, maybe just a little teary, but in a good sort of way)! Murph's story is one of such caring and love it just makes me want to celebrate! First, Lee helped care for Murph's elderly mom in her last days and worked very hard to find him a home. My friend, pet-diva Cynthia, heard and passed the word to everyone she knew and asked Space Paws to post it. We did and gentle readers picked up his story and carried it to the CB.

And what happened next was truly amazing. Person after person, around the country, stepped forward to say they'd help make Murph's last days wonderful. Pati was the first in driving distance to write, her vet vouched for their family, and in days they'd scooped him up and made him their own. Imagine the comfort it gave Murph's mom to know her old boy would be well cared for... and that so many generous souls stepped forward to help!

Pati's message from this morning:

The last day or so was really tough on Murph. He went downhill within that time - very non-responsive, etc. He couldn't balance on his back legs and didn't even have the strength to poop, which he had been able to up until then. He even stopped eating yesterday, which was unlike him.

So unfortunately this morning, we had to go to the vet for the last time with him and we got to be there with him, even though I don't think he knew we were there anymore.

It's funny how fast we got attached to him! Thank you for picking us as his foster parents. I hope we were able to make his time with us as happy and healthy as it could have been. This decision is never easy and I know one always doubts if it's the right one, riddled with "what-if's"...but he's not in pain anymore now.

6 months or 25 years - it's never long enough...

I'd love to help out again somehow if there's a need. Love to all,

Pati and Will (and Ian who's head Murph would sleep ontop of, and Sean and Taryn)

Please join me in celebrating Murph's awesome story!! And in thanking Pati, Will, Ian, Sean, Taryn, Lee, Cynthia, our readers, the CB and everyone who helped make this love story possible!

To quote the dad of one of the great folks who offered to take Murph, E.W. Tiemann, Jr., "There's too much bad in the world, so the good should be recognized and enjoyed!"

More on Murph & Meet the Folks of the Perry Point VA

Most of our readers will remember Murph, the kitteh whose mom was in the last stages of life and needed to find a new home. Murph, too was in the last stages of life and so many wonderful folks stepped forward to offer to make his last days warm and safe and comfy. Pati and her family drove down from NJ, brought him home, cleaned him up with a lion cut and made him one of their own.

And you may remember that we had a scare with his health early on but Murph pulled through due to Pati's immediate attention. Well now, months later, it's clear Murph's life is probably nearing it's end. Pati sent us this note and I'm glad to see she's keeping a good perspective - focusing on the what her family has been able to do for this sweet old man.

Just wanted to send you a couple recent pictures of Murph. He's still hanging in here with us, but we're not quite sure for how much longer. He can't see us anymore (and his hip pain has gotten worse even on the joint stuff). He's still eating and purring, but doesn't want us to pick him up at all - he meow/growls at us.

So I just wanted to let you know what's going on. I think we've made him pretty happy during his stay with us and he is a little fatter! LOL!!!

Pati

Thank you, Pati... and your family... for all the love you've given, and are still giving! We'll be keeping you all, and Murph, in our thoughts and purrayers!

Introducing The Perry Point Veterans Administration Colony Rescues

I got a call from a gal named Jenn, wondering if Space Paws would be able to help a group of ladies and gents she was working with at the Perry Point VA. It seems a colony of feral cats had developed around the hospital, and they'd been working to TNR the colony. As they worked with the cats, some looked adoptable and various members of their group were fostering and looking for homes. Well, we've got a blog and a Petfinder account, so I said, sure, we'd be glad to help promote their adoptees. What they are doing is so similar to us... just a group of everyday folks, doing this on their off hours, at their own expense... trying to make their corner of the universe a little bit better.

Yesterday I spoke to Cathy, who currently has 14 kittehs in her home (shades of the Casa this past summer, eh?), and is trying to home a number of darlings that seem adoptable. Cathy is personable, and funny, and working very hard to socialize her fosters and get them ready for furever families. So, without further ado, let me introduce the first of her fosterkids:

This is Smokey, a rescue from Perry Point in Cecil County. He was hanging around one of the veteran’s buildings and the patients loved him. But I had to get him a home because he was so nice, not aggressive and liked to play. He may have been someone’s cat who was dumped on the grounds. He is about 3 years old, solid gray, very sweet and cuddly. He LOVES to eat. Smokey likes other cats and has been living with 12 buddies; and all get along except one (another male). He's a great cat and will flop his head on your shoulder when you pick him up.

All of the PPVA fosters have had all their shots and have been spayed or neutered. So, especially our readers in MD, if you'd like to help spread the word about these wonderful kittehs, feel free to repost, tweet, email or just plain download their blurbs and make posters for your place of work or community bulletin board. You can use the Space Paws contact info and I'll get the word to Cathy!

I think this is one of the things I've loved the most about our little cyber community... being constantly reminded that there are wonderful, kind hearted folks all over this great big world of ours!

Thankful Thursday!!

First - Good News on Murph!

Whew, Pati sent some great news for us...

Just a quick update on Murph! The antibiotics are definitely working. He was playing with my yarn. Playing!!!! He hasn't shown any interest in doing anything like that until last night...
Pati

Oh, Pati, we are so happy for your little guy!! Those must be some good drugs!! Heehee!

Next - Excellent News for AC & Dez!

Webbthistle is just bursting with happiness! She reports on her girls-

Dez and AC are going together to their forever home on Saturday - and what a home! They are being adopted by a woman who is as sweet as they are. She has been too many years without a kitty because of landlord restrictions, but now she owns her own home and wants to share it with AC and Dez. The house has two stories and two screened-in porches - how perfect to laze away the summer! She's a photographer, so I am hoping for picture updates! The three of them are going to be a wonderful family - I am so happy for them, and have to admit I've shed a few happy tears already.

Fostering? Yes, it can take time and energy and be inconvenient. But as you know, Lisa, there are major emotional rewards, too. I would urge anyone who is thinking about fostering to call their local animal shelter and see if they can help.

And we'll sign off with a Sophie & Tony Update

Tony ate a full meal yesterday!! And today!! Now, if we can just get him to come out when I'm downstairs (he clearly comes out when I'm gone... the poop in the pan is a dead giveaway). Doc says not to push it. He'll come out when he's ready. Me, I want to get him to the Doc and get started on shots and moving him toward responsible mancathood! *sigh* Patience, grasshopper1

Sophie is fully acclimated now. She comes trotting over when I come down, or gives me a chirp from the bed and rolls over on her back for pets. She's eating like a horse and her little belly is sooooo cute when she's stuffed. I try to play with her at the door of the closet under the stairs (Tony's hiding place) so he gets a hint of what he's missing!

(This weekend we're looking forward to some absolutely adorable Rancho J2 pics!!)

Jasper, Murph, Sophie & Tony

Jasper in Repose

Thanks to Doc Phyllis, we have a pic today! The very handsome Jasper captured on the good Doc's new toy... the iPhone4 does take a nice shot, doesn't it? I'm jealous. With the $$ going out to the renovation, I haven't upgraded yet. But I must, right? It's required because I have to take pics of the kittehs for the blog and the camera isn't always around. Right??? (I can justify anything!)

Murph Update

Thank you to everyone who wrote, both during the adoption and after hearing about Murph's illness, offering to help defray his expenses. We did offer to do a fundraiser for Murph's expenses but Pati politely declined. Pati did, however, send an update today:

Just to let you know that the "healing purrs and headbutts" seem to be helping Murph! He's been on an antibiotic to help with some unknown infection that his blood showed )high white blood count). His nasal/head congestion is almost gone now and we hear his purrs again! He's never been one to scamper around, but he's much more alert and eating a 1/4 can of wet food for meals - he's even back to "chaperoning" my husband and I on the couch by sitting between us.

We know we may be on limited time with him still, but he's sooo much more comfortable right now and happy!

The silly bobblehead!!!

Pati

We may not be able to help in a tangible way, but Murph has a whole rooting section! Our healing purrs go out to Murph today!

No pics of Sophie and Tony yet

Please be patient folks. Sophie and Tony have spent their lives running free and not interacting much with people. The change in venue has them quite nervous. It's only been a day and I need to give them a little space. I did try to take a pic of Sophie but the camera was scary for her so I stopped after two tries.

And Tony? Well our boy has hiding down pat! The room isn't all that big and I've "lost" him 3 times already... and had to search slowly and methodically until I found him. He's none too pleased when I find him, even though I only talk quietly and don't attempt to touch him, and he keeps changing hideouts. Poor baby!!

They're both medium-long haired cats. Sophie is about 14 weeks old and a cute little tuxie. She's crated and, when I let her out, she snuggles next to me and curls up on my chest purring. She's interested in the toys but hesitant to play with them. I let her roam free a bit today (kind of hoping she'd relax Tony) and, when I came back into the room she, too, was hiding. The back of the crate is draped so it's cozy - I think the room is too big for her alone. So back in the crate she went. She had diarrhea when she first came last night and was a tad lethargic after the relocation, but heck, it's stressful on a little girl! This afternoon, she was much more energetic and produced two nice little stools. After some initial confusion about the litter, she's cool with the cat pan now. She's eating lightly, but regularly. She liked her tuna treat today. A lot!

Tony is 7 months old and sorta brownish tabby/spotted with a cute white nose and jaw and white feet. Sorry, that's the best I can do. Carol collected him at dusk and he's been in hiding since arrival. Poor guy was terrified when we went to transfer him to the crate (Sophie took it much better). We did have him crated with Sophie, but he broke free when we went to slip in some food. He's eaten, although not much, and he's been at the water bowl. And, he hasn't touched his tuna treat. *sigh* We'll see if it disappears overnight.

I've got an appointment to take him to the vet tomorrow, but I wonder if I'll be able to get him in the carrier. We have a backup appointment for Friday (just in case). Tony has worms and they both have fleas so I'm anxious to get started treating them. If I can't load Tony up without a bunch of drama, I'll ask Doc Andrew if I can start them both on Revolution tomorrow.

And folks, most fostering has much less drama! LOL!

News from Murph - Healing Purrs Needed!

This pic is from a couple of weeks ago right after Murph got shorn... Pati sent us a quick update. Unfortunately the news is not all good. Time to kick those purrs into high gear for our little guy.

"Just to give you a little update on Murph! He's adjusting well up here in hot, dry NJ. He loves all the attention from the kids - he tends to wait for them to come over and visit versus getting up to visit them. We are the felines' servants, aren't we??? He loves to sit on our laps and purrs up a storm.

Murph started to develop a cough and wheezing and meowing as if in pain if we picked him up under his chest. It turns out that he has a mass by his heart, which is pushing on it a little. His blood work also came back saying he's aneamic, his hemocrit is low, the mass is probably cancer, and his liver is starting to shut down. We don't know how long he'll last, but will let you know when things take a turn for the worse.

We don't for a second regret taking him in!!! At the moment, he's still eating, drinking, peeing/pooping fine. Hasn't lost anymore weight either. I was just hoping we'd have a chance to see his coat in all its beautiful glory! What's grown back so far is so soft and silky!

Thank you for picking us to be his caretakers...

Pati"

Pati, our healing purrs are with you!!

AC & Dez

Webbthistle reports, "Haven't gotten any good pictures of AC or Dez in the past few days - they are always running towards me. I will be trying again over this weekend. Even if the adoption goes through, because of processing time, Dez will be here through the weekend at least.

They just discovered the fun of Da Bird - it is great to see them play! Dez is very gentle and bats at it calmly, but you can tell that AC spent some time surviving on the streets by the intent way she tries to catch the prey! She even turns somersaults running after it. I'll try to catch a short vid."

A Little Something from Two Moms

It's a three ring circus at the Casa. Not much but taking care of the critters is getting done these days. The visitors are in separate quarters... Kayla and Zimmer have the basement and I visit each morning and evening. They love the visits and seem quite settled now. Gary (my next door neighbor and kitchen contractor) loves them up mid day! They haven't mixed with the General Population as I figured that was too many cats in too small a space.

Marley got along so well with the gang last time that he joined them right away when he came. Unfortunately the dynamics were a bit different this time, what with the kittens and everyone aware that there are basement dwellers, and he started chasing and cornering the girls... so he's in the bathroom now, when I can't supervise, and not loving that. *sigh* I feel badly for him 'cause he's usually such a sweet guy... sensory overload I'm thinking... hang tight, handsome. Your mama comes home in two days. Until then I'll do my best to keep him feeling loved.

Our inbox was full today!! First, from Jasper's mom, Phyllis, was this cute video! Yes, looks like Jasper likes the little cave scratcher just as much as he did when he was a youngster!! I think Jasper enjoyed his birthday present a bit more than Zimmer did! Ha!

The doc wrote: "A long, largely uneventful video of the cats with their new toy. They're still playing with it. What's amazing is that I went back through the pictures of Jasper (then Fred) on the site and found that as a kitten, he had the exact same toy. Either my version is much smaller or Jasper's really grown up! Happy birthday to all the Maples, P"

And Murph's mom, Pati wrote in: "I figured you'd like to see how Murph is getting along up here in NJ...he's settling in very nicely and has taken to jumping on the bed at night. He's going to the groomers this weekend hopefully so we can get a fresh start on his coat. He's also met 3 of the other cats and that's going well also. Take care and hope your posse is still doing well! Pati"

Murph is already looking quite a bit more floofolicious, don't you think?

Murph & Rancho J2 Updates

We got an email from new mom Pati today!

I promised pics and here's a slightly fuzzy one to get started...Murph has perked up a lot overnight and seems to be more relaxed. Our others know something is going on behind the door and sit just on the other side. This morning, we opened the bathroom door, so Murph could venture into our room for a bit.

More pics to come over the next couple days as he gets some grooming done. His whiskers are crazy and his neck fur is almost a mane!
Pati

At Rancho J2

Socializing Whiskey and Tango continues. As with most socialization, it's a slow process but those small gains mean ever so much. Whiskey was treated for mastitis, and everyone is feeling much better after their surgeries.

Catnip...mmmmmm Whiskey as stoned kitteh (brother Tango had worn himself out).

And their quarantines are over... so happy to be back together again!

The Casa should be renamed "The Circus"

The cats are keepin' me busy... sorry there aren't any pics. Marley has suddenly decided to start chasing poor Winnie. *Sigh* He did this last night, too, but then left her alone all day... he's in time-out in my bedroom right now. Last visit, he got along with everyone. I suspect the crowded conditions, and the little ones keeping things stirred up, may have prompted some of this.

Generally, today was a bit more relaxed. The older kittehs are ignoring the youngsters more often, instead of warning them off every time they cross paths. The dweebs are a riot but, except for Winnie, the older cats do not seem amused. I, however, am eating it up. Now if only I could figure out a way for someone to pay me to stay home and play with them. ;-)

Kayla and Zimmer (Aggie & Percy) have chilled out as well. Today was almost like old times with Kayla draped over my arm and Zimmer curled up beside me while I read. I hate the the fact that they're segregated in their own quarters but, frankly, I don't think the GP could take the addition of two more new personalities right now. I split sleeping last night, starting out in the bed upstairs and finishing the night with them in the basement. Tonight that will be reversed.

Tomorrow will be the first day at work since the visitors arrived and the kittens have been out of quarantine... and I think I'll put Winnie and the kids in my bedroom to avoid any problems when I'm not here to referee. But, if things continue to mellow at the rate they did between yesterday and today, everyone should be getting along just great by the time Marley is ready to go home... LOL!

Murph is in His Furever Home

Hi folks, spoke to Pati today. The family drove down to MD and picked up Murph this afternoon. He's now tucked in their bath in order to have some time to relax and adjust to his new surroundings. They'll give him a few days of "just family" interaction to let him get acclimated before they introduce him to his new furblings.

The kids are very excited about the new addition to their family (they know all about proper treatment of cats, having lived with them all their lives) and accompanied mom and dad to pick Murph up today. Murph was quite anxious on the drive so they carefully let him out of his carrier to sit with the kids. Murph settled happily next to young Ian... but after a while Ian lamented, "Mom, I think I'm going to need a new seat... Murph is crowding me out!" How sweet is that!

Pati reports Murph had been brought current on his shots and is still experiencing a little bit of after affects. He's enjoying the cool of the bath tiles right now. He's also going to get a lot of gentle grooming over the next weeks to bring his coat back to it's lustrous state.

Congratulations, Murph & family!! Wishing you many long years together... and we'll be waiting anxiously for more news and pics.

More Needs on the Interubes

Please do check the right sidebar and click through. Love & Hisses has posted two AL situations: One is an owner death, necessitating quick adoption of three shy kitties, and the other is SNAP needing funds to spay and neuter a colony of feral bobtails. Amy of the House of Cats has let us know about six Meesers in KY, in a high kill shelter due to another owner death situation.

We can't always help personally, but we can link, post, offer our purrayers and support and maybe a green paper or two!

Back at the Casa

Well, in the flurry of activity surrounding Murph's rehoming, I didn't report that the babies got their first shots on Tuesday!! Doc gave me some ointment for Lawrie's left eye, which has been a bit irritated. Other than that, they're a hale and hearty little duo.

And, since they'd been with Sonia a couple of days before they came to me, Trudy and Lawrie came out of quarantine on Thursday. Winnie took right to the little guys. The other residents, not so much.

No overt hostility toward the babies, but plenty of warning off from Annie (no surprise), Peggy Sue (disappointing, but not surprising, since Peggy Sue arrived Friday and has had to adjust to being back at the Casa) and Grey (big surprise... he's usually a teddy bear - maybe just too much change all at once with Peggy Sue coming back and the babies coming out). Bitty has been keeping to the catwalk and higher regions of the Casa and has been quietly watching the interactions. Poor little kittens, they're getting used to hisses a lot faster than I'd hoped.

But the babies do have one friend and champion. Forgive the loud fan in the background... it doesn't seem to make that much of a racket in real life... LOL!

There is officially no more room at the inn!

Kayla and Zimmer (Aggie and Percy) are installed, in their own quarters, in the finished basement for the next 3 1/2 weeks while Ali is traveling for work (more on that tomorrow). The gang, however, seem very aware they are there. And handsome Marley is back with us for a week and will spend nights in my bedroom to give the General Population some down time from all the newness. Everyone is adjusting but there's been a bit more hissyness than usual among the GP.

Since I wasn't expecting to be fostering kittens when I said "yes" to visitors, or that Peggy Sue would have left and then returned, I'm praying this isn't too much change, too fast, for everyone's nerves. I'd hate to think this is overloading my sweet gang - especially Grey. The babies will spend tonight in the bathroom, just to give the adults a break. Hopefully tensions will ease over the next couple of days as everyone gets used to the new cast of characters. Fingers crossed!

There is too much bad in the world, so the good should be recognized and enjoyed.

That was a favorite saying of E. W. Tiemann Jr., Sal's dad. Sal is one of the kind folks who offered to adopt Murph. A wonderfully wise man was Mr. Tiemann... I think we all recognize how special the outpouring of love for Murph was... the affirmation that there are, indeed, a lot of good people in this world. Everyone who came together to make this happen... every person who purrayed, posted, tweeted, offered to take Murph for foster or keeps, or offered to facilitate the adoption should really enjoy the warm feeling of a job well done!

Murph will join his new furever family tomorrow, and Pati has promised to send pics and updates. Murph is going to have several furblings in his new home, including three oldsters like himself. And three bean sibs, too (10, 12 and 13)!! Pati and her hubby, Will, live in NJ and have family here in MD. Pati saw Murph's story on Ravelry's message board and immediately called Will at work to suggest that they offer for Murph. Having had a circumstance in their own family that came way too close for comfort to Murph's story, Will replied, "Yes, let's do this!" and said he could drive down the next day to pick Murph up, if need be. So Pati wrote to us, even offering her vet as a reference!

As it turned out, the nurse, who had to be hospitalized for a severe allergic reaction to Murph, was willing to come back to work (and take the risk of another reaction) in order to give Murph and his mom some more time together to say goodbye... yep, another example of the good folks in this world! Pati articulated the feelings many of us have had in her closing to our last email: "I wish there was some way that Murph could stay with his mom until she gets to the Bridge, but we have a few warm beds he can sleep on, if he wants to." Amen, Pati! And warm hugs to your family for opening your hearts and your home to this sweet old man!

And on the Space Paws Front

The post last night was short... in part because, here at Space Paws, we had an unexpected turn of events...

Peggy Sue is back!! "What???" you say! Yes, and it's a good thing. Elizabeth let me know yesterday that, while Peggy Sue had acclimated to her new abode, and hissin'n'growlin' quickly ceased between her and her new brother, something was very wrong. She said Peggy Sue was just bereft the entire week. Please understand that Elizabeth is an AWESOME cat mama - I know her, personally. And she has incredible patience - it took 3 years before her YumYum and Gato got to be pals - but she said this was clearly different.

Peggy Sue was past sad, she was pining. And cats don't usually do that. So Elizabeth and I put our heads together and decided Peggy Sue should come back. I won't be putting her up for adoption again, she'll be mine. When I started to tell my sis the story, she didn't let me get past "Peggy Sue is coming back." She immediately interjected, "Well good. She's back where she belongs!" (Ummmmm... how did I not see this???) But I'll take something else my sis said to heart, "It just took a visit with Elizabeth for you two to realize you were meant to be together." Yes, I'd cried buckets when she left, but I thought that was just - well, you know - me being me ... but I had no idea Peggy Sue had grown that attached to me, too.

At first Elizabeth was sad... that Peggy Sue was so sad. And that her darlin' Gato still doesn't have a new friend. But when Peggy Sue emerged from the carrier, headbutted my hand and arched into a rub, there were smiles all around. We both knew we'd made the right decision. And we know that Elizabeth will find a wonderful furbling for dear Gato, too.

So "Happy Gottacha Day" my sweetie. This one is for keeps!

Everything is still on target for Murph's new home

Hi folks! It's late - after 11 pm (a class and needing to work with one of our fosters ate up the time this evening) so this will be short... I had a chance to talk to Pati and will post more details tomorrow night - promise!

For tonight just a couple of quick things. Pati and her family will be picking Murph up on Saturday. Yay!!! Murph's mom's nurse is OK with this, in spite of the fact that allergy to Murph landed him in the hospital earlier in the week. (Talk about a great guy, who just wants the best for Murph and his mom!!) And, most important, Pati has promised to send updates and pics to keep us abreast of Murph's adjustment to his retirement home, so we've got more to which we can look forward.

Since I'm too pooped to do much more tonight, but this was already done, here's the post that was going to go up on Trudy and Lawrie the night Murph's news broke. The little ones had been having a grooming session and, of course, stopped doing that as soon as filming started - but we did get Trudy to talk to us! (Sorry about the big, ugly human feet in the vid... LOL!)

See you tomorrow night!!

My bean is dying and I need a home

11:07 pm, 6/3/10 - Update - Everything is still on target for Murph's new home

Hi folks! Murph's story continues in our regular posts, so if you came to this post directly from a link, just click on the masthead to go to the current post and get the latest news.

9:20 pm, 6/2/10 - It's official - MURPH HAS A HOME!

I'll be posting more details tomorrow, but I wanted to let you know right away! After clearing the road with the shelter, Lee started her calls with the first person to write within driving distance (so as not to stress our geriatric guy with a flight, unless it was needed). They spoke tonight and it seems all the stars were in alignment. Lee thinks this will be a outstanding "retirement home" for Murph. Pati's family has three senior kittehs with whom Murph will spend his golden years. Everyone is doing the happy dance here!

A special word to ALL of the wonderful folks who offered to take Murph, near and far. I can imagine you may be feeling a little pang of disappointment along with the happiness for our little guy. Murph's mom, Lee, I and all the people who have worked to find Murph a placement want you to know that you have brought joy and hope not only to us, but to everyone who was following Murph's story!!

And to EVERYONE who posted, tweeted and emailed... who offered home, fostering, transportation, expertise, funding and more... you ROCK! This outpouring of love and caring has lifted and inspired us all. There are not enough words to thank you!! What a gift you have given to so many around the country and the world - it may sound corny, but this was a true demonstration of, not only what people can do when they work together, but of the intrinsic decency, generosity and goodness of the people with whom we share little dot in the universe called Earth.

I'll be back tomorrow with more details and information tomorrow! Stay tuned!

9:45 am, 6/2/10 - Update - Things are looking up!

First, if I haven't said it loudly enough... YOU GUYS ROCK!!! Your response, with offers of all kinds of help (some of it very, very creative!!) has just been over the top!

Here's the scoop... First "Murph's folks" = Murph's mom's neighbor, Lee. It's easier to refer to her by name. Lee reports:

• She successfully cancelled the shelter arrangements she made for Murph (Lee had no idea this simple post would bring a happy flood of offers to help Murph and had to keep working hard to make sure Murph wouldn't be euthanized). The shelter is thrilled to hear about your response, too, folks, as they did not have an adopter, and agreed.
• Lee has arranged to talk further tonight to one of the potential adopters (hey, she has a day job, folks). If that doesn't work out, she'll then contact another and another until we have Murph placed.
• She is going to contact folks within driving distance first, and then branch out, if needed. The idea here is not to stress out Murph with long distance travel, if possible.
• She's promised to keep us updated.

We don't know, for sure, how this will all work out, but between all the offers of places for Murph and various forms of assistance, we just know that it will!!

Let's send positive thoughts and good energy out there for a good match and quick homing for Murph. And again, all of us are truly humbled by the goodness and love that has poured in to help this sweet boy!

9:23pm, 6/1/10 Update

I've heard from Murph's folks... they're starting to make calls/send emails to see if they can make a good match. This may take a bit of time but I'll feed you news as we know it.

We're now up to 12 offers of a home, 5 of which are in driving distance. There have been many offers of fostering, folks offering up frequent flyer miles if the match is distance away, former adoption counselors who have offered their services in interviewing and follow up... and I haven't finished answering all the email!

Everyone involved with Murph is just overwhelmed by the love and care that everyone has so freely (and quickly!) given. This has been one of the most heart warming experiences of my life, gentle readers... to think that so very many people would open their hearts this way. I am truly humbled and can not thank everyone who has responded enough! And especially to our readers, who got this news out there so very quickly, and to everyone who picked up the message and carried it one blog, one tweet, one person further! Thank you, thank you!

7:13pm, 6/1/10: Quick Update - Don't want to keep you hanging!

Oh my!!! The outpouring of support from readers and their friends has been truly amazing!!! As of this moment, we have 7 people who have opened their hearts and said they'd like to learn more about providing Murph a furever home. 3 are fairly local! We have forwarded the emails to Murph's folks and, as soon as I hear from them, I'll let you know more!!

Thank you, thank you to everyone who has opened their hearts to help, whether it be purrayers, blog posts, links, tweets, facebook posts or email. I've just been in happy tears several times today. Readers and friends, you are the BEST!

Hugs, and I'll post more as soon as I know!

Lisa

Hi, my name is Murph. Trudie and Lawrie said I could post on the blog today 'cause I need a new home right away.

I live here in Maryland. My wonderful bean has been very sick and I hear the other beans whispering that she is going to go to the Bridge soon. I want to stay with her and let her know she is loved right up 'til she makes the crossing... but the other day something really bad happened.

I made her nurse so sick she had to go to the hospital. It turns out she is allergic to me. I'm so sad because I like her, too... and her googie and I get along great. He's a young whipper snapper - they say he's a Pug, I say he's ugly - he's only 9 months old, but we play and I kiss him and let him know he's welcome at my house.

My bean is so sad. She's worried no one will want me because I am 14 years old and I'll have to be sent to the Bridge, too. And now I have to leave the house right away so I don't make her nurse sick again. I don't want my bean to be sad or worry about me, so I decided to talk to you.

Can you help me find a new home so my bean won't be sad in her last days here? If you don't have room for me in your home, maybe you know someone who does. The Space Paws Lady says there's an email button at the end of this post and a linky button if you want to post this to your blog. Or you can send this link - http://hubblespacepaws.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-bean-is-dying-and-i-need-home.html - to people you know so they can learn more about me.

I am 14 years wise and gentle. I'd be a perfect companion for a single or couple without little kids. I like other animals (even ugly googies). I'm in good health and have good toilet manners. It's been stressful so I've lost a little weight but some good noms and a warm bed would take care of that. You can have hours of fun brushing my long, luxurious fur and I will purr for you and love you and make you happy. I promise!

Just send the Space Paws lady an email, at hubblespacepaws@gmail.com, and she will write right back, OK? Hope to hear from you soon!!

Thanks!

Murph

A Word From Trudie and Lawrie

We know that we are little and adorable and stuff... and that's why people want to adopt us. But one day we're going to be senior cats, too, so we want to tell you opening your heart to Murph is just like opening your heart to us. Please help Murph find a terrific retirement home. One day we may just need one, too.