A Very Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:14-15

 

Wow this really is belated.  But I want to post something I love.  I love Christmas so much.  I will be listening to Christmas carols for at least another month. 

 

I love this award winning Russian animation of the Nativity so much, I am going to post it permanently in the side bar.  It's one of my favourite things. It has so many wonderful creatures in it: a lion, rabbits, birds, an ox, a donkey, all an essential part of the Nativity story.  In Orthodoxy we don't say Merry Christmas, we say, "Christ is born!  Glorify him!"

 

Even the humble creatures of the sea glorify Him in this version of events, as it should be. Enjoy. 

 

 

 

I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things,...1 Timothy 6:13

 

Breathless

“Believing isn’t wishing, Grady. What you know with your heart is the only thing you really ever know.”   - Dean Koontz, Breathless

 

For the first time in my life, these last months, since Christmas, I haven't had very much to say. 

I think that's a good thing.  I am hoping so.

I do a lot of things.  I do TNR.  I take in cats from the streets in my village.  I feed and care take colonies. I take care of sick cats in my home.

The last thing is the most trying, taking care of very sick or chronically ill cats. I imagine most people would put some of these sick cats to sleep. I imagine if I put some of them to sleep I would have more time to better care for the healthy ones. I don't know why I continue on with them except that I feel somehow it is the right thing to do.  It's hard to explain my reasoning to someone who is not of my faith, and even to some who are, but then I guess you could argue we are not in the end sharing the same faith.

If you are taking care of sick cats or sick people then you know what it's like.  You know how trying it can be. You know how it can turn you inside out and expose your worst weaknesses and greatest shortcomings.  You may find out you are not who you think you are. You know first-hand the effects of caretaker's syndrome. You learn what a love without limits actually demands in time, energy, selflessness.  You know all about the struggle to remain and become more human.

To value life more than time.  To value life more than convenience. To value life more than money.  To not try to solve the problems of life with death. To become a real person. To seek God's grace.  To be like love.  To see a few miracles.

And I guess that's why we do it. 

Even when it turns us inside out.  Even when we are staring at a horrible stranger in ourselves.  Even when it leaves us breathless.

"All will be well, if we do what is right. "  - Dean Koontz, Breathless

 

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Christ is Born, Glorify Him! - The "Ultimate Poverty" of Love

Whatever Holy Day you celebrate at this time of year, I wish you peace and joy.  Thank you for your love for and kindness to the animals.

Here is an amazing story I saw in the news today.  Please don't miss it. It fits right in with the mystery we experience on these wonderful Holy Days as we contemplate the wisdom of God, what His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew calls, "the “ultimate poverty” of God, which always acts as love and which surprised the wise men and the entire world."

nativity icon from Cappodocia

Joy to the world for this wonderful surprise, this mystery that always catches us off guard and sets our hearts right.


Monkey Gives First Aid to Electrocuted Friend


VIDEO - Astounding!

ON THE NIGHT OF THE NATIVITY

by St. Ephraim the Syrian

“Pure is the present night, in which the Pure One appeared, Who came to purify us! Let our hearing be pure, and the sight of our eyes chaste, and the feeling of the heart holy, and th...e speech of the mouth sincere!

The present night is the night of reconciliation; therefore, let no one be wroth against his brother and offend him!

This night gave peace to the whole world, and so, let no one threaten. This is the night of the Most Meek One; let no one be cruel!

This is the night of the Humble One; let no one be proud!

Now is the day of joy; let us not take revenge for offenses! Now is the day of good will; let us not be harsh. On this day of tranquility, let us not become agitated by anger!

Today God came unto sinners; let not the righteous exalt himself over sinners!

Today the Most Rich One became poor for our sake; let the rich man invite the poor to his table!

Today we received a gift which we did not ask for; let us bestow alms to those who cry out to us and beg!

The present day has opened the door of heaven to our prayers; let us also open our door to those who ask of us forgiveness!

Today the Godhead placed upon Himself the seal of humanity, and humanity has been adorned with the seal of the Godhead!”

"the “ultimate poverty” of God, which always acts as love and which surprised the wise men and the entire world."

May we all dig for it and find it, this wonderful treasure, this gift, this "ultimate poverty", the humility of love, for which we will be one day be crowned, in every place and in every circumstance we are in.  Especially the most trying ones.

"Let earth receive her king."

The Heart of a Servant

He thinks I’ll be all right
With doctoring. But it’s not medicine—
Lowe is the only doctor’s dared to say so—
It’s rest I want—there, I have said it out—
From cooking meals for hungry hired men
And washing dishes after them—from doing
Things over and over that just won’t stay done.
(from A Servant to Servants, by Robert Frost)

I am really rethinking Facebook.  That's where I spend most of my time talking about the cats these days.  It's weird, so different than this blog, which was a lot of work when I kept it up regularly, but I enjoyed it.  It was rewarding.  On the other hand, I have met many nice people on FB and people who have helped the cats and me and I would miss them. 

The thing is, I feel like I can't tell the truth on FB, because every time I do, if people are involved, people always think what I write is about them, even when it is not.  I don't know why that is.  Maybe because people go there searching for a reflection of themselves.  But I am really not prepared not to tell the truth about what the experience of trying to help and look after these cats and other animals is like.  It's not all jingle bell collars, it's a little of that, and that's nice.  I like that, too.  And it is not all cats that are about to...

"dierightthisisminuteifyoudon'thelpnowtheyaregoingtothepoundandiwon'tbeabletodothisanymore"

or cars aiming at and running over stray dogs, because let's face it, I have lived here for about 9 years now and last weekend is the first time I have witnessed it, even though I hear about it all the time. I have witnessed more poisonings and shootings, and even then, thankfully that's not even 50% of what I see.

Mostly it's in the middle.  Hungry cats.   Sick cats.  Lots of sick cats. Sick cats that pull through, and sick cats I stay up with while they die, when I can stay awake that is. Skinny cats with one good eye eating olives and bread that the locals throw out for them,  Cats hit by cars I pull out of the road and bury when I can.  Cats with diarrhea.  Dumped kittens. Litter boxes, food orders, dirty empty bowls, endless dishwashing, laundry, laundry, laundry I never get through, cleaning floors, vet visits, failed trappings, cat fights, jumping out the window in the middle of the night to break up cat fights, trouble making ends meet, trouble with people that don't like cats, feral cats that disappear after I alter them, and missing cats in general.  It's not what people want to hear about on Facebook.  They either want the jingle or the gore, and, well, that's just not what most of it is, and all that middle stuff doesn't seem to fit in there, where everyone is putting either their best face forward or their goriest, most upsetting one. 

I do want to write about what it is really like, for the benefit and consolation of cat rescuers if nothing else, but also because I like to write, it helps me understand things, it's like a puzzle coming together.  And, see, if I wrote this on FB, someone would take offense, because they would think I am talking about them, and I am not thinking of anyone in particular.

Maybe I will just put the cute pictures and the horrible things that happen there and save the rest for this blog. 

Although I have to say, it's a pretty sad state when sickness and death from sickness become part of the middle thing, but they have in this world. The dog that was killed in the crusher at a hotel is gone, and yet people are still talking about him and donating like crazy to get justice.  The skinny one eyed cat is still eating olives on the street corner and rescue kittens need their vaccinations and people scroll right past.

Could it be that people would rather punish human beings than save animals?

And maybe FB is no place for the truth.

How about you?  Don't you find that the hardest stuff to get through is all that stuff in the middle that never stops?  Even if it is not cats you are taking care of?

By good rights I ought not to have so much
Put on me, but there seems no other way.
Len says one steady pull more ought to do it.
He says the best way out is always through.
And I agree to that, or in so far
As that I can see no way out but through—
Leastways for me—and then they’ll be convinced.

(from A Servant to Servants, by Robert Frost)

Best News A Girl Like Me Could Get

My sweet Alethia, I never knew how she was killed, or the other two cats that disappeared that day, only that my neighbour was working in his field

I got the best news a girl could get today.  My friend Vanessa tagged me in a post on Facebook.  This is what it said:

Αnnouncement
Church of Cyprus And Animal Cruelty  On July 27, 2014, CVA President Mary Anastasi, Secretary Stella Stylianou and spokesman Mr. Dinos Agiomammitis, visited Bishop Isaiah at the Bishopric of Tamasou and Pera Orinis.  Accompanying us was Mrs. Christina Nellist who arranged the meeting and who has been striving for animal protection for many years. Fearing the possible reluctance of the Church to tackle matters concerning animal welfare, a subject that is not popular and many times unpleasant, we were doubtful that this visit would prove otherwise.  It was indeed a great and wonderful surprise to hear Bishop Isaiah’s affirmation that animals are part of God’s creation and that any cruelty or abuse to animals is a sin. We particularly welcomed the news that the status of an animal's souls has nothing to do with the way they should be treated which is will love and compassion.  We left the meeting with the best impressions and hopes that the Church will finally embrace animals.  We were asked to write a letter to the Holy Synod, explaining the current animal welfare problems and asked the Church to address the people on the subject of animal cruelty.  On September 24, 2014 we received a letter from the Holy Synod, dated September 15, 2014, pledging that the Church of Cyprus will remind its Christian followers, of the proper way of treating animals!  This news is indeed an historic and positive step and one we have all been striving to achieve.  We believe that the involvement and guidance of the Church in matters of animal welfare and protection will, if the followers of Christ truly listen, bring desired changes in attitudes and to an end to unorthodox practices.  We await with excitement to hear the so-long awaited announcement.  We would like to thank Bishop Isaiah for his most warm welcome and of course his positive traditional views regarding animals and their welfare, as well as his willingness to present this subject to the Holy Synod. Of course we wholeheartedly thank Christina Nellist, theologian and presbytera, for her involvement in bringing clarity on the Church's teachings on this important subject.  CYPRUS VOICE FOR ANIMALS

I feel so reassured by this.  Not that I think change will come overnight.  But change will come.  The Church has long needed to attend to the situation in Cyprus.  Animal welfare has not been what it should be in an Orthodox country. I have always felt like the ancient Chruch should be leading the way in good stewardship over all of creation. It's a gift, after all, and we were left in charge, to till it and to keep it.  To keep it.  Let's remember that. 

There are many more historically Orthodox countries where the Church clergy needs to speak out, to teach, to remind the laity.  They may need a reminder themselves.  That's OK.  As long as they are willing to learn. The Church is here to extend mercy as well, to all of us.  We all are fallen.  We all are disfigured.  But we were created good.  In God's image.  We have yet to receive His likeness, but perhaps we are on our way.

I can die happy now.  Secure in the knowledge that people will carry on.  They care.  They know what needs to be done, and, with courage, will prevail.  Knock and it shall be opened unto you.  Seek and you shall find.  Ask and you shall be given. 

Bravo to the Cyprus Voice for Animals for knocking, for seeking, and for asking.  That took courage, and we were all greatly rewarded for your courage. Thank you.

There are other historically Orthodox countries where the brave animal welfare seekers need to go in love and respectfully speak to the bishops. Romania, Russia, Greece, Serbia...go, knock, seek, ask, be brave. We need to lead the way.  Jesus Christ is the answer.  To everything.



Updates - What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas

I have a lot of updating to do to this blog.  For instance, this feeding stations map, which right now is still over in the sidebar, is no longer accurate.  I have decided, for good reasons, not to draw a new one. 

This feeding station map is no longer accurate.

Let's just say I've decided it's between the cats and me.


I love blogging (we used to call it writing), and I find it edifying, but it is time consuming. I am busier with the cats than I have ever been.  I reached my free picture host limit on Blogger's Picassa long before I reached my free cat host limit.  Since then I have been using an alternate photo host and storage to post pictures here.  That makes blogging take twice as long, needing two windows open.  The photo host locks up.  To insert a url no longer works and I have to insert them in HTML.  Then all heck breaks loose on the spacing of the post.  If you have ever used Blogger you understand.  I have considered moving over to Wordpress, and I started to.  Maybe in time I will make the switch. I suppose I could buy more storage here, but the idea of giving the big G any more information than they already have on me seems unwise, and I would rather spend the money on the cats, even if it is just a couple of bucks.


What can I say?  I'm cheap.  I'm cat cheap. 


I will get around to updating the blog soon, in particular the pages. 


But regarding updating the feeding stations map, I'll heed these words from a wise friend:


 


"What happens at the feeding stations, stays at the feeding stations."

The 20 Cats Sponsored by Cats in Need Cyprus

I was so happy when Cats in Need generously offered to sponsor the sterilization of 20 cats for me recently. Doing TNR and feeding cat colonies by yourself can not only be exhausting, it can be very expensive, so I was delighted and grateful when Cats in Need offered to help.  It was a big help.  And just in time, as several cats at my house were coming of age.

Cats in Need is a charity organization abroad that helps people like me doing TNR in Cyprus.  It is Cats in Need that donated my traps once upon a time, and they have helped me a lot since I began doing this in 2011. 

Please, if you would like to help Cats in Need help people like me in Cyprus, they welcome donations, and they are wonderful folks.  I get a lot of emotional support from them too, even a hug or two.  You can donate to Cats in Need here, a very worthy cause: Cats in Need

So!  Let's unveil the cats!

Here's a roundup of the 20 Altered Cats! sponsored by Cats in Need:

1. Starlight




Starlight, mother extraordinaire, who also must have received Abraham's promise of many heirs

2. Sox

Sox, who loves to do the scoop

(Speaking of which, here is a picture of Jayne from Cats in Need Cyprus visiting with the above two, Starlight and Sox, at my house before this transpired.  It wasn't planned, but they turned out to be the first two cats I altered!  I thought it was funny!  It must have been Jayne's tap!)

Jayne petting Sox with Starlight behind

3. Crackers:

Crackers in bed is a GREAT habit

4. Bouncie

Bouncie, the toe nibbler, who prefers bouncing to walking

5. Rudolph

Rudi likes to play in all the reindeer games

6. Bonnie

Beautiful ingénue Bonnie needs a pink bedroom

7. Boogie

Boogie, the precious water artist, working on her MFA

8. Vincent

Shy, head tilting charmer, Vinnie Vinnie Voo!

9. Vanna

Vanna, with her little black leather nose, granddaughter to Big Van from Sammy's, and his namesake

10. Olive

Olive Oil, because she goes down so smooth and heals.  She likes to lick fingies and has a tiny goatee.

11. Dimples

Dimples, one of the delectable Candies, who croaks like a frog

12. Innocence

Innocence, better known as Innie, the adorable loudmouth

13. and 14. were sisters, Dusty and Zelda, from the park

Dusty and Zelda, some serious dark sugar rush when they pile on to love you!

15. Bubbles




Bubbles, but I call her Baba.  Small, sassy, and in charge!

16. Godfrey




Photogenic Godfrey, found as a tiny kitten at the nearby dump, still thinks I'm a tree

17. Rainbow



Rainbow, a friendly neighbourhood cat, taught Sox the scoop

18. Alethia

My little Doris Day, Alethia, plays the acordian

19. Punky

Punky da da, perpetually surprised, wonderful mother figure

20. Cocoa

I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, she walks like a ballet dancer with great turnout.

and one for good luck :)  I got a little extra discount at the vets so I was able to do one more:
21. Stuart Little

Hi Stu! Tiny man with hooks for claws!  Likes to scare the dog!

Thank you again Sue and Jayne and Cats in Need !