THE END IS NEAR...by Joyce Kao

To start off with, here's a picture of my new adoption ready foster a.k.a. my current marathon muse. She's a total sweetheart and looks a lot bigger in this picture than she actually is in real life:

Mura and me

The LA Marathon is less than three weeks away. I just completed the big 20-mile run in my training this past weekend.  From here on out till the marathon, I taper down my mileage. I would like to say something like 'training for this marathon has been a life changing experience', but honestly, it's been kind of an tedious and painful (as well as expensive!) and right now I'm just really ready for it all to be over.  Allow me to elaborate.

1. Tedious:
Even though I am following a beginners marathon training schedule, the mileages as the marathon approaches are INSANE.  For example in the past week, I ran 40 miles total...40 MILES TOTAL. I'm still not quite believing it myself.  In the beginning when I started last August, it was 1 mile here, 2 miles there, or the occasional 3 miles.  That was maybe 10-40 minutes in the morning (no biggie).  Now I have to section out hours at a time to fit my weekly runs in. Since I am vertically challenged and not trying to win the marathon here, my pace is rather slow.  Now when I run, I have to put aside an hour to two hours, maybe even three depending on the distance I run during the week. On Saturdays, I have been setting aside 5 hours for the past few weeks to finish what I think are insane mileages.

I have had some people ask me what I do during my runs (other than run) since these long runs can take hours at a time.  Most of the time, I'm concentrating/meditating. I'm trying to concentrate on not thinking about how uncomfortable I am while running. Music helps, especially something with a good steady beat....although I am pretty sick of DeadMau5. Video game music is also good because I think I'm getting hit points for every mile I run down (think Mario and mystery boxes every mile).

I also think about all the cats I have rescued and placed in good homes....and hopefully all the cats that I am going to help in the future. Cheesy, I know, but I definitely would not be running a full marathon without knowing that I am somehow benefitting some good cause because after all this training, it's sure as hell not benefitting me (physically), which brings me to the next point.

2. Painful
According to another team member, I am one of the few KR marathon team members who hasn't been injured yet during training. This is false.  I have developed injuries while training, but being a graduate student at the University of Southern California has it's perks when it comes to care for athletes probably because of all the great athletic teams at USC.  The doctors are probably sick of seeing my face at the campus health center. Injury was one of my main concerns when I started running. I was constantly reading articles from Runner's World and chatting with fellow runners in the lab I work in about what pain is 'normal' and what pain is not.  So far, I have been pretty lucky in being able to distinguish when to stop running and when to keep going. I have suffered through blisters on my feet, patellar tendonitis, shin splints, tense calves, tight hamstrings, lower back pain, and extreme chafing.

In addition to the actual running, a lot of time is dedicated to recovery. I have been doing physical therapy exercises to strengthen and stretch muscles before and after runs. Regular visits to the chiropractor are also a part of my schedule as well as deep tissue massages. A real deep tissue massage is NOT pleasant or relaxing. There is nothing relaxing about someone kneading, pulling, separating, and lengthening (with great force) already super sore muscles, but the faster recovery time and less pain during consecutive runs are totally worth it.

3. Expensive
Back in the day some 6 or 7 years ago when I was an undergraduate student, I ran in crappy $10 shoes, with whatever old beat up shorts and t-shirt that was in my closet...5 miles, no problem. Fast forward to the present, now I need need gait correcting shoes, special socks, sweat wicking apparel, and body lube. Since starting training, I've bought three pairs of running shoes priced anywhere between $50-$80/pair.  Running shoes are only good for 300-400 miles (can you guess how many miles I've logged?) I started out with regular running socks priced around $10 a pop.  The pair I will be running the marathon in are $60 for one pair. They're compression socks, which staves away shin splints and tense calves AND if I wear them between consecutive runs I recover faster.  Yes, they are magical that way and I will gladly pay $60 for that much less pain.

Luckily one can get sweat-wicking shirts and bottoms for fairly cheap if you skim the racks at Ross or Marshall's and you don't care about the color scheme. What's unlucky is that the extremely limited selection of sweat-wicking undergarments on the discount racks.  My discount bra nearly cut me in half for most of my training despite smearing myself with an anti-chafe stick. It wasn't until last week when I finally decided to lay down $50 to buy a proper running bra and another $14 for sweat/water-proof body lube that triathletes wear.  Now I'm no longer being sawed in half, but I'm $64 poorer. Don't get me started on my $20 underwear so I don't have to feel like I am wearing a wet diaper after I run...

I am sure that I look like a dork when I run....so if you are out there on March 18th cheering for the runners, I will be the awkward-looking runner wearing extremely mismatched gear since I can't afford to be 'fashionable' on my student stipend.

Conclusion:
With all that being said, has all this been worth it thus far?  I don't know yet.  I'm still quite a bit away from my fundraising goal. In the end, I did not do this for myself, but it is ultimately for all the current and future animals of Kitten Rescue. With less than 3 weeks left, I have to raise about $600+ to reach my goal of $1000. Efforts of sending emails, advertising on Facebook, and in person soliciting have amounted to almost $400 of donations on my Crowdrise fundraising page.

My next goal is to hold a gourmet bake sale next Tuesday at USC near the building where I work. I will be employing my wonderful fiancé's hobby of baking to make an assortment of sweet and salty confections. Hopefully that will bring in a good amount of donations. The 'hard' training part is over. Now I am in fundraising mode!  FOR THE KITTIES!!!!

To Donate to my fundraiser page go to www.crowdrise.com/joycekao.

Team Member - Cynthia McKeag

Like many Kitten Rescue foster stories, this one began with a kitty. Not just any kitty though and it began one and a half years before I even heard of Kitten Rescue. I adopted my cat, Dean, from the West LA shelter in September - plucked from a ridiculous pile of over 25 kittens all heading towards 4 months and already showing nasty signs of kitty cough. All the kittens were all ready to go that day and yet it had been over two weeks without a single adoption and the shelter was pressed for space… We all know what that means…

I never intended to adopt a kitten, in fact, I was hoping to rescue an older kitty because of their low chances in the shelter. However, a confident and chill bundle of black and silver fur told me in no uncertain terms that I had better take him home. Now, a little over two years later and I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. Dean couldn't be a more perfect match for me, I like to think he was created just for me.

Now at the same time that I fell head over heels in love with Dean, my roommate - who wanted a kitten - also adopted a silver tabby the same age. For the next year and a half these boys would be inseparable. However, as we knew from the start, it couldn't last forever. My roommate moved out and I knew without a doubt that I needed a friend for Dean asap. My mom suggested fostering and I hopped online and discovered Kitten Rescue.

Dean couldn't be happier (ok, maybe he could be but that may be about to change!) and is a wonderful foster big brother and dad to the kittens. Because he's ok with the changing housemates, I have fallen in love with fostering and Kitten Rescue. So when the chance to do something more for Kitten Rescue came up, I fought my lazier instincts and signed up for the LA Marathon.

What a journey it has been! Marathon training Saturday mornings followed by adoption events all weekend and I'm ready to drop come Monday... Thankfully, I've gotten to know some amazing KR people who help out in unbelievable ways to allow me to show on Saturdays despite having to be late some weeks. While I've faced some medical challenges on this journey, I wouldn't change it for the world. It's pretty amazing to say "I only did 10 miles today" and actually mean that it was a pitifully short distance!

While fundraising has been equally challenging - I'm oddly enjoying every moment of it. As for Dean - well, he may be getting a permanent friend sooner than I planned. And the kitty being considered isn't even one of my fosters!! What can I say, I like to break the mold and shake the system. Will I be doing the marathon again next year? Ask me again when it's over… Will I continue fostering? You better believe it.

To donate to Cynthia's fundraiser page go to www.crowdrise.com/cynthiamckeag

KITTY TALES - Edgar & Poe

"For months I could not rid myself of the phantasm of the cat; and, during this period, there came back into my spirit a half-sentiment that seemed, but was not, remorse. I went so far as to regret the loss of the animal, and to look about me, among the vile haunts which I now habitually frequented, for another pet of the same species, and of somewhat similar appearance, with which to supply its place."
- Edgar Allan Poe, "The Black Cat"

Edgar and Poe were born at West Valley Shelter on August 25, 2011. They lived the first month of their lives in a cage with their mother, Contessa. One day a Kitten Rescue volunteer came to pull another feline family. The shelter workers knew Contessa and her babies were running out of time, and Contessa was beginning to get sick from living at the shelter for so long. Euthanasia was in their immediate future.

The staff asked the Kitten Rescue volunteer to take both families, which she did. They would most certainly have been euthanized because Contessa became extremely ill and took over a month to recover and baby kittens without mothers that are not weaned are immediately euthanized. This lucky family was now safe under the protection of Kitten Rescue.

Edgar and Poe are loving, playful and feisty little guys. They make a wonderful pair and also great companions to other cats and dogs. Their favorite past time is “skiing” on their fostermom’s stack of paperwork! How does one tell them apart? Edgar is pudgier than Poe! Check out their video below.

If you are interested in meeting them please email purrfriend@aol.com

Team Member - Mi Chaing

Life as an animal rescuer is Posh and Poop.

Actually, it’s more poop than posh.  In fact, I think the only thing that’s posh is the annual Furball fundraiser when volunteers show up in clean clothes and a lint roller.  Which, by the way, I scored the volunteer of the year award for 2011…hey, that was 15 years in the making!  Thank you Kitten Rescue J  My husband thinks that award should mark my retirement…HA! 

So how did I my feline journey begin?

It started with a girls’ day out at Topanga Mall.  Kitten Rescue, a small and humble group at the time, was holding an adoption event there.  I was compelled to admire the furry creatures in person.  A woman asked if I was interested in volunteering and damn was she persistent.  She kept calling me to volunteer until I showed up.  On my way to the adoption event I got lost, went to the wrong Petco, and ended up rescuing my first cat.  During my time with Kitten Rescue I’ve taken in my fair share of bottle babies, feral kittens, the old, the abandoned, the sick and the crazy.  I’ve even expanded to fostering dogs from time to time and two of my three dogs were rescued while I was trapping cats in Echo Park.     

Over the years the cats have come and gone, well, most of the cats have gone…but as I tell my husband, it’s not about me stopping fostering; it’s about us getting a bigger place…

As for running the LA Marathon, I enjoy many activities, but running is not one of them.  However, I was inspired by Minoo's run last year, so here I am, training for 2012.  Anything to help homeless cats and dogs is worth the 26.2 miles of agony.  Great thing about training is getting into shape and eating lots of carbs (guilt-free)!  My crowdrise page might confuse some people but I’ve decided to have “Adrienne” on my runner’s bib since most non-rescue friends know me by that name, and I cringe at the thought of spectators butchering my name as I hobble by.  So instead of me…my…mae…or hey you, I’ll stick with yo Adrienne!    

To donate to my fundraiser please go to www.crowdrise.com/catwoman

KITTY TALES - Mira

Street Scamp turned Foster Princess

Kitten Rescue acquires animals in every imaginable way. In this particular case, a former adopter gave their friend our information when a stray cat showed up at their apartment. Seeing as it was against the management's policy to have pets, the kind young couple who had taken to feeding the initially reticent stray, were hoping against hope that someone might be able to rescue her. Cynthia McKeag, a member of Team KR, was dispatched to get an assessment on the kitty in question, and to determine her temperament.

It quickly became her first rescue ever when the gorgeous gray tux with soft green eyes came scampering over eagerly for petting and food. The little girl had shown up, terrified out of her mind little more than 3 weeks prior. After spending a week watching her from their apartment, the young couple had begun putting out food. It only took a handful of days before the cat was hanging out at their complex and no longer shying away from every movement. In fact, she adored being petted and would roll around on the ground, asking for belly rubs. Clearly, she had been someone's pet.

After being scooped up in a carrier (yeah, no trap needed!), the young girl was whisked off to her new life off the streets. She was named Mira, and given a clean bill of health by the vet. Mira tested negative for FIV/Felv, was judged to be about 7 months old, and had already been spayed. That's right. Someone had taken the time to fix her, but then either dumped her on the streets or she got lost and couldn't find her way home. There was no microchip, and with no lost cat posters or responses to the couple's initial attempts to find her owner, Mira became an official KR kitty.

Team KR member Elicia Richardson-Ellis took the precious girl in for her isolation period, and discovered that Mira is a huge love bug. Not only that, but she is completely at ease with dogs! Mira has now been transferred back to Cynthia McKeag, who will be fostering her. We have high hopes for this sweet teenager. We will never know how it is that she ended up on the streets, but she is pretty happy to have a full stomach, a warm bed, and someone to snuggle with.

Team Member - Kathy Eshenko

When describing the ideal cat, the words “playful”, “loveable”, “healthy”, and “gorgeous”, to name a few, usually come up.  "Crabby”, “shy”, “medically challenged” and “old”, rarely make it to the top of the list.  This is why team member, Kathy Eshenko, has a big affection for these types of cats.  The “un-adoptables” as they are called.  Ones whose chances of finding a loving and committed home, through sickness and in healthy, are slim to none.

Kathy’s first rescue effort back in 2000 was the opposite.  She hand-caught a litter of four healthy adorable kittens in her boss’ backyard and paid the price, arms badly scratched up and bloodied.  She didn’t know how to properly trap cats back then but she does now!  Those feisty kittens didn’t stay feisty for long.  On their first adoption day, three of the four kittens found homes.  Kathy has been with Kitten Rescue ever since and also volunteers at the Kitten Rescue sanctuary, Casitas.  Besides fostering she actively volunteers with fundraising, such as the Furball, garage sales, bingo night, and of course, Team Kitten Rescue!

Kathy also volunteers extensively with the Wildlife Waystation and has been with them since 2006.  Her commitment and hard work earned her the privilege of being on the Llama Team and the Grass Team, where she interacts and feeds the exotic animals at the sanctuary.      

When it comes to the needs and well-being of animals, whether it be cats, llamas, lions, tigers or bears, Kathy is always there to help and volunteer her time.  Her dedication is truly appreciated and we are proud to have her as a member of Team Kitten Rescue.  Go Kathy!

To contribute to Kathy’s crowdrise page go to www.crowdrise.com/kathyeshenko

KITTY TALES - Ziggy

Pauper turned Prince

It was Saturday night around 9:30pm on October the 22nd, when Minoo Rahbar, Team KR coordinator, spotted something black by the side of the road while on her way home. At first glance, it may have been little more than a discarded garbage bag, but after turning around for a closer look, Minoo was horrified to realize she was looking at an animal. Lying in a scruffy heap at the side of the road was the still body of a black cat. For all she knew, this poor animal was the tragic victim of being hit by a car.

Not willing to just leave him lying there, Minoo got out of her car and was blessed with a soft meow as the cat in question lifted his head in her direction. It was like a scene out of movie. Minoo dropped to the ground and spoke softly, not wanting to frighten a potentially injured animal and was blessed by a display of instant affection. Without any hesitation, this handsome fellow got up and walked straight over to his rescuer and began rubbing against her legs in a quest for love. When she sat down, he hopped into her lap as if to say: Take me with you!

He was famished and bordering on dehydrated. As Minoo waited for her friend and fellow Team KR member, Melanie Teller to arrive with a carrier, a man who lived nearby informed her that the cat had just appeared out of nowhere about a month and a half ago. With no one in the neighborhood feeding him, he had taken to scavenging whatever he could find, even trying to eat the paper out of a fast food bag in the few heartbeats it took for Minoo to fetch her phone from the car to call Melanie. A quick car ride to Minoo's place via Melanie's carrier gave the hungry boy a good meal and a huge bowl of water along with as much attention as could be showered upon him. Despite his affectionate and outgoing temperament, his physical condition lead to the conclusion that he had been living on the streets for some time.

The following morning, he was taken to the vet to determine the cause of his scabbed and scaly skin, along with a waterfall like amount of drooling. While no microchip was found, he was already neutered and judged to be about 9 to 10 years of age. The scabs came from the massive quantity of fleas roaming all over him, and the missing fur and scaly skin were a result of sarcoptic mange. The drooling was a result of ulcers and lesions in his mouth, coupled with horrible teeth and gums. There was also a small mass on his belly and he was suffering the effects of dehydration and severe anemia from all the fleas. After a nice bath, which was tolerable only because he was sedated to calm his terror, and flea treatment to keep the pests away, he was tested for FIV/FeLV and found to be negative for both.

Special donations helped raise the funds needed to get him on the road to recovery. This lucky man is now named Ziggy. Despite all he'd been through, a permanent home for Ziggy came swiftly to sweep him off into the lap of luxury. A former adopter of Minoo's couldn't get his sad face out of her mind and ended up adopting him. Ziggy absolutely loves his new home and mother, able to put his time on the streets behind him and enjoy life as a pampered pet.

This tale just goes to show you, that you never know where the next rescue will be, and Team Kitten Rescue are always on the look out to help animals in need at the drop of a hat.