Smokie

Sometimes it is very difficult knowing what to do.  Actions are taken for the right reasons, but then one begins to think that it might be better to leave mother nature and let the poor little animals take care of themselves.   However, on a few occasions whilst I walked down to the harbour front, I passed a very old derelict house.  Outside the gates, I noticed on a couple of occasions tiny kittens, with their mums.  Peering through the covered gate, I noticed that they were looked after.  There was cover for the animals, there was lots of water and food, but the conditions of the place was awful, but at least love was given to these strays, which was so important.  Out of all the kittens, there were 2 which looked pretty sick.  Smokie was one of them and another tiny ginger and white one, who was smaller still.  One fine day, I got a large shoe box and my intentions were to take the 2 sick little ones, to try and get them better.  However, this particular morning, there was no sign of the little ginger and white one, but little Smokie was sat on the road side, so sad and hardly any life in him.  He looked really really sick.  I put him in my box and took him to safety.  I gave him food and medicine and he ate everything.  The other strays were happy to see him.  There was no hissing or growling either.  As a precaution, I kept him in cage overnight, being a new kid on the block, I didn't want him to try and jump out of the little window we have, at the little haven.

I blessed him together with all the other strays and couldn't wait to get back the next morning.  Upon opening the door, everything was very quiet. I knew what had happened.  I looked inside the cage of Smokie and his was dead.  I was heartbroken.  Had I contributed to his death, or was it because it was too late to save him?  I will never know, but one thing I do know and that was that I tried to do my best for him.

He was so small and looked very sick, but I thought he would be OK, because he ate so heartily the night before.  Now he is at Rainbow Bridge together with all his other furry friends.

http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797

Squigey

Wherever I go in Ermioni and especially to eat out, I always carry dried animal food with me.  On this particular night, we were sat in a taverna on the Mandrakia side.  Our colony of cats seem to know us, so out came my plastic container for them to tuck into.  Across at another table, I noticed another couple feeding the strays and actually playing with the cats, which was a delight to watch, regardless of the other stares.  They laughed when they saw my container, but through these strays, we became acquainted.  They told us that where they were staying, there was an injured cat, who might have been involved in a road accident at some point.  Was there anyone who might be able to help.  Hang on a minute.  Help a stray in Greece.  Highly unlikely.  However, we said we would try.  The day they left, they told us they had named this cat Squigey, because of his injuries.  We said goodbye to them, they promised lots of donations, which we thought 'how nice' and went to look for Squigey.  

When we found him, he was a soft as a brush, but his injuries in our opinions were as a result of fights.  Into the basket he went and away we took him, to join the rest of our strays.  We gave him a few days to settle and it wasn't ideal being in a very large dog box, but that was Squigey's only chance.  After a few days, we took him to the vets and had him neutered at a cost of 55 Euros, which is wicked money.  Then there was some medication to buy for his wounds.  So we left the vets, with a big hole in our pockets.  Oh well it is worth it.  As long as Squigey is not suffering.

Squigey is back at the field with all the other cats, but likes to keep control.  His face will never be 100%  right, because he is a bully and always hisses, spits and fights with a couple of other strays.   But really underneath all this toughness, he is as soft as anything.

Sadly though, we never heard anything more from the English couple and didn't receive any donations towards out cause, as promised.

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797
http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations

Caramel - Fudge - Coffee - HOMES WANTED

An SOS call was received asking whether I would take 3 kittens.  Basically it was in exchange for little Milly who had a broken spine.  Naturally I couldn't refuse and didn't want to be viewed as a dumping ground for kittens, because we just don't have huge resources.   Anyway, on this occasion I agreed.  They were just gorgeous.  Found wandering by some large waste bins, which is usual here in Greece.  They are such a bundle of fun.  Upon arrival they settled very well and Lucy (dog) gave her approval.  They didn't like being in the cage, but for the first few days, this was home, in a cage.

HOME ARE WANTED FOR THEM.  CAN YOU HELP?  elaine1156@gmail.com

http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations

http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797