Tails High, Inc.

A Very Special Donation

Mindy — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:19:38 +0000

As an organization that relies solely on donations to operate on a day to day basis, Tails High has witnessed its share of creative fundraising—especially when it comes to children. In just the last year alone we have seen where children have gone to their neighbors asking them to contribute their spare change and have had kids set-up food drives at their schools asking their classmates to bring in supplies for the TH’s kitties.

The story that follows though, I think really takes the cake.

Ava Leigh and Anna are two sisters that have raised money for TH in the past—last summer they set-up a lemonade stand and sold lemonade in front of their house at rush hour and donated all sales to TH. The oldest of the sisters just turned 8 a couple of weeks ago and had a birthday party with 15 of her friends. In lieu of gifts she asked each of her friends to bring something for the cats of TH.

The next day, the girls took all of the gifts and presented them to Ronnie who is TH’s current Vice President. Ronnie had no idea what had taken place the day before and was stunned and overwhelmed by the girls selfless act.

On behalf of Tails High I want to say a huge THANK YOU to Ava Leigh and Anna, you both truly have hearts of gold and these supplies will help us to continue to rescue kitties and find them new homes.

Sonny

Tails High — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:50:40 +0000

Sonny is slowly beginning to come around and fit into his new home. He is slowly learning to trust me for his food, clean litter-box,and his protection, his face is becoming big, bright and beautiful. He knows the sound of my footsteps, he meets me every morning in the dining room about 5:30am, or at the kitchen door, without me calling his name. I am stilling trying to work out the feeding arrangement, for now he knows his food is in his cage and that is where is is most comfortable eating, away from Amber (the friendly dog who eats Sonny’s breakfast!). If he sees Amber going into his space to eat his food he cries out for me to come and remove Amber, can you believe that? He doesn’t come into the kitchen when Amber is eating — he sits at the door looking, however he loves coming in after Amber is finished, to sit at the back door and look outside. Sonny still hides in the living room behind a table where he can see everyone and everything going on in the house; however he allows me to come into his space and rub his head, he loves me to pet him. I know he wants to jump in my lap but he’s unsure if Amber will allow him to share me yet. I love the fact that if I don’t see him for a while I can call him — he takes his time but he will soon come to the sound of my voice.

Jacqueline Ceasar
Washington, D.C.

Open your heart and home to Rory

Mindy — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:33:42 +0000

Consider Adopting Rory

Tails High is working with The Washington Humane Society to find Rory–a very special kitty–a new home.

Rory is an 8 year old senior and was found as a stray with an injured leg (de-gloved – 3 inches of skin missing and muscle exposed). He had badly infected sores on his ears. His wounds are healing well. His heart is open wide. He’s a lap cat and lover and the most gentle soul you will ever meet. Ask us more about him and give him some TLC if you can spare the time today. He LOVES to be held.

If you are interested in caring for Rory please contact Kelley our Adoption Coordinator at 703-819-5240.

Remembering Cosmi

Tails High — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:43:00 +0000

In the spring of 1998, three DC teachers signed on to work with Ethel Beun and her newly-formed project, a cat room above a store, a back room where she took in rescues, strays and wild wild kitties of every variety. And it was wild. At that point the hobby had grown out-of-control to nearly seventy cats, many from the alleys of DC. They had names like Ray-Ray and the Gang, and Clyde, a little bruiser who hated humans but for some reason was adored by other cats. You’d see them all up in the rafters, sleeping in a clump all around Clyde……….

Unbelievable but true, Ethel’s ingenuity was such that they all found eventual homes and placements. Then along came Cosmi.

He was a silver-tipped Persian, born in 1994. By the time we met him he’d lived six years in a cage with a dominant cat who bullied him. When the owner surrendered him he arrived skinny with mats, a snaggle tooth and a very bad attitude. He would bat other cats and kittens as he strutted down the center of the room trying desperately to establish a place for himself in the only way he knew. Repeatedy we placed him in a cage for time out. He was so ugly, people came to take pictures of the ugly cat and nicknamed him “Rat Cat.”

Enter Trudi Remund, one of those teachers — the kind who bakes cookies for her students and leads them out on fabulous field trips to the Chesapeake and sends them on to Harvard, Stanford, Cornell and UCLA — but that’s another story. When Trudi returned home to Waseca, Minnesota to care for her aging parents, she packed Cosmi in a carrier and flew him home with her. She understood clearly that what this mean little guy needed was patience, love, reassurance and space.

In Minnesota his snaggle tooth was removed, he soon fattened up; and his beautiful coat of fur reappeared along with his loving attitude. The last twelve years of his life were spent spoiled with love, attention, and a cat buddy named Max. They lay in the sun together on a hammock watching birds fly past their windows. He learned to coo, chirp, yip, yowl and purr at differeing levels. Trudi writes, “He was the most intelligent of the seven Persians I’ve owned in thirty years.”

Cosmi died last week, at eighteen years. Trudi held a wake, as people do in many cultures. He was that special. Thirty-two people attended Cosmi’s ceremony, in freezing temperatures in Minnesota.

Blessings on that spirit — Ethel’s, Trudi’s and Cosmi’s — and to all of you who continue it.

Happy Valentine from Sigma and Louise

Tails High — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:06:37 +0000

Sigma is a cat with “history” wrapped about his little silver body. What a Tails High story — is there any one of us who doesn’t recall his rescue by Betty, the naming of his litter with all those Greek names (Alpha, Beta, Delta etc.), or the dramatic, courageous commitment of Ken and Claudia when his unheard-of physical ailment was discovered (prolapsed rectum! yikes……). Claudia enfolded and held him through all those months of risky surgeries (I never at any time saw her without Sigma in her arms!) and both of you enveloped him in all the unconditional love and belief he needed. He survived it all, and was at last taken home by a most endearing young couple……….

Times change and people move on, and Sigma was recently returned to our fold. Our commitment to him held fast and Kelley yesterday called upon him for Petco DC, along with Louise, Joyce’s foster — a newly-arrived tiny sprightly lass with a plumy gray tail who clearly had her sights on better things than that miserable cage at Petco, this close to St. Valentine’s Day!

Quickly they settled in together. Louise, by Sigma’s side, groomed him as he napped, then nestled in right on top of him! As the snowstorm howled and the winds began, Leslie, Jenny and I watched them sleep with love and acceptance in their hearts. We thought, no adopter will come here today, but it’s okay because these two happy souls and we are all safe and warm. No harm done at least, if no rescue in sight…..

HOW little did we know. Outside, one singularly hearty pair of neighbors, Kate and Stephen, out walking in the storm, noticed our sign at Petco. They laughingly imagined a “bonded pair” of kitties to rescue, to celebrate their own happy marriage and good life! What a lark! Good naturedly they bounded down the stairs of our ancient Petco and walked in upon…..the scene described above. They absolutely froze. It was exactly the scene they had imagined. Two soft, silvery cats entwined in sleep together. As they spent the afternoon holding Sigma and Louise one by one, learning their detailed stories, taking a million photos for the family and “Grandma,” they slowly and eventually came to realize that this was a kind of predestined event for them. No accident at all. These two animals were in fact their little dream come true. These things happen.

Thank you, Betty. Ken and Claudia. Joyce. Kelley. All you good, good doctors.

Happy Valentine,
Sigma and Louise

Damsel in Distress

Tails High — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:58:46 +0000

Damsel in Distress

As I ascend the steps to the entrance of the building I see her gazing out the window wistfully from the third floor. Her eyes slowly scan the world below from right and left as if to say, “who will rescue me?” Other than the sorrowful moans from her broken heart, she is voiceless, and her wordless pleas are ignored. Her window faces an elementary school, so day after day hundreds of people walk by her window, but never sense her presence.

She spies me as I reach the top step of the entryway and for a brief moment our eyes meet. As soon as I make it to the hallway of the third floor I hear her calling out to me. The turning of the key in the top lock amplifies the volume of her cries. Can others hear her? Do they think she’s been kidnapped and being held against her will.

Twisting the doorknob, then I push it open and she runs up and rubs her face against my calves. I bend down to pick her up and proceed to stroke her back the cry softens and turns into a purr. Raising her head to offer her chin to me, her sweet spot, she now has completely calmed down because I am the rescuer.

She was acquired a few months ago from Tails High after being abandoned in an apartment, but over the last few months she has been there for me in more ways than one. After a rough day at work, she’s always there to greet me with love. When I feel homesick for my family back home she makes me smile when I throw her toys that she gladly loves to wrestle. Sometimes she will dart across room to chase down imaginary prey and this is hysterical. Even though she will sometimes try to sit on my lap top while I am working, I don’t mind. I even envy her openness about wanting affection.

For the price of warm, safe, shelter, food, water, and daily playtime, she brings me endless hours of joy and the truth is that the damsel in distress that was rescued was me.

Thanks Tabitha Mabel!

Adoption Adventures at the End of January

mary — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:31:48 +0000

At the Petco Bailey’s adoption event this past weekend, Rebekah, our “hospice kitty” all-star, found her forever home with an adorable newlywed couple, Nick and Ashley. This year and a half old black kitty remained demurely hidden in her tent throughout the event, purring loudly whenever a visitor put a hand in. Her new dad reports that she’s still acting a bit shy in her new home, but they’re sure she’ll warm up soon. They may shorten her name to Bekah, and are well on their way to finalizing her adoption. The other cats featured at Petco Bailey’s last Saturday were three lovely ladies: Camilla, CeCe, and Olivia.

And two weeks ago, we adopted out a handsome black cat, aptly named Dapper. We figure he’s about one to two years old, but has the playful heart of a kitten, and the resilience of a lion since he came to us abandoned by his previous owners. He has a new home in the vibrant DC neighborhood of Adams Morgan with his new father, Tom who is finalizing his adoption as we speak.

We also recently adopted out a princely boy cat named Gaby. Gaby has a bit of a Cinderella story: we found him living outside in the bushes of a row house. He initially had trouble adjusting to indoor life and was fearful of other cats, perhaps due to a scary street encounter in his past stray life. He found a new mom in Kristy, whose father just built Gaby a wooden cat “palace” in which to play and preside over his new indoor kingdom. What a heartwarming rags to riches story!

Vote for Tails High!

Mindy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:49:03 +0000

Help Tails High win a $5,000 grant!

Vote for us at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com and we could win grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each to help pets in need.

The Animal Rescue Site is hosting a special challenge for eligible Petfinder.com member shelter and rescue groups. The grand prize is a $5,000 grant, and they will be awarding many other grants to rescue groups with the most votes — a total of $300,000 in grants for animal welfare organizations in 2012.

Think how many animals we could help with $5,000!

Help us win! All you have to do is click to help rescued animals, and then vote in The Animal Rescue Site $300,000 Shelter⁺ Challenge of 2012 – with Petfinder.com. Both of these actions are absolutely free! You can vote once a day, every day during the voting period. Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you are making a huge difference for us.

Vote today!

Adoption Adventures January 14-15

mary — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:14:14 +0000

This long weekend was a productive one for Tails High adoptions. Our Adoption Advocates were hard at work showing off the talents and lovable natures of our kitties on display. And our kitties must have been showing off a bit as well—seven cats found their forever homes over MLK weekend!

At our Petco DC event, Adoption Advocate Eileen found a wonderful family willing to take the time to nurture shy, sweet Sunny.

Third time’s a charm for Luke and Lacey, two identical black kittens, who after their third adoption event, found a home with together with a wonderful couple. Congrats to this new family of four.

Laverne, a brown tabby kitten, crawled into the lap of Lisa, a Tails High regular, and insisted on cuddling for hours, so Lisa and her husband had no other choice but to take her home.

Buddy went home with a new mom and dad this past weekend as well. Adoption Chair Kelley knew it was a match made in heaven when she dropped him off and he was having so much fun chasing a laser light toy he didn’t even notice Kelley leaving.

Italiano found a new forever home when he snuggled up to a young boy and his parents and insisted they make room for him in their hearts.

And Blacktip, a brown tabby we rescued in December, is slated to go home this weekend with a Fairfax family, who are also interested in adopting a Tails High sibling for him.

Be sure to visit our adoption events at Annandale Petco this blustery weekend to warm up with some cuddly kitties!

Adoption Adventures January 7-8

mary — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:09:45 +0000

Tails High kicked off the new year with a roaring (or meowing) start at our first adoption events of 2012.

At Petco Annandale we had 4 kitties find their forever homes. 10 year old Rambo went home with a novice cat owner. What a happy new start for this old soul! Carter went home with a father and his eight year old son, and he will be their first pet. Fiona, who has been with Tails High for a while, was adopted at last by a couple who have a playmate cat waiting for her in her new home. And Beck, our former “hospice kitty,” went home with his new mom, Maria, who has been scoping Tails High cats trying to find the right fit for her.

At Petco Bailey’s Crossroads, Danny, a black and white tuxedo kitten, went home with a black kitten, Mistletoe. The new brother and sister won the hearts of a young couple by lap cuddling and general adorableness.

This weekend we’ve taken in two new kittens who will be featured at our Mindful Hands event this Saturday: Lacy and Luke are identical black kittens looking for a home. They came to us as strays, and we hope they’ll find their forever families at Mindful Hands this weekend.