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My Couch to 5K Journey – Ready for Week 1

Posted on January 29, 2023January 30, 2023 by joni@meowcatrescue.org

On the eve of training day 1, what am I thinking? I’m not too worried about the first two weeks of training as I’ve been a regular walker ever since I got my first Fitbit back in 2011. That being said, often my walks are more like a stroll. So, for those first two weeks, I think I’ll try to intersperse “fast” walking with my “let the dog sniff” walking and focus on doing some yoga and strength exercises on the off days, to get into that habit. Of course, at our house, which has been filled with 32 years of dogs and cats, doing anything that involves being on the floor is not so appealing. But, I’m going to brave it (or at least attempt it) for the animals of MEOW!

For the pre-training stretching, I’m going to try this Dynamic Stretching (referenced on the training plan). Just 5 minutes, that’s doable, right?

For the beginning yoga, I went to YouTube (“10 minutes, yoga for beginners” search) and found Adriene and her dog, Benji. The dog’s lack of interest made me smile and felt a lot like what it will be in our household.

I’m very excited that I found a “training by text” partner. Linda Rubin, our Volunteer Programs Manager, is taking the challenge too. We don’t live near each other, and of course she has a job, so we’ll mostly be encouraging each other (“it’s not raining that hard!”) and celebrating successes (“yes, a glass of wine is definitely deserved after that workout!”) via texts.

I am a bit worried that there won’t be any other challenge takers and there will only be 5 of us participating! Although we’ll be a dedicated group certainly, we most likely will fall short of our $5,000 fundraising goal and it will be pretty ho-hum on 5K day. Why not join us? It’ll be fun! Here’s the link to learn more.

If you’re really not interested participating in the 5K, you may certainly be a part of our fundraising efforts (and my team of encouragers) by donating. If you’d like to offer me encouragement by supporting MEOW, you may donate via my Facebook or Network for Good fundraising page. Thanks!

Kaya says, “I’ll be waiting right here when you get back.”

Kip & Kiku

Posted on January 27, 2023January 27, 2023 by Webmaster

Kip and Kiku are happily running the show in our house.

It took a long time for them to settle in (as Bonne VeVea knows). Their “feral instincts” never left them, but they’re comfortable with us—unless we move too quickly! They really don’t care to have visitors but I guess that’s not that unusual.

We love them to death and enjoy the cuddles that they now offer more frequently. They’re very smart and know a lot of words. Kiku especially likes watching animals on TV!

Jay and Bonnie

My Couch to 5K Journey – Week 0

Posted on January 22, 2023January 23, 2023 by Joni Cervenka

What is motivating me to take this on? That’s a very good question and one I’ve asked myself a few times in the last several weeks. But, since the Couch to 5K Challenge was partially my idea, I feel like, if I’m not willing to give it a go, how can I expect others to? Plus, if my efforts will raise funds for MEOW, that’s highly motivating, And finally, Coach Steve (aka fellow Board member Steve Heaps) assures me that if I follow the training plan, I’ll be ready and it won’t be difficult. Of course, I’ve never forgotten the time a co-worker told me his wife’s brussels sprout recipe made them taste like candy. Tried the recipe – not candy! But, I’m willing to trust again.

I’ll be clear. I am not a jogger. Yes, back in college and in my early 20s, I jogged. Didn’t everyone? But I eventually grew out of it (in more ways than one). In 2018, when we got a very spirited puppy, I thought, OK, time to jog again. But, my veterinarian (who I trust completely – has never said anything good about brussels sprouts), recommended that I wait at least a year until she was full grown before taking her running. Well, you know the rest of that story.

If you know me, you know that I am both a rule follower and a check lister. That means a schedule that tells me exactly what to do, and then allows me to check a box when I’ve done it, is probably the best chance I have to make this happen. I doubt I’ll become a regular jogger after this (and yes I use “jogger” not “runner” because running happens in a gear I don’t think I possess). Back in 1994 a friend and I trained to ride the STP (a 200 mile-2 day bike ride from Seattle to Portland). We had a 3-month training schedule, followed it religiously, even in the rain, and enjoyed a fairly easy ride to Portland. I think I’ve been on my bike perhaps 3 times since then.

If you know me, you also know that I’m all about motivating myself using rewards. So, I think I’ll spend the next several days deciding an appropriate way to reward myself on April 23^rd; one that will be enticing enough to get me out the door when it’s cold and wet (or cold or wet) out. And, to be honest, I may need to dangle the carrot of a reward for each of the days between next Monday and April 23^rd.

Stay tuned…

Emmy and Libby

Posted on December 10, 2022 by Webmaster

Emmy and Libby, the two senior girls I adopted in 2020, bring joy to my life every day – even when they’re determined to eat my new Christmas tree!

I am grateful for everything MEOW’s staff, volunteers and board members do every day.

Ginny

Harlem and Schlyar

Posted on December 10, 2022December 10, 2022 by Webmaster

Harlem and Schlyar (formerly George II and Henry III)

The boys are doing well, they enjoyed watching it snow and are turning into super snuggle bunnies. They always end up snuggling together after a good bout of rough housing with each other. They are such sweet boys.

Gretchen

Kitten Group

Posted on November 20, 2022November 20, 2022 by Webmaster

Kittens are adorable, but there are just too many! We are absolutely committed to reducing the population of homeless cats, and we’re convinced that the solution is spay/neuter for every single cat and kitten, every single dog and puppy.

Although it has become more expensive, and more difficult to even secure appointments, spay and neuter surgeries are a vital part of what we provide through our Public Spay/Neuter Voucher Program for low-income pet owners.

$50 today can ensure that one female cat will never again go through pregnancy and eliminate the possibility of up to 3 additional litters, about 15 homeless kittens per year.

A $25 donation today will ensure that one male cat is no longer able to impregnate female cats and will eliminate the possibility of countless homeless kittens per year.

Nimbus

Posted on November 20, 2022November 20, 2022 by Webmaster

Recently, one of our amazing trappers was offered the opportunity to buy a tiny one week old kitten which a man said he had found in a log. For $40, a life was saved. Nimbus became part of our MEOW family.

“Isn’t kitten season over?”, you may ask. Not this year. Whether it’s due to global warming, the lack of spay/neuter services during the pandemic, or just Mother Nature, baby kitties are still coming and still in immediate need of nutritious kitten formula, then high quality kitten canned and kibble foods, vaccines, and alter surgeries.

Although kittens don’t often spend too much time in the shelter, their needs during foster care can be quite extensive. We promise we’ll be there to care for them tomorrow, and for as long as they need us, with your help.

Your donation of $100 today can provide formula, food, core vaccines, microchip, and alter surgery for one kitten, readying him or her for a forever family.

Van & Maurice

Posted on November 20, 2022November 20, 2022 by Webmaster

These boys are unrelated but have very similar stories. Each one came to MEOW as a result of a plea from an emergency vet hospital. Each one had been experiencing repeated urinary blockages.

Each one would require a life-saving surgery called PU, or Perineal Urethrostomy. In both cases, the owners were unable to afford the very expensive treatment and made the kindest decision, to relinquish their cat.

Thanks to MEOW’s Mercy Fund, both Van and Maurice have recovered from their surgeries and now have new forever homes.

Your donation of $500 today can help re-build our Mercy Fund coffers, so that in 2023 we can continue to be there for cats like Van and Maurice.

River & Orange

Posted on November 20, 2022November 20, 2022 by Webmaster

The underlying causes of seizures in cats are often hard to diagnose. This was the case with both River and Orange, two lucky kitties in our Ninth Life Foster program. River began having seizures as a kitten in 2019. Since then, she has experienced many ER hospital stays and extensive diagnostics, causing her specialists to believe she has primary epilepsy. With the diagnosis confirmed, the challenge now is to control her seizures by adjusting her medications as her needs change. River is loved and thriving in her Ninth Life foster home, determined to be like the other cats despite her challenges.

In another foster home, a blue kitty named Orange also began having seizures as a young kitten. More than a year later, her seizures are controlled, and she is doing well. Cats with seizure disorders can have a very good quality of life provided their seizures can be controlled. At MEOW, we’re committed to special needs cats like River and Orange. Because, you know, all nine lives are precious.

Thanks to your support today, our Ninth Life program can continue to provide the critical financial support for cats like River and Orange who have limited adoption options but no shortage of love and care in their Ninth Life foster home. Your donation of $200 today can provide a routine but necessary follow up veterinary exam for a Ninth Life cat.

Mustang Sally & Miss Cleo

Posted on May 8, 2022May 8, 2022 by Webmaster

Adopted in 2011, sisters, Mustang Sally has short black hair and her glamorous sister Miss Cleo is the long haired Blue.

There were 2 others in their MEOW litter, all long- haired, but I had to have the little black runt of the litter, Sally, because on the days I visited MEOW for kitten “try-outs”, NO ONE wanted to play with her, so I said immediately, that is the one for me!!! She is our special girl and we are struggling with her weight because we spoil her!!

Happily eleven years old, our MEOW girls enjoy our house in Tacoma and have their own bedroom to lounge in while they yell at the birds and squirrels in the backyard ( safely through the window, of course!!).

Mrs Elliott