Rosey,

I am so sorry for all the pain you are going through. 

I lost two beloved cats to kidney failure in the last year (not due to the recalls), one of whom was my heart cat.  Porsche and I had the most incredible bond from the day we met.  She was the center of our and the other cats' universe.  Unfortunately when we love them as much as we all do, a big void is left in our hearts when they are gone.  I know my two new cats (one's one now and the other is just 4 months old) have helped fill that void.  It never totally goes away, but those new loves help ease the pain.

It's weird, my new baby, Violette reminds me so much of my heart cat Porsche.  My husband and I were discussing the other night how much Violette is like Porsche.  My husband commented that it was almost eerie.  I told him I think it is divine intervention.  I honestly believe she came into our lives because she is so much like Porsche - because she is what we need.  I hope you are able to find that someone or something that helps ease the pain of your losses.

Hugs

Trudy, I am so sorry.  I can't believe how mean some people can be.  I hope the cops catch these losers.

I am so glad all the cats are doing well and you were able to bring two more home.  I know that has to be such a relief for you.

You're all still in my thoughts and prayers.

Brandi-

I'm so glad this finally happened, now we just need to get it banned here in NH.

Fed the chicken flavor to the 4 cats last night.  No one ate it. 

Please take care of yourself, Trudy.  I know under the circumstances it must be difficult, but make sure to take a little time to rest every now and then.

This is another new try for us.  I bought a small bag of it for the first time yesterday.    It's brand new at the store I shop at, so they only the Freshwater Trout Formula available.

I put a small bowl out this morning.  They are eating it and ignoring their regular food.  I'm keeping a close eye on 2 of the cats though.  One tends to vomit high protein foods (don't know why) and our kitten had loose stool until I switched her to Eagle Pack Holistic Select.  I'm hoping this doesn't bring it back.

Just tried the Salmon, Whitefish & Herring Formula last night.  Two out of 4 cats liked it.  Of the two who didn't eat it, one doesn't care for canned food, and the other doesn't like fish flavors.  He only likes birds.

The two that ate it devoured it last night, but wouldn't eat the other half of the can this morning.  I even warmed it up a bit.

We're going to try the Chicken flavor tonight. 

My cats love the NV Prairie Homestyle.  We've tried the chicken and the turkey flavors.  Even my cat who refuses most canned foods eats it.  Even my 17 week old kitten loves it.  I was a little worried about the size of the chunks, but she manages just fine.

Trudy,

Please know we are praying for you and your husband, all your animals, and for the safe capture of all the remaining cats. 

That's a great idea!  You can also get them at most banks.

Trudy's friend, Wendy, who is coordinating the efforts to help, just sent a wonderful email that I want to share with all of you.

It's a little long, but definitely worth reading.  I see Arlo was also cc'd on the email:-)

Here it is:

"During many conversations with Trudy to keep her updated on all that is
transpiring on her behalf, and passing on important information, she
asked me to thank Jaen specifically for this important advise on health
risks.  She has recognized the health danger of being exposed to such
yuck while searching for belongings to save and appreciated and will
heed this warning. 

She told me today they are finished at her home to try to retrieve
anything from what was not burned or looked like it could be cleaned. 
She said again her eyes burned so bad and she had to go outside often. 
Many of the clothes she brought back to her friends to try to clean
stink and are in plastic bags.  Many, as they tried to clean them, they
ended up tossing after all as they were toast.  Thought her new mattress
would be okay, but lifting it and seeing the frame damage and how it had
soaked right through and stunk to high heaven, she left it.

They will not be going back inside anymore after today - they got
whatever they could save.  Done.

Trudy often cannot speak when I tell her the numbers for assistance
contributions (both speechless and tears of Joy).  She is so humble, but
I sense the Joy of a child and then such upliftment when I tell her the
news of what things and supplies are being sent to her.  Your gifts are
turning their lives around in ways that you may not be able to imagine. 
I find I have to share some of this part with all of you too because I
am witnessing it, and want you to know what a difference you all are
making.  I have never seen anyone sin so much gratitude.  Such a
treasure to behold and you are making that happen.  I send MY thanks to
you all as I could not have coordinated this if it weren't for all of you.

She and her husband are being such troopers coming up and out from under
many heavy emotions and staying so positive against all odds.  "In with
the new, and out with the old..." they chant while they tend to
horrendous tasks.  She asked me to tell everyone that Christmas has
truly  come early for them this year despite how traumatic it is
packaged.  So many prayers have been answered, and there are no words
that can relay this for her.

Breaking news:  As of tonight, we have acquired a home for Trudy and Don
to stay for a few months from a very unexpected source (to be
confirmed).  Absolutely incredible!  Thank you - (you know who you
are).  Trudy can keep the few (very close to her) precious cats that are
her beloved pets by her side that mean so much to her, and they need not
be crated when figuring she had no choice but to bunk in with family.   
They also get to have their own space and not be inconvenienced, or
inconveniencing anyone else while they start their lives all over again
from scratch.  This is important for one's well-being.  She will have a
place for all incoming furnishings and larger items where prior, where
to store may have been a dampener to progress.  All things are coming
together nicely and surprisingly.

What I have to add today is that we have a special group that Trudy
belongs to coming together for her vet costs where prescriptions needed
for two of her cats that were lost and needing to be replaced are being
taken care of.  Also, some other vet costs like boarding for two, and
making sure the stress of what has happened will not induce sickness
with some URI she has noticed yesterday.

This is the making of a really good book!

Wait, I'm not done yet.  I want to update our dollars raised.  You all
know I was targeting $2000 from the git go, and I am beside myself to
inform you all that we have now come to $264.84 shy of that target. 
Yes!  We have raised $1,735.16.  God love ya all!  You have made my
work easy!  Trudy can go grocery shopping as long as make sure she has a
fridge she can put her food in.  IF not, she can at least get canned and
dry goods already Monday.  We have many good Samaritans checking in on
furnishings, and I told her not to buy anything without checking with us
on who may be working on something and it being on its way.

Folks, I have a personal comment to add here....  We all can do
something for our fellow human being.  That something will be out of who
we are individually, and unique, but our special gifts.... out skill
toolbox, per say.  I know what I can do, and you  have searched for what
you can do, and together look what we have done using our unique skills
or abilities.  Can you all see how magnificent it is what we have ALL
done here?

A friend of mine told me tonight that Trudy is having such a tremendous
response and laughed when she reflected on if either her or I had a
fire, that likely we would get naddah support, and probably send each
other $10 bucks and call it done.  LOL!  She is probably right.  :-) 
That tells us a LOT about Trudy and who has grown to know and love
her.  I am especially proud to help everyone take notice, or be aware
of how some people can have an impact on our lives whether we know them
intimately or not, and how wonderful it is to participate in this kind
of event, albeit we would have difficulty doing it everyday...... or
would we?  What goes around comes around and those of you (and in this
case there are a LOT of you) that have stopped your lives for a moment
to consider another will reap the benefits in some other way.  That is
something I have seen time and time again.  The world is changing, and
this is such a perfect example of how any of us can affect change.

I love seeing what we have done here.

Let's not ever let this love of humanity die within us.  Trudy is a
symbol of what it is inside of us that we cherish.  Let's all consider
staying there for each other.  I know there were so many there for me
when Trudy initiated a call for help for me when my Dave had a heart
attack and then when I got him home two weeks later my mother died. 
Many of you were there for me too, and I'm still trying to find time to
thank you all individually.

The point being....  we the people....  We care!  Don't ever let that die.

When trouble happens, let us know.  I hope I have helped showing how
easy it is to make a difference in someone else's life.  You all made
that happen and you should be feeling your own warm and fuzzies.  I sure
do for you!  You did this, not me.  You have my applause.

Warm regards,
Wendy"

No problem.  I was leaning toward not putting it on Itchmo, but figured you all would know best.

Trudy's friend Lisa said it is ok for me to post the public address in Itchmo, but I am going to leave that up to the moderators' discretion. 

Itchmo specific update.  Lisa says a lot in her latest email, so I'm just going to quote her directly.

"--Trudy is so overcome with your generosity that she's at a loss for words. She also has a VERY difficult time asking people for help. Trying to get Trudy to tell you what she needs is harder than pulling teeth. When you speak to her, she'll probably tell you that all is fine and that she needs nothing. Don't believe it. She lost most everything in her home and needs basically everything. She's going to growl at me for saying that, but this is the truth. She left her home without so much as a toothbrush.
 
--Brandi, you can post the Lilly International, Inc. address online. That's the whole point of getting a public address. If the Itchmo moderators don't want you to do that for any reason, listen to them. But otherwise, it's ok to post and should reduce the number of private emails you have to answer.  Items can be sent to this address via USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc. even though the words "PO Box" are included. At least that's what she tells me.
 
--PRIORITY #1: She needs FOSTERS for some of her cats. She made it clear, "I WANT THEM BACK."  There are other cats that will be up for adoption, but she's not in a position to screen people adequately now, so we'll get to that later. But fosters for her pets are an immediate need. She's probably going to be displaced for at least 6 months. Therefore, she needs people who are willing to foster long-term and be able to return her kitties to her when she can move back into her house.
 
--I'm sorry I forgot to ask what brand of dog food Trudy feeds. I'll try to remember to ask that today. She feeds the cats Eagle Pack Holistic Select Duck Meal & Oatmeal, i.e. the flavor in the green bag.  For kitty litter, she uses pine pellets but could use any type of dust-free, non-clumping kitty litter.
 
--Probably the best way to help right now is to make a donation to her Paypal account or to send her an Amazon online gift card. Unfortunately, she and Wendy thought the Paypal donations would go directly into Trudy's bank account. They discovered last night that this isn't the case, that they had to take an extra step to transfer the Paypal money into her bank account. That was done last night, however, it's going to take 3-4 business days before Trudy has access to it. 
 
--If there's anyone who wants to send her stuff directly rather than contribute money or a gift card, she mostly needs toiletries and household cleaning products.  Note that I am NOT posting this request on any of the Bengal lists because she trusts you Itchmo folks to know what items to get. She uses only natural products that are made in the USA, and she says you'll understand. Some of the brands she mentioned were Tom's, Burt's Bees, and Seventh Generation, but she'd be happy with anything not containing melamine or toxic chemicals. (Made in China would not be good.)
 
--She does NOT need any pet carriers. Hers were in her garage and weren't harmed in the fire.
 
--She MIGHT not need clothes or any more crates. A very generous Itchmo pal donated several crates that are really going to help. (THANK YOU!!!) Depending on where she moves, she may or may not need more. Some of her clothes were completely spared from the fire, others only have smoke damage.  Washing them a few times may restore them. Thus, we won't know if she needs more crates until after she figures out where she's going to live, and we won't know about her clothes until after she gets the opportunity to do some serious laundry.  I'll send you an update as soon as this gets figured out.
 
--Trudy's only real concern right now is for her animals. Nonetheless, I think she could use some distraction items.  As she needs basic life necessities,  entertainment is obviously at the bottom of the list. But if anyone would like to send her books or used DVDs, here are my suggestions. (She obviously doesn't have a DVD player any more, but should have access to one after she moves into her temporary housing.) I recommend comedy movies or TV shows. She could use a laugh. Some of the authors she likes are John Grisham, Robin Cook, Patricia Cornwall, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz. She also likes to read "weird stuff." I have no definition for that.
 
--The Red Cross has really been no help at all. If anyone has any connections to any similar sort of community organizations in Trudy's area, please let me know.  Local help would be incredibly useful.
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Trudy has been telling me for a long time that her Itchmo friends are like family and bragged about how smart you all are. I've been reading this thread and agree that your suggestions have been most helpful. Thanks for everything!!
 
Lisa"

Thank you!  You all are too sweet.  I'm just glad Trudy is getting so much help.  I have seen so many posts here and in the Bengals group about how much she does to help cats in need.  Anyone who dedicates so much time to helping animals and people in need deserves whatever we can do to help  - no matter how big or small - in her time of need.

I'm proud to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.