Goodbye, Calypso
By Marianne Moore

Anyone who’s ever visited the RAPS Cat Sanctuary will probably have been greeted in the parking lot by a friendly little calico kitty.  This was Calypso. 

Calypso was one of the first resident cats at the cat sanctuary.  She was found near the bus loop at Garden City and Sexsmith Road, abandoned by a family who had moved away.  A friendly neighbour fed the little stray in her back yard for quite some time. When this kind lady had to leave her home, Calypso was in danger of being left behind again. Fortunately, Calypso’s friend contacted Richmond Homeless Cats Society (now RAPS), and we took Calypso into our newly established cat sanctuary. 

At first, Calypso was not very friendly and so was not considered adoptable.  By the time her true, gentle nature was discovered, she had become somewhat of a shelter mascot.  She was one happy little kitty with a purpose in life – to make a good first impression on every visitor. How could we let her go?  Although Calypso loved people, she never got along well with other cats, so she was provided with her own little “apartment” in the storage shed/workshop just off the parking lot, complete with her own bed, bowls, and a heat lamp on cold nights.  Whenever a car pulled into the lot, she would stroll out from her comfortable bed and turn her charm on its occupants.

Calypso loved to climb right into cars and, on more than one occasion, made brief escapes from the premises that way.  Fortunately, she was returned soon after each of these little adventures.

Sadly, Calypso’s adventurous days ended recently, when it was discovered that she had advanced cancer in her abdomen.  She had remained her usual friendly little self almost right up until the end, so her loss was a great shock to all who knew her. 

Goodbye, little greeter.  We’ll all miss you. We’ve left your name on the door of your building and we’ll never forget you.   

Click here to see more pictures of Calypso.

Fostering a cat that is soon to have babies is about the best feeling one can have.  I did it over 20 years ago, and I still have the pleasure of having “Momma” with us.  When RAPS asked if we’d like to foster, the “cat lover” in me couldn’t say no.  This was much to my hubby’s dismay, I must add. “What about Momma,” he said, “She’s too old for any youngsters in the house.”  But once he learned that all that was required was a room behind closed doors, he was game.  

We took Dixie home on a Saturday and it didn't take her long to make Mark & I "foster" grandparents.  Five days later, she had her litter, and, of course, not in the wonderful fluffy box I set up for her.  Instead, Dixie settled behind our table inserts and the treadmill – no fluffy box for her.  Dixie only gave birth to one kitten, which is very unusual, so there were some concerns.  I monitored her over the weekend and since there were no signs of more kittens, a decision was made to take her to the vet to make sure. She was given a clean bill.  No more babies for her.  My boss called her a "modern" cat - one kitten family!!
 
The "fun" part of that whole weekend was trying to get her into the carrier for her vet visit.  First, I tried putting Dixie in then going back for her kitten.  She was out and beside me before I reached the kitten.  Then I thought, “Kitten first, then Dixie.”  So I tried kitten first, and then turned around to get Dixie, but she had already gotten into the carrier and taken the kitten out!  I tried again, same result.  I finally decided to put the kitten in the far back of the carrier. Dixie would have to get in the carrier to get the kitten and then, “bang”, the door would be shut!  It worked! 

Dixie’s baby is a girl, and she has not been named yet (I kind of call her ‘Baby One’). If I named her then she’s mine and, while I would love to keep them both, we will have to see what transpires in 3-4 weeks with regards to introductions to our senior cat.  I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, here’s a picture of Dixie and her baby.

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'Tails' from the Road
by RAPS ACO, Shane Burnham

The RAPS Animal Control Officers (ACO) have a difficult job and some strange stories to tell about working as an ACO in Richmond.  Here are a few of their 'tails'. 

FEB 2 -- RCMP requested assistance in restraining a three-foot-long iguana. The residence was a crime scene and the RCMP needed to search the room the iguana was in. Officer Burnham arrived on scene and was shown the location of where the iguana was housed. Burnham entered the small room, threw a towel over the iguana, picked it up and then placed it on the ground, holding its neck and tail to the ground to prevent it from escaping. Burnham came very close to being whipped in the eye by the tail of the iguana. The police conducted a quick search and the iguana was released back into the room.

 

FEB 17 -- RCMP requested assistance in removing a young mastiff pup from a grow-op being dismantled. Officer Burnham arrived on scene and was shown the dog on the back porch. The dog was not aggressive at all, just very scared. Burnham removed the dog and took it back to the shelter. The dog is now at the shelter awaiting a new and better home.

Read more February 'Tails' from the Road (click here)

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Adoption Profile:  Maple
Maple is an eight-year-old German Shepherd. She is a sweet girl that is well behaved in the house and on walks. Maple wants a home that will give her tons of love and attention, as she has been lacking this for most of her life. In return, she will be faithful and obedient and will always keep your feet warm while you're watching TV.  Come meet Maple at the RAPS City Shelter.

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