Just Because You Can't See It, Doesn't Mean It Isn't There!

Straight From The Fosters Mouth!

I rescued a little orange tabby from my local high-kill shelter because he was going to be euthanized for two reasons:

1. There was not enough room in the shelter to keep sick & nervous animals

2. The staff there thought he was too hard to give the kitten the necessary meds to help him

I was told by my friend, and Toronto Cat Rescue foster mom Shelley, to get to the shelter ASAP and rescue the kitten for her! I headed out the very next day to save this precious little man who was so so scared. Apparantly he was surrendered to the shelter because his owner had "too many cats in the house". SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS PEOPLE!!

On my way from the shelter to the vet clinic, the little tabby hid at the very back of the crate and looked at me with the most pitiful and soulful eyes. From that moment, I named him "Antonio" because he looked just like Antonio Banderas' character from "Puss and Boots".

Antonio got a clean bill of health and within 24 hours I received this message from his foster mom Shelley":

At first it was forced cuddling until he started to purr last night. Then it was more forced cuddling, but he was more willing. Then, I carried him downstairs, sat in a comfy chair and held him, rubbing his neck and face. Purring started, his body relaxed and then I realized that his tail was out. You know how they pull their tails up between their legs when they are scared? Last night he would barely look at me, and today we did a little gazing into each other's eyes (the ultimate sign of trust). Then slowly, slowly he "opened up', let me rub his belly, and next thing he was on his back legs up, arms down like a human baby, tail out and purring like a tractor. Then, we were both asleep. Best feeling ever, for both of us. Taking care of these little lives is the BEST and most honourable thing I have ever done.

A job very well done Shelley! Another life saved from certain death and within a week he will be put up for adoption on Toronto Cat Rescue's website!!

xoxox

Nicole

My First Rescue of 2012!

*These sister are spending their last night at the shelter*

Tomorrow morning I can head out to my local high-kill shelter and save some very worthy kitties all thanks to Toronto Cat Rescue. It is absolutely freezing in Toronto right now so nothing makes me more happier than getting these innocent cats out of their cold cages and bringing them straight to their warm and loving foster homes!! Here are just a few lives that will be changed for the better tomorrow:

*Siblings that were surrendered by their owners*

It will be nice drive for me tomorrow because I won't be rushing after work (I am still on holidays) and can beat the highway traffic altogether! Should be a great rescue day all in all! I just can't get my mind off all the other animals that are living outside and don't have a place to call home. I guess I can't save them all.

*Princess Jasmine has 2 deformed legs*

My first rescue of 2012 will be a very special one for all of these furr-babies!

xoxox

nicole

Disney's Chimpanzee Coming Soon!!

Disneynature’s film ‘African Cats’ helped the African Wildlife Foundation save over 50,000 acres of African savanna. Now, a new film will help save chimpanzees.

In a press release, Disneynature has announced that a portion of their first week box office sales from their film ‘CHIMPANZEE‘ will benefit the Jane Goodall Instiute (JGI) The nonprofit was founded by primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall and works to save great apes through research, public education and advocacy. The film, being released in theatres April 20, 2012, is going to help further that work. A portion of every ticket sale the week of April 20-26 will be donated to JGI through the Disney Widlife Conservation Fund.

‘CHIMPANZEE’ directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield followed a chimp named Oscar and his family in the forests of Africa. Walt Disney Studios President Alan Bergman said, “We are very excited to bring the story of Oscar and his chimpanzee family to the big screen. CHIMPANZEE showcases the incredible personalities and heartwarming relationships of these amazing animals…As part of our company’s ongoing efforts to protect the environment and empower audiences to participate in global conservation, Disneynature is proud to join with Jane Goodall Institute in its efforts to secure a future for chimpanzees in the Republic of Congo.”

Dr. Goodall, also a UN Messenger of Peace, is also excited about the partnership. “The Jane Goodall Institute is proud to work so closely with Disneynature on the release of CHIMPANZEE. JGI has been working in Africa for almost 35 years following on from my research begun in 1960. We are thrilled to extend our impact and efforts through this collaboration to support and celebrate such a wonderful film. Together, we can truly make a difference and are thrilled to have Disneynature join our efforts to protect chimpanzee habitats, care for orphaned chimpanzees in the Republic of Congo and educate a new generation of young people and connect them to nature.”

The movie may not be out until April, but Disneynature says you can get tickets for groups of 20 or more now by calling 1-888-DISNEY6.

A big thank you to one of my favourite sites Ecorazzi for sharing this wonderful news!!

xoxox

Nicole

Merry Christmas Everyone!

From my family to yours.......Merry Christmas!

xoxoxoxo

Nicole

Christmas Party Benefits Greek Dogs!

*Secret Santa Participants *

This years "Tails From Greece" Christmas Party was a great success raising close to $900 for the non-profit Canadian charity! Run by the incredible Dianne Aldan and her husband George, the part took place in the party room at the beautiful Esplanade building in Toronto. Some of the guests included foster moms & dads, volunteer drivers and supporters who love helping to get dogs and cats who live in dire situations in Greece (particularly Markopoulo, which is outside of Athens) and flown to Toronto where they are fostered until they find their furr-ever homes!!

*Foster parents in the back and Greek doggie adopters in the front*

Apart from all of the yummy food and socializing, attendees were treated to a guest speaker, veterinarian Dr. Sherebin, who spoke about holistic medicine and natural diets for our pets. The Secord Animal Hospital veterinarian was so informative and really brought a great discusiion to the group in regards to raw diets, major food companies and what we can do to keep our pets as happy and heathy as possible!

*Listening to Dr. Sherebin speak*

Upcoming fundraising events for Tails From Greece will include a wine tasting session at Cafe Nicole inside the Novotel Hotel in Toronto one Sunday afternoon in March. (Currently it is tentatively scheduled for March 25th, 2012) Also, Dianne would like to organize a hike within The Rouge to benefit the dogs. All money raised will help pay for veterinary bills and the costs associated with flying the dogs and cats over from Greece! If you are interested in attending any of these upcoming events please do not hesitate to contact Dianne at diannealdan@sympatico.ca

xoxoxoxox

Nicole

11 Cats Need Our Help!!

Hello my lovely readers!!!

I thought you might be able to help with this!! Death Row Dogs needs your help! A lady has approached us in a terrible situation. She took in a few stray cats off the street from the cold and they have multiplied. She had almost 20 cats but has found homes for some and is now down to 11!

We would like to fix them but the lady is on a very low income and cannot afford to pay for this. She was in tears speaking to my friend Charlie Winship and is very saddened that she has made things worse. We would like to help her and fix her cats.

The cost is going to be $600 and we need to raise the funds by Wednesday December 22nd! If $300 can be raised by this date, we will pay the rest! We need you to share this far and wide!! Please... dig a little deeper to stop the cats that this house is churning out! Just $10 a piece........please share or donate! Lets help these cats!

Thank you everyone!!

xoxox

Nicole

Jane Goodall........COFFEE!!

The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada has teamed up with Toronto-based Fresh Coffee Network & Merchants of Green Coffee to produce Canada's first Jane Goodall Institute coffee! All specialty grade Arabica beans are ethically sourced from Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia, certified Fair Trade & Organic & freshly roasted locally in communities across Canada. It's a delicious blend of bright citrus, with a smooth body and a chocolate finish. Join them as they launch this delicious blend of beans on December 8th at Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC) in Toronto! Come and taste it for yourself - they promise you'll be hooked! When? Thursday December 8th from 10 am to 1 pm Where? Mountain Equipment Co-op: 400 King Street, Toronto With give aways from Fresh Coffee Network, MEC and the Jane Goodall Institute! Can't make it? You can purchase the coffee any time at the JGIestore: JaneGoodall.ca/store or by calling 416.978.3711. By purchasing this coffee, you will be supporting JGIs community-centred conservation approach that helps protect African forests and chimpanzees while also improving people's lives. In Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, we are working with local people to restore their environments and to improve their health, education and opportunities to generate income in a sustainable way. Our ultimate objective is a more secure future for chimpanzees and other wildlife, and a better world for all. A portion of all proceeds goes directly to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada.

xoxoxox

nicole

I HATE BALLS TOO!!!

The beautiful, funny, talented & animal-lover Katherine Heigl reminds us all why balls are sooooo gross and need to be snipped off of every male............dog and cat!!!

xoxox

Nicole

Return Of The Black Sea Turtle: By Neil Osborne

Return of the black turtle by Neil Osborne from Emphas.is on Vimeo.