By: Robin Desmet – Dec. 2018 Who wouldn’t want to wake up on Christmas morning to find that Santa had gotten them a fluffy kitten as a Christmas gift? As appealing as this may sound to many of you, it actually may not be the best idea. The holidays are a special time of year, […]
By: Robin Desmet – Nov. 2018 My boyfriend Paul tells me all the time that his cat Goldy brings down his high blood pressure. I used to chuckle when he said that, but after doing some research on the subject, I have learned that this actually may be true. In fact, there was a study […]
By: Robin Desmet – August, 2018 Your neighbor’s cat has kittens and they are weaned and ready to be adopted. You hold one of the wiggling furballs for a minute and instantly you fall in love. You weren’t really looking for a kitten, but before you know it you find yourself at the pet store […]
Each year The Valley Patriot honors two Valley Patriot writers for outstanding writing or taking the high road in public discourse while also taking very bold stands on some of the most important issues that shape our culture and our community. Columnists, reporters, and even letter writers are eligible for this award. It is given […]
By: Robin Desmet – February, 2018 When Paul adopted Goldy he had already spent half of his life as a cat that was allowed outdoors. Although Goldy loves to snuggle with Paul on the couch, he also enjoys his time roaming in the yard. He is an avid hunter and he loves to spend time […]
By: Robin Desmet – Nov. 2017 Because I trap and rescue cats, people will often tell me that they can nolonger keep their own cat(s) and ask if I can rehome them. Well, the short answer is, “No. I cannot.” Believe it or not, everyone I know already has a cat or three. I always […]
By: Robin Desmet – Oct. 2017 Halloween—a holiday for witches, ghosts, vampires, and the much maligned black cat. But what is it about black cats that brings out the haters? The reputation of the black cat as an evil creature started back in Europe in The Middle Ages. In 1233, Pope Gregory IX claimed that […]
By: Robin Desmet – Sept. 2017 I was interested in fostering Chicken from the moment I saw his picture. His curious, wide-eyed look captured my attention and his story captured my heart. Chicken was found outside all by himself with no mother and no siblings. He was brought to an overwhelmed, over-crowded, kill shelter at […]
By: Robin Desmet – August, 2017 “I am looking for a free kitten.” When I hear this statement I can’t help but cringe. My reply is always the same—“There is no such thing as a free kitten.” My statement is often met with doubt or displeasure. Then I usually hear a story about how so […]
By: Robin Desmet – July, 2017 When you rescue kittens that were born outside, chances are very good that they will need some degree of socialization, or taming. Kittens born in the wild are fearful of people and will hiss and spit and run away when approached. If you are lucky enough to capture the […]
By: Robin Desmet – June, 2017 In my opinion, fostering is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of volunteering with animals. There is nothing like opening the door to my foster room and getting greeted by 6 fluffy kittens all vying for my attention. It brings me such joy to see them grow […]
By: Robin Desmet – April, 2017 I can’t walk by Wheezy’s cage without opening the door and showing him some love. He looks up as if to say “you again” and dutifully walks over when you approach his cage. When you start patting him he responds instantly with purrs and head butts. He is a […]
By: Robin Desmet – Feb. 2017 The building in New York City is so non-descript that you could easily walk by and think nothing of it. But inside the locked structure is a veritable beehive of activity. The building serves as a temporary residence to over 450 New York shelter cats that were exposed to […]
By: Robin Desmet – January, 2017 Every mile is two in winter” ~ George Herbert Winter is hard. It’s hard for people and it’s even harder for cats—especially for the feral cats that spend their entire lives outdoors. If you have a pet cat that goes outside, please be aware that winter is a dangerous […]
By: Robin Desmet – Dec. 2016 What greater gift than the love of a cat…….Charles Dickens December—-a time to share the joys of the season with family and friends. But in addition to the fun, the holidays can be a dangerous time for our furry friends. A little caution and awareness this time of year […]