Christmas 2014

This year has been an experience, and Maya has been nothing but the best thru it all. As we prepare for Christmas I look back at the year we've had.

The year started with a planned adoption of my kitten Marley. She was two months old and rescued from the cold winter in Maryland by the Washington Animal Rescue League. She was the only kitten found just weeks old with no Mama to care for her. She was a little over 2 pounds when I adopted her. When I bought her home and told Maya she was her baby Maya went into action looking out for her. She would sit with her and make sure she was ok. At night she would clean her. Now that Marley is bigger they try to clean each other at bedtime. They've become the best of friends. She's been nothing but gentle and kind to Marley who she now has to share me with.

Fast forward to late September early October. There is an Orange Tabby that is hanging around my house. She looks well groomed and totally out of place with the other feral/stray cats I feed. She sees me and runs to me.  She cries at the door for hours. It was in those early weeks that I said I couldn't take on another animal. Knowing deep down I would. Maya would sit at the door and watch her. While Marley would sit with her ears perked up listening for her. She just seemed to get along with them thru the door. When I would walk Maya she would just sit and look at her. In early November I noticed she started to have scars on her nose. The other cats were starting to reject her. She walks up to me and I noticed she has a wound on her side. She is still happy to see me, but she is moving very slow. This is when I decided to take her in. I would have to catch her and get her to a vet ASAP. That is just what I did. She has been vaccinated and I am keeping her separated from Maya and Marley for the next few months until I can get her tested for FIV/FeLV again. She tested negative. However, with the open wounds I want to be sure for Marley.

Thru it all Maya's personality hasn't changed. She's still just as loving and affectionate as the day I adopted her. She checks on Marley and now Macy. She is so well mannered with them and her temperament amazes me. I know that God placed her with me for a reason. She has allowed me to open my home to other animals in need, and I know this is something we will continue to do. 

This year I am thankful for Maya, Marley and Macy and my family and friends who helped me financially with saving Macy. Attached is our Christmas photo. I hope I can get them all to sit still together for a photo next year.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!

Maya is 3 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAYA!!!

1 year ago on July 20th I adopted Maya!! She had a super cute smile and was very friendly. She was surrendered twice. The second time she was returned she was infested with fleas. She was missing hair on her back from digging at the fleas. When she jumped up and licked the side of my face I knew she would be mines. Fast forward one year later, and she's been my constant companion. She has been a true joy. Her hair grew back in less then a month. She's taught me so much about her. I've learned she doesn't like her toe nails clipped, but I can file them down. I've learned that her previous owner was wrong about her not being house trained. She actually sits at the dog to go out; she won't bark. I've learned she's a true love bug with kids, my kitten and my family members. She's gone with me on road trips and greeted everyone along the way. She's also very protective of me. I think she has a sick sense for danger or shady people. I love her temperament and her need to be close all the time. She has to follow me EVERYWHERE (including the bathroom). I am so happy I adopted her. I sometimes wonder who would surrender such a loving dog twice, but then I am forever grateful they did. Their loss was my total gain. I chose July 26th as her Birthday since my parents Rottie Ace's birthday is the 25th and my dad's birthday is the 27th. She's right in the middle to be spoiled by all. Happy Birthday to my sweet girl. I pray she has many more!!!!

Watermelon

Maya is growing to be a big and strong Rottie!!! Yet she has been very gentle with her baby Marley; our  6 month old kitten. She follows, cleans and fusses with Marley like she's truly her child. It's hilarious to witness. They are both healthy. In fact, Maya has gained 25 pounds since I adopted her. She weighs 113 pounds. We are back to our long walks and cutting back on her treats just a little. She has such a sensitive stomach. I really have to watch what I feed her. I finally think we've found a food that will work for her. Lamb and rice by Nutro along with Lamb and Potato treats by Nutro as well. Nothing else or she has serious bowel problems. Poor thing. 

This brings me to Watermelon. Sade and I would share Watermelon starting in the spring then thru the Summer and longer if someone brought a few up from North Carolina. Sade was the kind of dog that would want to stay outside, and she would only come in if I yelled I had Watermelon or French Fries. My neighbors would laugh, because she truly loved the two. Well, this morning I'm cutting up Watermelon and out of habit I'm feeding it to Maya. She was thrilled to say the least. I can tell she has the same love for it as Sade. I feel bad, because I won't be able to share it with her. She's such a sweet girl. Telling her no is the hardest thing to do. 

I am loving watching her and Marley grow. I love their personalities and the fact they've been remarkable animals. I feel so lucky to have two great animals. Adopting is an awesome experience and very rewarding. Some days I don't know who rescued who. Either way I feel loved and I know they do too! 

Maya, Marley & Me

My Birthday was in January, and I really wanted a kitten. I looked everywhere and just couldn't find the right one. I told EVERYONE Maya and I are getting a kitten, but I hadn't found her yet. Then 2 days after my Birthday I received word there was a kitten available at the Washington Animal Rescue League. She was almost 3 months old and still under 3 pounds. I saved her picture on my phone, and I started claiming her as my own. I was told by one of the adoption counselors that several people showed interest in her, and I should be there at 12 when they opened Friday, January 24th. After speaking with the Agency Owner we decided I should go on my lunch break. I made a deal with my coworker that I would work late if he covered for me and off I went to adopt Marley. Her name was Cameron online, but I just knew it would be Marley. I was sticking with movie names. Maya was named after a dog in the movie Eight Below and Marley would come from Marley & Me.
When I arrived there was another kitten that was so cute, and he interacted with me thru the glass. I still was dead set on Marley. The volunteer took me into their cat room; which is really nice. This is where I had a chance to play and interact with her. I could tell Marley was shy, but somehow I gained her trust in minutes. The volunteer was even surprised. She didn't want to go back to her when I filled out the paperwork. An hour later we were headed back to my office. Marley would sleep on my desk for the next 4 hours until I got off work. She wouldn't eat or drink much, but she kept making sure I was there. I wrapped her in my scarf and off she went to sleep.
Once we arrived home Marley was wide awake. Maya was very interested in what was in the small crate. The initial introduction wasn't what I thought it would be, but once I got Marley in a larger crate she warmed up. She still was very sweet with me, but she made noise with Maya. By Saturday she was more relaxed. Fast forward to today, and they are doing well. They have their morning kiss when I let Maya out and feed them in the morning. That seems to be the only time they are truly interested in one another. I play with them both in the evening, and if one is out of site from the other they look for them. Maya doesn't sleep upstairs with me anymore. Once I fall asleep she's on Mama duty sleeping downstairs with Marley, and if Marley runs out of food Maya will wake me to let me know. I think they are slowly getting use to one another, and I am so glad I was able to adopt again. So, Now it's Maya, Marley and Me!! :-)