Gratitude Gate

01/25/2025

Betty Boop, what an absolutely beautiful soul that has carried with her that mysterious blanket of softness and motherly energy. A month ago she walked in our Havahart trap with her head low. The only weight on her body was her belly, the heaviness of it being kept safe only by her long fur and will to survive.

With our veterinarian, we made a game plan for Betty Boop. Because of how fearful she was and in such a fragile state, we agreed to keep her at home instead of traveling for an ultrasound. Keeping her as calm and comfortable as possible until the kittens arrived so we did not cause further complications to the pregnancy. Her nesting behavior was immediate and intentional. As the weeks have passed, Betty has continued to put on weight and feels so much healthier. Multiple checks for internal parasites have not shown an alternate reason for the belly at hand. And her behavior has continued to be that of a lady in waiting. With all the love and care, her belly has remained taut and kept.

This week, Boop finally let me be friendly enough to really massage her belly without her striking out in fear. I have a strong feeling that she is either experiencing a false pregnancy or she had lost her kittens to a predatory attack just before coming to us. All of this patience and preparation for her has now left me feeling sad that there may be no little beans on the way.
BUT!!!!
As a huge advocate for responsible pet ownership, I am relieved for Boop that she does not have to tax her body anymore. She is safe, and together we are able to give her the appropriate care. I will bring her in to the vet this week to confirm my suspicions and have her spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Soon she will be able to join our other kitties in relaxing and enjoying what it is like to be loved.

❤️🐾Thank you so much to each of you who has supported Betty Boop's journey so far. Sometimes life has a different story to tell, and we are just the interpreters.

01/17/2025

❤️🧸❤️Teddy Bear's surgery went fantastic!❤️🧸❤️
And gosh did he need it!! Our talented surgeon said it was one of the most damaged hip joints she had ever seen. Who truly knows how many months he had been trying to survive under that dumpster. THANK YOU SO MUCH to every single person that shared, donated, and sent love his way. Because of you, he was able to get treatment that immediately made his life better!!!Within 24 hours he had already adjusted his posture to support his back end to a new center of balance. (The pain meds still have him a little wobbly 😺😜.) He is up at the edge of his pen, "watching" and listening to his new friends that he will get to play with in his near future! I have said it before, and I will say it again: without you, this gift of care and sanctuary is not possible. Together we are truly making a difference in the lives of the little guys. 🐾❤️

01/14/2025

It's 2 AM and Betty Boop is rolling her baby beans by the fire ❤️ She has put on weight beautifully since she I was able to havahart trap her a few weeks ago. I am hopeful the babies will be born vibrant and healthy! ❤️ She has definitely nested in one area and seems very comfortable with her surroundings. She purrs up a storm for me but .... DO NOT go sticking your hand in the nursery! She has boundaries and places a quick swat of where the line is. ❤️😜 I forgot for a minute that I was just the help! 😂😂

01/12/2025

🚨EMERGENCY RESCUE🚨
6 MONTH KITTEN HlT BY CAR
BLIND AND BROKEN - SURGERY NEEDED!
I was contacted by a kind woman who gives her time to feeding feral colonies. This kitten was found at a new colony where several other kittens lost their lives crossing the road between two restaurants. For MONTHS this kitten was seen, alone, dragging himself under the dumpster to hide, heal, and survive.
Now, I try hard to keep our rescues limited due to financial constraints at this time, but I could not turn my back without making sure this kitten was safe. After I reached out, our friend was able to trap him quickly. We were able to immediately meet her to pick him up late that night even though he was caught over an hour away.
A veterinary exam and X-rays showed a severe fracture of his rear left leg that has been trying to heal incorrectly along with a dislocated hip. His right eye was also partially ruptured and somehow healed, though the impact left him slightly cross-eyed and mostly blind.

Could you turn your back on this innocent soul? I could not.
By simply speaking up, I knew I was stepping up. I have named him Teddy Bear as he reminded me of a lost stuffed toy, broken and in need of some proper mending of his seams. He will be well loved for all his worn bits and bruises.
Because of the severity of the fracture and dislocation, coupled with the amount of time without care, amputation of the leg is the kindest, both short- and long-term, for Teddy.
He is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday, and I will be bringing him home to live with our 7 resident special needs cats. He is scared but leaning in to love and care. Can you help me give Teddy the gift of proper care?
He will be neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, dewormed, and blood work checked to assure we give him the best.
This is life-changing for him, and every dollar brings him closer to being pain-free and without worries of survival.
Please share for Teddy Bear 🧸🐾❤️
501c3 accredited since 2017
PayPal ❤️[email protected]
Venmo ❤️ gratitudegate
Please DM me for check or 💰 order mailing address.

Together we make a difference one little life at a time. Thank you so much for your kindness ❤️

01/11/2025

Ripley was very concerned about the state of our pine trees this morning 😂 We were supposed to get an inch of snow here in SC, but it turned to ice within an hour. I think the trees were feeling let down. 🤣🤣🤦‍♀️
We are all safe and warm and this should melt away by the afternoon. So much for a winter wonderland!

01/08/2025

Silly kids, Tricky and Herbie, with their fuzzy ear highlights ❤️

01/05/2025

Cleo ❤️🐾

01/04/2025

In true Joseph fashion, he wanted nothing to do with me up to . It's freezing out here!

12/31/2024

A new year brings a new opportunity for this sweet miss! That means shining bright with hope, health and happiness! We have dubbed our pregnant momma Betty Boop!!
Thank you everyone for helping me get her all ready for her babies!!!
❤️🐾❤️

12/28/2024

Chief deep in thought.... Or trying to find the thought.🤔💭
❤️😂🐾❤️

12/25/2024

It may not be Santa but his name is Claus!! ❄️
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! ❤️🎄❤️

12/21/2024

To the heartless being that dumped the two cats at the end of my driveway a couple of months ago, I finally found your sweet girl.

You may remember that I buried her brother for you when he was hit in the road. Well, once again I stepped up for you. I haven't seen her at all until 2 days ago, and I set a trap. It took less than a morning before starvation drew her into a metal box of uncertainty that slammed shut behind her. Defeat written across her face, all she has left is her fur to cover her bones. Why? Because not only did you abandon her, but she is now heavily pregnant and has had to try to keep herself and the innocent lives growing inside of her alive.

Shame on you.

I can barely afford to feed and care for the animals we have already promised sanctuary to. But I refuse to put out a lost soul in their darkest hour. Frozen temperatures will no longer rob her of energy and life. For now this Sweetheart will be fed and warm. Please help me be able to give her this gift for the holidays without worrying that our finances are so tight.

Thank you to all of those that know that kindness should always come first. ❤️🐾



PayPal ❤️ [email protected]

Venmo @ gratitudegate Ca$happ gratitudegate

12/18/2024

Trust leaving the mist in his wake. ❤️🦢❤️

12/13/2024

On Guard! Baron has Friday cornered and isn't letting it go without a weekend!

12/10/2024

Spotted fog. ❤️🐄

12/07/2024

Nester making warmth look so darn easy!🐾❤️🤣

12/05/2024

❤️2025 Calendar❤️

Custom Photo Calendars for Sale Gratitude Gate 2025

12/02/2024

Clementine and Decoy wanted to show you that they love their cat trees to PIECES! ❤️🤣🐾 Cyber Monday has a couple nice ones on Amazon that I put on our wishlist.
Maybe a sanctuary Santa could help out kitties with a couple of new trees? 🎄❤️😺 They would be so appreciative!!
Link below!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YIS2KKZQF6VH?ref_=wl_share