We have some incredibly sad news to share. Despite a valiant struggle, ongoing medical care, the devoted love and adoration of his foster mom plus so many prayers from around the world, Smooch has left us. Our hopes for recovery are chapters left forever to remain unwritten.
Smooch was born into a world without the love of a family or the comfort of a home. Each day throughout his estimated 5 years, he fought long and hard battles to survive in a very harsh environment. The specific details of his early life are unknown but we accept that. Helping a feral kitty means accepting them on their terms and providing them with “their best life”.
We surmise he came from the most humble of beginnings. With no safe place to return we ensured Smooch had a family who cared for him, providing food and shelter. A family who worked very hard to earn his trust, in hopes he would transition to indoor living. Sadly, although ultimately Smooch would accept pats from his human caregivers, his fear of humans ran deep.
As one of our community cats, we often received updates on Smooch. A recent update revealed he had wandered off from his home and never returned. Smooch was picked up several days later by the side of a very busy road, disoriented. It was evident something very bad had happened to this much loved fella.
With no outward signs of any telltale trauma, all symptoms lead to suspect toxoplasmosis and treatments began. Breaths held, we remained optimistic and hopeful.
As the weeks passed this once feral fella was as gentle as a lamb. Not only was Smooch blind, but what we believe was a stroke (or a series of strokes), left him disoriented, seemingly without his sense of smell as well. He was lovingly syringe fed and as our shared videos showed, we spent hours together cuddling, hoping for a miracle.
Perhaps I should have been more prepared for losing this fella. But I definitely was not. Continuous vet consultations including discussions of an MRI, for as
We’ve had loads of requests for an update on Smooch 😚. There are not a lot of medical changes thus far but Smooch appears content, he continues to eat incredibly well (with support) and appears pain free. He is, of course, still being monitored by our vet clinic. He loves his cuddles and scritches and were just takin it day by day
On behalf of Carrie and Mike and each of us at BCC THANK YOU so very much to everyone who sent healing prayers and positive energy, keeping our tiny tyke Smokey in your thoughts today. Many of you are asking for an update and Carrie has been diligently keeping us posted on his progress throughout the day.
Smokey is responding well to his antibiotics. With dose 4 administered just after 3pm, Carrie reports he is much more alert. All of his PM feedings went well, with small but steady weight gains. His last weigh in was 162 grams 🙏
All four of Carrie’s bottle babies (Smokey and his 3 siblings) are urgent care but Smokey, the weakest and tiniest, is by far the most vulnerable.
Sometimes in rescue we hold our breath, counting the moments, and today was one of those times. Smokey isn’t entirely “out of the woods” but he is certainly headed in the right direction 🙏
Please continue to keep him in your thoughts ❤️🩹
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Where does foster mom Cindy spend her days (and evenings)? Tending to the BCC kitties of course! Here’s our newest momma Darcy, caring for her new arrivals while getting some lovins’ from Cindy. For Darcy, she is enjoying every moment spent with what is guaranteed to be “her last litter”, safely tucked indoors ❤️
Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate my 60th by raising funds and sending donations of food to help keep the BCC tummies filled! Six lucky peeps will receive a $60 gift card. The big winners are, of course, the BCC cats and kittens 🐈⬛
A couple of days ago we posted for a foster for this little petunia after our friends at Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Shelter reached out on her behalf. So many wonderful folks responded to our plea, offering Honey Crueller a soft place to land while embarking on a new chapter in her story. We were more than pleasantly surprised by your response, our hearts were filled❣️
Today I had the pleasure of picking Honey up. When I arrived at the shelter, I was greeted by staff outside, accompanied by two playful puppers who were getting some fresh air and sunshine. Inside, I met some adorable kittens, getting extra TLC from the staff.
Often kitties like Honey need a quieter environment, where they can receive one-on-one attention in a room of their own. And Honey now has that with her foster mom Sue.
Here’s a quick video clip of Honey, just after I picked her up. She is definitely in need of some TLC but I have no doubt this gorgeous little lady will thrive. She may have been let down by humans in the past, but today is the first day of “Honey’s new beginning”.
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It was a bit of an adventurous day on the rescue front … with cats of course, but also, a little skunk.
The majestic creature is in video was heard coming before he (or she!) was seen. The whoosh of the wings, the scurry of the wildlife (even my golden retriever rushed beside his humans for cover). The video, taken from ground level doesn’t show his massive size (his pic is in the comments). He was at least a foot tall and dispute my efforts to “shoo” him away, he was determined to hunt.
The ground, typically an adventure land for critters, was barren. Not a creature was stirring as the saying goes, for the couple of hours this determined hunter stayed. When he ventured off, wildlife returned, including my skunks who often come out for their mid day sip of water.
Unfortunately, one little skunk collapsed in the water dish. It was a hot day, especially for a creature needing a drink. With both nose and mouth submerged, I could see the bubbles and when I lifted her head, she was still breathing but not much more. Our friends at Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge immediately stepped up and within a couple of minutes, the little skunk was loaded in a carrier and on her way to medical care.
Shades of Hope has helped us with a number of rescues over the years. An opossum with a broken leg was successfully rehabilitated and to this day, he still makes this “his home”. A bunny, another skunk, an injured bird…. We have no idea how to help an aspirating skunk, but they do🙏.
We are so grateful to this wonderful organization who, year after year, continues to save lives. I truly hope the little skunk will make it… I know she is in the best of hands (a video of her is in the comments).
Saturday Snuggles with Smooch 😘
THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our “Thirty Something Thursday” fundraising auction. All monies raised will immediately go towards our vet and medical care costs for our most vulnerable.
Kitties like Smooch ❤️
We want to formally welcome three new additions to the BCC family 😻
The handsome fella in the video joined us early this morning from Uxbridge. Obviously scared (it’s always hard to listen to their fearful meowing 😢), he has been reunited with two of his litter mates. Foster mom Carole and family have already earned the affection and trust of his siblings so we are confident this little one’s fear will soon be replaced with purrs. Trapping continues (thank you Darlene) for the remaining kitten and their momma.
The two tiny tinier faces joined us yesterday. They were an urgent and unexpected arrival who we welcomed when their mom and sibling were taken by a predator. This tiny duo are 3-4 weeks young and are in the loving care of foster parents Angie and Aaron (Twisted Whiskers Foster Care), where they are receiving oodles of TLC.
Welcome to the newest of beginnings❤️
Well, it’s been a day. No dust collecting on the shoes of rescuers🫤
Two tiny kittens joined us from Kawartha Lakes earlier after their momma and a sibling were scooped by a predator 😢.
Our deepest gratitude to the property owners for intervening to save the pair, Kelsey for providing immediate wheels for transportation and a huge thank you to Angie and family for welcoming two littles in need of a loving foster home.
Sometime this evening (when things slow down 🙏), we will be hosting another THIRTY SOMETHING THURSDAY auction to raise much needed funds for our medical care cats and kittens. Deserving faces like Numee, Smooch and the handsome fella in the video below.
“Peanut” (formerly big daddy) joined us last week from Uxbridge. He has fathered many a litter but sadly, until last week, he would not go into a trap. As his feeder, I’ve watched his decline 😢
Peanut has many battle scars and wounds, symbols of a long fought journey to survive. His paws are incredibly tender with many claws missing entirely. Fortunately for Peanut, he has had previous human contact (albeit only as his feeder) and, as you can see in the video, this worn out fella is accepting of human kindness.
A huge thank you to foster mom Sandy for accepting Peanut into your foster family and offering him a new beginning ❤️
One new addition joined our family this morning😻
This little one joins us from Uxbridge, where two of four kittens have now been brought safely indoors. Trapping continues until everyone, including momma, is secured.
This evening this wee was transferred into the loving care of foster mom Carole and family, where she (or he!) has now been reunited with her brother.
Welcome to new beginnings sweetie ❤️
One new addition joined our family earlier today.
This tiny tyke and his trio of siblings, along with momma, were spotted in a barn outside of Uxbridge. When the property owners put down traps, this fella was the 1st to venture in the trap for some tasty food.
Although scared, now in the care of foster mom Carole and family, it won’t be long before his fear is replaced with purrs. Trapping will continue until the entire family is secured.
Welcome to indoor living sweetheart, where the beds are cozy and tiny tummies are always full❤️
We are feeling very grateful for the kindness of our community😻
A huge thank you to the The Kibble Project for their generous donation of more than 300 pounds of wet and dry food which was distributed this weekend to one of our largest colonies in Kawartha Lakes. Many cats (all TNR’d of course) will continue to have full bellies thanks to this incredibly generous donation.
As well, a very special thank you to Jill Abramowitz for coming to visit Smooch this weekend, bearing gifts of his favourite food. Although Smooch cannot “see” us, he certainly feels the love and care that surrounds him.
Speaking of Smooch, here he is, enjoying his supper😻
UPDATE ON SMOOCH 😚
Smooch is the “former feral”, community cat who was found disoriented at the side of the road outside of Uxbridge. Today marks day 4 of his treatment and we wanted to share an update 💊
Unfortunately, there is no change in Smooch’s eyesight. He is still totally unresponsive to movement or light. He also remains very disoriented, often pacing the room. He is however aware of my presence and readily comes to me when called, following the sound of my voice (and his sniffer!)
There is however some positive news ✅ . Smooch is faithfully eating every 4 hours. Although he’s not “eating or drinking from a bowl”, he readily accepts food from a syringe (Weruva kitten is his favourite). He also loves companionship, resting his head on my lap while taking a cat nap. And although he can’t “see me”, when I speak to him, he gazes at my face, responding to the sound of my voice.
Dr Ben from Uxbridge Veterinary Hospital has been absolutely amazing, as we work together to help heal this precious fella.
Thank you to everyone who has kept Smooch in their thoughts and prayers. So many people have reached out from “around the world”, sharing words of encouragement and support. Smooch feels the love ❤️
This handsome fella is Smooch and he needs lots of positive vibes.
Smooch is a community cat that joined us almost 3 years ago. A feral cat with no safe place to return to, I fostered Smooch for several months, desperately trying to earn his trust. Sadly, I was unsuccessful and when a lovely lady reached out for a barn cat, Smooch left my care.
Smooch has lived as a community cat in Goodwood, fed and cared for. Sadly, last Sunday he left his home and never returned. On Thursday I received a call that Smooch was found sitting on the shoulder of the road, disoriented. Suspecting neurological injury, Smooch was immediately taken to see Dr Ben at Uxbridge Veterinary Hospital where he was examined and treated for a raging fever. Smooch returned home with me that evening and has been receiving around the clock care.
Last evening I noticed that Smooch was becoming more disoriented and it appeared he was losing his vision😢. This morning we returned to see Dr Ben who confirmed Smooch was indeed unresponsive to light and movement and, based on all of the symptoms including difficulty with mobility, it is highly suspected Smooch has toxoplasmosis. A new treatment plan has begun.
Please keep Smooch in your thoughts. As you can see, this once feral fella is now gentle as a lamb. He sits by the door, awaiting my arrival, looking for comfort, companionship and gentle pats. Come on sweetheart 🙏
Remember this duo? They arrived the 1st of July after being spotted earlier that day in a forested area on the side of a rural road outside of Port Perry. Many kind people worked for hours securing them, ensuring they were brought to safety. Wet, dehydrated, scared and hungry, they joined the BCC family just after midnight. Renee welcomed them into her foster family and earlier today, she shared the great news that both kittens continue to thrive (and GROW!). Renee is also the foster mom of “Princess Vanellope von schweetz” and the tiny duo absolutely adore “their big sister”. Renee’s children also play an active role in the fostering and despite being scared, both kittens sweet and trusting. We are blessed to be able to celebrate so many new beginnings ❤️
For those who have followed our page for a while, you may remember the Uxbridge foxes from last summer. Sadly they had mange😢. Two were frequent visitors at my home and despite multiple attempts to trap them (they were far to sly for my trapping skills), multiple residents trying to secure them and a helping paw from Gary Edwards, who on foot “chased” one, blanket flying in hand, trying to wrangle up the sickest, we were never able to get them help. I was however able to get two doses of meds into two of them (via hotdogs).
Throughout the winter I thought of them often, wondering if any had survived 🥲
Recently, while sitting on my deck late at night I heard a rustle. Thinking it was one of my community cats coming for a meal, I quietly peered over my deck, only to find a trio of little “canine” faces looking back at me. It felt like time stood still as we all froze in place, silently gazing at each other, until they “booked it”. But the 3rd, the brave fellow in the video stopped at the end of my driveway for a chat.
They’ve returned several nights now, curiously observing me while I sit silently watching them, enchanted by these majestic little beings. And somehow, I can’t help but hope, that perhaps that sickly momma that visited last year, indeed survived and has returned with this years pups❤️
