Crossing of Another King

July 28, 2013 - Almost a year and half has gone by as initial plans for the Starkitty Project including blog upkeep were completely derailed. The year 2012 - 2013 was by far the worst, with storm Sandy adding to the difficulty by stranding us with no electricity, no heat, no way to exit the homestead and loss of employment for 12 days. The number of Starkittys onboard at the time was fourteen. Several other personal and economic events took place which nearly devastated the project, but sheer tenacity and a stubborn refusal to give up, finally paid off. With a little bit of luck and continued hard work this year, I may be able to redirect the Starkitty Project and move it forward again after stalling for almost three full years. But this weekend brought about yet another very painful aspect of the work that any animal lover knows of; and that is to have to endure the sudden loss of a dearly beloved friend. Thunder was the second most important feline friend I was forced to put down, due to an emergency situation. I find it ironic that the romantic idea of having a loved one die in your arms does not always pan out and it seems to be that it is only the most precious ones that call you to have to do something against your greater instincts. I will not put an animal down if I can help it. But in Thunders case there was no choice. Rather than speak of the circumstances that arose from a suddenly fatal intestinal problem, I'd like to mention just who Thunder was to the Starkitty Project. He arrived in the year 2003 in the dead of a snowy/icy winter and from out of nowhere, raced up to the porch and knocked a can of cat food right out of my hand. Starving and emaciated as he was, with a huge brood of rescues on my hands at the time, I could only house this brazen and little, skinny kitty on my back porch. He stayed there until spring where I then asked him if he could help me to socialize a feral kitten who'd gotten herself pregnant and who had birthed in my garage. I put him in the garage with her and they instantly fell in love. Thunder raised Thumbelina's babies, gently watching over them as they grew. But that year the heat wave brought distemper into the yard via traveling strays and one of the kittens succumbed. Then a second and third and before I knew it - one of my inside kitties, Newt, became so ill he needed to be hospitalized for four days. One kitten named Teddy died. Thunder seemed impervious to the disease. I was able to contain it and save all the other kitties who contracted it but it was a very difficult summer. Thunder eventually made his way into the Starkitty house along with Thumbelina and her three babies. In time, Thunder became the 'big daddy' of the house and his domain was to manage the upstairs crew - which consisted of Thumbelina, her children Sahara, Sufi, Sabrina, along with Scooter, Mr. Mush, Pandora and Palomino.  Over time, he fathered over additional babies that came to the house to be rescued and raised. When we channeled initially with Thunder, he stated he was not from this galaxy but that he was visiting Earth and this was what he considered a vacation, from the duties and responsibilities he'd had on the planet where he normally resided. His dream here ironically, was to raise a family. Thunder got more than he bargained for and ended up managing several families. His patriarchal presence was that of an extremely gentle giant. My king, Pal and him were like brothers and when Pal passed away in 2006, Thunder picked up the responsibilities of the Starkitty family without missing a beat. He was the father of the family, carrying on Pal's legacy. It was through a rain of tears and with a very heavy heart that I released Thunder back to the ethers on Saturday eve, July 27th, under the steady hand of Dr. Ellen. Today I was in Wal-Mart purchasing food and sand for the crew and suddenly Thunder whooshed right through my heart. And I knew he was signaling that he was fine and fully awake on the other side. In another week or so, after final burial, I will channel with him and I have also requested that he stay on in the ethers, close by to assist Pal and Sweet Pea who have continued to this day to watch over and protect the Starkitty Project. There will be a section on Thunder's story in the Starkitty book. Just look into those eyes. Anyone can sense the strength and power of this unusual being from another galaxy. And despite the enormous gift he was to the Starkitty Project while here in feline form, I feel that my real work with him is only just beginning

On another interesting note - the trip to Dr. Ellen's did bring me a moment or two of joy for a year and half later, I was pleased to find that Elvis (see below) is still alive and very much the beloved mascot of Dr. Ellen's practice. Elvis now watches over not only the animals healing at the vet center, but he has also acquired a new friend named Angel, who happens to be a crippled chicken!