Sunday 23 September 2018

Remember Me Thursday: Shine The Light for Rescue Pets



I am a rescue kitty and I'm so happy and proud! If you have read my rescue story you will know all about my rescue. If not, why don't you get yourself a copy of my book, A Forever Home For Athena? I promise that all proceeds will now be going to three of our favourite animal charities. Not just a percentage, as stated in the book details, but one hundred per cent!

It was a joint decision by Mum and me to donate all proceeds as unfortunately, it isn't selling as well as we'd hoped. It's been available for a few years now. But as I'm not a famous cat maybe no one wants to hear/read my story. I don't understand why, as I'm a beautiful, elegant and enigmatic goddess cat - and not forgetting the very wise and graceful! Mum says I'm funny too ๐Ÿ˜ธ And just as many cats do, I have helped my human mum with her struggles.

So, here's is a little bit of my rescue story.

I was abandoned in someone's garden in North London. A kind person found me and I was taken to Wood Green, the Animals Charity in London. At the same time my now Mum Marie was grieving for her dear dad whom she lost 9 months previously. Mum was a lost soul in many ways and so terribly depressed with how her life was going. Her anxiety levels had hit an all-time high. She was feeling so sad and longed for a little light in her life. That light was me. I was also lost and abandoned. I was sad too. I longed for love and happiness.

In this sorry state, I wondered what was going to happen to me without a mum to take care of me. I am grateful to the staff and volunteers at Wood Green as they looked after me extremely well.  In July, on the 19th, the woman destined to be my human mother walked into the shelter. She came to me first (I was in the first pen, along with my sister Lily). I made sure Mum saw me and wouldn't miss what a beauty I was. I wanted her right away! I must have been doing something right (I was trying to climb the mesh door to get to the top as I wanted out of there!) We touched finger to paw. It was awesome! Such an electrifying sensation of love. Mum was asking the man that took care of us some questions. She couldn't afford to take both Lily and me. She regretted it terribly and she still does. Though I miss Lily I kind of like being an only cat! But I hope she is happy and safe too. On the 21st of July Mum came back to collect me and I was so happy because she fed me more than what I was fed at the shelter and she let me sit on her lap. She stroked me and loved me and I purred with delight. The best part was at night when I fell asleep on the pillow next to her. Mum was very happy too. She felt loved.

By rescuing each other, this has started us both on this journey to blog and write in order to help other homeless animals. We do the best we can to shine the light on animal charities and pets awaiting adoption. Not only via this blog and my book, but also on social media. Mum has a Pinterest board devoted to Pet Rescue. And via our Twitter accounts @mariesymeou and @athenawisekitty we share and retweet other rescues using mostly the hashtag #adoptdontshop.

We want to shine the light on the great work that all charities do. As Brits, we start with animal charities in our own country. But we care about animals all over the world. As Mum is of Greek descent (parents from Cyprus) she feels drawn to helping the cats of Greece and Cyprus, because she knows how bad it is for most of them out there. She isn't proud of her heritage when she sees how animals are treated there, I can tell you! We are not saying everyone is bad as it's obvious now on social media there are so many kind-hearted souls carrying out some major important work and really care about animals that need our help. We admire those people!

Here in England, Mum is a member of Cats Protection. We have so far donated food via their Amazon wish list with the money we've made from the book. Not much as we have said, but we're sure they appreciate it. We've also donated food and cat toys to the Wood Green Amazon wish list. And another great charity we support is The Greek Cat Welfare Society, which is excellent and based in the UK but helping the homeless cats of Greece. These three charities will benefit from the donations of my book.

So let's all join together today, and every day, to help save these precious lives. Without us speaking up for these poor souls, they will have no voice. Without us sharing and caring, they will be forgotten. And that is so wrong.

๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’œ




BLOG HOP We're also joining the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop hosted by our great furiends at The Cat on my Head.

23 comments:

Three Chatty Cats said...

Athena, thank you so much for sharing your rescue story. You and your mom are just perfect together and I’m so happy she rescued you. It’s wonderful that you both support pet charities and that you also donate the proceeds from your book. Thank you for joining the Remember Me Thursday blog hop and for helping to shine a light on orphan pets!

Squeedunk Cats and Z-Girl said...

Well, Athena, WE think your rescue story is important and special. And we applaud you and your mum for all you do to raise awareness. There are 7 of us in the warehouse apartment, each of us rescued from the streets (and in one case--pulled right before being put down at the shelter). Z-girl is part of a non profit rescue group that she helped form in Jersey City, NJ--right outside of New York City. There are so many homeless cats here, and we work hard too to promote adopt don't shop. We will be sure to follow you on IG, and will also have PAD PAWS follow you too. Keep up the conversation! Purrs from Z-girl and Coco, Valentina, Manhattan, Bessie, Lulu, Mimi and Picasso from Squeedunk Cats

pilch92 said...

You and your mum do so much to promote adoptions. I am so glad you found a wonderful home, I wish all were so lucky. XO

Linda said...

A beautiful story and a beautiful selfie, Athena. The seven beautiful kitties we have in our home and lives were all taken off the street as kittens or young cats. We all wish all kitties could find their loving furever home.

meowmeowmans said...

Athena, we have read your rescue story, and we think it AND YOU are awesome! Thank you for being such an advocate for shelter cats and adoptions. Love and hugs!

Summer said...

Every cat's rescue story is unique and special. Thanks for sharing yours with us, Athena.

Erin the Cat Princess said...

So many lost souls and lost cats, both in need of bring together. Your life story mirrors in so many ways those of so many of us, and so there is an undoubtable link between cats and their adopted humans that goes beyond just a home together.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful life...
ERin

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

We hope it helps all those orphan pets :)

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

It breaks our hearts to know some animals never make it out of the shelter alive :(

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Life just isn't fair, is it? We feel so bad for the unlucky ones :(

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Thank you for rescuing your kitties :)

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Thank you. And well done for taking care of rescues!

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

That's very true :)

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

It's wonderful when the lost humans and cats find each other. True soulmates!

Eastside Cats said...

I just ordered both books! Rescued is my favorite breed, and taking care of ferals is really an exercise in love. Cats Rock!

Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty said...

Thank you so much. Really appreciate it :)

Sherri-Ellen T-D. said...

Meow meow Athena what a sweet an sad an happy storey. Sorta like Lady Meowy an mee-self.
Mee bin at thee Sheltur fur 2 yearss an adopted twice inn that time an brott back bee-cause mee not like other catss. Sheltur people were nice butt they did nto spenc much time with mee an mee lived inn a room alone. When Lady Meowy showed ups mee did not even care. And fur thee first week mee was aloof an ree-served. Mee not sure what to think.
Iss now 19 dayss beein here an mee iss REELLY enjoyin beein here!!! Lady Meowy told mee unless shee dyes mee never goin back to Sheltur.
Wee are both so blessed an lucky Athena! An wee rescued 2 lovelee Ladiess who dee-serve to bee loved too!
**purrs** BellaDharma

Tanza Erlambang - Every Day Issues said...

wow...great job...amazing
Happy Tuesday

Lola The Rescued Cat said...

Athena, we're SO happy you and your mum found each other! You are an amazing pair, that's for sure. Thank you for all you do to spread the word about adoption. Thanks for hopping with us, we appreciate your support.

Peachy, Stippie, Angel Binky and Granny said...

We love how you and your mom saved each other, sweet Athena. Glad you found such a good home๐Ÿ’—Pawkisses for a Happy Thursday :) <3

M. K. Clinton said...

Animals have a way of finding the person they are supposed to rescue. My sweet cat ran up to me when I visited the Humane Society. She was not going to let me go without her and was my best friend for 20 years. ♥

Feline Opines, the World from a Feline Point of View said...

Great story Athena!
The Tribe of Five are all rescue kitties and we wish every feline would find a furever home!
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Alberto & The Tribe of five

Deziz World said...

Oh Athena, we're sure your book is amazing;y pawsum. We can't afford to buy such or we would read it. We luv you and your mommy and are so happy you found each other and that we're furiends. You are gawjus and funny and all the things your mommy says 'bout you. Never doubt how wonderful you are. Big hugs

Luv ya'

Dezi and Raena