Kristin

A few weeks ago, Kristin, one of our super volunteers (she fosters, fundraises, attends adoption events, and cleans at PetSmart–yes, she does just about everything) emailed me and asked if I could send her some very specific photos. She wanted pictures of me, Christina, Bobbie, and Carol, as well as of some of our rescued kitties. It was a bit hard finding photos of me, since I am usually the one behind the camera, but I finally found one where I was donning a Santa hat at our Santa photo event. Because it was so difficult to find pictures of me and the other Team Bando members, Kristin decided it would be her mission in the coming year to take lots of photos at our events.

I was wondering just what Kristin was up to requesting those photos.

This past Thursday, I found out.

Carol and I were doing our usual cleaning session at PetSmart and Kristin had left a box for us in our cupboard in the cat room. Opening the box, we found three wrapped packages for me, Bobbie, and Carol. Inside was a gorgeous book called, “Black and Orange Cat Foundation–Rescued!” that Kristin had personally made for each of us. The book was dedicated to us and Christina “with love and dedication” from Kristin and it features many, many of the cats we have helped over the years.

Kristin not only immortalized the B and O kitties, but also many of our friends in rescue, including Brian, Dr. Kim West, and Santa Chuck. The photos at the very bottom of this posting show Dr. West looking at her and Fruit Bat’s pages in the book for the first time.

Kristin also dedicated a page to Carol and Chuck and the kitties they lost in the house fire last August. Of course, that made Carol cry. But this was a very sweet housewarming present for the Gauls who are finally back home. They moved into their newly built home, which stands where the old house was, on Friday, April 15–nearly 8 and 1/2 months after the fire.

I have to thank Kristin, not only for what she does for Black and Orange on a daily basis, but also for this really thoughtful and lovely gift. A lot of time, effort, and love went into this and we are so glad to have her working for Team Bando.

 

Bissell is currently hosting a “Most Valuable Pet Photo Contest.” They are in the fifth week of the contest and for this week, our super photographer volunteer, Kristin, submitted a photo of her dog, Bonsai. If we can get enough people to vote for Bonsai’s photo, it will move on to the next round of voting. If Bonsai’s photo wins the contest, there is a grand prize of $10,000 that Kristin has designated for Black and Orange. There are also runner up prizes of $5,000 and $1,000–all of which B and O could use to help with our spay and neuter efforts.

To Vote for Bonsai’s photo, go HERE.

You must vote every day for the next week. The voting period goes from Wednesday, February 2 to Tuesday, February 8. A new voting period begins each Wednesday. The top pets each week move on to the finalist round for the chance at the $10,000 Grand Prize.

Please help Bonsai’s photo move into the finalist round so Black and Orange can also win!

VOTE!

Yes, I think this will work nicely. It reads well. Could you fetch my eye glasses, please?

Yes, I think this will work nicely. It reads well. Could you fetch my eye glasses, please?

Kristin has been getting a mailer ready to send out telling about Naomi’s dental surgeries for people who may not receive our emailed newsletters. While she was stuffing envelopes, she had a bit of help from Koko. Unfortunately, Koko turned out to be a real slacker and had to be fired from the job. It’s hard on the paws, he complained.

By my left whisker, I do believe my mom did a great job with this.

By my left whisker, I do believe my mom did a great job with this. I give it my stamp of approval. One paw up!

Eventually, the job just became too much for him and poor Koko took a break inside the envelope box, which, by the way, makes a very nice bed.

This is my envelope box. Don't even think about taking it away from me.

This is my envelope box. Don't even think about taking it away from me.

We want to thank Kristin and Koko for all their hard work to help raise money for Naomi’s surgeries. Koko has also agreed to act as “enforcer” and “hit cat” if anyone fails to make good on their pledge of support. You may wind up in an envelope box, too, if you make Koko mad (and we doubt you will fit in it as well as Koko does).

Suki says, "Vote for me and help Black and Orange. My favorite group!"

Suki says, "Vote for me and help Black and Orange. My favorite group!"

One of our super volunteers, Kristin Ramsdell, submitted this photo for the Online Spay Day 2010 photo contest. Kristin does so much for Black and Orange from cleaning cages at PetSmart to fostering our kitties and manning our table at adoption events. Kristin is also the person who took it upon herself to save Lydia when she was lost outside for three weeks.

Beyond her rescue endeavors, Kristin is also a wonderful photographer. When I take pictures of the foster cats for Petfinder, they are usually running to try to get away from me or I’ve caught them, unsuspecting, doing something cute. Kristin’s photos of the fosters she and Christina care for are works of art. Take a look at the pictures of Stewie, Maggie, and Lydia on Petfinder and I am sure you’ll see what I mean. The cats are looking at her with soulful expressions or contemplating views from the cat tree. They always look peaceful and profound.

So vote for Suki and help spread the word about our volunteer photographer’s talents!

To Vote for Suki: Suki Must Win

Thank you, Kristin, for another gorgeous photo to help Black and Orange’s kitties!

Kristin, Lydia's savior

Kristin, Lydia's savior

Kristin, one of our volunteers and cat rescuer extraordinaire, took it upon herself to go looking for Miss Lydia this evening. She was planning to hang up posters to help locate Lydia, but instead found her.

She didn’t have to look far. Lydia was next door to the building she had escaped from. Using tuna as bait and an empty cat carrier, Kristin was able to catch Lydia, who was so frightened after being outside for three weeks that she was unsure about befriending any stranger.

Lydia is now safely inside–a bit thinner, a bit dirtier, and starving (she ate as much food as Kristin would let her have), but alive and back in our care.

And once again, I am crying, but for good reasons.

I figured I would need some help to find Lydia and I just want to thank Kristin for going above and beyond to rescue our little girl. As one of our other volunteers told me, she had faith that we would rescue Lydia for a second time.  And thanks to Kristin, we did.

Lydia is safe!

Lydia is safe!

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