With great sadness and tears, I share with you the update on the six kittens from Midora's litter.

Again while I was walking my dog, I heard an excruciating wailing sound that definitely was an indication of an animal. In following the noise, I discovered one of Midora's kittens had strayed from the nest and had an injured hind leg. Apparently little Gretel had gotten caught on some machinery or belt-type equipment (according to the vet which was no surprise because her "home" or nest was a mini tractor). Her flesh and fur were ripped from the bone. But her pain came from falling down on her fractured leg everytime she tried to climb a cement wall to reach her mother. I was able to get to her and she is now healing nicely in my home and is in incredible spirits despite the gruesome sight of her leg. She hops around with her other supporting hind leg to move around.

Two other kittens, her brother and sister were also rescued. However, two more kittens still remained outside and the sixth one is missing. Yesterday one was killed by speeding vehicle. The anguish is almost unbearable. "Could I have done more?" It's so exhausting. Just today on my lunch hour I drove out to the site and searched in the drizzling rain, my four inch spiked heels and white silk pants. After squatting beside every vehicle and peering underneath (losing weight prevented me from ripping my pants) there was no sign of the last kitten. The mission continues...

So that leaves one lone kitten outside. It is very hard to capture kittens, unlike the older cats.

PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING TO CAPTURE THE OLDER CATS FOR SPAYING AND NEUTERING TO STOP THIS VICIOUS CYCLE! You can help by sponsoring a cat or helping to capture them. Thanks to the Cat Network, we'll teach you how.

Contact me, Christine at 305-218-9952

Little Gretel resting on scratching post/ball roller. Her injured hind leg is the one showing in the photo above. She has voracious appetite and is more chunky than her slender brother below. She is sweet and in great spirits.

Hansel & Gretel

Both are deflead, dewormed and will be tested and receive first round of immunization shots on Wednesday, September 9th. Please consider adopting this brother and sister pair.

Adoption fee: $80 for both (normally $65 each)

Contact Christine at 305-218-9952.

Even if you're not an avid book reader, this book is a must read for all generations. It's an incredible true story of how one person can make a difference.

Greg Mortenson was a rock climber who failed in his attempt to scale K2--one of many treacherous, rugged mountains in the Pakistan Himalayans. Emaciated, exhausted and wandering aimlessly upon his descent, Greg went astray from the path leading to the base camp. Villagers welcomed this dazed foreigner and nursed him back to health. Greg promised to return and build a school for the children, especially girls who had no education. Unlike countless other climbers from across the globe that promised to help these poor villagers, Greg's words did not linger and hang forever on the jagged cliffs. He returned and accomplished what no other president, world leader, diplomat, or army could do. By delivering what Pakistan could not, Greg Mortenson's mission to build schools was an unknown, simultaneous weapon to fight extreme terrorists. He built schools alongside the breeding ground of the Taliban and the madrassas.

Greg Mortenson didn't set out to be a hero, he didn't even set out to 'make a difference' - he just set out to fulfill a promise that would have been so easy to forget.

The book is action packed with detailed descriptions of the breathtaking mountains, where few have reached the pinnacle and some even awaited death at the apex; the impoverished villages and equally rich-at-heart village people; the unlikely friendships and edge-of-your seat encounters. Not only did Greg Mortenson became a hero in a region where Americans are normally hated and where hostilities and death threats are sure-fire executions, the circle of supporters would have sacrificed their lives for Greg to help improve the lives of their families and entire village. Education is the only key not only for survival but to get ahead in life. The villages knew this simple concept. It was an American from Montana, that made it possible.

After reading this book, Greg Mortenson will become your hero, as he now is mine, next to Mother Teresa (Greg also has an "encounter" with this larger-than-life figure). I can't wait for a book-turned-movie version!

It's no wonder this book has ranked in NY Times best-seller's list for over 100 weeks.