One of our supporters, Steffanie G., had seen an appeal from an animal rescue group in Beirut, Lebanon. The group, called Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or BETA, was planning to fly a dozen or so cats to the U.S. for placement in mid-October, and they were looking for homes for them. (Best Friends in Utah had helped BETA bring 300 dogs and cats to the U.S. last year.) One of the cats was blind, and Steffanie wanted to know if we'd be able to take it. His name was Popeye.
Now, we're of the view that there are enough disabled animals right here in North America that desperately need help. Every week we have to turn down anywhere from four to ten animals -- and sometimes, in a really bad week, far more -- because we're at our "manageable" limit of 80 disabled animals. But Beirut was one of the (many) places overseas I spent my childhood, and I was impressed with the effort BETA was making to find homes for its animals ... so we agreed to take Popeye.
Two weeks ago, a BETA member named Maggie flew to Boston with the cats in tow. A wonderful lady in Providence, Rhode Island, Sue T., had arranged to give Maggie and feline crew a place to stay on arrival. Sue held on to Popeye for us until we could fly him out to Montana on October 16. Then the day before his flight out West, he became sick with an upper respiratory infection, and Sue rushed him to her vet. With some medications and a lot of loving care from Sue, Popeye became much better quickly, and we rescheduled his trip for the following week. On Tuesday the 23rd, Sue drove Popeye to the Providence airport to catch his flight, only to discover that the outbound flight had been canceled. So then I made new reservations for this Saturday. (Third time's a charm.)
Yesterday morning Sue headed to the airport again with Popeye, and this time everything worked just fine. Popeye flew from Providence to Atlanta and then to Salt Lake, and finally to Missoula on the last Delta flight of the night. I picked him up at the Missoula airport about 11:30 p.m. Popeye thought it was insanely cold when I carried him out of the terminal to the truck -- yet it was a balmy 33 degrees. I said, "Middle Eastern boy, this is nothing, just wait!" When we arrived back at the ranch around 1 a.m., it was 17 degrees.
In anticipation of Popeye's arrival, we moved Tibby and Fibby out of the isolation cottage and into the cat house yesterday. We spread blankets on the floor, and the two youngsters are doing well ... everyone's getting along splendidly. The wobbly brothers, Smokey and Charlie, also moved out yesterday, and are now happily dancing and prancing with the rest of the gang who stay at our house with Alayne and me.
Thus Popeye spent his first day at the ranch in the bright and sunny iso cottage. He's not yet sure where he is and what's happened, but he was quite comfortable in my arms when we took the photo above. He has keratitis, which is an inflammation of the cornea. His eyes are an odd blue/gray, which you should be able to see in the photo. I'm concerned he may have something else going on in addition to the keratitis, because his eyes look larger than normal. So he will get a complete ophthalmology work-up by our vet, Dr. Brenda Culver, at Montana Veterinary Specialists in Helena.
Thanks to several kind and compassionate people -- Steffanie, Sue, and the BETA folks -- Popeye is ready to start his new life in Montana!
(Click on photo for larger image.)
What a handsome couple!!! Best wishes Popeye - you're in the very best place of all.
Posted by: angela langdon | October 30, 2007 at 09:47 AM
popeye looks a lot like my cat apollo - except for the eyes. the blue color is magnificent!!! (pollo does have a chronic tendency towards eye infections though...and he is always full of mischief!)
welcome popeye! what a long journey the little guy made!
Posted by: m | October 29, 2007 at 11:16 PM
Together we really do achieve more! God Bless RDR, BETA and all the rescues around the WORLD!!!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | October 29, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Popeye is one handsome boy! He has come a long way but he is going to be loved and cared for at the best place in the USA! Welcome precious kitty!
Posted by: Nina | October 29, 2007 at 09:17 PM
I guess sometimes that you never stop to think that there are other people around the world helping animals like the group in Beirut. Thanks for taking Popeye in. And thanks to them if they read this post.
Posted by: Clay Hickman | October 29, 2007 at 06:45 PM
From Lebanon to Montana!!! What an extraordinary fate... I'm so glad Popeye is safe and in caring, loving hands now.
God bless you all.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | October 29, 2007 at 01:23 PM
It's wonderful that you were able to get Popeye. You know it really shouldn't matter where these animals come from it's how we are able to help them. I remember hearing a quote by G.K. Chesterton," We are all in the same boat,in a stormy sea,and we owe each other a terrible loyalty."
Posted by: DT | October 29, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Welcome Popeye!
What a sweet looking kitty!
After his long travels and all the changes he's had; he really looks at ease with you, Steve.
If he does have another eye issue, I hope it can be cleared up. He deserves to settle in and enjoy the good ranch life!
Posted by: Boundforglory | October 29, 2007 at 09:48 AM
Popeye is so beautiful, ahem, excuse me--so handsome! It must be heartbreaking to know your physical limits and to stick to them in regards to having to turn away so many other animals. Many thanks to BETA, Best Friends, RDR and all of the other caring organizations for the selfless work you do!
Posted by: Amy | October 29, 2007 at 03:11 AM