{"id":2867,"date":"2015-01-14T20:15:33","date_gmt":"2015-01-14T20:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/when-pets-aren-t-heirs-can-you-adopt-an-orphan-2\/"},"modified":"2015-01-14T20:15:33","modified_gmt":"2015-01-14T20:15:33","slug":"when-pets-aren-t-heirs-can-you-adopt-an-orphan-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/when-pets-aren-t-heirs-can-you-adopt-an-orphan-2","title":{"rendered":"Written out of the Will: Can You Adopt an Orphan?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"deadpeople\"There\u2019s a recently published book that I without doubt won\u2019t read\u2014it\u2019s called The Top Ten Things That Dead People Want to Tell You, <\/i>by Mike Dooley. I ran into it while trawling for quotes on Goodreads<\/a>. The only reference to pets that I came across was something to the effect that they\u2019re just as awesome on the other side as they are on this one. I\u2019m not sure how the author knows any of this, but let me tell you\u2014if I had written this book, I would have inserted \u201cMake damn sure that if you\u2019re going to drop dead\u2014and you will\u2014that any pets you\u2019re taking care of are provided for, and I don\u2019t mean by taking the ultimate journey with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even in Long Beach, which has the biggest concentration of animal nuts per square mile of any city or town (or so it seems in regard to the company I hang with), there\u2019s no guarantee that any cat or dog who\u2019s probably been the most loyal friend you\u2019ll ever have, with the exception of another cat or dog, won\u2019t wind up in the street or shelter, almost guaranteeing that you may meet up with them sooner than you think. If they\u2019ll speak to you.<\/p>\n

But you, of course, care enough to make a will or arrangements for your pets after you take the last train home; otherwise, you wouldn\u2019t be reading a pet column. And if you haven\u2019t yet but have every intention of so doing, make sure that whoever\u2019s going to take care of your pets is 100 percent onboard with it. A trust lawyer can help you with this.<\/p>\n

The pets featured below in Virtually Pets <\/strong>are luckier than most\u2014they were fortunate enough to have encountered a handful of the aforementioned nuts. Want to claim one of these furry buddies as your own?<\/p>\n

Even when there\u2019s no will, there\u2019s bound to be a way.<\/p>\n

Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
<\/i>~ Mark Twain<\/i><\/p>\n

Virtually Pets<\/h3>\n

All of these cats were left to fend for themselves after the person who was caring for them passed away. The heir to the house has been extremely supportive in efforts to help, but he\u2019ll be fixing up the house to sell. He doesn\u2019t want to include the cats in the deal, and they\u2019ll soon have nowhere to live. A neighbor, Sandra, responded to a plea for rescue on Facebook and reached out to a number of animal advocates and rescues (thank you, Patty of Fix Long Beach<\/a>, the Crazy Cat Lady<\/a>, Zoey\u2019s Place Rescue<\/a>, and Stray Cat Alliance<\/a> rescue group). Sandra and the team are getting all the cats vetted and fixed; Sandra in true pet-hero form is feeding and caring for the neighbor cats daily.<\/p>\n

This is still a work in progress, but you may want to claim your kitty now. Ages are approximate; personalities are accurate. Contact ANIMALLOVER7178@Gmail.com<\/a> for information. Click on the links by each organization\u2019s name to donate funds.<\/p>\n

\"Blackie2\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blackie<\/strong> is anywhere from 12 to 14 years old and is FELV- and FIV-negative. He has beautiful yellow eyes and has only one fang, but he\u2019s a heck of a good eater. He is a senior sweetheart who likes to rub on your legs and jump on the counter when it’s feeding time. He loves to be scratched and petted. He needs some serious lovin\u2019 in a nice, mellow home to live out the rest of his years. I am working on getting a better photo.<\/p>\n

\"Cali\"<\/p>\n

This is Cali,<\/strong> short for calico.<\/em> She is super-soft and fluffy, with amazing markings. She is a little shy and just needs a warm, loving home to bring out her fun side.<\/p>\n

\"Hope\"<\/p>\n

This is Hope<\/strong>, a fine name for this situation. He Has good energy and will follow you around. He loves to be petted. Can you give him a warm, loving home?<\/p>\n

\"Rayne<\/p>\n

This is Rayne<\/strong>. He has a soft tabby coat. He’s very inquisitive and follows you around. He even talks to you in his own language. He loves to be petted.<\/p>\n

\"Skye<\/p>\n

And this is Skye<\/strong>\u2014or is it Rayne? It\u2019s Skye, Rayne\u2019s twin brother. He\u2019s equally beautiful and affectionate.<\/p>\n

\"Chance\"<\/p>\n

This is Chance<\/strong>, another fine descriptive name! He has beautiful orange-and-white fur. He loves to be scratched on his head. Can you give him a warm, loving home inside where it\u2019s all cuddles?<\/p>\n

\"Sunny\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunny<\/strong> was named for his disposition and not his coloring\u2014he has wonderful distinctive markings. He loves to be petted.<\/p>\n

\"Frankie\"<\/p>\n

Finally, there\u2019s Mama Frankie<\/strong>, who is now Mama <\/i>in name only. Her kids are grown and off to college, and she\u2019s ready to be a lap cat. Pick her up!<\/p>\n

Permanent Foster Urgently Needed<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cleo--swell<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coco<\/strong>, about 13, and Ladybug<\/strong>, about 12, are two sweet girls who need a permanent foster in the L.A. area. There will be no cost to the foster family; all expenses, including medical, will be paid for by Tails of the City Animal Rescue<\/a> for the rest of their lives. Coco and Ladybug were two of the Mojave 7, a group of cats and dogs left behind when the caretaker died suddenly before Christmas and they were rescued from the outdoors and freezing temps of the Mojave. They have been living together their entire lives and are looking for a loving, indoor-only home with no other animals to lounge around in and enjoy the rest of their years. No large yard is needed, as they are more interested in cuddling than running around. Please click on the link to donate.<\/p>\n

Send requests for larger pictures and video to our Long Beach contact: cleo.demarco@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/h3>\n

Friends of Long Beach Animals Humane Education Program, Free, Ongoing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friends of Long Beach Animals<\/a> (FOLBA) stands by its word when it says it actively supports teaching children kindness to and respect for animals. FOLBA has provided several copies of humane books to all of the libraries in the Long Beach Unified School District, all the Public Libraries in Long Beach and Signal Hill, as well as to Raising-a-Reader and to Mary Bethune Transitional Center (assisting homeless children who need reading improvement so they can attend regular LBUSD classes). This interactive humane education program is free to all schools in the Long Beach Unified School District, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Long Beach Parks and Libraries and Community Groups. Basic elements of the program are as follows:<\/p>\n