Florida? Texas? Some catty remarks

Bookends to the Gulf of Mexico: Florida and Texas

In public, just an occasional nod and not standing too close.

Not about to admit common sand.

Goes against the grains.

Nope, too deep to noodle those waters.

Still, wave that and splash around in this.

Florida and Texas: 

Both states started with Spanish explorers’ mysterious ventures:

Where was the search for the Fountain of Youth?

Florida

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon.

Where was did they search for Cibola, the 7 Cities of Gold?

Texas.

Spanish conquistador and explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

And what was the result in both states?

Nada – so they say.

Both states have signature headgear:

Texas has hats of felt:

Felt cowboy hat. (Image Ealdgyth:Wikimedia Commons)

Florida has felt hats:

Official Micky Mouse ears (Image. Annette Funicello.1955-1958 WIKI commons/US public domain)

Realistically, both states’ residents sport a lot of baseball caps embroidered with fish.

Both have highly recognizable signature critters:

Texas has longhorns.

Texas longhorn steer. (Image: Clinton & C. Robertson/ WIKI Commons)

Florida has popular mice.

Minnie and Mickey Mouse (Image: ARomanJ/commonswikimedia.org)

Both have alligators (but treat them a little differently.)

Florida has gator farms, swamp tours, and tourists looking for gators.

Daily reptile shows! Feed the gators! ( Image: http://www.alligatorfarm.com)

Texas gators hit the roads as tourists: looking for nutritious snacks and suitable Bed and Breakfast accommodations

Gator going. (Image: abclocal.go.com: ktrk viewer)

While Texas gators tend to get wrapped up and roped into accepting assigned locales like Brazos Bend Park, Florida gators take fate into their own hands mouths.

Florida gators don’t chicken out there. Ask a swamp tour guide that recently gave them a hand.

Both states are familiar with hurricanes:

And when a storm’s in the gulf, both states wish it to go somewhere else

Anywhere else.

Total agreement there.

No apologies.

Both states attract politicians’ attention:

Patriotic Florida resident. (Image. Joeaik1/commons.wikimedia.org)

Florida is a “must win” swing state for national candidates who want those Electoral College Votes.

Texas? Well, not on the “Must Visit and Impress List” this election, but politicians want that campaign money.

Both states are probably willing to hand over cash just to be left alone and to stop the barrage of election messages.

Long sunny days. Hot summers. Mild winters.

Texas. Florida. So much alike.

Unfortunately both states also have been overwhelmed by huge cat rescues this year.

Florida: Caboodle Ranch. (Almost 700 cats?!)

Texas: Whiskerville Sanctuary.(Nearly 200 cats? Don’t even ask about the recent dog rescue.)

Fortunately, both states are hosting Mega Cat Adoption Events.

 (Information at end.)

 Find a forever pet.

Or let one select you.

Not for alligator or pit bull training.

Although the seemingly helpless little fuzzballs do a remarkable job of training owners.

Consider yourself warned.

Caboodle cats: our hopes are as fragile as these bubbles

Both states want you to seriously consider before adopting:

An Experiment! Easy! Fun!

Hold out your arms straight out front.

Now, how many pets can you quickly grab up and safely transport in case of emergency?

You know, like fire, flooding, or hurricane evacuation?

And if you have small children, they have to be moved, too.

Might need more leashes? (Hey, it keeps the kids out of traffic!)

Might need more crates? (OK, car seats for the kids – they whine so much in boxes.)

While pillow cases work as transport in a pinch, those sharp little nails claws can puncture cloth and tiny pounding feet can really bruise.

Both Texas and Florida tend to go with the flow.

Both states have weathered many a storm.

Both hope someone throws these cats a lifeline!

 (Stop now if you can’t bear to see cute kitties needing homes.)

(Turn away, I tell you! Turn away now!)

Pausing regular blogging for needy claws,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Tye is waiting in Galveston. He promises to be good.

Galveston, Texas Rescue: Whiskerville Sanctuary cats 

Adoption information: Galveston County Animal Resource Center, 3412 Loop 197 North, Texas City.

Adoption information: Galveston Island Humane Society

Nearly 200 rescued cats need your help Galveston Daily News / Ch 13 news)

Rescue story: “$231,884 awarded for care of Whiskerville cats” (update on rescued cats.)

Texas Libby is chillin’ until you arrive.

Caboodle Ranch Cats Rescue, Florida

• Some of these cats have special needs, including barn cats and those that are FIV+ or have feline leukemia.
• These adoptions will be fee-waived.
• In addition, all of the cats that are available for adoption will be micro-chipped and spayed/neutered.
• Potential adopters should bring:  one government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, military ID, or non-driver ID), proof of address, and a pet transfer crate.

Caboodle cats: “It’s cozy and safe, but it ain’t home.”

Adoption information: ASPCA & Jacksonville Humane Society Mega Adoption Event:

• Saturday and Sunday, August 11 & 12 from 10a.m. to 5p.m.
• ASPCA Temporary Shelter  (2580 West 1st Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254)
•  “Caboodle Ranch cats up for adoption as sanctuary owner’s attorney prepares to fight it”  (July 26, Jacksonville.com)

Smaller, separate adoption events also be held that same weekend:

• Sarasota, Florida (hosted by Cat Depot–click for info and pix) Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• Tampa Bay Area(hosted by the Humane Society of Pinellas in cooperation with SPCA Tampa Bay).
  • Tampa Bay Online “280 cats from North Florida hoarder to find local homes” (VIDEO)

Practicing to jump right into your arms!

Rescue story:  VIDEO /article here. The complete animal cruelty case information at caboodleranch.net

“What ever you do for the least of these….”   Do what you can, but know your limits.

Thought I warned you to turn away.

Seriously, the title wasn’t enough?

(This is not an animal blog. This is not an animal blog. Sucker for sappy stories, though, and they asked for help.)

Go quickly now – Someone might ask for help with the litter.  

(It would really help if some of these cats went home, too.)

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