Adopting Two Rescued Cats Changed My Life #RememberMeThursday | Lola The Rescued Cat
Thursday, September 28, 2017

Adopting Two Rescued Cats Changed My Life #RememberMeThursday

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Today is Remember Me Thursday. If you’ve read this post or this one, you know that Lola has been very excited to spread the word about this important day. Today she let me take the reins so I can share my thoughts. (Thank you, Lola!)


The day I brought Lexy home was an exciting day. I hadn’t had a cat in many years, and I was thrilled to be sharing my life and home with my beautiful girl. The date was April 17, 2010, and I had no idea what lie ahead of me.



Eight months later I decided Lexy needed a friend and I started looking for another addition to our family. One December night I was surfing through Facebook and I came across a photo of the sickest, most pathetic looking cat I had ever seen. On January 16, 2011, I brought that cat, Lola, home and that day turned out to be a big turning point in my life.

I wasn’t very aware of animal rescue before Lola and Lexy. Lexy came from a “no kill” shelter, and Lola did not. (As sick as she was I’m quite sure she would not have made it out of there alive.) The more I learned about the differences between the two shelters, the more I was motivated to save animals from the fate that Lola almost faced – euthanasia.


I started a Facebook page for Lola upon the request of several people who were following her story and were looking forward to updates on her progress. “A Facebook Page for my cat? People do that?” I whispered to myself. What I was about to encounter on the other side of the door I was stepping through would have a significant impact on my life. I quickly became a part of a wonderful, tight-knit community of cat lovers; I became a voice for the voiceless, advocating for rescue and adoption; I held auctions to help raise money for people to pay their vet bills, feed their pets, and in some cases, keep a roof over their head. I also raised money for rescues and shelters as well. (In total, it was probably well over $25,000).


I met people from all over the world, many of whom became my good friends. Friends I would not know if it were not for the Facebook cat community. I’ve met several people in person, and some have been to my home to meet Lola and Lexy. I snap chat every day with one friend, and text during Seinfeld with another. We’re friends because of our cats.


As my Facebook Page was turning into a community I was driven to share Lola’s experience with more people. After I published her life story in September of 2014, I started blogging and another door opened for me. I became a part of the BlogPaws community and attended my first conference in 2015 in Nashville. I walked in the door nervous and alone, not knowing much about the blogging business. I was welcomed into the cat blogosphere with open arms and by the end of the conference I had new connections with several people. My friendships with many have strengthened over the past few years and I’m always looking forward to seeing them at the next conference.


Because I adopted two rescued cats I have become a writer. This wasn’t an aspiration of mine, it was just something I fell into. And I love it!  When I won two Certificates of Excellence from the Cat Writers’ Association I was speechless. I had never heard of SEO, keywords, branding, social media scheduling and all the other elements that make a blog successful. It was all very intimidating at first but little by little I got the hang of it and I’m still learning tips and tricks. When I look back at old posts I can't believe how much my blog has grown and improved.

I had no idea my first post I wrote as Lola on Facebook on January 11, 2011, would result in any of the wonderful things that have happened. I'm so glad I took the leap and started that page. I'm grateful every day for my two beautiful rescued cats and the love they have brought into my life.

I’m proud to be official partners with Helen Woodward Animal Center and I’m lighting up social media to spread the word about Remember Me Thursday. 

We received the box of items pictured in this post from HWAC in exchange for partnering with them for Remember Me Thursday. HWAC is not responsible for the contents of this post and Lola The Rescued Cat only shares information we think will be of interest to our readers. 

“Millions of beautiful, adoptable pets will lose their lives in 2017,” states Mike Arms, President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “We all come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, but together, we can raise our voices and share one life-saving message and literally save millions of pets on this one day.” 

Now in its 5th year, Remember Me Thursday has been supported by hundreds of thousands of individuals and more than 500 animal welfare organizations in 164 countries. The goal is “to unite individuals and pet adoption organizations around the world to be an unstoppable, integrated voice for orphan pets in need of forever homes.”


Help save a life! Use the hashtag #RememberMeThursday or #RememberTheRescue on social media to let people know you honor the lost pets who ran out of time in shelters. This
will bring awareness to the pets we can still help by working together and using our voices.

Will you join me today in being a voice for the voiceless? Have you adopted a rescued pet that changed your life? Tell me about it!
Dawn

Thank you to our friends at Chirpy Cats for helping us with our overlays! 

Would you like to comment?

  1. Dawn, this was a wonderful post! As you know, we met because of our cats, and I'm so glad that we did! Like you, I've met many great people, all because I too started a page for Oliver and Calvin. I've made a wonderful friend who I talk to every day and I've made other equally great friends, who I talk to via FB Messenger on a daily basis. I discovered the cat community of FB right when I needed it. I had recently ended a long term relationship in 2011 and had just moved into my own place in 2012, when I stumbled across some cat pages and quickly became friends with the cat moms that started those pages, including you. Meeting you and those other cat friends helped me so much through my transition from engaged and planning a wedding to suddenly single! I never thought that having Oliver and Calvin would have so many benefits, outside of the obvious benefits of having cats ;) I know I should have shared Calvin's story but I wanted to let you know how that bit of background.

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  2. Wonderful post but you scared the hell out of me, today is Wednesday...........whew!!!!!!!
    catchatwithcarenandcody

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    1. Oh my!! Mine went up on Wednesday too. OOoh dear ;-)

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  3. Being rescued is a whole life changing experience for us cats and for the humans/peeps that we take on and grow to love and share our lives with. I think your story, a true story is how many many folks feel and how they, we, come into blogging. Passion for life and living and being given a fair chance at those too is what drives us on.
    A wonderful post, and if we all can make just a small difference each, we will make this whole tragic situation a thing of the past!

    Toodle pip and hip hip hoorah for rescues and those who support them!

    ERin

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  4. Spay and Neuter!
    Adopt, Don't Shop!
    Remember the shelter animals!

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  5. bless you for adopting Lexy & Lola ... and becoming such a wonderful advocate for the voiceless

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  6. guyz...we R all rescuez....thanx for sharin thiz post two day; we hope thiz message findz itz way kleer cross de globe ♥♥♥♥♥

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  7. We loved your post! Adoptions are just the best and every critter deserves that happiness!

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  8. Tremendous post! Well done and I am so thrilled to see Lola's picture. She is such a beauty!!

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  9. What a beautiful post highlighting the rescue stories of your charming Lext and Lola.

    We have 8 rescues and 2 golden oldie cats, a Bengal and a Burmese. My husband rescued the kitties and he's very proud to let people know that they're HIS cats! The adoption of the cats also inspired me to start my blog and keep going at it.

    Really love the look and feel of your blog and it was my pleasure doing the overlays, anytime!

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  10. It's amazing how our rescue pets change our lives. I used to write when I was younger, but then life got in the way. My fur kids definitely helped me rediscover writing.

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  11. Today is such an important day. The world needs to understand that adoption is the only option. And that every single fur baby has the potential to be life-changing.

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  12. We can't get enough of Lola's story and happy ending. I love that blogging has brought me closer to people who love cats - and see their healing powers - just as much as I do. We love you, Dawn, and your two beautiful girls and all three of you make a difference!

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  13. Excellent post for today. I am so glad Lola and Lexy were rescued by you. Thank you for the words of comfort you left for me on the loss of Phoebe. XO

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  14. Dawn, this is a wonderful post about Lexy and Lola and adoption. Rescue/adoption is by far the best option and should be the only option as long as so many are homeless.

    You've made so much progress with your blog. You should be very proud!

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  15. VIP—very important post. I pray that every cat will someday have a home. I've shared my story so many times. Perhaps my post would have been better had I shared it again.

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  16. I love the story of Lola and how she and you have come to be an important voice for all of we cats out there who didn't have a home.

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  17. Brilliant post guys, and we loved Lola's story... we too are all rescues apart from Smooch [he's a former feral and still has a couple of feral habits at times MOL] We just wish more peeps would adopt, and we also wish more peeps would at least spay/neuter their kitty so that there aren't so many unwanted kitties stuck in shelters and unmercilessly killed effur year - it sickens and saddens us tremendously.

    *SAD EARS*

    Basil & Co xox

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  18. We love hearing more of your story! Thanks for being an advocate for animals!

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  19. Great story ... all starting on Facebook. I started blogging because I am a writer and now have learned a lot about dogs (my first love is cats and have two) and horse rescues. The horse world too is full of sad and unfortunate stories. But there are rescues out there - space, literal space, is the issue there.

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  20. Great post and I am so for rescuing only. I rescued my 3 cats in Israel also from 3 different people as I do not believe in paying breeders for animals. RememberMe Thursday is one day that we must never forget and speak out instead

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  21. i Love it that adopting those cats helped you find a purpose as a writer. Giving to others is good for you and them! ~ Dear Mishu

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  22. I definitely know what you mean!! Benji was my rescue, and it not only changed his life, but mine. - Shelby G.

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  23. The information about lives lost in shelters is sobering, but your work on their behalf is inspiring. I have a rescue dog and rescue cat who are quite old now, and despite my life-long desire to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I know I will never do anything but admire them. I will always adopt shelter pets and give them the love and care they've been missing.

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  24. I never knew your backstory. Thanks for sharing your personal journey and how you came to this point. Great post shedding light on an important life changing issue.

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  25. Lovely story about how your cats inspired you! Since adopting Mr. N, we've fostered and helped out at adoption events and donated.

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  26. What a great story, thanks for sharing it with us. I'm so glad your beautiful kitties have changed your life in such positive ways. My dogs have changed our lives for the better in so many ways, we wouldn't be doing half the things we do if it weren't for them.
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  27. I completely understand coming to the BlogPaws conference for the first time, and how amazing it ended up becoming. I too am inspired by my rescue dogs and Lola is blessed to have you!

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  28. Such inspiration. Our two kitties are rescued too. One from the streets and one from a shelter. I love them so much and can't imagine my life without them. What a great day to remember.

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  29. You are such an inspiring blog you three! It is wonderful to see such Ambassadors for us cats!!

    Thank you.

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  30. Thank mew so much for writing about rescue, adoption and helping to organize the voices of those who so desperately need it! I for one am so glad to have met you and am inspired by your continued passion to help all cats find safe and loving homes! I hope to continue to join forces with you to aid in spreading the word about adoption.
    All the girls at Squeedunk are fans! Kisses to Lola and Lexy, and may we be a formidable force in this effort! Peace.

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  31. I loved reading how your rescue cats enriched your life's journey. Your whisper moment about Facebook pages for cats hits home with me. I wasn't on Facebook until I started blogging, and it really is amazing the people we meet in person and online thanks to our pets.

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  32. Lexy and Lola are both so lucky to have you, and I know you consider yourself just as lucky. It is so sad to think about the animals that have their lives cut too short simply because they are in a shelter. Thanks for all you do to help more cats find good homes!

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  33. We are happy to know you and Lexy and Lola and share a passion for helping pets in need (I only have my little rescue Kilo the Pug right now but have rescued many cats and am an advocate and fundraiser for both cats and dogs). Your images for the campaign look really really good.

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  34. rescue is the way to go always! Huge paws up to Lola for being a rescue advocate and giving back!

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  35. What a wonderful post! I don't think I realized there was such a thing as rescues until I began blogging 9 years ago. It wasn't until recently that we began having no-kill shelters in SC. I'm honored to have you as a friend and I look forward to seeing you each year!

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  36. Beautifully written post about such an important topic! What a blessing Lola and Lexi have been to you and the countless other cats who will be rescued in hearing your story! I will share this as well!

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  37. Such an important topic. People either ignore, or are unaware of, the staggering numbers regarding those that do not make it out of the shelters. It breaks my heart. Thank you for advocating for them.

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  38. Thank you so much for sharing your story and isn't it amazing how animals can change their humans lives! Such an important topic and loving reading all the posts on it.

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  39. I am so glad that you were able to rescue Lola from that kill shelter! She and Lexy are wonderful kitties. You have made a huge difference in the lives of homeless cats with the advocacy that you've done. Every kitty saved is a furry little miracle.

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  40. Cats can definitely change our lives, and you are a great example of this!

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