Tuesday, August 30, 2011

WHEN I WANTED TO DIE THE SISTERS SAVE ME !




The music of Sister of Mercy changed my life. Their music is very powerful  , deep and inspirational for me. It grabs my soul and brings that deep inner strength that resides inside me to accomplish my goals in life.  Popeye had his Spinach. I had Sister of Mercy.

Driving back from Florida to go to back to Rochester, New York, way back in the late eighties. I lost everything I had. My daughter was adopted by her step - father in Germany, broke, depressed and suicidal.

I stopped over in Galax, Virginia and keep on playing the Sister of Mercy on cassette over and over again, my brain was on warped speed and could not slow down that night

I decided I did not want to die but I  wanted to live my dreams. Everything I wanted in life came to fruition, in a very short time span, I became a Stand Up Comic. Had my own TV Show "Underground TV, my own Newspaper " The Backflash", I found out that I could help others while living a dream.







Now I listen to the Sister of Mercy when I’m full of fear and doubt in my mission to save the kitties under my care. No one can kick or nothing can kick my ass after the inner strength is pulled up in my soul after listening to the Sisters.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Transparent

 
One of the kitties fan was wondering why we had Ensure on the Amazon wish list.
You will find us very transparent in all of dealing. We hide nothing. That is the reason why we have the World Wide support that we do. Our Web Site is loaded with articles, videos of our rich History.

Also check out the rest of the blog for more background history and the trails and tribulations of running Puffy Paws. 
We dish it... all. The good, the bad and the ugly ! 
Now back to the wish list on the right hand side of the Amazon wish list you will find the reasons why we need all product we have on the list.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=UDC3VX6WUICE

The Ensure is for Chrissy. Here is what it says for the Ensure. “104 pound Chrissy works up to 18 hours a day taking care the kitties. She is on the go. One pack of Ensure daily keeps the weight on her and gives her the proper energy she needs to do her grueling work schedule. . So please help Chrissy take care of the kitties today.”

( At times we also have asked the kitties fans to send coupons for Ensure )

Now why does Chrissy have to do it by herself, “ It is very unfortunately that this Town and the good old boy network put us in a situation we are in.

They closed down the Haven to all traffic killing our adoptions and cutting Chrissy off from having Volunteers. If we get help for Chrissy we have to pay for the help.

My wife takes care of the 230 kitties. She works up to 18 hours day because Sarasota Code Enforcement banned all traffic at the Haven.

CLICK HERE - To Read The Story As Seen In The Englewod Edge
http://www.englewoodedge.com/2009/11/25/life-has-changed-at-puffy-paws/
 
Chrissy hauls in 660 pounds of cat litter around the Haven daily & takes in back out. She washes over 20 cat litter boxes daily. Twice a day she puts out the wet cat food (70 pounds a day - 2 bags of dry 36 pounds) at 10 feeding stations, She vacuum & mops and dust daily. She gives out meds. She brushes the kitties. She tends to the sick ones. She runs to the Vet and the store for supplies too. She does this day in and day out. She does the work of a paid staff of 10.

My job is to raise the $250 dollars a day to take care of the kitties daily needs, plus the operating expensive, every single day.

On most days I work up to 15-20 hours a day to accomplish this.

I run the Thrift Shop. I raise funds on-line. I take care of the Media. I run to the Vet. I'm our Web Master. I do all the graphic art work. I update on fb everyday. I pick up the kitties daily supplies in the evening. I pay the bills. I pick up donations for Thrift Shop. I put out the SOS's for help. I put out all the fires that pop out daily. I'm my wife's venting post. I'm the fixer.

I’m in a fight for the kitties lives. If I fail at raising the funds needed to take care of the 230 under our care there will be no other option but to close down. What choice would we have.

We see the best of mankind and the worst of mankind in the small Town we live in….

Hope this helps……

Saturday, August 27, 2011

HOW IT WORKS




Kathleen  M wrote “ I've been clicking the gold banner daily and tonight decided to check up on Puffy Paws. I was appalled to find your funds are so low. And shocked that I don't see rescue groups posting and reposting this news on Facebook. Where are your 3,361 other fans?!? “

Thank you for clicking away. Mad Kitty Love goes out to you Kathleen . And thank you for all of your concerns , which I will address to the best of my ability.


First things first - " Why Do We Ask For Help " ?  The simplest answer is we could never take care of the kitties under our care without help.

If I ever stopped asking for help for the kitties, without funds we will have to close.

And most of the kitties will be euthanized because they are Special Needs kitties and unadoptable.

Than everyone will say " Why did you not ask for help? " And if I said " I did not want to bother you all " You will say 'Rick What Are You crazy ?  How could you let this happen. We would have helped but you did not ask us.

So I will never let this happen as long as I have a mouth and fingers to type. I will always ask for help for the kitties.

The kitties know in their hearts if folks can help they do and if not we understand.

We are so grateful that the kitties have friends around the world to help the kitties out when they need it.

And for this we will always be grateful.


I always have to be honest were we stand everyday financially for the kitties and when funds are low and their are none, here is what we do ! 


JUST ASK - HOPE YOU CAN HELP - That’s is the battle cry over here at Puffy Paws. When we need help we ask and the kitties needs are met by the love of the kitties lovers through out the world.

To run the Puffy Paws its cost  around $250 a day and  around $3,000 in operating expenses .

So far this month alone the kitties lovers around the World have donated on-line
$ 7,778.31.

The kitties have friends on all social media outlets,  Care2, The Animal Connection, Twitter, Utube ,etc and friends from around the world.

For those of you who  like to know what happens when times get tough and we need help ASAP over here at The World’s Great Cathouse.

We send out the “ Cat Signal ”. This is how it works.

We send out the Cat Signal to our donors on our emailing list and now our facebook, Care2, Twitter & Animal Connection fans by posting it on our walls.

For anyone who would like to receive our E-Newsletter and critical updates please sign up for our E-Newsletter below.

http://www.puffypawskittyhaven.com/id341.html

This is a crucial  part of Puffy Paws Kitty Haven fund raising endeavors.

Without this we would not be able to raise the funds needed for the operation of Puffy Paws Kitty Haven.

We have very kind heart donors on our list who, last year donated  54,000 dollars.

These generous cat lovers have gave to the kitties, time and time again just by us asking for help when we needed it.

We feel guilty in asking so much over the past year but are so grateful we have this options when times are tough.

When Commissioner Gordon needs help from the Batman and he sends out the Bat Signal in the nighttime sky.

Well. Our list and now our social media,  is "Our Cat Signal ' and the folks who are on it have never let the kitties down.

When we light the skies with it, we are very careful when we use it. But when we do it means one thing" Kitties Needs You “ .

Chrissy and I are trying to be self supported in our other fund raising endeavors but we have fallen short many times and this is when we activate the "Cat Signal "

With the on-line donation and the Thrift Shop we just make it each month.

We are very blessed to receive such support from all over the World and we thank you for the bottom of all the kitties hearts.

Now with the other rescue groups not reposting our sage .I feel that they are having a heck of a time trying to raise awareness and funds for their animals under their care.

Now with facebook we may have 3,361 fans but this month we have around 2,700 actives users because facebook changed the rules and not everyone is active , when we post.

So Chrissy and I and the kitties are very grateful for each and everyone one of you.

 
We have the best friends in the world.

I hope I answered all of your questions and thank you for being here for the kitties.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

We do not believe in cages



All of our kitties are free roaming in the Haven. We do not believe in cages. The only time they are in cages is for a four hour adoption event. We did the Petsmat route before and it did not work out. Our kitties were going cage crazy . See article for background information. If someone one wants to adopt a kitty ,its by appointment only and I will bring the kitty for them to see for a meet and greet at Mike's Pet Store but we would love to still get a running RV.

All of our kitties are free roaming in the Haven. We still have kinks to work out with listing them on Petfinder, as Catherine and I found out over the weekend.

CLICK LINK TO READ ARTICLE - Puffy Paws wants RV to make hotel room for cats — Englewood Edge -

http://bit.ly/pnDBLq

“ THE KING OF CATS "

 
 “ Cats are the coolest creatures on this planet. They will love you unconditionally . Their needs are simple. Love - Food - Shelter & Vet Care. 
Dealing with people when it comes to Puffy Paws Kitty Haven I see the best of mankind and the worst. I see love in people hearts everyday and on the other hand I see hate and fear.
I’m their protector , their guardians,. I have dedicated my life in caring for cats that no one wanted and that would have been destroyed in any traditional shelter. Town folks call me crazy, maybe I’m ? They call me “The Catman. I’m not a Crazy Catman - 
My name is Rick Kingston 
I’m “ THE KING OF CATS " 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

My Gratitude List

In early sobriety when I was down and out and my world was collapsing all around me the old timers told me to make a gratitude list . Here mine for today .

1. Chrissy & The Kitties - I love my wife & all the kitties.
2. The Love of all the kitty lovers through out the World taking care of the kitties.
3. Catherine and the rest of Team Puffy Paws - Catherine is the kitties voice to Corporate America...
4. The Thrift Shop & office - It’s really a fun place and its our Headquarters for fund-raising
5. The opportunity to Web Cam the Haven up to show the World all the kitties.
6.. The Internet & all social media because I can create awareness about the kitties
7. Ebay - We can sell the stuff from the Thrift Shop so the kitties can eat…..
8.. The Court Order Community Service Personal - Them my bitches !
9. All the “ Haters” in Englewood & The Good Old Boy Network -Through your hate and your arrogance's , ignorance you only have made me stronger.
10. The opportunity to create a reality TV Show about Puffy Paws Kitty Haven.

There is my gratitude list for today. I ask myself today ‘What can I do to serve God’s unwanted kitties today and I look at that list and I have all my answers. PEACE !

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Thank You ! - We made the August FPL payment of $1000

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: 
Mad Kitty Love Goes Out To You All !
We made the August FPL payment of $1000.
Thank you all that donated and who helped spread the word. Special thanks goes out to the Microsoft Gang because we put down $600 of it down because of the matching gift program. 
We have the best Puffy Paws supporters in the World....
Thank You Everyone.

Mad Kitty Love goes out to Ken W

Mad Kitty Love goes out to Ken W. He has been my best friend down in Englewood since we move here. He was their for Chrissy and I for years when no one else was. 
He has been a super duper freind to the kitties. Through out the years he has donated over $2,000 dollars to the kitties. He has been our personal backyard mechanic and has been fixing our cars for years for free. Ken has a heart of Gold.
One quality I always admire about Ken when he took me out to eat and paid for it is that he is always a great tipper to the servers.He is not a cheap man. My Dad who past away in 2006 had the sane enduring qualities as Ken.. Ken is moving back to New Hampshire this week with his kitties.
I always enjoyed his company and deep conversation about life and our love for History. I'm going to miss Ken but thank goodness for facebook so the kitties and I can follow his adventures. 
Mad Kitty Love goes out to Ken W & Godspeed to you my freind !

Saturday, August 13, 2011

NOT LISTENING CAN COST YOU YOUR LIFE




NOT LISTENING CAN COST YOU YOUR LIFE 

Working in this Florida heat can be very dangerous. This is my third summer running the  Thrift Shop. I know what my body is telling me and I drink lots of water and Gatorade. I tell all my Community Service worker you have to know what your body is telling you and keep hydrated.

  Unfortunately for a Community Service worker on Friday he did not heed my advise and ended up in emergency at the Hospital early Friday morning with Heat Exhaustion.  He is doing good today. He was so afraid of not getting his hours and going to jail that he put his life in jeopardy.

I called up the probation office so that they may take care of the hospital bills through the insurance that the Community Service folks are required to purchase. I have a responsibility to keep these kids safe and give them all the information they need to stay safe. Keep him in your prays today .............

Friday, August 12, 2011

I do not think I will survive a beating.

 
 
MY REALITY : I'm not a tough guy but I do not think I will survive a beating. You may notice a big buck knife on my side.(Guns Trumps Buck Knifes ).
Chrissy took this picture before I went to feed the kitties late night, due to my schedule. Going out to the Indian Mounds Park Park, late night, I never know who I'm going to meet, pill heads who are dope sick and when they are dope sick ,they are very dangerous, etc. 
The time before I went out to the park. All my least favorite young punks in this Town, were hanging up their, their was about ten of them. Their is nothing more they will like to do as to throw me a beating as a little mob. When I saw them. and they saw me, I over heard the chatter. I called Chrisy and told her that my " Hate Club " was in the Park and I may get jumped. So now when they see my little freind hanging from my belt it will give them something to think about. And at the same time this is the way I roll at the Thrift Shop after hours. I had many conversations with the local Sheriffs that when I have the bay doors open at the Thrift Shop late night, when I have to work, it attracts the late night creepy crawlers, pill heads, etc and if they need that $15 dollars for a pill, I just need to give them something to think about, if they want to rob me.
I know guns trumps my buck knife......
In 2011 my freind Terry was murder and another man who ran an Antique Shop was murder by people who were on drugs. Englewood does have a major drug problem and I do not feel like becoming a statics.....
Peace in crazy World !

Sunday, August 7, 2011


 " The Critter Report " - For the latest news stories on one convenient page. Puffy Paws 's - " The Critter Report " - News About All Creatures Great & Small. The Critter Report is your one-stop source of news stories from around the world.


www.critterreport.com

" The Critter Report " on facebook - For the latest news stories on one convenient page. Puffy Paws 's - " The Critter Report " - News About All Creatures Great & Small. The Critter Report is your one-stop source of news stories from around the world.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Critter-Report-News-About-All-Creatures-Great-Small/140290872719159 

Friday, August 5, 2011

A Gift of Closure

            Precious was Terry's Favorite Kitty at Puffy Paws

Thank you all for donating. In addition to helping the kitties you all gave me a gift. I was able to break free from the Computer and Thrift Shop last night and went to my friend- Terry Edwards -Wake-.He was murdered  last week.  At first when I drove up I could not get out of the Van. It was very emotional for me. I want to thank the Vietnam Vet, who put his hand on my shoulder and said " I will give you the strength to go inside. Terry is waiting for you. "

I cried like a baby before going in. Terry was a highly decorated  Vietnam Vet. They had his medals before his casket. They had a beautiful Video presentation with pictures of him in the Nam, fishing  pictures and with his cats through out the years. He was a very handsome young man with a boyish smile.

When I saw his body in the casket I realize -Terry was finally at peace.

The sad fact now  I realize is that I called the cops on his murder‘er, around 10 times. Every time I saw her and her boyfriend buying drugs at the drug house, I helped to get closed down. ( The young man who ran the drugs out of Grandmother house is now facing 25 years in prison.)

Every time I saw her, I called the Cops. I even almost got into a fight with them as they were cursing me out one night. I was well armed , if they decided to step foot on our property.

When the cops showed up , I told the cops,  I will meet force with force. I will not let our neighborhood be taken over by a brunch of pill heads.

The pill heads, knew who I was and  I made sure they knew I was armed and Puffy Paws was off limits as they trolled down the street and the cops always showed up ,after I saw them.

With the drug house closed down she was out of our neighborhood .

All my efforts were no avail because the cops never arrested her and she ended up murdering Terry.

I’m miss Terry. At the funeral parlor yesterday, I spoke to his sister about the love ,Terry had for the kitties at Puffy Paws and that brought a smile to her face.

As I was leaving she said “ Name A Cat After Terry:…

And I said “I will”

So the next kitty we rescued off the streets we been named “Terry E  or TE for short………

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Cat Food & Litter Update:

Cat Food  & Litter Update:
We thank everyone for last night. We were only able to get 12 bags of litters, the kitties their dinner, breakfast and cleaning supplies.
After the kitties eat their breakfast, the last of the liter will be put out we need 10 bags to get through the day.
PLEASE  - We need 10 Kitty Angles to donate $5.39 each so Chrissy can do her job today.
If you like to donate for a bag of dry. or a case of wet food.. please do. We can not do it without you !









Thank You
Rick & Chrissy Kingston & Da Kitties
Founders Puffy Paws Kitty Haven


http://www.puffypawskittyhaven.com/

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wake up in fear


Dear Friend of The Kitties

Wow ! Everyday I wake up in fear. Emotions going every were. 1,000's thing to get done in a 24 hour span. I suck down a cup of coffee and tell myself - first things - first. I never take anyone for granted, I only hope that kitty lovers will help on this day. If we are short I beg and pray....

It all works out in the end.  I wish I could hug and thank each of you personally and tell you what you all mean to Chrissy and I and the kitties.

Our work is never done. Sometime we laugh, cry and cruse. Wondering why we have to  trudge everyday. This is all of our fate caring for kitties that no one wanted, either to sick or to old for a fur-homes.

Every one of yours actions here  tells a lot about the person  you are.

By reading our emails, sharing, donating, caring.

Giving what you have freely to a bunch of special need kitties that no one wanted.

When you donate to Puffy Paws rest assure your donation will not go into some " Fat Cat " pocket but instead a fat cat tummy for food.

The kitties will not offer you adult beverages, at a cocktail hour. Your donation will not get you a fancy dinner.

You will not get your picture in the Newspaper. But what you do get is the satisfaction that your saved the lives of 230 special need kitties.

Bless your generous kitty loving hearts.
 
In the month of July you gave on-line: $7,481.53 just because we asked and hoped you could help and boy did you !
 
Mad Kitty Love goes out to you all !

Now The Catch 22 is that now we are caught up on the operating expenses but this months bills are coming due and we are having a hard time raising funds for food cat food and litter .

We are in desperate need to replenish the kitties daily supplies right now.
                                                   
We can not thank you enough for what you all do for the special needs kitties at Puffy Paws.
We are in desperate need for funds for the power bill.
Florida Power & Lights - $1000 - Due August 12 

Without Power No Haven:

PLEASE SHARE ON ALL SOCIAL NETWORKS.....

To Donate

http://www.puffypawskittyhaven.com/