This is Where We Part Ways

Written by Jimmy Frost

I had no idea, nor would I have believed you if you had told me that when I adopted a little kitten I named Zoey, it would have lead me down the path that my life has taken.

Through my relationship with the Cat Site, I have been able to relate my stories about Zoey, and later Bari and then even later, Josephine as we raced across the country. We haul freight and spend all of our time together and I look at it as a blessing because most people have to go to work and leave their beloved cats at home.

I get to go to work and be with my cats, I ask you, how cool is that?

By participating in TCS, the one thing I have learned is how passionate "cat people" really are on matters such as breeding, TNR, advocacy and proper care of our feline friends. Although I can't help but notice that one common thread runs through virtually everyone's attitude. That common idea is, we do not own our cats, but they own us, and what we will do to serve them can be amazing. We will defend them, protect them, mourn for them, celebrate their milestones, anguish over them if they are lost and many of us will spend our last dime to get them to a vet, even if it means neglecting our own needs. That's dedication!

Since joining the TCS family, I have become quite the animal advocate myself. I have learned that 99% of the animal rescuers are very earnest and honest people who really try to avoid confrontation. But they will step up to the plate with an unmatched ferocity when they see the need.

I admire that kind of tenacity and I have learned a lot from you. I can also tell you that there are those in our local government that now keep headache and anti-acid medications in their desk in anticipation of my next phone call, letter or F.O.I.A. request.

I have developed some talent building websites for animal welfare groups and have used this talent to help groups that had a passive presence on the web to become more interactive and be more appealing to those who use the Internet to gather their information. This has attracted more volunteers and donations to our cause and those who have stepped forward have been very high-caliber, intelligent people who really have the determination to make a difference, just like the majority of the TCS members.

What I learned from all of you is I can make a tremendous difference by using the talents that I bring to the table. Whatever someone knows how to do really well, chances are that someone can apply these talents to the benefit of our animals. You're my kind of people!

I've also learned that even if you spent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week working for the animals, you can never do it all and you must set limits for yourself or you will burnout.

So why am I departing the TCS staff? The reason is that in order to do the work that my life's direction has taken me, it requires more time than I really have to dedicate now and although writing is a lot of fun, my time on the keyboard is now spent working for the animals and those trying to help them.

My passion for cats was rekindled when Zoey was a kitten. As I held this beautiful gift from God and looked into her eyes, I asked myself how anyone could ever find it in themselves to euthanize her for lack of an adoptive home. I understood that it might be their job and recognized they probably hated having to do it, but the thought occurred to me that I might be able to help find another alternative.

I began noticing the feral cats around the places I visited and asked myself how anyone could abandon a cat to fend for itself.

I began learning how critical the animal overpopulation crisis really is the root cause is human behavior. I have learned that "animal people" are the way they are in many cases because of the shortcomings of humans and it also occurred to me that if humans were at least as honest as cats were, the world would be a better place.

I will say that TCS members are among the most cat-like people I know and it's been a real honor to contribute to this community if only for a while.

I have also enjoyed my time in the spotlight when TCS members answered the call to assist those who have pleaded for help to help cats in desperate need and many more times than not, together we made a difference. One only need look at the "before" and "after" pictures of a little guy named "Starlight" for proof. That was our victory.

So as I roll up and down the highways of our great nation, delivering the freight that America needs with my "crew", what I learned from all of you has changed me from someone who was pretty ignorant of the problems the animals faced into someone who now wants to make a difference.

And all of that came about because one little kitten entered my life, turned it upside down and everyone at TCS not only encouraged it, you endorsed it!

But it was a meaningful change that has given a purpose to my life that I can now see more clearly than ever. And for that I thank you gentle readership, and I bid you a fond farewell as I hit the road.