A Cat Named Tiger

Posted on May 5, 2015August 23, 2021 by True Blue Animal Rescue

Tiger is a cat who has left a legacy. He disappeared around April 16, and since then has made waves in the world, sparking a debate about the importance of feral and outdoor cats.

Not many know Tiger’s whole story though, and his good friend Amy has shared with us his biography. Amy was a pet sitter and caretaker for Tiger and his farm friends for over three years.

Tiger was abandoned at a farm home when he was just a kitten. The couple that lived there never turned down a “dumped” animal as they love all animals. They named him Tiger because he was a beautiful orange & white tabby.

Tiger stayed by the house until he was old enough to live at the barn and rid it of mice that would get into horse & cattle feed and tear up other various important wires. Before taking him to the barn, his owners made sure he was old enough and got him neutered, fully vetted, and up-to-date on vaccinations.

Tiger had a routine over the course of his 6 years at the farm. During the day and late night after dinner he would either be in the barn protecting the horses, who became his best friends, or he would spend time in the pastures with them – sitting right next to them while they grazed. In the evening before sunset he knew it was dinner time so he would come up to the house for his cat chow and wet food mix. He looked forward to this every evening and would talk to you about it. He would even show you where you were supposed to set it down for him to enjoy.

Over the course of 3 years of taking care of him (half of his life), I witnessed very interesting things with him. For example, he loved to ride on the Gator tractor with me to the barn and back to the house, he never left my side…no matter where I was on the property he was right there next to me as my protector, so in a sense I became part of the farm he watched over. On the property there were cattle, horses, dogs, goats, a kitten, jack rabbits, baby birds that had fallen out of nests, frogs hopping around, spiders building webs and he never once caused harm to anyone or anything. He had a pure heart of gold and is one of the best coolest cats I have done pet sitting for. He was in a class all his own.

Unfortunately the couple had to move away due to health reasons. They gave Tiger to the next door neighbor to keep him in familiar settings, plus the neighbors were given the horses that Tiger used to hang out with. It took some adjusting, but Tiger would spend the day at the old barn and would make the trek across the fields to get to the neighbors for his dinner. He would eat and then make the trek back to the old barn. This went on for a couple of months and it seemed to keep everyone, including Tiger, happy.

Then Tiger went missing. The first couple of nights of untouched food was dismissed as bad weather since it was almost nonstop rain and storms in the area. Then came the horrible night I saw the infamous posting of a vet holding up a cat at the end of an arrow…..the cat was identical to Tiger. I continued putting food out until the end of my time for pet sitting at his house, but he never showed up to eat. It has been almost 4 weeks, and although we all still have hope, he has never returned for his dinner and we all miss him dearly.

Amy and Tiger’s owners have set up a donation fund in Tiger’s memory with us at True Blue Animal Rescue. We are working with different groups, including Alley Cat Allies, and will be creating an educational and assistance program to help springboard a Trap-Neuter-Return program that will strive to inform Washington and Austin County residence about the options for stray, wandering, and feral area cats. This program is beginning this year in Tiger’s name, and will continue for years and generations so that Tiger’s legacy will live on to save the lives of other cats in the area and worldwide.

If you would like to donate in Tiger’s name, you can do so from our Paypal Donation link, or you can purchase a “I Am Tiger” shirt from Amy’s Booster fundraising page! Thank you for choosing TBAR to Remember Tiger!

People can also “like” Tiger’s memorial Facebook page.

For example, we’ve already received this story from Melissa K:

This cat has been around the house for about a 1.5 months and I have chased it off my patio because it was eating my cat’s food and has been squirting Dave’s shop, but after [Tiger’s Story] it made me change my attitude with this cat. I started going downstairs when I would hear it meow because he was hungry and I would feed it. Of course he didn’t want me to touch him or come near him, and after 7 times of feeding him he brushed up against my foot!! It took sometime but this is where we are at -YES we have bonded! Now I will get him fixed and try to find him a home because our cats would not like him because they are selfish!! So I took a bad story and changed my thoughts and made sometime positive for another CAT!!

And here is the picture of this very cat in his new home! Thank you Melissa, for making Tiger’s legacy mean something beautiful!

#2 Cavalia Odysseo Ticket Auction Benefiting TBAR

Posted on February 1, 2015August 23, 2021 by True Blue Animal Rescue

ANOTHER pair of tickets for Cavalia Odysseo being auctioned off on ebay for True Blue Animal Rescue! The winner of this pair will get to choose a date to attend through Feb 22nd. They are also VIP tickets! Read the flier for more information. Here is the ebay link for the tickets: Click Here

Do not let this amazing opportunity to see this fabulous show by giving a tax deductible donation to True Blue Animal Rescue!i
PLEASE SHARE!

Donation Opportunity: Cavalia Tickets

Posted on January 25, 2015August 23, 2021 by True Blue Animal Rescue

VIP tickets for Cavalia in Dallas on Feb. 3rd. Check out the video on the Cavalia web sitehttp://www.cavalia.net/en/odysseo/about-show It’s a horse lovers dream performance! Not only that, since this auction is through Mission fish for True Blue Animal Rescue your donation for the tickets is tax deductible. Use your smartphone to scan the code on the flier or go to the link below to view the tickets’ listing on eBay!

Link to eBay Auction: http://r.ebay.com/IafvBq

Donations: A Picnic Table and Lots of Treats!

Posted on November 2, 2014August 23, 2021 by True Blue Animal Rescue

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True Blue Animal Rescue would like to take the time to feature two amazing members today. Thank you Amy Hemsell for donating a picnic table for our Able Camp and to Diane Deitz for donating horse feed, dog food, horse treats and dog treats. Rescue is stressful, heartbreaking and exhausting work but when members take the time to make special purchases for our animals it reminds us that we are not alone! Having the support of volunteers and members makes all the difference in the world. A great big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Amazon Smile for True Blue Animal Rescue

Posted on August 8, 2014August 23, 2021 by True Blue Animal Rescue

Do you shop on amazon.com? Did you know that using smile.amazon.com instead will allow a portion of your purchases to go to a charity of your choice? Just log in and designate True Blue Animal Rescue as the charity that you want to support, and amazon donates to the animals! It is the same amazon shopping experience, with the same choices and prices, but you’ll start to see “eligible for amazon smile” on some of your purchases. Every little bit ads up, so please bookmark smile.amazon.com to help you remember to always start there to make sure that you are always shopping for a good cause!

Foster Feature: Sage

Posted on June 8, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

Late in May True Blue Animal Rescue received a call that a dog was living at a rest area in Washington County. Melanie, the founder and president of T-bar, went to pick the dog up. What she found was upsetting. The Staffordshire Terrier mix was a senior dog in poor health and in need of food. More upsetting was the lack of concern people nearby seemed to have to an animal in need.

Melanie had to load the dog by herself and it wasn’t hard because the dog, later named Sage, was eager to leave her harsh surroundings. Once at True Blue Animal Rescue the dog was given shots and a dewormer pill to set her on the path to being sound. However, on closer inspection, poor Sage was missing hair, had skin growths, had many small cuts and had a serious eye infection that needs antibiotics.

Sage’s case is one that is sad because she is a senior pet, close to ten years old, that must have had a family at one point, but they decided to let her go. Melanie stated the dog had a lot of health issues but the answer is never throwing an animal away. Aside from the eye infection it is obvious that somehow Sage had injured her hip or her leg and it healed incorrectly. When standing in front of her looking her head on her right leg sticks out farther than her left. Surprisingly, Sage tested negative for heartworms.

Sage is a very shy dog and in dire need of a lot of TLC. Her recovery will be long and costly. If you would like to help Sage out with a donation, no matter what size please visit the T-bar web site at www.T-bar.org and hit the “Donate Now” button. No matter how big or small your donation will mean everything to this older dog’s recovery.

(Warning, images below may be too graphic for some viewers)

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted on May 11, 2014August 23, 2021 by True Blue Animal Rescue

TBAR would like to say Happy Mother’s Day to all those that care for others, fur-babies or otherwise! We hope you have a special day!

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. Consider donating today to honor a mother you love, and we will list them on our website!

Be Kind to Animals Week 2014

Posted on May 6, 2014August 23, 2021 by Linda Taylor

I would venture to guess that everyone reading this is kind to animals.

We all love pictures of cute animals, happy tail photos of adopted animals, and the warm fuzzies that come with happy endings.

As members of an animal rescue, we all see bad things happen to animals, but it is the happy side of rescue keeps us going. Let us spread the word far and wide about animal welfare!

I did some research and the American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to encourage compassion toward animals. During this week they encourage everyone to be more than compassionate. Let us ask ourselves how we can influence more good outcomes? How can we spread more warm fuzzies and make more animals feel loved?

Here are a few tips from the American Humane Association:

• Report any suspected animal abuse or neglect to animal control in your county

• Commit to adopting your next pet from an animal shelter

• Donate to or volunteer at your local animal shelter or for a local rescue group

• Spay or neuter your pets and encourage friends and family to do the same

• Spend quality time with your pet

• Make sure your pet has an ID tag or microchip

• Drive cautiously through areas populated by wild animals such as deer

• Plant flowers in your yard that will attract butterflies or hummingbirds

• Speak out in your community about the importance of respecting animals

TBAR Volunteers invite you to choose one of the above activities or come up with one of your own to celebrate “Be Kind to Animals” week.

We also invite everyone to make a donation to True Blue Animal Rescue, and then post a special message on our Facebook page. You can use this message to honor the memory of a beloved pet. Tell us what special thing you will do this week to honor that pet’s memory in conjunction with Be Kind to Animals Week. Please keep all comments family appropriate.

Here, let me get us started:

In memory of Zach, the cocker spaniel who passed over the rainbow bridge way to early in his life. His short life touched many hearts. In his memory, I will donate $20 to TBAR.

Tax Info

Posted on April 15, 2014August 23, 2021 by Jess

Today is Tax Day!

What does Tax Day have to do with Animal Rescue? More than you’d think!

We’d like to take today to remind everyone that donating to TBAR, fostering a TBAR animal, or volunteering makes you eligible for tax deductions!

There are certain things to consider, and you’re best choice would be consulting your tax professional for advice, but in general if you itemize your taxes you can use your donations and fostering or volunteering expenses to decrease taxable income and lower your tax bill. Be sure that you are keeping records of giving, in-kind donation forms, and receipts.

In addition, some counties may allow for an agriculture exemption for equine foster animals (this includes Washington County and Grimes County).

If you are an animal foster parent for TBAR you should keep records of any expenses you incur such as food, crates, or cleaning products. TBAR pays all medical and veterinary bills, but if you choose to pay them you can deduct them. You can also deduct a portion of utilities if the foster animal has a portion of your home dedicated to it. You will need to obtain a note that confirms you are a TBAR foster home if your expenses go over $250.

If you are interested in fostering, an animal, or donating goods or services you can contact us as [email protected] and please remember that PayPal donations are always needed!

True Blue Animal Rescue has been determined a 501(c)(3) non profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax deductible. You can view us on Guidestar and search our EIN (75-3144975) on the IRS website.

Chance’s Rescue

Posted on April 10, 2014August 23, 2021 by Olivia

*Warning* Post contains photos and descriptions of a graphic nature that may be disturbing to some (especially younger) viewers and readers*

On April fourth, in Caldwell, Texas, an injured dog wandered up to the Komar family’s property. On close inspection they saw the dog was seriously injured by a gunshot to the head. Despite being shot, the dog wanted their help and rather than look the other way, the Komar family stepped in to lend a helping hand. Sadly the family was not allowed to keep the dog themselves due to living on rented property. First, they tried calling law enforcement but were told that the dog would most likely die. Upset and not getting the help they needed, they began to call other rescue groups. A few turned them away but at last they found help with True Blue Animal Rescue.

Jacqueline Komar, or Jackie, didn’t bat an eye when she was asked if she could drive to Dr. Lee Panko’s office on a Sunday in Brenham, Texas. There, with two of her children, Destiny and Gabrielle, Jackie brought in the wounded Catahoula. Jackie lifted the dog on the examination table and her, the kids, and Melanie and Dale watched as Dr. Panko began his exam. The dog’s eye was the first thing Dr. Panko probed at and the top of the dog’s head was next. As Dr. Panko did his examination, the family that had cared for him for three days asked tons of questions. The vet answered them all as they came, letting the kids know the dog was one to one and a half year’s old, and that he wasn’t chipped or fixed. As Dr. Panko spoke he checked the dog’s sinuses, reflexes, skin condition, and hearing; all were found to be sound. After Dale found out the Komar family had not already named the dog, T-bar members decided to name him Chance.

While doing the examination, Jackie informed the vet that when the dog panted Chance had an odor about him. Leaning closer, Dr. Panko agreed and said the smell was from the massive infection the dog had from the wound he’d suffered. By the skin that was trying to grow back over the wound Dr. Panko guessed that Chance had been shot only three or four days before, meaning the dog had, thankfully, found the Komar family almost right after being shot.

The dog had a ring around its neck that was made by a collar that had been on long enough to wear down the fur; a few months. Also his tail had been cropped too short leaving him nothing, not even a nub. Chance’s gums were a pale pink, rather than a healthy deeper color, which Dr. Panko suggested was due to blood loss and malnutrition. The wound on his side was thought to be ringworm but Dr. Panko said that it was not, but a scab covering an old wound. Dr. Panko believed the gun shot went through an eye and came out the back of Chance’s head. The vet decided that removing the damaged eye would be better for Chance in the long run because if it healed on its own the scar tissue would be painful for the dog.

All during his examination Chance was quiet and calm, even with seven people huddled around him in a tiny room. Destiny wanted Chance to have a toy that she had bought all by herself before her family had to say goodbye to him. The Komar’s wished they could keep Chance but were relieved that True Blue Animal Rescue and Melanie DeAeth, had stepped in for the dog and his care. Once in T-bar care Chance was treated to new toys and treats by the Snook school children and also an interview by KBTX!

Chance has a long road to recovery but thanks to so many people being touched by the battle this little guy has gone through his emergency care visit has been paid for. He still has his eye removal operation coming up. His T-bar status is listed as in Rehab, but will be listed for adoption as soon as he is well. People have asked if he will be a special needs dog after his horrific injury but Dr. Panko sees no long lasting health issues once Chance has his eye taken care of.

If you would like to help T-bar with Chance’s bills or just want to make a donation to True Blue Animal Rescue please use the donation button. No matter how big or small your donation it makes all the difference to animals in need. If you want up-to-date news on Chance he now has his own Facebook page. Chance’s second Chance.

*UPDATE* Enough funds have been raised to cover Chance’s vet bills! Thank you for the outpouring of generosity for this beautiful creature!