Tag Archives: Dr. Lorie Huston

Cat Writers' Association, Special Days, Uncategorized

Cat Writers Association 21st Annual Conference was a Meowing Blast

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Dusty Susan Willett at CWA 2014
Susan Willett worked very hard to help make the conference a success. She even stepped bravely into the world of bling.

A week ago I was surrounded by my CWA friends in Atlanta and was running around like a cat with hyperesthesia. This morning I’m chilling at home, drinking a leisurely cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee with my husband, and fighting my kitties for my spot on the couch. The 2014 Cat Writers’ Association 21st Writers’ Conference has been put to bed. Officially, “It’s a wrap.” I’m once again a civilian. And it’s great to be home.

I want to the thank everyone who worked so hard to put the conference on. Where do I start?

  • Su Ewing-CWA past president, conference co-chair and good friend for her work coordinating with the hotel and listening to me whine and bitch for six years.
  • Marci Kladnik-Contest chair and incoming president. She pulled my butt out of the fire on many occasions. Marci never does any half-vast. (Yes, I know that’s not the phrase.) When our regular categories contest chair suddenly resigned last year, Marci stepped up and saved the day. This year she did an amazing job of leading the contest committee. And when we lost Lorie, and we were asked to find homes for her six cats, Marci jumped in again and arranged the transportation of the kitties to their new families. When I was feeling overwhelmed, she told me, “Dusty, you worry about the conference and finding homes for the cats. I’ll take care of the transportation.” She did. And then when asked to take the reins as president, she did.
  • Susan Willett for making lemonade out of lemons. Throughout the final planning of the conference, she was always there. It didn’t matter menial or how complicated the task was, she did it.
  • Wendy Christensen for many years, as CWA secretary, she has had my back. She’s the glue of this organization. If I listed everything Wendy does, I’d run out of web space. For starters she’s responsible for the banquet program booklet. And she made the incredible Muse Medallion necklace I wore to the awards banquet. (Contact her about making one for you too.)
  • Amy Shojai–I can’t even list everything Amy does. Behind the scenes activities, heading the emergency nominating committee, presenting an amazing talk about DIY publishing and sometimes just a calm word.
  • Fran Pennock Shaw- She worked on the nominating committee. She took the book signing off my hands and made it a success despite the constant change. For a the month I was president she sent me gentle prompts, “You should be doing this and this.”  And Fran simply does what needs to done. No questions.
  • Rachel Phelps-She was our BarkWorld liaison
  • Chris Ruben-Brainstorming, BarkWorld liaison, co-conspirator.
  • Karen Payne-for the amazing newsletter and by her persistence and discovering Lorie was hospitalized
  • Nancy Peterson for handling goodie bag donations.
  • Heike Hagenguth-Editor appointment goddess the last 15 years
  • BJ Bangs-for heading the nominating committee, taking on the job of VP and providing photographs
  • Stephanie Piro for drawing the illustrations that appeared in our banquet program and the cards for the winners display
  • Layla Morgan-Wilde-For her CWA website maintenance and blogs, her support and for organizing Absent Friends.
  • Belated Sharon Melnyk for handling registration all those many years.
  • Jonathan the Bartender-for being Jonathan the Bartender.
Dusty-Jonathan-waving-tiaras
Dusty and Jonathan the Bartender offering the Queen’s wave to adoring banquet attendees. He looks stunning in his Thank-You-tiara.
Wendy Christensen Original
You, too, can own a Wendy Christensen Original Muse Medallion necklace. The night was all about the sparkles.

If I left anyone off, let me know. I’ll add you.

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Fluffy shows off her mom’s awards. (L-R) The Hartz® Milk Replacement for Kittens Award, Muse Medallion for best Online Article on Health and General Care, Hartz® Everyday Chewable Vitamin Award and 2104 Friskies® Writer of the Year Award.

At the awards banquet I was honored with the Friskies Writer of the Year Award, the Hartz® Everyday Chewable Vitamin Award (for the best entry on senior cats) and the Hartz® Milk Replacement for Kittens Award (kitten rescue award.) I also took home a Muse Medallion for my Catster.com article about the quality of life scale.

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Kiki and the Friskies® Writer of the Year Award.

However the most difficult and touching moment of the affair came when my friend and AdoptAShelter.com business partner, Chris Ruben, presented me with a bottle of Happy Cat Wine in a red bottle, a gift from absent friend, Lorie Huston. She had written Chris on August 30 (a month before she died) asking him to pick up the bottle to pick up a bottle and she would reimburse her. She wanted to give it to me as a thank you for helping her during her first year as president. Once he read her note and handed me the bottle everything else vanished. I so wish she had been able to present it to me personally.

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Lorie Huston’s final gift, a bottle of Happy Cat Wine with a note that I’ll keep forever.
lorie beautiful best
Lorie, wish you could have been with us. It was really YOUR night.

Thank you to all my CWA friends, the editors, speakers, officers and organizers for a memorable weekend. I’ll see you next year.

Cat Writers' Association, Obituary, Rescue

Mission Accomplished: Lorie’s Kitties are Rehomed

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lorie beautiful bestFriends, Cat Lovers, Countrymen,

Lend me you ear. I know politicians have a bad habit of saying “mission accomplished” before the job is really finished, but I believe I can say that, mostly.

With the exception of Lilly, all of Lorie’s babies are in their new forever homes. Cross-country transport would be too traumatic on the little white three-legged cat, so she’s staying at Lorie’s clinic (Hoffman Animal Hospital) until a new family is found. Lilly must go to a quiet local with no dogs, small kids, or aggressive cats. Tia, the receptionist at the clinic is carefully screening adoption applications.

Thank you to everyone for their financial contributions, for opening your homes to these little orphans and for spreading the word.

 

 

Rhette at his new home2
Rhette went to live with Dolly the Doxie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SONY DSC
Dillion found his way to Kentucky to live with Rachel Phelps where he now tests cat products and models.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midge & Merlin
Merlin & Midge have been adopted together by one of Lorie’s neighbors.
rusty
Rusty was adopted by one of Lorie’s clients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to;

  • Tia-Elise, Kelly Brady-Famiglietti and Mary Pepin for their boots-on-the-ground work. They cared for the kitties and transported them as necessary, until homes were found.
  • Incoming CWA President Marci Kladnik for arranging transportation.
  • BlogPaws’ Chloe DiVita for raising money to pay for vet care and transport and Pets360.com for offering cat food.
  • The BlogPaws community, Susan Gingrich, Diane Stuckart and Allia Zobel Nolan for your monetary donations.The funds allowed us to ship cats, buy food and litter, pay for shipping and diagnostic tests. After all the volunteers have been reimbursed for their expenses, I will send the remaining funds to Lorie’s brother, Tim. Lorie has an enormous outstanding hospital bill and the money will help at least a little.

Despite this shocking and devastating loss, I am glad that the animal blogging community, Lorie’s friends, family, clients, employees and the Cat Writers’ Association came together to save her kitties. Lorie would be pleased.

Cat Writers' Association, Obituary, Rescue, Uncategorized

Left Behind: Help Rehome Dr. Lorie Huston’s Kitties

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loriehustonprofile-1333478613My friend and Cat Writers’ Association President Dr. Lorie Huston passed away yesterday after a lifelong struggle with liver disease. Lorie had six rescued kitties whom she dearly loved. They are living in Providence, RI. The family has asked that homes be found for Lorie’s babies. As you might expect, they are all fixed, current on their vaccinations, and negative for diseases. Some or all are declawed. The kitties are all rescues, not closely bonded and do not necessarily need to be placed together. They are special needs, of course, because that’s how Lorie rolled. Read details below.

Lorie’s vet clinic does not have the room to board the kitties. The clinic’s receptionist is trying to help, but is recovering from a serious dog attack and has transportation limitations so it is very difficult for her to check on them. We are looking for forever homes, foster homes, no kill shelters, people to transport and possibly even donations to pay for transportation or boarding.

BTW–Pet Assure veterinary discount plans has offered three free months to anyone who adopts one of Lorie’s babies.

If you’re interested in adopting or fostering any of Lorie’s kitties or helping out in any way, please fill out the form below.

 

Lorie’s cats

lilly-1

 

Lilly is Lorie’s 11 year old and a tripod. When Lilly was just an 8 week old kitten she lost her leg, part of her tail, and several toes after a dog attack. Rather than euthanizing the homeless brown tabby, Lorie performed the necessary surgery to save her life, then adopted her. Lorie said Lilly is laid-back and very sweet. She’s a happy, healthy, older lady who doesn’t even realize she’s one leg short of a full set. She cannot go into a home with dogs. She is spayed and FeLV/FIV/HW negative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midge-Grooming

Midge is about 6 years old, spayed, declawed and FeLV/FIV negative. Midge came from a litter of orphaned kittens, hand-raised by a friend. Lorie had room for one more cat and Midge joined her family. She is a shy girl and would do well by herself, as the other cats pick on her. CORRECTION: Midge is friendly. Lorie always fed her separately, and watched to make sure the others left her alone. Lorie said Midge is standoffish with the other cats but loves people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

rusty

adopted!

Rusty was left at Lorie’s clinic by an animal control officer. The poor kitty was extremely ill with a respiratory infection and was treated at the hospital. After he recovered, he would always find his way into Lorie’s exam room and hang out in her sink. Lorie couldn’t resist him. Rusty, who’s between 4 and 6 years old, is a personal favorite of clinic staff. Lorie said Rusty is shy at first and easily frightened, but very sweet. He’s declawed, neutered, and negative for FeLV/FIV/HW.

 

dillon

adopted!

Dillon, who is between 4 and 6 years old was left in a cardboard box on the clinic’s doorstep. He immediately began rubbing all over Lorie. It was love at first sight. She adopted him the next day after being neutered and tested for FeLV/FIV. Lorie said Dillon is curious about everything and seeks attention from anyone.

 

 

 

 

rhette

adopted!!!!

Rhette is a 6 to 8 year old neutered and declawed boy who was left in a carrier in the hospital parking lot. After being examined and found to be healthy, he joined Lorie’s growing family as well. Lorie said he is demanding and very vocal. He thinks he’s the boss. He can be a bully. He’s confused and a little nervous in Lorie’s absence, but friendly.

 

 

 

 

Merlin-FBMerlin, now 6 to 8 years old, is neutered and declawed. He was living unsuccessfully as stray cat near the hospital. He was determined to become a member of the staff. When someone opened the door, he strolled right in and made himself comfortable. He’s a funny cat who always made Lorie laugh because he likes to throw his whole body over his food bowl. He’s mellow and minds his business, and does his own thing. Lorie said Merlin seeks attention but is less confident than Dillon.

Please fill out form to adopt or foster a kitty