Lucky Cats Going into 2023

Hey everyone, miss me!? So I have some things I need to catch you all up on. First, I would be a hypocrite if I came here and did Holly Jolly Christmas fundraising shit this year. That wouldn't be true for me, which has been one of the root problems I've felt this year, and my brain has had enough, along with my heart. So please bare with me.

This year has been a struggle since it started; I've been reminded of more in business, about people, and myself than I learned. It's driven home why I've worked the way I do for all these years building my studio, why privacy is so important to me, and why I wanted to start Lucky Cats. There have been some great successes, but there have been a lot of things I have not received the support needed in some critical areas, and the days of me expressing real concerns being met with "it's fine" by those around me were over long ago. I have been pushed to my breaking point, and I knew most wouldn't be around to help the last couple of months, so I implemented a mental health break for the organization. I needed to take this time to prioritize Lucky Cats Rescues resources and goals for 2023 and process some things personally.

For me, processing requires seclusion and the removal of "noise" and distractions; some understand this, and some take it personally. But some creatures need a cacoon to reemerge, and others don't. Some thrive and are energized in environments others die in. But when some creatures continue to be held under, forced to be in an environment, feelings are diminished, mentally tortured, and used against them for years..... So what can you expect 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm just a feral cat in a world designed for dogs. I'm so exhausted; I've reached a point where I need real support and your help to create the Sanctuary I have been dreaming of and working so hard for the last few years for the kitties and all of us. A new kind of space for cats and humans to support each other. A new platform with a purpose.

After Jeff passed, I stopped fostering because all my cats needed me, and I needed them more. They have been my only purpose since Jeff has been gone, and I can't process most days. They have always come first and foremost, and I always have taken the weight and the emotional and financial load. Caretakers know how we tend to keep a lot to ourselves to spare others, but I can't do it anymore, and now I need the space and support to focus on my cats again. Unfortunately, those around me refuse to hear me without endless conversations having to explain and defend myself (#itsnotfine), so I'm coming to you instead to ask for everyone's help and support through this emotionally draining and exhausting time.

Many were supportive when I canceled the fundraising event in Salem in October, but part of that was also because of what I was dealing with outside of that. I was preparing Daria for surgery on Halloween day, and Potato had some issues while fighting an infection. Daria has officially been diagnosed with breast cancer, had a second emergency surgery, and had her first of five chemotherapy treatments (#itsnotfine). Potato has had me on alert all year as she is getting older and less comfortable. But the infection is a problem, and I know she requires much more hands-on care than previously. And tomorrow, WP is scheduled for an ultrasound because his sympathy weight loss after Daria's surgery is not stopping, and I can tell something is off with him too, but his diabetes has been stable all year. I can't do this alone; this emotionally is killing me, and the Medical bills are currently reaching about $10k on my credit cards, and all our fundraising dues are coming at the beginning of the year. Still, everyone else seems to think, "it's fine." PS, did I mention I also learned I've been struggling with Long Covid for two years but was also misdiagnosed? #ITSNOTFINE

In the spirit of where LCR started, to celebrate Potato's life and the impact I want Lucky Cats to have in the future; I want everyone that has followed and loved Potato all these years to write a handwritten letter. Tell her how following her has benefited you, inspired you, and then tell us how you and your cats have been there for each other. Too often, we say nice things and celebrate someone after they are gone, but I want to start celebrating her now and read every single letter to her so she can hear all your beautiful words to her. What would you like to say to Potato, knowing she will listen to it directly from her Mom and Guardian? Please send letters to LCR headquarters (address below). We will be scanning and uploading all letters on her tribute page on our new platform on our website! I might even record some of our story times and share them too.

I also want your support to help me get this next chapter of Lucky Cats Rescue moving again and start building the safe space I have planned for everyone. I'm working on getting the new website updates finished up, including a new Supporters Section full of all the content, information, and community that the world could use. Still, I think it is just not meant for social media! I can't and won't ever be able to share what I want the way I want, to the best ability, in this environment. I have never been a social media person, and I'm done letting it infect my brain, life, and "friendships." I've built my career on not relying on social media. I'm constantly reminded in business and life, signing off social media is the best decision for me, and I know what I need to do as we advance in 2023.

Ways to help:

- Donate once or become a monthly donor and be the first to be part of our new online community! #SpudSquadStatus

- Check out LuckyCatsRescue.org and get a sneak peek of new programs LCR will be offering (see Events page for details)

- Buy merchandise! All proceeds go to LCR (the new online merch store is live) LuckyCatsRescueShop.org

- Sign up for the Mewletter, so you get all the updates (because Fuckerburg doesn't run my algorithm!)

-And don't forget your letter to Potato! Mail to:

Potato c/o Lucky Cats Rescue

565 Mount Auburn St.

Watertown, MA 02472

  Thank you for your support and help during this difficult time. As we advance, LuckyCatsRescue.org and our email Mewsletter will be the primary way to get your beans on all things LCR. Of course, we will still utilize IG to share clips and teasers of what is happening in our Supporter's Community. But this year, I gift myself the complete freedom and ability to let go of this place. To honestly and authentically trust myself and know that this is what I'm here to do. The future Lucky Cats Rescue Sanctuary, Grief, & Community Center will be better than anything I have imagined yet, & the kitties will forever be protected and cared for.

Peace, love, and penguins

     Holly & ALL the kitties!!

More info coming soon!! Including a special Meet & Greet event Friday & Saturday!! Stay tuned!! (Or if you go to LuckyCatsRescue.org you can find out right now)

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