We Love You, Baby Hope

     I am very, very sorry to share that little Baby Hope passed away in December.

     She was the most inspiring, playful, resilient and happy handicapped kitten I've ever met.  She lived with so much love and hopefulness for a long and healthy life.  No one could ever forget her, because Baby Hope touched all our hearts.  

     We love you and will miss you, Baby Hope.

Update on A Friend with RA in Need: Sharon Yoshizu

     Good news!  My friend Sharon successfully had surgery to fuse her neck/spine yesterday!


Sharon and her husband, Brad

     She is doing very well and expects to recover within the next six months (hopefully sooner!)  I am so happy and relieved for Sharon and her family.  Now they can focus on recovery and we all want Sharon to be free from the pain she's been suffering for the last several years.  Through it all, Sharon has remained positive and grateful for everything.  She is an amazing person!

    If you are interested, please visit Sharon's fundraising page here.  Thank you for helping Sharon live as fully as possible!

Hope Update #1

     Lovely little Hope is doing much better!  I visited her recently, armed with supplies and toys!  Hope was so happy playing with her new mice!

     Click here to watch baby Hope play!  So super adorable!

     Hope's leg is slowly healing, and she loves all of her visitors.  She's approximately two months old and I swear this kitten doesn't know she's not like other kitties.  She hops to you and "hunts" her toys (complete with butt wiggle) and welcomes all visitors with her sweet personality. 

     When she is old enough and her body is stronger, she will have her surgeries and her rescue parents intend to give Hope wheels so she can run and play with everyone!

     Please continue sending your warm thoughts and prayers to Hope!  They are helping her thrive!

     Hope's fundraising page

     808 Animal Rescue's instagram page (regular updates here!)

Handshakes are Horrible

     I avoid shaking hands.

     Why?

1. People have germs.  Especially on their hands.  I don't know where your hands have been, and I'd like to avoid getting sick.
2. Handshakes hurt.  What appears as two people momentarily squeezing each other's hand is actually someone else squeezing all the swollen, inflamed joints in my hand and causing pain that could last for hours.

     No thanks.

     Thankfully, I live in Hawaii.  In place of a handshake, we hug and sometimes do the cheek kiss.  Hands aren't involved (unless you're a businessperson or are involved in a professional atmosphere, but even then we tend to be pretty casual).  Hallelujah for the laid-back Hawaiian vibe!