Wow. It looks like I was really missed. First, let me say I'm really sorry for not being around but the last 2 weeks have been a nightmare. The mold in our apartment got so bad that we made the big decision to move even though our lease wasn't up until December. Our landlord was ecstatic about letting us out of the lease because that meant he could renovate the apartment and get a ton more money for it. Oh well. Anyway, we decided to move to Brooklyn where we could find a cheaper, bigger apartment and the commute to Manhattan wouldn't be too long. So last Thursday we moved to our new place but of course the new landlord lied to us and told us the place was ready for us to move in. Nothing could be further from the truth. No electricity. Plumbing messed up. They were still working on the place when we showed up and there were saws and saw dust everywhere! It was insane and horribly hot. So almost 3 days with no electricity and we couldn't use the tub, no hot water, rooms needing to be painted, and I could go on and on. I went back to the old apartment to clean it up and turn in the keys (and hopefully get a shower) but to my surprise ... they went into the apartment and gutted it in the few days after we moved out! Everything was gone!! I was in shock. At least we got most of our stuff out. So I call up the old landlord and he apologizes and offering me a rent reduction to make up for it. The new landlord also took off a week of rent to make up for all the "inconveniences" we have suffered.

So, the old landlord claims the apartment early and the new landlord didn't finish our new apartment. We felt like we were in limbo. And here we are in the heat with a baby girl and Wampi who was seriously freaked out and not wanting to spend another minute in that cage he lived in for 2 months.

Fast forward to tonight.

So here I am, finally in our new apartment with electricity, working toilets and a bathtub, lukewarm water and things seem to be settling down now ... but wait ... in blows Rita to Texas! I grew up in Texas and my mom and sister are now trapped in grid lock on I-45 going north to Dallas trying to get out before the Hurricane hits. My dad lives on a small farm south of Houston and he is headed Southwest to get away from the storm. His house is so old that winds of 100+ will most likely rip the roof off. My aunt had heart surgery last week and is driving alone with her cat and dog trying to stay in contact with my Mom and sister but the cell phone lines keep jamming. I'm all stressed out with worry.

So there you have it guys. My life has been a nightmare of neverending stresses for weeks and I'm sorry I haven't posted but hopefully you understand why. We are all doing better here (especially being away from all the mold rampant at the old apartment) but now I'm worried about my family. And I miss my old neighborhood in the East Village.

Wampi is doing great and, except for his legs bowing out in the back and his inability to jump, he seems much like his old self. He even caught a mouse earlier today and brought it to me. Yes, He loves me! =)

I'll try to post some photos soon but please bare with me ... my life has been chaotic and I'm one inch away from freaking out.

Wampi is wanting to sleep in the bed with us again ... I have been woken up the last few nights with Wampi trying to get into the bed but of course he can't. It's a futon bed/couch pullout so it's lower to the ground so what he does is get up on his back legs with his paws up on the futon mattress. Then, he meows a bunch and takes one of his furry fore paws and tries to touch my face. He touches my cheek very gently but the combination of meowing and face pawing is enough to wake me up!

Yes, that's right. He's playing again and seems so much happier. He's gained a little weight and his fur is getting shiny again and starting to fill out. In fact, his limp is even getting so much better, he walks almost perfect now albeit a bit slower and if he walks too fast his back legs sort of slip out from under him like he's lost control. He pretty much has to walk slowly and he still can't jump up on anything but he's doing so amazing. I am just so happy that he is progressing.

Here a few photos from last week that I wanted to share with everyone.


Wampi is back to hanging out under my desk ... yes, on top of a bunch of junk which I don't think is very comfortable but he seems to like it. =)

stretching


You can't tell from this picture, but seconds before Wampi and Avalon (my daughter) were having a stare-off. Wampi is pretty much afraid of her and she is super fascinated with him and especially his tail.


Wampi playing with a rubber duckie!


Get the duckie!


He is playing again! I was so happy to see him playing that I had to get pictures of him terrorizing the duckie. =)

SaveWampi is suspending its donation drive for the month of September to help the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans and the Gulf States. If you are moved by Wampi's story and wish to donate, please consider donating to the American Red Cross instead. All money I raise from bottle/can deposits for the month of September will be donated to the American Red Cross. Regular Wampi updates will continue as usual and I will resume our donation drive on October 1st to pay off the remaining vet bill. Thank you. =^..^=

I can't believe what I'm seeing on television. I've been to New Orleans several times and it's gone. Might as well call it Atlantis. I have friends there ... I hope they are ok.

I feel so lucky, so blessed to have my home (be it ever so small and rented), my wonderful husband and daughter, and of course Wampi. We don't have a lot but we have each other and we've had so much support from the blog community to help us with the tragedy that happened to Wampi last June.

The problems of my life seem so insignificant when I see what is happening on television to the people of New Orleans.

So I've been thinking ... Wampi's surgery bill is almost paid off and I still have until Dec. 14 to pay the balance. I don't have much at all to donate to help the victims/refugees of Katrina but I can ask this:

If you are moved by Wampi's story and want to donate to help pay off his debt, please send whatever you would donate to Wampi, to the American Red Cross instead. I'll start taking donations again on October 1 to help pay off Wampi's remaining surgery bill. I only need to raise $365.74 by Dec. 14 so I know I can do that in 2 1/2 months.

But right now, the people in New Orleans and the surrounding area are without homes, food, water ... I heard today there were dead bodies inside and outside of the Superdome, rapes happening in there, alligators in the water, sewage flooding the city and 80% of New Orleans is gone. Who knows how many people died in their homes. I could go on but everyone is hearing about this ... to recount it all makes my stomach hurt.

I'm also going to donate the deposit money I receive for recycling bottles & cans for the month of September to the American Red Cross. It won't be much, but it is something. I have to do something. So many people have helped us, I want to help these people in this tragic time. I'll keep posting Wampi updates and letting everyone know how he is recovering, but no donations to Wampi for the month of September. Please help the Red Cross help these people. If I could, I would go down there myself and volunteer my help ... but I have a family to take care of ... we all do what we can to help our fellow humans out.

For those of you safe in your homes, count your blessings and help out these people if you can. My heart goes out to the refugees of New Orleans.

p.s. - I need to thank 3 more people who donated during the last week of August ... Huge thank you's go out to Greg, Rena and Amy! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!