by Charlie Fineran

SETTING UP THE STORIES
October 14th 2023 – It is Saturday afternoon and I have been struggling to come up with an article and some photos for my Photo of the Week for Insidewarren.com. My original plan was to write an article about my new adopted cat Thomas, Along with the ‘Sad Circumstances’ which created the necessity for me to adopt!! The story was ready to be written, BUT I had NO PHOTOS!!! You see, I adopted and brought Thomas home, Wednesday October 4th 2023, from Blairstown Animal Hospital, AND, as soon as I released him from the carrier, he “Beat Feet” and has been IN HIDING!!!! I didn’t know where he was, much less, get a photo of him!!!! The only sporadic clue I had concerning him was an occasional “Hiss, Howl or Yelp” by him or one of my other cats, when the bumped into each other!! I originally thought he was under my bed, but after an extensive search of my bedroom, that theory was tossed out!! Finally realized he was behind a chair in my back bedroom!! SO, I am going thru my “Email Photos Files”. Going thru a Sunrise and Sunset folder, I came across an album titled “What a Beautiful Beginning and Ending” I didn’t immediately remember what this was all about, it was dated January 19th 2013!! When I opened it up and looked at the photos – THEN IT JUMPED BACK TO MIND!!!! Ladies and Gentlemen, this was a story in-itself back then, that had a sad follow up story, which occurred after I sent the original email message!! ***NOTE There are many similarities to that story and to my NEW TALE about Thomas – I will connect all the dots for you!!***


MODUS OPERANDI – I have copied and pasted the original email message, see below
“What A Beautiful Beginning AND Ending”

Hi Everyone:
I wasn’t expecting to send today’s email but at the end of the day I made a beeline for my computer! I went to bed early last night and let me tell you I think I broke my record for falling asleep! Woke up and noticed the sun hadn’t risen over the mountain yet, I can record my first sunrise at my new home!! A little scrambling, trying to find everything, but I made it to my car and got the camera! Color wise, not a spectacular sunrise, but I always enjoy when the conditions create that beam or beacon of sunlight effect, AND besides, it is my documenting my first day here!! For all my scrambling around this morning, for all of yesterday’s commotion, I couldn’t resist this photo of Oliver, calmly watching me from his new favorite spot!

The late afternoon had some interesting cloud formations, could be an interesting sunset! Drove down my road out through the sod fields and it just kept developing!!! Besides that, “The sky is afire look!” I was treated to several large formations of geese amid the colors!! I also noticed that puddles on the ground and even water in the ditches were also catching and reflecting the colors! The sky was so bright that even clouds in the opposite direction were putting on a show!! What a spectacular ending for the day!!

I hope you enjoyed your day, it certainly began and ended in a beautiful way!!


Enjoy Your Open Space!!


Charlie Fineran


Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission
Allamuchy Historical Society – President”


SAD NOTE
My cat Oliver passed away that night on my bed with me at around 1:30AM!! I was so fortunate to have taken that photo of him in the front window!! He lived ONE Full Day at our new home AND WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IT WAS, from beginning to end!!


You now have Part I of this Tale!!


SIMILARITIES BETWEEN OLIVER & THOMAS


They BOTH were Abandoned!!
Oliver’s owner had his front claws removed and then let him stay outdoors before finally moving away.
Thomas also had his front claws removed – His owners?? bought a brand new material cat carrier (didn’t even remove the labels and tags) and abandoned him in same on Rt 94 in Hainesburg!! We know nothing about him!! No Name – I gave him the name Thomas. Blairstown Animal Hospital took him in and cleaned him up along with giving him a medical exam including some shots! THANK YOU!! When I heard of his story AND that All shelters were full I figured let me help him out!!! He will be an indoor cat with my others Lucy and Lady!!


UPDATE
Today Saturday – This morning woke up to some meowing by Thomas, I positioned myself in his room and after about a half hour of coaxing he finally came over to me and let me pet him!! He is still squeamish but we are going in the right direction!! Maybe next week I will have some nice photos


Hope You enjoyed this two Part Tale about two cats with a lot of similarities which unfolded after a ten year break in time.


OBSERVATION
Seems like we are experiencing a lot of abandoned pets!! If you can’t take care of your pets ‘DON’T BE A DIRT BAG or LOW LIFE!!” At least tell somebody where your pet is!!! If YOU can help, ADOPT A PET!!


Charlie Fineran


Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President