So kitty showed up on my porch last night seeking shelter from the storm

[gwheezie]

We got the snow and ice here last night/this morning. About 2am my good dog Joe was barking and whining at the door, so I let him out and went out to make sure the horses were ok and the 2 stray hound dogs I put up in the garage were ok and Joe came out of woods with an ice covered cat following him. The hound dogs showed up before the storm, neither have collars and are quite thin but poor cat was covered in ice, my good dog Joe is one of those that takes care of all animals, I think he knew she was out there and brought her to safety, he seems to know the stray hounds also, I'm going to have a talk with him about this animal rescue thing he's doing. Cat is doing fine, she's dry, ate and is napping now.

[Solly Mack]

1. Joe's a good dog!

[liberalla]

2. Thank you Joe for saving that little near frozen kitty.

and thank you gwheezie for helping Joe fulfill his mission... he needs a kind and caring human to actually run the animal shelter business end.

Lucky kitty. I hope you all get through this storm safe and warm.

[Mojorabbit]

68. I second that!!! Good DOG Joe! nt

[Diclotican]

3. wheezier

wheezier

Some animals is just like that - making "rounds" to round up friends of them, who they take back to humans, to make them safe.. You have a great dog, not everyone would do that with a cat.. And not all cat would accept an invitation from a dog, to a shelter either..
I also think, you have doing a great job with the dog - even though the caring for everyone else might have picket up somewhere else.. He might just be a caring dog ?

Anyway - its great you care for the cat - and that she dry, have eaten and is napping - my guess is that she have coming to a nice place to be - if she choose to be there, and you let her be.. They have the ability to catch your hearth and climb into it the poor cats..

It is like I allways says - you never pick the cat - the cat shoose you to pick it up - and care for it.. After a few stray cats I have had, I suspect it to be true too..

Diclotican

[tblue37]

89. I had a cat named Luke who used to bring home stray kittens and half-grown cats.

He never brought home an adult--only babies or adolescents.

I found good homes for most, but kept 2 of his rescues.

Yes, I do think some animals feel they have a rescue mission during their time on earth. It alsmost makes me think they might be reincarnated bodhisattvas.

[Diclotican]

93. tblue37

tblue37

Some animals is like that - willing to help others who might be in worse shape than them selfs - your cat Luke, might also have known that you would give them all the best - if they just followed him back home.... Some animals is like that - caring and in many cases tolerant to others..

Once I was living in a rather rural area of Norway - and at the barn we had a cat - who was there officially to keep an tab on the mouses, but who often was a rather lazy mouse trapper - But he was a very gentle cat, - who often was given shelter to other who might was in need of a place to bunker down for a while. We had a few hens also - and I believe the poor cat had some identify problems - as he often was there every night - it was warmer there than in the rest of the barn - and he was often sleeping next to the chickens. And he never, ever was after the chickens - even though he might could have killed off a few easy enough.. A few years he had the companion of a black cat, we called Mozart - he was a old cat - but in need of a place to live - and our buddy - Spotty as he was named deiced he was in need of a friend - and one day the black cat just steeped in in the bar - and lived there for the last couple of years... Mozart was also a far better hunter than Spotty, and Spotty learned by doing after what Mozart was showing of, when it was time to hunt for mice in the barn.. When Mozart died - Spotty was over himself in greef - for a long time - Mozart was a great friend of him I suspect.... And a great teatcher about how to be a cat..

Maybe your right about that some animals is here on a mission - if it is to rescue everyone who might need it - or might to keep an eye on the humans... I do not know - but have had a few cats who I might belive was there to keep an key on me - and to take care of me in a way...

Diclotican

[gwheezie]

4. Yes Joe is a great dog

He was about 9 months old when he showed up here, someone shot him in the ass with buckshot. He's part shepherd/something else, we've had him 14 years, he used to stay out with my goats when he was younger watching over them. He is a great friend to livestock, other dogs and cats, even bunnies and chickens, very smart guy. One year I heard some awful screamng and there was Joe with a bunny in his mouth carrying it around, at first I thought he was trying to kill it but he was just carrying it around so I told him Joe put that kitty down, he looked at me like are you sure this is a kitty, I told yes it's a kitty so put it down, he was pretty sure I was wrong but he's a good dog so he put it down.
The cat will be fine, when the snow is driveable I'll take her to my vet and see if she's fixed and chipped, if not I'll keep her. Most of the feral cats would never get this close to people let alone come in the house, I'll have to see if someone around here is missing a cat at some point. The stray hound dogs in the garage are another story, we have a stray hound problem here.There are so many that if you make the mistake of feeding and sheltering one, animal control declares you the new owner but I can't let a skinny animal fend for themselves in this kind of weather.

[aquart]

52. Joe is a dog. He could smell it wasn't a kitty.

But he loves you even though he thinks you might not be all that smart.

[shireen]

73. which state is this?

What's causing the stray hound problems?

[gwheezie]

80. Virginia

We are allowed to hunt with dogs here and some folks are not very good to their dogs, so some get turned loose or get lost with no id

[hollysmom]

81. what a sweet puppy.

He is getting up their in years, maybe he is looking for someone to care for you after he passes in 20 or so years.

[efhmc]

91. I want to catch neuter and release some feral cats living under

my house. However not only do the vets around here all want the regular amount to fix the cats (very pricey) but they want you to give them a name and be listed as an owner. I am not even in this house but about 2-3 days a week so I can't accept that responsibility. In the mean time they are more unwanted kittens ever few months. A neighbor puts out food regularly for them, but he certainly doesn't have the money to get the animals spayed and neutered. What's the solution?

[greatlaurel]

5. Good dog Joe is an inspiration.

Thanks for the great story. Glad everyone made it through the storm OK.

We run a very unofficial rescue here. One rescued dog, and 15 rescued cats. We also have one dog and one cat, we picked out for ourselves. The rescued cats have all just appeared here at one time or another. We have a barn, so I think people dump their unwanted kitties here.

[redwitch]

6. Who's a good dog?

Joe is! Thanks for offering shelter from the storm. XO

[grilled onions]

7. Good Dog Joe

That would make a great title for a book. "He" could talk about all his rescues,where he found them and whether or not he got to keep them! He could inspire other good dawgs to do the same thing!

[gerogie2]

8. You're sort of like my mom was.

Dad said we could only have one dog. Mom rescued about a dozen strays over the years.

[dorkzilla]

9. Good dogs come from good owners

I know a few great dogs that belong to idiots, but for the most part, good dogs can be great when they're not worried about food, security, being shot in the butt by some reprobate and have a warm hearth and a good home.

I now "only" have 3 kitties and 2 dogs, but at my rescue-y worst I had 5 giant dogs and 6 stray kitties. Bless you for taking care of these unfortunate creatures!!!!

[magical thyme]

10. Bless you and your good dog Joe...

for taking in and caring for the strays...

I'm sure Joe knew the kitty and the hounds were out there, and brought them to safety! He is a good dog!

[Divernan]

11. It's good to be reminded there are good-hearted people in our cold-hearted world.

I have 2 cats I've rescued from the woods behind our house. They are quite content to sit on a cushion by the window and watch the snow fall and the ice accumulate. I hate the thought of all the other animals still outside in this horrendous weather.

[BelgianMadCow]

46. Word. n/t

[Historic NY]

12. We have a stray cat & her friend..

living in a 54 Chevy next to my friends shop. He's been feeding them regularly. It was funny to see her poke her head out of the headlight hole when we called to feed her.

[navarth]

13. Thank goodness for people like you

and good dogs like your Joe.

[Brigid]

14. Joe the rescue doggie!

Good boy, Joe!

[DeSwiss]

15. I always say.....

...animals are here to remind us to love each other.

- Good on ya Joe!

K&R!

[polly7]

16. Thank you and Joe for helping to save these animals.

[mnhtnbb]

17. Aww...what a good dog, Joe!

And what a dear you are to let him out in the middle of the night so he could bring that poor kitty
home to some warmth.

[LynneSin]

18. I'm a little upset about this post....

can't post about finding kittens without photos of the found kittens.

Just saying!

[SunSeeker]

83. I was too, but then I scrolled through the thread and I saw the pics on post 27.

[madmom]

19. Aw.... such a smart dog. Give him a big hug and extra treat from

me! Love hearing these rescue stories even though they break my heart.

[Arkansas Granny]

20. Joe really is a good dog. I'll bet the kitty agrees.

We had a dog like that when I was growing up. He would make friends with every animal that came on the place. When the cat started having her kittens, she curled up next to him. He stayed there with her until my mom noticed what was happening and moved her and the babies to their own box.

[Stonepounder]

21. Can I sign Joe up as a volunteer for the Rescue I volunteer for?

[paleotn]

22. That's sweet! Good dog, Joe. Good dog. (nt)

[Triana]

23. Awwww. Joe's a good pup!

And you're a good human too, trying to help all the poor ones!

[gopiscrap]

24. My son is like that

at one time we had 27 pets of fur, fin, scales and feather!

[2theleft]

25. Hugs to Joe and you, too!

What a wonderful dog. And a wonderful owner for helping Joe with his rescues.

[oldandhappy]

26. Good on ya

You and Joe are a fine team! Be safe. Sending warm thots and some cyber scratches.

[gwheezie]

27. pic of kitty

I hope this works.
Pic of Joe

[orleans]

30. beautiful pictures, beautiful joe and kitty.

i think all your hearts must be filled with love.

[bullwinkle428]

31. Fantastic!! They both look like they're doing great!

[glinda]

33. Super!!!!!!!!

[Agschmid]

34. Aww! Adorable thanks for taking the cat in!

[840high]

36. Love to both.

[LoveMyCali]

38. Adorable, both of them but

Joe looks a little tired, must be too many night rescues.

[libodem]

40. Awwww

As someone up thread commented 'Good Dog Joe' sounds like a terrific book title. Somebody round up a ghost writer!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

44. awwwwwww! :)

loves!

[Nay]

48. Joe is an angel in disguise and that kitty is a lucky kitty! nt

[Skittles]

66. is it me or does Joe just look.....WISE?

[awoke_in_2003]

82. Kitty seems pessimistic...

(well, it is a cat ) and Joe looks wise.

[chervilant]

87. Please,

give Joe an extra doggie boo-boo from me! (aka treat, cookie, etc). Also, a BIG hug!

Such a good dog!

[a la izquierda]

29. Well done, good soul! Nt

[glinda]

32. Thank you for helping them. "Good boy, Joe!"

[840high]

35. You're a gem.

[ficuswoman]

37. such a good kitty

Thanks for taking her in. I'm a rescue dog and cat owner myself.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

39. Yay! Good Dog, Joe!

[shenmue]

41. Yay for dog! Yay for kitteh! :)

Yay for you and all your critters!!

[hamsterjill]

42. Animals love unconditionally.

Animals love unconditionally. BUT...they are representatives of the way that THEY are treated.

Bless you for loving Joe and allowing him to love (and save) others. Bless you for taking in the ones who need shelter.

[Amaril]

43. Awww, good boy, Joe!

Sending Joe a chin scratch and a cuddle for being such a good boy.

And good on you, gwheezie for being a kind and caring human.

This world needs more like you & Joe!

[Sienna86]

45. What a good dog you have

And you are special too for taking care of the kitten.

[liberalmuse]

47. Joe is an angel!

I truly believe that many animals are actually angels in disguise. Or at least they act like they are. Thank you for saving that little ice-kitty on the behalf of all animal lovers!

[Jakes Progress]

49. Bless you and Joe.

[iamthebandfanman]

50. Thanks for caring for the kitty!

and the other animals it sounds like you took in!

during our bad weather with super low temps a couple of weeks ago.. I started making kitty/animal shelters for the strays around me to stay warm in... im poor so I did it the best way I could...
tons of cardboard boxes, lots of plastic to cover the outsides with insulation, and blankets galore..

I already have 4 (down from 6 sadly in the last 2 years sadly) and they are no longer very keen on outside visitors or I would have just let them inside...

oh , and I did end up having same takers.. 3 to be exact ... two of them didn't really get a long for the few days they were there .. but they made due since it guaranteed them food/shelter during hard times

[martigras]

51. Thank you for saving that kitty

Folks like you give me hope in this selfish world. Good karma to you and good dog Joe!

[countryjake]

53. Your woofie must be a descendant of the original "Beautiful Joe",

my very favorite book as a kid, tells the story (from the dog's point of view) of the need for humans to become more humane in watching over their fellow furry friends, those creatures with which we share this planet.

As a dog who himself was rescued from a horrible condition of life, that Joe urged his savior to notice and then act wherever they found lost, neglected, or abused critters, and he passed on the simple message that we should always be aware of the plight of animals in our everyday society and treat them with the loving kindness that they deserve.

I can't help but wonder if you chose Joe's name because you also enjoyed Margaret Saunders' little book as a child?

If so, he is certainly living up to his name. Tell him for me that I so appreciate the valuable work he is doing!

[Curmudgeoness]

58. What a lovely book that is.

I had never heard of it, and a friend suggested it to me as a book with as much impact on animal treatment for dogs as Black Beauty had on treatment of horses. It was an important book for what it made people realize.

[countryjake]

84. It sure had an impact on me when I was a little girl...

and I'll always credit Beautiful Joe for instilling my lifetime love of animals.

[gwheezie]

67. I never heard of that book

but I'll read it now. I work nights and came home one morning and there he was on my porch, my husband came outside and called him over and said Ï think we'll call him Joe. My husband said as soon as he saw him, he knew his name was Joe and the puppy knew his name was Joe. Joe was very much like this cat, just walked in the house like he always lived here.

[countryjake]

85. From reading this thread, as much as you care for animals, you'll love it!

The world needs more folk like you!

I love the story of how Joe found you when he was a pup, poor boy knew where he'd get help after he was shot. He really does sound like an amazing and much beloved friend!

Welcome to DU!

[avebury]

86. I checked amazon.com and you can

get a free copy for a kindle. If you don't own a kindle you can put the kindle ap on your computer and still download the kindle version.

I plan on checking out the book.

[Curmudgeoness]

92. I see that it is available for Kindle.

It is also on Guttenberg, where I read it after a pet rescue friend suggested it as a must read. I don't have mobile technology, so I read it online.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2818

From Wikipedia (but don't read too much about it before you read the book):

Beautiful Joe was a dog from the town of Meaford, Ontario, whose story inspired the bestselling 1893 novel Beautiful Joe, which contributed to worldwide awareness of animal cruelty.

[AgingAmerican]

54. Kittys make good heaters

under the blankets when the power goes out.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

55. Now that's what we call

shelter from the storm. Good dog, good kitty, GRRRRREAT humans! This winter will undoubtedly be a record-breaker for bringing many more stray/lost critters inside. And for all those folks:

[raven mad]

56. Hoping you stay warm - and thank you for this.

As a "crazy cat lady", it warms my heart!

For all of you "out East" who are catching the crap our Polar Express is throwing:

[Auntie Bush]

57. You're an angle in disguise.

What do you plan on doing with all those strays...keep them or take them to a shelter? Which ever one you do they will be so grateful and lucky they came across the likes of you!

[gwheezie]

70. The strays

We have a huge stray problem where I live, out here in the woods. Many of the cats are feral, this one isn't, she's too well fed and friendly to be feral. She may have gone out before the storm and for whatever reason didn't make it home, I only have so many neighbors, it will be fairly easy to find out if she belongs to one of them, so this weekend I'll drive around and ask if anyone is missing a cat. I'll ask about the dogs also. If I don't find her owner, I'll keep her. I'm low on cats anyway,lol.
The hounds are a different problem, since I have housed and fed them, animal control will argue they are mine. We don't have an aggressive adoption program out here,my county doesn't have it's own shelter, we use the one in the next county. We have a stray hunting dog problem here, at the end of the hunting season some are just let loose. In fact, the reason I was prepared to shelter these 2 was because years ago, it was so unmanageable I purposely bought a kennel and set it up in my garage so if a skinny hound showed up, I had a place to put it without having it mingle with my dogs.You can tell if a hound is just passing through doing his business, they might hang around if it's an interesting place for an hour but they have places to go and stuff to do, very important, the ones who are lost hang around and won't leave. If it has a collar, I call the owner. Hounds travel, I once had a pair show up that had collars and the owner said they were 27 miles from home and had been missing over a month. The 2 in my garage now are thin,female and very friendly but hounds tend to be friendly dogs so it's hard to tell if they were hunting dogs let loose or lost pets. These 2 were hanging around about most of the day but the storm was coming so maybe they figured they hunker down. What I have done with strays, is call animal control, let them pick up the dog, tell them I will adopt it if no owner shows up and to not put the dog down. In 3 days if the dog is still at ac, I'll adopt it. the reason I do it that way is sometimes ac has an ongoing case against someone for neglect and abuse and the dog may be evidence or the last thing I want is to take the dog to the vet, have it neutered and some guy show up in a few weeks looking for his prize stud who got loose a month ago, and here I had it's balls removed.

[Curmudgeoness]

59. Good doggie!

It reminds me of a book I read, "The Dog That Rescues Cats--The True Story of Ginny", by Philip Gonzales.

Except that your Joe seems to have rescued the two hounds as well. It sounds like that kitty might not have survived without your Joe coming to the rescue.

[calimary]

60. Awwww…. Welcome to DU, gwheezie!

Glad you're here! What a wonderful story! What a wonderful Good Dog! Our Goldie sends her regards to Joe, too! You - and your dog - truly are a couple of shelters from the storm.

(hugging four other beings - Joe, your two hound dogs, and your cat!

[Liberal_in_LA]

61. Good job Joe

[lacisash2]

62. kitty showed up on my porch

I am an animal lover and from what you wrote your dog is a very special guy.
My heart breaks to think any animal was out in the ice and snow last night.
You also are very special to take in these animals,God bless you and your animals.

[xxqqqzme]

63. It is obvious Good Dog Joe

is hoping to start his own animal shelter. Thank you for assisting him.

[KauaiK]

64. Kudos to you and Good Dog Joe!!!

[8 track mind]

65. "She said come in, i'll give you shelter from the storm" n/t

[WCLinolVir]

69. What a soulful looking dog.

My bathroom is the the nightly hotel accommodation for a tom who is just left out in freezing temps by his owner. He comes to the door at night to be let in. I let him out during the day, unless it's really cold. Which it has been here in Virginia.

[gwheezie]

72. I live in Virginia also

It's been brutal.

[hrmjustin]

71. Bless you and your pets.

[MrMickeysMom]

74. Human, Canines, and Felines…

Oh, my!

So glad you are able to do this, as your community depends on it. Lots of people don't understand what it is not to have a humane animal control, or shelters nearby.

Glad you do…

[Flatulo]

75. My cat Dexter showed up on a night like this. Covered with sleet and meowing like crazy at my

door. We let him in, and he never left. He's a good cat, not much of a lap-sitter but loves a good tummy scratching.

He earns his keep by terrorizing any rodent that happens or get in.

[Moonwalk]

76. I Love Joe! What a hero.

What a brave and intelligent face! And you can tell he's resting after a hard day's work saving his fellow creatures. You go, Joe. Extra dog biscuits for the rescue dog.

[gwheezie]

79. He's a hard working dog

I have to let him work a little each day or he frets. He's like a cop who retires to be a security guard. When he was young, the best part of his life was keeping care of the goats. Now a few times a day, we go out to the barn and he helps me feed and throw hay out and barks if a horse is acting up,he does his perimeter patrol. I don't let him in the pasture anymore, he can't get out of the way fast enough and he knows it. But even in the house, he knows where everyone is out there and if there is trouble, I can't tell you how many times he came to get me to let me know if a horse is loose or a coyote is out there. When he started barking and whining during the storm, it wasn't his I gotta pee behavior, I knew something was up out there and there's no point not letting him go out on patrol, he has to check and he has to make sure I know about it. His favorite goat died about a month ago, he's been grieving her loss, she was an exceptional goat, a great friend, we both miss her. Both old animals, she was the only one of them who had free grazing rights, she'd come up on the deck me and Joe and Leeann would sit out in the sun, and they'd play you chase me and then I'll chase you. His heart has been broken.

[liberalla]

90. I'm so glad you added photos. Kitten is beautiful.... but Joe - oh boy, oh boy

Humans tend to project human characteristics, feelings, etc. onto animals... and that is what I'm doing now. To me Joe looks pure, noble, honorable and SOULFUL. An old soul... 'Wise' as someone up-thread remarked. I feel as though I can sense his soul when I look at his eyes, and it really moves me.

[passiveporcupine]

77. What an incredibly sweet story.

I wish my livestock dog would bring home animals in need. He just chases them all away.

I think that cat following Joe home is a most amazing story, and it should be turned into a children's book.

Gwheezie, you are an awesome hooman. And Joe is an awesome dog. And now you may have a gorgeous new cat!

[bearssoapbox]

78. Great Story.

Joe is a smart dog with an good, caring owner. They say our pets take on some of our characteristics, and/or we, theirs.

Seems like good Karma paired you and Joe up.

We had a kitten show up at our front door in Dec. 1989 during a sleet/ice storm. He was about 3-4 months old and covered in ice.

He was with us until 2002. We used to play fetch with paper balls. He could find them anywhere I threw them.

All of you stay safe and warm.

From one newbie to another...WELCOME.

[tblue37]

88. That'll do, Joe. That'll do. (I love your dog!). nt