FLORA POSTE-SMITH. CAVE JUNCTION NATIVE. BORN 3rd of MARCH, 2001 at COUNTRY HILLS RESORT.

This is FLORA. As you can see, she loves hanging out in all sorts of weather. She has never been given a bath. When she feels a bath is necessary, Flora stands out in the pouring rain, comes back in and is toweled off. No joke! Flora was born beneath the back porch behind the offices at Country Hills Resort. She was the first in a litter of four kittens to approach this writer. She is one of the wonderful gifts that came to me from Country Hills Resort. After six years, she remains with me, travels with me and is my constant and trusted companion. And here I will make a special "pitch" on behalf of cats like Flora, her siblings and her mother, Roxanne: PLEASE do not abandon animals out in the "country". Yes, if they are lucky they will be noticed, found and fed, cared about, given some access to safe shelter and won't end up a statistic on Caves Highway or an appetizer for a hungry Cougar.

IF THEY ARE LUCKY. Big IF. When kittens are born feral and have really good luck, someone happens along with the patience to befriend and take them to a Vet (here I will make an unsolicited recommendation for Dr. Joe's Veterinary Hospital in Cave Junction), have them vaccinated, checked for parasites and, before they come "of age", get them spayed or neutered. Do not imagine that your cat or dog or ferret or whatever will do just fine because you are leaving them in the woods and "there's plenty of food" or "nice people will find them and take them in." Trust me, folks, it is just as likely that something else out in these woods will think your pet looks mighty darned tasty. Or maybe they will become terrified and hide from people when you drop them off and drive away. They may starve or die from exposure. And your pets may not understand the concept of "looking both ways before they cross the road." Many don't. And many don't get a second chance.

These animals come to us and put their trust in us. It is not correct when we, who hold their lives in our hands, betray them for loving us. At the very least, have the decency to take your animal to a shelter and hope someone else will adopt them and give them a good home. Left in the woods? They may not have the luck that Flora did. They may not have the good fortune Roxanne did of being fed and looked after by Don & Judy. 'nuf said.

Peace.