Dr. Cats Knoke: The Feral Cat Herder~

On February 21, 2014March 6, 2014 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS185 Comments

Jim speaks CAT big time. Cats are naturally attracted to him. They must know how much he likes them. For some people, herding feral cats might be problematic, not Jim, and the old city of San Juan is loaded with feral cats.

Check out Jim herding San Juan’s feral cats! There was no food of any sort involved here. Just Jim, AKA, Dr. Cats Knoke~~

He meows at them and they come running, even the wild Fishing Cat at The San Diego Zoo does this.
Sweethearts aren’t they?

Jim’s pretty sweet too, at least the cats, and I think so.

Before you become profoundly depressed at the prospect of all these cats without homes, take heart. You know I couldn’t leave you (or Jim for that matter) hanging. I had to find out. What is the story about all of these homeless kitty-cats? They are being cared for by a marvelous group of volunteers who call themselves appropriately enough, “Save a Gato!” http://www.saveagato.org or email at SAVEAGATOPR@gmail.com

We visited them at their center in Old San Juan.

Check it out.

Save a Gato’s Mission Statement is, “Save a Gato is dedicated to giving the street cats of Old San Juan a chance at a better life. Using TNR (trap, neuter, return) methods, ‘Save a Gato’ manages a feral cat colony. Cats in the colony are trapped, neutered, and then returned to their territory where volunteers provide them with regular food, medical care and shelter. Young kittens who can be socialized, as well as friendly adults, can be adopted to good homes.”
So if you wanted to adopt a cat, think of “Save A Gato.” They will ship your kitty to you. They accept donations as well. All neutering is paid for by Save a Gato.

Besides this colony, there are other feral cat colonies in Old San Juan, about every block, some homeowner has cat food and water on their doorstep.

There are cat lovers in Old San Juan.

Our hotel has two feral cats in residence. Still there is no way around it, a street kitty is a very sad sight!

My thanks and gratitude go to “Save A Gato” and all the cat lovers in Old San Juan. Cheers to you from the beautiful, friendly, feral-cats of Old San Juan.

Happy New Year to You From Trees Older Than The New Year!

On January 1, 2014October 21, 2015 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS183 Comments

They carry the scars to prove it,

which like all living creatures,

makes them beyond beautiful.

Despite the fires of time,

they thrive.

Thank you Jim for giving perspective once again.

From the living ancient ones,

and the ones who eventually succumb.

There is always new life waiting to reach the sky!

Happy New Year to you and may you hold the resilience of the Sequoias always in your heart.

Happy New Year to you from Sequoia National Park in Winter!

On December 31, 2013March 6, 2014 By cindy knokeIn Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS166 Comments

We are in the Land of the Giants, Sequoia NP, where the oldest trees are 3,200 years old, the tallest are 311 feet, and the heaviest 2.7 million pounds. Their bark can be up to 31 inches thick. Sequoia branches reach up to eight feet in diameter and their tree bases up to forty feet in diameter (Source: James D. Knoke).

We are spending New Years with the trees, and hardly any people. Due to California’s severe drought, many parts of the park not normally accessible in winter are open, and we are taking advantage of it! (Please click to enlarge).

The satellite is not a happy camper up here which is why you haven’t heard from me for awhile, and we will see if I can get this post out. This is a shot of the sunset reflecting off the Sierras.

Most Giant Sequoia’s have been able to withstand fires through the millenia, here are some scarred survivors.

It is nippy up here but this lake should be frozen over and there should be at least 6-8 feet of snow.

This is where the Giant Sequoias live,

with their heads in the clouds! I envy them. They see us come and go.

Jim likes these wise old trees and “finds tranquility here.” Here he is absorbing wisdom.

I didn’t make this pinecone circle of love, someone else did, and left it for us here in the grove. Love & Peace to you from Sequoia! And the very Happiest & Healthiest New Year!