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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2017)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 7A Cycle Oregon to refund money By Caitlyn May cmay@cgsentinel.com After a seven-month holiday touring Pan- ama, Qelsey and Lucas brought home an unexpected furry souvenir! As Qelsey was packing to fl y home, Lucas returned from an errand carrying a dirty, starving, fl ea ridden fi ve-day-old kitten he’d found in a street gutter. He searched for the mother cat but she was nowhere in sight. The couple immediately went to work cleaning up the kitten, took it to a veterinar- ian and began bottle feeding it. The young feline had to be hand fed and have its body functions attended to keep it alive. Because the “foundling” had weak legs she kept bumping into the walls as she was learning to walk. The couple named her Einstein hoping she would grow into her name! Over the next few weeks, the kit- ten grew stronger and transformed into an exquisitely marked Maine Coon cat. They had “issues” when they fl ew back home. The kitten was not al- lowed to fl y in the passengers’ cabin, so intelligent Qelsey registered Ein- stein as an Emotional Support Ani- mal and soon they were homeward bound. The only other “slight” issue with her was quickly overcome when it came time to spay their exotic look- ing cat. The vet advised them to have it “neutered”, instead of spayed, be- cause “she” was apparently a “he”! Their now year-old cat is al- ready 15 pounds and still growing into, “The biggest cuddly cat,” said Qelsey. “He is also muscular from exercising on his home gym, but the only weights he lifts are his catnip toys. Today, he is ten times the size he was when Lucas found him. Whenever we return home, Einstein runs and greets us at the door. He is more dog than cat!” The outdoors is the cat’s jogging track, so paws-ibly that is why I met them on a hiking trail! Einstein is leash trained. He loves ex- ploring the forest. It was unusual, but fun, seeing a cat on a dog-and-horse trail! Einstein has walked on a leash since he was a feline toddler. He use to follow his human parents on their strolls around the neighborhood, so adding a leash to the walk added to his safety. As dog owners spot the stripped cat, they respectfully attached leashes; and everyone went happily on their way without any bark or fuss. At home, imagine this cat entertaining his family when he releases his wild side spontaneously jumping like a kangaroo and pouncing on fl owers! Or, out of the blue, he begins his version of “crazy cat play” spo- radically leaping up and racing around the house. “In contrast to his powerful athletic abil- ities, after his stretches, Einstein lays on top of his tall climbing post and illustrates his lazy side,” said Qelsey. “He can lie there without lifting his head or a whisker and can see what is going on around him!” Animals’ great-full hearts are amazing. Not only is Einstein happy to be the couple’s “only baby” he is connected to them as if they are his biological parents. “I’ve always treated him like a baby” said Qelsey, “so he thinks he is human! He melts my heart. He thinks that we helped him by rescuing him from a life of starvation and danger, but he's done more to improve our lives and bring us pure joy!” TIPS “Begin regular trimming of your kitten’s nails when they're young,” said Qelsey. “Einstein is used to it now so there is no fussing! Also, his diet contains raw cat food for his nutritional needs which ensures his shiny coat.” Tell us your fun/amazing/crazing pet tips and tales. angelscribe@msn.com “Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/PetTipsand- Tales Adopt Loving Pets www.PetFinder.com Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assis- tance Program. (541) 942-2789 For the fi rst time in Cycle Or- egon's history, organizers called it quits. The cancellation of the near- ly 500 miles bike ride came af- ter wildfi res continued to burn around the state and air quality continued to be measured as un- healthy or hazerdous due to the smoke. However, those organizations and municipalities that were gearing up fi nancially for the annual event may get a reprieve. "They're refunding money," Cottage Grove City Manager Richard Meyers said. "They released a statement and you sort of have to read between the lines on some of what they're saying to the riders." The statement opens by stat- ing: We believe in Oregon. We believe you do too. For three more paragraphs executive director Steve Schulz acknowledges the wildfi res and notes the effects those wildfi res have had on neighboring com- munities. "While we're not obligated to refund any funds to our riders, that's not who we are. You trust us to do the right thing. And the right thing is to take care of you and the Oregon communities that have continued to take care of us over the last 30 years," he wrote. Riders, the organization not- ed, could expect a $500 refund of their registration fee. How- ever, it noted that in lieu of a refund, riders could donate the $500 to the rural communities effected by the wildfi res. Those that purchases tent, porter, bus and parking tickets among other purchases would receive a full refund. Cottage Grove was not di- rectly in the path of the 30th anniversary ride but bikers were expected to come in from Dore- na and camp in Schwarz Park. As a result, local non-profi ts and other groups--approximate- ly 18--signed up to volunteer. Though Cycle Oregon pays vol- unteers in that capacity. There were spaces for groups to un- pack luggage and help unload trucks, set tables and various other duties. The groups use the event as an opportunity to fundraise. As for whether or not those groups would be receving a refund as well, Meyers said it would vary from situation to situation. "It would depend," Meyers said. "If you signed up to un- load luggage, you didn't spend any money, but if you signed up to decorate the tables and you already purchased some of the things then you'll be reimbursed and I think they already started that." COMMUNITY BRIEFS 912 project meeting Free camping The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites volunteers to celebrate National Public Lands Day by planting trees and shrubs at Schwarz Campground below Dorena Dam, Saturday, Sept. 30. The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Schwarz Campground and volunteers will also receive a free lunch. Volunteers should pre-register no later than Sept. 15 by contacting a U. S. Army Corps of Engineers park ranger at (541) 942-5631. For more information about National Public Lands Day, go to http://www.publiclandsday.org/. SLFD Chief John Wooten will discuss the extension of the fi re levy that will be on November's ballot at the next meeting of the Cottage Grove 912 Project on Monday, October 18th, 6:30 PM, at Stacy's Covered Bridge Restaurant, 401 E Main. All are welcome. DNA testing The Genealogy Society will be hosting DNA Testing to determine your ancestry, at 10 a.m. at the Cottage Grove Community Center on Wednesday, September 13. Jam session Ukulele Jam will take place at the Cottage Grove Library at 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 14. VFW dinners VFW will be hosting its Friday night dinners again beginning this Friday at 5:30 pm. at the lodge. Call (541) 942-7099 for more information. 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