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.
CRUISE INTO FALL WITH
SHADY OAKS’
September 17th • 11am – 3pm
Registration begins at 10:30am
Pre-Registration: $20.00 Registration the day of: $25.00
Pre-Registry recommended, but not required
1979 OR OLDER
Live Music By “Back in Time”
Music Sponsored by Jim Downing Realty, Shady Oaks & Faithful Friends
BBQ served from 11am - 2pm
Trophies & Awards will be given at 2:30pm
FREE Root Beer Floats Given to ALL entries!
For More Information Contact Cindie 541-942-5004
2017 Trophy Sponsors
Marvin Smith Auto Repair, Tax Service Plus, & Matt Bjorn - State Farm Insurance,
Jim Downing Realty
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