10/24/2026
THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A WEEK. And we're about ready to file a formal complaint with the universe. 😩
We try to be as transparent as possible about life here at DoRe Ranch and Rescue. Sometimes that means sharing the funny stories, the happy endings, and the ridiculous antics of our residents.
And sometimes it means sharing the weeks that absolutely kick our asses.
This was one of those weeks.
For starters, one of us is currently dealing with an abscessed molar. Medications are on board, and an extraction is scheduled for early next week. Because apparently we needed a little physical pain to accompany the emotional variety.
MONDAY: 💔
We unexpectedly lost Caesar, one of my absolute favorite barn cats.
If you've ever visited the sanctuary or paid attention to our pictures, you've probably seen Caesar. He was a big, glorious chonc of an orange-and-white tabby who had apparently decided that he was, in fact, a pig.
He spent most of his waking hours, and plenty of his sleeping ones, hanging out with the piggies. That was his happy place.
And just like that, he was gone.
No warning. No time to prepare. Just a Caesar-sized hole in our hearts and in the piggy palace.
TUESDAY: 🐈
We noticed Bacon, one of our dilute tortie barn kitties, wasn't walking normally. She was carrying her back legs in a really strange way.
Now, Bacon is NOT a cat who appreciates human interaction. Touching her is generally frowned upon. Picking her up? Normally a fantastic way to reconsider your life choices.
Except she let me pick her up.
That alone told me something was very wrong.
I carried her to the front porch and settled her onto some blankets.
And while I'm doing this, Mac decides it's his turn.
Mac came to us almost two years ago as one of 13 cats rescued from a horrific hoarding situation. Cats were dying on that property, and the survivors were severely emaciated. They'd already been through more than enough.
Suddenly, Mac started doing this bizarre head-turning movement, lost his balance, and literally fell off the front porch.
And, of course, he wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with us trying to help him.
So now we've got one cat who can't walk properly, another who appears to be having some kind of neurological episode, and two humans wondering what fresh hell we've stumbled into.
WEDNESDAY: 🏥
We got Bacon to the vet.
X-rays revealed two things we weren't expecting.
At some point in her life, someone shot her with a BB.
And her left hip is shattered.
Let that sink in for a moment.
This sweet, fiercely independent barn cat has been walking around with a BB in her body, and now we're dealing with a shattered hip.
Meanwhile, Mac was nowhere to be found.
Because why would anything be easy?
We returned from the vet, and there he was. Sitting on the front porch like he hadn't just sent us into a full-blown panic.
We managed to get him into a transfer trap, which involved cat-handling gloves and a healthy respect for Mac's very strong opinions about being touched.
THURSDAY: 💔
We took Mac to our friends at Topgun Veterinarian Service, LLC.
Because of his temperament, he needed to be sedated for a thorough examination.
They checked everything they could. Ears, eyes, teeth, mouth, abdomen, urine. Nothing obvious explained the strange head movements, loss of balance, or behavior we'd witnessed.
The veterinary team suspected something neurological.
After discussing his condition, the uncertainty surrounding what was happening, and his quality of life, we made the heartbreaking decision to let Mac go peacefully.
Another goodbye.
Another cat we couldn't save.
Another piece of our hearts gone.
And before we'd even had a chance to process losing Caesar.
FRIDAY: ENTER SEÑOR FOX. 🦊
Because apparently the universe looked at the previous four days and thought, "You know what this place needs? A little more chaos."
We heard our roosters making some VERY unusual noises.
Not the normal rooster nonsense. Not the usual barnyard drama.
The SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG kind of noises.
Turns out, a rather large red fox had decided our sanctuary was the newest location of his personal all-you-can-eat chicken buffet.
SIR. ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Thankfully, all of our birds are accounted for. A few are missing some feathers, and I'm fairly certain several are considering filing formal grievances.
The donkeys and goats are also NOT fans of Señor Fox.
And frankly, neither are we.
We understand that foxes are predators. They're doing what comes naturally to them. We don't hate the fox for being a fox.
But our responsibility is to the animals in our care, and we will take the necessary steps to protect them.
Señor Fox has officially worn out his welcome.
SO HERE WE ARE.
One abscessed tooth. One shattered hip. Two heartbreaking losses. One unwelcome predator. Several traumatized birds. And two exhausted humans who would very much appreciate a refund on this entire week.
This is the part of rescue and sanctuary life that doesn't always make it into the cute pictures and funny videos.
It's not all happy pigs, goofy donkeys, adorable cats, and heartwarming success stories.
Sometimes it's rushing animals to the vet, making impossible decisions, saying goodbye when you're nowhere near ready, and then getting up the next morning because dozens of other lives are depending on you.
There are no days off. No calling in sick. No putting everything on hold because you're grieving, exhausted, or dealing with your own problems.
The animals still need to be fed. Water still needs to be filled. Medications still need to be given. Everyone still needs to be checked on, cared for, and kept safe.
And you do it.
Because you love them.
Even when it hurts like hell.
Rest easy, Caesar and Mac. You were loved, you were safe, and you mattered. More than you'll ever know. 💚💙
As for the rest of the weekend?
We are respectfully requesting that absolutely NOTHING ELSE HAPPEN.
Seriously.
We've had enough character development for one week.
