oceangal11

Hi, I’d like to order an elevator please? I seem to have fallen down a blasted rabbit hole again…..
 
For most people, that would be alarming enough; the falling, the size of the rabbits that must have had some serious excavating skills, etc. That wasn’t the odd part. I was more “odded-out” by my own reaction to the things I’ve seen recently, because back when you were normal you always hoped that IF you started to crack up later on, that you would SEE those changes and check yourself in to a nice safe place. And yet, it had all seemed perfectly normal…..
 
Although I’d been to Willow’s page, the realization of the world out that is actually run by cat celebs, didn’t really began to take shape until I started hanging out on Jack’s facebook page. See, after writing the first article, on the phenomena that was Jack the Cat’s fan club, I swung by Willow’s wall to let her know that I had mentioned her in that segment. After all, she was the source for learning about Jack’s story, when one day I logged into facebook to find her comment “omg! there’s a cat lost in the airport!”. From there, I clicked into Jack’s world, and not only joined his cause, but have been spreading his story far and wide. However, on this day, I was visiting Willow; I mentioned the story, left my comments, read a few recent entries from friends. And boy, does she have a lot of friends!
 
See, Willow is “different”; she has a physical issue, which some may refer to as a disability. I don’t see the dis-part, as with the love of her family, she is a fairy princess, and doesn’t seem to know - let alone dwell - on her challenges. Somehow, in between her busy schedule, numerous siblings, and other rescue work, she has become an inspiration of kindness, love, and a positive spirit. This is amazing; not only does at her age that she has such a following, but that her family has the time and energy to help manage her hectic social life. I say this as someone who gets it; has been there. When you’ve had a paralyzed dog for two years – witnessed a special angel fluttering briefly through your life – then you KNOW. Somehow, Willow and family make it work; still find time to rescue, upload pictures, friend other feline celebs; just the usual stuff. 
 
 
On facebook she holds court as a celebrity; a diva; a goodness in pink. She has more friends that I may have ever known; well over 3,000, in fact. She has engagements, appearances, and a social ladder that we WISH we could tap the rungs of during the course of our ordinary “regular people” lifetime. She has friends, admirers and well-wishers stopping by her fan page daily, sometimes hundreds of comments in a day. She’s not like you and I; we have profiles. Normal, everyday ones – look, here’s the family – see our vacation pictures? Not Willow. She is a PUBLIC FIGURE. So now you know you’re dealing with someone special.
 
There are a couple of regulars that hang out on her page…A LOT. Obviously unemployed, from the amount of time they spend posting and cracking jokes and swapping stories; colorful individuals like Sammy from Miami, five Muskateering (?) Cats, Gizmo (I think), and more. I didn’t really have time to read each all the profiles, or send friend requests, but there was one I was curious about; this guy Sammy. Obviously a smooth character, simply dropping one-word comments like “word” on Willow’s page – clearly he was a catch as most of his posts were replied to with girlishly silly giggles; “tee hee hee”. Was he too cool for the rest of facebook? Illiterate; perhaps. Maybe he was a street punk – too chill for chat - or a rapper; they don’t waste words, do they? I had to know more.
 
Obviously he hailed from the south….but why is he posting on Willow’s page this often? Another admirer?
Upon reaching his page, it was so simple; Sammy from Miami is a pirate. CAT. Complete with frightening pirate garb, hat, etc. Here is where I should have been alarmed (apparently there’s more than one cat that gets dressed up). Nah. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck; I know things; have seen things. I “get” how pirates do indeed live by the sea, that they typically sport silver and black pirate-wear.
 
And that they have….one….eye.
 
But of course! Most pirates DO only have one good eye – remember? The other one could be glass, right? So the fact that Sammy appears to be “authentic” seemed totally understandable. And if there was a "friend" cat with a wooden leg also pictured on his wall, I’d think nothing of it – after all, pirates have posses. And instead of concern over just HOW reasonable I was being, it occurred that it would be no big surprise if I learned, for example, that Sammy had his own parrot.
 
And then I understood the one-word comments; of COURSE Sammy wouldn’t be into idle chat. Pirates are people of few words! I tried to keep from wondering which came first, the hat and title….or the facebook page….or the one eye. It didn’t matter – all that the public needed to see is the complete pirate package; just your ordinary run-of-the-mill plunderer. I added my comments to Sammy’s wall…no, PAGE; on facebook, that is for An Important Place, Person or Landmark. And Sammy is at least one or more of those things. Which can then explain to you why I did not send him a friend request; PAGES have likes, not friends. Yes, I liked.
 
I should mention here that I’m trying to use “appropriate language” while writing about a pirate, which as we know, are not big on using the best of speech. However, I AM watching my words….. because see, well….I was told to. As I commented on Jack’s wall the other day, I typed a word that sounds like “ham”. That’s not bad, right? It WAS. The next post read – and I quote: “OWWW, YOU USED A BAD WORD”! I hurried to reply how sorry I was, that I had no plans to offend anyone. Quickly, I typed an apology to….who was it, Gizmo? I’m in trouble with a….CAT? Again – the warning flags similar - to what might have adorned Sami’s sailing ship – SHOULD have been raised. And were not. Afraid of being banned from Gizmo’s (?) page, I said I was sorry, cleared the air (I think), and went on with my day.
 
Questions pinged inside my head, wanting to come out, but if I allowed them out, was I really forming friendships with cats? I mean, Jack is a hero that was mistreated by the airline industry; so naturally, he has fans in all of us that throng to his page. I interact with them, chat with other people like myself, converse with the many fans and friends of Jack, which by the way, are known as FoJ. And of course, I’m not IN communication directly with Jack, because if you’ve been to his fan site recently, you would know, is STILL missing. Go to his page to find out more.
 
But Willow, Sammy, Gizmo….they ARE perhaps, more “approachable”? I am certain that you DO have questions as well but just can’t admit it. You ARE wondering if Sammy has a parrot. And just what would you need to give away in order to generate that kind of traffic to your wall?  And WHERE did fashionable Willow get her keen sense of style? And, how on earth does she deal with her guests – who might perhaps, use less than appropriate language – say, perhaps, a pirate?
 
I do wonder how she maintains her forum without appearing uptight and prissy – perhaps she has rules for Sammy, that he can only comment on neutral topics - not get too involved in serious discussions; politcs; that sort of thing. I have a feeling that she’s got it all under control; that like the “hostess with the mostess” she’s probably way ahead of me in figuring that little stuff out.
 
Word.

P.S. There was an alternate ending to this story.

Just as I was writing the last few paragraphs, I went to Willow's page - I wanted to mention her new baby sister and couldn't remember how to spell her name. Shocked and grieving over what I read there that afternoon, I finished the story as shown two comments below.

Later, I changed it to be the version you just read, but in thinking it over, I still wanted to mention the baby kitty "Adlai" - and with approval from her family, I have added it the original ending.

For more information, you can learn about Adlai's story here >>  http://www.facebook.com/justiceforadlai

Week two. FAQ & How do you inspire strangers?

The more people showed up to the facebook party, the more questions were being asked. When exactly did this take place – how could that happen – didn’t Karen think of that yet? Who is Barry? How can a cat escape? What color, style and design was the crate? What does Mary Beth have to do with this? Can't you sue the airline? Why haven’t you Karen, done anything to find Jack?

The inquiries directed to the page owner Mary Beth must have been non-stop and combative; it was incredible as an outsider to see the level of interest, but to those on the inside it must have been so difficult to respond. And for Karen to still appear gracious and appreciative of the concern, while trying to answer hundreds of questions, settle into a new career across the country, and ultimately, continue to be heartbroken over her missing Jack. I have no idea what measure of strength you look to at a time like that, but initially, I don't know if we helped or hurt.

Within the first week, FAQ about the initial discovery that Jack was missing was written and posted. This helped to explain so many details, but was frustratingly blank of answers we all wanted to see. Or thought. Or secretly mused how we could have done better, had this happened to us. There are very few step-by-step guides on How to Find a Cat Lost in A large Airport, but that didn’t stop the public from moving forth to offer ideas…and ideas flowed like a river.

From auras and people who see things, detectives and footprint-tracing flour, to media involvement and celebrity requests. Recordings of Karen’s voice broadcast throughout the terminal, tuna, public searches, cab drivers, motion cameras near bowls of chicken, traps, posters, calling to Jack, consumer advocates, more tuna….the suggestions given from a distance must have covered almost every possibility. All except for the very best one that none of us could offer; the exact location to find Jack.

How do you even look at a map of JFK’s footprint and think it’s remotely possible to look everywhere – under everything – to rule out the million conceivable hiding places. The phrase a “needle in a haystack” turns sarcastic almost, when comparing the size of a cat to the vast array of buildings, terminals, containers, yards, storage, lots, that make up one of the largest airports in the world. Where do you start, knowing part of your family – so much more than what foolish people term an “animal” – is out there?

How can any number of volunteers ever search such a layout to locate and bring a beloved friend home?
Karen and Mary Beth had to have been overwhelmed by this as they observed the area and saw the enormity of the search this would require. Again, I don’t know what source of strength they tapped into - but in their posts, comments and updates, never let on. Never allowed the mission to go off course, or for us to feel discouraged. And somehow - I don't believe it could have just been me - we the fans derived our own determination from their attitudes.

I’m sure at the time they had no realization this search effort would grow, or that how they acted then would inspire us to keep suggesting that our friends join Jack’s page, post our support, and continue to pray and hope. The outcome could have been very different had their statements and responses been critical, or demanding, or full of anger – after all, even if we all meant well and were trying to understand their frustration – what could we really do? For some reason not only did we support them; worry with them; feel helpless together - we continued to gather.

Next up: Hall monitors? Us?

So, another lost, missing or dead pet? George doesn't look like Jack at all, but they are now linked by disaster.

I remember being concerned when I first read Jack’s story back at the end of August; surely he will be found I thought. I bet all these people will make a lot of noise and he’ll appear pretty soon. Of course, as the hours turned into days and the fans on Jack’s page turned into thousands, I began to think this actually was a pretty (argh - I’m using a teen phrase) epic event. And then I became worried, not just concerned, and as time went by, began to be event more determined to help find Jack.

Some of the posters to the facebook page commented on the group that had joined how we’d have to make sure all our concern and efforts didn’t get wasted, even after we brought Jack back. How we’ll have to use our numbers to ensure that animals can have better handling; that we could unite to perhaps re-write the animal transport laws; that all of us united could work together to make certain that pets are not just tossed around like luggage.

I actually mentioned that in one of my first posts today about George; we can’t let our animals just be thrown in the cargo area like a suitcase!! But back a month ago, I thought what a nice thought we all had about changing the airline industry – good idea – but distantly also a wishful dream perhaps? After all, we really just needed to help find a cat, right?

Through the last 39 days the concern, worry and determination we all must have felt remained, but this morning – for me anyway - anger. I was so outraged after logging into facebook this morning and learned another pet had been lost. Somewhere, another owner was grieving. In a different city, a different airline was saying we’ll put out food and fliers for your pet that just ran out of the airplane…..

I don’t know George’s whole story. I don’t know if he has an angel in his collection of friends like Mary Beth was for Jack; responsible for setting the facebook page in motion that has rolled nonstop since. As days merged into weeks, it gathered friends, supporters, and animal lovers across the world, until here, on this 39th day with Jack still missing, there are 15,053 of us.

There is no need for an industry to break up families – yes, those of you without pets can go on and snort in disgust - because not everyone has children. And even for some that have kids, their pets hold a very special place in the family; as a companion, a heartbeat and a snuggle on a lonely night, a friend, protector, and valued member. And we never said that just because we had to transport them by airplane, that it would be ok to arrive without them.

So, the comments from weeks ago – how we need to change the way airlines transport pets – maybe that wasn’t so far out of the park. At the time it didn’t mean much to me – maybe because I view statements like that as wishful thinking - but as I continue to unearth more stories about airlines cats and dogs, I guess that doesn’t seem so odd. Because when your friends appear to have such little value to others - I guess you better begin to gear up, so that you can be ready to speak up.

Why Jack? What is so special about a longhaired debonair cat who looks as if he could be in show business? How did 15,000 fans like his page in a little over a month? And who are these many people spending hours on emails, flyers, posting, phone calls, walking the streets, etc., for a cat that is not theirs?

I’ve been around the Internet for a while; am familiar with websites, news blogs, social media. However, I never in a million years thought that an event happening the day after my 40th birthday in August would have me hooked; sucked in; addicted to watching a facebook page. Was I - at my age – actually becoming a groupie?? Am I really following a fan site at all hours and even getting text updates sent to my phone?

Maybe it’s because we don’t get honesty a lot. Corporate biggies, mainstream advertising, media – they never give off the “We are really, truly sincere” vibe, do they? It’s sort of manipulative the way political news is fed to us; how we’re told to eat; where we should be shopping; what we should be driving. We all sort of watch the news with a cynical eye, right? So I’m betting that when something comes into our lives that looks real…FEELS real…appears genuine; maybe we just grab hold of that and hang on. Because the “rest” of the world is well, out to manipulate how we think, offer us just the carefully screened information we are to be fed – and deep down, I think we know that. And resent it.

And then I logged onto facebook August 29th. There is an adorable little cat out there in cyber-land, called Willow. She has her own page because she’s “different” – she’s not everyone’s idea of a “normal cat”. Willow has a physical disability with a spunky, outgoing, personality, which is showcased through the efforts of her family to show the world their version of a “normal” cat. Props to them. Willow commented on a news item - “omg! there’s a cat lost in the airport!”. I clicked the link – thought what the heck - the noodles are still cooking, and began to read.

We need your help. Please – we have no way to do this alone. Our sheer frustration, worry and concern has brought us here to facebook to share the story of Jack the Cat. The honest desperation just jumped off the screen as I scrolled. And didn’t click away. I was there on day two of the facebook page, with just under 1,000 likes. Over the course of the next few days there were times I’d log in to see numbers doubling, tripling, and often it appeared people were caring and listening at the rate of 1 per a minute. I’d never seen anything like it.

Few people can sit down and write on facebook something that propels strangers to care; act, or even keep reading. Maybe it was the writing, or the story, or the pure honesty of Karen & Mary Beth’s statements, who from the very beginning were overwhelmed by the love and support. Maybe we – the public – are so starved for truth and sincerity that we latched onto the story and vowed to stick with them until Jack was found.

And stick with them we did; for almost five weeks - until day 35 rolled around - until the ticker clicked 15,000 likes on September 29th. What was in this story, or group, or mission, that had people all over the globe joining in with encouragement, blessings, advice, suggestions and thoughts? In such a short period of time I’d seen comments from Brazil, the UK, Hong Kong, Australia, France, and the one that we needed a spanish-speaking person to translate and post underneath for us, the best wishes for the quick recovery of Jack the Cat.

HOW was it possible that this one little cat could draw this assembly of fans?

Next up: details of that first two weeks on the facebook page.

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