"Furry Freaks starring Elf and Motorbelly" made the first cut into the top 250 in the Comic Strip Superstar contest; however, we didn't make the next cut into the top 50.

"Elf and Motorbelly" was started as an attempt to help the homeless cats that live in a certain trailer park in Ohio and beyond. I do what I can for them on a daily basis, but on a teacher's salary, I can only do so much.

This includes food, nuetering/spaying, medical care when needed, as well as boarding fiv/leukemia cats.

As much as I love this strip, which is based on my own real-life Elf and Motorbelly, I promised myself that if it doesn't take off, I'll move on to another idea.

After all, the goal is to make money to ultimately help more homeless cats. So if you are in a position to donate, please see the HELP STRAYS link. Just getting the word out about the strip and the mission to help strays would be great too: just forward a favorite strip to a friend or put in on your FACEBOOK.

If I get more interest in this strip, I'll get back to it; if not, I'll move on to another strip.

I want to dearly thank all of those who have commented
and enjoyed the strip. I read and respond to all comments. Keep helping and loving those abandoned strays!

Sincerely,

Frank Grigonis

The idea for today's strip, "Lullaby", came to me as I was driving one of the homeless cats who lives around me to Cat's Inn.

She's a lovely cat with long, luxurious black hair. She let me pick her up after a while, and I noticed an abcess on her rear thigh. So, I thought I'd call Lynn, who told me she would take "Betty" to the vet for treatment. We also agreed that having her spayed would be a great idea--Betty the cat, not Lynn. (:

On the way to the Inn--a long drive--Betty started whimpering; of course she didn't know I was taking her to a good place. After a while I started singing a lullaby, and believe it or not, it actually calmed her down--even with my lousy singing voice.

Let me know if you like the strip. (:

I met a lady at the pet store today who was buying a LOT of cat food. She informed me that she was buying for stray cats. I'm always moved by meeting people like her. She was also very upset that a "man" she knew of had recently abandoned his cat--just tossed him out of the car window. I didn't catch her name, but I wish I had.

Another lady I know, GALE, was buying cat food when I recently ran into her as well. What a beautiful person she is, with her big smile and even bigger heart. For many years now she has been feeding homeless cats and even spaying and nuetering them when possible.

People like this are human in the truest sense of the word: HUMANE. I plan to start a page on this site dedicated to these real-life saints. Anyone interested can email or private message me with whatever info. you wish to share: real name or initials, basically what you do for abandoned cats--you need not indicate where exactly. You may also email a photo if you wish. My email address is:

fehu7@netzero.net

People who do what they CAN in whatever capacity are invited to submit!

I was googling around the net looking to see if Elf and M. were hanging around, and I did manage to find some sightings:

I'd like to thank Katie, a College junior majoring in Creative Writing for doing a write up on Elf and Motorbelly at her blog spot:

www.ksiskonen.blogspot.com

Every mention helps, as I have big plans which include building or financing a no-kill cat shelter, etc. which can't be done on a teacher's salary.

So if you like these furry freaks, Elf and Motorbelly, please let someone know. Sometimes it's just ONE positive comment that keeps me going.

I'VE BEEN LAID UP IN THE HOSPITAL because of a medically-resistant staff infection I picked up at school. A doctor told me people lose their arms over these kinds of infections, so I took her advice and, put out several food and water bowls for my cats and admitted myself to the emergency room.

A day and a half later, after getting antibiotics pumped into my veins, I realized that my cats had to be checked on; after all they sometimes knock over water bowls, etc....(Mostly MOTORBELLY does that.)

Bottom line: the hospital wouldn't let me leave for 15 minutes to go do that--even though I offered to sign a waiver that if anything happened to me the hospital wouldn't be liable, etc....etc....

Still NO. I literally was faced with possibly losing my arm (they said they possibly wouldn't readmit me if I signed myself out w/o doctor approval, losing my cats (cats dehydrate quickly), and if I left without doctor approval, the insurance likely wouldn't cover my visit or even a future one for the same infection.

It was a horrible dilemna, but I was about to sign myself out of the hospital when I offered a nice girl who works there 50.00 to go and check in on my cats and put out more food and water; she did, the cats were fine--still had food and water, and when a new doctor saw me the next morning I was released with approval.

I'm really going to try and catch up on necessary survival stuff for the next several days, so please be patient till the weekend (Sunday) for a new "Elf and Motorbelly."

Thanks much for hanging in here with us!

LORIPETNUT takes the prize for her inspired entry in our "King of Nerds" contest--seems I should have named it "Queen of Nerds"--her prize is in the mail. (:

Any other ideas for a future contest, anyone?

I'd like to thank all the new and long-time readers--"Elf and Motorbelly" is a labor of love, so I'd especially love to thank all the readers who have clicked onto strips and entered comments (even a word or two is much appreciated)and the readers who have registered onto SmackJeeves and listed "Elf and Motorbelly" as a favorite.

Love your pet and all Mother Nature's pets too!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ELF AND MOTORBELLY! Don't forget to Feed the Strays!