Proud Alumni VI
FORTUNE
We recently heard from another adopter: "We adopted our cat whom we call
Finnegan in May of 2004. He and his siblings lost their mom, a feral cat,
when she was run over by a car. They lived under someone's woodpile,
and this person was good enough to tell you the kittens needed help. You
didn't think that Finn/Fortune would be a particular pettable cat, but
in fact it turns out that he loves attention - as long as you don't pick
him up. We already have two other cats, also feral born, but even more
social than Finnegan." So Fortune is another skittish kitten who was lucky
enough to prove that, in his own home, he could become a friendly fellow!
At left Fortune smiles confidently for his family
at home.
At right, Fortune came into shelter care with several
other kittens who had varying opinions about how much they could trust
us.
HAPPEN and DENMARK
We got a note from another adopter: "Three years ago (or so) I visited
you with all intentions of coming away with two kittens. Life just doesn't
work like that! :) The kitties that did find me were Happen (now Asia)
and Denmark (now Jessie). Both kitties did very well in the apartment that
I lived in, and each came to have her own personality. Asia, the wild one
(she was still under a year old), and Jessie, the 'Queen of the House'.
Turns out that Jessie was much older than we had originally thought, but
she made such a wonderful lap cat. We bought a town house a couple of years
ago, and the cats took to it very well. They have a yard to play in (with
supervision -- Asia loves to try to escape), and more room to be themselves.
Unfortunately, last year Jessie left us for kittie heaven. She suffered
from kidney failure. Asia is thriving, knowing that now there is one cat
and two laps! :) Does it get any better for a cat?! She is certainly a
pleasure to have around, and boy does she make us laugh!"
We are glad Jessie (the white one) had a home where
she was loved for the rest of her life. She was a lucky little cat.
GIZMO
Gizmo, who now calls himself Frodo, came to us from another shelter where
he'd been so scared that he was unadoptable. He found a new home and his
person sent us an update, saying, "He's happy in my little home and has
become very close to me and my other kitty, Moya (you can catch them snuggling
all the time). I wanted to let you know how he's doing, and to send some
pictures of him all happy and healthy! :)"
He was just a sensitive little guy who proved to be very loving once
he felt safe.
At top left is a photo of Gizmo when he came into
shelter care and was too scared to even lift his head.
At bottom right, he's a happy confident fellow at
home!
NOVEMBER
November was nervous of humans when he came to us as a kitten who had been
born without a human home. But he soon learned the comforts of home life
in a foster home and he was adopted. He now calls himself Fergus, and he
has a cat friend his own age in his new home. His family sent us an update
and photos. "Fergus has settled in nicely. He and his new friend Casey
play, race, fight and wash each other. They have become great friends.
They are really a joy to have around. Our house does somethimes look like
we have small children, by the mess they make."
November is clearly enjoying life with a great playmate
and lots of fun toys.
PEONY
Peony was a 10-year-old with a thyroid condition so
she had little hope of being adopted among all the healthy, young cats
who need homes. To make matters worse, she was unhappy in the shelter environment
and was withdrawn, rarely leaving her nest. We even had trouble getting
her to eat enough. Things looked bleak for her. But her luck changed when
she was adopted. Having a home of her own turned Peony's life around. Her
adopter describes it below.
"It's been two months since we adopted sweet Peony.
The timid, withdrawn little waif with hardly an appetite has now had some
time to adjust to her new surroundings and express her true personality.
This darling girl is actually an assertive, determined and persistent little
chow-hound. And we love her for it.
Peony had only been here a couple of days when she
decided to abandon her hiding place in the far reaches of one of the bedroom
closets and claimed the entire master bedroom and bath as her own. Now,
she has adopted the run of the place, has claimed one of the kitty condos
as her own, and prefers to take her naps in a plush bed at the entrance
to the kitchen -- better to be in a convenient position to lobby for treats
or pounce on that next meal."
A further update described her progress: "She went
on her first 'mad tear' the other night. I heard the scramble of little
cat feet on the tiles in the kitchen, and the next thing I see is Peony
roaring across the living room. When I ran into the kitchen to find out
what had caused this, I found one of her little squishy balls still rolling
along the floor. A wild game of 'chase the ball' followed as she waited
for me again and again to throw it her way. Those little paws pack a wallop
-- Peony has an awesome overhand smash!"
This proves that a pet is never too old to
be a joy in your life!
The top left photo is of Peony in the nest she chose
at the shelter. She rarely left it and we put food right outside, hoping
she'd eat.
In the photo at right, the 'food prep' was their afternoon
snack. Peony is always happy to supervise.
NORA
Nora came to us as one of a group of 12 kittens from a barn. She found
a new home and a new friend. She now calls herself Suki and she enjoys
her new pal. Her family reports, "My other cat, Lucky, has really taken
to her and they aren’t often apart. He was getting to be quite a
lazy cat, but Suki keeps him on the run now. It’s a lot of fun to
watch them play together."
The day they arrived at the shelter together in a
box (top photo with Nora highlighted), the babies were frightened little
balls of fluff.
BOBBIE SOX
Bobbie Sox had little hope of finding a new home since he was a seven-year-old
diabetic among many younger, healthy cats who also needed homes. But Bobbie
Sox never gave up hope and this affectionate fellow found a forever home.
Now his new family reports, "Bobby Sox has been home for a month now, and
he is peaceful and content. He enjoys lounging on the bed, and is known
to walk on his human's head in the wee hours. He also takes in the scene
from his spot under the dining table, or looks out the window from the
back of the couch. He is a very happy boy!"
This is Bobbie Sox posing for the camera proudly in
his own home.
TIREE
Tiree came to us from a home that just plain didn't want him. They were
indifferent to him. As we got to know him, we discovered that he was one
of the most loving, gentle little souls we'd met. Perhaps because he had
never been valued, he was especially happy about any love he was offered.
So naturally, a little fellow as loving as Tiree found a new home, despite
being a plain, black adult male (the hardest kind of cat to adopt out).
His new family says, "He fits in so well here, we can't believe he has
only been here for four months. He and his two other feline friends all
share the bed at night, making it a bit crowded for the humans, but they
are in their glory!"
Inset at top right is a photo of Tiree from when he
first arrived at the shelter, a frightened and dejected little soul.
Now he's a happy guy in his own loving home, as you
can see from his larger photo at left.
MITSOU
Mitsou came to Katie's Place when she was about six months old and she
lived here for three months. She grew up at Katie's Place since nobody
seemed interested in the plain black youngster. One mom and daughter volunteer
team got to know Mitsou. This weekend, the daughter won permission to bring
Mitsou home. Are they happy? The photo below says it all.
SCOUT and FOZZY
Scout and his brother Fozzy were wide-eyed with apprehension and shrank
from our touch when they first arrived at the age of four or five weeks.
In another two or three weeks, they would have been on their way to becoming
feral cats who fear human contact. But the babies soon learned to enjoy
being cuddled and they were adopted together. Their new family is delighted
with them, and they told us that even the staff at their vet's office said
they've never seen such a strongly bonded pair of brothers. That's clear
from the photo their new family gave us.
At left, Fozzy and Scout were nervous babies seeing
a human home for the first time.
Now they're loving, lovable house cats at their photo
at right shows.
CALLAWAY
Callaway was devastated when she lost her home and found
herself in a shelter. She wouldn't allow anyone to touch her without lashing
out. So she came to Katie's Place where she had time to settle and proved
to be a very loving cat. For a long time nobody wanted to adopt the five-year-old
with the bulldog chin. Finally her chance came. Her new family soon reported:
"I just wanted to let you all know that Miss Callaway has settled in really
really well. I came back from a four day trip on Sunday night to discover
she had not only checked out every room in the house but decided my husband
was her best friend.... Funny.... He in turn, has become very attached."
Her family says she's comfortable with their other cat and dog, and they
"are thrilled and love her very much" We are delighted!
The photo on the right was sent to us several months
later. Callaway is soaking up the sun from her custom-made, corner window
perch. La dolce vita!
KELLY
Kelly was a friendly fellow at the shelter who was also very handsome.
Unfortunately he had developed a habit of marking his territory which cost
him his home. Eventually, in March 2006, somebody decided to take a chance
and he was adopted. A year later we received an update on Kelly, who now
calls himself Sullivan. It was wonderful, happy news: "He is just the light
of our lives! He is very talkative, and insists that everyone wake up at
5am to feed him and pay attention to him. He has even developed a sort
of mutually respectful relationship with our dogs. And he is sooo cuddly,
if he wasn't so heavy I could hold him for hours. Even self professed cat
haters who come to our home find they can't help but fawn over him. He
is just so beautiful and regal he commands everyone's love and adoration."
Kelly's story shows that a cat who marks his territory in one environment
or set of circumstances will usually stop when the environment or circumstances
change.
Photos sent by Kelly's family show a happy cat in
his own home.
MADISON
An adopter's note to us says it all: "About four years ago I adopted Madison
from your shelter. She has been the best feline friend I could ever have.
It took a few weeks for her to settle down in my house and once I almost
brought her back. I stuck with it and remembered the great tips I got from
you; just let her do her thing and she will bond with you and in short
time understand that this is her home. Well it sure is her home now. She
sleeps at the foot of my bed every night and greets me when I come home
from work every day. She is very loving but I am sure to let her approach
me as she is the one to call the shots. Again I would like to say thank
you for the best family member I could have picked. Actually she picked
me."
COSMO
Cosmo was one of our hard-to-place animals. He was comical but he was stubborn
and cranky. He refused to allow his long fur to be groomed. So he had to
be shaved of his mats every now and then. One cold winter, we tried to
put a coat on his chubby little bald body so he wouldn't be cold without
his fur. Cosmo would have none of it! Glaring furiously, he wriggled out
of the coat like Houdini. To our surprise a couple wanted to adopt this
little character. Here's what they had to say about him several months
later: "He is a sweetheart. He has changed so much since when we brought
him home. He purrs all the time. He plays with the other cats (he chases
them ... ha!), he likes to chase balls and he loves catnip toys. He is
a speedy little thing. He loves food and he goes absolutely crazy for Temptations.
Cozzie has grown trusting and he is comfortable with me cutting his fur
balls out. He even enjoys his daily brushings. Yes, he even purrs."
Even a cranky cat can become purry if he's given a chance.
In his photo at left, taken when he was at the shelter,
Cosmo was not amused by the coat we put on him and if looks could kill,
we'd have been dead.
In his photo at right, taken in his new home, Cosmo
seems very contented as he naps on his ruffled bedding.
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