Be Patient with New Kitties
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Over the many years that we have been doing our rescue, we have had the pleasure of meeting numerous very special and unique cats and dogs. Every rescue is special in their own way of course. I think that a pet can achieve even new levels of “specialness” when they find their human match. Some cats bond with my wife and others bond with me. We both interact with all of the cats, but there are just certain things, behaviors, moments, preferences that one of us brings out of that particular cat that the other human does not.
Occasionally, either by our choice, sometimes the cat’s choice, or even just by simple fate we get to spend many years with one of our special rescues. This is when we can really see that bond continue to grow, develop, and mature. Even though we fully appreciate and enjoy each cat, there just seems to be that select few that turn out a bit more exceptional than most of the others. It can be very difficult to say goodbye to a kitten or young cat that you know there is something special starting there and you really want to see where and how far it goes. Unfortunately, we can only keep so many and making the choice often includes the future of the kitten or cat in question. Although we know we would provide a loving home for the kitty, we ask ourselves if this special cat would have a more fulfilling and happy life as the one or maybe two cats in a household or be just one of many cats and dogs and have to deal with the everchanging dynamics of our rescue household.
We try to keep a slot or two open at our house for “unique” cases where a particular cat is going to be very challenging or impossible to try to adopt out. It’s sad when we have had rescues returned in the past because the family was not willing to be patient enough to let the cat’s true personality shine through. This can take anywhere from a few days to weeks or even months in some extreme cases. Some folks want to see results in a day or two even though we caution them about the length of time is really dependent on the individual cat. Lola took over six months before we saw her completely to know what she even looked like. She is one of my wife’s babies. Lola is still shy, but she hangs out and we both can pet her. She is one of the most striking cats we have ever been around. She really enjoyed being with one of our older cats Nigel who was kind of mean to many other cats, but like her a lot. He passed away a couple of years ago. We can tell Lola misses him still.
In fact, we have had several semi-feral cats that we were able to take in and provide a home for, but despite our hopes and best efforts we were not able to get them to a point where we thought adoption was possible. However, they still have been loved and happy in our home and that is what it’s all about.
Squish had not one, not two, but THREE chances to find a forever home. This is after we always explain it may take several days to a few weeks or so for new kitties to really come out and be comfortable. The first adopters only waited a couple of days before contacting us and saying she was not going to work out because she just hid all the time. The 2nd adopter only gave her ONE DAY!!!! before calling us to come get her because she was too shy. Each time she came back her and I were getting closer and closer. I informed my wife she had one more shot for a new family before I was going to claim her for my own. The third adoptive couple came to see her and her sister and decided they wanted them both. We told them to call us the next morning by 1100 with their address and we would bring them by, do a house check, and help them get set up.
I wanted the best for Squish which I know firmly believed was her staying with me. I sat with her hanging out until 1115 was on the clock. I told my wife Sallie congratulations we just found a home for Squish and her sister Sissy!
What a gift she has been. So funny, cute, smart, adorable and unlike any other cat we have ever been around! She does get into some mischief from time to time (she is a cat after all), but overall she is really just such a blessing. She is bold, outgoing, affectionate, and so much fun to be around. Squish tucks me in at night until sleep time and she wakes me up with cuddles and affection first thing every morning. Those first two families really missed out on a real gem. Their loss is my gain.
She makes me happy everyday. Sissy has been a bit more shy and we are still working with her. She comes around, plays, hangs out, but not much for hands on affection. That’s ok we have all the time she needs.
Squish is about 1/3 the size of Sissy because she ended up trapped behind a washer dryer for 3 days and did not get any food or water before we rescued them. They don’t hang out together much, but do play and interact at times. We are hoping that Squish being so confident and outgoing might rub off on her sister. Time will tell…
