I never actually got around to some of the cats' stories, so here goes:
It's April of 2002 and my beloved Y.Lee had given up. He would no longer eat and I could see in his face......sorrow. I could no longer continue to stress him with vet visits and treatments. I need to help him leave.
Now I sit, without my lap buddy, knowing that there are many cats just waiting for the chance at a home.
I had recently learned of a rescue in my area that I had not heard of before and scheduled a visit to their shelter. (One by One)
Knowing that Charlie would have been OK with NOT adopting I asked for his imput and he said "I've always wanted a calico". WELL, calicos are always female, and by this time I am positive that males are more friendly, but I said we'd see what we could find.
Ashley was at the shelter that day, a fairly new arrival. Young, beautiful and personable. She let me hold her and seemed like she'd get along with any cat, so I kept her in mind as I searched the shelter.
Calvin on the other hand, was in the room reserved for shy cats. The type of cats that get no attention and may actually prefer it that way because they are scared. But he called to me. Now not with his voice, but with his eyes. Have you ever looked into a cat's eyes and just KNEW what they were saying? That is the feeling I got with Calvin. So I entered this section and greeted Calvin. The rescue volunteer was very surprised at HIS reaction. One of curiosity not fear. One of trust and not suspicion. I held him on my lap and brushed him and generally smooshed him up. The fact that his was the spitting image of my RB kitty Thumper did NOT help either.
As I continued through the rooms (there are 4) I tried to give each cat its due respect and keeping an open mind, I kept finding myself thinking of Calvin.
We left the shelter after filling out an application for Ashley. (after all, she had a better shot at being a lap cat like the Y.Lee I lost, and how can you argue with your husband's preference when you already have 8 cats and don't really need to go back up to 9?) We knew that the director needed to do a home visit prior to approval so there was time to change our minds.
A few days later Joyce came to do my home visit and I proudly showed off how cat-friendly my home is and we sat down and talked. I told her that I could not get Calvin off my mind and that I wanted to add him to my application. She asked me, and I quote, "Do you plan on adopting any more cats in the future?" I almost laughed out loud, as a matter of fact, I think I did when I said "NOOO, I wasn't planning on taking 2 today!"
She was pleased to tell me to come back to the shelter any time at my convienience to pick up my new kitties!!!
I recently reminded her of that conversation and she said she did not believe me for one minute.
The story of how LONG it took Calvin to adjust here in his new home is an ENTIRELY different story
Ashley adjusted the very moment she stepped foot in the house
Thanks for listening.
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