It has been lonely without a lap kitty in the house. Sure, Fuzzy keeps me company, along with Birdie, but Fuzzy is definitely not a lap cat and although not stand-offish, is not as willing to be sociable at a drop of a hat. Tory, since moving into this house, had always jumped in my lap every time I sat down. Didn't matter where he was, or if he was in the deep of sleep, he knew when I sat down and would come over to sit in my lap for a time (annoying when I was try to eat - but still endearing).
Last Sunday I decided to go to the Animal Rescue League (ARL) in Bedford to see if there were any grown cats that I thought would fit in the household. I had a specific wish list for a cat; gets along with other cats (some don't), somewhat outgoing (although I could work with a shy cat), must be a lover - after all I want a lap kitty. I was also looking for an adult younger or older didn't matter) and preferably female (spayed of course) as I felt Fuzzy was more apt to accept a female as to another male. Color was unimportant, although I do tend to favor darker colors such as black and gray with black stripes. Additionally, hair length was unimportant.
The ARL had several cats that I fancied, but most were not good with other cats. Then I saw some posters of cats that were held in some of the offices (allowed to roam free during the day in their designated office. One, a white cat named Spirit, was said to be good with other animals and the adoption fee was already paid by a good Samaritan. I asked to see her, and off we went to her assigned abode.
Spirit, a 4 YO white cat with light blue eyes and red ears (actually the blood going thru her ears), was walking toward the door as we opened it. Although she didn't rush up to the stranger (me), she came over within a minute or two to see what was up. after petting her and talking to her, she was quite vocal - although a soft vocalization, I decided that she would be a great new companion. I started the adoption process, and that is when they discovered she had dental issues and hadn't been tested for FeLV - a requirement before she went to a new home. She had been recently been transferred from a rescue in the northern part of the state, and apparently all of her records hadn't made it into the computer yet, which was the reason the dental and testing issues were not known at the time.
The ARL didn't know when she would be ready since they depend on vets volunteering their time to do needed surgeries and they said they would get back to me when everything was set. Friday, they called to let me know that the test had come back negative and that three back teeth had been removed. She would be done with her meds Saturday morning, so would be ready to pick up after that. Was I still interested? Of course I was.
Saturday afternoon, I picked her up - here is a picture of her in the office as we were waiting for the paper work to go thru.
Even though her adoption fee had been paid, I made a donation that was equal to what it would have been. She talked to me a bit in the truck as we were headed home, but she settled for travel fairly quickly.
I had readied the craft room, the coolest main-floor room in summer, to receive her - that would be here "home" for a while until Fuzzy figured out she was part of the family. I let her out of the carrier and she immediatly scooted for cover. A couple of hours later I went and checked, and she had eaten the few kibbles I had placed in the food bowl and gone back into hiding. The next time I checked, she came out and greeted me - and wouldn't stay still for a picture :)
Since then, she has claimed a window seat on top of Cop Car's old sewing machine. Fuzzy still isn't enamored of the idea, but he has quit standing outside the door and yowling/growling at her. He does check out the door several times a day. The door is cracked open a couple of inches, with a baby gate in front so Fuzzy can't go in, but they can get used to each other's scents and presence.
Meanwhile, every time I go in there she greets me, talks to me, and presents herself for belly rubs. Yep, that's right, she thinks she's a dog :) She is very affectionate and she is very good with her claws; when she kneads, she kneads air.
As for her name, Spirit just doesn't flow from the tongue. I have decided that Spirit is short for Spirit of America (being she is red, whit and blue) and have shortened that to Rita (spiRIT of America).
Congratulations, Bogie, and welcome to the family, Rita!
Posted by: Cop Car | July 04, 2016 at 07:02 PM
Congrats on the new household member!
Posted by: Ruth | July 05, 2016 at 08:06 AM
BTW: She's beautiful!
Posted by: Cop Car | July 05, 2016 at 01:07 PM