Rescue. Adopt. Foster.

Many years ago I worked at an animal shelter/animal hospital as a vet tech. We had a 'quarantine' ward where the sick animals were housed. We would put on personal protective equipment including gowns to treat the animals in that room. This one little sick, bleary-eyed cat who had been taken from a severe situation (in ‘quarantine’ because she had URI and FIV) would always try to hide in my gown and make herself disappear, she was so scared and so shy.

One day I was working when one of the veterinarians came in and requested assistance. It was *time* she said. I dutifully followed her into quarantine. Then it hit me.

I looked at this sick, sweet, shy cat...hiding in her box, scared and alone. She was dying, the vet assured me. I looked again. She certainly looked like she was slowly dying…

At that time I had no cats and wasn't really looking to adopt one, especially one in her condition. I thought I should just let her suffering end. I had only a matter of seconds and my brain was going in a thousand directions. This poor little cat was utterly pathetic and had certainly been through a lot of trauma (had come to us from a law enforcement situation)…

She came home with me that day. They couldn’t keep her and I couldn’t let her go. I decided to provide *kitty hospice* for her and let her die in a warm and loving home. She ate very little for the first 2 weeks but seemed comfortable (I wouldn’t just let her suffer), and she hid in the farthest room away from us under a table…but her eyes were a little brighter each day. We spent hours lying on the floor with our arm extended under the table just to touch her, reassure her, and give her treats. It took a really long time before she began to trust us…

But each day, she didn’t die. Each day, she made another gain. As the days passed she came to the full realization she had been rescued. The look in her face changed completely. The love she looked at us with is beyond anything I have experienced before nor since. I love ALL my rescues, I love ALL my babies…but the connection I made with this one little sick cat is unlikely to ever be replicated.

Ultimately she went in to kidney failure and we lost her. While she was here we were given boundless “thank-you kisses” and love. She lived for about 2 years after finally coming *home*. She changed my life.

She also helped save several cats since that time, as I could not ever imagine a house without a cat(s) again. I miss my little ‘Papooska’ so much (came to me named Sissy).

Admittedly when I lost ‘Papooska’ I wanted to replace her. Yup, I said that right. I wanted another Papooska. I wanted that exact same connection. Even though my reasonable brain should know better (I did say this was a long time ago!).

I checked some rescue sites and even came across another cat with FIV. I *jumped* on him and brought him home as soon as I could arrange.

lol anyone with pets, especially adult rescues (there are plenty of puppy and kitten rescues if for some odd reason a puppy or kitten is a MUST), knows what happened…lol. As said, I am not sure what I was thinking other than the devastating loss of my *child* who I grieved so desperately for. I wanted her to come back.

So home comes Beau, somewhere in the ballpark of 7 years old. He ultimately came to be known as Mr. Bobo Sillypants lol. He was NOT Papooska! He was fiercely independent, he had been found outside in rough shape and he was used to being on his own. He was loving in his own way, and he identified my husband as *his* person. He cried incessantly to go out, so we finally bought a Chihuahua collar and leash and began walking him once each day (amidst many neighbor comments!!!). No matter the weather, Mr. Bobo expected his walk and daily tree scratching. He was charming and strong and he helped our next adoption (Baby Girl) become brave and strong too. We lost Mr. Bobo in 2014.

‘Baby Girl’ (AKA Jet) is now an old lady. Born outside, trapped and rescued by a wonderful human as a feral at only a few months old. She LOVED our dog right from the get-go lol – so weird. She would head butt the dog and purr but we couldn’t get anywhere near her for a bit. Beau was her guide and helped her feel safe. Slowly she acclimated and allowed love and chin scratches but would hide if there were any ‘strangers’ around (and she still does!). Last year - after having her here for about 11 YEARS – she climbed up and sat in my lap for the very first time! Apparently, she had to REALLY make sure I was trustworthy lol! Now she will sit in my lap a few times per week for a few minutes for rubs, and twice she even forgot herself and took a short nap.

They are all so different and we have to appreciate their individuality. Too many animals I have seen surrendered because they did not fit what the adopter wanted them to be, or what they expected them to be.

Lucy (AKA Weegie) is a good example. She is another one of our current fur babies. She came to us after her human guardian died. She had then been adopted someone who had expectations of how her cats should behave and she wanted a cat to cuddle. This cat was not supposed to have her own personality, she were supposed to be a cuddle kitty. Unfortunately this kitty did not so much appreciate the idea of cuddling! She was about to be dumped off in a shelter and was not in a happy situation (isolated in a back room while she found another kitty to cuddle) when someone reached out to us. It is now 3 years later and Weegie still does not appreciate cuddling though does allow cautious belly rubs - in the bathroom only - between the approximate hours of 8-10am and again between 5-7pm… lmao…cats, right?

I could go on, I have lots of animal stories. But this was about my Sissy girl. The cat who changed my life. Had I not rescued her I would not know that incredibly unique bond that feels likely to be once-in-a-lifetime. This is not a commentary on loving any of my other rescues less because that is simply not so. But many more will have a safe, loving home and our protection because of that special, sick, little bleary-eyed cat who captured my heart. And no matter *who* they are, I will always let them be whoever they want to be. They are certainly not on this planet to serve me.

Rescue. Adopt. Foster. Never buy from pet stores or breeders. Pets of all shapes, sizes, and breeds are available for rescue. Please make the extra effort and save lives. We can stop the incessant killing if we stop the incessant for-profit breeding that hurts animals in so many ways (mills, inbreeding, severe health issues, rape racks, overpopulation, physical ailments and mutation due to breed-specific desirable characteristics, etc., etc., etc.). I have seen it for myself. I have seen the deceptive pictures a breeder will paint to sell an animal, and I have seen the reality - which is always tragic and terrible for the animals.

Provide them a safe home. Protect them. Please do not impose expectations, standards, or anthropomorphize who they should be. Revel in their uniqueness. Understand that they are not as *adjustable* as people believe, especially for older animals. Many ARE loving and immediately outgoing and friendly, but for others it can take many years to fully understand that they are safe and loved and have found their way HOME. Rehoming them during this process only causes them more emotional trauma, so please take your commitment seriously no matter how long it takes. Remember - it took 11 YEARS before Baby Girl climbed in my lap - but when she did? The feeling was simply indescribable for me. And it probably was for her, too.

I love my cuddle-bug babies, but my often temperamental little Lucy Weegie is loved equally at our house (I have been known to call her Lucy-fur [e.g. Luc-i-fer lol]).

I miss you my little Papooska…every day I still miss you so much. I love you and thank you.

Rescue. Adopt. Foster.