Hi everyone,
Today’s guest post comes from Debra:
The last major evidence of an empty nest came with the loss of our two long-time family cats, Romeo and Elizabeth. They were household family members for 17 years and departed within a short season of one another. This was the only time in my life that such events occurred right in front of me. Earlier pets came and went outside and just one day never returned.
I was still coming to grips with the big changes of life on my own and there was such emptiness. I was questioning my own purpose with the doubt that maybe I’d outlived my own usefulness. I wanted another pet, but suddenly wondered how I would manage it, though I knew I would not wait long.
I had stalked the online feline residents at local shelters and settled on the intention of my “cat order:” 1) short hair, since last cats were matting/shedders; 2) a young old cat (shelter offered senior discount for adopting cat of 7 or more years old), and 3) healthy and vital. One day my online visit led me to a mid-December announcement of a special adoption open house that offered a photo op with Santa. The rainy daily seemed to call for a holiday rescue, so the cage was packed into the car and I headed over to meet my new friend.
The first cat I saw in the first room of cages was Roxy. Her mottled tortoise shell fur was like an earthy camouflage that made her facial features difficult to discern. She was sweet, but lost points for 12 years old, heart murmur, and litter box issues listed on her rap sheet. She’d been there since the beginning of October. I moved on around the room. I honestly found no bonding moment with any of the residents, though kept noticing that all the other cats had just recently arrived.
My heart was called back to Roxy because she was so clearly unwanted, evidently seen as a potential burden. I had to take her home. She became Shadow.
Her first instinct was to find the spot where no one would find her. We were a little like two new acquaintances searching for something in common. There’s an adjustment with a full grown cat that is different than adopting a new kitten… a whole history impacts the relationship.
There was never an issue with the box. Her life story was one of being in a family, then taken away by one of the children and later brought back – though, by that time, another cat had become the alpha on home turf. Her reaction made perfect sense.
Shadow also made apparent she had not been the sole focus of attention for a while, through her signs of appreciation for every little thing done for her. I’d never known a cat that the moment you gave it something, accepted it right away in such appreciation. After 3 months of shelter donated dry cat food, she acted like her every serving of wet food was equivalent to a thanksgiving dinner.
There was still some warming up to happen between us, which I was allowing to proceed at its own pace. I suspected it might take time for Shadow to realize this was not just another temporary stop in her growing number of moves.
A turning point came when I had to leave town. I hated to leave her, but had a support network of volunteers who would pay a daily visit. Petrified, she showed her face to NO ONE who stopped by. I cut travel short and came home early.
Everything changed when I returned home. There was a new look of recognition when she saw me coming through the door. It was the first day she even followed me to the bedroom, and the first night she slept next to me. I believe it was the first day she realized she was really mine.
A kitten might have offered easier bonding, but not nearly the same blessing. There was no early imprinting that drew us together, but a negotiation of the Heart.
I think back to my “cat order” and how I’d figured out all the important features. I had put the same value on age and history that seemed to be the source of my own personal pain. I don’t think any other cat could have come close to replacing Romeo or Elizabeth, but this very special loving creature that truly represents my own Shadow, proving that we both still have value – maybe more – because of the history we carry.
Though I thought I was rescuing Shadow, it would seem she rescued me. Once in a great while I still call her Roxy. I like to think she takes it as the evidence that I remember she is much more than just the history we have together.
Debra Malmos
https://earnestlydebra.wordpress.com/
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Thanks,
Marc
Aw she’s so cute! And I love the special bond you get with older animals, since its not something you just receive, you have to somewhat work for it. Love the story and the pictures!(:
🙂 glad you enjoyed the guest story.
You might still have Shadow for 11 years – it is not that unusual for a cat to reach the ripe old age of 23. It’s such a good criteria to adopt a cat out that has waited so long for a new home! I did that with my much younger female in 2011. Being adult and showing a civil temper towards other cats were my conditions. I had two to choose from – and chose the one who had stayed at the shelter for a year.
We need more stories about adopting older cats on the blog. ?
well, my two were no kitten, but OLDER cats would be a misnomer, too. Kessy was 1 year and 7 months, when I got her from the rescue organisation, FunTom only 10 months. A feline teenager.
Oliver was I think 7 months when we got him. He was a very boisterous little teenager…
Oh yeah, my two at ten months were teenagers, too …
Did yours manage to somehow get on top of the highest cupboard in the middle of night?
Nope, but then they were not allowed in the kitchen (door was closed) and also not in the bathroom. For security reasons.
For us it was the bedroom wardrobe.
That is too high for my two.
Haha nothing was tooooo high for Oliver as a kitten!
So happy you found each other! 🙂
Glad you liked the guest story.
What a fluffy tortie!
🙂
Heartwarming!
Through the years, I’ve been adopted by older dogs and cats. They seem to have a sense of appreciation for second chance at a loving home.
Years ago, I was looking for a kitten. All the humane society had were older cats. The best cat in the world jumped on my lap and started to purr. He was 1 1/2 years old when he chose me. They’d found him living on the streets. Never have I known a cat who appreciated his human as much.
Thanks for sharing your own experience. 🙂
Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
Thanks 🙂
Cute!!!
Thank you 😀
She’s beautiful!
🙂
I am so glad you took the cat who seemed least wanted, and got so well rewarded for your kindness of heart. Shadow is a beauty!
Indeed an awesome rescue story. 🙂
What a beautiful story. Yes, I do believe you and Shadow/Roxy did rescue each other. And what a lovely thing that is.
🙂
lovely story.
Thanks ^^
Thank you for sharing your beautiful “love story”
Thanks on behalf of the guest author
Beautiful Story and great post.
Thank you ^^
<3 <3 <3
Shadow is beautiful, I am so glad you saved her.
Glad you enjoyed the story. Oh and I think we may need another one for yours. 😀
My Jamima is getting on in years now and I don’t look forward to her not being with me. I’ve always considered I would never have a single night without a cat in my home, and always considered a new kitten the only option. If this post hasn’t encouraged me to rethink that plan I don’t know what will. And I shed a tear. Thanks! Cheers,H
Ah sorry for pulling on the heart strings in this one. <3
Lovely story with a happy ending for all. May you both live happily ever after!
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Thank you for posting this heartwarming cat adoption story. It resonated with me on many levels. I think that we often forget that we benefit from a relationship with animals (in this case, cats), as much as they do from us. This wonderful profile shows us that considerable healing can take place for both the person and the pet when we trust our instincts and are flexible with our adoption preferences.
🙂 glad you enjoyed the story.
¿Que más da un gato joven o viejo, enfermo o sano? Los animales abandonados siempre son bienvenidos a mi casa. No hago distinciones. Necesitan cuidados veterinarios, comida, higiene, cariño, respeto ¡Y HAY QUE DÁRSELO!
🙂
What a beauty Roxy/Shadow is. I love the coloring esp. on the nose!
🙂
Oh yeah, my two at ten months were teenagers, too … He was a very boisterous little teenager…
🙂