How Can You Say No to that Face - Jasmine

I arrive at Maddie’s a couple minutes before it opens. Already a small crowd has gathered, some pointing out cats visible in their windows, others eager to be first to the adoption counter, their cat already selected. A couple is debating the merits of getting a younger or full grown cat, and whether male cats are more outgoing and if that’s a good thing. Not arguing exactly, but negotiating.

It starts out and stays busy. Initially several sets of people are looking for the same type of cat – feisty and young. I’m unfamiliar with the bulk of the cats, since they’re new, but there are a bunch that fit the bill. A pair of guys check out a couple and fall in love with Fern, a sweet little black and white girl (who’s about to get a new home and a big brother in a friendly Mastiff).

A young woman and her pals want to meet Trucker, a pretty all gray 8 month old. We quickly discover how he got his name, as he zooms out into the hall upon our opening his door. But he’s a real sweetie, purring and rubbing around all of us, and she decides he’s right for her.

During a lull, I go in to see Jasmine, a pretty 8 year old calico who’d had trouble getting along with other cats. She’s hiding but immediately trots out, meowing. She’s slender and soft, mostly orange on her face, white on her belly. She circles a couple times then steps delicately unto my lap, purring, nuzzling, and settling down with a contented purr. Soon she twists onto her back, paws flexing and pushing; I imagine she’s one of those cats who starts cuddled next to you on the bed then gradually shoves you toward the edge as she takes over the middle. She meows sweetly in protest when I stand to leave.

I also visit shy Beatrice, who just wants lap time and gentle petting. From there, we watch a steady stream of staff and volunteers going to see Van Damme, who’s absolutely adorable. A precious cream puff of a kitty, he loves one and all, and snuggles up to give kisses to everyone he meets. (Not surprisingly, there’s an adoption pending sign on his door by the end of my shift.)

A mom and two daughters from New Zealand want help selecting the right young cat for the older girl. Then another mom with twin girls come specifically looking for Cherry Blossoms or formerly feral cats. The mom’s a total cat person, who explains that they’re still getting over losing the last of several older cats and they’re just visiting, looking around. But as the girls play, one per cat, with a pair of youngsters, one of them mentions their upcoming birthday. The other takes it up, saying how getting two cats might be better than a party. Let the negotiations begin.

Rainy Days - Tabitha

All these storms! No, not a big deal compared to the horrific scene in Haiti (or even – don’t get me started – the recent election in formerly blue MA). But too much water and scary noises for our animals.

My boy did pretty well at first, and stayed tucked under the covers with me on the bed until the thunder claps seemed directly overhead. Then he hightailed it to the designated cat hiding spot of the closet floor, behind and shedding on the low hanging stuff.

No leaks at least, more than I can say for Maddie’s, which has a couple drippy windows. At least it’s not overly crowded there these days, so the cats don’t have to put up with it directly.

My very first customer wants to adopt Sir Bentley, the fluffy former feral I found so charming when I met him last week. She’s a nice middle aged cat savvy type who’s already made up her mind, but we go in for a quick confirmation visit. He lolls happily while she strokes him, and we discuss his awesomeness.

Another Fix Our Ferals kitty is having a harder time adjusting to people – Tabitha is a teensy 2 year old tabby girl. I go in and sit with her for awhile. She mostly stays squeezed behind her climbing structure, but she does love being petted, and arches and purrs when I reach back to her.

She ventures out with a nervous slightly puffy tail, lets me pet her some more, and has a lick or two of her food. But hallways noise sends her scooting back to her safe spot. There, she rolls onto her back, paws curled awkwardly in. I think she’ll be a bit of a goofball once she finally relaxes.

With only a few people coming by, I spend extra time with another shy girl, sweet all black Beatrice. She at least is comfortable sitting on my lap, and even plays for a few minutes. (Her notes mention that she likes to eat her toys, so I keep an eye on the dangle toy as she works it over.) I check to see if Tabitha can see this nice normal behavior.

All of us watch the arrival of some new kitties down the hall. One immediately takes cover, another – a big orange tabby from Stockton – circles the room and then starts meowing at his door. Guess who’s mostly likely to go home first. But you know what? Even the cats who freak out from rain can make someone a very good companion.

Other People's Little Ones - Simon & Lola

Lots of new feline faces at Maddie’s this week, with numerous new arrivals from outlying counties like Yolo and Merced. I start out with a pair who are just settling in, both young adult, pretty and sweet but scared. Random construction noises overhead don’t help. But after some gentle petting and coaxing, I convince her to eat and him to play.

Several people wander by – a couple looking for kittens, a dad and two young girls, a lone guy who carefully reads each condo card. Then a larger group comes in, excited young voices bouncing off the walls. It’s two moms and five kids. They study all the cats in hallway 3, then the oldest girl asks to see Silly, a playful 8 month old.

I check in with one of the moms, who suggests just the three girls go in with me, so as not to overwhelm the cat. Most cats would be fairly freaked out at this point, but as for Silly – bring ‘em on. She’s a goofy long hair tabby and white girl who’s friendly and fearless. She purrs, bats at our toys, and happily allows herself to be passed back and forth between the girls, nuzzling them sweetly.

Then the two boys, who are younger and a bit whinier want their chance. We shuffle out, and I crouch down to have a little talk with them about keeping their voices soft and motions gentle. They are gratifyingly attentive to me, and solemnly assure me they are capable of being quiet.

One of the families has recently adopted a cat from Maddie’s and all the kids are clearly delighted with him. They don’t seem real serious about taking on another, but I enjoy interacting with kids – decently behaved ones – even so. Though it's tempting to mention that this is a shelter and not a petting zoo, I figure any kids I meet here are future pet supervisors. I think it’s important to show them respect, listen and answer their questions. And of course to model good person to cat behavior.

The girls beg to meet another cat, and Sir Bentley, a gorgeous fluffy 4 year old all black fellow from Fix our Ferals, is deemed tolerant with children. Basically he loves being petted by anyone and everyone. He’s much less active and pretty much lolls like a rag doll between the girls, purring and wriggling his shoulders, the soft fur on his belly luxurious and long.

Finally the whole group is herded away (another benefit of other people’s children) and things quiet down. All this time Lola and Simon, an older bonded pair, have put up with the commotion outside their condo. They’re precious too, but in a more subdued, mature way. Simon is a huge orange tabby, friendly and easygoing, a "personal assistant." Lola’s half his size, a petite big eyed brown tabby, initially shy.

But she wins me over when she slinks from her hiding spot straight onto my lap, and curls there trustingly. She seems like somebody else’s baby too, and I wonder how these two ended up here. They’re older and a pair, which makes them a little harder to get adopted – but hopefully the right people for them will show up soon.

Moving Picture Vs. Snapshot – Chaka

Dozens of shelter cats found homes in the past couple weeks. It’s heartening to see empty condos, and shy new faces peeking out from where long timers like both our Luigis used to reside.

High volunteer to cat and ca customer ratio today, which allows for nice long visits with the remaining and brand new kitties. I pay homage to charming Chaka, a 9 year old orange long hair Persian mix. Her smush face and stubby paws notwithstanding, this girl is all dignity and grace. She purrs longa nd loud, and utters a few demanding meows before settling on my lap, arching her chin for my hand and blinking her eyes in contentment.

Volunteers can also give full individualized attention to potential adopters, a change from the holiday season rush. I help a guy who’s lost his companion of 14 years. He’s not sure what he’slooking for but knows he’s ready for another feline in his life. He seems to fall pretty hard for Chutney, an adorable tabby newly arrived from Stockton, but decides to keep looking around.

A young woman has several cats she wants to meet. She’s recently adopted her first cat and loves her so much she wants another. Predictably, she’s charmed by each cat we visit, and she asks how I can resist not bringing them all home.

Though part of me has imagined Chaka lounging at home with Montana,a study in contrast, I tell her that over the long haul, I’m confident about all my favorites ending up in loving homes. A first tour of Maddie’s might seem overwhelming; you just have to understand that the whole process takes time.

I’m reminded of some small boys I met here last week, a group of five (!) being shepherded around by a single dad. Three appeared to be brothers, the others presumably adopted or foster kids, but all of them were quiet and respectful of the cats. I showed a cat to just a pair of the kids at first.

After a few minutes of whispers and gentle pets, the older boy confided to me that he really loves cats. I could tell, he loved cats the way I do, which is a whole lot. I was determined to find the right pet for this group, and consulted with a couple staffers. A household with five little boys needed a special cat. They suggested a friendly outgoing youngster, and I went back to find the family.

The dad and boys I’d talked to were excited to meet another cat. But one of the smaller boys was crying,crying pretty hard, tears running down his face. He had just come to understand the nature of the shelter, the older boy explained. He was upset and sad that there were so many homeless cats.

I tried to comfort him, to explain that things would look up for these cats one day soon. But what cheered him up was getting to go in and pet Mr. Man, the cat they decided to take home.