Someday – Moey

I’m having one of those weeks where it feels like I’ll never get caught up on either my work or other obligations. Nonetheless, the regimented relaxation of hanging with the cats is a welcome respite.

There’s a good volunteer to customer ratio, so I spend extra time with sweet boy Moey. He’s a solid 7 year old long hair smoke black fellow with a soft white undercoat. He greets me with a perky meow, then circles, purrs, and gazes adoringly at me with his pretty yellow eyes. I pet him up and down that luxurious coat as he leans into my side. I can’t convince him to play, although we can hear wiry tabby Penny skittering around by herself down the hall. Moey’s been here a few months, and he knows the routine, meowing his objections when I stand to leave. He’s just waiting for someone mellow, slow moving and quiet to call his own.

There’s another cat who’s got a similar Felinality rating, but is much more reticent. Star is a delicate young tabby and white girl. Her paperwork says she’s getting used to trusting people again after her dental work. She’s aware of my presence, but stays firmly hidden in her box. Still, she accepts gentle petting when I contort myself into position to reach her. She curls up – not asleep, but a little more relaxed. I’m hoping she’s one of those kitties who suddenly bloom once she’s finally found the perfect people.

A woman with a cute little girl stand at her door, unable to spot her, and I explain about her shyness. A young couple approach, the guy speaking with a slight European sounding accent, the woman mostly silent. They want to meet Bee, a new cute little tabby. She starts out shy, peeking adorably from the top of her perch, but quickly hops down and revels in the young woman’s attention. Though they’re clearly melting over this sweet cat, the guy confesses that despite filling out a survey, they can’t actually have a cat where they live. The woman nods, blinking back tears.

He apologizes for taking my time. But I point out that sweet Bee enjoyed having company. I motion to the other people walking the halls, and assure them that someone will take give this cat a good home. And that eventually, they’ll find themselves in a place where they can bring home a cat of their own.

Real Deal – Bear Bear

The hallway leading to the volunteer locker room is colorfully decorated with children’s art – posters, mostly about dogs, hand lettered and exuberantly colored in. It’s nice to see actual kid’s crafts, not digitized or Power Point stuff.

Upstairs, I’m immediately drawn to new kitty Cybil, a pretty 2 year old calico princess. She reminds me a bit of my departed girl Muppy, both in coloring and her need to be an only cat. She’s friendlier – most cats are! – but also offers a tiny warning nip when my attention wanders. It feels very comfortable and familiar sitting with her. She’s even a bit of a goof, like my girl was, dashing after toys and gawking at the birds on TV.

Across the hall, Bear Bear squeaks for attention. She’s a darling little 3 year old, mostly black with a tiny sprinkling of white across her shoulders. She likes to investigate the situation, and spends awhile sniffing around, even standing on her perch by my head for better access. Finally I pass inspection, and she curls up on my lap as I stroke her, comfortable to the point of rolling to her back and curling her little paws up. This elicits a chorus of oohs from people in the hall. And I appreciate a kitty who needs to be won over.

I’m glad to see Cybil at her door, also catching people’s attention. I chat with a woman and two kids, an aunt and nieces, who’ve been carefully studying each cat. They all love animals, but one of the parents has allergies. The younger girl squats, delighted with her interactions with outgoing Virginia.

The little girl tells me she likes to draw, especially pictures of little cats, and she intends to make a picture of Virginia later. The woman prompts the kids to tell me about the realistic looking stuffed animals they have at home, and we joke about not having to feed or clean up after them. But the older girl tells me, voice serious, that it’s not the same. Can’t argue with that, there’s nothing like real animals as pets.

Body Language – Ivory

There are people arriving as the doors open an Maddie’s, always a good thing. First up, a hefty tattooed guy and his gal pal – he wants a kitten to join older cats at home. He’s already got a couple "all stars" (adaptable, not shy) in mind.

Good thing, because he likes to kind of manhandle them as part of his affectionate interaction. Seems like a bit of a control thing. One kitten squirms in what looks to me like a pretty obviously uncomfortable way. But happily, he chooses a cutie who lounges in his arms, purring and cool with the baby doll positioning.

I move on to visit pretty, all white Ivory. He’s a sweet and friendly 9 year old who craves human interaction. He rubs, purrs, sniffs, has a bite of kibble, and circles around me as I sit cross legged. Something’s not quite right; Ivory kind nudges at me until I extend my legs into a more traditional lap. Then he hops on and curls up, contented.

I’ve enjoyed observing cat body language since I was a child, learning to exchange blinks with my boy Mystery. It’s fun to explain it to little kids, and give them tips on what to watch for – cats can communicate in pretty clear language, with no grammar necessary.

I talk to a young man who’s considering adopting his first cat in his own place. It’s a studio, and he’s wondering if a small or younger cat would do better in a small space. I suggest that energy level is a factor too, that a mellow older cat would probably be fine. There are many ways to entertain a cat in a small space – happens here every day.

He keeps looking around, and I return to the cat visits. Pretty calico Carrie is newly arrived from Yolo. She’s a dainty young thing who’s curled in a safe spot. She ventures out almost immediately, and rubs around adorably. She seems pretty relaxed. But her tail stays a little puffed out, giving away her nervousness at shelter life.

Growing up Fast - Mika

Week after week, cute little dark tabby Mika hustles to her door at the sound of footsteps, mouthing meows to anyone passing by. She longs for company, and she keeps an eye on the whole hall, monitoring her neighbors’ activities from her windows. There are a bunch of people wandering around, but I squeeze in some quiet quality time, stroking her soft fur and cooing as she flops onto her back, little feet kneading the air. She’s a little older, a little needy, but such a sweet girl, sure to make someone happy every day.

Across the hall there’s an adorable new young orange tabby, Tangier. He transitions quickly from shy to squirmy affectionate. I just about melt, and he seems both surprised and a bit indignant that I don’t immediately take him home.

But there are several people needing help, and I show kittens to a couple different sets of people, then talk to a woman who’s back in the market after having lost her adored cat several months back. She says she’s on the quiet side, but is nonetheless drawn to one of our super active youngsters. Her last cat was kind of hyper like this, and it’s what she expects.

Next a woman with a bright little boy want to check out Maximus. The kid is a proxy for two more siblings, and they’re looking for a young, social cat or cats who can handle activity and occasional road trips. Maximus does pretty well. The boy is calm, knows how to extend a hand to sniff, and that’s all Max needs to rub around with enthusiasm.

Across the hall, pretty tabby Smurfet kind of ignores the kid, more interested in the adults and her food dish. It’s funny how different cats react to small children. The woman tells me her 7 year old daughter is also good with cats, and would love to brush a long hair cat like this. The new cat is to be the girl’s pet, but the mom ruefully notes that she knows she’ll end up doing much of the caretaking.

I’m glad when people get that – that the 7 year old begging for a cat will too soon become a teenager who maybe has other things to do. Or that the cute scrabbling kittens will quickly grow up to be regular cats.

Just before leaving, I chat with a mom and cute little gap toothed girl. They’re strictly looking, but the girl adores animals. She borrows my dangle toy and waves it at the window of a pair of fascinated young kitties. Kid and cats are mesmerized, the girl laughing in delight. She declares she’s having so much fun that she wants to never leave. Exchanging a smile with the mom, I hope they both remember this moment.

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