Not Forgotten - Lulu

My so called day off has gotten cluttered with errands, obligations and work stuff. While I'm seated for a minute to catch up on the news, my boy climbs lap to shoulder, purring and trying by sheer force of will to make me stay and relax with him. At least I can promise him to be home eventually.

There are a number of people wandering around Maddie’s when I first arrive, but I find time to meet a pretty 4 year old named Chill. She’s a big long hair tabby and white, fluffy and wide eyed, a Maine Coon mix. Her eyes look scared, but she quickly hops down with a confident and friendly squawk, and claims my lap.

She purrs and appreciates some petting, but stays alert. I get the distinct impression that she’s missing her people, and waiting for them to show up here and take her back home. As my boy did earlier, I try to get her to just relax with me and enjoy our time together.

Next up, a socializing visit with Lulu, a pretty calico senior lady who’s been here for awhile. Lulu takes her time to establish one’s credentials. She likes to sniff everything, and she’ll allow herself to be petted all in good time, at her pace, of course. (She came from the Sido program, and whoever adopts her will get 2 free years of medical care.)

Midway through our visit, a staffer appears with an elderly couple. The lady turns out to be Lulu’s former guardian, who had to give her up due to failing eyesight. It’s wonderful to meet her, and for them to get reacquainted. Once the lady, who’s a bit frail, is seated, Lulu cautiously approaches for some gentle petting. They’ve brought a bag of her old toys, and she’s clearly familiar with these scents, sniffing eagerly. I describe how Lulu’s adjusted to Maddie’s, and how lots of volunteers see her regularly and appreciate her quirks.

The couple tell me about adopting her here, many years back, and we exchange calico cat stories. The lady seems happy and sad both, glad to be with the cat and relieved that she’s doing well, but missing her terribly. Heartrending to have let her go, but obviously it was in everyone’s best interest.

Lulu herself is kind of overwhelmed. I stay in the room with her after the couple make their way back out and toward the exit. It’s not till a few minutes after they’ve left that she climbs onto my lap, more cuddly than I’ve ever seen her, and lovingly burrows her head by my arm.
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Cancel Red Alert – Amelie

That little quake Thursday night? Got to see my boy leap up almost vertically from a prone position, no small feat for a 20 pounder. He stayed a bit edgy for a good hour, though settled down for bed as usual.

All quiet at Maddie’s, at least as far as earthquake jitters. After making sure no one needs help, I seek out my new favorite, Amelie, for a socializing visit. She’s a 4 year old tabby/torbie, a delicate, sweet and lovely green eyed girl. Her approach is at first tentative, then trusting, as she steps carefully onto my lap. There’s something about her – maybe she reminds me of the cat I briefly co-companioned in my 20s, maybe it’s just an intangible – but I particularly enjoy our time together.

I help an eager young woman who’s here to adopt her first adulthood cat. We start with a feisty young tabby, who seems like a good match for an active household. But she doesn’t want to rush things, and I applaud her for that. We check out a kitten and a few more outgoing youngish cats. Part of her falls in love with every kitty in the place. But soon she decides that first one really was it, and, grinning ear to ear, heads to the adoption desk.

I chill with another young calico sweetie. We’re just getting comfortable when a medical technician makes a house call down the hall (not sure who's facing the doc, but I think it's chubby cheeked former feral Spenser). The ensuing snarling and yowls set the whole hall on edge, with worried feline faces framed in every doorway. Marguritte retreats to her perch, momentarily hissy at the sight of my hand.

I ease down to sit below, talking in a soothing voice and assuring her everything’s okay now. She stays wary, but soon hops down for another round of petting. Her ears remain alert though; she’s not quite ready to fully relax.

Hot Dogs, Cool Cats – Pooky

I see two different Dachshunds being walked on my way to Maddie’s, both looking cute and frisky despite the heat.

The cat folks are buzzing with the news that Tina Marie, who had been here for a year, finally got adopted, apparently by someone who noticed her at her window while walking by.

I start out with Pooky, a soft, sweet, lanky 12 year old black and white fellow. He’s a senior and bony compared to my young chunky boy, but they are alike in their gentle and affectionate natures. He climbs onto my lap, burrows his head in my arm, and purrs lovingly.

A woman comes to ask about a particular cat she saw online, only she can’t remember his name. I suggest she check the listing out front, but ask if any other cats have caught her eye. Sounding disappointed, she says that only one seemed interested and meowed at her.

It’s a challenge for all the staff, volunteers, and cats, to help the cats here show their best selves even during nap time or if they’re scared of shelter noises. Unlike dogs, your average cat won’t just come wiggling forward with its personality full on display.

A young couple are not quite sure what sort of cat they want. I show them a group of adorable kittens, describing the challenges and rewards of bringing up a youngster. They enjoy playing with the little ones, but seem not quite ready to make a commitment. Happily, I learn later that they’ve chosen a lovely and friendly FIV+ adult fellow – it’s wonderful to see him getting boxed up and sent off to his new home.

I chat with a woman who’s admiring a cute, needy half grown tabby who’s pawing at her window. She says it reminds her of a dog, and I have to agree that most cats are a bit more cagey with their raw emotions. She feels bad for the kitten, but I can at least assure her that this little one – with her in-your-face approach – will have no trouble finding a home.

Powers of Persuasion – Lars

The first person I see at Maddie’s is a familiar looking man who’s admiring a pair of half grown kittens. He says he already has two former shelter cats at home and just likes to see who’s around. He doesn’t want to meet these cuties – as if afraid they’re that persuasive.

Speaking of which, I move on to see my sweet buddy Lars, the 3 year old FIV+ tabby and white lover boy. He’s skinny with the puffy cheeks of a former street cat. He’s got a kind of goofy snaggle tooth expression, but makes up for it with his big loving heart. He cuddles on my lap, rubbing and purring, then lolling like a doll baby, belly exposed.

We play for a little, as his frisky neighbor stares in, but Lars really wants more lap time. He starts a full body bath from the comfort of my crossed legs, and it’s all I can do to extract myself.

I chat with a couple. The guy says they’re just looking, but the cute and noticeably younger gal coos over the kittens, exclaiming how much she wants one in a squeaky voice. He pleads that they have to at least wait until after they move apartments. Not clear for how long she’ll settle for just taking pictures of the kittens.

Anyway, it’s not the best weekend for animals in the city, with the noisy military planes shooting by, we can all agree. I assure them we’ll have plenty more cats available after a couple weeks.

I find someone else staring in at the little orange tabby who had mesmerized the earlier guy. The woman promises to fill out her paper work, saying the kitty reminds her of one she used to have. She wants a cat who will keep her company and be okay with visiting grandchildren. The little guy is pretty mellow for a youngster. And when she picks him up, he just melts into her arms, eyes blinking shut and paws dangling.

I say my bit about taking a look at different cats and taking time to make an informed decision, but she’s completely smitten. She can barely stand to put him down long enough to head to the front lobby.

Someplace New – Crimson

The boyfriend and I both have out of town visitors – his niece and her boyfriend, young and eager to embark on adult life in San Francisco, and my brother and sister-in-law, on a long weekend vacation. It’s fun showing folks around, daunting to realize how long it’s been since I’ve been to many places on the regular tourist circuit, and a bit of a challenge squeezing regular activities.

Don’t mind the quiet interludes at Maddie’s. I’m glad to see that Shelle found a home! I spend probably the most peaceful 15 minutes of my week with a darling girl named Crimson. She’s a small and pretty tortie and white 7 year old, who curls immediately and trustingly into my lap. Her paperwork says she’s well traveled by both car and plane, and does well in carriers and with other animals. It’s all I can do to budge her off my lap though. She lounges there as long as she can, willing to bat at a toy only from its comfort.

I move on to help a couple who want an active kitten to go with a feisty adult cat at home. Even ruling out the shy Cherry Blossom’s they’ve seen a bunch of youngsters they think they’d like. But after just a few minutes with the first adorable and energetic 3 month old tabby, the guy says, "Let’s just get this one."

I encourage them to at least meet one more, and they do. Whereupon he decides probably that’s the one. I can offer advice about introducing the new kitten to the household, and note that most cats act a bit differently once they’re settled in their new homes. But it’s beyond me to make their decision.

Leaving them to ponder, I go to socialize a sweet shy bonded pair of lanky 1 year olds, improbably named Gene and Garfunkle. One’s black and white, the other white with orange tabby and super soft. Initially wary, they warm up fast, and rub, purr, and cutely bump noses. These guys will definitely relax in their own quiet place with a regular routine.

And it makes me think about the spotlight outside visitors put on ones regular quiet life. Yes, we’re tired after work and just want to enjoy a quiet meal at home; no, Saturday night bar hopping in the Mission doesn’t sound fun anymore. But still, good to know it’s all out there… and happy HSB weekend!