Adapting to Change - Cherokee

I've had that cold that everyone's had, but feel sufficiently recovered to return to Maddie's. Good thing, because there are plenty of cat shoppers there.

Right off the bat, I help a friendly but no nonsense woman with a specific type of cat in mind. Her husband is recovering from a stroke, and wishes for a shy and cuddly tabby to keep him company. We check out two possibilities. She's leaning toward sweet and pretty Aurora, who totally fits the bill, and heads to the front to finish her paperwork.

A woman and her grandson are anxious to go see Fanta, a lovely mostly black 6 month old. Turns out she fostered him as a kitten, and she's worried that he's lonely and scared all alone in his condo. He does seem shy at first, but as they descend on him with coos and cuddles, he warms up and rubs between all three of us, purring. Although she's worried that his shyness is preventing him from being adopted, he's only been on the floor for a week.

I continue on to socialize with a bonded pair, Domino and Checkers, for whom shyness is not an issue. Domino dominates, head butting, rubbing and purring, while Checkers circles, competing for petting. Both these sweet girls have been declawed, but they play as if they're claws are just fine, making the best of their situation.

Across the hall, lovely 10 year old Cherokee is flirting with a pair of guys in the hallway. I ask if they want to meet him but they say no, they've already picked out another cat. They leave, as if afraid they'll be tempted to bring home the whole hall full of cats. Chekokee's prior owner died, and he's clearly missing his home. But he's good at making new friends - I'm instantly charmed. He rubs around and belly flops, luxuriating in having his soft fur stroked. Then he curls like a rag doll into my lap, happy and relaxed.

I feel bad breaking it to him that we won't be spending the rest of the day lounging together. He's a special boy who needs a new situation. Even as I shut the door to his condo, his cat face seems to have a smile. He's got a positive attitude, much like the lady from earlier, who's focused on her husband's recovery.

I peak back into that hallway, and am happy to see that Aurora is already gone, and formerly shy Fanta is right up at his door, ready to flag down his new people.

Watch. Me. Now. – Odetta

After a morning of errands and post office, it’s nice to ease into a slow shelter shift. I enjoy some quality time with Odetta, a plump, pretty tabby and white 5 year old. She’s all about cuddling, and as long as she’s got a lap to lounge in and a hand to rub her head, she’s happy. It’s disappointing for both of us – and a bit challenging as she really doesn’t want to leave the lap – when I have to roust her to continue my rounds.

There are several volunteers and not many possible customers, so I spend awhile with a woman and her precocious granddaughter, who’s maybe 5. She’s bright, bilingual, adores cats and likes to tell stories. Her pre-school visited the Macy’s SPCA windows downtown, and apparently she’s talked of little else since.

We go in with Potsie, a mellow, friendly and gorgeous 10 year old lynx point. The girl is most into playing with the noodle toy, but we cover hand sniffing, petting down the back, and watching for signs that a cat has had enough. Potsie is fine with the kid – she plays a little, and rubs around both of us. Pretty soon, though, she puts her paws firmly onto my knees, demanding my full attention.

The girl continues down the hall, telling stories about what the cats might be thinking and asking lots of questions. I like interacting with little kids like this, the same way I like cats. They’re so focused on the here and now. This is what I’m thinking. Pet me now.

The grandmother asks about age limits for becoming a volunteer, and I have to disappoint them by saying it’s older than 5. I mention the summer camp – the girl would surely enjoy that eventually. But clearly to her, something that might occur months from now is such a distant future as to be meaningless. Like a good kitty, she wants what she wants now.

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Window Shopping – Ashe & Empire

Good news from the volunteer coordinator – we’ve had a banner couple weeks at Maddie’s, with dozens of cats and dogs finding new homes, including a couple senior kitties who had been challenging to place. Empty condos!

I’m a little surprised to see bonded pair Ashe and Empire are still here. If you know anyone looking for an adorable and loving matched set of cats, these are the boys. They’re devoted 3 year olds, sweet, soft, pretty, friendly and bright. Though they have two sets of food dishes and two litter boxes, they clearly prefer to share.

Golden eyed solid gray Empire settles on my lap, while gray tabby Ashe stands nearby, enjoying head rubs. His little pink tongue pokes out in pleasure, as both of their purr motors rev.

Apparently they smell interesting too, as two different calicos I go visit, Vicky and Lulu, insist on a full sniff down of my apron before agreeing to be petted.

It’s quiet, so there’s quality time for the shy kitties. I’m in with a couple timid all black youngsters when a pair of young moms arrive, exclaiming over the gorgeousness of every cat they see. They’re taking a little break before picking up kids from school, just window shopping. One has a ring tone that sounds like an old fashioned phone, which startles both me and the cats both times it rings.

Later on, I introduce a soft spoken, burly dude to a precious little tabby named Bit. He gently strokes her, his big hand a contrast to her delicate head. I try to draw him out a little as far as cat experience, and he admits that he can’t actually have a cat just now. He’s living in a room in a small share, soon to be evicted. I can see he’s wondering if I’ll now ask him to leave, but I don’t. The little cat is blossoming with his attention, and this is the kind of window shopping we can all understand.