Home at Last - Jeremy & Luigi

The boyfriend and I took a long weekend camping trip in Yosemite. A month ago making plans, I’d wondered about closures and cold at the higher elevations, but it was lovely up there, ideal hiking weather even at 9000 feet.

I’d been hoping to squeeze in a shelter shift before or after, but work and the mess at home interfered. Nice thing about a volunteer position – the work is important but missable, and I know there are other volunteers around every day at Maddie’s.

Checking the website, I see that Jeremy and Luigi still haven’t been adopted. They’re a shy bonded pair, both sweet boys. They don’t much like all the activity at the shelter, but I think they’d blossom in a quiet household. Cats like their routines and living in a secure place. The cautious ones in particular can act different in the shelter than when they’re relaxed at home, I regularly tell people.

This little trip disrupted things for our cats. My boy Montana (and by the way, I chose that name at least a year before the mayor did!) gets lonely and hungry, but he’s quick to forgive me once I’m back. He followed me room to room, and tried to squeeze onto my lap, despite the heat, whenever I sat down.

He’s quite the change from my former kitty, who recognized/became annoyed when I started packing, flat out refused to interact with anyone who came to feed her, and upon my return bounced between near hysterical crying and none too subtle expressions of displeasure (pointedly turning her back to me or sniffing at hiking boots and hissing). Then again, I never worried about her running out of food, being a nibbler who rarely made it to the bottom of her dish… unlike Montana, who happily eats what’s in front of him, not at all getting the concept that twice as much food should last twice as long.

The boyfriends cats, Emmy (formerly Emily, adopted 2001) and Allie (formerly Annie, 2006) are both more independent. Sure, they miss him and miss being fed at the right time, but they both have their regular business to attend to. They go into frenzy when he gets home, but it’s short lived. A bowl of kibble, some cuddling on the couch, and they’re pretty much back to normal.

Although both of them do monitor his movements. They both know the sound of his car, and on occasions when I’m there and he’s not, Emmy will stand vigil when she expects him, crouched on the arm of the couch, ears perked. Which is sweet but sad if he doesn’t show up.

Anyway, the long hours outdoors were nice, but it’s good to be home and showered with feline affection. Makes me think of the shelter kitties, all of them longing for their own people to wait for and welcome back home.

Part of the Solution - Meimei

I’m disappointed to see that Mitten, the sweet faced 10 year old tabby, is back after a few months. (There were problems with the resident cat.) And pretty orange Sharyn, another 10 year old, just got returned. At least both of them are perky and attentive to visitors, good get-adopted behavior.

Speaking of – new kitties Seal (lanky gray and white) and Chloe (soft plump dil tortie), a non-bonded pair, are super happy to have a human in their condo. Chloe has about the loudest sustained purring I’ve heard from a cat; the two of them have a purring contest and she wins. He squirms around on my lap for petting while she flops beside me, paws in the air, still purring like a jet liner.

There’s a rush of people, singles and couples, mostly interested in kittens. Fortunately there are several volunteers today. An older fellow has just lost his companion – he’s not ready to adopt but just wants to see who’s around. He clearly needs to be around some cats, and his grief is palpable.

I help a young woman who has a toddler and another cat at home. She checks out several youngsters, and I’m relieved that she decides on a gentle 4 month old rather than a younger and more hyper pair.

The crowd thins as suddenly as it appeared, and I’m back to socializing visits. I hang out with Meimei, a delightful 4 year old tortie "love bug" (shy but extra affectionate). She hides for about thirty seconds before diving into my lap, kneading and purring and pushing her nose into my hand for faster pets. She’s distinctive and pretty, green eyed with lots of tannish orange mottled fur on her back and little white spots on her chest and one set of toes.

Sitting quietly here, as other volunteers and staff go about their business, I reflect for a moment on the recent investigative piece that was so critical of the changes in SF SPCA policies. I’m glad, first off, for journalists researching and digging into a story… our city would certainly be worse off without an active media presence. The focus seemed mostly to be dogs, and I have little first hand knowledge of the dogs coming and going (or not) at Maddie’s. Count me in as someone who was proud of SF’s no kill policy and wishes it was a current and universal thing.

But coming here weekly, I can say definitively that nobody ‘s hankering to put down any animal. And I’m pretty sure that the board members years back didn’t factor in the biggest economic downturn in half a century in their timeline for launching a grand new animal hospital.

Guess I would hope that anyone quick to condemn decisions made is also on the front lines giving time or money or both to better the situation for homeless animals. (Don’t have money because the job’s gone, have to work extra hours because the younger kid’s college expenses are through the roof? Maybe we all would have made some different decisions with foresight.) Anyway, there are a couple of sweet ten year olds here who need people with extra dedication to animals.

Eight Years Later - Kincaid

Off to the shelter on 9-11. The weather here feels like the weather there then; I was back east on vacation that day eight years ago (Worst Vacation Ever). Stood on the beach talking to people from the DC area worried about friends.

At Maddie’s, I’m happy to see that three long time kitties, Sharyn, Ernie and Applesauce, have found homes. A lot more where they came from, though.

I hang out with mellow Kincaid, a handsome, dark, long limbed 9 year old tabby. He’s affectionate with people but uncomfortable around other animals, and needs to be an only pet. He rubs around while I pet him, then sits in front of me, staring up while I coo at him, before sinking to a comfortable lounging spot. He seems a bit listless, like he doesn’t want to get too close, knowing I’ll soon leave, poor sweet guy.

Next up, Scooter, a precious soft all black 13 year old, with a bossy, squawky meow. She’s a young 13, small and delicate on her feet, and pleased to have company. She purrs and rubs too. But she hasn’t been eating – there are four full food dishes in her condo, three of them different types of wet food. She’ll deign to eat if I fish out tiny fingerfulls for her to lick, so we proceed like that for awhile. I’m sure she just needs a normal routine to get comfortable eating. Finally, she steps across my lap and settles slowly onto my left leg, glancing back as if to say that I’ll do, I’ve passed her inspection.

I’m across the hall when a young couple pause outside Scooter’s window. They’re a cute contrast, like Burning Man now meets Valencia Street 1980s. I offer to show her, talking up her attributes. But they explain that they’re still debating – the long haired woman wants an older cat, but the short haired one wants a kitten. I have a feeling the kitten will win out – after all, time passes and the kitten will (hopefully) become an older cat but it doesn’t work the other way.

Towards the end of my shift I explain the shelter’s layout and procedures to a middle aged woman who’s teary eyed just contemplating all the homeless kitties. Stories spill out of her fast, as if she’s not used to being listened to, about how she misses her cat that was stolen, what he was like, how therapeutic he could be.

She is so different from me/my world that I have to beat back the impulse to pass judgment. She tours the hallways, and settles on a sweet young gray kitty who’s recently arrived from Lake County. The woman has kind of a dog person mannerism toward the cat, but they seem pleased with each other. The kitty is bouncy and playful, and at least tolerant of being scooped up and kissed.

She says need to take this girl home even though she still desperately misses the other cat. But we both know that time can help heal.

Fun at Home - Clarissa

Well, the fog finally rolled in early this morning. I know because my Montana, who dislikes a too warm flat, got uncharacteristically frisky. He charged up and down the hall a couple times then came to stand right next to my head, giving a delighted squawk when I cracked open an eye to meet his.

It’s brisk and comfortable walking towards the shelter, in case I need more incentive to stay put over the long weekend. (Wildfires, bridge closures, a happy cat at home, why leave?)

I’m pleased to note that Lexie and little Kiwi were recently adopted. Plus a very charming trio of friendly all black siblings got taken together. Hats off to that generous adopter, who I’m sure will have years of fun with those cool kitties. We still have several bonded pairs here though, and I make a point of stopping to check in on Jeremy and Luigi and the Liddys, Big and Little.

A number of cats have gone two or three days without a volunteer visit, so there are plenty of cats to see. I enjoy interacting with charming Clarissa, who reminds me a bit of my boy. She’s a 7 year old long hair black and white, a little cautious but mostly in-your-face friendly (a "Personal Assistant"). Her picture is cute, but doesn’t do her justice; she’s prettier and slimmer in person, with a thick, soft, luxurious coat.

She’s chatty and loves to be petted, and clearly would enjoy being brushed – a good thing with all that fur. As I stroke her, she accidentally dips her tail into her water dish, then swishes it around, not bothered in the least.

Must be a day to get wet. My next visit is with Echo, a sweet and chunky Russian Blue girl across the hall. She’s so excited by having company that she purrs and rubs and drools all at the same time. Close to a ten on a one to ten drooling scale – but for anyone who thinks it’s cute, what a winner. I’ve been around cats like that, and they do calm down after awhile. But she’s still pretty pumped up when I move on.

There are a few people walking around, mostly just observing the cats and moving at a fast pace. A very young couple who look like high schoolers, but probably are on their own, debate the merits of cute little Cupcake. But they wander away, not ready to meet her.

Things pick up toward the end of my shift, and I point three different couples to the kitten hallways. (Maddie’s has fewer teensy kittens, but still plenty of kittens under six months available. ) There are several volunteers on hand, so I take off knowing they’re in good hands.

Outside at the bus stop on 16th, I see a woman with a telltale shelter cardboard box waiting for the 22. Pretty clear how she’ll be spending her weekend. And pretty hard to imagine a better one.

Furry Friends - Lexie

A friend is pet-sitting a chinchilla. Actually she’s briefly watching him for her sister, who’s taking care of him for the duration of her in-laws’ kitchen renovation; Sammy’s making the rounds. Anyway, he’s a little round gray fluff ball with floppy ears, teensy little paws, and a cute, if jumpy manner.

She’d told me he likes to be scratched behind the ears. While my impulse was to wonder if a jittery rodent would really even notice, I gave it a try. He loved it, leaning into my fingers and softly shutting his eyes. Pets are mesmerizing!

I arrive at Maddie’s with renewed enthusiasm for furry creatures big and small – and am rewarded by making the acquaintance of 5 year old Lexie, a gorgeous and loving lynx point mix. She’s shy, hiding when I open her door, but I soon coax her out for some petting. Her face is striking, tabby markings with huge dilated blue eyes. She’s got soft tan faintly striped sides and dark tabby striped paws and tail.

She’s chinchilla soft too (now that I have a basis for comparison). She purrs happily, rubs, rolls on her side, and in every way shows me her favorite ways to be stroked. She retreats again when I leave, but flatters me by creeping up onto her perch to be able to watch me as I interact with Blitzen, a frisky tan and white boy across the hall.

A grandmother, mom and little boy in a batman shirt go by, reading each name and solemnly admiring the cats. A couple different young moms with babies in arms wander through, all just here to entertain the kids.

A very young man and his out of town girlfriend want to check out kittens. He says he’s lonely in his apartment, and I’m guessing he’s not long away from dorm life. We visit an adorable foursome of tabby kittens, and after playing with them for awhile he decides to take the two feistiest, a brother and sister.

Part of me wants to caution him, say what a huge responsibility this will be, does he have any idea how long 15 or more years is to take care of these cats? But the reality is he knows he wants a pet. I’ve nearly always had cats even in my wilder days; for lots of us pets will invariably be part of our lives. So I happily send them all off to their new life together.

Learning to be Brave - Sharyn

It’s audit week at my paid job, so a few hours without numbers or scurrying around in search of obscure financial docs are particularly nice. Especially with tabby cats involved.

Maddie’s hallway 2 offers a fine variety of these pretty cats. Bernie and Nicholas are cute, playful, skinny young brown tabbies with white bellies and paws. They look like brothers but are just pals who hang out and mostly get along ok.

At the end of the hall is little Sharyn, a delicate, sweet faced, slightly fussy ten year old orange gal with a white bib and toes. She’s been here for awhile, and gone from being shy to a bit demanding of attention from passersby. She meows, circles, purrs, and rubs around me. Definitely trying to get a message across, though I can’t tell if it’s about taking her home or just bringing her some kibble.

A group of adults and kids tumble into the hall, startling her for a moment, but she quickly regains her composure. The kids aren’t very interested in or sensitive about their surroundings, and one of them whines loudly to go see puppies. Sharyn barely gives them a glance, and bats a toy around instead, meowing as she plays. Across the hall, young Nicholas stands up, paws on his window, watching us intently.

Next up is Chester, a funny, short limbed, cuddly brown tabby. He loves visitors and wants to swoon across my lap, chase a toy, and nibble his food all at the same time. A pair of nannies holding up toddlers appear at the window. I dangle the toy up there so he’ll go after it, and his antics amuse the kids. Although they’re also pretty fascinated by the cat video squirrels on the TV too. They soon leave, one of the young women exclaiming that it’s time for a diaper change, as if that’s all part of their fun day.

Two different pairs of men stroll by, reading about the cats and discussing size and breeds and markings – but none of them want to meet any of the cats in question.

Not a problem – gives me extra time to get to know a new sweet little orange tabby girl, Kiwi. She’s super scared, and gives a tiny hiss when I enter her room. But soon pokes her head out, and when she decides I’m ok, creeps trustingly into my lap and leans there sweetly. She darts away to hide at pretty much any noise, but I can tell she’ll get braver as the days go by. Sharyn could give her a lesson. I just sit and wait for her to reappear, and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Family Ties - The Liddys

Happily, my time away wasn’t entirely devoid of feline companionship - although I dislike being away from my boy, and missed seeing the shelter kitties. We stayed at a ranch with a super friendly pair of barn cats who were eager for any attention they could get.

The family gathering peaked at 21 relatives, ranging in age from 5 to 92. Getting us all on the road for expedition was like herding cats indeed. But I got a good chance to move at kid time, where each moment must be filled with doing something – playing, sudden boredom, a new game, a made up twist on the game… Fortunately none of the parents are the hovering sort, and were quite happy to have those for whom play time is a novelty hang with the kids. We even found a game of Twister, which the younger ones had never heard of, and found hugely entertaining.

Still, I also like the feline pace of finding a sunny spot to lounge, enjoying a fine meal, running around a bit then chilling for awhile. So it’s good to be home. Back at Maddie’s, it was nice to see that several longer term cats found homes. Plus kitten season seems finally to be slowing a bit, at least to the point where I wasn’t besieged to show a kitten upon arrival.

I’m immediately charmed by a bonded pair of 4 year old litter mates, Little Liddy and her brother Big Liddy. Little is almost all black, small of course, and slightly more assertive. She commands my lap right away. Big is a good sized black and white boy, yellow eyed and precious, and lounges happily next to me. They both purr and gaze up sweetly. They’re good natured, confident cats, pleased with both my and each other’s company, and very much at home with each other in a comfortable family way. Big plays in a goofy way, chasing a toy and toppling off his climbing structure in the process. Little prefers chewing on things with a bit more dignity.

Next door are another bonded pair, all black Luigi and pretty tabby Jeremy. These two are a bit more shy, though they warm up quickly. They wander around nudging my hands for petting and bumping heads in a friendly way. As I sit with them a couple kids, clearly siblings from both appearance and behavior, run up to the window. Hands and noses pressing the glass, they giggle at the cats and casually shove at each other in a probably unconscious ritualistic way.

Their mom moves them along, one hand per available shoulder. I whisper to the cats that they’re lucky to have each other and to stick together. Either of these pairs would make fine additions to a family.