Say Cheese - Walter

I’m afraid we have a lot of the same old cats at the shelter – but some great new photos of them [www.sfspca.org/adoptions/cats]. And that’s not easy. I’ve been hard pressed to get good snapshots of my boy; he either comes to head butt the camera or rolls on his back with his big paws flapping.

Two charming tabbies, housed side by side, capture my attention right away. Big gray tabby Walter is lolling on another volunteer’s lap, looking blissful. I go in to sit with Ralfie, a lovely 3 year old brown tabby. He’s a former stray, wide eyed and on the shy side, but he soon hops down beside me to purr while I pet him. An enthusiastic woman in the corridor sends him momentarily scooting away, but he quickly bounces back. His paperwork says he likes other cats, which sets him apart from a number of the current Maddie’s residents.

I peek in at Walter. The dude is 16 and newly arrived via the SIDO program, meaning his former person has passed away or is no longer able to care for him. He’s fat, loud, a bit ornery, probably never was the cutest kitten in the litter – but there’s just something special about him. He’s got staff and volunteers swinging by all day to pay homage. I cuddle with him, and he leans into me, affectionate. But I can see he’s just making the best of the situation. He knows something is wrong and he clearly misses his person, poor thing.

Moving along, I show a cute little "cherry blossom" 4 month old to a guy who practically melts on the floor falling in love with him. He’s just moved to a new apartment, though, and is low on funds. I put a note on the kitty’s door that someone’s interested in him, while the young man goes off to hit up pals to borrow money. I see him squatting by the door with his phone, so he can send out a picture.

I’m in with Clinton and Ani, dangling a toy for her while giving him a luxurious belly rub, when I spot an older gentleman in the hall. He looks a bit unsure of himself, confused by the layout of the hallways. But in an instant, his expression shifts completely, to one of amusement and deep pleasure. He’s looking in at one of our entertaining cuties, a young all black kitty who’s romping around her condo.

Never mind the cat photos – that expression of delight is the image I wish I could have captured.

Slowing it Down – Zoe Rock

Good news at Maddie’s – Kentucky, Beans, and senior lady Mask have all been adopted. Disappointing follow up, though – I see that two different mature former adoptees, chatty orange Persian Chaka, and sweet, super-sized black and white Junior, have been returned.

Chaka greets me happily and loudly, immediately friendly and hopping onto my lap. She keeps an eye on the hallway too, and trots to her door to say hello to a couple young women passing by. Still a charmer, I’m glad to see.

Not long later a woman and adult daughter approach. They’ve just lost one of a pair of cats. They seem numb still, a bit overwhelmed, but also anxious that the remaining cat not be alone. We go in to meet a shy young kitty, who seems a bit intimidated. I talk to the daughter a little more, and try to nicely suggest that a brief mourning period might be appropriate for their cat. That’s how I phrase it, but I really mean for the people too. I‘m not sure any of them will be quite ready for an interloper – even an adorable one – quite so soon, and I assure the women that Maddie’s will still have plenty of cats looking for new homes in the days to come.

They keep looking around, and I settle in with Zoe Rock, the shy 6 year old long hair calico. She’s gone from scaredy cat to just quirky, launching herself out to vigorously rub my legs and roll around happily, purring and emitting little purr grunts while I pet her.

I’ve been in a rush all day – laundry and several errands this morning, hurrying here to put in most of my volunteer shift but leave time to catch the end of the Giants home opener. (Go Giants! It kind of reminds me of when the Dead were in town – I’ve seen people wearing the gear everywhere I go.) And this is all on my day off.

But soothing Zoe makes me slow down. And sitting there on the floor stroking her, silent and still, I suddenly recall a dream from last night. Both my parents were alive and well, and driving me through my hometown in our VW mini-bus. They were chatting together about how much better they both felt.

Sometimes it’s sad to wake up from that sort of dream. But last night, it just felt peaceful. My boy was purring, pressing his nose into my hair, and I felt like I’d just had a little visit with the folks. Makes me wonder how much else is missed, what other flutterings of semi-consciousness just disappear, from forgetting to slow down. Thanks, kitties.

Elusive Happy Endings – Jessie

It’s pretty quiet when I get to Maddie’s, so I find some quiet kitties to visit. Jessie is a lovely slender tabby and white 15 year old gal. When she first got to the shelter she was quite shy, but now she’s used to the routine, and squawks a friendly greeting at the sound of the door. She patters across my legs happily, purring and rubbing, and gazes up with her big expressive eyes.

Across the hall, Mikey has a similar look, but he’s a 5 year old shy boy with more white than stripes. He generally hides completely under his blanket unless there’s a human with him to expressly invite him out for a cuddle. (Not the best strategy for finding new people to take care of him, I’m afraid.) Once emerged, he’s sweet and affectionate, though a bit wary of hallway noises.

We have a number of harder to place kitties these days. There are several bonded pairs, in addition to the shy guys and seniors. Plus a newly arrived trio, Lizzie, Shoyo and Rascal, who ended up here when their prior owner lost his home. The three of them, all big vigorous looking cats, are curled up together in their climbing structure, looking adorable.

I help a young family – who present challenges of their own – looking for the right cat to join a rambunctious little boy. He’s a cutie, and super enthusiastic, but that’s not something a lot of cats can handle. We meet Clinton and Ani, just to see how the kid does, although the parents understandably don’t feel ready to take on two cats. (Too bad, because Clinton and the little boy have a great time playing together.)

Unfortunately, several of the mellowest cats are out on Outreach duty this afternoon. I take the mom and kid in to meet Beans, another laid back young male cat, but the dad decides he doesn’t like him. By this time the boy is getting a little squirmy, and I’m kind of relieved when they decide maybe they should come back fresh another day.

I ease in to greet Blanche Du Bois, a soft and dignified snowshoe mix. No happy ending, not yet at least, I whisper to her. But hey, if my matchmaking was as simple as a Hollywood movie, where’d be the challenge?

Tell Me What You Really Think – Champ

Lots of SFSPCA attention on the annual Bark & Whine Ball this week; the cat side is pretty quiet.

I check in on some of my regulars. Shy guy Kentucky only takes a minute or two before emerging from hiding and admitting he likes to be petted (progress!). A man makes his way slowly along the corridor. He says he just had to say goodbye to his elderly cat last week. He’s just here to be around some cats.

I’m in with pretty little Gertrude, a friendly tortie, when a feline introduction next door goes bad, with sudden angry hissing and snarling. Staffers hurry the poor new fellow away, and the original cats quickly settle down. It sets some of the nearby cats on edge though.

I go in to sit with Jersey Girl and Harry, two friendly, active and curious black and white kitties. She’s got an oddly adorable face and she really does have cow markings. And he’s just a sweetie, long limbed and playful. These two don’t need to go home together, but they make a nice pair.

After awhile a young couple approach, interested in kittens. I explain about kitten season and offer to show any of the kitties who are just under a year old. Almost immediately, the pair on the verge of a fight, and stressed way out of proportion, it seems to me, at the idea of having to wait a few weeks for a better and younger selection.

They exchange clipped comments in lowered voices to each other, voices polite but a bit scathing. They depart almost aggressively close together, and I’m left wondering if the cats who were snarling over their territory aren’t easier to take with the honesty of their emotions.

I end up chilling out with Champ, who’s just moved downstairs. He’s a big gray and white 3 year old, who’s half asleep when I come in. He stretches all four paws straight out, and rolls on his back, big white belly out. But I’m careful to just pet his head and back – his notes say he can nip and might be best with an adult household.

Champ is built like a wrestler, barrel chested and broad shouldered, with not much neck and wide set green eyes that squint and make him seem to smile. He’s a bit shy, but also warm and friendly, a good solid cat who will let you know what he wants. And that's a good way to be.

Siamese (but not Twins) – Kurt & Courtney

Happy Spring! What a difference from a week ago – today I’m sure I’m not the only one having trouble dragging myself in from the 70+ sunshine.

I don’t expect big crowds at Maddie’s, although there are a few people waiting to enter right at 1pm. Checking in, I’m not surprised to see that Pickle Chips is gone, but pleased that shy Beatrice has finally found a home too.

We have an unusually large number of Siamese and Siamese mixes these days. Not sure why, but Hallway 3 is lined with them. I meet young bonded pair Kurt and Courtney; the names make sense as I observe their intense yet slightly prickly connection.

He’s a super soft, fluffy Lynx Point with slightly crossed eyes, and she’s a delicate and petite round faced Seal Point. Both cats are small and shy. But Kurt slinks his way onto my lap and snuggles there as if taking up permanent residence. Courtney rubs around too, but also wants to play and eat some kibble. Soon she joins the lap, though, and the two of them wash each others’ heads and backs. Kurt is so vigorous that he leaves her ears wet, and Courtney rears back at one point, squawking. Clearly, a daily routine.

There’s another adorable bonded pair next door. Both are bigger and feistier – Clinton is another Lynx Point, and Ani a big fluffy black and white girl. Two more good sized Siamese fellows keep an eye on things from across the hall. Fuji is long haired and declawed, and very outgoing, while Kentucky (named for the street where he was found) is extra shy.

I move on to my favorite shy girl, long hair calico Zoe Rock. At least she’s quick to leave her hiding spot, though she kind of stays crouched behind my legs as I sit cross legged. A woman who specifically wants a young long hair kitty comes in to meet her, but unfortunately little Zoe scoots away, overturning her kibble in her haste. I hardly need to explain her shyness in the face of it, but can at least assure the woman that Zoe is capable, after a few tries, of giving and receiving affection.

The woman is just starting her search, and moves on. Zoe comes back out and head butts my arm. Poor girl – wish she had a trusted companion to give her a daily head washing.

Lonely Boys - Pickle Chips

A surprisingly large number of visitors have ventured out into the rain to go cat window shopping. Fortunately there are plenty of volunteers on hand too.

I talk to a young woman who wants to adopt her first cat, but has a roommate with a shy former feral. We check out frisky and flirtatious Foxtrot. He behaves just fine – but in this situation, the resident cat is the one who may have issues. The woman decides to keep looking.

My visit with new favorite Pickle Chips is interrupted by a group of oversized teens who ask to "say goodbye" to 7 month old tabby Bridget across the hall. They’ve got the vibe of some sort of at-risk youth group, sticking together and closely monitored by a pair of not much older women.

I wonder about six of us crowding in with little Bridget, but she does well, not only accepting several hands petting her but voluntarily climbing up onto first one than another set of shoulders. She nuzzles one boy’s neck and cheek, and it’s just adorable. They crowd around, gentle and respectful, till the one boy gruffly says they should leave. He denies being ready to cry, though no one has accused him. The supervisor assures the kids that she’ll find a good home, pointing out that the sister she was housed with has already been adopted.

Another kid tells me apologetically that they’re not allowed to have a cat. Not at this point in your life, I think. But maybe in a decade or so – and this sort of sweet bonding experience is an investment in that future.

Back to Pickle Chips, who’s just darling. He’s a big 4 year old tabby and white fellow with a precious round face, cute meow, and please-pet-me look in his eye. His paperwork says he’s declawed (too bad, but he seems ok with it) and that he has made friends with a cat named Puzzle at the shelter, but they don’t have to go together. But Puzzle’s already gone – I saw his paperwork earlier.

Mr. Pickle rubs around, purring and staring up wide eyed, then leans into my with his head tucked under my chin. Passersby in the hall point and coo. Then he slumps down and curls in my lap, an eye toward the squirrels prancing around on his TV.

Two other lonely cats along the corridor perch at their windows, watching the action in the hall and each other. Hang on guys, your time’s coming.

Second Hand Bargains - Pebbles

My favorite boots have finally started leaking to the point of uselessness after more than a decade of San Francisco winters. I’d like to get another identical pair, but they’re neither in style nor so old as to be back. But I hit Thrift Town on my way to Maddie’s, and pick up two decent (and waterproof!) pairs for $15.

I grew up with hand-me-downs, being the youngest and small. I kind of like stuff that’s been broken in already. On to the adoption center, where second hand bargains abound.

I’m immediately enticed by Pebbles, a sweet faced two year old slightly rotund tabby with a white bib and nose. Her paperwork says she came from a hoarder and had been living in filthy conditions with lots of other animals. She would do better as an only cat, and may have some litterbox issues; behavior counseling would be available to her adopters.

But she seems pretty well adjusted to me. She’s shy for perhaps thirty seconds, before hopping across my lap and winding around, purring and rubbing and drooling a bit. She’s playful too, and jumps after a toy, landing briefly in her kibble dish, startling us both. She gazes up at me forlornly when I stand to leave.

Down the hall, I work with another shy kitty, Mackerel. He’s a gentle Siamese mix who needs coaxing to venture out but loves being petted. His companion Flounder is a lovely and more outgoing Balinese. Happily, they get an adoption hold placed on them from somebody who saw them online. (Maybe they’ll get better names along with their new home?)

I chat with a woman who wants to meet big Chewey, although she’s just adopted a pair of cats and he’s a loner guy. She’s just drawn to that soulful look, as I am, and we pet him while he lolls on his rug. She tells me her cats at home are adjusting well, and it’s obvious she’s as pleased with them as they are with her.

There are not many visitors today, so I move on to another shy kitty, Zoe Rock, a transfer from Salinas. She’s a 6 year old calico long hair, super scared and hiding out. We sit for awhile, and she lets me pet her head. Finally, she ventures out to sniff around, her tail tucked awkwardly between her legs. She investigates her food and manages a bite or two, and slinks along my leg, purring while I pet her.

She’s in the same condo where I found my boy. He’d been scared like that too, but now he’s very comfortable in our home. Like Pebbles, he was rescued from a difficult multi-cat situation. He’d started his life elsewhere, but we’re both glad he got a second try with me.