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!

All New Cats! - Smiles

Wow – there has been a heart lifting turn over in shelter residents since I last logged in. We still have some longer term cats, but many formerly hard luck cases have found happy homes.

I head first to visit Smiles, a timid long hair gray tabby girl. She tends to hide and shy away from new people, but with a little patience she transforms into a drooly affectionate sweetheart, circling figure eights and head butting my hand. This girl just needs to be quietly wooed.

Across the hall, sweet senior Shelle, a lovely silver tabby who lives for lap time, is still hoping for a permanent home. She needs to be an only pet, but she’ll reward her special person with limitless love. Both these kitties await the sort of people who can value these precious kitties for who they are.

I’m recently back from vacation, exploring and hiking in canyon country in southern Utah. Lovely, dramatic scenery – especially in the ominous light of afternoon thunder storms – but it’s always nice to get back home. So peaceful to cuddle in the afternoon sun with my boy, both of us watching the slow paced, stiff legged stroll of our neighbor’s regular walk with a pair of elderly Labs. This dedicated and loving trio well illustrate the devotion and rewards that come with having a pet.

A young couple ask to visit a big sweet boy named Gene, but quickly decide he’s too shy. They want someone outgoing, and I suggest we meet Lars, a big friendly tabby. Lars hops down immediately, but then commences a full body series of hacks and coughs to vigorously bring up a hairball. Fortunately the guests are dedicated cat people, and we’re able to laugh at the situation. They know the ins and outs of cat companionship.

They decide to keep looking. And I’ll be happy for whoever they choose.

Thank You and Good Night – Marlon Brando

There are people clustered at the door right as Maddie’s opens, a good sign that we’ll be moving some animals out. School’s out and lots of families want to bring home a kitten.

First lull, I meet a big loveable boy named Marlon Brando. He’s quite striking, a tabby and white with broad lengthwise stripes down his back. He’s lounging, half hidden at first, and a bit shy, but soon hops out to be petted, circling and rubbing firmly across my back. After a bite to eat, he reclines onto his back, paws curled, head nuzzling my hand, content.

Next door, another Love Bug named Pumpkin meows for attention. She’s a sweet and chatty little tabby, still wearing a big blue collar from recent surgery. Her face is adorable, wide eyed and goofy, and she chats up anyone she sees in the hall. She’s not loving the collar though, and keeps rubbing her head on things to loosen it. It gets people’s attention at least.

I spend awhile with a young couple who want a kitten to go with their active cat at home. We check out several, spending a good amount of interaction time with each. The pair murmur their preferences to each other, in no hurry to decide and eager to find the perfect match. Another woman and friend are kitten shopping, carefully reading each kennel card before even deciding who to meet.

The kittens are feisty, fuzzy and hilarious, each cuter than the last. Still, I’m glad to take a break with a grown up gentle lap boy, 3 year old gray and white Ernest. He’s a slender big headed lover, a former outdoor tough guy who now loves a warm lap. Ernest is FIV+ and needs to be inside and away from other cats, but he’ll make his new lucky people a wonderful companion.

In hallway 3, I’m happy to see that shy little Star has emerged from hiding and is curled comfortably where people can see her. Instead of cowering, she relaxes into my hand as I pet her. And I’m thrilled there’s an adoption pending sign on senior calico Zoey’s condo.

It strikes me again what a complex system we have here. I appreciate the team effort by so many over so long that enables these eventual happy endings. These aren’t designer kitties or special breeds or perfect specimens, just everyday cats. But every one unique, every one deserving of a good home. It’s nice to be part of the process.

I’ll still be volunteering, but taking a summer sabbatical from the blog. Check here http://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/cats for your cat pix fix!

Tell Me All About It – Peaches

First thing I notice checking in at Maddie’s is Moey’s kennel card showing he’s been adopted – yay! Otherwise, it’s primarily been kittens arriving and departing the adoption floor.

I see a familiar looking woman, and she confirms she’s been by several times, seeking the right companion for her frisky young cat. She says when she comes home from work, he’s loaded with pent up energy and practically asking for someone to play with. Cheerful new kitty Henry seems to fit the bill, though I point out a couple other possibilities as well.

My attention is next absolutely arrested by magnificent Augustus, a massive, handsome, hug-able, tabby and white fellow. He’s got a commanding presence; I’m compelled to meet him. He talks a lot – he seems to be anxiously looking for his people and wants to tell me about it in detail.

A young couple ask to meet him. The woman is looking for an interactive cat, and they’re both charmed by the big guy (as are people passing in the hall). I offer my usual caution about how cats may act differently at home than they do at the shelter. But it’s clear to all of us that this is an active cat with a lot to say. We go meet a few other cats, then she wants to visit Augustus again. The woman’s not sure, but I’ll be surprised if he’s still here by next week.

Meantime, sweet older tortie girl Peaches is doing her best to flag down passers by. She’s a friendly and lap-loving tortie senior kitty, who’s lithe and active for her age. Peaches is a good physical communicator who will easily and clearly make her wishes known. Today’s agenda: cuddles and laps. I hang out with her for a little longer, hoping to make up for the upcoming holiday noises that I know all the cats find stressful. Hoping she’ll understand me telling her she’s a good good girl.

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.