Power Spot - William

More volunteers than customers today. Plus a pleasantly surprising lack of cats at the shelter; all the available adoptees are housed in the ground floor condos. That means extra cuddle time for our feline friends.

I visit a whole series of tabbies. I have a special affection for brown tabbies, no doubt ingrained from my childhood cat Mystery, a strapping cheerful tabby.

William is of similar girth, but much more shy. He has a big sweet face, and his expressions show his emotions vividly (kind of a Jodie Foster of cats). He purrs loudly. He likes people, he’s affectionate and arches his back for petting.

But he’s awfully scared too. Though they’ve squeezed a pillow into it in a vain attempt to keep him from hiding, it’s clear William’s safe spot is tucked fully into the bottom of his climbing structure. He ventures out, purring loudly and rubbing his big face against my shoulder and cheek. But any noise or sudden movement sends him scuttling back.

After awhile, though, he stays out. He gets braver. He really wants his petting. Maybe a bit of food too. His resolve is tested when another volunteer walks by. He looks up anxiously, and then back at his hiding hole. But he stands firm.

I tell him he’s a good boy over and over, in that goofy voice that people without pets or children find so bizarre. He hops back up, kind of draping himself over the safe area. It’s accessible but so is his back for my hand. William’s found his power spot.