Weathering Storms - Charlie

Got a "dear volunteer" letter earlier in the week. Several paragraphs of recession and low interest rates and difficult decisions, to reach the point: layoffs on the SPCA staff. Big bummer, although not a real surprising one. I can’t think of a friend who hasn’t been dealing with something similar at work, big and small, nonprofit and for. The upshot for a lot of us is doing more work for the same pay and lesser benefits.

I guess I’m glad that things don’t seem noticeably tense when I get there. It’s tough on everyone, I well know. But the needs here haven’t changed, there are still plenty of homeless animals. And a good number of people looking for pets today too.

I take a young woman in to meet Cissy, a pretty and playful little dill tortie. Not sure if she really wants to adopt or is just getting out of the house, but they interact nicely.

Next door is a new pair, a shy long hair tortie, and Prika, a uniquely beautiful girl with a sweet personality to boot. She’s soft with mottled pale gray, pale tan, and white fur, and large blue eyes. She purrs loudly and loves to be petted. Unfortunately, the two girls aren’t very comfortable with each other and both hiss when they get near each other. I stroke them, one on each side, and peace is achieved.

Of the many perks of volunteering here, getting acquainted with an outgoing one-of-a-kind sweetie is a good one. But so is visiting a classic brown tabby who happens to be shy. Charlie’s such a pretty boy, but super cautious. He’s the kind of cat who really rewards you when you gain his trust. At first I just sit near him, talking softly. Then a hand sniff. Some rubs behind the ears. Finally he ventures out and slinks around the room, and enjoys a nice petting session. He makes good eye contact, and I admire his expressive yellow eyes and long sturdy tail.

That’s it for the quiet time though – a bunch of people want to see kittens. I end up showing the same room of six, including the aptly named Tornado and Tsunami, to several people. Typical two month old kittens, either roaring with energy and charging around or collapsed in adorable rag doll sleeping poses.

A lone woman tests out each of the six before telling me she’s leaning toward little Tsunami. Then a guy and his buddy check them out. He’s got an older cat and a mellow dog at home already, and wants a kitten who can hold her own, and he favors Tsunami too.

A couple with a polite and cat savvy boy are next. They each pick a different favorite, laughing about their lack of consensus, but it’s clear they all like all the kittens. I tell all kitten shoppers that the cute active kittens get adopted fast, but that there will be more available as space opens up.

I'm headed east for a family reunion, so I'll miss the kitties next week, even the rambunctious little ones...