Oh Yeah, Thanks - Sadie

Three cheers for Thanksgiving! Friends, family and food make for a fine holiday. I managed to celebrate at two different gatherings, and eat well but not totally over indulge. Caught up with lots of people, heard good news and bad and still too many worries about jobs and job prospects.

And stayed up way too late. I drag myself over to Maddie’s thinking a quiet day with the cats would be nice, but guess – correctly – that that’s not going to happen. Yup, it’s Black Friday at the adoption center too, and the place is hopping.

First up, a woman with two kids, who turn out to be her nephew and niece, come in to meet Sadie, a cheerful and pretty 9 year old torbie. She’s a young 9, and while her paperwork says she’s shy, she does fine with four of us in there, wending between us and purring happily.

The aunt explains that the kids have never had a pet, and they’re just exploring the idea. (Ah the influence of the aunt – been there.) Both children are a bit shy with the cat, but interested and attentive when I run through some of the duties and rewards associated with caring for a pet.

The next guy I talk to is a soft spoken man who lost his cat a month ago. We meet two kitties he’s interested in, and chat for a bit about cats and cat personalities. I feel like he has one of those magic moments with a lovely new all white fellow named Hemmingway. He’s a cool kitty, and he climbs up onto the guy’s leg for a moment, seeming to claim him.

The guy considers it for a bit, and then decides he’s ready to adopt him, and I send him off to the front desk. Several other people ask for assistance – some looking pretty seriously, others just checking out Maddie’s and getting their cat fix.

Another aunt with two nieces are shopping for a feisty kitten to go with an active household with other cats and dogs. As I’m showing the adorable and aptly named Spidy, I see Hemmingway’s new dad carefully carrying the tell tale cardboard box out in the parking lot out front. The kids thank me and move on.

And it occurs to me to offer thanks back. As a volunteer, it’s easy to see the people touring Maddie’s as a single mass of people with needs and questions. But on a day with so many visitors, individuals stand out… so thanks to the people who’ve decided to adopt a homeless animal, to the guy who made a spontaneous extra donation along with paying the adoption fee for his pair of kittens, to the people bringing out of town guests to show how nice a shelter can be – and of course, to the animal loving aunts. All of our lives are enriched.