Eleven days ago, I received a phone call from the husband of a friend of mine. He was quite distraught over an incident that occurred with his cat and his wife. He was not making much sense ( very rattled by what he witnessed) but according to the fragments that were relayed to me. (I have yet to speak to his wife). There was a fight between his cat and one other new one in the house. When his wife went into the room, she bent down to pick something up off the floor. I don’t know what that something was but suddenly the cat launched at her! She screamed as the cat raked her leg. She ended up having to go to the ER and they were stitching up her wounds (14 stitches)

He asked if I could take the cat- we normally do not take owner-surrender cats here. I told him I was sorry, but I couldn’t. Then he started texting me repeatedly in the matter of about a half an hour. I was on the phone calling everyone that I knew that did rescue trying to find a place for this cat as he was texting me. I knew he was desperate and I was afraid for the cat.

His last text alarmed me. It simply said “Sorry to have bothered you. He’s gone!”

I was so unsettled, but God was still working in the day and I received a text from someone who could take him, but not until the 16th when four of her rescues would transition out into the barns. I called her, we talked, I told her I could keep him until then.

Calling his wife, I was told it was okay. They had found a place for the cat. His uncle lives near them, has barns and acreage and they were taking him there. I hung up feeling relieved, until I received another text from the wife saying to call her husband now!

I called him and he was sobbing hysterically. He couldn’t do it. His plan had been to just leave the cat in the  middle of nowhere with food and water,  but after he drove away and saw the cat trying to follow him. He broke down and couldn’t do it. I told him that I had found a place for the cat. A safe place and bring the cat to me. “Scratch” (his new name) is now upstairs.

When he arrived and he is a BIG orange boy. It was quite the chore to lug him upstairs. I had prepared the room ahead of time, blocking the door to attic (that swings inward) I covered the futon with a king size dark blanket so he could hide underneath if he wanted to. He had food, water and litter pans available as well. I put the carrier on the floor and opened the door. He would not come out. I left him to decompress.

When Scratch first arrived, he chose to stay hidden under the futon. I would feed him three times a day, give him clean water and just leave him alone. On the third day, he had moved from where he had been under the futon and gone to the closet. I did manage that day to look at him and noticed that although he was a large cat, he was quite skinny. His eyes, when we first meant were mean. He was not scared, He was terrified. I backed off. I did not wish to get attacked.

I have asked nothing of him until a few days ago. The gal couldn’t come and pick him up on the 16th as planned, so she will be here tomorrow to make the transfer. I put a dog crate upstairs a few days ago and have been feeding him in there. He started coming out from under the futon and being with me (head-bumping my legs all the time) on the 5th day here.When he moved back out of the closet to duck under the futon again, I shut the closet door.

If I dared to pet him, just barely touch the top of his head lightly, he would scoot back under the futon. So I stopped trying. Now he will stay out all the time I am in the room, except if I drop something by accident or open up a trash bag to collect his waste. It took him three days before he started eating and using the litter pans. The meanness in his eyes is now gone, but I do carry a broom with me when I go into the room just in case. I do not know what his triggers are. I have a feeling that even though he is neutered, if he does charge the door (which he hasn’t). He could do great harm to Molly and the kittens. I don’t want to take that chance.

He is more relaxed and I am sad that he is leaving tomorrow as we are making small strides with him. But I know that I cannot keep him. It’s just not possible right now. Plus I think the farther he gets away from his old life the better. New name, new life. I’m getting text messages from his former owner who is worried about his cat’s separation anxiety and mental health. I keep assuring him, all is good. This cat does not have separation anxiety. He has a trust issue.

He is really quite sweet. I am able to pet him now without him fleeing in fear back under the futon. Yesterday, when I went to feed, he was sleeping on top of the futon on the warming blanket! I cursed myself for not having my phone on me to snap a photo.

But, here are some photos of him from first day until now-

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I know the gal that is going to be working with him. It’s the same gal who took several of my feral cats when I left during the fires. He will be worked with gradually and when ready, if she can’t find a proper home for him, He will be to the point where he can get along with others and just join her barn crew. That’s a long time down the road.

I feel sorry for this boy. He has a lot to overcome, but orange kitties are pretty resilient. I have hopes he will have bright future.

On a further note- the burn kitties are going great! They  just got neutered and are back here waiting for pick-up day which is Feb. 4th. The new owner is making sure the catio is ready for them. She got injured and was in the hospital for four days which set her plans back.

Please everyone stay safe and healthy. Thank you to those of you who still support what is done here for these cats. The food/funds sent were such a welcome relief.

I’m not sure who wrote this song, but many years ago, when I sang with a female barbershop group in Alaska and we were performing (and won) in Seattle, we sang this song. It has been circling in my head in the last few days:

Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be Peace on Earth, the Peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my Brother, in Perfect Harmony..

Let Peace begin with Me, Let this be the moment Now.
With every step I take, Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment and Live each moment in Peace Eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin with Me.”

May God watch over us All-