All I can say, is I wish I had wrote it!
I found your cat, and she’s way cooler than you are. (Saint Augustine)
That title is a bit misleading. Your cat found me, actually. And she totally rocks, so I’m almost glad that you’re such a shortsighted idiot. She showed up about two years ago to eat out of a nearby dumpster, but she didn’t trust people enough to let anyone near her. Everyone in the area naturally assumed she was feral. It took about a year and a half before she would even let me get close enough to pet her, but then something strange happened; once she did let me pet her, she decided I was her human. She became really affectionate. Greeted me when I came home from work. More or less lived on our porch for the last six months. Once it started getting colder, she even took to jumping into our laps when we were sitting outside. It was a pretty crazy transformation from the skittish little thing I met two years ago. So we took her to the vet earlier this week, (because it’s pretty obvious no one is coming back for her, and the weather has been getting much too cold for a seven pound ball of fur to just be left to the elements) and we found out the damndest thing. The vet found a little tattoo on her belly, and said that it meant she was not just spayed, but had previously been adopted. Now, that’s great news for us, because not only did we no longer have to worry about adding on the additional fee of getting her spayed to her tests and shots, but once we brought her inside, she loved it. I was worried she’d feel caged, but apparently this is the pampering she has been wanting for a while now. She sleeps on the bed, gets along well with our dogs, and loves to snuggle. She’s a great little cat. But I wanted you to know, if you figured you’d just abandon your pet when you moved away, and she’d be fine- you were right. She’s fine. She lived the last two years of her life eating out of a dumpster, afraid to let anyone touch her, and living off of lizards, mice, and (at least on one occasion that I witnessed) bats, but she’s fine now. She has been adopted, and most certainly has adopted us as well. I also wanted to clarify something for you. If you ever, “adopt” another pet in the future, that word comes with a certain promise. It means that, “I am your person, and you are my animal” you kind of belong to each other after that. It’s your job to shelter them, your job to feed them and keep them healthy, and if you can’t bring them with you when you move- it’s your job to find a new f@#%ing apartment that does allow pets. If you can’t handle that, maybe next time, you should adopt a damn plant. Don’t forget to water it, jerk.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Your cat has good taste in picking you as her new mom. Hope the previous owners finally learn that pets are not disposal.
Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliantly said!!!!! This should be posted on Facebook! Your fur babies are so very lucky to have you as their voice! God bless you!
Hissy, not sure I have the best email to reach you. Package on it’s way via Priority Mail, emailed you the tracking number. If you didn’t get it, and want that number, you know how to reach me 🙂
I’m so glad I found your story , very well written !! I’m going through exactly the same situation with my little cat Asher . She is wonderful but still doesn’t let me pet her much ( she has hurt me in the past badly ) , and she does feel too anxious inside my home . She will only stay during the night time , otherwise my front door is always open and she is in and out continually . Any suggestions ?
Hi Liana,
My best advice is to take your cues from you cat. Reduce all expectations you might have on how you WANT this cat to act, and realize that based on what happened BEFORE she arrived at your door is how she will react. I wouldn’t pet her- she sounds like she might be pet aggressive. Don’t look her straight in the eyes- in the cat world this is an invitation to do battle. If you do lock eyes, blink several times slowly, lower your head and back away to reduce the threat.
With all new cats who come here, I keep my center of gravity low when I am among them. Meaning, I sit on the floor a lot. In the cat world height means power. Alpha cats are always searching for the highest point in the room so they can run things. Me, being 6′ 5″ well I am clearly alpha just by walking through the door.
If she is available in the dark, then plan activities around that time. Leave her tasty meat treats around, play with her with an interactive cat toy- most cats are active between the hours of 2:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. that is the prime hunting time when the momcat will take the kittens out of the nest to teach them to hunt.
You just want to stay safe with her and not be a threat. Giving her food and water on a routine schedule daily will also help. Keep to the same time(s) of putting out food and water and she will relax in time and start to trust you. It doesn’t happen overnight- but it does happen.