Two full days in and we managed to get the new kitty out from under the china hutch.
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Granted it was just to under the coffee table, but that’s progress.
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I don’t think he was thrilled to have a close up portrait taken, but I’ve got news for him. You can’t be camera shy and live in this house. Momma’s got a blog to write.
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At the end of the third day he made it out into the open.
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And he really is a love bug once he feels comfortable.
I think it’s going to be a good fit, he just needs a little time.
I wasn’t exaggerating the last week when I said I cried after giving the stray cat back to his owners. It was strange… I knew it was the right thing. I knew I had to do it. I knew he would be loved and well cared for. But when I was at the sink washing out the cat dishes? I kind of lost it.
I’m a huge animal lover and have had a houseful of pets all my life… up until two years ago when we lost our last cat (he was 26!) and the husband said no more pets because he wanted to retire and travel freely. I understood, and I didn’t argue… but I hated the feeling of an empty house. So when that little guy wandered in? He stole my heart immediately. I was complete.
For 6 whole days, then I was bereft.
And bless my husband’s heart, even though I know he didn’t want to… he broke down and suggested we go to a shelter and rescue a kitty.
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I honestly didn’t know I could get dressed and out the door that fast…. but I broke my record and was waiting in the car before he could change his mind.
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We drove north to PALS. ( Protection for Animal Life Society ) It’s a wonderful no kill cat shelter I’d heard about but never had occasion to visit.
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It was amazing. Clean, well run, with an on staff vet and room after room of lucky kitties.
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It was a veritable snuggly cat stacked warehouse.
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We were interviewed and then led into the visiting room to meet the adoptable felines. Some were friendly and outgoing, some were shy and sad. We were told some were permanent residents due to health or behavioral issues.
I would have been happy to take any one of them home… but decided to let the husband choose.
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After much deliberation, this stocky little grey and white fellow was chosen to be an official member of Casa River. ( first photo taken in moving vehicle hence the blur )
He was found wandering as a stray and was surrendered 3 weeks ago. He’s been neutered, wormed, vaccinated and been given a clean bill of health. They estimate his age at 4 years.
He’s very sweet and enjoys being petted…
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When you can find him.
For now he’s skittish and needs to learn to trust us. Lord knows what the poor little guy has been through…but he’ll be happy here.
The beautiful stray cat we fell in love with and gave a home?
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Has been returned to his rightful owners.
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I think you can guess that wasn’t my choice…. but when you receive a call from the local police department, there really isn’t any way to avoid it.
Apparently his people had been frantically searching for him but aren’t active on social media and didn’t see my original posts about finding him. A friend of theirs alerted a lost animal site…
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And there really was no doubt.
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After the police gave me their phone number, I found this on my FB messenger.
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Damn.
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They live right up the road from us.
The guilt was strong, because I really wanted to keep him.
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But look, he has a twin brother.
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Double damn. There were worried children.
I had to call.
So I called.
They came, they thanked us profusely, they took their beautiful kitty, and yes…. I cried.
The cat my husband swore we wouldn’t have any more of after our last one passed because he wanted to be free to travel.
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This handsome fellow has been wandering our neighborhood (in the cold Maine winter!) for weeks. A woman down the road took him in, but her dogs kept attacking.
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Our farming neighbors across the street took him in, but they have 4 cats, 2 dogs and 3 kids in a 1,000 square foot house…. so they begged us to shelter him.
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The husband said yes, temporarily while we tried to find his owners.
He’s clean, healthy, flea and ear mite free… and a genuine love bug. Someone clearly cared for this kitty. But after posting on numerous lost pet sites, numerous local Facebook pages and asking everyone I know? It looks like he’s ours.
You think you’ve laid in enough supplies for the next Covid wave of panicked shoppers? Just imagine how much triple ply Charmin ole Rex would have needed.
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That’s a distinct possibility.
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Another possibility. At least in my neck of the woods.
River's world..... 