Happy Tail Archives
Happy Tail: Harley - A Wild Feline Or Just A Big Cuddlebug?
The day that this scrawny, beaten and bruised and starving cat showed up in my driveway looking for a hand-out, I thought he was feral and unapproachable. I knew that he got into many fights and lost because he just didn't look strong and looked like a major wimp. My heart went out to him but there was nothing I could do because he would run away. I had it in my mind that he was wild and probably not adoptable.
Then, he showed up in my backyard, under a bush with a seriously hurt leg and sickly. As a previous pet foster caregiver and the Webmaster for the HOMAR site, my compassion and need to help this helpless animal kicked in and I thought, I will get him into a crate and put on my screen porch and see if I can get him some antibiotics (I dare not try to touch or pet him) and perhaps I can get him neutered and release him after he is better. Well, I lured him into a pet carrier with food and then "dumped" him into the crate.
After a few weeks of good food (with crushed up antibiotics) and a comfy place to heal it was time to get him neutered. I still hadn't tried to touch him. He seemed wild but maybe...nahhh, better not risk it.
Now named Harley, healed nicely and just neutered, and still confined in the crate, I couldn't resist that adorable face and reached out to touch him. His reaction...major kitty hugs and begging for more. Boy was I so wrong about him! What a Cuddlebug! He was as gentle and affectionate as the most loyal dog. I really fell in love with him, his pink nose, so soft, his very flexible tail and sweet chirping...but I already had a house full of nine cats. So, unfortunately, I listed him on the website for adoption. For the next three months, my Cuddlebug stayed in the porch area. I fretted about him out in the cold and built him little warm caves and bought heating disks and water dishes. But my guilt (and growing love for him) hit hard and I finally caved. I brought him inside and waited for the fur to fly.
It didn't! Not an aggressive bone in his body. Sure my other cats went after him but he tried to avoid them all. I could tell he was an outsider...he stood off in the distance and seemed only happy when I was there to cuddle with him. I knew that I had to find him a home...only the most special of home and Pet Parent. My Cuddlebug was in my heart now and I had set my standards for his adoption to the highest level. I was secretly hoping that nobody would meet those standards. THEN SHE CAME ALONG!
Jan from Indiana saw Harley on Petfinder and fell instantly in love. I scrutinized the Pre-Adoption application and asked tons of questions just dying to find something negative so I could say, "Sorry, can't adopt him." Nothing! Jan gladly sent pictures of the home where Harley would be living and Jan was eager and willing to travel hundreds of miles at great expense to see Harley which is rare in the pet adoption world. My heart was hurting because it seemed that Jan was that dreaded, perfect adoption applicant. Looks like my Cuddlebug wasn't going to be mine anymore.
Meeting Jan in person and hearing about her great love of animals and giving her own only the best love and care - well, my dread to part with him disappeared. Her tears in telling me about the death of her beloved pet months before melted my heart because I knew how she felt. Feeling such loss and pain for that lost pet-that was love! Jan and I were Kindred Spirits and Harley would be loved deeply.
Now, months later, I made such a good friend in Jan. She gives me many updates on Harley and his new happy home. She adores him and her friend, Barry, who lives in the same house loves him too. Harley gets along with her other cats and is just as spoiled and loved. I miss him but I know I made a great decision on his behalf. No regrets.
And finally, I learned a big lesson with Harley...just because you think a cat is feral because he runs away or "looks wild" don't always believe it. Many strays are just lost and scared. Give them a chance to prove that they can be a Cuddlebug too.
Happy Tail - Tess...Was She Worth The Trip?
They saw her and something told them she would be worth the trip across the State to adopt her! So was she? We will let Kara's email update answer that question...
Hello! Tess has been doing SO WELL. The picture of her on the bed with Kaitlynn was from the first night! That night we came home and we thought that she (Tess) would become scarce shortly after opening her cage to let her 'explore'. To our delight and surprise she just laid down in the middle of the floor and gave herself a bath. She calmly explored our home and wherever we went - she followed. The kids thought this was great! (PS - she also didn't make a peep the entire car ride!).
After we got everyone calmed down and off to bed - she promptly hopped up with Kaitlynn in her bed and decided that is where she is going to sleep. (Kaitlynn doesn't know that after she has drifted off that Tess comes in for play time with me and Kevin!) She becomes quite full of life after 10 pm.
She and Harrington (our dog) became acquainted through our glass door - looking at each other. Sunday night we did let Harrington in and Tess showed him how big her tail can get. They didn't really bother with each other - but we did keep them segregated and put Harrington downstairs. By Monday night - we let them check each other out more closely and they were off and playing. They have had no problems at all!
Tess has become quite the beggar! She likes dinner time and she sits under the table happy to grab anything the kids "accidentally" drop. She took off with a grape tonight.
Our vet proudly took her to each of the assistants and showed her off - calling her the 'most beautiful cat' he has ever seen! She got a great clean bill of health and we keep up with clipping her toe nails. I cannot believe how gentle she is with the kids - me however - she loves to play rough at 10 pm and hides around corners waiting to grab my leg as I walk by... again - never scratching me - but very playful. Justin is the only one who has a scratch and it was an accident - he was playing with her. He would put his hand under the bed where she was playing and she would tap his hand with her paw - they continued and he got a toy and went to tease her with it and she went to bat the toy and got his hand. But after 3 weeks - I still cannot believe that is it!
We are so thankful and happy that we have Tess and I do apologize for not sending this earlier. We have been all fighting off this head cold going around and time just slips away! I do have to tell you that we are 'potty training' Tess to go potty on our toilet. She is doing great!
Well - take care!
Thank you for the wonderful update Kara...sounds like Tess is a perfect addition to your family. To help with the night playing, go to our Resource page and scroll down to our Cat and Dog Care information sheets from the ASPCA. To help your new kitty to channel her predatory play aggression, click on the info sheet titled Float Like a Butterfly.