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January 18, 2006
One potato, two potato, three
It’s been a little over a year since I adopted two cats. I already had a 16 year-old neutered male. I had no intention of adopting two cats; I did not want three cats. Sometimes you get what you get because somehow it’s out of your hands.
Here’s how it began - - - I had two cats, one died. The 16 year-old
was the best imitation of a couch potato you can imagine. SLEEP, eat, sleep - - - it never changed. I decided he needed to have stimulation, play - - - a reason to get up off the couch. 
I started my search on Petfinders.org. What a wonderful job they do! I entered the profile of the cat I wanted to adopt. Male, Large, Maine Coon or look alike. I figured tri-state area was reasonable. I found the perfect pair of Maine Coons - - - “Two Kings of Queens.” There had been three and one lucky guy was adopted. They were adorable - - - of course. I filled out the very thorough application. I figured the cats were probably in a private home as the pictures looked homey compared to cages.
The caretaker of the adoption site and I e-mailed back and forth. I looked at ‘the Kings’ pictures every day. Long and short, my application got rejected. What a blow – it was because I lived 75+ miles from the adoption site and the caretakers always inspected the living situation before adoptions and a month afterwards. The staff was limited and they could not ‘visit’ my home. This sounded feasible.
OK, the search began again this time limited to Connecticut. I was now savvier and looked at the rescue sites every day. I saw which cats were adopted, which were not. Some are still not adopted. Then I hit pay dirt, “Large, Maine Coon, neutered male, age 7 needs home as his owner is going into a nursing home.”
I immediately called and asked when I could see him. Had to answer a few questions and engage in general conversation - - - assessment. “Can you come now to see him?” I soon met the ‘big guy.’ He was petrified and shaking in my arms. I put him on my lap and stroked him as I was quietly talking to him. He settled, yet was very alert to the other cats.
This rescue shelter Halfway Home(http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/CT211.html in North Haven) is wonderful. After the rescued cats have had their vet check-up and blood work, they’re then assessed as to their friendliness, etc. If they get along with other cats they go into the “living-room” with the ‘ready for adoption’ cats. The room is set up like a cat friendly living-room so they are acclimated to indoor living (if not already indoor cats). These 8-10 cats enjoy communal living and seem quite happy. I put the ‘big guy’ back into his enormous crate and stayed in the living-room. All the cats came to say hello when - - - out of nowhere came this flash of grey landing on my chest. She gave her all, she was working me, and she decided she wanted to come home with me. I did not want three cats, I definitely did not want a female. I heard myself saying ‘I’ll adopt this one, too.’
Until next time - - -
Posted by johanna on 3:22 PM | Comments (18)
January 5, 2006
Happy New Year - - - 2006
What happens to time – I find it paralyzes my brain to think it’s been two months since I’ve written here. I got a little discouraged because I know people have read this blog – but, alas, very few comments.
Did you cry when you saw the folks swimming and wading in the flood
waters of New Orleans? Perhaps you thought it a hoax? Racism? Poor-ism? Mother Nature doing her thing – it was the Gulf Coast’s time to suffer? Some thought it was a punishment from G-d. Hot tears ran down my cheek when I listened to a father telling his horrific story. His family (wife and two children) were wading through the waters when a surge of water hit them. He was holding onto his wife with one hand and the kids with the other. He couldn’t hold on any longer – his wife begged him to let her go and to take care of the kids. Can you imagine making that decision?
This whole episode turned into a big mess – there are few words to describe this despicable chapter in our government’s functioning. Folks didn’t just lose their homes, belongings, automobiles, businesses, family members, photos, diplomas, self-worth, dignity, money - - - they lost their focus for living. Take one hour; go somewhere quiet and starkly furnished. No food, no water, no telephone, no music, no television, no lights, nobody. Sit on the floor. (Actually, a bathtub would be a good assimilation of N.O.). You’re totally alone. Think about losing all possessions and more - - - where do your thoughts wander? No ATM machines, no grocery stores, no writing implements. Nothing and I mean nothing except you against the elements.
The bigger implication from Katrina and Rita is the depression setting in - - - the whole feeling of despair and hopelessness - - - everything is flat. Some folks will be fine, I know, because they are getting jobs, relocating, starting a new life. I think the people who have children are going to be fine. They have to provide for their kids - - - not just materialism - - - a safe haven so their children, too, can heal.
My mother used to say ‘there for the grace of G-d go I.’ - - - and she’d try to help.
I remember we had an insulated milk box (provided by the milk company) outside the front door. Not only the milkman but the bread man used it. My mom had a standing order.
For a couple of weeks she noticed bread had been removed from the packaging. She finally ‘caught’ the little girl who was taking the bread. She said she was hungry and grabbed the bread on her way to school. My mom told her stealing was not right but neither was being hungry. She fed the little girl every morning for at least a year and a half until - - - her family moved abruptly. I expect that little girl still remembers my mom. No big deal but I learned compassion and forgiveness from my mom - - - may she rest in peace.
Until next time - - -
Posted by johanna on 11:43 AM | Comments (25)
