Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Ku Ku Kachu Mrs. Robinson

Older cats rule!

You might even want to adopt a "disabled" cat, one that is blind, an amputee, or otherwise "unadoptable." These cats make wonderful companions and compensate for their "disabilities" with a wealth of love and devotion for their human savior.

Older cats make the transition to a new home easier than kittens. Older cats are much more grateful!  The sad reality for an older cat is that most of them will not find homes, because people naturally gravitate toward kittens.  During kitten season, hundreds of thousands of kittens end up in shelters, which are already overcrowded. Many of the kittens find homes, at the expense of older cats who have been waiting, but in "kill shelters," more of these kittens are either euthanized, or older cats are sacrificed to make room for the "more adoptable" kittens.

Somehow, older pets seem to know you gave them a home when no one else would. Many new owners form a close bond very quickly with their senior cat, because the pet shows them a level of attention and devotion that is unique to older adopted animals.  Ask my mother!  She has taken in many of my rescued older strays.  And they fall in love with her very quickly!

Below are pictures of kitties that I knew needed to be rescued from the city streets just before the onset of and during winter last year - mostly due to illness.  They were all adopted by Nancy, a sweet woman in Webster who I met through my blog.   She went with me one morning to see what I do, and took pity on some very sick URI kitties.  She took two at first, and then another a month later, and so on.  She most recently adopted Morris, who I rescued this past Saturday from the streets, now named Jack.   What would we do without people like Nancy in our lives?  What would senior cats do without people like Nancy in their lives?  Thank you Nancy, for being there when these cats needed you most in their life!  Especially Buster, who Nancy nurtured through his serious illness just months until his end.  He died with a roof over his head and surrounded by love.

ABBY


ABBY and SNOWFLAKE



BLOSSOM
 

BUSTER


CUTIE PIE


EMMA


JACK (Morris)


Jack meeting the others


SNOWFLAKE


 Also, take Maree and Joe, who took in Big Red (Sandy) a couple of weeks ago.  They took him to the vet, who gave him a thorough exam.  Talk about unconditional love, here is what they said: 

"We are back from the vet and he was a very good boy.  She did combo test and it showed positive for FIV, no surprise, and that is why he has the sunporch to himself. Dont let this worry you Janine, it wont change anything for him, he stays ! got his shots done, gave Drontal, ears looked good, some scar tissue inside ear that looks like a growth but isnt, teeth bad, quote to pull several teeth is $650.00 mmmm, dunno about that....he has no pain now but gum is inflamed, will have to watch it, no swollen glands, just some scar tissue thickening around ears and cheeks, left pupil dilated due to suspected injury, scratch ? with some cloudyness that is not a problem for him except that direct sunlight may be harsh on that eye. Weight is 13 lbs, everything else looked good, so I am happy! The Vet estimated Sandy at around 8-10 years old, and said "this old boy has been around the block a few times" I am thrilled that he does not have to defend his territory, he loves his space Jay, such a happy and relaxed boy, and keeps himself so clean, that dark ring on his inner eye lid was all dirt ! he looks like he's smiling sometimes. xoxoxo you are Sandys personal hero. M" 

Almost without exception, people who adopt older animals feel a special sense of pride and purpose in opening their heart to a senior kitty. Doing a good thing really does make you feel good!   Please consider!  I have so many that I need to get off the street!  Little Monkey Girl is still waiting for a home!! 

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for the kind words Janine. YOU are the hero...I just do what I can to help. FYI: 2nd pix is Blossom, not Cutie Pie. They look alike except the white slashes on their faces go in oppositie directions. Wouldn't want to leave her out :) And you're right about their gratitude and love. They like looking out windows but that's as far as they want to go...they've seen enough of the outside. Nancy C.

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  2. This is all very true, one cannot know the difference it makes in your heart, to bring in to your home, one of these older "struggle town" cats from the streets, unless you do it. When I look at my Sandy, I immediately think how beautiful he would have been as a kitten, and wonder how it could be, that he was ignored for so long, until the love of Janine bought him to my home. This cat has enormous courage, I ask myself, if he looked forward to each new day on the streets, or dread his environment, did he hope Janine would one day stay longer with him to pet him in the mornings, and finally pick him up and put him in her car that he knew the sound of so well ? I dont know, but I do know, if it were not for Janine, I would have missed out on knowing and holding Sandy close to me.

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  3. I agree with Nancy, my x street kitty sits on top of his window ledge and watches my other indoor kittys from behind the glass door, never goes to the outside door leading into the back yard, shows no interest in meeting the other cats,plays with his toys, eats and naps all day long, never sprays or scratches anything, likes to be brushed, and never tries to remove his new collar. :)

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