Shelter Cats and Redemption

Everywhere we go this week, people are thankful.  Posting thankful lists, sharing thankful memes, some have even been doing a 25 day thankful thing on Facebook where they post each day what they're thankful for.  Who am I not to put my own thankful list?  I always did like bullet points anyway. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.   Here goes: First of all I am thankful to the subject of this blog.  Tyler.  For 14 years of unconditional love, unswerving loyalty, and being without a doubt the best cat ever.  Tyler quite literally saved my life and taught me how to love, and I am forever grateful.   This is my second thanksgiving without you, and I miss you as much today as the first day you crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  I hope they have lots of turkey for you today old man, it's not the same without you waltzing across the table like you were the one paying the rent.  To Tiger, Tyler's cat brother from another cat mother.  You ...

Tyler LOVED turkey, then again, what cat wouldn't? Here's Tyler helping Ashley with the cooking for our first Thanksgiving together, 2012.

Tyler not wanting me to go away for the holiday weekend, 2009.

With Tyler and Tiger, as I've previously written about, I was spoiled.  Tyler never hid, not once, and immediately made himself at home.  Tiger only needed until the evening of his debut day to decide he was happy in my home. Not Jackson. Jackson needed two months. That seems to be the "standard" time it takes a cat to get adjusted to a new home. "Oh, just give it two or three months" countless cat people have said throughout time. Jackson took his time alright. That is not to say he hid for 60 days and then just emerged with his usual "HELLO???"  No.  At first Jackson spent most of his time in one window or another.  The window behind the bed, the window in the living room.  He seemed happiest sitting in the window watching the world go by and I let him do his thing.  Little by little, however, he would venture further and further into the apartment, check things out, look at me, and then run back to the bedroom or a window where he felt s...

It seems I've been taking pics of cats while in my pajamas for almost 15 years. Tyler wanting me to stop taking pictures and play more, 2001.

Sunday, November 18, 2012 My iPhone rang with whatever ring-tone I had at that moment. "Hey, this is Anthony, my wife couldn't bear to make the trip so I'm here in your driveway with Pepe and his things." "OK, be right out."  He was early, I   liked that.  I always like people who are early. A white Audi SUV was in the driveway, and standing in front of it was Anthony, beaming as I approached. "Hey buddy, how YOU doing?"  Yes he sounded like Joey from Friends.  They were from Staten Island, after all.  No offense to anyone from Staten Island. I shook his hand and smiled back. "Here he is.  He had a tranquilizer shot from the vet before I made the trip just in case the long car ride would freak him out, so he may be a bit out of it" Anthony explained.  Wait, they drugged my new cat? A bit drastic wouldn't you think? Oh well, some cats get very nervous in the car, and Tiger used to make that kazoo meow sound, so who was I...

"Adorable cat for adoption." That will get you to open an ad for a cat looking for a home wouldn't it?   Well, it worked for me.    Several weeks after Tiger's tragic death in November of 2012, I had decided, with Tyler's approval of course, to open our home to another cat that needed a forever home.  Tiger would have wanted that. Besides, I had gotten used to a 2-cat home.  Tyler did as well.  Brave as he was in those weeks as the only cat again, I could tell he missed having a friend.  He spent a fair amount of time sleeping in Tiger's old beds and sitting in Tiger's favorite spots. He was quieter than normal, a tiny bit sad, and out of sorts. Out of paranoia I brought him to my elder vet (who had gotten his power back finally) and had him give Tyler the once over.  For a 13 year old cat, Tyler was in pretty decent health.   Whew . Anyway, the I opened the ad. "So much love to give!" I was intrigued...