Houdini Update!

Houdini's progress continues to astound us! Yesterday, he greeted me at the door to his room, weaving in and out between my ankles. As I reached down to pet him, he "popped a wheelie" to rub his face on my hand. Then he accompanied me around the room as I checked on the other kitties, filled food and water dishes and cleaned the litter boxes ... it was like he was my little helper. :)

It took Houdini less than 24 hours to unveil his next trick.

I sat down in a chair in the room today, and was delighted when the little guy jumped onto my lap for a session of petting. I guess we shouldn't be surprised anymore by anything Houdini does. In any case, it's extremely fun and rewarding to watch him grow each week.

Past posts about Houdini:

Abracadabra! Another Houdini Update

Houdini and Bootz ... More Amazing Progress!

Update on Bootz and Houdini...

Bootz and Houdini

Update on Bootz and Houdini...

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give you an update on two kitties previously mentioned in my blog - Bootz and Houdini:

Kevin and I visited the room of Bootz and Houdini today and were delighted to see they are making further strides in getting acclimated to shelter life. Kevin sat on the couch and Bootz hopped up next to him and laid down to be petted and scratched under his chin! Talk about a huge breakthrough ... Bootz is learning to trust the volunteers enough put himself out there in a vulnerable way. You go, Bootz!

And through the window of the room, we've observed Houdini lounging on various pieces of furniture. This is a big step for this little guy. When he first came to PAWS, Houdini wouldn't come out from behind the cat condo in his room. Then, one day he mustered up the courage to sniff some dry cat food in Kevin's hand. His next breakthrough was to reach out from behind the cat condo to touch my hand with his paw. And NOW he is coming out *even when people are present* and laying down in the center of the room. Way to go, Houdini!

In no time, both of you will be placed into very loving homes...(:

Previous post about Bootz and Houdini:

Bootz and Houdini

Houdini and Bootz ... More Amazing Progress!

One of our favorite things about volunteering every weekend is being able to witness first-hand the transformative powers of consistency and love on the animals. Watching kitties who formerly avoided human contact learn to trust people is incredibly rewarding. Especially because it makes them that much more adoptable. :)

We've written before about Houdini (the orange and white guy) and Bootz, and continue to be amazed by their incredible progress. It's almost as if a light has gone on for both of them as they've watched the other cats in the room bask in the love and attention lavished upon them by the volunteers. As you can see by these photos, both of these kitties are becoming more at-ease with their surroundings with every passing day.

Houdini, who once refused to budge from his safe spot behind the big cat tree, can now be found lounging on the sofa or in the middle of the floor. Yesterday, as I sat on the floor of the room, Houdini got up off the couch, sauntered over, and laid down about two feet away from me. And today, Tracey was actually able to pet him (twice!).

Bootz -- not to be outdone by his buddy Houdini -- now enjoys laying next to us on the couch. He's also decided he loves being pet and brushed. Bootz is also fond of laying on his back with his belly exposed. Talk about feeling comfortable! Who would've ever guessed?

Stay tuned ... we'll do our best to keep you posted about these guys' continued growth.

Previous posts about Bootz and Houdini:

Update on Bootz and Houdini

Bootz and Houdini

Houdini Continues Casting His Spell

Considering his official status as a "fraidy cat" when he first came to PAWS, Houdini's transformation has been nothing short of magical. Check out our little buddy striking a pose!

Previous posts about Houdini:

Houdini Update

Abracadabra! Another Houdini Update

Houdini and Bootz ... More Amazing Progress!

Update on Bootz and Houdini...

Bootz and Houdini

Abracadabra! Another Houdini Update

And now, for my next trick, I'll require a shoelace...

Houdini continues to astound us with his amazing progress. It gives us great pleasure to report that this magical guy has now decided he likes being pet. Yes, you read that correctly ... the cat who used to hide behind the safety of the cat tree now comes right up for his share of pets! Houdini's confidence level is growing by the day, and it's a joy to watch his true personality emerge. As you can see from these photos, he's intrigued by shoelaces ... he and I had a great time playing together this afternoon. :)

Past posts about Houdini:

Houdini and Bootz ... More Amazing Progress!

Update on Bootz and Houdini...

Bootz and Houdini

Selfies w/Ladycats Luca and Houdini

Take a look at our beautiful new friends, Luca and Houdini. Miss Luca is the cutie with the black nose, and a striking blue right eye. As you can see, her sister Houdini also has a magnificent blue eye, but it's her left one! Pretty cool, huh?

These gentle ladycats haven't been at PAWS for very long, and are still getting used to being here. But they're gaining in confidence with every passing day. 😸 As for personalities ... playful and curious Luca is the more outgoing of the two ... sweet Houdini is more mellow, and enjoys being petted and brushed by her human friends.

Both kitties are under one year old, spayed, microchipped and current on their vaccinations. Houdini has tested positive for FIV, but as we've written before, that does not mean she can't live a long and happy life. According to Best Friends Animal Society, "FIV-positive cats can live normal lives, both in quality and duration. They just need to be monitored for infections and dental issues. But if they’re well cared for, they can be healthy, happy, wonderful pets." We'd love to see Houdini and Luca adopted together. Come meet them, and fall in love!

We're taking part in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted each week by our super awesome buddies at the Cat on My Head. Be sure to visit their blog, to see who all is hopping along and to join in on the fun!

Still more happy endings!

Houdini

Raisin

Reggie

We wanted to share some nice updates we've received from the new forever homes of some PAWS graduates. :)

Houdini, the adorable orange and white cat who was nearly feral when he first came to PAWS, and who underwent a miraculous transformation to become the "official greeter of humans and felines alike" in his open cat room, is doing extremely well in his new home.

We mentioned before that Reggie and Raisin, two of Houdini's old roommates, were adopted together. Their new dad wrote to say that the guys are doing great. He shared that "Reggie just swaggered out of the crate and took over." He also shared that even though Raisin has been a bit shier, he's also adjusting well and enjoys play time ... everyone seems quite happy.

Congratulations to Reggie, Raisin and Houdini! We love you all, and know you'll continue to do well in your new forever homes. :)

Bootz and Houdini

These two boys (Bootz is the black and white kitty, and Houdini is the handsome boy bedecked in orange and white) are perfect examples of cats who find the shelter to be a scary place ... at first. We're happy to report that both of these guys are making big strides and gaining courage with each passing day. It's said that "slow but steady sometimes wins the race," and despite being in a room with lots of other cats and many people coming in and out, these guys are really starting to come out of their shells. It's a testimony to the dedication of the volunteers who work with these shy cats day in and day out. It's amazing how many cats blossom with patient, gentle love and attention. In our years volunteering at PAWS, we've seen many cats who came in utterly afraid metamorphose into loving kitties whose stories have the happiest of endings -- adoptions and homes to call their very own.

Psst...

Kev and I have a "best kept secret" we need to share with you, straight from the cats' mouths at PAWS...

"The Scratch Lounge is awesome ... I chase other cats off of it just so that I can have it all to myself."

- Houdini the Cat, PAWS

"From what I can tell, the Scratch Lounge is really nice ... if only Houdini would give me more than 10 seconds on it."

- Reggie the Cat, PAWS

The Scratch Lounge is what we feel is the best cat scratcher on the market today. It's the first 3-sided scratcher- a "one-of-a-kind design" that allows cats to satisfy their instinctual need to nest. It can even help prevent cats from damaging furniture!

You might want to check it out ... I did a Google search and found their Website ... it's located at http://scratchlounge.com/index.html. And when surfing their site I found out that portion of the proceeds of each sale goes to animal rescue and spay/neuter programs ... (:

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Uncle Cinnamon

Have you ever wondered what happens when you put some rambunctious (but sweet) kittens in the same open room as a big male kitty? Well, if that big cat happens to be our buddy Cinnamon, all will be fine.

This sweet mancat is so patient and gentle with them that we might just start calling him "Uncle" Cinnamon. Here he is with little Houdini. She's still a little shy with people, but not with Cinnamon.💕

Cinnamon is about 5 years old, and ended up at PAWS after being found as a stray. He is super mellow, friendly and affectionate, and loves people and cats alike.

Cinnamon is neutered, microchipped and current on his vaccinations. He has tested positive for FIV, but it's important to remember this does not mean he can't live a long and happy life! According to Best Friends Animal Society, "FIV-positive cats can live normal lives, both in quality and duration. They just need to be monitored for infections and dental issues. But if they’re well cared for, they can be healthy, happy, wonderful pets." FIV cannot be passed to other cats through casual contact, or by sharing food, water, or a litter box. Nor can it be passed to people or other pet species. Cinnamon is so ready to find his happily ever after. Is it with you?

 

Black Jack and Oscar's Selfies

After they saw their roommate Houdini's cameo with Uncle Cinnamon, look who raised their paws to take this week's selfies. It's our adorable little pals, Black Jack and Oscar!

Besides being cute to the nth degree, these two are friendly, playful, and even enjoy snuggles when the mood strikes (as evidenced by the first photo of Black Jack). Both get along well with other friendly cats and would be a great fit in almost any home. Oscar is about 11 weeks old, neutered, microchipped, current on his vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV. Black Jack, who is about 12 weeks old, hasn't been neutered yet, but is already microchipped, current on his vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV.  These boys are ready to bring some serious joy to some lucky adopters. Come meet Black Jack and Oscar at PAWS today!

It's Sunday, which means we're hopping along in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by our pals at The Cat On My Head. Be sure to check it out to see who else is hopping along (or to join in on the fun)!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Penny Penelope

Adorable. Yup, that's exactly what our adoptable pal, Penny Penelope, is. 💖

This little one, who is just 6 months old, came to PAWS as a stray. We could see from day one that she was sweet. She was also very timid, and nervous about the new sights and sounds that came with being in the shelter. But love and kindness go a long way. Just look at Penny Penelope, hanging out (after a spirited session of "catch the red dot") on Sunday with her buddies in Room 2:

From left to right: Penny Penelope, Houdini (in the rear), Frank (foreground) and Luca

Penny Penelope is spayed, microchipped, current on her vaccinations and negative for FIV and FeLV. And as you can see, she gets along well with other nice cats! She's still slightly nervous around people she doesn't know, but is gaining in confidence with every passing day. We know she will flourish in a forever home! Come meet Penny Penelope (and all the other adorable adoptable PAWS cats) today, and fall in love.

Update on "Snowball" the Cat

Snowball, the adorable all-white, short-haired, mellow cat that we wrote about back in January 2008 has made some great progress that we'd like to share with you all!

She still prefers to hang out in the cat tree where she feels most comfortable, but has been venturing down more frequently. Don't get us wrong -- she still isn't very fond of her furry

roommates, but I think the draw of the Scratch Lounge was more than she could take ... (:

Oh, by the way ... the kitty standing near Snowball in the first picture is Reggie, who must be wondering, "Great ... I finally got Houdini off the Scratch Lounge and now I have to deal with Snowball hogging it ... what's a sweet boy like me to do?!"