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July 21, 2012

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy!

Hip, hip hooray!
It’s our sweet senior boy Sammy’s sixth Gotcha Day! 

We remember when Sammy first came to PAWS.  He had been rescued from a kill shelter, where he somehow ended up after being found in a feral cat colony.  We suspect he had been eating more than his share of food in the colony, because he weighed a whopping 21+ LBS. when we first met him.  (In case you’re wondering, he now weighs a much healthier 14 lbs.)  Check out this picture of (then) big Sammy and one of his kitten pals while he lived at PAWS:


Obviously, the picture shows just how big and round Sammy used to be, but it also helps demonstrate one of the things that utterly endeared us to him.  Sammy is one of the nicest, sweetest, most tolerant cats ever, as was clear whenever little ones like this would climb over, bounce on, and jump on him.

We loved spending time at the shelter with Sammy.  Here’s a picture of Mom Tracey’s leg (she’s camera-shy), with Sammy looking up at her:

Are you my Mommy?
 (Yes, Sammy, that IS your Mommy!)
 
And here’s Dad Kevin holding Sammy, right before he came home:

Are we going home now, Dad?
Sammy has been through a lot in his life.  His veterinarians estimate that he is somewhere between 17 and 19 years old.  He had bartonella when we first gotcha’d him.  He has arthritis, a pellet in his leg (probably from when he was in the feral colony), not too many teeth, and he is on meds for hyperthyroidism.  But Sammy doesn’t sweat all that stuff.  This sweet mancat just keeps on going, and he's happy.  And that makes US the luckiest family in the world. :)

Sammy is still a pretty good eater (we call him “the Hungry Badger”).  In fact, he loves food (his AND Moosey’s).  Sammy's other nicknames are “Smoochie Boy,”  “Mama’s Baby,” and “Dootie.”

Like his mommy, Sammy is camera shy, so photos of him looking straight at the camera are few and far between.  But here's a good one of his handsome face (nice "soul patch," dude!):


Sammy doesn’t play as much as he used to, but when he does, his favorite toys (shown here) are the trayf mouse on a string, the hex bug, and the Neko Flies Kragonfly:

Sammy's favorite toys
Sammy's favorite pastimes are sun puddle surfing, laying against things (walls, shoes, pillows, etc.), being massaged and brushed (and trying to brush himself), laying under HIS Christmas tree, family couch time, and getting a ride up the stairs (i.e. the mom or the dad carrying him).
A Collage O' Sammy

He gets along pretty well with his much younger brother Moosey, too. :)
Moosey and Sammy
   Happy Gotcha Day, sweet Sammy.  We love you, buddy!

Mom Tracey, Dad Kevin and Brother Moosey
 ---------------

We're a finalist in the "Best Cause Related Blog" category of the 2012 Petties! PLEASE VOTE DAILY for us (and your other favorite pet blogs) now through July 31 (and invite anyone and everyone you know to do the same), especially since PAWS will benefit. You can vote here (or click the Petties link in our sidebar). Thank you! :)

72 comments:

catsynth said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! We're so glad you found such a great home!

And thanks for stopping by yesterday to help us celebrate our 6th Blogoversary :)

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy. That was a very good weight loss!

The Florida Furkids said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy!!!

The Florida Furkids and Lexi

pee ess -we vote every day.

Beth said...

He's lucky to have the two of you, and you're lucky to have him too. Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! You are much loved!

Marilia said...

Happy Gotcha Day SammY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Whiskeratti said...

Happy Gotcha Day! You sure picked a great family to adopt.
(Mom wants to know how long it took for his weight to drop. Please don't encourage her!)

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

Ohhh what a special boy he is, you can see his kindness - such a gentle face!

Karen Jo said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! Great going on your weight loss. Mom says that I need to drop a couple of pounds, but it just isn't happening.

Herman

Chrissykat said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy you gorgeous mancat!!! Love the story of your "happy ever after!"

Lovable Lily said...

What a beautiful story about Sammy. Happy Gotcha Day my furend.

Hugs,
Lily Belle

The Island Cats said...

Yay, Sammy! Happy Gotcha Day!!

Cat said...

Happy Gotcha Day sweet Sammy!!!! You are a very special boy and we are so happy you got gotcha'd into such a great home :-)

Willow said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy that is a pawsome collage made for your day. Kisses

Catsparella said...

What a touching post! Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy!! You are looking great!!

Gigi said...

Oh Sammy! You gotted yourself the Best Home Ever, didn't you, you Big Boy you! Happy Gotcha day to you AND to your Pawrents, too.

Forty Paws said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy!!!! We're so glad that you were rescued from the feral colony and from the kill shelter and then were rescued by your Mom and Dad!!! Whoo hoo! You're a very handsome boy!

Luf, Us

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! You sure picked a great family.

Sparkle said...

Happy gotcha day, Sammy!

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! So glad you were rescued and get to spend your golden years with such a lovely family. Good to know a little more about you, too.

Hannah and Lucy said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy - we think you would be lovely to snuggle up to on cold nights in the UK. Enjoy your special day - we hope you get lots of kisses from your Mom and Dad.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Fuzzy Tales said...

Sammy, happy Gotcha Day! Wow, you certainly did lose a lot of weight!

We're wishing you the best day ever in your forever home, are so glad you have such wonderful human servants.

And Derry doesn't feel so embarrassed now that he knows someone else has the nickname of Smoochie Boy (only the mom spells it Smoochy -- lol).

Team Tabby said...

Happy Gotcha 6th Day Sammy! We like the photo of you with your dad and of you looking at the camera, Have a great day1

Mindy
Moe
Cookie
Mike

Marg said...

Happy GotchA Day Sammy. You sure are a handsome dude. We can see why Kevin and Tracey love you so much. That picture of you looking at Tracey is the best. We also love your fur colors. Have a great week end.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy!!! Ya sure done good pal!

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! You're sure livin' the well deserved good life now!

Old Kitty said...

Oh Sammy! Sweet super-duper sensational Sammy!! Awwww HAPPY HAPPY Gotcha Day!!! Enjoy! take care
x

The Furries of Whisppy said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! We're so happy you're in such a loving home, enjoying life as you deserve. :)

Katie Isabella said...

Oh Sammy, you handsome mancat you..Happy Gotcha Day. And it was a blessing for you but for your mom and dad too. Many more Gotcha days dearest Sammy. YOu are so loved. xoxoxox

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy, you are a very handsome boy. We has to say that we were impressed to see a cat that was bigger then Scylla. Glad to hear you are a healthier weight now. Our girl is working on her weight too. Love your soul patch.

Kwee Cats and Art said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Mr. Sammy! We sooo glad you gots such a wonderful and loving forever home :-) And hey, our Mumsy is very camera shy...so we sure understand.
Hugs and love to you guys.

Jans Funny Farm said...

What a sweet boy you are, Sammy. Your family is fortunate to have you living with them. Happy Gotcha Day!

Maggie @ Shelter Cats said...

What a love story! Congratulations.
I wish every PAWS graduate got such wonderful parents.
So heart warming!
xxoo
Maggie

Deb Barnes / Zee and Zoey said...

What a wonderful post! I really enjoyed learning more about Sammy - what a sweetheart he is! I love how much he has enriched your lives - a true "rags to riches" cat story!

Samantha & Mom said...

Happy Gotcha day Sammy and many, many many mooooooore!!
Your TX furiends,

Layla Morgan Wilde ( Cat Wisdom 101) said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy!!! We loved reading about your story. What a life and a lucky boy. We're voting for you every day!

Quill and Greyson said...

What a lovely post about your sweet boy!! Happy Gotcha Day to you!!

A Tonl said...

Sammy, that's so cool to read all about you! Happy Gotcha Day!

You look happy indeed!

(and trayfe would be OUR fave toy too...we just hafta get our mommy to GET us one, but where??)

Random Felines said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy. :) Love that picture of you with the babykit. We are glad you have such a great home.

2 Punk Dogs said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Super Sammy! Congrats to you and your family for 6 great years! Your story illustrates how adopting an older cat provides years of fun companionship. Older cats rock!

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Sammy is definitely a "gentle giant" what a sweet and kind soul he has. We wish him the BEST "Gotcha Day" ever!!
xoxoxo

Katnip Lounge said...

Awwww, Sammy, Happy Gotcha Day! We like our Mancats big and burly around here--we luff you! We're smiling that you picked out such a nice home.

Julia Williams said...

Awwwwww....Happy Gotcha Day Sammy!! What a precious post this is, and what a lovely boy you have. His luck sure did change when he ended up at PAWS and then in his furever home with you! Glad to hear he has slimmed down, though -- that pic of him from behind next to a kitten made me LOL.

Oui Oui said...

Happy Gotcha Day, sweet Sammy! We always knew you were very special, but didn't know just how much! Poor fella, did you get dumped that you were with ferals? We bet they had lots more to eat after you were gone. :) We are so happy your real family found you. That picture of you and the kitten is priceless. We're wishing you many more happy years. We'd love for your mom and dad to give you some scratches for us. Purrs and kitty kisses dear one!

The Monkeys said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! We can see how you charmed your Mom and Dad to take you home - your face is adorable!!

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Happy gotcha day Sammy! You big handsome boy! We're so glad you got gotted!

Webbthistle said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! Yoo are so handsome and look so happy in your wonderful home! Kisses!

Gattina said...

Happy Gotcha Day ! What a funny face he has, he makes me laugh only looking at him. That's crazy that he weighed so much coming from a feral cat colony, they usually are rather skinny minnies ! And what an age ! If only he could talk I am sure he had an exciting live and now he is the retired grandpa !

Unknown said...

Sammy! Yous is one very handsome mancat! Me would just lives to kiss that soul patch of yours! Me shall sing for yous!
♥♥♫♪Happy Gottcha Day to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸
¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Gottcha Day to you ♪♫•*¨*
•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Gottcha Day Dear Sammy!!!!! ♪♫•*
¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Gottcha Day to you! ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
Kisses
Nellie

A Tonl said...

oh my cat - we FOUND the trayfe mousie - just had to pop back in and tell you! Chewish Toys - MOL!!

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY , SAMMY :)
Glad to hear you finally have a nice home !

Tamago said...

Very happy Gotcha Day, Sammy!! Wow the photo of you when you weighed 21+ lbs is impressive! You are such a sweet baby. It's so great you get along very well with your younger brother. We wish you the wonderful Gotcha Day - enjoy lots of play time and nap time!!

Donna said...

Yay for forever homes! Yay! :)

Fr. Tom Fish said...

Sammy, you are one lucky son of a gun, you know that??

Mom Julie has been awwwww-ing the whole post and I am thrilled to really get to know you. You'll be an inspiration to the big puss who says his size is hereditary..we'll have to work on that!!

Hugs out to all of you and happy gotcha celebration toasts to you, Sammy and your whole family!

Tom, Mom Julie, Mittens, Tinker & Anastasia

Avalon's Garden and Mewsings of Garden Cottage Cats said...

Awwwwwwww, Happy Gotcha Day you sweet boy♥♥ Your so sweet, da mom sayz you remind her furry much ov her sweet boy Max. He waz grey & white and a Big boy. And horrorz,one day when he had to have x-ray da V E T found a bb in him.He long since gone to da Bridge (98'). but da mom still missez his Sweetness..... Sir Sammy you remind her of him and makez her smile :)) You definately a furry Special Boy!! We gladz you havez such a Good home and Wonderful mom & dad!!
Happy Gotcha Swwet Boy!! ♥♥xoxo♥♥ and a BIG KISS fromda mom XXX00 ;)

Laura and Taffeta Rose said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy, you sweet handsome boy you! You were gotted by a great family. We love seeing your beautiful face, and beside that itty-bitty kitten. MOL What a gorgeous mancat you are. Extra playtime and cuddling for you today. Purrs.

Laura & Taffy

Ellen Whyte said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! Look at you being all cute and tiny.... really tiny! Wishing you tonnes of treats today.

Also, we're glad you liked our Mousebreath interview. Thanks for the nice comments.

We love LUNA said...

wow Sammy is adorable and I'm enchanted by all pictures!
Happy Gotcha Day sweet Sammy, purrs and lots of love to you!
Luna- WE LOVE LUNA

Anonymous said...

Happy Gotcha Day sweet, handsome Sammy. We are so happy you have a loving forever home and family. Hugs and nose kisses

Daisy said...

Happy, happy Gotcha day to you, Sammy! We are votin' for you every single day!

Mickey's Musings said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy!!!! Good to see you so happy :)
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Tiger,Treasure,JJ and Julie

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

I'm a little late but still want to wish you a very Happy Gotcha Day. So glad that you have a wonderful furever home.
Oh, thanks for stopping by and leaving the mom birthday wishes for her special day!

haopee said...

Good Cheese Sticks! He's big! ^^ and adorable and soft looking... like a giant pillow.

Is it just me or have I seen this Sammy and Moosey... Were they your old mascots? I remember reading posts about them back then. LOL

Anyway, I dropped by to say hi and a happy gotcha day to Sammy.

Huggies and Cheese,

Haopee

Anonymous said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy! Your story sounds similar... DeDe also has lots of health issues, but she's the happiest dog in the world. You two would love each other!

meowmeowmans said...

@Haopee: You've definitely seen Sammy here on our blog before. We (Kevin and Tracey) adopted him and Moosey from PAWS, where we are volunteers. So any posts you've seen of the two of them are from the "already graduated, and living in a loving forever home" category. :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Sammy. Keep on enjoying all those little things in life!

Pip said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! (You remind me so much of myself it is scary!!!)
I hope you have an excellent day.
Love, TK

Pee-Ess we is voting for you efurry day!

LP said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy! You are one cute boy and we would have fallen in love with you too! How do you keep Sammy's weight on with his hyperthyroidism? Our foster cat Tulip has hyperthyroidism and she has dropped so much weight it make me nervous but everything I feed her seems to pass right through her :( What do you feed Sammy?

LP and the critters in the cottage xo

Alley Cats and Angels of North Carolina said...

Happy belated Gotcha Day Sammy. You are very lucky to have such a wonderful dad and mom.

Thank you Kevin and Tracey for giving him a wonderful forever home.

Cindy Adkins said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! It was your lucky day when your Mom and Dad adopted you!! You are a sweetheart! You're about as old as my Buster...and we have a Sammy in our house, too!
Purrs and Hugs,
Cindy, Buster, Rudy and Sammy

san said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sammy. You have a lovely home.

Sandra said...

A happy happy Gotcha Day, Sammy! You sure are one handome cat. So glad you were lucky to find such a great family for you.

Sasha said...

happy gotcha day Sammy. You make me feel quite young and are very inspiring.