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January 25, 2013

A FURever Home Friday Happy Tale


In late November 2011, the hearts of the PAWS volunteers and staff were filled with joy as our sweet kitty friend Carter left for his new forever home. We still remember this special boy quite fondly, so you can imagine how excited we were to learn that he is living the high life with a friend of one of our fellow volunteers (Paige)! And even MORE excited when Paige passed along this beautiful message from Alison (Carter's Mom):

I am not, nor have I ever been a cat person and yet, here I sit, the owner of a cat, whose name is Carter.

Throughout my life, I've always identified myself as a 'dog' person. Over the past few years, I used to check out the PAWS dog gallery like other people might search eBay looking for a good deal. After a long dog-sitting stint and much consideration, I realized that I didn't have a lifestyle that would be fair to a dog and sort of half-heartedly gave up on the idea of having a pet. And then my neighbor, a PAWS volunteer, asked if I ever considered adopting a cat.

And the answer to that question, was a resounding no. However, I began to change my mind after a couple of talks about the benefits of cat ownership. Soon, I found myself presented with a few pictures of some cats my neighbor thought I would like. Among those pictures was a cat with a perfect black nose, and black and white markings that kind of reminded me of a cow and not just because he was a little chubby (although he was). I knew that I might just give this cat thing a chance.

Carter had been abandoned about 6 months before I adopted him. Left alone in his pet carrier at a vet's office, there was a note that explained the reason for leaving him was that he was sweet but afraid of people and instead of meowing, he chirped. When I met Carter he was a bit depressed and not easily adjusting to life with the other cats at PAWS. Somewhere during that first meeting, I knew that this cat was meant for me.

Over the past year, Carter has adjusted well to living with a dog person. Each day he gains more confidence and reveals a playful side that I never would have thought he had in him during that first meeting last November. He is still a little chunky but we're working on that. The note was right, he does chirp, but I'm not sure how that is a detractor. While he is somewhat shy of people, he mingles on his own terms when I have company.

For my part, I have joined the ranks of pet owners who take copious pictures of their animals doing something random that probably only I think is cute, forcing friends and family to look at them. Even worse, poor Carter was subjected to having to not only wear a Halloween costume this year but to round out the holiday humiliation, he was also the star of my Christmas card. I could never imagine how much having this little creature in my life would add to it, but I am thankful that Carter is mine, chirping and all.

Thank you on behalf of Carter and myself to all the volunteers at PAWS, for all you do for animals every day.

Thank YOU, Alison, for opening your heart to the "cat thing," and for loving Carter so much (and so well).

Be sure to check out our next FURever Friday post for a roundup of a whole bunch of recent adoptions. Have a great weekend, everybody! :)

42 comments:

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

I LOVE Alison's letter! I am so she and Carter found each other.

Oui Oui said...

Abandoned because he CHIRPED?! We've heard everything now! Of course, we think its adorable when kitties chirp and we are glad Carter is now with someone who appreciates him for who he is. Three cheers! What a great feel good story! Purrs & have a great weekend.

The Furries of Whisppy said...

Alison's letter made our hearts SING! How wonderful that she opened her heart to being owned by Kitty Carter. :)

Sasha said...

Isn't it wonderful to read about Carter's new home. I think his human is as dotty about Carter as our human was about Diamond. What is wrong with chirping? It sounds sweet.

Hannah and Lucy said...

We have just read this and what a wonderful start to a snowy Friday morning. We are so delighted that Alison and Carter are having a happy life together.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

The J-Cats said...

What a stupid reason for abandoning such a sweet kitty! Because he chirped???Duh!!!
I tell you, some people don't DESERVE to have a furbaby! We (my Mummy Shimona and I) are SO-O-O-O happy that Carter and Alison found each other and we wish them many, many happy years together.

Trixie (and Shimona)

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

It's people like this that make our hearts sing. I'm so happy that Carter has found his most perfect forever home. I wish that for every kitty.

Marg said...

That is such a good story about Carter. WE love kitties that chirp. We have several here that do. Sounds like Carter did such a good job turning his person into a cat person. Have a fantastic Friday.

www.shelter-cats.com said...

What a heart warming story. I'm so glad you shared it.
It's sad to think Carter was abandoned for such frivolous reasons, but he's so much better off now!
xxoo
Maggie

The Island Cats said...

Carter, we so happy you have a wonderful home now!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That is so heartwarming to hear of the adoption that is going so well for Carter and his Forever mum.
We both chirp to each other all the time, and to mum when we want something. She loves to hear us chirp.

Anonymous said...

I have one cat (my fattest) who has the tiniest little lost-kitten peep of a meow. It's just her voice.

How nice to get that much of an update from an adopter - we never get much of anything at Petsmart and I always wish I knew how some of my faves were doing.

Fur Everywhere said...

That's a really sweet story. Thank you for sharing with us. I'm glad Carter found a home and that his mom had an open mind to bringing a kitty home!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

carter...way total lee happee for ya ewe finded a forever home and yur mom writed a grate storee bout yur past yeer...N chubby...ewe can werk on that buddy a wee bit at a time and bee for long yur mom will find ya haz mor sounds than chirp...haza grate week oh end.....everee one :)

Cherry City Kitties said...

What a great letter. I know our moms and dads love us, just like she loves Carter.
Harry, Dexter and Tipp

Tamago said...

What a wonderful message! My husband can totally relate himself to this story. He has always been a dog person, but since Goro came to our home, he often says he is glad I brought Goro to live with us :-)
I hope many more people open their heart to cat thing and find how wonderful to have cats in their lives.

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

So heartwarming. You made our day ~ thank you for all you and your team do to help cats get the chance of a loving home, like Carter now has. xxxx

Brian's Home Blog said...

Tat is soooooooo wonderful and hooray for Carter!

Cathy Keisha said...

That post brought tears to our eyes cos she loves Carter as much as any of our blogging friends could have, hence the pictures and adorning the Christmas card. I too chirp but I bet that wasn't the reason I was at the shelter. MOL.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

omc I can't stop crying. This letter touched me so deeply. Allison is wonderful to have given this baby another chance. I think he might just have given HER one too!

Julia Williams said...

Such a wonderful, touching story!! So happy for Carter and his new Mom. What kind of person would abandon a cat because he chirps?? Only a fool couldn't see it only made this kitty even more lovable!

Katie Isabella said...

Oh Carter...I am SO SO SO grateful you found a mom who loves you for the precious boy you are. xoxoxoxo

TabbyNormal said...

Always wonderful to hear a story of the right cat and right person finding each other!!

GLOGIRLY said...

Ok, now you've done it. Glogirly wiping tears out of her eyes. She's so touched by this beautiful letter and gorgeous kitty.

Probably because I'm a little scared of people and I chirp too.

Bless sweet Carter and his amazing human.
love,
Katie & Glogirly

Anonymous said...

I love it! They were meant for each other :)

thanks for sharing this.

Unknown said...

What a touching story - thank goodness he has been so lucky to find such a lovely human as you.

Colehaus Cats said...

That is so sweet! Carter, you are one lucky cat with one lucky owner! Purrs from your friends at Colehauscats.com

Mickey's Musings said...

Now that is the kind of story that makes us smile and be so happy!!!!
Carter is a lucky kitty :)
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie

LP said...

What a beautifully written letter.We smiled wide open when we read that Alison takes copious pics of Carter doing things she deems cute but that may not necessarily interest others.Hmm.Maybe she needs to start blogging! :)
Our Levon chirps and it always melts my heart I love it so.
Carter it looks as though you are truly home and Alison, welcome to the wonderful life of having a cat in your life :)

the critters in the cottage xo

The Lee County Clowder said...

way to go, Carter. It took a couple tries, but you found yourself your furrrever home. Live it up, both of you.

The Lee County Clowder said...

PS: Alison, do what most of us do. Start a blog, and make the whole world look at your kittie.

Karen Jo said...

This is a wonderful forever home story. People have the silliest reasons for abandoning their pets. I love to hear a kitty chirp. I am so glad that Carter has a home with someone who appreciates him for who he is and loves him so much.

Gigi said...

The happiness of reading about Carter's happy life now ALMOST calms my RAGE about those AWFUL people who abandoned him for what has to be the dumbest reason I ever heard.

Cat said...

What a wonderful happy ending. Alison thank you for taking a chance on Carter and for giving him a safe and home where he could blossom!!!

Cat said...

PS, we think chirping kitties rock :-)

haopee said...

Perfect black nose and markings like that of a cow. LOL. That's a cute description. I am glad Carter found his forever home with Alison.

Hopefully, all homeless pets will find themselves an Alison to live with someday.

Huggies and Cheese,

Haopee

Deb Barnes said...

I love these kind of stories and have just shared it on facebook. Good for Carter - another cat that teaches the ultimate lesson to a human - that they are precious, unique, and incredible beings and wonderful companions. Our Mia is a chirper too and we think it is an entirely endearing quality about her! Purrs from the Zee/Zoey gang!

A Tonk's Tail said...

We think that PAWS volunteer that convinced Alison to get to know cats, which led her to Carter, is wonderful! We're beyond happy that Chirpy Carter has found someone who adores him so very much!

Just Mags said...

A match meant to be. We are so happy for Carter and Alison. What a wonderful, heartwarming story. Hugs and nose kisses

Fr. Tom Fish said...

There are a lot of just dog people who have crossed over to cat doting! We're so happy to hear about Carter. Follow-up stories are always nice especially when a little cat sweetheart steals a heart!

Hugs,
Tom, Mom Julie & the kitties

Photo Cache said...

what a sweet letter. our mama is teary eyed because she can relate to that letter a lot. like allison she was not a cat person to begin with, but now she too takes copious amount of pictures of us.

emma and buster

Cindy Adkins said...

Thank you SO much for sharing this letter! It made me smile and I'm so happy for both Alison and Carter! It was meant to be!
Cindy and the "boys"