In a FLASH! #RememberMeThursday

September 23, 2021 is Remember Me Thursday, an international event that shines a light on orphan pets, and the beauty and life-saving importance of pet adoption. And we want to share a story-in-progress about our amazing, adorable and adoptable friend Flash.

Can you imagine your life being completely uprooted in one fell swoop? Can you imagine the confusion and fear that comes from being taken from the place where you’ve known love, care and safety, and finding yourself in unfamiliar surroundings where you don’t know a soul? That’s exactly what happened to our friend Flash, after her owner suddenly passed away. For a confident cat, the adjustment would be challenging. For a shyer kitty like Flash, the challenge seemed daunting, to say the least.

It seemed daunting to all of us, too. Flash was never aggressive or angry, but it was clear she was overwhelmed and afraid. You could see she was wondering things like, “Where is my human? … Who are these other strange humans? … Who are all these other cats? … Why do I hear dogs barking?”

When Flash first arrived at PAWS, her name could have described her reaction whenever we interacted with her. As in, gone in a flash. Back in those days, this is what passed for a “good” photo of Flash. It’s not exactly terrible, but it was taken from across the room with a zoom lens, and you can clearly see she was still pretty wary. Right after this photo was taken, she ran and hid.

Flash was grateful for high shelves, posts and other physical barriers, and would often peek around them at us. Physical touch was still a rarity. On a good day, she might allow us to gently touch her on the head. Anything more than that? Gone in a flash.

 

And that’s how it went for about 3 months. But then, in late 2020, it was like something clicked for this shy and gentle girl. It was as though she realized that the humans (volunteers and staff) here are sources of great things, like food, catnip (more on this later), playing, and even gentle brushing and petting. 💖 

 

Now, when “Flashy” hears familiar voices at the door of her free-roaming cat room, she’s up and attentive. When people she knows walk in, she’s ready for some gentle petting and scritches. Got catnip? She’ll definitely be there! Had a bad day, and need something to make you smile? Yup, you guessed it … Flash is there in a flash. She also happens to get along well with other nice kitties, as you can see from this photo of her photobombing her (already adopted) friend Sunny.

 

Will Flash ever be a supremely confident cat? We don't know for sure. But with the amazing progress she’s made during her extended stay at PAWS, we can vouch that she is a sweet and gentle cat who is more than ready to find her true forever home. It may take a while for her to feel safe and secure, but we are certain that in a quiet home full of patience and love (and with a supply of catnip), she will be a steadfast companion for whoever is lucky enough to adopt her. Flash is about 9 years old, spayed, current on her vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV. We do believe there’s a home for every cat, but that sometimes they just take a little longer to find. We look forward to the day Flash finds her happily ever after, but while she waits here at the shelter, she is loved and cherished.

 

There are so many wonderful and amazing pets waiting to be discovered at PAWS, and at shelters and rescue organizations everywhere. By adopting, you'll be saving TWO lives – the one of your new forever friend AND the life of the next one that can now be taken in. #SeeTheLight

 

We're taking part in the special Remember Me Thursday Blog Hop, hosted by our awesome friends at Lola the Rescued Cat. Be sure to visit their blog to see who else is hopping (and/or to hop along)!