Socks Will Keep You Warm All Year Long...

This handsome tabby cat with intriguing markings is a tremendous love bug. He gets along well with most of the other kitties in his room AND loves a good lap. Don't let Socks' large size scare you off ... he's one of the sweetest and most gentle cats we've had the pleasure of meeting. : )

Gizmo is a Sweet Boy

This sweet and gentle boy is the quintessential picture of serenity in a room he shares with a bunch of younger, more exuberant cats.

When Gizmo was first introduced to this room, he seemed a bit overwhelmed by his unfamiliar roommates and his new surroundings. During those first few weeks, he could always be found sleeping under the cat tree in the corner with his back to the wall. I'm guessing this was to make sure that the other cats -- and people -- couldn't sneak up behind him. During Gizmo's "wallflower" stage, Tracey and I had to lay on the floor and weave our arms through the bottom levels of the cat tree just to pet him. While he loved the attention, it wasn't enough to get him to move from the security of "his" corner.

You can imagine our delight in recent weeks when he began venturing from his safe spot. He now walks through -- and sometimes sits in -- the middle of the room! As you can see from these pictures, he's gaining in confidence with each passing day. Throughout this transformation, Gizmo's sweet nature has remained constant. I believe with all of my heart that he'll continue to grow, especially once he has the consistency that comes with having his own people to love and his own "forever" home.

To see another, more candid photo of Gizmo, click here.

One of Our Own Furry Kids (a PAWS Alum)

Here's our cat Sammy (aka "Dootie"), who we adopted from PAWS. As you can see, he's an extremely comfortable and confident dude ... and he's very well-versed in the fine art of lounging. : )

We love you, Dootie!

Great News about Tump the Cat

Hooray! We just found out that Tump has been adopted. Enjoy your new forever home, buddy. We love you!

Oh Snap! It's Ginger and Tump!

When Ginger and her buddy Tump first came to PAWS, it broke our hearts to learn that they ended up with us because their owner passed away.

I would imagine that going from a home where they were well-loved and free to wander around to being confined in cages (nice cages, mind you, but cages nonetheless) would be a traumatic experience for these kitties. Surprisingly, though, both Tump (the handsome grey fellow) and Ginger (the gal "done up" in orange) have handled the transition with great aplomb.

Both are extremely calm and affectionate, and seem to get along well with other kitties. And both seem bent on proving people who believe that all cats are aloof are just plain wrong. Aloof? Ha! Both Tump and Ginger come when you call them, and neither has ever met a lap they didn't like.

As much as they love bonding with us volunteers, Tump and Ginger don't seem too dependent upon each other, so they don't have to be adopted as a pair.

Minnie...A Girl Who Needs A Gentle Soul

Every once in a while a cat will come to PAWS that seems to fade into the background amongst the many kitties that reside there. I feel that Minnie is one of those cats. When I approach her cage, I see her sitting in the cat bed, somewhat melancholy. But she's quick to come to the front of the cage when you stand in front of her and say some words in a relaxed tone. Her demeanor is one of a shy cat that has difficulty trusting people. Could it be that because she was de-clawed she lost the ability to trust unconditionally? What Kevin and I have learned is that if we approach her in a slow and quiet way, she responds very well. Minnie needs a gentle and patient soul to give her a quiet home, and in that type of environment, I'm 100% sure she will flourish.

A Very Silly Picture

"Oh hi!  What are you guys doing?"

Check future posts for more on roommates Gizmo (bottom) and Dora (top/upside down)!