Amid the sadness, hope "Blossom"(s)

Newly grieving the loss of our dear Stevie, a few of us volunteers congregated in the kitchen area of the shelter today to reminisce about our sweet little girl. Janice, one of our dear volunteer friends asked if I had seen Blossom yet, a new kitty that arrived at the shelter a few days earlier. When I had told her that I hadn't, Janice advised me to brace myself as Blossom looks A LOT like Stevie and was found in about the same condition Steve was in when she first came to PAWS.

Slowly and quietly approaching her cage, I peered in and was shocked and amazed at how much she looked like our dear Stevie. I couldn't help but wonder if there was something bigger behind her coming to PAWS. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and this was one of those instances when that came to my mind.

I have since found out that Blossom was abandoned by her owner about a year ago and she had to learn to fend for herself outside. She was brought to PAWS dehydrated and pretty beat up. Like Stevie and despite her history, Blossom has the courage to remain a sweet, loving and TRUSTING cat. When we enter her room, she comes to the front of her cage and just wants to cuddle with us.

Kevin and I thought we would hold off until Blossom puts on a little more weight before we post a picture.  I'm happy to say we anticipate being able to post something real soon!

Little Stevie...In Memoriam

Recently, we received a very sad email from the Shelter Director about the passing of a very special cat named Stevie. I'd like to share with you the content of the email as it truly expresses the love and dedication that the organization and its volunteers has to every animal that comes through the doors:

I'm writing with a heavy heart to share with you news of the passing of our beloved Stevie Girl.

Stevie went over the Rainbow Bridge this morning.

For those of you who don't know her story, Stevie Girl was discovered in a carrier in a local cemetery, on a scorching summer day last year. She was in distress, had very little hair on her body, and was declared blind by the veterinarians who attended to her over at the VREC. When she was well enough to come to PAWS, it seemed that Stevie miraculously regained her eyesight, and as her health improved, we quickly discovered what a loving, feisty, precious girl she was.

A few months ago, we received news that Stevie was in renal failure, but she took her daily fluids and meds like a trooper, and didn't appear to slow down one bit. Of course, this only represents a tiny portion of her life. But that's the story of how Stevie Girl came into our lives.

We were discussing, after Stevie's death this morning, how she reminded us of Grizabella, the scruffy old lady cat from the musical, Cats. I'd like to think that, unlike Grizabella, the last few months of Stevie's life were filled with the comfort of knowing that she was loved and adored and that here, with us, she was "home."

On the morning of Stevie's journey over the Rainbow Bridge, Grizabella's words do seem fitting: "Touch me, it's so easy to leave me all alone with the memory, of my days in the sun.If you touch me you'll understand what happiness is. Look, a new day, has begun.."

We'll never forget the touch of her fur or the look in her eyes or the sound of her meow. And most of all, her amazing spirit.

Thank you to all of you who knew this amazing girl, and showed her love and kindness.

We will miss you, Stevie, and await the day when we will all be reunited - over Rainbow Bridge.

And the Newest PAWS Kitty Grads are...

Hooray!  Some more of the kitties covered here in the blog have recently "graduated!"  Joining the ranks of the PAWS kitty alumni are...

... the delightful, "Cat TV"-watching orange brothers Ari and Artie, who went TOGETHER to their new forever home ...

... gentle, sweet and beautiful Hassie

... sweet and playful Kerry, who went home with one of our fellow cat volunteers

Saying goodbye to these wonderful cats is a bittersweet experience for the volunteers.  We love these kitties so much, and they will certainly be missed, but this is exactly why we socialize them:  so they can find people and homes of their very own. : )

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

A dose of kitty therapy...

Okay ... I probably haven't announced the following yet in my blog, but as of March 31st I have joined the ranks of the unemployed. Although I firmly believe everything happens for a reason, there are times during my search for a job when I feel the need for little "kitty therapy." I recently had one of those days.

With my copy of the job search book What Color is Your Parachute in hand, I visited each of the cat rooms, sat on the floor with various cats, and got to know some interesting things about their behavior when a human is quiet and "just reading." For example, Kessa (mentioned in a previous blog entry) hopped up on my lap and started to lick my face. Boy, her tongue feels just like sandpaper! But she's just so lovable with those cute little fangs! Some of the more shy cats like Mercedes (see picture, taken immediately after she finished rolling around on the floor during a really fun play session), sat just a few feet away looking very pleased to have human companionship.

This is the life!

If you've ever considered doing something like volunteer work, and like animals, you may want to consider giving your time at a local animal shelter. Words cannot express how much Kevin and I get from it. And to see how much of an impact we make on these animals' lives is so worth the time we dedicate to it.

Check out little Olivia!

Olivia came to PAWS not too long ago and has already made a huge impression on all of the cat volunteers! Less than a year old, this cute-faced little girl has a super sweet and gentle personality and seems to get along with all the other cats in her room.

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.

Claire

Oh, how I adore this cute little black butterball of love! From the minute Claire came to PAWS, she stole my heart ... she climbed right up on my chest and gave me kisses and wanted to be pet.  Always up for a good brushing, Claire purrs from the moment the cat brush touches her fur.  She also likes a good cat bed.  This sweet, easygoing girl always makes herself right at home.  If you're looking for love, Claire's got it in abundance!

Morgan and Chandler

These very sweet litter mates came back to PAWS when their owner could no longer keep them. Morgan (the all black kitty) greets Kevin and me at the door when we come to visit him and his furry buddies in their room.  He is  also the first to lie down with us on the futon in the room.  Chandler (the black and white kitty) is the more cerebral kitty of the two, and as such, is more content to "take it all in."  He's the type of guy who likes to hang out and scope out what's going on in the world around him.  It's clear from their interactions that these gentle brothers love each other very much.

Artie

Artie - This cute 2 year old orange and white tabby is a really nice boy who came in with his sibling Ari (who looks almost identical to him). When they first came to PAWS they were very afraid but they have since settled in fine. Artie gets along with all the many cats in his room, is very gentle, and loves to play with his brother. He also thoroughly enjoys watching "Cat TV" and, as you can see from his picture, lounging on the giant bean bag-like chair.