We Won an Award :)

Our friend Diamond has given us our very first award for blogging. Thank you, Diamond (and Lynettea, too)! We're really glad you like reading about the cats at PAWS, because we certainly enjoy sharing their stories. :)

According to the rules* for this award, we have to pass it on to five of our blogging friends. There are so many blogs we enjoy that it's difficult to choose just five! But rules are rules, so we'll give it a shot. In a VERY tough field, here are our five selections (they really are terrific blogs, so please be sure to check them out):

Cats of Wildcat Woods

The Monkeys

One girl, too many animals

It's all good.

Alley Cats and Angels of North Carolina

* Rules for Superior Scribbler Award:

1. Each superior scribbler must pass on the AWARD to 5 friends who are also SS.

2. Each SS must link the author and name of the blog from whom he receives the award.

3. Each SS must display the award on his/her blog and link to the post which explains the award. (we couldn't find this post or the one where you have to add your name to the Mr Linky List.

4. Each SS is asked to visit the post which explains the award and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List.
5. Each SS must post these rules on his/her blog.

Our 100th Post!

Meow, how time flies! It's been so much fun blogging about our kitty friends at PAWS that it surprised us when we realized this is our 100th blog posting. :)

On behalf of our own PAWS graduates Moosey and Sammy (whose handsome faces appear in the zeroes of the awesome graphic* above), Tracey and me, and all of the animals at PAWS...

THANK YOU for being our friends, visiting our blog, and for all of your kind and encouraging comments. We appreciate you all, and look forward to sharing even more "tails" with you moving forward.

* Artwork courtesy of Nancy Corbo, NC Graphics (Norwalk, CT). In addition to being an amazing graphic designer, our dear friend Nancy is a fellow PAWS volunteer and an animal lover extraordinaire!C Graphics (Norwalk, CT) ... in addition to being a great graphic designer, our dear friend Nancy is also a fellow PAWS volunteer and an animal lover extraordinaire. :)

FURever Home Friday!

It was just a matter of time before Chyna found her FURever home. And this is the story as to how it all came about...

Once upon a time, a nice young couple came to PAWS to find an adult cat of their very own. As they were escorted through the shelter's cat rooms, they met a myriad of adult kitties, including Chyna. The couple really liked our sweet Chyna, but ultimately decided to adopt Cyrus (another great adult kitty).

It was a bittersweet moment ... we were certainly happy that an older cat was adopted, but a little sad it wasn't our dear, sweet Chyna. Especially because she had been at PAWS quite a bit longer than Cyrus. Could it be, we wondered, that Chyna was passed over because of her more reserved nature? We sort of decided then and there that we would try even harder to get this wonderful girl adopted as soon as possible, before she got too used to the shelter.

Well, Chyna's luck took a turn for the better the very next day when a family came to the shelter looking for an adult cat who loved laps and quiet surroundings, but who would also do well with children. Who could possibly meet such a diverse set of criteria? Why, our Miss Chyna, of course! The rest, as they say, is history.

We love you Chyna, and wish you many hugs from the kids and lots of lap time in your new FURever home. :)

Sunday was "I Love a Good Lap" Day!

As always, we had a great time at PAWS on Sunday!

Here are some shots of three of the kitties who love nothing more than a good lap.

From top to bottom: Sweetheart (top two photos), Gadget and Minnie. :)

Sweet and Gentle Teal

Tracey and I often wonder what leads someone to abandon a pet. We just can't imagine ever giving up our own furry children. And that's why we can't for the life of us understand why someone abandoned sweet Teal in PAWS' parking lot back in October.

This beautiful and petite grey and white tuxedo girl had obviously belonged to someone, so we're sure it was overwhelming for her to be left outside, then thrust into a shelter situation with so many unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells.

At first, Teal was extremely scared. In the "open" cat room in which she was placed, she would hide behind the couch, never making eye contact, and venturing out only to eat or to use the litter box. Despite this, it was pretty clear to us that she was an extremely gentle kitty, and we discovered that if we reached behind the couch, she'd let us pet her, and would eventually purr softly. :)

As the weeks and months have passed, Teal's confidence has grown. She still has a ways to go, but now she can often be found lounging on the couch with her roommates -- or a volunteer. She loves being pet and talked to softly. And we can always tell when she's especially content, because when she is, her little pink tongue sticks out! :)

Fur Real Fairy Tail Friday

Once upon a time, there were some cats who lived in a place called PAWS. Even though they were well taken care of and loved by the volunteers and shelter staff, the kitties dreamed of the day that they would find their forever homes and people of their very own...

For Tracey and me, it's always a fairy tale come true when some of our shelter kitty friends are adopted. Here are some "happily ever afters" from the past week:

Valerie and Garth, who became nearly inseparable friends after they were placed in the same "open" room at PAWS, were adopted together. :)

Sweet, but shy Ally (pictured above) was adopted by one of our friends, who has re-named her Priscilla. Our friend reports that Priscilla is adjusting well to her new surroundings. She stays close by when her new mommy is doing things around the house, and sleeps with her every night!

Sherwood, one of the charter members of the PAWS "Belly Rub Club," now has his very own people to rub his belly (and otherwise spoil him) to his heart's content. :)

Be well in your new homes, kitty friends. We love you!

Carrie & Sweetheart ... A Couple of Golden Girls!

Carrie and Sweetheart are two kitties who have touched our hearts.

Originally adopted ten years ago from PAWS, Carrie (the tabby and white beauty) was brought back to us because, sadly, her owner is moving. This gentle soul enjoys being pet and loves to play with a squeaky mouse toy that was given to her by a PAWS volunteer. Although Carrie ventures out into the room every now and then when her cage is open, she seems to feel safer within its confines. She's still a bit overwhelmed by the whole shelter experience, but we're sure she'll blossom once she's in a home of her very own. Carrie is 11 years young and front-paw declawed.

Sweetheart, a beautiful white kitty of 10 years, showed up at PAWS because her owner could no longer care for her. She definitely prefers the company of people to others cats, and loves a nice warm lap and a good petting! She has a very unique meow that Kevin and I believe may be the result of her being deaf. She also happens to be quite an accomplished purrer! :)

We love these little girlies and can't wait for them to be placed in their furever homes!