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#1
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For Adopted Cats-Ever Wonder What Their Life Was Like Before You Adopted Them?
I adopted Sabastian and Kona as adults, meaning they both have a
"past". I know something about Kona's background was because he was turned into the clinic (which houses cats for adoption as well in conjunction with a rescue group) as an 11 year old by the family that had been bringing him there for years. But Sabastian, who was about 3 years old when I adopted him, was a "door dump"-he was left at the doorstep of the clinic in a carrier, something which I assume happens at most shelters. Periodically I wonder what his life was like with whoever had him initially. I wonder what name they gave him and how he was treated. Nothing in his condition or behavior really gives a clue. He was neutered but not declawed. He doesn't seem to be particularly scared of anything. He's best described as being a lovebug on his own terms-he likes being held and petted for discrete periods of time, but after some time (and those periods seem to be getting longer) he decides that he's had enough and wants to go do other things. He likes to have places of his own but he also will sleep on his back with his legs all splayed out in the middle of the floor. He definitely isn't clingy, although he likes being around me and other people even when he's had his quota of lovin' for the time being. He's not at all a "talker", in fact he rarely meows. I sometimes wonder if his sparse vocalization is a relflection of his upbringing, but it could also just be the way he is. Whatever life was like for him at his original home, he seems to have been physically well cared for and there aren't any signs of mistreatment. I know that people give away pets for all sorts of reasons and I guess it'll always be a mystery as to why his original owners didn't want him anymore. He's a healthy 12 lb long haired black domestic breed (although when he wants to be held he likes to melt in your arms like a ragdoll, he doesn't seem to have any of the other characteristics of that breed) Not an unusual looking cat but very attractive. He's by far the most athletic cat I've ever been around, but he's not really bad about jumping on things like the kitchen counter that I would prefer he not get on. He's real fastidious and always uses the litterbox. He and Kona have settled down to a roomate kind of relationship with only occasional spats, so I would tend to doubt that there was another cat that he couldn't get along with. At least his original owners had the decency to make reasonably sure he'd be taken care of even if they didn't have the gumption to bring him in to the shelter themselves. Did his original owner get married to someone who was allergic or didn't like cats? Run out of money to take proper care of him and decide not to tempt fate? Had to move away and just didn't want to bother taking him? I guess I'll never know and Sabastian isn't inclined to discuss the matter. In the end I suppose all that really matters is that we're both very happy he's here. |
#3
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On 27 May 2004 15:42:52 -0700,
(CajunPrincess) wrote: snip At least his original owners had the decency to make reasonably sure he'd be taken care of even if they didn't have the gumption to bring him in to the shelter themselves. Did his original owner get married to someone who was allergic or didn't like cats? Run out of money to take proper care of him and decide not to tempt fate? Had to move away and just didn't want to bother taking him? I guess I'll never know and Sabastian isn't inclined to discuss the matter. In the end I suppose all that really matters is that we're both very happy he's here. Glad he found a home with you, but it still p*sses me off that his people do that. But, like yousaid, they could have done a lot worse than leaving him where he'd be found and given the chance to find a home. What really burns me up is the ones who abondon their pet where they have little or no chance. A few years ago I drove a tractor cutting grass along the right of ways along county road, and it seems an all too common practice to dump animals near houses in the country (sound familiar, Sherry?) As for my current three masters, I have no idea about Little Bit's history. She wasn't wild when she found me, but had was awfully skinny (and pregnant). Rocky WAS wild, a true feral who wanted nothing to do with humans. Vet estimated he was about 6-8 years old before I was able to catch and haul him in the first time. It took a long time for him to get to where he is. As for Sammy, I know exactly what her history is, I witnessed her birth when LB had her litter. -- Steve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html |
#4
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On 27 May 2004 15:42:52 -0700,
(CajunPrincess) wrote: snip At least his original owners had the decency to make reasonably sure he'd be taken care of even if they didn't have the gumption to bring him in to the shelter themselves. Did his original owner get married to someone who was allergic or didn't like cats? Run out of money to take proper care of him and decide not to tempt fate? Had to move away and just didn't want to bother taking him? I guess I'll never know and Sabastian isn't inclined to discuss the matter. In the end I suppose all that really matters is that we're both very happy he's here. Glad he found a home with you, but it still p*sses me off that his people do that. But, like yousaid, they could have done a lot worse than leaving him where he'd be found and given the chance to find a home. What really burns me up is the ones who abondon their pet where they have little or no chance. A few years ago I drove a tractor cutting grass along the right of ways along county road, and it seems an all too common practice to dump animals near houses in the country (sound familiar, Sherry?) As for my current three masters, I have no idea about Little Bit's history. She wasn't wild when she found me, but had was awfully skinny (and pregnant). Rocky WAS wild, a true feral who wanted nothing to do with humans. Vet estimated he was about 6-8 years old before I was able to catch and haul him in the first time. It took a long time for him to get to where he is. As for Sammy, I know exactly what her history is, I witnessed her birth when LB had her litter. -- Steve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html |
#5
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On 27 May 2004 15:42:52 -0700,
(CajunPrincess) yodeled: I adopted Sabastian and Kona as adults, meaning they both have a "past". (snip) Stinky was found on the subway tracks in a subway station in upper Manhattan. A kind man jumped down, coaxed Stinky to him, brought him back up, and I put him in my canvas tote bag and took him home. Then right to the vet for worming, etc. Poor baby was very wormy, and had a rhino infection. The vet said he was about six months old, so he was neutered as soon as the infection cleared up. He charmed everyone there. When I came to get him after his operation, the tech lady said, "Oh, him-- we all love him!! He's the sweetest little fella." He was sweet, trusting and friendly from the beginning. There are feral cats living in the subway tunnels, but they are just that, feral. I don't think he was born down there, or he would have run away. He was obviously not afraid of people, although maybe he should have been. I'm afraid it was that trusting nature that landed him on that subway track, the victim of some sick person. That was thirteen years ago. I don't really like to think about how I found him.. It seems very unreal to me now. It was clear from the very beginning that he was a people cat, who belonged in a home with people, that he was meant to be somebody's companion, and spoiled little darling. The way I found him makes no sense, but there you go. Theresa My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com alt.tv.frasier FAQ: http://www.im-listening.net/FAQ/ |
#6
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On 27 May 2004 15:42:52 -0700,
(CajunPrincess) yodeled: I adopted Sabastian and Kona as adults, meaning they both have a "past". (snip) Stinky was found on the subway tracks in a subway station in upper Manhattan. A kind man jumped down, coaxed Stinky to him, brought him back up, and I put him in my canvas tote bag and took him home. Then right to the vet for worming, etc. Poor baby was very wormy, and had a rhino infection. The vet said he was about six months old, so he was neutered as soon as the infection cleared up. He charmed everyone there. When I came to get him after his operation, the tech lady said, "Oh, him-- we all love him!! He's the sweetest little fella." He was sweet, trusting and friendly from the beginning. There are feral cats living in the subway tunnels, but they are just that, feral. I don't think he was born down there, or he would have run away. He was obviously not afraid of people, although maybe he should have been. I'm afraid it was that trusting nature that landed him on that subway track, the victim of some sick person. That was thirteen years ago. I don't really like to think about how I found him.. It seems very unreal to me now. It was clear from the very beginning that he was a people cat, who belonged in a home with people, that he was meant to be somebody's companion, and spoiled little darling. The way I found him makes no sense, but there you go. Theresa My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com alt.tv.frasier FAQ: http://www.im-listening.net/FAQ/ |
#7
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On 27 May 2004 15:42:52 -0700,
(CajunPrincess) yodeled: I adopted Sabastian and Kona as adults, meaning they both have a "past". (snip) Stinky was found on the subway tracks in a subway station in upper Manhattan. A kind man jumped down, coaxed Stinky to him, brought him back up, and I put him in my canvas tote bag and took him home. Then right to the vet for worming, etc. Poor baby was very wormy, and had a rhino infection. The vet said he was about six months old, so he was neutered as soon as the infection cleared up. He charmed everyone there. When I came to get him after his operation, the tech lady said, "Oh, him-- we all love him!! He's the sweetest little fella." He was sweet, trusting and friendly from the beginning. There are feral cats living in the subway tunnels, but they are just that, feral. I don't think he was born down there, or he would have run away. He was obviously not afraid of people, although maybe he should have been. I'm afraid it was that trusting nature that landed him on that subway track, the victim of some sick person. That was thirteen years ago. I don't really like to think about how I found him.. It seems very unreal to me now. It was clear from the very beginning that he was a people cat, who belonged in a home with people, that he was meant to be somebody's companion, and spoiled little darling. The way I found him makes no sense, but there you go. Theresa My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com alt.tv.frasier FAQ: http://www.im-listening.net/FAQ/ |
#8
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A few years ago I drove a tractor
cutting grass along the right of ways along county road, and it seems an all too common practice to dump animals near houses in the country (sound familiar, Sherry?) Ahem. gets on soapbox, even though she's preaching to the choir We've got the double-whammy. We not only live in the country, but between two lake roads. For some reason people love to dump animals at lakes and camping areas. I think Pam can vouch for this one, too. We had a family reunion at thelake two years ago, and some extended familymembers I'd never met brought 2 kittens, not hardly 3 months old, with the intention of leaving them at the lake! I started out being all nice and telling them they were welcome to bring them to the Humane Society. I wasn't getting anywhere and ended up making a bit of a scene I'm afraid. DH knew at this point I didn't have the ability to shut up and interceded. Oi. I'd forgottena bout that. Sherry |
#9
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A few years ago I drove a tractor
cutting grass along the right of ways along county road, and it seems an all too common practice to dump animals near houses in the country (sound familiar, Sherry?) Ahem. gets on soapbox, even though she's preaching to the choir We've got the double-whammy. We not only live in the country, but between two lake roads. For some reason people love to dump animals at lakes and camping areas. I think Pam can vouch for this one, too. We had a family reunion at thelake two years ago, and some extended familymembers I'd never met brought 2 kittens, not hardly 3 months old, with the intention of leaving them at the lake! I started out being all nice and telling them they were welcome to bring them to the Humane Society. I wasn't getting anywhere and ended up making a bit of a scene I'm afraid. DH knew at this point I didn't have the ability to shut up and interceded. Oi. I'd forgottena bout that. Sherry |
#10
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A few years ago I drove a tractor
cutting grass along the right of ways along county road, and it seems an all too common practice to dump animals near houses in the country (sound familiar, Sherry?) Ahem. gets on soapbox, even though she's preaching to the choir We've got the double-whammy. We not only live in the country, but between two lake roads. For some reason people love to dump animals at lakes and camping areas. I think Pam can vouch for this one, too. We had a family reunion at thelake two years ago, and some extended familymembers I'd never met brought 2 kittens, not hardly 3 months old, with the intention of leaving them at the lake! I started out being all nice and telling them they were welcome to bring them to the Humane Society. I wasn't getting anywhere and ended up making a bit of a scene I'm afraid. DH knew at this point I didn't have the ability to shut up and interceded. Oi. I'd forgottena bout that. Sherry |
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