Exciting News at Our House

Last year when my 22 year old kitty died I was devastated. She'd been with me almost half my life. Her 12 year old brother, Mel, was also having a hard time so a week after her death I went to Humane -- just to see if they had any cats -- they might run out, you know. I met Bogie, an 8 month old feral who they felt could be socialized. What I didn't know at the time, but they told me later, was they found him in a feral colony when he was maybe 2 months old. They are a no-kill shelter but they do pick up ferals and spay or neuter them. Because he was so sweet they kept him instead of re-releasing him into the wild. He lived at Humane for 2 months but no one took him so he went to foster care for two more months and then back to Humane. He'd been there about 2 more months when I met him -- apparently every time someone picked him up he lost his home. He's a pretty smart little guy.

Well we hit it off -- I spent about 2 hours with him, pet him, he let me comb him and when I told him I was having a hard time reaching him on his high shelf he moved, on his own, to a lower shelf. I decided against bringing him home at 5 on a Sunday when I'd have to leave for work the next day and he'd be in a strange home with just him and Mel and who knew what they'd do. So I said I'd pick him up the next Saturday.

Saturday morning, June 26 I set the alarm and as I was leaving for Humane to bring Bogie home I was hit with that overwhelming feeling of loss when someone you love dies. I just sat there crying for Molly and told her no one could ever fill the hole left by her death.

I got to Humane and this little black kitty came running up -- insisting quite loudly she was ready to come home. Her bags were packed, bring on the carrier, she was ready to go. She climbed up my leg and hung on. I held her a minute and she gave me mega kitty kisses and I put her down to go to Bogie. She climbed up on me again and meowed to beat the band -- I'm sure she was saying "It's me! What's the problem? Let's go." I put her down again and started again for Bogie...and she was right back up my leg.

What is a mere human to do? So I went out front and said I'd take both of them. We got home and Bogie ran and hid. For two days I had no idea where he was, just that he was in the house. Missy, however, made herself right at home -- it was if she'd lived here all her life -- all 6 months of it. Two days after they came home I saw Missy herding Bogie downstairs for breakfast.  She figured out the "rules" and made sure he knew them. He's a quick study -- especially when it comes to food and most especially when it's treats or his all time favorite, whipped cream.

But since the day I brought him home he has never let me touch him. He runs from everyone. When the vet comes we have to plan ahead and it takes 3 of us to catch him. He's been determined not to let anyone touch him because if they do, he will lose his home -- or so he thinks. It's really quiet sad because he's one of those kitties you just want to pick up and cuddle.

Bogie hangs out in one of the front bedrooms -- he has this little corner where you can't reach him for beans. It's his safe little kingdom.


Well this week, being home on vacation, I decided every day I'd go in there and at least get him to sniff my hand.

Sunday I touched his front paws and he let me pet them for oh, maybe a minute before he pulled away.


Today I went in and I was able to pet his tummy, his ears and under his chin and he didn't run for almost 2 minutes! That's pretty huge, you know? He turned after that and I'm not sure if he was moving away from me or giving me the other side of his body to pet him but I figured we'd accomplished a lot for one day. He didn't panic, just laid there while I told him he was a good boy and this is his forever home.

It may seem a small thing to a non-pet owner, but if you've ever loved a kitty who is afraid of everyone (or other animal) and they finally let you near, it's one of the best days of your life. (That's Bogie in the front)

A funny thing happened on the way to the Humane Society This Morning

First of all, meet Bogie:

he's a 9 month old very shy boy who was found in a feral colony. He was at Humane for 2 months and had a rough time.They said he's under socialized, but felt in the right home he's be fine. As you may or may not know, I was voted "best cat house in Marin" last year so my home is a pretty cool place if you are a cat. Yes, he does look a lot like Molly. He's not Molly. Yes his resemblance to Molly drew me to him but how he responded to me was what captured my heart.

When a lot of us have a pet die we say something like "I just wanted to hold him (or her) one more time." after they cross the bridge? We'd do anything for that one last hug, you know?

Well this morning when I was putting my shoes on to go pick up Bogie I sat by one of Molly's favorite spots and started to tear up. I told her I'd give anything to hold her one last time but it would never be enough.

So I told Molly that this morning and went to pick up Bogie. I went back to remind him he was coming home with me and this little black kitty with amber eyes walked up to the door and climbed up my leg. She looked so earnest at my as if to say "I'm ready, let's go." I walked over to Bogie and she followed, chattering to me all the way and purring. Clearly she was ready to go -- what was my problem?

I started to pet Bogie and she got more insistent. I picked her up and she started to purr and lick my face.

What was I supposed to do?
What would you do?
How do you tell a kitty that has no doubt she is coming home with you and she can't?
And how to do you tell a kitty you promised to bring home he's not coming?

Harriet met Mel minutes after coming in the house -- they spit at each other. He spit back. He's older and bigger -- his hiss is louder. She walked away from him.

He's fascinated by her, followed her around once he knew she was here. She's basically ignored him. He doesn't seem to think it's odd she's here.

Bogie had a rough start in life and right now he's under a piece of furniture and if that's where he needs to be to feel safe that's fine with me. There's food, water and litter boxes in every room. Mel isn't upset -- I know there will come a point where the three of them duke it out. But we'll be okay.

I promised Mel a new little brother and he's gotten a brother and a sister.

And -- that comment I made to Molly about being able to hold her one more time -- I think she gave Harriet the message what I needed. I've been getting hugs and kisses since I walked into that room at humane.