Newcomer
Those of you who visit my photostream may have noticed a new arrival yesterday evening: her name is Patches and she’s a 9-year-old domestic shorthair calico cat. Her owners had come to Nice with her from the US last year, planning to return this year. Unfortunately, as for so many other people, the economy isn’t providing enough opportunities to ensure that they and Patches would have a home back in the US. Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t find any shelters here to take in Patches, and veterinarians charge a daily holding rate for animals left in their keeping. They asked me if I knew of any other associations or shelters, who were either full or didn’t answer the phone… It’s very hard at the end of July and beginning of August, because it’s French vacation season, and unfortunately that means a spike in pet abandonments, which translates into shelters filled to capacity. So I offered to take in Patches. (I want to be very clear, knowing how often judgement can be passed on people who are forced by circumstances to rehome their beloved pets: it was obvious from her owners’ emails and from meeting them in real life, that they love their cat very much and that they did everything they could for her. The economy hasn’t been kind to anyone. Well, except perhaps to dishonest financiers.)
Patches arrived Tuesday evening, with her owners, whom it was a real pleasure to meet, and has been hiding ever since. First in the kitchen, then under the bedroom chest of drawers, and now under the bed. This is pretty typical of cats who’ve changed homes! I’ve only taken this one photo of her, since it’s best for her to feel as safe and comfortable as possible. Kanoko and Grey have been very good, giving her space and being gently curious, but when I noticed that Patches still wouldn’t budge from under the bed this evening, I shut them out of the bedroom and let her have it (with a bowl of food and her litterbox) all to herself for a few hours. I plan to do the same while I’m at work tomorrow, hoping that she’ll feel more at ease that way.
Hopefully things will work out for the best for Patches’ owners, and who knows, in a few months we may be able to get Patches back to them. I have an idea what it’s like, having gone through my previous cat Malo being given away without my knowledge to someone I didn’t know. I made peace with him having a new home eventually, but was nonetheless overjoyed when several months later, his new owner decided she couldn’t care for him any more and demanded that I take him back. She didn’t have any experience with cats before Malo, however — I’ve had cats all my life, am very happy to bring in a third furball, and whatever happens, Patches will be cuddled and pampered along with my two boys Kanoko and Grey, for as long she stays with us.
ShareThis
July 30th, 2010 at 14:39
I really hope you don’t get any stupid comments about “how could you?” or “abandoning”. It’s obvious from your comments and your love (dare I say devotion?) to your cats that everyone is acting de bonne foi.
She’s 9 years old? Wow, hope she’s not too set in her ways to adjust. On the other hand, assuming she came with her owners from the US, she’s already made (at least?) one major transition in her life, and she’s in good hands (good paws?) chez toi.
July 30th, 2010 at 22:36
“Devotion” is indeed it! They’re my little furry family.
Often older cats are more easy-going and adaptable than younger ones, though of course it depends a lot on their personality. Patches’ owners told me about hers, and hiding and growling seem to be part of her normal getting-to-know-a-new-place-and-people behavior. (She stopped growling after last night, which is a good sign!) I’m really lucky with Kanoko and Grey too, they’re two of the sweetest, most laid-back cats I’ve ever known (Kanoko can be bouncy-crazy, but he’s always kind), and that helps a lot for Patches joining us.
August 2nd, 2010 at 08:23
I think your idea of keeping her in isolation is best even if your boys are not aggressive. Good luck! Are you keeping her?
August 2nd, 2010 at 13:43
Yes, she’s doing noticeably better with the bedroom to herself for most of the day (I keep it open at night, all goes well). She still doesn’t come out from under the bed when the door is open, but again, that can be normal depending on a cat’s personality. Some cats take months to adjust; so long as she eats, drinks, uses her litterbox, and there’s no aggression, I’m not worried.
I am keeping her for as long as her owners need/want, which may be for good! I was aware it might be permanent. But if/when things look up for her owners in the US, I’m also fine with getting her back to them. They’ve been great.
August 2nd, 2010 at 20:23
That reminds me of a picture I took of Malo. Although he did adapt VERY quickly to his new surroundings (and the washing-machine top).
August 2nd, 2010 at 20:40
Yes, it reminded me of that photo too :) Tomettes and all! He was happy with you guys!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fraise/179615710/in/set-72157606395705620/
August 3rd, 2010 at 13:03
Welcome to Patches! Clearly her parents love her and were lucky enough to find a cat lover like yourself!
(I remember a post you made in some past year about pet abandonment in late summer which was horrifying. I’m sure she’ll be much happier with you than in an overcrowded shelter and will live a longer life, too.)
August 3rd, 2010 at 15:38
Big welcome to Patches, who I am sure will settle in nicely. It took my Malo a good couple of weeks before he settled – but he was a feral cat and only a year old. They were very difficult weeks actually, but he had never been used to a home before, whereas Patches has and had movement between homes (albeit few) and I am sure once out of her shell she will fit into your furry family very well.
August 3rd, 2010 at 15:41
A quick p.s. Have you tried some Feliway – might just help.
August 3rd, 2010 at 21:24
Thanks Jojo!
I tried Feliway when Grey joined us last year; unfortunately I quickly found out that I’m allergic to the valerian in it. Eyes swelled shut, could barely breathe, not fun at all… so I’m going the longer route! She has a towel with her owners’ scent on it that they kindly left. It’s been her security bed when she comes out of hiding.