Callie, a "special" cat in many ways
During my life I've had many cats. All but one were normal
and well-adjusted. But the first was not. It was this one weird cat that prompted
my lifelong interest in senior pets. Here is our story.When I was in college I saw an ad in the paper for a free cat. She was a 16-year-old Calico named Callie. I thought we were a good match. I could help a cat in need and get her love in return. And, because of her age, I figured she'd pass away before I left for graduate school. Perfect timing for both of us.
Her owner had died, and she was the one pet his family wouldn't take in. I might have inquired why they didn't want her with an open mind and understanding heart, but instead, I was simply aghast (just a wee bit judgmental). After all, I was 20 and issues of animal welfare were pretty black and white.
I'm far too stubborn to be a hypocrite, so over the next months, my noisy criticism of her previous family strengthened my resolve to make this strange cat love me. For four months she lived in the kitchen cabinet (actually in my lazy Susan) only to come out to relieve herself on the carpet. Wall-to-wall became bare wood.
In Month 6, she moved into a new space, under my bed. Eventually, she began to sneak out until her days were spent with me instead of the dust bunnies.
In Year Two I let her go into my fenced backyard, and her
world expanded. Day after day, she basked under a canopy of golden hickory
leaves, transfixed by their shimmer, and she began to blossom in the dappled
sunlight. Time and a taste of nature transformed her into an almost normal cat.
Now she purred and sought an extended hand for a few rubs on the chin. Late at night, I would lift her onto my lap to watch Magnum, P.I. reruns (she couldn't jump onto the couch, but we shared a mutual "thing" for Higgins).
Remember how I said I thought we'd be perfect together because, let's face it, I didn't presume she'd live long enough to see me go to graduate school? Ha! That decrepit cat moved with me from state to state -- through graduate school AND my first three "real" jobs -- content, if not happy, up to her final days.
Luckily, Callie, who was very slow to warm to me, is not at all the norm. My other senior pets have moved graciously into my life.
But my experience with Callie taught me a good lesson: Adoption doesn't come with guarantees. All pets have their own personalities and idiosyncrasies. Adopting an elderly pet can be somewhat like bringing your elderly parent into your home: Expect them to be rather set in their ways. Don't expect them to bend to your needs, but do try to meet theirs. Value them for who they are and learn from them.
Your reward will come as mine did with Callie. She graced me with her presence, and I knew I had done right by her as her time on earth wound down. I was fulfilled by that.
Senior pets continue to make my life full. My old man, Harper, is a gorgeous and silly 38-year-old Quarterhorse who spends his senior days bossing my goats around. Senior farm animals may be the most needy of our concern -- but that is worth a whole blog of its own.
Previous entry:
Is it natural to fear pit bulls? And what can we do about it?
Now she purred and sought an extended hand for a few rubs on the chin. Late at night, I would lift her onto my lap to watch Magnum, P.I. reruns (she couldn't jump onto the couch, but we shared a mutual "thing" for Higgins).
Remember how I said I thought we'd be perfect together because, let's face it, I didn't presume she'd live long enough to see me go to graduate school? Ha! That decrepit cat moved with me from state to state -- through graduate school AND my first three "real" jobs -- content, if not happy, up to her final days.
Luckily, Callie, who was very slow to warm to me, is not at all the norm. My other senior pets have moved graciously into my life.
But my experience with Callie taught me a good lesson: Adoption doesn't come with guarantees. All pets have their own personalities and idiosyncrasies. Adopting an elderly pet can be somewhat like bringing your elderly parent into your home: Expect them to be rather set in their ways. Don't expect them to bend to your needs, but do try to meet theirs. Value them for who they are and learn from them.
Your reward will come as mine did with Callie. She graced me with her presence, and I knew I had done right by her as her time on earth wound down. I was fulfilled by that.
Senior pets continue to make my life full. My old man, Harper, is a gorgeous and silly 38-year-old Quarterhorse who spends his senior days bossing my goats around. Senior farm animals may be the most needy of our concern -- but that is worth a whole blog of its own.
Previous entry:
Is it natural to fear pit bulls? And what can we do about it?
Samantha and Stacey --
What great stories! Kudos to you for giving great homes to these senior cats. I too have a cranky cat, but she's always been that way (I fostered her entire litter and she was the only one not adopted).
So it goes to show that, while not all senior cats are set in their ways ... not all cats who are set in their ways are seniors! :)
Not all seniors are inflexible, though, either. I adopted my Siamese at 11 years old; Boulder Humane had just dropped her adoption price down to $10 in hopes of getting someone to adopt her. I've been surprised by how quickly and well she's adjusted to her newest home; she also lived with five other cats and another dog in the house prior to this. She would spend all day cuddling in bed with me if she could, and gets up to follow me, meowing, if she thinks I shouldn't be done cuddling yet. She loves to chase moths and tunnel under the covers beside me and, although I've always been a "dog person," I think most people would be hard-pressed to find a better cat or dog to live with. Like most cats, she does like having her own space, but now lives peacefully with my 65-pound Chinook and my parents' 100-odd-pound Great Dane (as long as they don't try to jump on top of her while she's lying on the bed, understandably enough!)--both also rescues, I'm proud to say.
Kittens and puppies are the cutest things on Earth, but after many years of volunteering with vets and shelters I honestly don't know why people want them, instead of a nice, settled, well-mannered adult--not to mention cheaper in terms of time and money both. My dog was adopted when he was five and, not only am I far closer to him than the ill-matched malamute mix puppy I grew up with (mainly because I made sure my family did their research this time!), he was the star of his obedience class :) The teacher actually pulled me aside to suggest I enter him in formal competitions.
Adult pets really are a much better match for most families, and I highly recommend anyone looking for a new pet look into adopting one. That cute little baby animal is only going to grow up into a big hairy adult soon anyway!
I also have adopted an older cat. Yes, she was stuck in her ways. The first home she had was will some people that were abusing drugs, they often forgot to feed her, never groomed her, she is a long haired himalyan. they moved out and left her to fend for herself locked up in an apartment, she had never been outside. The second person to move into "her" apartment, tried to help her. This person tried to groom her, fed her and litterbox trained her. she would only come out of hiding once in a while to be petted, treats, or food. The rest of her time was spent sleeping on a bed. Long story shot, the woman came out of nowhere and asked me to take this cat(the landlord found out and wanted the cat gone)I got this cranky, crabby ,matt filled, thin, mouthy furball. Well I now know why she had matts! Im quiet sure she is part wild cat! After being shredded to pieces a few times, I found it best to have 2 people gently hold her while I shaved her, after wards I was sure she would hate me forever. Not so! she sleeps with me and guards my bed (viciousley) talks and loves to be kissed and petted, she will even wake me up and touch noses. She talks and follows me everywhere. I love it. Silly old cranky cat makes my day! Stacey from the Insanity Ranch rabbitry
i found my dog on thiswebstie a few years ago. On monday noverber 10th she was going out to see my mom and she saw anothe dog so she ran out into the srttee and her head got hit by a tire and she only lived 5 minutes after that. so now we are looking for a new dog