Chum

Every time I hear that a cat has been adopted from our local shelter,  I am thrilled. It is often a very big decision and if the adopter only wants one cat in their home, that's fine. But, when I am cat-sitting and in and out of a home once or twice a day, it is always better for the cat (and me) if there are at least two. I used to think that cats didn't need a feline companion but I have come to realize that they have a more fulfilled life if they can share it with their own kind.

They learn from each other and have their own language. The personality of the cat is bigger and brighter it seems.

 There is a 'window of opportunity' to introduce a second cat easily and I believe that is in the first year. After that, cats can become very possessive of their owner and their belongings; (yes, we are pretty much equal to the importance of  'their stuff', like their bed, food dish, favorite window spot, for instance) and tend to not take to the new intruder as easily. So, I always recommend a second cat to be introduced early in the resident cat's life. Of course, there is always the exception...like Ford and Jack.
I cared for Ford last year. A big, ol grey tabby guy, around 5 years, that was as sweet as sugar. I would arrive and he would fall on the floor with gratitude. He would snuggle, play endlessly with a string and always clean up his bowl and use his box. He was the perfect kitty client BUT he was lonely.
I received a call from his owner last Fall about a stray that was hanging about his door begging for someone to notice it. Did I know of anyone who could take it in? I had Annie and her kits and my inn was full so he called the shelter. At that time, they had over 200 cats. He would take the cat there but with a heavy heart.
That was the last I heard from him until last week.
"I have 2 now, I caved, he laughed." So, meet Jack.

Isn't he handsome. Look at those front legs (which never stopped moving, by the way) and the teeny feet.
Another fabulous specimen of the feline species. A big boy, healthy & now neutered and gorgeous. These two are buds now and Ford is a happier, albeit chubbier, cat since the last time I saw him. His owner told me they get along great and have a few daily rituals they love such as 'chase the treat'. That explains the chubbiness but hey..we could all trim down a bit, right? I chase a few treats myself each day and Lord, look what I had last night

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Today when I left the 'boys' I felt so happy knowing they would be 'hangin' out' together on the back window-sills, facing the woods and enjoying the antics of the spring-time wildlife.

I left little Josephine after her visit today and filled up a bowl of food for the stray cat that is being fed on the client's property. This is another lost soul, no doubt, and I will find out more about it but for now, it is being fed by someone who cares. It's a start to a second chance.

Hoping for more sun tomorrow. The rain has washed away most of our snow.

hugs, Deb