Buzz at home

When I came to Feline Rescue, Inc., I had to get surgery on my eye lids and surgery for a herniated diaphragm. You might remember me as the Feline Rescue poster child last year. The vet said I was a miracle boy because I was very lucky to survive.

I was adopted from Feline Rescue in September 2012. I had my work cut out for me in my new home. Dogs, a cat, birds, humans... so many minions to train! Now they are all under my paw. I have trained my new Siamese brother, George, to clean me.

Life is very good here in my new home. I have everything a big, cross eyed, orange guy could ever want - food, affection, food, toys, food, servants, food, many nap spots, and food! My family loves me very much and we are all thankful to Feline Rescue volunteers & supporters for my second chance.

Charlotte and Amelia: Homes at Last!

Over two years ago, I took in a pregnant mom cat, Charlotte, from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue who soon had four kittens. Three of the four kittens were adopted within a few months, but no one chose Charlotte or Amelia. It was the longest I ever had had foster cats and the longer they stay, the harder it is to let them go. However, I could not continue fostering if I adopted them myself and I knew they deserved more attention in their own home.

CHARLOTTEThen I heard from one of my former Feline Rescue adopters (of my kitten Eloise) that she was looking for a cat for her mother. The two of them drove over and fell in love with Charlotte. Apparently, she made herself right at home:

UPDATE 1:
Charlotte and I are doing just fine. I think she likes me. She follows me everywhere and slept with me from the first night. K~ and I are both surprised. Right now she's sitting on the desk next to the computer. Anyway, shes doing just great and she says to say Hi to Amelia and Gilligan and the rest of the gang.

Thanks again,
D~UPDATE 2:
Charlotte's doing fine. Still sticking to me like glue...although I have noticed she's not quite as dependent as the first week or so. Still haven't introduced her to Eloise yet....maybe one of these days....... Poor Amelia. Hopefuly one of these days, she'll get her forever home and have different things to think about other than " Where has my Mom gone to?"

Have a good day ...... Charlotte sitting next to me and meowing. Must be saying Hello to you and the gang!!!!!

Bye....D~

Another couple months went by without a home for Amelia and I decided to give her a chance at the Feline Rescue Shelter where more people would see her. Feline Rescue has agreed to take in two cats from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue at the shelter to help them find homes, so when there was a spot to fill, I took Amelia there. I've never suffered so over a decision for a foster cat. She had been there a couple of weeks when I stopped to visit and learned that she might be getting adopted that day with another cat from the shelter named Gilligan. Well, I've had a cat named Gilligan for ten years, so I took that as a sign and spoke briefly with the adopters. Time passed and I was so anxious for an update that I contacted them and got this great news:
 AMELIAUPDATE:
I'm so glad to hear from you as we had such a short time to meet at the shelter. I hope you are well and enjoying your summer. I have loved having the summer off to bond with the kitties but am starting to gear up to go back to school.

I am happy to report that Amelia seems to be happy in her new home. My husband and I don't have kids or other pets so she and Gilligan are our only 'children'. We love them so much though it has been an interesting transition. Amelia is so much an alpha female, since she crossed the threshold, she has definitely been the boss. As a result, with Gilligan being a shy boy, we set up a screen door between the first and second levels of our house so they could sniff and view each other but have slow physical introduction. I so wish I had a photo of the night when Amelia decided she'd had enough and wanted to meet Gilligan so she climbed our modified screen door and made her way over!

GILLIGAN AND AMELIASince then, they have gotten to be fast friends and even snuggle and have taken to sleeping together, as well as playing, chasing and eating together. I'm a bit surprised but thrilled that they are getting along so well, so quickly. I've attached a few photos of her/them for you. Please know she's in good hands and that I'll be sure to send photos and updates about her.

L~ and B~

FINALLY, happy endings for the whole family (and me!)

Cleopatra’s story

This queenly cat has come a long way from humble beginnings. Dropped off at Feline Rescue’s door with her mom and two siblings, the little black cat christened “Winston” by a volunteer picked her human mom out when she came to work her weekly shift at the shelter.

All black except for a white spot on her chest and belly, Winston was quiet until she saw the one she wanted to go home with. Then she talked and talked. When the volunteer opened her kennel and played with and petted her, the year-old cat was so happy. When the human stopped petting, Winston nipped at her hand.

Winston reads people very well and she knew that this would not drive her chosen person away. She somehow knew that this woman had recently lost a black cat to kidney disease and that black cat would nip at her when she stopped petting him. It was a clever thing for Winston to do, because now the human thought, “Awww, she reminds me of Sebastian”. Winston was disappointed when the kennel was shut tight and the volunteer went away, but she held out hope for the next time her new mom would come to visit.

This particular human was not planning on getting any more cats. She had two at home and they were happy together. But she kept thinking of Winston and assumed that the cute young girl would be adopted quickly. The next time she went to the shelter, she thought, “if she’s still there, I will think about adopting her”. But when she arrived, the cage that was Winston’s was empty.

Disappointed and relieved at the same time because now she did not have to make a decision, she asked about Winston’s new family. “Oh, she’s just in the medical room. She’s got ear mites”, another volunteer said. “Surely by the next week, Winston will have found her forever home”, thought Winston’s mom-to-be.

When she came back the next week, Winston was waiting for her. Now she had no excuses, no reasons not to take her next black cat home. When she opened the carrier, Winston walked right in and waited patiently to embark on her new life.

Once home, the two resident cats were a little concerned and avoided their new sister for a few days but soon all three were having wrestling matches that traveled from living room to bedroom and back.

Her new mom asked her what her name was, really, because Winston somehow did not quite fit. “I’m Cleopatra!” said the shelter cat formerly known as Winston.

That was in the fall of 2001. Today, Cleopatra rules a healthy pack of cats and a couple of dogs, too. Her supervisory duties include scheduling naps on the overstuffed yellow chair and letting mom know when it is time to eat. It’s hard work organizing a household, so Cleo takes advantage of naptime whenever she can.

Story by Cleopatra's mom Celayne and photos by Kage Imagery and Celayne

A B Story

The following is an adoption story about Bandit, fka Beasley, one of Queenie's Bs.

First off, I would like to say that we have never been a cat family. We have always had dogs. The last dog we had was Coco, a Black Lab, and probably the best dog we had ever had. We had to put her down for health reasons when she was 12 1/2 years old. It was like losing one of our kids. We vowed to never get another pet again. That was 12 years ago.

Around 6 years ago, we started talking about getting another dog, but then realizing we were gone too much and it wouldn't be fair to him/her. Wouldn't you know it, the day before Valentines Day, a little black kitty was in our yard and on our deck looking in practically the entire day. We figured it would go home eventually. It got to 9 below that night. The next morning, I opened the drapes, and he came running out from under the deck. I opened the door and he jumped into my arms and has been there ever since. That is Smokey. We think Cocoa came back as a cat. We love him to pieces.

Then I have been bugging my husband, Curt to get Smokey a companion. He would have nothing to do with that notion. Our granddaughter Jessica became a Feline Foster Mom. We would go over to see her kitties and we would all gang up on Curt that we should get a kitty for Smokey. The next time I took Smokey to the Vet, I asked her opinion on what we should do and she was all for having a second cat in the house.

So Jessica took me shopping, with carrier on board and cash in my purse anticipating that I would be coming home with a new addition. Wouldn't you know it, we walked into Petco, where 3 foster moms were showing their cats in hopes they would get permanent homes. When I saw 5 Black kitties, I knew I was done for. I picked them up one at a time and Beasley, now Bandit, warmed up to me and said he was the one.

He was welcomed by Smokey after the 4th day, and they have been best friends ever since. It is wonderful to see them take turns grooming each other one minute and rough housing the next, Smokey is so much more content now that we have a playmate for him. This is the best thing we could have done.

Now Curt says “How can I love a kitty so much? I love him just as much as I love Smokey.”

And I know that they think I am their pet. They totally rule me.

Adopting a kitty through Feline Rescue is the best thing we ever did!

Kathy

Vanna has a new home and a new name!

Remember lovely blue-eyed Vanna and her beautiful Easter kittens: Bunny, Bonnet and Beau? Well, Vanna recently moved to her new home with a couple that was actually looking for a cat with Turkish Van coloring like Vanna -- most people haven't even heard of the breed.Her new name is Blithe and her new cat companion is Bunny. That may be just a little confusing since her daughter was also Bunny, but the two are getting along well. All of these photos are from her new home; the last three are of her new friend Bunny. The adopters report, "We are very happy to have her. She is a great addition to our family and we love her very much."

The Fun Girls are settled in their new home!

After fourteen months living in my house as fosters, Lana & Starlet finally found the right home. They are the only two cats in the house and there are aquariums for entertainment. Their adopter is an experienced cat owner who loves black cats and knew he wanted a pair. He found Lana and Starlet on the website and learned more from the blog. Even though Starlet hid during his entire visit to my house and Lana didn't want to be held, he was not deterred. I think you will enjoy the updates I have been receiving and the photos I got today.

Hi Denise, The weekend was great, but always too short. Lana is almost over her shyness and craves attention. She loves the sleeping area under the stairs. Starlet is more relaxed, but still very shy. She loves to sit on my 20 gallon aquarium or behind the Washer & Dryer. I'll let the cats explore the rest of the house Friday night. Starlet, has shown an interest in the single window in the laundry room, thus, I think she will be happy to have more widows to explore. Thanks, D
Hi Denise, The girls are great! They timidly started exploring the house on Friday and would run back to the laundry room (Basement) when ever they got nervous.The house has two levels (Basement and Main). Lana, seems comfortable and will jump up on my lap while I watch TV in the living room (Main level). She has been exploring the entire house and I'm not sure if she has a preferred spot. She has been extremely playful. Starlet, has explored the entire house and seems to like sitting at a window in the basement best. Lana, likes the same window, since it has a wide base to sit on and it is easy to jump to.
Thanks, D
Hi Denise, I just sent you 6 pictures in separate emails. Starlet, has finally gotten over most of her shyness. She has been extremely playful over the last 2 days. Yesterday, she jumped up on my lap for the first time while I was watching TV and demanded constant petting and purred like crazy. Lana, is very playful. Both cats were sleeping on my bed when I woke up this morning.

Thanks, D

NOTE FROM DENISE: WOW! I haven't even looked at the photos yet, but this is such great news. Thank you for being willing to trust that I knew how these cats would respond to you given some patience. I hope they are all you had hoped for. It sounds like it!

ONE MORE NOTE FROM ADOPTER: They are GREAT!

Peek-a-Boo update

We received another great update from one of our shelter alumni, Peek-a-Boo. It's obvious he is very loved!

Good morning!
Remember me? There's a picture of me attached to this email- my mom is typing it, but I'm telling her what to say;-) I want to thank you for all of the good care you gave me while I was there! Because of you, I am able to love and enjoy my new family and boy, do they love me back!

I love it when my mom brushes me (ooooh, I could just EAT that brush!!!!) and every night she reads before bed and that's my cue to jump right up in her lap. She can read and pet me at the same time!!

I love to sit in the windows and watch the birds in the feeders and to lay in the sun out on the porch! Sometimes if somebody I don't know comes over I'll just dive under my mom and dad's bed, but mostly if I just go to my mom, she tells me "it's ok Peekie, nobody's going to hurt you!"

I have a big brother that's 15 and starting to drive (yikes) and one sister who is 13 and she is a soccer star! Then I have 3 fuzzy feline brothers and boy, do I love the orange one, "Oliver"- we snuggle and sleep in the sun- he's my BESTest friend ! One of them has "special needs" my mom says, and he goes to the doctor a lot- mom found him in a bad neighborhood and he was almost dead from not eating!!! But my mom and the doctor fixed him up and now he has a little tummy like mine!

Well, I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much I love my home and how much I appreciate all of you. I would come and visit- but I'm still too afraid of the car- eeEEK! No thanks, so you'll have to just see in the picture that I'm very happy and (still) very good-looking ;-)
Love, Peek-a-Boo

Update on Penny + Johnson

Johnson was featured on the blog last spring, and we're happy to report he's been adopted with his friend Penny and they're doing great! They're a great pair of FIV+ kitties and seem to have adjusted wonderfully to their new home. Below is an update.

I just wanted to update everyone on how Penny & Johnson are doing since I adopted them. So far they've adjusted very quickly & are entertaining to have around. They love to sit on the window seat I bought for them & watch the birds. At night they lay on the couch with my boyfriend & I when we watch tv and also loved to be brushed. Every night Penny sleeps at the end of our bed & Johnson sleeps in his leopard printed bed that's on the floor next to me (our bed's a little too high for him to jump up on it, so i'm going to invest in some kitty stairs.) I've attached some photos.

Millie finds a home!

Last summer, this cute litter of five kittens and their mom cat entered the Feline Rescue foster system. The mama, Lucy Lou, was a very friendly girl, but her kittens were somewhat shy due to living under a porch for the first six weeks of their life. With socialization and time, the kittens tamed up and started finding homes. Not surprising, the colorful kittens were adopted first. The boys Willy, Mikey, and Joey went off to separate homes with great people. Lucy Lou was adopted too, and shortly after one of her kittens, Molly, went to join her in her home. Soon, only shy little Millie was left. Millie was the shyest of the bunch and she is also a black cat so she had a harder time finding that special person to adopt her. After a few months, we decided to move her from her foster home into our shelter where she would have more exposure and more socialization with various people, which would hopefully increase her chances of adoption.
At our shelter, Millie remained quite shy, but she was very receptive to a gentle pet and even accepted belly rubs when she felt comfortable. Her former foster mom is also a volunteer at the shelter, and she felt badly for poor Millie. Then one night, she had an idea. She emailed all of the people who adopted Millie's siblings letting them know that Millie was still searching for a home to accept her and love her as she is. Miraculously, the family who adopted Mikey last summer came to our shelter to take Millie home as well! So Millie has now rejoined her brother in their forever home! If we get updates we will be sure to share them.

Millie as a kitten, summer 2007

Millie now, all grown up

*****Congratulations, Millie!*****

In Memory of Hooch

Earlier this week, we received the sad news that Hooch (formerly Mooch) recently passed away. Hooch lived at our shelter for quite some time before finding the perfect home. Our condolences go out to all who knew and loved Hooch, including his best cat buddy, Jack, who was also adopted from Feline Rescue.

Jack (L) & Hooch (R)

It is with great sadness that I am informing you that one of your former cats Hooch (formerly Mooch) passed away from aortic thromboembolism (saddle thrombus) on Friday night. Hooch, an FIV+ cat was adopted by my friend Alicia Nolfi about 1.5 yrs ago. He met the love of his life Jack(who was also adopted from your facility) and they were inseparable (see pic). I believe he had the best 1.5yrs of his life... he was loved and transformed into an amazing and beautiful cat and he will be greatly missed.

An Update on Charlie Brown

Meet Charlie Brown, an alumnus from our shelter! At his initial vet exam he was found to be FIV positive, so we knew finding a home for him would be a bit more challenging. Happily, he was adopted last summer by some wondeful people. At Feline Rescue we know that cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives, and they deserve loving homes just like our other cats. Below is a wonderful update and some photos of him in his forever home.


We just got your letter, and wanted to let you all know that Charlie is doing just fine! He's the center of our universe and my constant companion as I work from home. He spends most of his afternoons in our 3 season porch watching the traffic and people outside. He's a true joy to have in our lives and sleeps between our feet at night - our foot warmer! We will pass the word to others who are considering adopting a cat and send them your way, because without Feline Rescue, we would never have found our Charlie Brown!

Adoption Update: Laddie

Laddie as a kitten, June 2007

About a year ago, this incredibly scrumptious little guy joined the Feline Rescue foster system. We knew that once he was ready for adoption, it wouldn't take long for someone to fall in love with him and take him home forever. Well, we were right! Shortly after being posted on Petfinder.com, Aladdin was adopted into a family who already had another young orange fluffy kitty named Jacy.

Aladdin's named was shortened to Laddie. Here is what his family has to say about him. Check out what a handsome cat Laddie has grown up to be!

Laddie is a big boy now -- he weighs around 12 pounds. Laddie & Jacy (our girl kitty who was a rescue from Gentle Touch Animal Sanctuary) are best buddies. They play together, groom each other, sit together, etc. They have gotten along since the second day Laddie came to our house. My husband and I are both very happy with both kitties -- we feel so fortunate to have them in our lives.

Laddie with his sister Jacy--Spring 2008

Jelly in bed

I just had to share this beautiful photo of Jelly sent in by her adopter. Jelly was one of the Sausage kittens. She and her shy sister Java (now Georgie) went to a new home together after a long wait for the perfect home. They are doing great.

Happy Birthday to the Country Cousins!

Last year S. had a group of kittens she called the Country Cousins because they came to Feline Rescue from a farm. It didn't take the beautiful tabbies long to settle in to city life. They were given pretty letter names: QT (Cutie) for the orange one, L (Elle) for the dilute tabby and the beautiful brown classic tabby twins were JJ for the male and GG (Gigi) for the female.

S. hated to think of separating them at all, but QT was the first adopted and he went alone to join a household with two other cats, where he was renamed Parmesan. (How cheesie is that??).
The latest update from their home:

I'm sure you are looking forward to your kitties first birthday as I am to Parmesan's. I must say, if you are half as delighted with your kits as I am mine we have all been blessed with a wonderful, comical little friends for a lifetime. One day I looked at Parmesan as he was dozing near me and I said to him "I hope we get to be together for a good, healthy 18 years." My girl cats are still annoyed with his presence, however, with Jemma being on Prozac they actually play together! Ivy my almost 10 year old could give a rats behind about him. He's always grabbing her and pulling her down to the floor and she has a hard time getting back up. I call him my kitty mafia hitman.

J.

Next Elle and JJ went together. They are doing great at their new home:

JJ has learned how to open doors!! If you're in the bathroom or bedroom without the door being locked, he jumps up and turns the knob with his two front paws and after a couple tries, the door comes swinging open!! Toilet paper and paper towels and jumping on the counter are still fun games to Elle and JJ, but a spray bottle has improved their behavior.

Every once in a while (not while it was super cold) we take them into our small backyard on little harnesses and leashes. They love exploring the grass and our garden and doing their bird call when a bird lands near by in a tree. JJ loves climbing a small fruit tree in our garden- with a little help under supervision, he gets so excited! They always love coming back inside too cause they get a little treat when their harnesses come off. As soon as you grab the harnesses, Elle sits down and purrs while you put it on her. JJ didn't like the harness much at the beginning, but now he sits down too!

Elle's favorite toy: water- whenever she can get the chance to be by water, she loves sticking her paws in it and cleaning them. JJ's favorite toy: a little pink and purple feathery sparkling purse that used to have cotton filling- we crack up whenever he plays with it, which is everyday- he tosses it up in the air, carries it around in his mouth, and sleeps with it.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful cats. In the 10 cats I've had since I was 3 years old- none of them compare to Elle and JJ. They are a precious gift and we thank God for creating such amazing creatures!

R. & M.

S. worried about Gigi without all her sibs, but she found a perfect spot, too. A woman who adopted twin gray kitties from me a couple of years ago, was looking for a new friend for her older cat Oliver, who had just lost his buddy.

Gigi has become Nellie. It was not my intention to give her a new name but Mely Belly eventually became Nellie Mely Belly and after a few “Whoa Nellie’s”, I found she was answering to it. I think it suits her. She’s a doll. You can see from the pictures she’s made lots of friends.

Last night I watched her trying to turn a box right side up always keeping an eye behind to prevent ambush by the dogs. I wanted so much to help her but sometimes the journey is more fun than the end. She was enjoying herself.

I think Oliver is still not sure about the whole thing. Sometimes I imagine him telling me, “Mom, she’s bothering me again.” She keeps him on his toes! He’s definitely brighter and even his appetite seems to be improving.

Like I said, she’s a little darling and has fit in beautifully. Thanks so much.

P.

We estimated that the Cousins were born near the end of April in 2007, so their first birthday is right about now. Happy Birthday, Parmesan, JJ, Elle, and Nellie!

Don't you just love happy endings?!