Falling in Love

The fronts and back of my shrug are now done, and I promise photos when the sun comes out! I also have a new yarn sale purchase to share. :)

Some of you know that I work at our local cat shelter. People often say things like, "it must be so hard to see all of the cats without homes. If I worked there, I'd be so sad. I'd have to take them all home!" I understand what they mean, though seeing the cats in our shelter makes me feel good. So many are taken off the street or out of neglectful situations, and into a clean, safe, no-kill environment. They no longer are at risk of starvation or attack by car, animal, or human. Unless they are sick, they walk around freely in rooms and each has their own bed. They are given as much food and water and medical care as they need, and we give them as much attention as we can until they find their new homes. Knowing this, I feel like I'm visiting friends at their house every week.

Unlike some of the volunteers, I don't feel I can adopt or even foster our shelter's cats. My Timmy and Rainy are not easy-going, flexible cats and would never ever tolerate a newcomer. Timmy hid upstairs in our bedroom for a month when Rainy and Rosie first came to live with us after Charlie died. Rainy still resents sharing a house with Tim and Rosie, and I'm still occasionally cleaning the marked carpets of her displeasure. So, honestly, I don't let myself get too attached.

But do I fall in love? Rarely, yes. A cat will come to the shelter, and I think "if only." And here is one of those sweethearts that I would take home in a minute if I could. Meet Popcorn.

Her meow rings like a bell, and when you pet her, she purrs loudly and deeply and rolls on her back, collapsing in the joy of it. She loves people, and is so bright, talkative, and interested in everything. She was rescued outdoors from a neglectful situation, and is currently being treated for some sort of wound-allergy on her side. Each week I have to put a topical medication on the wound (she gets it 2x a day, from whoever is on shift), and we feed her a low-allergy food. It's healing pretty well now. Up until this week, she's had a clear plastic stiff cone around her head to prevent her from licking off the ointment, but when I saw her last Sunday, she had this new blue ballerina skirt and I am just over the top every time I see her in it.

I want her to find a family that will give her all the love and care she deserves, and perhaps as soon as she heals, someone will come and fall in love like I have. But you'll have to forgive me if I hope that doesn't happen for a good long time yet.

Comments

[Erika]

Yeah, I get that way too with some of the cats that come through Cat City. My latest is a Persian mix who was grumpy for ages but then last week sat on my lap twice and drooled when I petted her (she hadd been moved into a bigger room that she had to herself). Unfortunately she's been moved back to the cages so she's gotten grumpy again.

[Chris]

Oh, my, that ballerina skirt is something else!! Poor baby. Her dignity...

[Sydney]

Popcorn looks like she's handling the ballerina skirt very well! Maybe she was just happy to get rid of the cone.

[Kara]

Oh, she looks just like my kitty, Patches, that I had when I was a little girl. Sweet thing.

[Robin]

Oh, what a precious girl she is! I love the part about her meow ringing like a bell. Sweet!

[Bubblesknits]

Pretty girl. Give her some pets for me.

[Jodi]

AW, Popcorn sounds like a real sweetie! Here's hoping she finds a marvelous forever home soon.

[Dorothy W.]

I can see that it would be very satisfying to know that the cats you work with are all safe and well-cared for, when the alternative is so sad. It would be hard not to get attached though. That picture is really adorable!