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Last Sunday morning, Christopher Robin headed out for a run. About a half hour after he left, my phone rang. “We have a situation,” he said.
My mind immediately raced to all the disasters it might be: he’d fallen and broken an ankle….had a car accident…been bitten by a rattlesnake. And I didn’t have a car! What would I do? Who would I call? I would…
It sank in that his voice was pretty calm. He is English, so that doesn’t always mean anything, but still. “What situation?” I asked.
“There is a cat here.”
Oh, that kind of situation! Turned out that a cat had found him in the parking area of this wild park. It’s heavily wooded, far from any houses, and thick with coyotes, foxes, bears and other cat-threatening creatures. The cat was friendly, and attached himself to CR, and well….he thought he wanted to take him to the emergency vet and see about…well, maybe…um…bringing him home if all was well.
Here is a guy who had no animals at all when we met. I had five—two dogs and three cats, every last one of them a rescue. Every last one of them found me, not the other way around. He took us all in without blinking an eye. What could I say?
I said, of course. Get him checked out. Run the leukemia tests, all that stuff. We’ll make it work.
Then he sent me a cell phone photo o
f the sweetest Siamese face. And I knew exactly who sent this little big boy. CR loved my ancient snow-point Siamese SO MUCH, she was the cat who showed him how cat-love can be. She was fifteen years old when we came to live here, and she deserted me the minute we arrived, going to sit on his shoulder, where she perched until she died at 23 last January (in her sleep, on his legs as he slept, I might add…can you imagine a more peaceful transition than that?). He loves the other animals, but misses Esmerelda.
Recently, I had that sense of Esmerelda behind the scenes. “I think Ezzie is sending you someone,” I said to CR. He is patient with my belief in things beyond this realm, but doesn’t necessarily share it. He murmured a variation of “yes, dear,” and that was that.
Until Sunday. The cat turned out to be chipped, giving us his name and age, Neko, age three, but all the contact information is out of date. It’s hard to imagine how such a friendly, well-fed fellow ended up in that park, honestly, but things do happen. (If your animals have chips, is the information correct?) The law says Neko (Japanese for cat) has to stay in the Humane Society for five days until we can claim
Esmerelda, age 21
him, to give his owners a chance. If they come forward, all is well. I’ll be happy for everybody.
If not, and I suspect this is the more likely scenario, we have gained a new rescue. I have not broken the news to the others, but you know… things work out. Esmerelda sent a new companion to keep her man company, and we’ll make it work.
Of course, Neko has to be picked up on Saturday, when I am having a big party that has been in the planning stages for two months, and my son is coming in for the weekend, and….well, things work out, right? All is well.
Has an animal ever chosen you? Do you have a rescue tale to share?
P.S. This kind of thing is why I love this guy. Wouldn’t you?
P.S.P.S. Esmerelda is one of the animals in a medieval romance I wrote, A Winter Ballad.
85 Comments on “A (Possible) New Arrival”
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Several years ago I was taking my son into town for work and as we passed the dam there was dog in the middle of the road trying not to get run over, My son insisted we stop to get the dog to safety and we tried for nearly 30 minutes to get it to no avail, DS even went back to the house for hot dogs to coax it with. Finally I had to get him to work so I left. Coming back the dog was still there so I stopped again to coax it out of the road. After about 45 minutes of the dog coming close only to retreat I was nearly in tears and ready to throw in the towel, so I told it I had to go and it calmly walked over and sat down on my feet. I opened the car door and told the dog to get in and miracle of miracles it did. That was the day I acquired a brindle colored pit-bull named Annie. Annie was named after another pit who she looked just like and had the same gentle, protective personality. I adored her and still grieve the fact I had to finally let her go to the rainbow bridge.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 3:44 am.
Oh, hooray for such a challenging rescue, and for a pit bull, too–they get such a bad rap.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:19 am.
In my opinion Pits aren’t any more dangerous than other breeds, it’s what others do to them that makes them dangerous. The dogs I trust the least are little yap-yap rat dogs, they sneak up and bite from behind. My mom adores her rat-dog, okay she is kinda cute and she loves my mom so that’s a plus. She was a found dog as well. My sister and I saw her in the street when we were on our way somewhere and running late. So we called our friend & neighbor who does animal rescue to tell her about the dog. She got her and promptly took her to our mom and said it was from us. We tried to find the owner but it didn’t happen, so she has a traveling companion. The doctor even wrote a prescription for the dog so it can go on planes and trains with her.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:01 pm.
I completely agree with you. Pits are very smart, loyal dogs. They can be trained to do anything, but their nature is quite loving and loyal.
Love that your mom gets to bring her dog everywhere. I’d love to bring my dog with me like that!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:51 pm.
Good luck with the cat.
People used to drop off black cats near my parents house. At one point, there were 15 cats. Most of them were black and did not grow up there. Other people would steal the siamese looking cats.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 4:26 am.
I read recently that black cats are the least adopted of any. Which is why I have my two.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:20 am.
As kids, we were never allowed pets (my father was dead set against them), and of course always wanted one. So I was very glad I discovered a little kitten in the back of our garden, apparently abandoned. I crept out of the house to bring it food and drink, and then began my assault on my father’s senses, helped by my sister and mother. what could the poor guy do but give in? The kitten was allowed in and baptised Prutske (a flemish word for a little thing). A very sweet cat, but alas, he died in traffic not a year later.
The following year I began to work (in Germany, to teach the children of Belgian military there) and found a friend in Jos, who had a cat at home. She was a fullbred Siamese and she’d had ‘an accident’ he told me one day. The cat of their neighbors (a pure Persian) had gotten over the fence – and the result were two cute kittens. They needed a home, and would I not take one of them? I said yes of course, so after a while the kitten was transferred into my care (at a parking along the motorway) and I brought it home. This one we calle Pluche, because it had so much hair. It was rather a wild cat, with a mind of its own, but he could be ever so sweet when he wanted. He gave us cat-kisses when we came home from work (he jumped up the table to put his nose against ours) and when we went away for a trip, we had to get into his good grace once more, because he remembered we’d abandoned him!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 5:15 am.
What a sweet story…and even if Prutske didn’t live a long time, you gave him a home for the time he was here.
I have had cats that sulk when I leave them. I have to get back into Gabi’s good graces when I travel, but she’s not too bad.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:19 am.
I think my Chow mix Samantha chose me too. She was the runt of a litter who’s mother wasn’t feeding her anymore and was waiting for me to rescue her. When I took her home her eyes weren’t open yet and she wasn’t walking. Everyone told me she wouldn’t make it. I bottle fed her every two hours for the first two weeks. She slept in a basket by my bed. She is now nine and we have a really strong bond. Sam taught me an important lesson of not listening to what others say or think but do what I think is right. I know that if not for me she would not have made it but I think that she saved me, too. She gave me a purpose.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 6:26 am.
Oh, Aida, lucky Samantha! (And lucky you, for finding her!)
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:20 am.
Years ago as a kid my parents moved into an apartment that allowed cats as pets so we went to a pound to take a look at them for adopting. one of the cats in a cage alone wound up acting really friendly towards me like she was saying “Take me home.” I wound up falling in love with her and took her home the next day. I had that cat Patches a calico for eleven years till she was put to sleep due to suffering from cancer that was too much for her. Anyway a few weeks later dad and I went to another pound where there were multiple kittens acting friendly and I sort of zeroed onto two of them both alone in cages without realizing that they came in together and were sisters which we wound up adopting Tyger and Willow.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 6:44 am.
Hooray for pound cats! Kisses to Tyger and Willow. (And sending one heavenward for Patches.)
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:21 am.
My Acheron was adopted from the RSPCA. Although he is my kitty, he seems to have adopted New Guy as his go to guy for cuddles. Prue (another cat) adopted my family from a local demolition place. She was promptly desexed and plumped right up. She was a little nuts but most of my cats have been that way so it was no big deal for me. New Guy and I are seriously thinking about adopting another cat to be a brother or sister for Acheron. Congratulations on the new member of the family and the (possible) new baby is gorgeous. I would love to have a Seal Point Siamese, they are such intelligent and beautiful cats.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:08 am.
My father loves Siamese, Kelly, so I grew up with them. They are such amazing cats. I’ve had blue points, snow points, seal points, Himalyans, and one tabby point. They are definitely eccentric, but so pretty and often, very particularly loving toward a certain member of the family. My son has one now who is a giant Siamese with long hair that’s the softest I’ve ever felt on a cat.
Hope you find the right sibling for Acheron. Cats do like to be in pairs, don’t they?
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:23 am.
Most cats do but Acheron gets jealous pretty easy, he’s the Klingon version of a cat I’m afraid.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:49 am.
Awwww!!!! I hope you get to keep Neko!
Our cat found us. I love her dearly.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:23 am.
Me, too! But I’m sure he’d be super happy if his owners find him, too.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:23 am.
After Hunter passed, Wicket, who’d always had a pack, had no one. So Hubble and I went to the SPCA to get our dog a dog. The days of five dogs and six cats were over, but after that, two dogs and a cat is nothing.
We went looking for a large breed, preferably a Saint Bernard. As we walked though, this little Red Yukon leaned against the fence and “talked” to us (huskies rarely bark, but they do vocalize) the whole time as if to say, “Hey, I’m here. Why are you still looking?” Huskies also molt. We’d had one years ago, and Wicket is a Shepherd/Husky mix. Another molter didn’t rank high on my list, but she persisted, and I couldn’t resist. Jazzy has been with us a little over a year. It’s taken most of that time for her to trust she won’t be left outside, that we will come home again, and that playing with Wicket—even in the house—is okay, but I’m so glad she chose us that day. So both our girls have blue eyes and huskie ‘tudes. It’s all good.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:33 am.
Oh, huskies are such great dogs! I love them even though they do molt (and molt and molt and molt and molt and….) but all the cleverness and sense of humor they show makes it worth while.
Poor Jazzy, to have so many traumas. Don’t you love making her life better?
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:25 am.
He’s adorable.
Once upon a time when I was a waitress at Big Boy, someone found a kitten in the garbage. (What is wrong with people?) My girlfriend took him home, even though she wasn’t allowed to have a cat and tried to hide him in her room.
That night, after her dad found him, she showed up at my door with Diego in a shoebox. I already had a cat, but my dad was a softie and let me keep Diego. He was the best cat.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:41 am.
Your kitty’s story reminds me of the one of Dewey who was found in a library book return chute. That book and the sequel made me cry.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 10:59 am.
Poor Diego. So glad you got to keep him. Really, what IS wrong with people? Cats seem even more disposable than dogs.
My son’s cat is one some girls found, soaking wet near a river, when he was playing in a band. It was shivering and too young to be away from his mother, but Miles saved him, nursed him with a bottle, and he has grown into a big, beautiful thing.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:27 am.
I think I just fell in love with CR.
Nathan – so cool, gave love and withheld affection in equal parts. Knew to always leave them wanting more. The day Mom called in 2003 to say come say goodbye, I passed out, got a concussion and a black eye that wouldn’t open for days. When I got out of the emergency room, Nathan decided he had a few more weeks till he was leaving this mortal coil. I visited him daily during that time.
I’ve been thinking of Nathan a lot this week because I remember going to see my hockey team vie for the Cup with my black eye, probably the only chick in the crowd who resembled the battered players. My team is finally back fighting for the Cup. Let’s pretend they’re doing it in remembrance of Nathan.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:43 am.
Oh, you poor thing! A black eye and concussion. Glad you got to spend some more time with Nathan.
Just think, all of our babies who lived out their lives on this plane are romping together on the other side.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:28 am.
ah that is so sweet. I hope you get to keep the cat.
When I was little my brother found a cat newborn after a storm, he was only allowed per mom to stay a few weeks. Tiger was with us for 20 plus years.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:56 am.
I hope so, too.
Yay for tiger. That’s a long life for a cat!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:29 am.
I’ve told the story of Sweetums on here before:
Sweetums name used to be Smokie. She was the cat next door, and her family left her out overnight and well into the next day, declawed and unfed. I’d see her huddled next to the back door on cold days. I’ve babysat the kids once or twice while mom was away, so I knew her, but she was a stand off-ish kitty in their house, hiding in a closet.
One Boxing day I came home from my sister’s and the kitty was shivering in a snowbank. Looking so pitiful, she came up my steps when I called and into the house, where I fed her leftover christmas turkey and she huddled in a fleece blanket to warm up for hrs. The neighbours didn’t come home for another 7 days. yep. really. I heard my neighbour call her and Sweetums ears twitched but otherwise, did not move from her blanket cave. I let her leave to go home when she wanted out, only to have her return the next day. This back and forth went on for a week or two, until her absense from my place was only a half hr.
She’s been mine since. That was 6 yrs ago, and she’s my snuggle girl. when she is really happy, she drools on me . but sadly, when she hears the kids next door outside , she finds a blanket to cave herself in.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:08 am.
this morning, she is snuggled up on a warm rad (landlord put the heat on since it’s been damp and cool here) with her kitty buddy Luna. the rad has a shelf and on the shelf is a small fleeced pillow blanket. just for the cats. not that they are spoiled.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:12 am.
Laughing. I don’t know anything about spoiled cats (or dogs).
So glad you were there for Sweetums. Does she drool because of a lack of teeth? I have one who has been losing teeth and that’s what she does.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:30 am.
no, she just drools when she’s happily purring on my belly. i had another at yrs ago who did the same thing- except, he hugged me while doing it. also a rescue
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:47 pm.
Awww, what a long life Esmerelda had. Neko is beautiful and I hope you get to keep him.
As for your Christopher Robin, he sounds like a keeper!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:29 am.
CR is definitely a keeper.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:31 am.
Diana chose me. And she was with me for 14 years. She was my cat even when she was a 1 lb rescue kitten my vet put into my hands and said… I have a caretaker for her until she’s well, but she needs a home. ANd she had be sniffling and sneeing and mewing until they put her into my hands and then she just nuzzled in.
My two current terrors Prince Fluffypants (aka Mason) and Bebe chose me as well, but I went to a shelter to scout the prospects so…
Good luck if you end up with the new arrival.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:38 am.
You made yourself available for them to choose you.
Love the name Prince Fluffypants.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:31 am.
My dog Alexis chose me. She is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We were interested in the breed and found a breeder a couple of hours away. When we arrived we quickly surmised the nice lady breeder must live in the station wagon in the middle of the yard, and the other twenty some dogs lived in the house. Sheesh. We were going to leave, but this one dog kept following us. She would look up at us with those big brown eyes, almost pleading for us to take her out of there. My heart broke, and we drove off with a beautiful six month old puppy.
Fastforward two years. I was perusing the internet for a dog for my bosses when I “accidentally” found another Cavalier. After contacting the man who had her we quickly learned that he rescued her from a breeder. We grabbed Alexis and drove to meet them. She was nervous, shy, and scared, but she came to us every time we called her. The man who owned her said that seven people had looked at her before us, and not one of them could get her attention. I am happy to say that ever since that day she has lived with us. It was touchy for a while. She did not like any man that came near. Now she is fine, and will not leave Other Half’s side. My father says she won the doggie lottery. She may not have chose us at first, but now I’m sure she wouldn’t choose anyone else!
I hope it all works out well for you and the beautiful cat!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:57 am.
That’s a lovely story, that she came when you called. She knew you would be good to her.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:32 am.
Our latest rescue is a little white female kitty. She showed up at our house years ago as a tiny,starving skittish ball of dirt. My husband (who will tell you he is not really a cat person)spent 2 weeks gaining her trust. She never strayed far but didn’t really want to get close enough to touch. 4 years later she is still skittish around strangers and children but loves us.
My best story was from years ago. It was 8 in the morning and my boss came to me asking me to look out the window. Some lady just threw what looked like a rug in the street. Well that rug got up and went running back to her. Now my work is on a busy street and we watched in horror and she threw the dog again. Then this man came down the street pushing his shopping cart (with the wordly possessions) and they started to argue. Net thing you know he had kicked the puppy against a wall. We thought he killed it and he just lay there. We called the cops and two of our PO’s went to talk to them. This man actually told the cops they were arguing with the dog. Animal control came and picked up the dog. We are a building of animal lovers and started a collection for his rescue. Over $300 was collected to pay the vet fees (they broke his leg), the doggie jail fees and supplies for his new home….mine. Turns out he was a retriever mix and he was one of the best dogs I’ve ever owned. it broke my heart when we had to put him to sleep 3 years ago. He had internal tumors and although they said they could be removed, it would probaby be a surgery that had to be repeated every few years and that really wouldn’t be good for him so we make that heart wrenching decision to say goodbye to a loyal companion after 9 years. To this day hubby still won’t accept us getting another dog.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:26 am.
That really is a great rescue story. Again….what is WRONG with people? I suspect in the karmic realm, cruelty to animals and children is one of the highest crimes of all.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:34 am.
I’m waiting for a cat to find my daughter. We had two old cats that got sick at about the same time. We had to make the decision to put them to sleep. My daughter really misses her cat. So, I’m just waiting for the time when the cat finds her. I would love it if the Universe sent her a litter-trained kitten.
I found our dog on the grocery store’s bulletin board. I looked at the picture and knew I found our dog. He is a mini-schnauzer. That was about three years ago. The people we got him from live near us, and will always stop and talk to me when we’re out walking. They were so happy that the puppy found a home, and he is the perfect dog for us.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 10:04 am.
That’s a very sweet story, and it’s wonderful that the old owners can see him sometimes.
Beaming litter-trained kitten vibes toward your daughter RIGHT NOW!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:35 am.
Our last dog chose me. We went to the pound and it was full of dogs, but this one literally caught my eye and all but spoke to me. I knew she would be a great friend, and she was. I still miss her, but the new puppy is full of love too.
Of course this is one reason you love him. I think it is wonderful how guys allow themselves to be sentimental about animals. Maybe because the love is uncomplicated.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 10:55 am.
Only some guys get sentimental about animals, however. Most of the good ones do.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:36 am.
ooooh! Neko is adorable. Either way this tale turns out this weekend will be good. I just want to pet his little head!
I think all my animals have found me in some way. My first cat, Adrian, came to me out of a group of 3 litters and 4 people. Jack was found on the side of the highway where someone had tossed him and the rest of his litter. A friend rescued him and he was the last one when I stopped through town to say hi.
Natasha was a rescue I saw at a big expo and my ex liked her.. we saw her again at a random pet store showing off for adoption – we took her home that day.
Mags was a puppy that some guy was pawning off at Wal-Mart.
Shadow was the only dog I really looked at when I went to the shelter to see what dogs were there. I saw him and just knew.
I am a firm believer that when I am ready for another companion (animal anyway, doesn’t seem to work as well with human males. heh) a great match will show up. It has always been the case with me.
Well done, CR, for rescuing such a handsome little feline and I can’t wait to hear about how the story unfolds. Special thanks to Esmerelda as well.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 10:58 am.
It *can* work that way with human males. When you are ready…
You can see him, I hope!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:37 am.
Aw, what a sweet story!
I have no rescue stories of my own, unfortunately. We live in a townhouse with animal restrictions. We have a dog (a Chihuahua named Lady) and a bird (a cocketeil named Sophie), but that’s it.
Oh wait! I stand corrected. When I was 13, a teacher I knew found a budgie in the schoolyard at lunchtime. She made announcements over the PA and asked if anyone had lost a bird… sure enough, no one came forward. She then asked her daughter to ask her friends if they wanted a bird. I leapt at the chance (I was not allowed any pets with fur while I was growing up, so this was my only chance to have a pet that wasn’t a fish).
I brought the green budgie home and named him Eddie. He was my best friend. He stayed on my shoulder while I did homework, and he played with me when I was lonely. He gave kisses and ate veggies from my fingers. I loved him. He lived with me for 10 years and then began losing his feathers. He was nearly bald by the time he passed away, but he was playful and chirpy until the day he did.
When I move out of this townhouse and into a home with no restrictions, I plan to have an aviary and several rescue dogs in residence.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:00 am.
Cheri, what a sweet story! I had a good friend who loved budgies very much and always had them. Lots of personality!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:29 pm.
Aw, teared me up.
When you rescue an animal they rescue you right back.
Thanks for the wonderful share.
You are truly blessed.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:02 am.
That’s so true, Nitty. Every single time.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:29 pm.
When I was growing up, my dad was a car salesman. In the winter, he would start the cars in the used car lot. One car made a strange noise, when he looked under the hood, he found a Siamese kitten. He brought her home. I named her Simonetta. When my grandmother’s cat died, we gave her Simonetta. She renamed it Tiny. After my grandparents died, Tiny returned to my parents. All my animals have been rescue animals. Good luck with the new addition to your family.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:07 am.
Simonetta was a very lucky kitten!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:30 pm.
this is really a rescue for me, but my mom and dad were up on the mountain and a dog came up to them all mangy and flea bitten, but she was the sweetest hound mix. so mom took her to the vet got her fixed up and well and she ended up being her dog for 13 years until they had to put her down this past december. but her name was punkin. so she did choose us
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:29 am.
She definitely did choose you…and she was lucky to find such loving people.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:30 pm.
About a year and a half ago one my my hubby and I’s friend got back from deployment and got a Basset Hound without really consulting his wife- that lasted about 9 weeks before she made an announcement on facebook that they needed to get rid of Snickers and would anyone take her because otherwise she had to go to a shelter. So of course my husband and I said yes (even though he really wanted a pitbull) and drove down to get her. It ended up being a good thing that we did as she ended up having HUGE behavior issues- and health issues (she has severe allergies and acid reflux). My husband and I spent so much time on Snickers working on her behavior that even our trainer remarked how most people would have given up on her. We love Snickers like she’s our daughter and are so glad that she pretty much fell into our laps.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:56 am.
Thank goodness you’re the one who landed Snickers and gave her so much love and attention!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:54 pm.
A man who loves animals and kids is always a keeper
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:02 pm.
Oh, what a sweet face! I’m so glad she found your husband!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:02 pm.
Our kids were young and wanted a dog so we went to a shelter and looked at all kinds of dogs and in the last cage was a cairn terrier. The shelter lady said none of the workers could get close to her so I had kids and hubby stay back while I went up there to the cage,she was balled up in the corner she saw me and jumped into my arms.The shelter lady said she had never seen anything like it and I took her to hubby and kids and we all dog included fell in love.Shelter lady said they had just decided that morning to put her to sleep.We took her home that day.We called her Reba(She had red hair) she lived out her days as a beloved family pet,she died 2 years ago but I hope she new just how much she was loved.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:18 pm.
Gail, this story brought tears to my eyes. (A lot of them have, actually–it makes me so happy that we’re such a loving, giving lot.)
I love it that her name was Reba.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:33 pm.
Yes, I would love that guy, Barbara. You are very lucky. And I also believe in things beyond this realm, which is why I can say unequivocally that a couple of dogs in my life have chosen me, much like one of my sisters chose me in this life.
I hope you get the cat!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:08 pm.
I love it that one of your sisters chose you in this life. One of my sisters and I have been together in many lives, I think.
He’s a really good guy. Maybe finding him at midlife made me smarter about choosing.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:32 pm.
What a gorgeous cat! And what a real hero you have in CR ! My kind of man. And I truly believe Esmerelda sent this new baby your way. They do that, you know.
When my deaf Great Dane, Glory, was fighting her second bout with cancer, my neighbors called in a panic because their female chihuahua had attacked her own 4 week old puppies. I took my little vet tech kit up and patched the puppies up and advised my neighbors to get some puppy formula and start feeding the puppies. I brought the runt home with me as he was the most severely injured. She nearly took his eye out! I fully intended to get him healthy and give him back so they could find him a home. Glory looked after him so diligently, so carefully. Imagine a Great Dane with a four-week-old chihuahua! After a few weeks I took the puppy back up the hill to my neighbors. BIG MISTAKE! Glory howled. She searched the house. She walked the floors. I had to go and get “her” puppy back. That is how Frodo the Horrible came into my life. And six weeks later, my darling Glory-girl snuggled in bed with me, Frodo and my cat, Rebecca slipped away in her sleep on Christmas Eve Day. I have no doubt she insisted on keeping Frodo because she knew she would be leaving me soon. Who knew such a little dog could fill such big paws?
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:20 pm.
What a touching story, Louisa. Every single part of it. I love the visual of that giant, gentle dog tending such a tiny wounded creature. I love that Glory brought you a new baby to love to ease the pain of her transition. I love that dogs and cats are all so danged amazing.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:35 pm.
a kitten found my brother out playing beside our babysitter’s house when he was 4 – I was 9. he fell in love with the kitten, of course, and the babysitter called to warn my mom what she’d get asked when she got there to pick us up. it was a Friday afternoon and she had never had a cat so she wasn’t very excited. my brother never let go of the kitten so to get him home she told him the kitten could stay for the weekend. that cat lived with me, and later dh and i, until she died the morning before we were going to have to put her to sleep because she had cancer. we had her 17 years.
we’ll keep our fingers crossed for your family and neko!!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm.
What a long and happy life!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:55 pm.
How lovely! What a beautiful cat. I’m so glad he won’t have to try and survive in such a harsh environment and can relax in a warm, cozy home. All our pets have been rescues. My parents’ pets were all rescues. I’m not sure I’d recognize any other way to get a pet!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:29 pm.
It is the way to go, isn’t it?
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:55 pm.
What a beautiful kitty!
My dad was not a pet person, but we still managed to have some cats. All of our cats, who are too numerous to name, adopted me as their person. All of them, except Sheba, who was a rescue cat and had been abused as a kitten, slept with me. In all the time that Sheba was with us, I was the only person who could pet her past her neck and head. That was only some of the time. At one point I had 4 cats sleeping with me, and following me around the house, even though, 2 of them were supposed to be my sisters’ cats. This is why I’m deathly allergic to cats and carry an epipen. It kills me because I miss having cats around to sit in my lap, to pet, to get in the way, wake me up in the morning, etc.
I hope you’re able to adopt Neko, and add him to your family.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 3:03 pm.
I’m so sorry you are that desperately allergic to cats, Janae, particularly because it sounds like you have the touch. Maybe the allergies will abate as you get old. That happened to my uncle.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:57 pm.
Oh he is such a cutie.. Congrats on your New Arrival.. I cannot have animals where I live. But i have lots furry nieces and nephews that love me…
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 3:46 pm.
Furry nieces and nephews count! Big time.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:57 pm.
HA! I have a situation :p So totally something my husband would say. I’m not sure if we’ve chosen or been chosen by our cats. We usually go for one and end up with 2 (always litter mates). My husband has been clamoring for a Siamese lately but I told him no more because 2 is my limit at the moment…at least until I can convince him that dogs really aren’t that bad. You an CR are good people
I hope you get to keep the new one!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 3:51 pm.
I know…4 cats is a lot. Luckily, we have lots of room, and a storage area in the basement for litter boxes, with windows and bare floors.
Good idea to trade a dog for a Siamese! Hope you get what you want.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:59 pm.
Oh, absolutely! All of our pets are rescues, as well. My wonderful, and sorely missed, cat we got at our local animal shelter. She chose us….she walked to the front of her cage and rubbed it until we opened it to pet her. She was almost 19 when she died…and I’m still heartbroken and so is my daughter. As soon as our beagle brought back a tennis ball at the shelter, my hubby knew that was the dog for us.
As far as true strays, we have had several of those too. There are several wild cats in our neighborhood, and we had one that had apparently had babies before. We called her Big Mama.
She was HUGE–really long and pretty tall as well. She also was rather unusual in that she had at least 6 toes on her back feet, and 7 on the front two. She looked like Morris in coloring, but she was so sweet. She would follow you around the front yard, and rub all over you. She would come inside some, but usually preferred outside. I think she died because we haven’t seen her in over 3 months… 
Now, there’s a boy cat–a young Siamese looking cat. My daughter nicknamed him LeeBoy. He has BEAUTIFUL light blue eyes and really pale coloring. He’s really skittish though, and hardly lets anyone pet him.
We rescued a cute little dog that appears to be a Yorkie in a bad rainstorm a few weeks ago. She was just running up and down the street with no collar. We checked and there is no chip either. No one has put up any signs for her–really makes me sad because she’s a good dog. But, she has adopted me as Mom now. She follows me EVERYWHERE. Sleeps at my feet or on my lap and is waiting anxiously as soon as she hears my car. I need to take her to the vet and make it official.
We call her Zoey. She and our beagle get a long fine, but she gets along great with my daughter’s cat. They all chase each other all over the house, then curl up in the chair and rest. It’s precious.
I’m grateful for all of my rescues. They love me and I love them.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 5:45 pm.
Hugs on your broken heart, Julie.
And wow, you have a lot of rescues in your world. I have had several cats with many toes–one of them was Esmerelda, actually. Sorry you might have lost her, but it’s always good to give them all love.
Happy that you and Zoey have found love, too. I’m really happy for Zoey–she landed in a good place.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:46 pm.
Awww! I love your story!Your husband sounds like a sweetie. We can’t have cats due to my husband’s allergies.I did adopt a hamster – my son was working at a pet store & someone had brought it in. They moved into a house & the previous owner had left the poor little guy. I was imagining an empty house with only a hamster cage sitting on the counter. I think he was kind of old, but he made it another 6 mos.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 5:57 pm.
That’s terrible, Sharlene! A hamster rescue is definitely a rescue. A big round of applause for you.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:47 pm.
PS. I am crying, reading all of these touching stories!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 6:02 pm.
IAwww! Love your story. My kitty Ali is an adopted kitty. She picked me out when she meowed right at me. I then put my hands up to her cage and she started licking my fingers. (Her way of giving kisses) She then came home with me and is super spoiled and much loved.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 6:52 pm.
Yay for spoiled, rescued kitties! (Sweet that she likes to lick your fingers. I haven’t had a cat who did that for a long time. )
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:48 pm.
I think all of our animals have been rescues…and most of them were rescuing us.
Great story!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:27 pm.
Many years ago (almost 20 years ago) I was shopping with a friend. We decided to stop at a local pet shop to look at all of the pretty birds and fish. This pet shop didn’t usually carry dogs or cats. On this day, there were a few dogs in cages. It turns out that they store was helping out the local dog rescue by showcasing a few dogs and helping to get the adopted. I stopped at a crate with a fabulous little mutt in it. I opened the lid (yes, the door on the top) and that little bugger jumped straight up into my arms. Well, that was it. He had adopted me and there was no going back. Henry lived with us for the next 9 years. It took me years to heal after he died.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 8:41 pm.
Henri sounds like a special dog.
One of the other things I love about CR is that one of his businesses helps rescue dogs. They placed more than 100 abandoned, abused dogs last year!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:49 pm.
That is the sweetest story ever! I hope Neko comes to stay!
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 10:37 pm.
Crossing fingers. Tomorrow we know.
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:49 pm.
He’s ours! Neko checked out, and CR sprang him from jail this afternoon. He’s now cozy with my son for the night.
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:35 pm.