Okay. Time for the full-blown Puddin’ post.
This morning, I was at the doors of Petsmart just as they opened, to do the shopping for Pudding. This cat has it all–bed and blankies, alfalfa grass to nibble, jingly balls and bouncy balls and sparkly balls, Greenies treats, a laser pointer, a rhinestone collar… you know that I would be a sucker for all that stuff, didn’t you?
Cat gear … $233.54
Yarn to crochet cat afghan … $5.63
Adoption fee … $75
Pudding … priceless
Pudding had been in the shelter since July, if you can believe it. I can’t. Things must be truly dismal for adult cats in shelters, because she’s not only beautiful and unusual (have you ever seen that solid chocolate color on a cat before? I haven’t), she’s the snuggliest cat I’ve ever met in my life. I went to meet her yesterday, and though she was in the high-stress situation of the shelter, hadn’t met me before, and scrabbled at the door a little when she was left with me, she was purring within two minutes and in my lap within ten. Today, it’s been all lap time, all the time. She isn’t interested in playing (possibly she’s just forgotten about it, in all these months), but she cuddles–cuddles–cuddles. Exactly what I wanted in a cat.
She was surrendered to the shelter by her previous owners because they “were moving.” No, I don’t really understand it either, but there it is. Looking over her medical history, one can see that being in a shelter is hard on a cat. They give them lime dips twice a week to control skin infections, and as a result her skin is dry, her coat rough and shedding, and the white fur has a yellowish tinge. I know that it will grow in white and shiny and smooth, now that she’s an Only Cat. She’s pretty right now–in a month or so, she’ll be as gorgeous as her glamor pic that I published yesterday.
Now. About her having been in the shelter for five months and no one wanting her? Well, I don’t quite want to believe it myself, but it’s all the people at the shelter could come up with…
Pudding is a one-eyed Pirate Cat. Yarrrrrrrrrr!
Seriously. My experience with adopting Pudding was lovely–the people at the shelter were friendly and knowledgeable, and there was just enough examination of me to make me feel comfortable that they want pets to go to good homes, without being Animal Nazis about it. I brought home a bag of food, two bags of treats, and a blankie, all free from the shelter–she’s spayed and had her shots–I get a free vet checkup if I take her within a week. Best of all, she’s three and a half years old, set in her size and temperament, and I know exactly what I’m getting into. For me, so far, getting an adult shelter cat (with one eye) has been ideal.
