March 17th 2000 I went to the Humane Society to visit Dikkens a cat who I wanted so badly to adopt but was diagnosed with FIP. Thankfully one of the wonderful staff at the Humane Society adopted him because I already had healthy 2 cats of my own.
When I walked in Smudge and I locked eyes and I knew I "had" to have him. He was a few months shy of turning four and to be honest was a little iffy because of his age.
He was pacing his cage and looking at me saying "PLEASE take me home"! I went to his cage to talk to him and right then and there he stole my heart! Apparently his previous owners dropped him off because he was "mouthy, and his chewing was distructive!"
Regardless I knew I was taking him. I travelled back home with him 2 hours and he enjoyed the ride and didn't make a sound. Once home I introduced him to my 2 cats aged 1 and 6 and it was instantly that he was welcomed into our home.
Smudge didn't know what it was like to be held, paid attention to or loved. He just started to purr a year ago. Yes, he meows but he loves to be talked to and have all of your attention. The first month he chewed things but once he got settled he stopped. He is inseparable with my youngest cat as you can see in the picture, they would be lost without each other. It doesn't matter where in the house I am because Smudge is right there.
I would never in my life hesitate to get an older cat again because of Smudge, he made all the difference. Sure kittens are cute, but when you think of all of the adult cats that have had homes before and are just dropped off you have to think about what they are thinking and going through in that cage.
Smudge is a PURRFECT example
of a very happy ending both for him and for everyone in our family.
My prayers go out to each and every animal both at the shelter and at
Rainbow Bridge.
Nancy
(Smudge is the white cat in the photo)