I adopted Dusty on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. I had seen her profile on the Humane Society of Huron Valley website as "Pet of the Week" from roughly January 26 through February 2. When I first saw her description- "super friendly" "loves attention and being petted" I thought right away that this was the perfect cat for me. I also wanted an older one, between 5-7 years old, because they are lower maintenance than kittens. Another personal reason for getting an older cat--I had a pug growing up named Nikki whom I loved tremendously but that died suddenly at the age of six. Of course, I thought it would be wonderful to give a second chance to an older pet who are less likely to be adopted anyway, but in addition, in some weird way, I thought this older pet could 'continue' Nikki's time with me that ended so abruptly.
I went to the shelter on February 4 not thinking that I would take her home that day. I wanted to finally meet this pretty girl that I had seen on the website and to see if she would really click with me. When I arrived, I went to the cat room and checked all the cages but didn't see Dusty's name on any of them. I learned that she was in another room due to a cat cold. The staff member who was showing me around took me first to see Gato, a three year old orange DSH, who was on the way to see Dusty and was the other cat I was considering getting. She was cute and sweet though when I tried to pick her up, didn't quite like it. The other volunteers and staff to whom I had told that I wanted an older, friendly female cat then wanted to take me to see another cat, but I knew I wanted to see Dusty next and asked her to see her. I was led to the back room where cat cages were; it was quite loud in there since the dogs were closer by.
I was finally meeting Dusty! She was in the bottom corner cage. I saw that she was actually in the corner of her cage and definitely seemed a bit freaked out. I began petting her, which she of course enjoyed. She began to venture closer to me and seemed to thinking how to get out of her cage. That seemed pretty understandable to me since she had been there since last November! The staff member warned me not to let her out because Dusty would be difficult to get to were she to get in the space under the cages. As I was petting her, she ventured closer to the edge, plopped out, and immediately tried to get in that space. The staff member was quick to grab the bottom half of her and pull her out. Poor Dusty girl had to go back in her cage!
As I continued petting her, I asked the staff members about her personality. Of course the description on the outside of her cage said "Calm, friendly, affectionate" but I wanted to know of any direct experiences of the volunteers with her. Since there are so many cat cuddling volunteers, none of them had any direct experience with her. The staff member who I was talking to did tell me that when she pulled Dusty out from under the cages, she didn’t try to bite or scratch. Her gentle, docile personality was getting increasingly affirmed as I petted her and how much she seemed to love it! As I grew more and more in love with her, I was reminded of how much she fit my description: older, calm, gentle, affectionate, friendly. What clinched the deal—Dusty had a cute small lavender mouse toy in her cage. Lavender is my absolute favorite color and anything that I can get in this color (or purple generally) I do. I know it’s silly, but the presence of this toy that I would have picked out myself for her just affirmed to me how perfect and destined this match was. I knew right then that I would have to adopt Dusty!
The staff and volunteers were thrilled. Not only was Dusty, former pet of the week, and resident of the shelter for over two months getting a home, but also now they had some more space to accept another cat. This is the bittersweet cycle—pets go in, pets go out, some never go out, and over and over again…
At the adoption center I made a request that could I adopt Dusty today but actually take her home on Saturday so that I could prepare my home and get all the necessary things? I had envisioned originally bringing her home on Saturday with all the stuff ready that she would need and so that I would be entirely free to help her adjust. But as the cycle goes, once a pet has been adopted/claimed, the shelter desires them to go home right away so that they can make space for other incoming animals. I learned also that there would be a $25 fee to ‘hold’ her until Thursday late afternoon/early evening when I was done with class. I considered going for the hold option until I thought that I could alter my schedule so that I could be free that day, and moreover, why spend $25 in a hold fee when I could just spend that money on Dusty herself? The shelter staff said that they would give me the food she was eating, litter box, and even her little bed with her blankie. (I would also be getting the medicine that Dusty had just been put on for the puss buildup in her right eye.) I had also developed an action plan with another staff member, Donna, who was extremely gracious and informative in my adoption counseling session with her, what with all of my questions and nervousness of becoming a new cat parent and making sure that I did things right. She assured me that the items I would get from the shelter would suffice while I ran out to the store and got everything else. Besides, I already been scoping out a nearby pet store, Pet Store Plus (I noticed they had a lovely white and purple mini cat tree that I liked), as well as the pet aisles in Target. I also knew there was a PetSmart right near the Target. Plus, I would be getting Dusty out of the shelter that day and she could have more time to get to know me. It was an easy decision to make to take her home that day and I’m so glad I did!
Before we left I got a lesson in how to administer her antibiotic orally and to put drops in her eyes. I was taken with how gentle and docile Dusty was in taking these medicines. She didn’t squirm or resist all that much. I had also asked for her nails to be clipped since I’ve always been nervous with doing this with my pets for fear of them squirming too much and my accidentally cutting their quick. (Whenever possible, I always had someone else to cut Nikki’s nails when I had him). Though Dusty didn’t seem to enjoy her nails being clipped, she tolerated it. She was also making the most adorable meowing/groaning sounds to indicate that she really wanted this over as soon as possible. Again, I was struck and taken with how gentle and relatively docile she was. How in the world had such a wonderfully behaved cat remained unadopted for so long?!
Dusty was on her way home! She was in a cardboard cat carrier for the ride home, and again made the most adorable meowing sounds on the way home. As she meowed, I would coo back, “I know honey, we’re almost home,” “Don’t worry, Dusty,” etc. so that she knew I was there and could get used to the sound of my voice. Boy was the little lady vocal! This is of course understandable—being in a cardboard carrier and being uprooted from familiar sights and smells.
I brought her home and got her set up in the bathroom with her litter box and food and water bowls (temporarily Tupperware). I got rid of random items on my counter that could pose any kind of a hazard were she to jump on it and put the shower curtain inside the tub in case she wanted to scratch it. I took her out of her box and showed her where the litter box was and her food and water bowls. She began sniffing around; I petted her and was cooing all the while of course. I then decided to get going to get all the stuff I needed. I went to PetSmart and got all the critical items (real litter box; Iams (a friend recommends it; Fresh Step litter (same friend recommends that too); toys; ‘safety release’ collar; cute food and water bowls; mat to go under them; etc. etc.). Of course I had the great excuse that I was stocking up on the essentials as I was starting out so I easily caved to temptations and cute marketing here and there which I suspect will be a continual thing especially when it comes to my little girl. The cutest purchase at PetSmart: Dusty’s “Michigan” ID tag which I absolutely could not resist. Of course it’s in the shape of a dog bone, but why should dogs have all the fun cute stuff?
Bought additional items at Target, such as more toys, flat horizontal cardboard scratching board, a cute blue bed (again, it was meant for a dog but it was so soft, cute, and the perfect size so I didn’t care). Finally I was done for now and could go home and check on my new friend!
She was good and ready to explore. I let her out as I set up, putting the new food and water bowls out, getting out her scratching mat and board, her bed, etc. I was amazed at how quickly she took to her cardboard scratching board—she went to it right away and began scratching away. Yes! One fear that she would be a bad scratcher had been allayed. I tried playing with her too; I had gotten a wand type thing that has a feather and shiny ball at the end that you dangle in front of your cat and they bat and jump at it. She wasn’t quite into it, and I recall reading back at the shelter that though she was gentle and sweet, she wasn’t exactly playful (perhaps anymore?). But after all, it was her first day and was dealing with a lot of new things.
Of course I had to do my work too as much as I wanted to put it off and pamper my new friend. I began reading on the couch and she immediately came over; I indicated that she could lie next to me, and she did not hesitate to. She also found her favorite place—up on the couch back. Some pictures from the first day are below.
I went to the shelter on February 4 not thinking that I would take her home that day. I wanted to finally meet this pretty girl that I had seen on the website and to see if she would really click with me. When I arrived, I went to the cat room and checked all the cages but didn't see Dusty's name on any of them. I learned that she was in another room due to a cat cold. The staff member who was showing me around took me first to see Gato, a three year old orange DSH, who was on the way to see Dusty and was the other cat I was considering getting. She was cute and sweet though when I tried to pick her up, didn't quite like it. The other volunteers and staff to whom I had told that I wanted an older, friendly female cat then wanted to take me to see another cat, but I knew I wanted to see Dusty next and asked her to see her. I was led to the back room where cat cages were; it was quite loud in there since the dogs were closer by.
I was finally meeting Dusty! She was in the bottom corner cage. I saw that she was actually in the corner of her cage and definitely seemed a bit freaked out. I began petting her, which she of course enjoyed. She began to venture closer to me and seemed to thinking how to get out of her cage. That seemed pretty understandable to me since she had been there since last November! The staff member warned me not to let her out because Dusty would be difficult to get to were she to get in the space under the cages. As I was petting her, she ventured closer to the edge, plopped out, and immediately tried to get in that space. The staff member was quick to grab the bottom half of her and pull her out. Poor Dusty girl had to go back in her cage!
As I continued petting her, I asked the staff members about her personality. Of course the description on the outside of her cage said "Calm, friendly, affectionate" but I wanted to know of any direct experiences of the volunteers with her. Since there are so many cat cuddling volunteers, none of them had any direct experience with her. The staff member who I was talking to did tell me that when she pulled Dusty out from under the cages, she didn’t try to bite or scratch. Her gentle, docile personality was getting increasingly affirmed as I petted her and how much she seemed to love it! As I grew more and more in love with her, I was reminded of how much she fit my description: older, calm, gentle, affectionate, friendly. What clinched the deal—Dusty had a cute small lavender mouse toy in her cage. Lavender is my absolute favorite color and anything that I can get in this color (or purple generally) I do. I know it’s silly, but the presence of this toy that I would have picked out myself for her just affirmed to me how perfect and destined this match was. I knew right then that I would have to adopt Dusty!
The staff and volunteers were thrilled. Not only was Dusty, former pet of the week, and resident of the shelter for over two months getting a home, but also now they had some more space to accept another cat. This is the bittersweet cycle—pets go in, pets go out, some never go out, and over and over again…
At the adoption center I made a request that could I adopt Dusty today but actually take her home on Saturday so that I could prepare my home and get all the necessary things? I had envisioned originally bringing her home on Saturday with all the stuff ready that she would need and so that I would be entirely free to help her adjust. But as the cycle goes, once a pet has been adopted/claimed, the shelter desires them to go home right away so that they can make space for other incoming animals. I learned also that there would be a $25 fee to ‘hold’ her until Thursday late afternoon/early evening when I was done with class. I considered going for the hold option until I thought that I could alter my schedule so that I could be free that day, and moreover, why spend $25 in a hold fee when I could just spend that money on Dusty herself? The shelter staff said that they would give me the food she was eating, litter box, and even her little bed with her blankie. (I would also be getting the medicine that Dusty had just been put on for the puss buildup in her right eye.) I had also developed an action plan with another staff member, Donna, who was extremely gracious and informative in my adoption counseling session with her, what with all of my questions and nervousness of becoming a new cat parent and making sure that I did things right. She assured me that the items I would get from the shelter would suffice while I ran out to the store and got everything else. Besides, I already been scoping out a nearby pet store, Pet Store Plus (I noticed they had a lovely white and purple mini cat tree that I liked), as well as the pet aisles in Target. I also knew there was a PetSmart right near the Target. Plus, I would be getting Dusty out of the shelter that day and she could have more time to get to know me. It was an easy decision to make to take her home that day and I’m so glad I did!
Before we left I got a lesson in how to administer her antibiotic orally and to put drops in her eyes. I was taken with how gentle and docile Dusty was in taking these medicines. She didn’t squirm or resist all that much. I had also asked for her nails to be clipped since I’ve always been nervous with doing this with my pets for fear of them squirming too much and my accidentally cutting their quick. (Whenever possible, I always had someone else to cut Nikki’s nails when I had him). Though Dusty didn’t seem to enjoy her nails being clipped, she tolerated it. She was also making the most adorable meowing/groaning sounds to indicate that she really wanted this over as soon as possible. Again, I was struck and taken with how gentle and relatively docile she was. How in the world had such a wonderfully behaved cat remained unadopted for so long?!
Dusty was on her way home! She was in a cardboard cat carrier for the ride home, and again made the most adorable meowing sounds on the way home. As she meowed, I would coo back, “I know honey, we’re almost home,” “Don’t worry, Dusty,” etc. so that she knew I was there and could get used to the sound of my voice. Boy was the little lady vocal! This is of course understandable—being in a cardboard carrier and being uprooted from familiar sights and smells.
I brought her home and got her set up in the bathroom with her litter box and food and water bowls (temporarily Tupperware). I got rid of random items on my counter that could pose any kind of a hazard were she to jump on it and put the shower curtain inside the tub in case she wanted to scratch it. I took her out of her box and showed her where the litter box was and her food and water bowls. She began sniffing around; I petted her and was cooing all the while of course. I then decided to get going to get all the stuff I needed. I went to PetSmart and got all the critical items (real litter box; Iams (a friend recommends it; Fresh Step litter (same friend recommends that too); toys; ‘safety release’ collar; cute food and water bowls; mat to go under them; etc. etc.). Of course I had the great excuse that I was stocking up on the essentials as I was starting out so I easily caved to temptations and cute marketing here and there which I suspect will be a continual thing especially when it comes to my little girl. The cutest purchase at PetSmart: Dusty’s “Michigan” ID tag which I absolutely could not resist. Of course it’s in the shape of a dog bone, but why should dogs have all the fun cute stuff?
Bought additional items at Target, such as more toys, flat horizontal cardboard scratching board, a cute blue bed (again, it was meant for a dog but it was so soft, cute, and the perfect size so I didn’t care). Finally I was done for now and could go home and check on my new friend!
She was good and ready to explore. I let her out as I set up, putting the new food and water bowls out, getting out her scratching mat and board, her bed, etc. I was amazed at how quickly she took to her cardboard scratching board—she went to it right away and began scratching away. Yes! One fear that she would be a bad scratcher had been allayed. I tried playing with her too; I had gotten a wand type thing that has a feather and shiny ball at the end that you dangle in front of your cat and they bat and jump at it. She wasn’t quite into it, and I recall reading back at the shelter that though she was gentle and sweet, she wasn’t exactly playful (perhaps anymore?). But after all, it was her first day and was dealing with a lot of new things.
Of course I had to do my work too as much as I wanted to put it off and pamper my new friend. I began reading on the couch and she immediately came over; I indicated that she could lie next to me, and she did not hesitate to. She also found her favorite place—up on the couch back. Some pictures from the first day are below.
At night too, I was so amazed that she did not hesitate to jump on bed and sleep near the foot of it. She was testing out waters, and soon ventured to my side where I praised and petted her some more. Sleeping was fitful due to my concern for her due to her eye infection, and her not eating that much. But overall, it was great first day and the first of many to come I’m sure!
No comments:
Post a Comment