Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Stray kitty has found a home

The stars were perfectly aligned for me this time. When I went to pick up Stray Girl after she was spayed on Monday, the receptionist handed me a note with a telephone number. "If you still want to find a new home for her, this lady might be interested."

Of course I was interested. While I waited for them to release the kitty, the vet stuck his head into the examining room and filled me in on the details. A family had adopted a 4 month old kitten from the local shelter. After three weeks it suddenly sickened, and died with acute anemia. No one knew what had caused it. The family, especially the 6 year old daughter, was heartbroken. The vet said that they had fought hard to cure the cat and only given up and had it euthanized when it was apparent it was in extreme distress and nothing was going to help, because they didn't want it suffer any more. He didn't have any idea what caused this sudden acute anemia. He knew they still wanted a cat, so he told the lady that I had a cat I was looking to place, and she was interested, especially when she found out it was a calico. She left her name and number for me.
In the mean time I brought the kitty home and made it comfortable in the small bathroom, with her bed, her litter box and her favorite catnip mouse. She was eating well and moving like she was sore but not in tremendous pain. We had a lot of quality time while I sat on the bathroom floor (ouch.).

I called the prospective family last night and emailed a few pictures. She responded immediately that she wanted to see the cat. I told her she was welcome to visit any time today. Around 11 this morning she came by and fell in love with Stray Girl, who is an exceptionally good people kitty, and did all the appropriate rubbing, purring and lap sitting, even while recovering from her surgery and not feeling tip-top.

The lady wanted to know if it was too soon to take Stray Girl home. I gave her advice about isolating the cat in a small room such as a bathroom for a few days to allow her to recover, and making sure the children weren't too rough with her. With those conditions,I felt it was all right for the cat to go to its new home immediately. So Stray Girl was loaded up in a carrier and left my care about noon.

I feel really good about this adoption, both because the little girl will be thrilled to have a new kitty and because of the description of the family the vet gave me. I'm sure they will be good owners, and Stray Girl will have a great life. She's going to email me photos of the children with the cat.

I sent her favorite catnip mouse with her. So, be well and happy in your new home, little stray kitty, I'm glad our paths crossed, and glad to help.

8 comments:

Lisa Boyer said...

Oh, I just love this happy ending! Much love to Stray Girl in her new home...

Linda C said...

Stray Girl who by now has probably been christened with an appropriate girl kitty name knew what she was doing when she appeared at your home. You took good care of her though she might beg to differ with the spaying thing. It was for her own good and her new family will appreciate the boy kitties leaving her alone when they came calling.

By your account this is going to be a good fit for her---and them. Happy ending!

Kathryn said...

Oh, this is so lovely. Thank you for being there for her and helping her to her new forever home. Sounds like she will be a much loved and pampered pusscat in her new home. Which is how it should be.

Paula said...

Looks like she found a great permanent home!

Chris Daly said...

She's so cute. I'm so glad to hear you found a good home for her!

Cathi said...

What a great result. Lucky Stray Girl kitty! Sounds like she has found a great home!! And you've done such a great good deed!

Anonymous said...

Every stay cat should find a temporary home like yours. Thank you for all you did. I know many of us would do the same.

The Calico Quilter said...

Calico Quilter responds to Della:

Thanks for the kind sentiments, but don't put the word out to the stray East Tn. cats, OK? LOL They find me easily enough without help!

To Linda: The mother said one child wanted to name her Elinor and the other picked Lola for the kitty's new name. The kitten they lost was named Catfish. Heaven knows what Stray Girl will be will be called!