In Memory of our cat Burma

by Angela
(Wichita, Kansas)

Burma came to us during the Kansas City Flood of 1993; we answered a 'free to good home' ad. A local company had found her on their doorstep, malnourished, scraggly and pregnant. They took her to the vet, removed the kittens, had her spayed, updated her shots and had her tested for leukemia, then put this ad in the paper. She was a beautiful lithe smoke grey kitty with huge golden eyes. Her paws and ears were tipped wth silver, she looked just like one of those oriental cat statues. She was always quite proper and sat in a most elegant ladylike fashion. It was days before her name came to me, they had called her Sophie. It just did not fit, it might have had something to do with my great aunt Sophie who was not an elegant lady. Anyway Burma became cat #2 in our household, she tolerated Chaz who was after all there before she was. She was patient with our two girls who were 7 & 8. She became mine. She sat in my lap in the evening, always stretchng out her paw towards me as if to ask permision. She was very vocal, telling me stories in her raspy meouw as long as I would make comments. She was the perfect companion. In 2006, I noticed strange behavior, she would lose her balance, her right eye looked funny and she seemed to have trouble eating. The vet gave her antibiotics and she regained some energy. She still walked crooked and she began to drool. We believe that she had some sort of stroke. The vet said that we could continue to treat her with meds as long as she was not in distress, but I chose to let her keep her dignity. Whenever she groomed herself she just spread saliva all over, if she could have seen herself she would have been horrified by her appearace. Our vet came to the house and gave her 'the shot' right where she slept on the sofa. She peacefully went to sleep. I still miss her, my beautiful Burma.

Happy ending for Maddie our cat

by Helen Murray
(Coventry)

Maddie

I went to see Maddie at a local RSPCA centre at the beginning of December. She had been abandoned on the doorstep and was 6 months old. I picked her up from the centre on 16th December. She has settled in beautifully and loves sleeping and washing on my lap. She has only been outside in my arms as yet. I keep on putting off letting her out in case she doesn't come back. I am trying to train her to come when I call her name. I found the article about training to leash very useful, and have a harness which we have had on once so far. I am enclosing a picture taken on Christmas day. Maddie has won my heart, and has a loving home for life.

Comment from Kate
Great to hear that she has settled in so well.
Happy New year to you both.

Ellie

by Sarah makin
(Stockport)

Ellie

Ellie is an absolutely adorable tortie. She is nearly two and is the most affection ball of fur! Her purr is loud enough to wake anyone up. She craves heat, hates the cold and wet and adores her food. I homed her a year ago, along with her mother, Barbie and Minnow. Ellie has a severe catnip addiction, which she has no intention of giving up! She is very nimble and quick, despite having put on a bit of weight recently. For the first few months of having her she suffered from colitis, now that seems to have calmed down she is turning into a tubby tortie! She has herpes virus in her right eye, but is very gentle when having to have drops applied. Unlike most torties, Ellie is rarely moody, preferring to show the softer side of tortitude!

Saving My Cats

by Hannah Heidler
(Washington C.H. Ohio 43160)

I am 10 years old. When I was younger my house cought on fire. After the fire was out,we were dearly sad to see our house burnt completly to the ground. As we searched around the house to check on everything 3 of our loved pets had died. We had a dear cat burnt badly on the paws, unable to walk. Her sister was fine. We decided to take her to my grandma`s, for she watches my pets alot. She stayed there for a while. when she got home her sister and her rubbed each other`s noses. We are very happy to still own her today but, not her sister. We will always love her, her kids, and her grandkids. We love her so much and hope this warmed your heart.

Over Thirty Kitties and Counting!

by Gerri
(Florida USA)

Our foster kittens

After my beloved cat of many years passed away, we decided to volunteer with our local Humane Society to foster kittens. They do not want kittens born or kept at the shelter until they are 8 weeks old and vaccinated.

It was only a week later that they called, with a mom and 8 three week kittens needing a home! Lisa soon arrived with her litter and we were introduced to the fun of many little furry friends soon climbing the furniture and the curtains!

Since then we have been foster parents to some thirty cats and kittens including three litters born in our home.

It is very hard to say good bye to them, but we know that we are providing them with a chance at a good life by helping out out shelter.

I am uploading a picture from just one of our litters of cuties.

millie dewdrops

by julie
(uk)

millie dewdrops is a fun loving cat
who is greedy and fat
when theres food she is there like a bolt of lightning
she really is a cuddly fat thing
she was given to me from heaven above
just to shower with kisses and love

Minnow

by Sarah Makin
(Stockport)

Minnow

Minnow was rescued from a drug house where she was kept in one room along with her sister Monya. Minnow had something - we don't know what - splashed into her eye, causing her to partially sighted. A cigarette was put out on Monya's nose, scaring her to the extent that she is too nervous to be rehomed and lives at the shelter where she is very happy. Minnow was very nervous at first, but after a year she has become very friendly; she loves knees and sleeping on the bed, she loves to play with toys and her two cat mates, Barbie and Ellie. She is incredibly intelligent and can switch on some lights in the house. Minnow is about two and a half years old.

Barbie

by Sarah Makin
(Stockport)

Barbie

Barbie was abandoned with two older kittens (Cleo and Ellie) and two young kittens (Brook and Tom) in a cardboard box outside a cattery, with all cats in bad health. Tom and Brook were homed once they were well and Barbie was left with Cleo and Ellie. Sadly, Cleo had an inoperable tumour and it was kinder to be put to sleep. I homed Barbie and Ellie along with Minnow, going to see her several times before she was brought to me. Each time I saw her at the shelter she would watch me intently, even though she only had one eye. It was as if she knew she was coming home with me. The first few days at home she ran about the house, so glad to be somewhere with room to play and jump. She's an adorable cat, very friendly and affectionate, but also very independant and tough. Tonight she brought me a present of a live frog, dropping it at my feet as I let her in. The frog was rescued and hidden, only to be found by Barbie once more an hour later and brought back into the house! She had been gentle with it, so fortunately it was unharmed! Barbie is about three years old.