Jewel
Some how I ended up in an animal shelter on March 6, 1999 at the age of 8 months. My new mom is active in Dalmatian rescue and visits the shelter a couple times a week. During her visits she always looks in the cat cages, but wasn't seriously looking for a new kitty. Tiffany had died unexpectedly in January and they weren't really ready to get another kitty, but I changed her mind. Since I wasn't available until the 13th she went to the office to put a hold on me. She found out that there were already 3 other holds on me. She went ahead and put her name down as the 4th one knowing that the only way that she would get me is that the other 3 people wouldn't show up when I was available.
My
available date came and the only one's there to save me were my new mom and dad!
The other 3 didn't show up! They couldn't believe that even with a 4th hold that
I would be theirs. We guess it was just meant to be. I didn't get to go home
that day since I still needed to be spayed, but at least I knew I had a home.
The morning was I suppose to be spayed I was too sick to be operated on. The shelter called my new mom to tell her that I wasn't doing well . They gave her the option of getting a refund, taking another cat or taking me "as is". Lucky for me she said they still wanted me - they already considered me a part of the family!!
Mom and Dad came and picked me up and took me right out to their vet. She said I had a respiratory infection, but I should be OK. They left me at the hospital for about a week. Not because I was that sick, but to help protect my new big brother, Sam, their 14 year old cat. I tested negative for leukemia while I was in the hospital.
After getting great care from the vet and her staff and a lot of visits from mom I got to come home. The Dalmatians were really nice to me. They came up and said hi. I wasn't afraid at all. Sam hissed at me and walked off. I think it was a macho thing on his part ;-)
After the introductions were done, they put me in my "room". They had set up one of the dogs big fold down crates for me right in the living room. I really appreciated somewhere to finally call home. I still wasn't feeling all that great so it was wonderful to be able to get used to the other animals from the safety and comfort of my room.
Mom and Dad held me a lot. I tried playing, but still really didn't feel up to it. If one of them was home I got to be loose in the house, otherwise they put me in my room so I was safe. I rested a lot the first few weeks I was home.
Fast forward to May 1999! I feel fantastic! I have been spayed and fully vaccinated. My respiratory infection is totally cleared up. I love playing with my laser pointer and all the toys. The dogs are great and Sam is really starting to warm up to me.
I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm now a very spoiled housecat, not an unwanted kitty!
Jewel in October 2001
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