Maine Coon/Persian Mix: An adopted cat in Portland, OR

When I first came to the shelter, I was loving and playful. I'd tap my toy mouse off the top shelf and watch him fall to the ground, then look over at a volunteer to see if they'd pick it up for me. I had them trained pretty well. If they came close enough, I'd give them little kisses. Sometimes I’d even gently lick their face.

Then I'd ask to have my soft fur stroked. If I was lucky, I'd get a chin scratch. That's my favorite. Ahhhh! It made me so excited that I started making muffins – just normal muffins at first – but as I got more and more into it, I'd raise my paws higher and higher.

But then months passed. I played less, I made less muffins, I didn't want to be petted anymore. I got frustrated living with so many other cats, so they ...

When I first came to the shelter, I was loving and playful. I'd tap my toy mouse off the top shelf and watch him fall to the ground, then look over at a volunteer to see if they'd pick it up for me. I had them trained pretty well. If they came close enough, I'd give them little kisses. Sometimes I’d even gently lick their face.

Then I'd ask to have my soft fur stroked. If I was lucky, I'd get a chin scratch. That's my favorite. Ahhhh! It made me so excited that I started making muffins – just normal muffins at first – but as I got more and more into it, I'd raise my paws higher and higher.

But then months passed. I played less, I made less muffins, I didn't want to be petted anymore. I got frustrated living with so many other cats, so they moved me to the kitchen. For a while it was great. I had the room to myself and people would visit. But then months passed, and then, sadly, a year passed and I was still in the kitchen, all by myself.

I started eating more and put on a little too much weight. I'm on a diet now, so I don't even have food as a friend. Some days I know I'm grumpy. I don't like to be touched or picked up. I just want to be left alone. But, of course, I don't really want to be left alone. What I want is a home.

I know I'm going to have a hard time finding someone to adopt me the way I am. I mean, why would anyone pick me when there are cats that will run up to you and ask for attention. If you click the View Video icon above, you'll see me when I first arrived at the shelter. You can see what I could be like if my life got back to normal. Is there anyone who would be willing to take a chance on me? Just think how happy we would both be the first time we snuggled together.

I was born in 1999 and have been declawed.

MITZI'S BLOG

Thanks to Baby for passing her blog to me. We senior girls have to stick together! Maybe once someone knows me a little better they can understand how I feel and why shelter life has been so hard for me.

• 4/24 -- First, let’s do a tour of my room. In this case, it’s the shelter kitchen. It’s not a bad room and it’s got a nice window, but usually people just walk through it to get somewhere else. When they’re preparing all the cats’ meals it’s fun because I can sneak a few extra snacks. Maybe that’s why I got a little chunky. Well, that and inactivity. What can I do, run around the kitchen all by myself? I was more relaxed today and enjoyed some petting.
  Do you want to hear the story of how I came to Animal Aid? I came to the shelter the first time when I was three years old! I was adopted a few months later and I lived with my family for seven years. Yes, seven years! I thought it was permanent. I thought we would be together forever, but they decided they didn’t want me any more. It was hard coming back. I was older and used to having a real home. I couldn’t believe I had to live in one small room with cats I never met before. That was way back in February 2009. I haven’t done well here, but I don’t want to adjust to shelter life. I want a home.
• 5/1 -- There was lots of activity in the kitchen today. Here I am lying in a spot of sunshine on the floor. But then someone was using the sink, and I didn't want to get stepped on, so I moved. What a nice surprise when I jumped on the table and found a volunteer's soft coat to sleep on. Well, that lasted until someone wanted to eat their lunch on the table, so I found a spot where no one would bother me.
  Some exciting news! Last week someone came to visit me, and today she filled out an application to adopt me. I hope this works out! Wish me luck!!
• 5/8 -- It was a quiet day today. That's not good because it means no adopters came in, but it was relaxing. I enjoyed being petted. I purred, then nearly gave a nose kiss like I used to. I changed my mind when I remembered where I was -- I was living at a shelter for homeless cats. I'm a proud kitty and this life is hard on me. How would you feel if you were homeless?
  I got a nice fishy treat later in the day. Lick, lick! It was good. Food makes me forget.
  No news about the adoption application. I guess I'll have to be patient.
  We got a Happy Tails update from Prince. If you want to read it, click here. I hope that one day it will be my turn to have a Happy Tail.
• 5/11 -- I found out that I won't be going home. The adopter was really nice, and she took great care of her other animals. The problem was that there were two dogs and another cat in the family, and they thought that might be too much for me to handle. I suppose I'd do better in quieter home with one older cat or a lazy dog, or I'd be happy being an only cat. At least someone liked me enough to want to adopt me. Does that mean there's hope that I'll have a home one day?
• 5/15 -- Now that we are having some sunny days, it reminds me how much I miss a simple thing that lots of kitties enjoy -- following the sunshine as it moves from window to window. I get a little sun around 11 am. If no one is in the kitchen, I will lie on the floor to enjoy it, but then it's quickly gone around the other side of the building and I can't go with it. I suppose I shouldn't complain. At least I have a window. But it sure would be good to have a real home.
  Thought I should mention that we're having a fundraising contest called Kiss Loneliness Goodbye!. You can enter your own pet, or you can vote for your favorite. Donate as little as $1 to vote or as much as you want. It's for a good cause: all the cats and dogs at Animal Aid.
• 5/16 -- My photographer stopped by to visit me today. I really like him! He took some photos of me and told me I was beautiful. That made me feel good. Hope you like my new pics!
• 5/22 -- We had a constant flow of potential adopters stopping by all afternoon. Many had a list of cats that they saw on Petfinder and wanted to meet. But I wasn't on anyone's list. The volunteers introduced me to everyone that visited. Some didn't say anything at all because I wasn't the right cat for them for some reason. Some said I was fluffy like it was good, some said I was fluffy like it wasn't a good thing. No one was interested in me. Will my time ever come when someone thinks I'm exactly what they want?
  I heard Grayson is going home in a couple weeks. Good luck, Grayson! I'm so happy you found a home. When he leaves that will make me the longest resident at Animal Aid.
• 5/29 -- Is the rain ever going to stop? I sure could use a sunny day to boost my mood. I bet we all could.
  Lots of people are looking to adopt kittens now. How can I compete with them. They're all little and innocent. No one looks for an older cat that has been stressed from living in a shelter for over a year. It will take a special, understanding person to adopt me. I wonder if that person exists.
• 6/5 -- Grayson left yesterday, so I've officially been at the shelter the longest. He couldn't decide who to pass his blog to, so Kami and Daisy will each start a blog next week. Kami is the greeter cat and very outgoing so she'll tell you what's going on in the office area. Daisy is a sweet and loving girl who lives in one of the smaller rooms. Both have been here over a year. We're all so different but have somehow been overlooked by adopters.
  I got a nice email from a kind person who might be interested in adopting me. She has two young cats so she has to decide if she thinks they might be too playful for me or not. Since I'm declawed, I get stressed easily knowing that I can't fight back. Even if I'm not a good fit for the family, it's encouraging to know that someone is interested in me. It made me feel special when she said I was beautiful.
• 6/10 -- I was the featured cat in the Oregon Live Pet of the Day. I think I look pretty good! Then another person emailed asking about me and was going to stop by to visit. I try not to get my hopes up too much, but it's always in the back of my mind that it could be the person I've been waiting for. It only takes one person to change my life.
• 6/18 -- We got an update on Grayson. He is already out of his room, exploring the house and even met the dogs! He loves the petting and snacks and the cat tower. He’s still cautious about the other cats and growls at them, but after what he’s been through at the shelter, I’m not surprised. The poor guy had been moved from room to room and always seemed to be a magnet for the bullies because he is such a gentle, peaceful kitty. Now he’s in a home with only loving and happy kitties -- but he doesn’t know that yet. Of course, it’s only been two weeks today -- that’s not very long to erase the memories of over 1.5 years at the shelter and a life on the streets. I remember Prince settled in immediately, but he is more mature and worldly, and he was always big enough to scare off the aggressive cats. Nobody ever messed with Prince.
  Hang in there, Grayson. I know from experience it’s scary to have everything change in your life. But your family loves you and will be patient with you. Don't worry. You’ll gain more confidence every week and learn to trust again. Before you know it, you'll forget about your past and blend right in with your new family!
• 6/19 -- Three or four people have enquired about me in the last couple weeks, but none ever came to visit. It gets discouraging. Still, I had a great visitor today. She knew all about torties and how we're special. Just look how she knows how to scratch my ear and say adoring things to me. And here she is playing with me finger-to-paw. She understands me and knows how to pay attention to the signals I give when I want to stop. I wish she could take me home, but she doesn't have any vacancies at the moment. Darn! There must be other tortie worshipers out there somewhere.
• 6/26 -- It's been very quiet at the shelter lately. I don't know why adopters aren't stopping by to see us. It is sad when no one is going home.
  There is a glass door from my room to the kitten room, so sometimes I watch them play. They sure have a lot of energy, though they're not very coordinated yet. I wonder if there is anyone out there who would pick me over a kitten. It would take a special person.
• 7/5 -- Hope you had a Happy 4th. It was very quiet on the weekend because the shelter was closed Saturday and Sunday. Of course, the volunteers came in to care for us, but I spent most of the time alone. Sometimes I get very discouraged.
• 7/12 -- I heard that Daisy is going home soon! Good for you, Daisy. You've been waiting a long time. Kami had someone interested in meeting her but they ended up liking someone else. At least she got some attention. It just takes one person to change my life. If you're reading this, please stop by soon.
• 7/18 -- I heard that someone submitted an application for Kami. I'm very happy for her. I hope she'll be going home soon.
  Daisy was so depressed at the shelter, but when she arrived at her new home, she walked out of the carrier purring! See how quickly our lives can change.
  The volunteer who likes torties spent some time with me last week. I was happy to have the company. She hugged and kissed me and I groomed her fingers. Then I ate some snacks off her hand. I was treated like a queen and I loved it. I wish she'd take me home but she already has a full house.
• 7/25 -- Kami went home yesterday. What a lucky girl. I am very happy for her. That means only Monty, Cricket and I have been at the shelter for over a year. It's got to be our turn to find a family next. Think positive thoughts for us.
• 7/27 -- I got some good news! I got Kami's job as the greeter cat. I share the front area with Amy. She's a really nice girl. I am so much happier. There are lots of people around so I am not lonely anymore. One of the volunteers was petting me while she vacuumed and it didn't even bother me. I'm starting to give little kitty kisses again too. If a change in rooms makes me this excited, just think how happy I would be in a real home.
• 8/1 -- I've got to tell you about my first week as greeter cat. My favorite spot is a chair in the reception area so I can watch everyone come in. After living an isolated life, I don't want to miss out on anything. Now that everyone sees how well I get along with Amy, they don't think I need to be an only cat. I could easily live with another laidback senior kitty.
  They haven't tested me to see if I get along with dogs yet. I did meet Snoopy this week, but I don't know if you can count him. Who knew that they made dogs that tiny! He was kinda cute and a lot smaller than I am.
  Maybe all my new experiences will help me find a home.
• 8/2 -- Spot Magazine featured me on their website. If you want to see my article click here. That's one of my favorite pics. I think it makes me look slender!
• 8/7 -- We had some very important visitors this week: KINK radio's Dave & Sheila Road Show! They brought their mascot, Scout. She's a pug which is a much bigger dog than Snoopy, the chihuahua I met before. I growled at Scout and stalked her and they had to put me in one of the offices. Sorry, Scout, but that's what cats do. Now that I know what a real dog looks like, I think I'd be happier if I didn't live with one.
• 8/15 -- Some big news! Monty and Cricket went home! I am very happy for them. They spent their entire lives at the shelter and have never experienced a real family. That means I'm the only cat who has been here for over a year. Actually it's been 19 months now. Here I am waiting at the door watching for visitors. The next person that walks in might be the one that takes me home. I have to be ready.
  It was the big garage sale weekend so we had lots of people coming in and out of the reception area. I liked the activity and some people said hi and gave me a gentle pat on the head.
• 8/21 -- We got an update and photos of Monty and Cricket in their new home. They're both doing great and they look so happy! One day someone will adopt me too, won't they?
  I don't think I told you about the new bloggers. First there's Lady. She's got big, fluffy hair like I do. I heard a rumor that Amy might go into a foster home and that Lady might be my new assistant greeter. We'll find out in a couple weeks.
  The other blogger is Spike. He lives in one of the smaller rooms with a couple other guys. He's real cute and young. He's had a rough start to his life and has never enjoyed the love of a real family. Even though the volunteers and staff here love him, it's just not the same. Happy blogging to Lady and Spike! I hope we'll all find homes soon.
  My friend, Elmer, thought my bio could use a lift with some new photos so he came in today and we had a photo shoot. You can never tell what will catch someone's eye. Hope you like them.
• 8/28 -- Lady and I are both featured cats on the Rescue Me! page of Spot Magazine. Be sure to pick up a copy at your nearest vet or pet supply store. Better yet, stop by Animal Aid and you can get a copy and meet me at the same time. Wish us luck! Maybe the perfect family will see our ads.
• 9/4 -- Amy went to a foster home last week. She was a nice, quiet girl, not a mean bone in her body and never bothered me. I was so happy, I ran around the office! I had the whole place to myself. I love it. I can go where I want and I'm the only cat. I know there's a whole room of them on the other side of the door, but I don't have to be near them. Yayyy! Of course, the bad news is that this probably won't last. They're thinking of trying Lady in the room with me. She doesn't like other cats either. This should be really good. Would someone please adopt me so I don't have to keep worrying about who I'm going to be living with next. Please.
• 9/11 -- They decided to move Whiskers to the front reception area. He mostly stays in one of the offices so I still have most of the area to myself.
  Kat said that she can't believe my transformation, especially since Amy left. I hang out in her office, rub up against her and everything else, sit on her desk and sleep on her chair. She had the door to her office closed one day and I banged on the door for her to let me in! I do the moon dance, purr and drool! I never hiss or swat anymore. See what a great cat I would be if you adopted me!
  I don't want to get my hopes up but there is an adopter interested in either Muffin (in a foster home), Lady, or me. I hope it will finally be my turn. I have waited a very long time.
• 9/18 -- It has been busy at the shelter. Lots of people coming and going. Lots of cats coming and going too. But I'm still here. Will anyone ever adopt me? It is discouraging when cats that are here for a week or two go home. It's not that I don't want them to get adopted, but I deserve a chance too. Sorry, but some days it just gets me down that I still haven't found a home.
• 10/2 -- A nice person was interested in adopting me last week. Unfortunately she had a dog and a cat. She sounded perfect except for that. Will I ever get out of here?
• 10/9 -- I've been blogging for five long months and I'm still here. I'm very discouraged. Then Whiskers has been pestering me to play. I hiss at him because I don't want to be bothered by him. I want to interact with people, not other cats. He just doesn't get it. Please can't someone get me out of here.
• 10/16 -- Whiskers is still harassing me. I was trying to nap and he jumped up on the credenza next to me and swatted at me. He did it over and over until a volunteer saved me and put him in another office. I want a home where I'm the only kitty. I don't want to play with another cat or have a feline companion. I want a person of my own. You can be my best friend. Please please please.
• 10/28 -- As if it's not bad enough being at the shelter longer than any other cat, a cat like Tess comes in and is adopted in less than a week. If someone had adopted me the first week I was at the shelter, you would have seen what a sweet cat I was too. I've been here so long that I've forgotten what it's like to have a real home. I feel like I'm on display here. Anyone can rush up and pet me. No one wants to take the time to get to know me first. I feel like an exhibit in a zoo (and know how bad those animals must feel too). I apologize for being so negative, but I don't think I'll ever find someone who will give me a chance. I'm so discouraged.
• 10/30 -- A patient woman spent lots of time with me today. I was in a terrible mood because Whiskers and I don't get along so I was hiding under the reception desk. She got down on the floor with me and fed me treats. I came out and she sat in the chair next to me and read just so we could be close. We were hanging out together to see if we liked each other. I appreciate that she was so kind to me. She said if we got along she would adopt me! That's very exciting!!
• 11/6 -- My friend that I share an office with wanted me to meet the dog I might be living with. She knows I have a bad history with dogs and she was worried about me. I walked past the dog and didn't growl or hiss at her. I didn't even hit her. Then I went in the other room and looked at her. It was all uneventful.
• 11/13 -- The nice lady that wants to adopt me came back again. I'm so grumpy most days, I'm surprised she bothers. She sat and read to me and I sat under her chair. She's very patient with me and I like her. They are still deciding whether I would do ok with a dog.
• 11/14 -- My adoption has been approved!! I'm going home the day before Thanksgiving. I'm so excited!! I'm going to the vet tomorrow for a checkup. Only ten more days at the shelter, and only ten more days of sharing an area with Whiskers.
• 11/20 -- Some very bad news. The people at the shelter did some research on Jack Russell Terriers (the breed of dog I would have been living with) and found out that JRTs have a bad reputation for hurting cats. They decided it might not be a safe home for me, especially since I'm a declawed senior, so they changed their mind. I wonder if I will ever get out of here. Things are so bad with Whiskers and me that I hide behind the computer and he will still come over and try to attack me, even though I'm only taking up a little space. I am so sad.
• 11/27 -- Garth and Trisha went home today. When the adoption counselor brought back their signed contracts I sat on them so I could pick up some good energy. I thought it might bring me luck. They have been keeping Whiskers in his own room more, so I am not so stressed. I even greeted my my favorite photographer and let him pet me.
• 12/5 -- A little girl came in yesterday and petted me ever so sweetly and gently. A lot of adults could learn from her.
• 12/18 -- I'm so desperate to get out of here. All I do is eat. Even on diet food I'm getting so fat I can't even jump up on the chair anymore. I'm getting grumpier every day. Even most of my human friends that used to pet me don't bother anymore because I swat at them or hiss. No one is ever going to adopt me the way I am. No one can see my potential. They don't know how sweet I can be in a human only home. No one will ever find out. Who's going to take a chance on me when there are so many friendly cats that need homes. I'd even be happy in a foster home but no one even wants to foster me. I can't blame them.
• 12/21 -- The people at Animal Aid are so worried about me they're distributing flyers with my photo and bio in the hopes of finding a home for me. I guess there's no chance I'll be home for Christmas.
• 12/25 -- I heard the other two bloggers are going home. Lady went home with Max yesterday. Spike is going home with Billy in a week or two. Abby is going to take over Lady's blog this week. I have a lot in common with Abby. We're both about the same age, long hair, declawed -- and stressed from life in the shelter. If someone has been reading my blog and might want to try me out to see what I'd be like in a real home, you could foster me for a while. If it didn't work out you could bring me back. Please give me a chance. Don't let me reach my two year anniversary at the shelter.
• 12/31 -- The reception area got more crowded. My best human friend brought in her new dog. At least I think it's a dog. It's one of those little things where I'm not sure. Anyway, he is a cute guy especially in his sweater. I was just brushed and looked very pretty, so I decided to sleep on the reception desk counter so that everyone could see me when they came in. I'm sure you all know what my New Years resolution is: to find a loving home.
• 1/22 -- I've been so discouraged that I haven't blogged lately. I have some good news today. No, I don't have a home yet, but they moved Whiskers into the main room so I can relax and get back to normal (at least normal for living in a shelter). I even came out of Katherine's office and sat in the reception area today. It's been a tough few months with him there. Usually when I shared a room, it was with a senior female cat and we did ok. Whiskers seems to like his new digs too. He has some cats to play with and gets more attention from people. I have some sad news to tell you. Amy, a sweet kitty I shared the greeting duties with back in September, has passed on. She was such a gentle spirit, even I liked her. Good bye, Amy. You will be missed by all that knew you.
• 1/29 -- Things are much better now that I don't have Whiskers around. I'm starting to relax again. Maybe someone will think they'd like to take me home soon.
• 2/6 -- What a relief to have the front area all to myself! I've even started to play with my mouse and string toys again! Maybe I can relax enough to charm someone into adopting me. Come on. Give a gal a chance!
• 2/19 -- Everything is getting back to normal and I am starting to enjoy life again! I had a good time sleeping in boxes this week. I like a smaller size so I can squish myself right down in there. I also got some computer time. Here I am checking out the latest news on Facebook!
• 3/5 -- Usually I try to get some privacy and quiet time. That's not easy living in a shelter. Today everyone was having so much fun in the main room that I had to walk over to the glass door to see what was going on. It's not that I wanted to go in there, but I was curious. I am a cat, you know!
• 4/2 -- The volunteers and staff have noticed that I am relaxing and getting more friendly. It has taken me quite a while to get back to normal after living with Whiskers. One day last week I even hopped up on someone's lap while she was waiting in the reception area. Unfortunately she wasn't looking to adopt a cat. Then today a visitor picked me up and held me before I had a chance to say no! You know, it wasn't too bad. But he wasn't looking for a new cat either. Why don't you stop by the shelter and see if you can pass the Mitzi Test! I've really got to find a home soon.
• 4/8 -- GREAT NEWS! I'm moving into a foster home. I am soooo happy. It will just be my foster mom and me living together. I can't wait. Don't forget I'm still up for adoption in case you're interested, but for now, I am one happy kitty. I'll still send updates once in a while but I'll probably be too busy to post a lot!
• 4/16 -- I've been in my foster home for a week and my life is awesome! I'm not bored or lonely anymore. The first day I arrived, I explored every nook and cranny. I went in the closets, behind the sofas, and even behind the shower curtain! Sometimes a new sound would make me jump (the neighbor's motorcycle or an alarm clock) but I was very brave and never hid under the bed. My foster mom nicknamed me Little Lion because of my beautiful mane of fur and my courage. I really like that. After I finished exploring, I turned my attention to my foster mom. I followed her around the house for the first two days. I'm not a lap cat, but I like to be near her. She even gave me my own chair with a soft pillow so that we can keep each other company in the office and I can keep an eye on her while she works. I am so grateful that she gave me a chance at a normal life and had faith in me. I'm a very lucky kitty to have found her.
• 4/25 -- I'm doing really good in my new foster home. My favorite spot is on the back of the couch by the window where I can sit and count the cars or nap in the sunshine. There's also a bird feeder just outside the window which I really enjoy. I hope there will be a bird-watching perch at my future forever home too.
  My foster mom wanted me to include a note from her:
  "Unfortunately, this is only a temporary home for Mitzi. I am a young, single, college student. While a have time and love to share, I don't have the stability and financial resources an older cat needs. (Student loans don't cover vet bills.) And, I don't know what my life will be like after graduation. I don't know where I will work, where I will live and if that home will allow cats. So for now, I can only provide a foster home. Mitzi is a great pet. I hope she finds the loving forever-home she deserves."
  I guess that says it all. While I'm taking a vacation from the shelter, I still desperately need a permanent home.
• 6/3 -- Here are my favorite things:
  1. My purple wool mouse
  2. Head scratches
  3. Puzzle games with hidden treats
  4. Anything new: new toys, new smells, new places to explore
  
  Here are my least favorite things:
  1. Loud noises
  2. Vacuum cleaners
  3. Hair brushes
  
  
• 10/25/11 -- Well, I hope you are sitting down because I have good (I mean great) news! I am going home this week. I met my new mom and I really like her and I can hardly wait to have my own forever, loving home. I am soooo excited. I hope she is too!
  
  I want to thank everyone at the shelter for looking after me, especially when I was grumpy. And thanks so much to my foster mom for giving me a break from the shelter and getting me away from all those other cats! Thank you all!
  
  I've got a home!!!!!! Finally, somebody wants me!!!!
  
  Goodbye everyone! Thank you for reading my blog.

Love,
Mitzi