OK,
so I’m not the perfect cat. I’m
not just right – I might be too big, or too small; too vocal, or too quiet. I
may also have some medical issues, and I don’t have my complete medical
history with me to explain why. I
may have been exposed to parasites: worms, fleas, ticks, or ear mites. I may
have some kind of intestinal upsets, and I may not have perfect stools every
time.
Behaviorally,
I have a little baggage. I may not be able to walk right into your home
perfectly well adjusted. I may take issue if there is another cat, dog or child, no
matter what age or sex and may show my fear in a variety of ways.
I may not love everyone immediately and I may not do exactly what you
want in the beginning. I may not be able to adapt to any situation.
I may get confused about the litter box, and might even make a mistake,
no matter what litter you use, where the pan is, or how often you clean it.
Emotionally?
I may have some idiosyncrasies. I may nip, swat, hiss, put my ears back, hide,
cower or tremble. I may look at you with fear, and distrust, and concern. It
might take several months, or even a year before I can begin to trust again.
I
am one of society’s throwaways.
Is
this the cat you’re looking for?
If
not, maybe you should look elsewhere. Please don’t ask to take me home,
because I have already been rejected far too many times already and would rather
stay at the shelter than be given one more reason to mistrust people again.
I
am one of a group of cats. A group that has been dumped in the shelters, booted
out the doors, kicked, hit, beaten, yelled at, shot, cursed, thrown from moving
cars, left to fend on our own. A group of cats that has learned that humans are
NOT kind and society is NOT fair and life is NOT comfortable. A group of cats
that didn’t have good prenatal care, that don’t know where our next meal was
coming from, that have lived outside through hot and cold and dug through
garbage to find enough to eat. We
are the cats that have been flea bitten and worm ridden and burned with hot oil.
We are the cats who have been hit by cars and left for dead; who have swallowed
stones and ribbons and had nothing but intestinal upsets; who have loose stools
or who have stools that are so hard they can barely pass.
We have been told we were too loud, too messy, or we didn’t match the
new furniture. We have been chased by dogs, had our tails pulled by kids, and
been bullied by other cats. Some of
us have never known a litter box, let alone a clean one. We have watched our
loving family drive off one day without a backward glance after 15 years; we
have been replaced after ten years with a new puppy. We look at you with big
round eyes full of fear and terror, and occasionally hatred, and yes, deep down,
with a little hope. We are the cats
in Rescue.
Why,
then, would anyone possibly want one of us?
The
reasons are endless.
We
need you. We deserve to be loved, to have a second chance, to learn how to trust
again. We have been at the mercy of
our surroundings; it is up to you to care for us.
You, as part of the race that has caused this overpopulation of animals;
you, who as part of the species, some of whose members have mistreated and
misplaced these deserving creatures, owe it to us to care. You should be setting
examples for the next generation – that this should not be a throwaway society
that we can and should be doing something about it. We can be your FAMILY
members, members who share in your joys, your sorrows, your misfortunes and your
luck. We are here when you need someone to talk to, to comfort, and to be
comforted. We lick your tears and pat your face and snuggle under your chin. We
like you for you, and we ask so little from you.
A pat, a scratch, the toss of a ball, a kind word, we repay you with
loyalty and adoration and faithful friendship.
You may have to earn it, this is true, and we may be so damaged by our previous
experiences that we'll never be "The Perfect" cat, but the
appreciation that emanates from our eyes; the love that we share when we realize
we are safe, secure, and home forever, is a gift that cannot be bought.
We have seen rough times, yes, but if we are willing to give you a second
chance, why won’t you give us one?
