Meow and Wow!

Bella is back for a repeat performance! Yukari and I and one of the wonderful Vet Techs at the shelter are on a mission to help Bella lose the weight she needs to lose and find her the best home ever.

We were thrilled when we walked into the shelter today and learned that Bella has her own room! Because she needs to lose weight and needs exercise she has been allowed out of her small kennel and is living in the big "Cat Room!" It is a wonderful place for her to be so she can get all the exercise she needs.

Today she had a good time with her little catnip pillow. She even chased after it when we threw it for her! It was adorable.

She's such a sweetheart. I think we wore her out. J She will sleep good this afternoon!

Bella could really benefit from a good foster home. She needs a special diet, plenty of exercise and needs a little help cleaning her bum (until she loses the weight). She loves to be pet, cuddle and purrs like a non-stop purring machine! If you're interested in fostering or adopting her ~ a reminder of her information:

Bella (A174018) can be found at the Aurora Animal Shelter, 303-326-8280, 15750 East 32nd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80011. She is only 4 years old and has many, many good years ahead of her! She's a really special girl. Y

Our other special girl today was Nina. She, too, is 4 years old and available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter. Ask for Nina - A174675.

She was shy at first but warmed up quickly. She was curious and loved climbing!

After exploring nothing is better than a snuggle, some lap time and purr time.

She's a sweetheart. I know I say that about these cats a lot, but they really are. And they are always so happy to spend quality time outside their kennels. It is an honor to give them that time.

Nina may be having a special day today! She is probably going to be one of the "chosen few" and be transported to a local PetCo as a featured adoptable pet! Yay! If you live in Aurora and she's not at the shelter ~ check around at the local PetCo's. She may be at the PetCo on Quincy & Buckley in Aurora. Good luck, little girl! Y You deserve a loving home!

The Terrific Torties of Today!

Live from the Aurora Animal Shelter ~ two beautiful tortoiseshell cats!

Meet Bella (A174018).  She is a love - a pure purr machine! Bella needs someone special in her life. She needs to lose some weight to make her life much easier and much more enjoyable. She deserves that. With the proper care ~ a healthy diet and plenty of play and exercise ~ she will be a new kitty!  She's only 4 years old so has a lot of years ahead of her. All she needs is someone to see how lovely she is and commit to helping her. Y How rewarding it would be to watch her transform!

We spent over an hour with her today in the special "cat room" and she walked almost the whole time. We were amazed at her energy and so pleased that she wanted to please us. She displayed an excellent command of "Come, Bella" as she would walk back and forth between us. It was so sweet. 

She loved being pet and cuddled and wouldn't stop purring. We kind of fell in love with her sweet, sweet soul.  Y

The other tortie we met today was a bundle full of energy. Meet beautiful Mittens. She is only 2 years old and just as a 2 year old should be ~ frisky, active, curious and full of fun! As with all long-haired cats, if not properly groomed and brushed on a regular basis they can become a little matted. Mittens has a couple of shaved spots and a few more mats that need attention. Having a proclivity toward long-haired cats myself I know she just needs a little hair-stylin'. Heck, it's only hair ~ it will grow back ~ stronger and more beautiful than ever!

Oh and we discovered she is quite the poser. She loved the camera! And the camera loved her.

She was fascinated with the outdoors and enjoyed watching the dogs at the shelter being walked. Note to new family, though... her front paws are declawed (ouch! Done by previous owner...) so she definitely needs to be an indoor cat. Buy her a cat tower or two and put them by the window and she'll be happy as can be.

She's a charmer! And she let me know when to put the camera down and just play with her.  *wink*

Both and a few other adorable kitties are available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter 303-326-8280 - 15750 East 32nd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80011.  Go get 'em! 

It's International Cat Day!

In honor International Cat Day let me introduce you to some awesome kittens and cats available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter - 303-326-8280 - 15750 East 32nd Street, Aurora, Colorado 80011

We nicknamed him "Chase" ~ because that is what he loves to do! A frisky, fun and lovable 7 month old black and white beauty. He made us laugh non-stop. Ask for A174286.

This is Sam. He is 3 years old and just a love. He would be quite happy to sit next to you while you read a book or knit a sweater, leaning over to pet him often.  He is A173396 - go get him!  

And there are a bevy of blue-eyed beauties as well! Incredibly sweet and so beautiful! Three month old Laya (A173507) ~ what can I say that her eyes don't already say? Ack - amazing. 

And she has an identical twin brother A173486. "Ghost."  A face like this is too beautiful and the heart too precious to be behind bars... Y

This gorgeous boy, Stefon, is a year old and a bundle full of love.  Ask for A173873.

Stefon is quite bonded to this sweet girl (no name available but ask for A173876). She is a year old as well. She has a slight eye problem and is under medical care for that; she will be good as new before you know it. It would be lovely if they could be adopted together. Y

And, of course, this one is an Aurora Animal Shelter alumni ~ my sweet Kia. She wishes you all a very Happy International Cat Day and highly recommends you adopt one or two or three to call your own.  

Go get 'em!!

Adopt Don't Shop ~ And Have You Considered Fostering?

One thing I have learned with my Foster Fail (Kia the cat) is that having three rescue animals in the house again takes time and training. Thus falling far behind on my blog posts.

I spy a cat.

And then there is this monkey... 

Her favorite spot. Away from the dogs.

Two shelter cats that have stood out in the last two weeks:

This 4 year old orange/red tabby is a hoot!  He's incredibly outgoing, curious and confident. He's a bundle of love and energy.  

He is a funny guy - as in he had us laughing with his antics.  He climbed on the "obstacle course/trapeze" all the way to the ceiling!

He's a thinker. We could see him problem-solving his way to the top of the tower. He's obviously active and an adventure-seeker.

He did it!!  The only cat we have observed making it this far!

Once he had accomplished his goal he was ready for treats and some relaxation ~ and purring.  

He is truly a gentle giant and just a GREAT cat!  He's available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter, 15750 East 32nd Avenue in Aurora, Colorado 303-326-8280 - ask for A173954. He's a keeper for sure!

Up next is this great guy - a gorgeous, healthy 5 year old grey/brown tabby. He is another curious boy, playful and oh so adorable! 

He has an spirit of adventure, too, and enjoyed climbing the trapeze.

But the best part?  He's a cuddle bug, too! He loved being held and purred loudly. He was so relaxed after exploring and climbing he just curled up and listened to us chatter on.  

I mean, come on ~ look at that face!  He's just waiting for you at the Aurora Animal Shelter, 15750 East 32nd Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 303-326-8280.  Ask for A173786.  You won't be sorry!

If you can't adopt right now or aren't quite sure, consider fostering. Fostering an animal gives them a break from the animal shelter and may even save their life. And wow - do they relax once they are in a real home! I can tell you from my fostering experience (which lasted about 5 minutes before we adopted Kia) it is a wonderful way to really get to know an animal.  

While fostering your foster animal is still available for adoption and you can provide valuable information about the pet ~ which in turn makes it rise to the top as far as adoptability!  You have first-hand knowledge of what this animal is really like and that is gold!

Getting to Know You...

As you can imagine things have been pretty busy since Kia came to live with us. First it was to return to the shelter Monday to officially adopt her. Then it was to return to the shelter Tuesday with her (my fault I forgot to ask) so she could get her rabies vaccination, microchip and city license.  

If you have ever traveled with a cat in a carrier in a car you know that most of them aren't exactly thrilled with the experience. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the shelter (and that's if there isn't a train) so she serenaded me for 30 minutes. Once at the shelter she was in and out in about 5 minutes! Back in the Jeep and she was a little more subdued (poor baby) but I think she realized - hey, I wasn't being taken back to the shelter; that was just a little blip on my radar! I'm going home again with this crazy woman. Woo-hoo! Think I'll sing some more!

Every time we visit Kia in her luxury suite she is more comfortable and tries to follow us out the door. This morning we decided it was time to begin moving things forward. So with the puppy gate securely in place Kizzie and Koko's breakfast bowls on one side of the gate, Kia's breakfast bowl on the other side of the gate ~ we opened the door.

What happened was exactly what we expected. Kia hissed, Koko and Kizzie (once they got over their shock) barked. It only took about 30-45 seconds before the door was shut. It's ok ~ no need to stress them out. It was just the first step.

Koko and Kizzie's aftermath reactions. They couldn't quit believe what they had just witnessed. Monkeys.

My wise husband ~ who our friend dubbed The Cat Whisperer ~ suggested for the dinner meeting we just do one-on-one. Fabulous idea. So he took Koko outside for a walk while I supervised Kizzie and Kia one-on-one. 

Brilliant! Kia hissed. Once. She then stepped back about 2 feet but stayed where she could see Kizzie. Kizzie didn't bark once. She whined and paced a little and was definitely curious but well-behaved. After about 5 minutes Kia went under the bed. Door closed so they could enjoy their dinners.

When Kizzie joined the family we had our long time family cat (21 years old) already in residence. Kizzie was absolutely fine with her and A-choo pretty much just ignored Kizzie. They coexisted for 6 months until A-choo passed away in the middle of the night one night in March. So we expect that Kizzie will be the first to warm up to Kia.

A-choo ~ always in our hearts.

Then there's Koko... We don't have a lot of information on his previous life but we doubt that he had other "siblings" - canine or feline. He's an excitable boy so we expect it will take longer for he and Kia to bond; but he might surprise us. We have observed that when Kizzie and Koko are separated they are much better behaved. When they are to together they are double trouble ~ they like to egg each other on and wind each other up. Monkeys.

So, one day at a time. As anxious as we are to have Kia out of her luxury suite and truly a part of the family (I imagine her sitting on my lap in the evening as we watch the most recent Netflix, Hulu or Amazon series we're into) I know it is for her well-being as well as the dogs that we take this slowly. Trying to rush things could cause all of them undo stress and fear.  We'll get there.

Till then we will continue to spend a lot of time with Kia in her suite ~ with her favorite catnip-filled rat. Go figure.