A Pet Adoption Success Story: 1 Year Later

A few years back, I got a cute little tuxedo cat that was bottle fed and hand raised by humans. He never had any interaction with his mother. I adopted him when he was extremely young, so he hardly got interaction with his litter mates. I never thought any of it, until as he aged there was an obvious problem. The cute and cuddly tuxedo cat, I named Kenji, wanted to play, and he played rough.

I did the best any human could. I gave him toys, made sure he received a lot of attention, and ignored him when his play time would get too rough. Still, something was missing and I couldn't pinpoint it.

I graduated from college, got a new job so I could afford a second cat. At first my family was hesitant with my decision. "Kenji is a very moody cat, territorial, and probably would have a hard time with another cat," I was told as a precaution.

I looked online for local animal rescue organizations. I was pretty new to the area so it was tough finding places and really knowing where to go.

Finally I decided to check the cats out at my local Petsmart. They had some cats there that were from a few different rescue shelters for people to adopt. I brought my cat carrier just in case I made a decision and enough cash as well.

There were all sorts of wonderful cats to choose from. There was one kitty who was about eight months old who was snoozing, but every time he heard my voice say "Hello" he'd coo back at me, as if saying "Hello" back. Another cat was big and fluffy, who seemed to sit up with some pride. He was a favorite among the workers and one worker even said, "If no one adopts him soon, I will!"

All the cats were so friendly, and I felt like I had so many choices. So I had to narrow it down somehow. First of all, I wanted a cat that had her full set of claws still. I never allowed anyone to convince me to have Kenji declawed. I love my kitty too much to put him through that much pain. Some cats have the surgery, and it goes well. But I have seen other cats go through so much temporary and permanent pain from it, I didn't want to risk it.

So in case Kenji was going to fight my newly adopted cat, I wanted her to be able to fight back! So I eliminated the idea of any declawed cats. There are plenty of people out there looking to adopt declawed cats anyway.

I wanted a girl cat, to have a boy and a girl, but I wasn't going to eliminate a cat based on sex. My final requirement was that the cat was approximately the same age as Kenji so they could continue to grow up together. As Kenji was two years old at the time, I looked for that range. I eliminated basically all the kittens, cats under one year, and any cat older than five. This probably wasn't necessary, but it helped me decide. I wanted the perfect cat not only for me, but for Kenji. I knew he would have a hard time with a new cat, especially because he's had me all to himself for two years.

There was one kitty that seemed to be overlooked. She was in the bottom cage and not necessary the most gorgeous cat I saw at first site. She was petite and a diluted calico (her colors were not as vibrant as other calicos).

I took her out, and she put her arms around me and licked my face. But she did not lick me just once. No, she gave me a full bath. I started laughing at the silly kitty. A Petsmart customer came into the adoption room after seeing this display of affection and said to me, "This cat is so yours!"

I still wasn't sure about it. The big fluffy boy was still on my mind. The woman wanted to hold the calico cat as well.

I passed her off.

The kitty, named Sadie, didn't seem that interested in the woman. The woman explained she all ready had three cats and couldn't have another. Sadie never gave her the same bath she gave me. I took Sadie back, and the cat mauled me with her kisses.

I couldn't pass her up any longer.

I asked the lady working there how long Sadie had been there, and the woman explain, "About two weeks."

On Sadie's description card it said something along the lines of, "I was rescued right before being put to sleep. I travel well, and will sleep in bed with you. I do well with other dogs, cats, and children."

Perfect. I wanted a dog someday, and as I am a young woman I would like to have children some day.

I payed for her, signed all the paper work, and took her home. They ran out of the one time use cat carriers they give away with a new pet, so they were pleased to hear I was prepared.

I called my mom and told her I got a new cat. And she wondered how Kenji would handle it.

I was so worried at first. I did not let Sadie out of her cage when I got home, but instead let the two smell each other through the cages.

My bedroom was all ready for Sadie. She had her own bed, litter box, and toys.

For several days I kept the two apart in separate rooms. And eventually I would let Sadie out for about five to fifteen minutes at a time. Kenji was extremely upset. There were tons of arched backs, hissing, and growls.

Kenji was always a strange in a way he never would growl, even when frightened by other dogs. Never once I heard him growl, until he met Sadie.

Eventually I braved it out, and let the cats run loose for awhile. I would follow them around, because I was afraid they'd kill each other. And when things started to get too heated I would scoop Sadie up, and move her into the bedroom. Normally she was never the angry one, as she was just curious at who Kenji was.

After a week of this, and me being slightly worried that there was no progress being made, I read online that you have to just let the cats be. The cats have to just figure out their problems on their own, without you always separating them. They had to figure out their pecking order. So I bit my lip, and let them duke it out.

They would chase each other back and forth around the apartment. Nothing bad really happened, just lots and lots of chasing. I could hear their nails digging into the carpet as they ran from each other. Sometimes Kenji would be the chaser, and sometimes Sadie would turn around and chase him back.

The chasing eventually slowed down and I was able to have the cats in the living room with me in peace. Kenji would sit on a chair, Sadie would be on the futon across the living room. Anytime she moved an inch closer he'd growl. There was always growling going on, and I was starting to worry about Kenji.

Kenji seemed so upset and actually frightened. It got to the point that even though Sadie was of no threat to him, and was not even attempting to hurt him, I had to put her in another room because Kenji could not sleep! He was so nervous and afraid of her, that he was fighting sleep and fatigue to just stay awake and watch her. He would growl, as his head would bob and his eyes would shut. I was afraid he was going to get sick on me.

After a couple more days, things seemed a little better. I let Sadie and Kenji roam the apartment as I slept. As long as I was there, I basically let them do their thing. But when I left for work I put them into separate rooms.

But one day I forgot...

I didn't even realize I forgot until I came home and saw Sadie at the door to greet me. I realized what I had done and rushed to see if Kenji was alive. He was fine too. They...didn't kill each other?

And from that point on they were able to roam free together without my supervision.

The fights and chasing stopped too. I could actually just relax and have two normal cats, who perhaps didn't like each other, but tolerated each other.

They shared the same food dish, and even took turns. When I finally turned two litter boxes back into one, they never fought over that either. Never once have they fought over water, food, or the litter box.

It's been one years since I've had Sadie, and she had turned Kenji into a whole new cat! Kenji use to hide under the bed all day while I was gone for work. And when I would come home, if he was in the living room, I'd see him bolt into the bedroom and hide until he knew it was me. Now when I come home, I come home to a relaxed and calm Kenji on the couch. He doesn't bolt into the other room anymore, he usually greets me with a coo and a stretch.

Sadie and Kenji play all the time. He still is more rough than she likes though, because I hear the cries, but those two have hours of fun. There's always stalking, playing through the doors, hopping over one another, teasing each other under a blanket. I had a stuffed cat that Kenji use to be obsessed with, and would play with all the time. He hasn't touched that stuffed cat in months. I think it's because he has a real life playmate now.

The two still have their tiffs, I think that's just always going to be the case. Kenji has a particular spot he likes on the couch, which is to the right of where I sit and if she's there he gives her a long hard look until she moves. Normally their fights are only over me. But usually they reach a compromise as well: Kenji sleeps at the foot of the bed and Sadie sleeps on my pillow, Kenji sits on the right side of me on the couch and Sadie sits on the left side. They usually take turns on who sits on my lap.

Kenji is also a more affectionate cat as well. He use to never cuddle, purr, or kneed me as much as he does now. Sometimes his affection is almost overwhelming, and he does the same to others now too!

When I'm home, they are either playing with each other or sleeping in their own favorite spot. However, when I come home from work sometimes I catch them coming from the same room together. I suspect they snuggle when I'm not looking. And I even catch Sadie grooming him from time to time.

Both of them follow me around the house like little puppies. I can't even go to the bathroom without them freaking out and wanting to come in. But they don't just follow me, they walk side by side.

They are totally different cats. Sadie is a social butterfly while Kenji is mainly a one person cat. Kenji is a neat freak and will spend ten minutes neatly pushing the litter around in the litter box, and sometimes Sadie won't even cover it. Kenji will have to go back and do it for her. Sadie is a naughty with jumping on counters, and is a mooch when you eat which is something she probably learned from her previous owners, but Kenji would never eat people food even if you tried to give it to him and he's not a counter jumper.

I couldn't be happier with this adoption. It's been one year since I adopted Sadie. She was a perfect fit for me and Kenji. Sometimes, the two stop fighting and being territorial and just both squeeze on my lap together. And it breaks my heart thinking that she was almost put to sleep. What could she have done so wrong to deserve that? She loves everybody, and she's a non-aggressive cat. If you say her name, she coos. You could say her name twenty times in a row, and she'll coo every time.

There's a lot of great cats out there I'm sure. If you are willing to take care of one, and love it all its life, don't be afraid to open your heart and home to one. She's not only a great cat for me, but Kenji's best friend. It's like that void in his life, was filled and now he is truly happy.