Blog the Change for Animals: My Rescues

 

Blog the Change is a chance for bloggers to write about something they are passionate about. I am passionate about anything that protects and defends animals, but first and foremost I want to promote pet adoption.

This is the first time I've joined Blog the Change for Animals, and wanted to focus on the kitties I've rescued in my life. I come from a long line of cat ladies. My great-aunt May, who I never met, always made sure she had money to feed all her rescue cats before she took care of herself. My mother likes to joke that I am her reincarnated, because animals mean more to me than anything. Growing up I would lay in bed with a pile of books in one corner, and a cat in the other. Over 30 years later I am still always surrounded by books and cats...they are the true bliss in my life.

My first cat was Patch, a beautiful orange tiger that my parents rescued when he was 3 months old, dumped at my father's family farm. My childhood companion was with me for 15 years until he passed of a brain tumor. Next we took in Sebastian, an older gentleman left behind when his family (our neighbors) moved away. He was only a part of the family for a few years until we lost him to renal failure.

Sashi was the first cat I adopted at the shelter. She was 9 years old, brought to the shelter because her family could no longer keep her, and overlooked for a long time because of her age. Week after week I passed by her cage at the PetsMart adoption center until I finally realized she was waiting for me. She was my perfect little girl for almost 8 years. Her passing in 2006 tore my heart into a million pieces. She was the first cat that was truly mine, and I felt like I had lost a child.

A little over a year later I found myself again roaming the aisles of the PetsMart adoption center when the most beautiful tortie lady made me gasp. I knew she was the one. Tara was 7, brought to the shelter as a stray, and has been with me for a little over 5 years now. She has many health issues now and I know when I lose her another piece of my heart will be gone forever. But I also know that after a period of grieving my heart will start to heal and I will find another furry soul mate that will need me.

These are just the cats that have been a part of my home. Many others have been in my life. Neighborhood cats neglected by their owners know they will always find a meal at my door. One summer a stray kitten started living in a square birdbox in my yard. I named him PopTart because he bounced around every minute. At this time Sashi was in my life and she hated other cats, so when fall came around I had him neutered and brought him to the shelter. I cried all the way there when I dropped him off.  I really loved that little guy and hope he found a beautiful life. Mooch was another stray that came to my door for meals. I would periodically bring him into the house but he would never stay. One day he disappeared, and my heart broke again.

I wonder sometimes why I'm constantly putting myself through the heartache of loving and then losing all these cats. I can't live without them. So many animals are in need, and the truth is, they save us just as we save them. It always makes me so angry when someone I know goes to a breeder for a pet when so many beautiful animals are waiting in shelters to find their forever home.

Adopt...Don't Shop!!!