A Cat Adoption Story, Pay it forward, but protect your heart

One of the goals I had aspired to in the past year was, instead of just blogging about pet adoption events,  I had decided that it was important for me to be an active participant. I didn't want to just "Blog the Change" I wanted to help "Be the Change."

As many of you know, June was "Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat-Month" and I had decided to attend a local adoption event that previously I had only blogged about, but  had never experienced.

It was a gloriously sunny day, and as I motored along picturesque tree and lake-lined roads, I thought about the many kitties I was yet to meet.

The first cats I met were residents of Kitty City II. They romped and played freely in their cage-free, toy and comfy chair-filled environment.

Arm-chair kitty

Interior of Kitty City II-White Lake Michigan

comfy kitty at Kitty City II

7-toed kitty at Kitty City II

Then I strolled over to the large vacant storefront that was located next door, where cats from the Oakland Pet Adoption Center and Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue were housed.

My heart fell to my toes. There were cages upon cages of cats. Every color, every age, every size, every breed.  Each with a story. Each filled with hope. Each wanting to give love.


I made my way around the room, cooing, ooo-ing, ahhhh-ing, petting pink noses, touching velvety soft paws. Then I stopped. For some unknown reason I turned my head and saw HIM. Our eyes locked. His handsomeness could not be denied. SOMETHING HAD DRAWN ME TO THIS CAT.

Precious "Tigre"

I approached his cage and instantly was smitten. He flirted, he posed, he had a regal sense of calm and the look of a tiny bobcat in his beige-mocha tinged face. His name was Tigre. (Nope, not a typo, that was his name!)

I held him, kissed him. I had fallen in love. My heart broke with the realization that I couldn't adopt him. I am only permitted to  have two pets in the condo where I live, and, the vet had advised, that with the special dynamic that exists between Cody and Dakota,  bringing a third pet into the mix could completely destroy the magic that currently exists between them.

Tigre and I

Tigre and I "Cat Chatting"

Simply Smitten

"I want to take you home with me"

My friend, Linda Wasche with Tigre

I cried. This cat  had claimed my heart and I could see that I had claimed his. He had literally been dumped in the street, WITH his collar. When his owner was called, he denied that the cat was HIS.

I couldn't bear to leave.

A woman and her adult daughter approached the cage just as I was readying myself to try and walk away.

I had begun a conversation with them and they told me about current and past cats that they had and how they were considering adopting another to be a kitty companion to a cat already living with the adult daughter.

I  looked at them and said,  "Please adopt this cat" I explained that I could feel that he was special. They played with him, held him and were immediately drawn into his feline spell.

Tigre, about to leave his cage forever

 The stories I heard had dispelled any fears that I may have had of their being appropriate adoptive "parents."

The adult daughter said:

"I can't afford him today. I have to wait until I am paid"

Afraid that the luxury of waiting did not exist, I said,  "If you adopt him, I will BUY him for you."

As they should have, they looked at me as if I was completely crazy. Who was this strange woman saying she would BUY the cat for them?

The adult daughter said:

"YOU will BUY him for me?"

ME: "Yes"

The adult daughter said: "Ok"

My heart flew, my feet danced as we made our way to the table to fill out the paperwork.  I paid the adoption fee feeling as if this was one of the most wonderful days of my life. I hoped I had saved a life. I couldn't save them all, but I felt as if I at least had  saved one.

"Tigre" Gets an "I'm Adopted!" Sign

My only request of the adult daughter was after having heard that she was on Facebook, that maybe, just maybe could she occasionally send me a photo or two? An update? Something about this magical cat to let me know that he was thriving in his new home and receiving the love that I wish I could give to the millions of homeless cats throughout the world, but can't?

Adult Daughter: "Oh yes!!! I will send you photos, I will update you!"

I  HAVE RECEIVED ONE.

That week.

Nothing more.

The only photo I received

I even checked photos on her Facebook page to see if there were any of Tigre, any updates. Not much. Maybe two photos and a comment about how her cat was adjusting to his living in their home.

On July 10th I left a light and airy comment asking her how he was doing.

I have heard nothing.

I have emotions that I am still wrestling with.

Should I have been the one to adopt  him?
Maybe. But logistically it was not in his or my best interest for the reason stated above and the honest fact that with my still being out of work, and my husband having retired, we simply could not afford another pet. Plain and simple. If we couldn't afford to adequately provide for a third, the answer was NO. I wanted to be a part of the SOLUTION, not be a contributor to the PROBLEM.

Did I make it possible for the wrong person to adopt him?
I don't know. What kills me is I may never know.

Is he  still living with her?
Same answer as above.

Do I have the right to know?
Initially I believed that YES, I do have a right to know. But after speaking with my dear friend Kim, of the wonderful blog, CindyLu's Muse and "Be The Change For Animals" who has fostered a HUGE number of pets, the answer is yes I have a right to know, but NO, I should never have expected that I would be updated. In a perfect world where you do the right thing and perform a kindness for another the answer would be, YES. In real life, when you do a kindness, you should NEVER expect anything in return.

Would I do it again?
YES. It warmed my heart  and satisfied my soul to have given this most incredible gift. It is always the right thing to "pay it forward" and I would gladly do it again.

When I do, I will do my best to keep my expectations in check and I will  PROTECT MY HEART. 

The boy who stole my heart,
"be a good boy in your new home"

"I wish you love, safety and security
for all of your nine lives"