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Dear MEOW 2009 (Jan-June)
Dear MEOW,
Here's some pictures of Sierra...
(MEOW name Leandra) in her happy new home... and oh my is she ever getting used to the place... !!!
Thank you again for all the support the Foundation does.. and thanks to our Adoption Coordinator Vick F. who has been very present and very usefull in the process !!!
Christian & Krista.... & Sierra !
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Dear MEOW,
I wanted to give you a brief update on Sawyer
(MEOW name Tannen) and to let you know that he is doing great, and has really settled into being a part of the family. We had him to the vet a few weeks ago and she just loved him. He weighed in at a healthy 15 pounds. Although he loves to eat we were told that he is a healthy weight and that we needn't worry about the occasional treat. He does however have acne under his chin that we are trying to get rid of with the aid of special soap. Who knew, cats with acne. Noah thought we should try Proactive Solution because Jessica Simpson uses it all the time and she has a really nice face (ah, 9 year old boys can be so sweet).
I suppose our biggest challenge with him now is trying to keep him indoors. He wants out very badly and we did try a harness and leash in the backyard (twice) but he did not like that one bit. The vet says he should get over that soon but it seems, the nicer the weather gets the more determined he is to get out. He's taken to lying on the rail of the patio door so you can get neither in nor out without his knowledge. We also have tons of birds in our yard that I'm sure he would like to filet. It should be an interesting summer...out new mantra when someone is coming or going from our home is "Watch the Cat".
As I sit here typing he is galloping around the house like a cat gone mad....running from room to room, up and down the stairs almost like he's being chased. Noah has gone swimming so there's no one to play with, but it's great that he is so good at amusing himself.
Karen, Jon, Noah & Sawyer A.
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Dear MEOW,
Thought I’d send you an update on the boys.
Houdini
(MEOW name Frodo) is a total goofball who has decided that getting head scruffs and being brushed are really good things, so much so that he will now come over and hook at your feet in order to get his rightful dues.
Flynn (MEOW name Bilbo) is a harder nut to crack, but has been showing some progress. If Houdini is getting a good head scratching, Flynn will join in to get some attention of his own. Flynn has also shown a fascination with water and will actually dip his paw in the tub. Both of them are extremely curious about anything and everything, typical cats in every way.
Sylvia |
Dear MEOW,
I wanted to update you on Percy
(MEOW name McClinton). He has adapted well to his new home, and has found a friend and occasional playmate in Zowie, my little dilute tortie girl. Zowie's sister Pandora is still not too fond of her new brother, but even though she hisses at him occasionally, the three of them are able to share the bed at night. Of course, the only trouble with three cats on the bed is that there isn't much room for me!
When I saw Percy at the shelter, he was squashed into a small cubbyhole, with his arms and head sticking out. His love of small cubbies continues here, as one of his favourite spots is inside his pagoda house. He'd do almost anything for treats (especially Temptations), and in the beginning it was the only way to coax him out of his hiding spots. By the time he got out of his safe room on a full-time basis, he was more than happy to follow me around asking for attention, and then claiming his spot on the bed.
He does really well with visitors, and has taken quite a liking to my dad and my uncle, as well as being able to charm the ladies. He takes people by surprise because he looks like a big panther, but is really a teddy bear. He loves his cheek rubs and scritches, and has taken well to the harness - it's just the outside that's too scary.
Thanks so much to Brenda for helping me with the adoption, and my best to everyone at MEOW.
Percy sends his love.
Alyssa
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Dear MEOW,
My name is Grizz and I am a MEOW kitten that has reached my first B-day on May 8, 2009. I was adopted out to a great Mom who gives me lots of love and lots of new toys. She tends to not feed me as much as I would like to be fed, but I never go hungry.
My room mate is Uncle Frazer. He has been very patient with me and has taught me a lot, especially the rules of the household. He tends to hiss at me when I get on his nerves but then an hour later we are running and playing. Doesn't like it when I jump on his back. Don't know why!!
Grizz on his 1st Birthday
Thank you Vicky and family for taking care of me when I was born and then finding me such a great home. Thank you MEOW Foundation!!
I am pretty gorgeous, view at your own risk!!
Grizz
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Dear MEOW,
Well it has been a long time and I just wanted to let you know I am lovin' it living with Jan. We are just so well suited and live together like two peas in a pod.
I still have my original name PLATO we just thought it was too perfect to change. My bio said I was a perfect gentleman and so we felt Plato was sophisticated and if I don't say so myself I believe I am a deep thinker and pretty philosophic.
Plato Inside the Front Porch
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I talk a lot and it sometimes surprises Jan's guests but they warm up to me and I am always included in the
social gatherings.
Anyway, Thanks for finding me and approving Jan for my adoption. Life for both of us would just not be the same.
Lots of Love
Plato
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Butters
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Dear MEOW,
I wanted to update you on our favourite little cat, Butters (MEOW name Mandalay). My boyfriend and I visited her at the shelter 2 years ago and haven't stopped loving her since! Everyone who meets her is amazed at how well behaved & loveable she is... Within a few minutes of a new person arriving the house, Butters is rubbing against them or relaxing on their lap! Her "grandma" says she's never seen a cat with such a pleasant temperament!
It's almost two years since her adoption but Butters continues to make us smile every day. She has been a perfect fit in our home & seems to be enjoying it thoroughly :)
Thanks MEOW!
Heather H.
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Kierra
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Dear MEOW,
This has been long overdue, but I wanted to let you know how Kierra has been over the last 2 years since I adopted her.
Kierra's been doing well, and warmed up to me very quickly when she first came home with my girlfriend and I. It was funny to watch her slink around the house after we had given her time to settle in with Nerf, our other cat, to check everything out. She quickly became ruler of the house, and has kept that position even after Nerf moved away and Abby and Toby (my sisters cats) came to stay with us. She also bonded very quickly with my new girlfriend and is rarely more then a few feet away when she comes to visit, prefering to spend as much time as possible in her arms.
She's still a bit wary around new people, but likes to come and visit if you decide to stay for awhile. She loves to curl up between my arms on the desk while I work, and pushes the keyboard away when she really wants attention. Kierra also plays the (mostly) willing model for me when I want to try out new stuff for photography (see attached).
Thank you, MEOW, for helping me to bring Kierra into my life, I know it would be more lonely without her!
Chris G.
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Willis and Roland
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Dear MEOW,
This is Willis (MEOW name Ellery). I have just had my papers finalized and am very much at home and happy in my new home!! I have a very tolerant and playful friend in Roland. We chase each other around all night and have a fantastic time!!
My adopted humans would like to say a huge thank you to all the lovely people at the MEOW foundation for taking such good care of me while I was there and introducing me to them!!
They love me madly!!
Take care!
Willis
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The boys on the loveseat
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Dear MEOW,
In November 2007, Stryder (MEOW name Bono) came into our lives. We met him at MEOW where he was providing love and protection to a family of young kittens. They would climb all over him while he passively lay there. When Stryder came into our home, he had his own room. Whenever we returned from an outing, he could be seen on his bed in the window, until he realized we were home, at which point he would leap under the loveseat. With time, we were able to pet him while he was in his secure space under the chair. We discovered that he likes to 'hold hands'. When he had enough petting, he would let us know, but as we pulled our hands away, he would rest his paw on our hands, clearly wanting contact, but not pets. Finally after about 4 weeks, he was brave enough to stand in the open doorway of his room, watching us as we sat quietly in front of the fire. A mere 4 weeks after that he allowed us to pet him while in the open. Now, over a year later, when we come home, he greets us with up-turned belly, asking for a tummy rub!
In November 2008, we went back to MEOW to find a companion for Stryder. Orion (MEOW name Oren) thus joined our family. Although Orion was another shy cat, it did not take him long to feel comfortable moving around the house. This was made easier by the fact that Stryder, the 'gentle giant', welcomed Orion without confrontation. Orion seems to have a water fetish, as he jumps up on the counter whenever he hears a tap running and tries to get his head under the spout. And once the water is turned off, he sets his attention on finding and extracting the rubber sink stopper. Orion earned his name by relentlessly hunting down the 'laser mouse', no matter where it ran or hid! Now these 2 boys wrestle together, sleep together, eat together and even pull over Xmas trees together! There could not have been a better choice of companion for Stryder. We know that Orion's foster mom must miss him, but he seems very happy, living and playing with Stryder.
While we were searching for a companion for Stryder, we met Tanya. Since Orion and Stryder have now settled into a comfortable relationship, with us and each other, we decided it was time to see if Tanya would fit into our home and the cat family. She has been with us for 2 weeks and is now feeling comfortable enough to walk around the house while we are present, as long as we don't move too quickly. She loves the scratching post which has been a huge incentive for her to leave the safe confines of her room. The loss of one of her eyes does not seem to slow her down. She has been seen jumping up on the bathroom counter and has recently taken to chasing a toy ball around her room. She is still leery about being petted, but is willing to sit for a brief scratch behind the ears. Stryder and Orion are accepting of Tanya.
And as fate would have it, all 3 of these cats are grey (although Tanya distinguishes herself with a few white patches).
Connie and Diane
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Garth
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Dear MEOW,
Thank you so much for your help and guidance in adopting Garth. Please let those at MEOW who know Garth how thankful we are for your work tocare for him.
He is such a wonderful addition to our life, and he's been adjusting incredibly well to our home. He's very cuddly and as you can see by the photo attached, still has his trademark wink.
Thanks again for everything and I'll be sure to give him a big smooch.
Alex and Sophia
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Fiona
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Dear MEOW,
Hello everyone! Fiona here! (MEOW name Leoni) I'm writing a quick note to let you know how things are in my new forever home.
At first I was pretty scared and I had a hard time trusting people. It only took me a few days to come out of my safe room and then a few more to explore the rest of the house and meet my new (and a little reluctant) pal Toots. After that I really started to come out of my shell... and now I love my humans! We play together often, eat delicious foods and even snuggle under something they call "blankets".
Some of new favourite acitivities are: Chasing Toots, Chasing humans, Playing with my babies (toys), Eating soft cat food, Purring, Cuddling under blankets, Enjoying a brushing or a nice pet, Looking out the windows... just to name a few. Things are pretty good now. I don't have to worry anymore, although I still get pretty nervous sometimes, especially when I loose my babies. I really like it here and I think things are only going to get better!
Thanks for your help MEOW!
Talk to you guys in a few months!
Fif
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Dear MEOW,
I just wanted to send you an update on how Emmett
(MEOW name Barack) has made himself a crucial part of our family.
He made himself at home from the first night! We only had to keep him and Misty (our 2year old cat) away from each other for a couple days. Thanks for all the advice on how to introduce the cats to each other, because it worked like a charm! Misty kind of stayed clear of Emmett for a while and would just watch him. It only took about a week and then they were sleeping together and playing. Emmett is such a sweet, and energetic little guy. Emmett and Misty are best of friends now.
Our kids just love him and he seems to just love them too! He will follow them around the house and if they close their bedroom doors while he's following them.he will start being very "vocal" about the fact that they forgot to let him in as well! He is dedicated to start purring and snuggling right into our faces every morning. He is full of life and snuggles.
We love Emmett to bits!
Thank you for saving him so that we could have him!
Davina, Shawn, Sage & Kale
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Dear MEOW,
Seth and Messina came from very different backgrounds and yet, they have become the best of friends in their new home. Seth is still a bit shy when it comes to human contact, but he has sure come a long way in three months and is quite the brave and playful little man! Messina is the beautiful little princess that has Seth wrapped around her little paw! She is always up for a game of fetch or laser tag and is always willing to show Seth some of her tricks at outsmarting mom!
Jessica B.
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Dear MEOW,
It's Sophie
(MEOW name Checkers) and today is my one year anniversary in my forever home, and I am excited to tell you how my new life is going!
My mom cleans at the MEOW Shelter once a week and for 2 years tried to make friends with me. Whenever she would talk to me, I would hiss at her and run and hide in the cabinet. One day she came in and told me if I hissed at her again, she was going to take me home. And the rest is history!
Once I got into a home, I totally exceeded all expectations anyone had for me. I also never hissed again. I was out of my safe room within a few weeks and strutted around like I was just meant to be here. It took quite a while before I would allow anyone to pet me, but now allow my mom and dad all the petting they want to give me and even allowed my Grandma to give me a few pets last week, tummy and all!
I have a very best friend named Misty that I absolutely love to death. She can't go anywhere without me in tow. We are both kind of silly and have alot of fun together. She is 12 years old but you would never know it, as she keeps up with me no problem. I also have 3 other cat sisters and a dog sister. We all get along very well but I think I annoy them a bit with all my headbutting.
I love to run, I love to play and I LOVE chasing my mom's feet in bed at night. I also have my own special window that I watch the birds from. The branches practically touch the window so this is a great source of entertainment for me. I can sure chatter up a storm. You should also see me catch flies. I am quite the acrobat and I guarantee you, we will never have a fly in this house more than a minute!
I certainly didn't start out here with a lot of charm, but I have more than made up for it. Thanks to everyone at MEOW for being so patient with me and taking such good care of me for so long. I am the happiest little girl ever and have proven, that with a little patience, understanding and a whole lot of love, us shy cats can be the greatest pets and are wonderful companion cats.
Love Sophie
P.S. Here are a couple pictures of me with my best friend Misty (orange) and my other sister Gracie
(MEOW Name Gretel) I always bug her when she is trying to sleep. I think I'm pretty cute! |
Dear MEOW,
I just wanted to share a report on how Matata (Black) and Kenya (Orange Tabby) are doing. For the first month and a half both cats were quite shell shocked and preferred to live under one of my bedroom chairs then venture out. Kenya seemed to be the more adventurous of the two and I would very often see her investigating every nook and crannie when I was either asleep or in another room. Although she didn't like touch, she really enjoyed being around people and would very often sit a few feet away from me just watching.
Over the past month and a half Matata has done a 180. He is so cuddly and will follow me around everywhere I go. It's rare he'll be in another room if I'm home. He sleeps on my bed and is constantly striving for my affection. He greets me every day at my door with a little meow and rubs his face against my leg. A huge improvement for a scared little cat. And for the first time last week Kenya let me pet her (only briefly). She has been following Matata around and every time he gets cuddles she watches and literally is perched right beside him and often within arms reach away from me. She is still very scared, but will eat out of my hand and follow me around as well. I'm sure she will come out of her shell with time.
Both cats love each other and each night (either on my bed or on "their" living room chair) they sleep together. Kenya sleeps practically on top of Matata which is so cute and he just loves her.
Just wanted to let you know how they are. I love them so much, as does my boyfriend and they are literally family members now.
Take Care!
Amber A. |
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Jackson
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Dear MEOW,
I just thought I would touch base to let you know how Jackson is doing. His personality is shining and he loves to sit in the sun for most of day. His all black thin coat now has a redish brown undercoat. He still pulls on his hair though and has a few small bald spots. We believe that it is caused from stress but he is doing so well.
He now spends most of his time downstairs and we will be blocking off this room this weekend. Even though Tia is not really thrilled, Jackson does not seem to care and loves being down stairs. We just love the way he is coming out and shining as a confident well adjusted cat. He never hides under blankets and he still will slink away when he is not sure, but we never feed that energy.
Jackson likes to watch TV for short periods. It is great to have him sit there and watch his little head go back and forth. This morning we where watching the Dog Whisperer as we usually do on Saturday morning. Jackson sat in front of the TV for over an hour trying to pet the dogs. I put Jackson on my lap during a commercial and he jumped off when the Dog Whisperer started and returned to the front of the TV. He seems to know what a dog is and would sometimes bring up his paw to touch the screen if the dog was there. We would get him a dog if Tia was not here but she is.
The other day, Tia was walking away and Jackson decided to follow her. She turned and it startled her and she screamed, Jackson screamed and we just laughed.
Regards,
Nicole P.
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Dear MEOW,
We adopted Donnelly with your help in September 2008 as a friend for our dog Patches. They've been getting along great, and I just wanted to share this picture of them. They sleep together most nights, and during the day while we're out (or so we think). Donnelly is most certainly a part of the family.
Thanks for introducing us to Donnelly, we couldn't have found a better cat!
Jennifer M.
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Dear MEOW,
Just a quick 'Hi' to all our friends at MEOW Foundation, Rod and I thank you so much for trusting us with Forester's life and for allowing us to give him his 'forever' home. He is such a joy and getting used to new sounds, and seems to be healing nicely. He will always have the little tongue thing but that adds to his Charm. Take care Brenda.
Love Angie |
Dear MEOW,
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Joel on his throne 2001.
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Hello my MEOW family - this is Joel
(MEOW name Lawrence) writing to you from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, where I moved with Mama and Dad a couple of years ago. I flew on a lovely airplane to get here since I still don't like car-trips! The fresh fish and lobster are quite purrfect here in Nova Scotia.
Mama still gets a MEOW calendar each year and showed me my picture on the website from 2001 when Dad built my big throne! I love to sleep on the top of our couch now and look out our window and I'm still a great big huge boy!
Thank you again MEOW for rescuing me so long ago and helping my Mama and Dad find me to love.
Love Joel |
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Arthur ready for a visit.
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Dear MEOW,
I just wanted to write and give you along overdue update on Arthur
(MEOW name Arthur). Arthur marched into our lives in April of 2002 as a rambunctious 10 month old kitten. I can remember when Jake brought him to us. He was curious and confident and decided to "own us" right from the beginning. We have a sign in our house that says "the cat rules this house" and it is definitely true. He really is unlike any cat that I had met before.
He has always loved people and has a very high tolerance to dogs as we do dogsit from time to time. He also always appears whenever company arrives to greet everyone as well as to get his fair share of attention. The other thing about Arthur is that he knows when someone is not feeling well. He will come and cuddle up next to you and stay there for hours at a time.
I had tried in the past to join PALS with a dog we had but he could not pass the screening process. I had then thought about joining PALS with Arthur and checked their website to see what characteristics a suitable cat would have, but I also knew that very few cats were cut out for this line of work. He definitely matched the criteria for a PALS cat so I decided to try.
We then started through the screening process. He already enjoyed having a harness and leash put on him and I also bought a cat carrier to see how he would like that. No problem with any of that. At his first interview he came out of his cat carrier and decided to own all the paperwork on the table by laying on it. We passed that first screening and interview and then were asked to come back for the big screening.
Well, he was definitely a natural with the people and was able to get through the different situations with flying colours.
Arthur and I started visiting in April of last year and he really enjoys the people that he gets to visit with as well as all chairs, beds, and laps that he gets to lay on. The people he visits also look forward to seeing him.
I just wanted to send a big thank you to the MEOW Foundation. You certainly do Make Each One Wanted.
Regards,
Arthur & the Logan Family
Dear MEOW,
Just wanted to let you know how well our cats are doing since we adopted them from you.
Portabella
(MEOW name Svetlana) now lets our 11 month old pet and lay on her. Chymira
(MEOW name Tishabelle) is now allowing us to pet, hug and lay on her as well. We can't pick her up yet be she lets us love her. Portabella is so friendly and loves to tease all our friends by walking up and sitting just arms length away so our friends have to get up to pet her. She randomly will jump up and sit on people.
They just love each other. Thanks again for giving us new love in our family.
Kathy B. and James C. |
Dear MEOW,
It has been a little over a year since Aloni and Mistletoe (now Indiana) moved in. Like any overpowering roommates they have taken over the house and left their fur everywhere. There is not a space that they have not claimed for their own, even the basement ceiling is Indiana's domain. I do get the upper right side of the bed but beings I paid for it I guess that is OK.
Aloni (Torby) was the first to arrive. As soon as the carrier was down and the door opened she bounded out announcing to the world that she had arrived. Indiana (Grey Tabby) arrived a week later but was a little more cautious and enjoyed her safe room for a few days. However, with Aloni's "everyone must love me" attitude it did not take long for Indiana to come around and the two have been best friends ever since. They like to sun bath in their cat tree and every now and then, bath each other.
Aloni came from foster mom, Margaret, and was a happy ball of energy and ever so friendly. She does not like to be picked up and cuddled as she is too busy getting into mischief, but sit on the couch and get comfy and she is right there ready to snuggle behind my legs and doze. Indiana came from foster mom, Kim, and was ever so timid, but finally exposed her belly in a dozing moment and I got to touch it for .2 of a second. I feel very happy when she finally comes around for chin scratches as it is not often. Sometimes it lasts till my arm is sore but it is worth it to see her accepting me. I figure eventually she may let me pet her when I want to and not run away. Baby steps.
Aloni and Indiana
I tried to bring in a new friend for us, Aura, but unfortunately it did not work out. I found her as a stray, sent her to MEOW, missed her terribly and had to bring her back. We tried for 7 weeks to make her feel at home with all of us but Aura insisted that she be the only kitty in the house. I miss her dearly; she was the cat that I could pick up and cuddle, I hope she is very happy in her new forever home.
Aloni and Indiana have bounced back from that experience. They are back to playing chase, pouncing on each other in the kitty tunnel, running after the laser pointer, hiding in my dresser drawers, opening cupboards and closets to investigate what is inside and looking out all the windows to check out the action. I think it is safe to say we will be roommates forever.
Thanks MEOW!
Wendy S.
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Dear MEOW,
I apologize for how late this is. We adopted a cat from the MEOW Foundation last year, with the adoption being finalized July 29/08. We had adopted a darling which was named Lucia by the wonderful people at the Foundation, who had fallen 8 stories but still managed to stay sweet despite the trauma. We have since changed her name to Maggie, and she is doing very well. Although she's gained a bit of weight, she is very content and is wonderful with our two rambunctious boys. She has stolen my favourite chair from me as her personal sleeping spot, and is quite content.
Thank you so much to everyone there for their assistance and knowledge when we came in and selected Maggie (Lucia) to join our family.
Thanks again so much!
Whitney and Tyler
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Dear MEOW,
Sophie
(MEOW name Gypsy Lee) is doing wonderful. It has been just 2 weeks since I picked her up from the shelter but you wouldn't know it when you see her! She is very friendly and isn't scared of anything -- not even the 2 big men who delivered my sofa last week. She went straight up to them and rubbed all over their legs and watched them curiously as they set everything up. Any other cat I know would have run and hid! Sophie is also VERY talkative. She meows and chirps almost constantly, and I meow back at her...I wonder what our conversations mean. She loves being held by my boyfriend Jon (aka "Daddy") like a baby, being cradled in his arms. Her favorite places are the luxurious comforter on my bed which she has claimed as her own, her perch next to the kitchen sink (she loves dripping faucets) and inside an empty case of water. Her favorite toys include the MEOW Foundation goodies I got for her as well as tissue paper leftover from Christmas. She loves the crinkle sounds it makes and takes running leaps and dives into the small pile I have left out on my living room floor. She makes me smile constantly and I am forever grateful to MEOW for bringing little Sophie into my life. Thank you!!!
Much Love,
Jenny & Sophie |
Dear MEOW,
Our one-year anniversary is coming up at the end of the month and we just wanted to let you know how happy we are at our new home. Our big brother Nicky has accepted us into the home without any problems at all and we, in turn, have now welcomed our cousin Zoe into the fold. Man, the four of us have a lot of fun! We love playing laser-light olympics and when we get exhausted, we cuddle with Mom & Dad or each other. We are also really happy that our friends from the shelter are finding good homes.
Lots of love and purrs to all
Tenzing & Teloni
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Emma in Bed.
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Dear MEOW, It was 2 years ago today that a very terrified cat was delivered to our home. Emma
(MEOW name Eureka) was a super shy cat that had been at the Shelter for 2 years. We just couldn't resist her with those huge eyes and frostbitten ears. What a difference 2 years has made.
After her first year, we thought she was doing great, but what we are learning with these shy cats, is that everyday, she still does something new. It may be small but it is new for her, and everything new is progress.
Emma was pretty bossy the first year she was here. She would chase Misty constantly. Misty did eventually grow to enjoy it and a lot of the time started the chase herself. This year Emma has really mellowed out and has actually become a very nurturing cat with our old girl Molly. Molly is old and has a lot of health issues and we think Emma senses that. She follows her around and looks after her. They are usually found sleeping in the same room. She gives her little kisses on the head which is so cute. Although she still puts the chase on everyone (except Molly) it is in a more playful manor now. She doesn't want anyone to forget that she is still "in charge".
Emma Napping.
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She loves to be petted. She loves to sleep on our bed, and bury herself in the blankets, and she loves to sleep on our clean laundry. She is a real daddy's girl and gets away with quite a bit more than Misty and Molly do. It's funny how we think it's "cute" when she gets on the counter and the table just because she's shy. We're pretty sure she's smiling when she does it as the other cats look on. She still comes for treats most nights, but on the nights she decides she doesn't feel like getting out of bed, she knows, we will bring them to her. Once again she's smiling!
Although very friendly with us, she still does not like strangers. She goes to bed and stays there until it is all clear, then out she comes as affectionate as ever. She is not a lap cat but loves sitting beside you or behind you on the back of the couch. She is still very frightened by loud, unexpected noises but she is NOT afraid of the vacuum, which I find amazing. I can vacuum in the same room with her and she will just sleep. Everyone else scatters as soon as I bring it out.
So year number 2 has been just as interesting as the first year. Like I said before, these shy guys are not for everyone, but in the right home, you could not ask for anything more satisfying to be a part of. Although a touch spoiled and a bit of a princess, Emma is the most beautiful, loving little girl and we can't imagine our home without her. Thanks MEOW!
Love Emma's Forever Home
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Dear MEOW, It has been about six months since Skoki
(MEOW name Skoakie) and Koda arrived to live with us (Mom, Dad, Sam, Jake and Rambo) in their forever home.
Skoki (a.k.a. Skokes or Blossom) has blossomed. At the shelter she was extremely shy and spent most of her time at the back of a covered bed. She accepted pets from mom from the start if she was in her safe spot (covered bed) and over time her safe spots have expanded to include just about everywhere all the time, provided she has not been surprised by any sudden movements or noises. Skoki readily accepts pets from both her dad and mom and has even tentatively jumped on the sofa or bed when mom or dad are already there. Today Dad picked her about a foot off the floor and she did not struggle.
Skoki desperately wanted to explore beyond her safe room within a couple of weeks of arriving. She was the braver of the two when it came to exploring the house and was eager to meet her new brothers (three middle-aged orange tabby cats). She quickly became very fond of her big brothers and cuddles with all of them although Sam is her particular favourite. Sam was originally perplexed by the flirtatious female attention, but is a gentleman, so gently ignored her advances. Recently though, Sam has initiated some of the flirting with her! They are often near to each other.
(Photos L to R) The Gang. Jake and Skoki. Koda and Rambo.
Skoki is a petite girl who loves her food and has a surprising low and loud meow when the food preparation is not as quick as she would like. She quickly learned the meaning of the words 'kitty caviar' (a.k.a. cat food) and is often the first to the kitchen when the first magic syllable is spoken. "Bullet" may also become one of her nicknames. She also loves to play. Her favorite is any type of wand toy. She has encouraged the boys to move a bit more than in the recent past. She is our recreational director..
Koda (a.k.a. Koda Bear or Princess) has also flourished here. Mom was able to pet her quite readily at the shelter, so it was not surprising that she also accepted pets from mom from the time she arrived. She was initially shyer than Skoki when it came to meeting her brothers and exploring the house. She was also the one (of the five) that was most likely to swat and hiss when her personal space was compromised - even when she was the cause of the spatial compromise! Her favorite being in the house has definitely been mom. She regularly fuzzes mom and asks for pets. She shows a definite preference for human females - mom and even female visitors over human males, but now allows dad pet her if food is imminent. Her favourite brother is Rambo and if the current trend continues mom might find herself in the number two spot very soon! Rambo, like Sam, was initially a bit perplexed and politely ignored her advances but they seem to be "hanging out" together quite often.
We have no doubt that they have benefited by being part of a bigger feline family. Adopting these shy cats and watching their progress has been an extremely rewarding experience. The interaction between all five cats is fascinating to watch. Our Adoption Coordinator provided very helpful advice. The time, effort and patience required for a proper introduction is an excellent investment; maximizing the probability of a successful integration is in everyone's best interests. (A bit of luck doesn't hurt either!)
Mom, Dad
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Dear MEOW,
Here's a quick update on Maryann and Ellie
(MEOW name Alberta). I have been at home now recovering from chemo and have spent a great deal of time with "my kids". Just when I thought Maryann couldn't make any more giant leaps, for the first time in almost 3 years she is now coming on my knee. She also comes up and gently taps me when she wants to be petted. She has gained a pound since I've had her and my vet says it suits her. My beautiful Ellie is now 11 lbs at her check-up and flourishing. She captures everyone's heart. She's very healthy, plays with anything that she can move and is a real joy.
Ellie and Maryann relaxing
Thanks again meow for all you do and all the well wishes you have sent.
Bev
Dear MEOW, It's been a few months now and I thought it was time that I sent you a note to let you know how Kisulóra
(MEOW name Norma Jean) is doing.
I've been wanting a cat pretty much since I've moved out from my parent's home a few years ago but it has just never been feasible for me because I've been moving around so much and it's hard to find housing that allows cats. Eventually, I more or less settled down, and all the while I've been checking the MEOW Foundation website nearly daily. I looked at the SPCA and ARF too, but I really just knew that it would be a MEOW cat that I would end up with.
I checked out a few cats before I happened to come in one day and saw Kisu in the room of newer cats and I instantly was drawn to her because she is a chubbier browner copy of my parent's cat - the one that I was missing so much. I then took the opportunity to go see her at the Brentwood Pet Planet to see what she was like. I pretty much fell in love with her right then.
I took her home a while later and renamed her Kisulóra, which is the Icelandic word for "pussycat." I chose this because my parent's cat's name was Miss Kitty and I wanted to name her after her (incidentally, Miss Kitty passed away just before I brought Kisu home - my parents and I were both devastated).
She immediately wriggled under the futon in the spare room but she didn't stay there long. She was soon out exploring her room, eating treats, and even snuggling with me!
We left her in the room for that night and then in the morning I was shocked to see that I had forgotten to take the bag of treats with me out of the room and "someone" had ripped the bag open and scattered them all over the futon. I have since learned my lesson - bags of treats should be kept out of kitty reach.
On the second day she was out tentatively exploring the kitchen, then back to her room, then the bathroom, then back to her room, then the living room, then back to her room, then the bedroom, and since she has pretty much had the run of the house.
She has her own kitty post that she is almost always located on top of, scratching, or attacking. A girl from work was so excited that I finally got a kitty , she sent me some of her late kitty's toys - including some turkey feathers on a string that seems rather more bare than it used to nowadays. She loves her Temptations too and anytime someone goes to the kitchen, she is in there demanding that she is given the treats she so rightfully deserves.
She doesn't often come and sit on my lap, but she does come snuggle between us on the couch and she sleeps with me on the end of my bed at night (frequently getting up to crawl onto my chest and cuddle me in the middle of the night, putting her paws on my face and purring loudly until I wake up and pet her). She's really a doll about letting me clip her nails too - it really rips up your chin after a while and sort of became necessary.
She is also know to just wander around and roll over, so it is not uncommon to look around and see a round wad of fur and legs in some heap anywhere on the ground. My boyfriend has nicknamed her "Fuzzblob" as a result.
As it turns out, I will be going overseas for a few months (maybe even up to a year) and I can't bring her with me. Fortunately, a few of my friends have offered to keep her for me while I'm gone - they recently lost their cat and have really been missing having a kitty in the house.
So, thank you MEOW for finding me such a wonderful cat. She's just perfect for me and I absolutely love having her around. I can't imagine how lonely I would be if I didn't have her here to talk to and play with now. I love her so much.
Best regards,
Amy
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January 6, 2009
Dear MEOW,
Happy New Year to the MEOW Foundation.
I finally managed to take some good photos of Wulfgar so I thought I'd send them to you. As you can see, his fur has all grown back after being shaved and he's very handsome.
We've had Wulfgar for almost 5 months now, and he's settled in nicely.
We had some couch and curtain scratching issues in the beginning, but that seems to have passed. He still won't let us brush him, so we have to resort to stealth brushing when he's asleep. Clipping claws is even more of an adventure.
Wulfgar the paperweight
He's a bundle of energy that runs us ragged with his constant demands to play with him. You'd swear he was a kitten instead of nine years old. He loves to chase his toy balls around the apartment at top speed, crashing into walls or anything else that gets in his way. He regularly wakes us up in the middle of the night to see if we might want to play (the answer is usually no). But, we love him dearly and couldn't imagine life without him.
Wulfgar is definitely a people cat. He loves attention from whoever will give it to him. He gets quite upset (and very vocal) if he thinks we're ignoring him. He can't quite decide if he's a lap cat or not. I think he'd like to be a lap cat, but he thinks he's too cool. He loves to help. It doesn't matter what we're doing - Wulfgar is in the middle of it. We had a contractor over to finish some renovation work, and Wulfgar followed him around all day "helping" him. Wulfgar is diligently working on his chosen career as a paperweight. Our important papers will never fly away with him lying on them - never mind that fact that we're trying to read that important piece of paper.
We had such a hard time choosing a cat from among all the wonderful cats at the shelter, but Wulfgar is definitely the right cat for us. He has such a great personality, and he's always doing something to make us laugh. We're particularly fond of the way he squeaks when he's happy. Our thanks to Tina for helping us through the adoption process.
Cheers,
Allison
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January 1, 2009
Dear MEOW,
It definitely was not love at first sight for Foisy and me. At our first meeting, he was a timid teenager hissing at me from the corner of the room. He was the strangest cat I had ever seen with a long snout, a snaky looking body, and funny little legs containing the only trace of stripes on him. Born feral, I knew I was facing a challenge when I took Foisy home.
It wasn't all rosy either when he met his new sister, Tigerlily. She would have nothing to do with him and as to be expected, there were many confrontations. Although half his size, she remained triumphant as the dominant cat of the house. We decided that with his new life, Foisy should have a new name too. We named him Thomas.
Thomas relaxing in a sunbeam and Tigerlily & Thomas sleeping together
As the weeks and months went by, Thomas began to emerge from his shell. I remember the first time he looked up at me longingly and then rolled on his back to receive his first tummy rub. This would soon become a daily bonding ritual for Thomas and me. Soon, it was Christmas and I made Thom as his very own stocking with pipe cleaners on it (his favorite toy). Slowly but surely, he would squirm less when I picked him up and eventually I could hold him upside down and swing him from side to side! Occasional tummy rubs progressed to nightly snuggles with me in bed.
Now, after almost three years with us, Foisy the timid teenager has grown into handsome Thomas full of spunk. He loves to travel and has accompanied us on many vacations to exotic places like Jasper, Canmore, and Penticton. I've found these road trips to be bonding experiences for Thomas and Tigerlily, and strangely enough, they often end up sleeping in each other's arms. Thomas spends his days teasing his sister, playing with pipe cleaners, and lying in sunbeams looking out the window from his very tall cat tree. On colder days, he especially loves to sleep beside the fireplace. I can see that he is happy and although he will always be timid around strangers, his forever mom and dad love him very much. Thanks very much for bringing Thomas into our lives!
As the weeks and months went by, Thomas began to emerge from his shell. I remember the first time he looked up at me longingly and then rolled on his back to receive his first tummy rub. This would soon become a daily bonding ritual for Thomas and me. Soon, it was Christmas and I made Thomas his very own stocking with pipe cleaners on it (his favorite toy). Slowly but surely, he would squirm less when I picked him up and eventually I could hold him upside down and swing him from side to side! Occasional tummy rubs progressed to nightly snuggles with me in bed. Now, after almost three years with us, Foisy the timid teenager has grown into handsome Thomas full of spunk. He loves to travel and has accompanied us on many vacations to exotic places like Jasper, Canmore, and Penticton. I've found these road trips to be bonding experiences for Thomas and Tigerlily, and strangely enough, they often end up sleeping in each other's arms. Thomas spends his days teasing his sister, playing with pipe cleaners, and lying in sunbeams looking out the window from his very tall cat tree. On colder days, he especially loves to sleep beside the fireplace. I can see that he is happy and although he will always be timid around strangers, his forever mom and dad love him very much. Thanks very much for bringing Thomas into our lives!
Sarah and Dom.
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