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Dear MEOW 2010
MEOW cats and their families write in to tell us about their new lives together.
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August 28, 2010
Dear MEOW,
My name is Amy (Meow Ina). I have been in my new home for over 7 months now and wanted you to know how great I am doing!
was with Meow for almost 2 years and was a very shy girl (FP 4). I came here with Jessica (Meow Kenora, scroll down a few Dear Meow's to see her very own story). We did not even know each other when we were at Meow, but after spending a month together in our “safe room” we very quickly became friends. Being so frightened, I think we provided each other with much needed security!
I have a few other sisters, but Jessie is my very best friend. She tolerates me no matter how much I head butt her. My other sisters get annoyed with me after a while and give me a swat, but Jessie never does. She is the best! Although I am still frightened of strangers, I am very affectionate with my mom. I love it when she pets me. In the morning I follow her around until she has our breakfast ready. I have a squeaky little voice that you can hardly hear, but I use it every morning. I am very cute!
Amy (right) and her very best friend Jessie.
We have treat time every night and I am getting better at learning the “circle rules”. My sister Emma (meow Eureka) is very orderly and gets upset if you don’t take the treat on your turn. I was always stealing everyone’s treats! After a few “reminders” from her, I have learned much better “circle manners” although she still takes the opportunity to remind me when I have that memory lapse!
Thanks Meow for taking such good care of me while I waited for my forever home. A special thanks to all the Socializers that worked with me and helped me become the loving, affectionate little girl that I am today. I also want to thank you for Jessica. I can’t imagine being without her!!
Love Amy
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August 19, 2010
Dear MEOW,
Kamaya here (MEOW name Kama)! I've been in my lovely adoptive home since Fall 2006 and I thought it was high time I gave you an update on how life turned out for me.
As you know, I was abandoned by a breeder to be euthanized. They said I was vicious, but everyone who met me decided I was just a senior kitty who needed a good home. After a bumpy start in one home, I was adopted by a young woman who volunteers with MEOW and has an excellent lap. She brought me home to a little apartment where I met my sister, Mimi. Mimi didn't like me at first, so I had to stay away from her. Sometimes, she scared me so much I would have an 'accident' in strange places. Mom never got mad, but did try everything to get me to use the litter box. I did okay, but sometimes I forgot.
Not too long after I moved in with Mom and Mimi, we moved into a big house with mom's new fiancé. While I loved being on mom's lap, life was getting pretty boring until mom brought home Eva (MEOW name Evangeline). I could tell Eva was sick, but we became best friends. Eva protected me from Mimi, and looked after me. However, I could tell Eva was not feeling very good, and one day mom took her to the vet and she didn't come home.
I was very sad when I lost my best friend and I started forgetting where the litter box was, but soon mom brought home Tika, another rescued Persian like me! Tika is a lot like Eva, and we are now best buddies. I have also learned exactly where the litter box is and I use it every time! We have a brother Griff now, a dog, but he's okay too and we like to curl up on the couch together. Now, even Mimi and I are friends, and sometimes she grooms me.
Thank you MEOW for giving me a second chance to have a family - despite my purebred status, a kitty like me who was older and had bathroom issues would have been overlooked at most shelters, or worse. I am so happy to have warm laps and good friends to live out my golden years with!
From Kamaya
(Mimi, Tika, Griff, & Erin too!)
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August 18, 2010
Dear MEOW,
Everything is going great with our Yoshi (MEOW Feist).
So far Sharon has trained "Yoshi" to play fetch and he comes to us all the time for lovies now. Yoshi still doesn't like to be picked up, but that's Ok. Tigger and Jack aren't too keen on the idea either?
He's getting along with the other cat just fine. I think he's feeling right at home and Jack has taken him under his wing so to speak.
He is very smart and Sharon is extremely happy that we have him as are Liam and I. He eats like a horse and runs around like crazy.Oh ya he got his name Yoshi because he is so quick and when he went to hide you couldn't find him and that is how he became "Yoshi... Ninja Kitty"
Thanks for everything Brenda,
Ian, Sharon and Liam
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August 18, 2010
Dear MEOW,
It has been 7 months since Jessica (Meow Kenora) joined our family, and wanted to let you know how she is doing.
We didn’t really “need” another cat but felt so sorry for this cat, who had been with Meow for almost 3 years and no one ever looked at her. She was a shy girl with a Feral Power 5 rating, so we knew what we were getting and took her as she was. Being so super shy, she was a very easy integration with the other cats. She was in her safe room for about a month and then out she came.
We do not pet her yet as we feel she just “isn’t there” yet. We have the rest of her life to work on that. That being said, she loves to be around people. She gets along beautifully with all the other cats and is NEVER the one causing any problems. She plays like a kitten and LOVES to run. She runs through the house every morning with whoever will join in. She rolls around like crazy. She is so happy. One of her favourite things to do is lay in the sun. She knows where every sunbeam in the house is, at any given time of the day. She sleeps there looking so content.
Every day that goes by, Jessica becomes more confident. She is such a gentle soul with a whole lot of personality that is slowly coming out. I love these shy guys. They have so much love to give and just need a home to show it off. They make the best companion cats ever, and I wish they wouldn’t get so overlooked. We are so happy to have been able to give Jessica and loving, forever home and I think by what she shows us, she is very happy too!!
Thanks Meow for giving these shy guys another chance at life, and I’m sure Jessie would agree!
Love Jessica’s Forever Home
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August 5, 2010
Hi Vicki and MEOW,
Just thought I'd drop you a note to let you know how much we love Tippy (MEOW Alora Tippy) and that she has been such a wonderful addition to our family, we can't imagine a time when she wasn't around!
She is full of life and energy and is into everything, as a good kitten should.
Here is a picture of her with our old guy (10 years), Pascal. The two of them have hit it off so well. He LOVES her! He follows her around the house and is constantly grooming her. She is such a princess!!
Thanks again!
Jill
Tippy and her bud Pascal
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June 11, 2010
Dear MEOW,
Our house dynamics has been forever changed by the loss of our beloved Bernard. His companion Monty (Meow name Mauser) was very lonely without him so we adopted Bailey (Meow name Babes) last fall. Bailey loves to cuddle and Monty did have to adjust to that but everything seemed to have worked out and life was good.
One day in May, we were dropping off some donations at the shelter and saw a beautiful little kitten in the window who was intently watching us. I immediately fell in love and inquired about her. Within a week, she was ours! Her Meow name was Tracey but we changed it to Lily. Our boys took about two days to get used to her and now everybody seems quite happy and content. She is fast and very curious about everything and she is giving the boys their much needed exercise - Bailey has gotten so big!
Meow - thank you for enriching our lives once again!
Jacquie
Monty, Lily and Bailey
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May 25, 2010
Dear MEOW Foundation,
When I first came to you to adopt a cat I was overwhelmed at how many cats there were to choose from. I wanted the perfect pal for my other cat Max. Brenda helped me look for the perfect cat. When she took me to the older cat area I noticed Smudge (Gilligan). He was quietly sitting there waiting for treats while the other mob were scrambling. He was the one.
I have had Smudge for 1 year this March past. It took a couple of weeks for Smudge and Max to become good friends. I think Max thought he had a stalker for a while! Smudge followed him everywhere. Once Max got used to having a pal again they were inseparable. Smudge is very cuddly and humorous. He will crouch down in attach position when Max passes, only to hop like a rabbit and run by. He likes getting brushed so his fur is soft and shiny now. His hard frost bitten feet have healed and he can now get some grip on the floor. He now plays with toy mice and balls and he has quite the personality.
Thanks for doing what you do for these cats. I tell everyone who is looking for a cat to go see MEOW Foundation!
Regards, Laura
Smudge and Max
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May 1, 2010
Dear MEOW,
Hello MEOW! This is Mexico (now Oliver) checking in with an update on how the world is treating me these days.
When I was at the shelter and heard that previous MEOW adopters were coming in, I knew I had to be at my best. Admittedly, I’m very sharply dressed and my tuxedo is always in tip top condition, but I figured a little extra effort was required to seal the deal. So when my people came, I was sure to trot up to the female, hop onto her lap, and give her a big hug. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I was very excited to meet my new siblings. Mary accepted me immediately. She loves other cats, and was pleased to meet me. My brother Harry (MEOW name Gandhi), not so much. He hissed and he postured, but I decided the best defense was to just ignore him. After a few days he decided I was ok, and took me under his paw. I’ve learned a lot from him about how this place runs. We have a really good system going around getting the humans up in the morning. We each stake out a door. Harry whines, and I knock, and eventually the people come to one or the other. Then whoever is at the other door flies to meet his brother at lightning speed, and both of us are on the bed getting spoiled. I’m surprised the humans haven’t figured this out yet. I seem to have unleashed Harry’s inner kitten. He still doesn’t get laser pointers, but he is gaining an appreciation for peacock feathers, wand toys and faux mice.
So all in all, things are good for me. I am petted, groomed, played with, and thoroughly spoiled, and my belly is never empty. I have a selection of MEOW cat beds, for which I acquired a taste, and I get along well with my feline companions. I am grateful to the people at MEOW who took such good care of me, and to Brenda for hooking me up with my new family. Harry and Mary send their regards to the wonderful volunteers, and to the cats back at the shelter.
All the best,
Oliver
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May, 2010
Dear MEOW,
We are so happy to have Fringe as part of our family and she fits in just great!Her and our other kitten Baby are best pals now and Baby sort of even acts like her mom sometimes. ;-) Baby is a good teacher and Fringe tries to learn it all, plus push the limits too so Baby always is there to let her know if it's ok or not. ;-)
I have attached a couple pics so you can get a chance to see her again.
We are so excited that soon she will be "official" in our family.
Thank you again Lorraine and the MEOW Foundation!
Yours truly,Corinne
Fringe and Baby
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July 1, 2010
Dear MEOW,
It’s been over 2 years since we adopted Calabrese and Onyx (MEOW name Curious
George), and we’re happy to say they’re both doing well and get along like brothers.
Onyx is very shy and hides whenever he sees people he doesn’t know. It’s too bad
because they don’t get to see his silly antics, adorable poses and acrobatic jumps. He’s
probably the loudest cat we know, as we can hear his paws thump thumping every time
he walks on the floor, so his only successful prey are his mouse toys (ones that are
light enough that he can throw around the house and catch himself). He loves to toss
his toys under the stove or fridge, and purrs very loudly when we find them for him. We
quickly learned why Onyx was originally named Curious George after seeing him get into
whatever he could find. One morning, he was found crying in the bathroom cupboard
after he had crawled inside and didn’t know how to get out. He also has a fascination
with water and doesn’t mind getting his paws wet when the sink faucet is running. And
whenever we are doing laundry, he’ll jump into the laundry basket for a little ride while
we carry him up and down the stairs.
Calabrese is extremely affectionate. He enjoys just being around people and is quite
the social butterfly whenever we have guests over. He loves to be brushed and hugged,
and is warming up to us holding him for longer than a minute. Although he doesn’t like
to be held for too long, he is quite a lap cat and has a ritual of kneading and purring for
a while before he’ll settle on a cozy lap. We learned the first night we took Calabrese
home that he does not like to be contained when he broke free of the carry case and
squeezed himself out. We were shocked to see that we’ve adopted a Houdini cat. We’ve
tried unsuccessfully to get him to stay inside his carry case, but have adjusted to having
him on a leash whenever we take him to see the vet. We’ve also learned that he’s quite
scared of dogs. From the little scars on his nose, and the slit on his ear and on his
tongue, we realized he’s had a hard life on the streets and are making sure he’s happy
and feels safe always.
Onyx and Calabrese
We realized how lucky we were to find two cats that complement each other so well, yet
are very different. Calabrese is patient whenever Onyx eats his food, takes his toys or
squeezes himself into a very small bed that Calabrese is already on. Onyx is playful and
helps keep Calabrese active whenever they play chase around the house. Calabrese’s
meow sounds more like a quack at times, which gets quite loud when he is hungry,
whereas Onyx has a cute squeak whenever he wants attention. Onyx comes right up to
the vacuum cleaner to sniff around but Calabrese will run and hide as soon as he sees
it. Yet Onyx would crawl into a corner at the sight of strangers while Calabrese would
walk right up for a pet. These two unique cats are such a joy to be around and we learn
something new about them all the time.
Thank you again Kathy for helping us find these boys! They always manage to brighten
up our day.
Ann and Gabe
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June 1, 2010
Dear MEOW,
When I wrote you last to tell you how well HRH Miss Mew (MEOW name Shayna) was settling in, I didn’t have a photo that did her justice. Now I do. It was a beautiful sunny day, and she was taking full advantage of the sunshine. I’d been taking photos of some of my violets, and she was laying on the coffee table watching. It was just such a beautiful pose I couldn’t resist! The lovely little lady rules, but with a very gentle paw. We’re so lucky she chose us.
Thanks again, Brenda, for our little lady.
Wendie and Paul Krysak
Miss Mew
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Dear MEOW Foundation,
We just wanted to send you a quick update about our adorable little boys - Logan and Parker (Meow names Batty & Sashimi respectively). We adopted these brothers about 8 months ago and they have grown so much! Not only in size - they are no longer tiny little kittens anymore, they are starting to look like real cats! - but also in personality. They LOVE to play with their toy mice - they are excellent at flipping the mice in the air and batting at them! They also love to cuddle with us, especially when we're on our computers or in bed reading. They were quite shy at first and hid under the bed for the first day or two, but they have quickly made our apartment their home and enjoy chasing each other from one end of it to the other! They certainly provide a lot of laughs! Though they are brothers, they look very different, and have very different personalities as well. Parker is very vocal and constantly tries to partake in our conversations! He also loves to cuddle and be held. Logan isn't as chatty, but he does chirp when he's excited or wants attention. He loves to sleep sprawled out on our laps and sometimes even upside down! These boys are full of energy and we couldn't be happier with our new family!
Thanks for everything :)
Sandy and Aaron
Logan and Parker
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Dear MEOW,
When we first met our Sheldon, he was known as Spaz. His description was that of a shy kitty who preferred to stay in the shadows and did not seek out attention. Our Sheldon has really come out of the shadows with the help of his brother from another mother, Johnny. Within 3 days he had full run of the house and he and Johnny were on their way to becoming best friends. We could not imagine our lives with out him! We are forever grateful for MEOW rescuing our little Sheldon. Keep up the great work!
Danielle G.
Former shy guy Sheldon (right) and his new best friend Johnny
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Dear MEOW,
I would like to take this opportunity to update you on how Amber (MEOW Name Mallow) has been doing for the past four months.
The first night went exactly as anticipated; she hid very nervously inside a block in our bookcase in her safe room, while my boyfriend and I took turns visiting her to gently speak and read to her, so she can get used to our voices. We snuck in a few pets, although she did not seem too comfortable with it so we only did it briefly. Amber wanted nothing to do with eating at all though and that concerned me slightly. The next day, I allowed my resident cat, Punkin, to meet her face to face as he was quite curious about another feline behind that closed door to the safe room. Once they caught a glance, they very slowly crept toward each other, and Punkin hissed. This ritual happened about three times before I called it a night and kept Punkin out of the room again. The interesting thing is that she immediately obtained an appetite after meeting him and inhaled her food, and went on to use her litterbox. I stayed in the room with her that night when I let Punkin out, and she started meowing and yearning to see Punkin again. It was love at first sight; at least for her.
I let Amber out of her room the third night and she used all her courage to explore one room at a time; hiding in her safe room for breaks in between exploring. Punkin has not hissed at her since and developed a keen interest in her by constantly batting her and trying to wrestle with her, biting the back of her neck and chasing her around the house. Through all this, Amber still has so much patience with Punkin and loves him dearly. She always tries to rub up against him, and he non-chalantly tries to ignore it. They are still nowhere near cuddly yet, but it seems that Punkin has finally accepted that he is no longer King of the Castle and that although he will ways be our baby boy, we have to share our love with Amber. His relationship with us humans has not changed at all since adopting Amber which is great as it was a bit of a concern for us. He is wonderful with sharing his food and bed, as well as his toys. I have also seen Punkin lick Amber on her forehead and back a number of times, though, which is a great sign. I hope to see them sleep together soon, but it takes time and patience :)
Amber (left) and her buddy Punkin
I think in time, she will come around more and more and each of the little milestones mean so much more with feral cats. I am sure she much prefers to live in my home than on the street where she was found with her mom Nutmeg and brother Sweety Petey. I was first so thrilled to hear about her brother (Sweety Petey) being adopted out, and I just read his owners' Dear MEOW letter (which prompted me to write mine) and became even more excited as I was told he is even shyer than Amber, but it turns out he is a bit of a lap cat! I was also delighted to read Budge's story. I check your website almost daily to read about who has been trying out their new homes, and who has been adopted. I find it so enlightening.
Many, MANY thanks to Jennifer and Marva for their guidance and support through Mallow/Amber's adoption. There is not enough I can say about the MEOW Foundation and what kind of profound difference they are making in both human and cats' lives on a daily basis.
Much love,
L.A.R.P. (Linda, Amber, Ryan and Punkin).
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Dear MEOW,
"She'll probably never be a lap cat," the MEOW Foundation told us one year ago when we delicately held out our hands to a pretty little black and white tuxedo girl. Newt spent a few days adjusting to her surroundings and playing with us cautiously while her kitty friend Lilith listened from under the Sanctuary Room door. She voraciously ate treats out of our hands and quickly determined that we were okay. One evening we heard her chatting away to herself in her Sanctuary Room with a tiny high-pitched questioning squeak - her voice was so sweet and such a surprise! She loves to be in the same room with us and follows us around still talking to us with her squeaky soprano EEEeeeE!?!
We continued to call our new friend Newt while we tried to come up with a name for her. Nothing suited her. Finally flipping through a textbook of Egyptian gods and goddesses, we were hoping for some inspiration. Rod said, I think there's a goddess of night called Nu-ee or something like that. Sure enough, I came to a page with a description of the Night Goddess, Nuit, with brackets noting "pronounced NEWT". So Newt is now Nuit and she is a darling; the sweetest, gentlest lap cat we've ever met. She loves to snuggle and adores curling up in her basket in front of the fireplace next to her friend Lilith.
Thank you Meow Foundation!
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Dear MEOW,
What can I say about my beautiful little girl Bast?
(Meow name Bast, adopted February 2009)
For a shy girl, she has made such an impact on our lives. Bast is the sweetest natured cat that I have ever had the good fortune to meet. We had originally come to see a fellow foster cat when Bast introduced herself to my husband and I.
This timid girl knew a home was waiting for her and came and chewed on my coat to show that she was ready for a new family. After 8 months of foster care. Bast quickly took charge of her new home, and made it clear to our other cat, Thaco, that she was ready to be adored. After a brief adjustment period, she took to throwing herself at Thaco's feet, allowing him to groom her at her leisure. She showed me that her favourite game was fetch, whereby she would drop her spongy ball at my feet and wait expectantly for me to throw it for her.
Bast wakes me in the morning with little kitty massages and follows me wherever I go, all the while telling me that she's hungry or happy, or just letting me know that she's there. Bast is still a shy girl but when she looks up at me while getting her belly scratched, with pure love in her eyes, I know that we made right decision when we made her a part of our family.
Sincerely,
Lonnie, Stephen, and Thaco
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Dear MEOW,
I thought I should contact you in case you were wondering where I am! When I was living at your shelter my name was Jovani. I was considered a feral/shy boy. Let me tell you of the adventure I have had.
Suddenly back in January, while sleeping on my back atop the cages, I was scooped up and I was catnapped! I sure was scared. I didn’t come out of my kennel for a couple of days and then I hid under the bed. What a quiet place I had landed in. Was this another planet? I did however have the decency to use the litter box supplied. There was food and water but I wanted no part of that! What appeared to be a human appeared regularly; she sounded nice but I never really have trusted humans. I thought I heard another cat talking but who knew where I was – was this a ploy to get me to come out and then what would happen!
After what seemed like a week, I smelled the most wonderful smell. Tuna! I’m sorry but no cat can be expected to resist that. So out I came and boy was it good. While I was out I thought I might as well see if I landed on another planet. I was getting a little bored hiding under that bed. Well, when I left my safe room my new world was so big! Beds everywhere, so quiet and where did all my room mates go? I got so nervous I started throwing up. Seems I made the human nervous so she called you. My human speak isn’t very good but it sounded like she was very concerned about me. After a few more days she saw me sitting on the stairs – oh no. But she didn’t chase me. Guess I’ll stay out and look around some more. Wow, there are 3 levels to this new planet. It is so scary exploring but I’m getting pretty good at being invisible.
Besides all the room, comfortable sleeping places, and scratch posts galore, I have a new friend. The human calls him Lester. I think she expects me to answer to Felix. I pretend I don’t understand but she’s on to me. Lester has never been mean to me. He told me he is very lonely because he lost his best friend. We run around like crazy together and sometimes sleep on the same bed. I must confess; the human interests me. I follow her around but play invisible if she notices. She touches Lester and he likes it. I sure would like to try it but think I’ll wait a little bit longer.
So MEOW, don’t worry about me. I am now a happy boy and I wanted to thank you for getting me off the streets and into a warm home. The year and a half I spent at the shelter was fun; I made new friends but they sometimes left. Lester stays here and seems to be a nice guy.
Love from,
Felix (in case my new human reads this)
Endnote from “the human”:
Now that Felix is done with my computer, I wanted to tell my side of the story! When I chose Jovani/Felix and left the shelter I had tears in my eyes. I felt like I had given up on my lost boy, not to mention the fact that I couldn’t take all of those wonderful boys and girls with me.
After a week of no food, came the days of throwing up and the runs. Seems poor Felix is a nervous one and that was the basis of his problems. Finding the right food was tricky too. I was sick; maybe he just wouldn’t settle in. He had been at the shelter most of his life – should he go back; did he miss his friends? Thankfully the MEOW adoption coordinator is a patient woman! The only one that remained calm during it all was Lester, my other cat. He sat outside the door talking from day one. When I finally opened the door there was not a bit of aggression. He was so lonely and anxious to have a new friend. Now that Felix is out and about, he keeps an eye on him and seems to stay between me and Felix but is still calm. I don’t think he wants to share my lap and cuddles but he’s 10 so I guess he’s allowed to be a bit territorial.
Each day brings a new victory for my new boy and I am so proud of him. What courage it must take to venture out and he has allowed me within inches some days. Still no petting but I have learned patience from Lester. Animals have so much to teach us.
What an experience this has been! I would do it again and hope to one day. Thank you so much for you patience, assistance and knowledge MEOW.
Melodie M.
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Dear MEOW,
Sophia Cohen
(MEOW name Karena)
123 Anywhere St.
Calgary, Alberta T2Z 3P7
403-XXX-XXXX
sophiac@kittycat.ca
Objective: Queen of the Universe or related position
Summary:
• Over 3 years experience in being a kitty cat
• Trained in all areas of sniffing, purring, meowing, cuddling, litter box and related
• Thorough understanding of what to knock over and when to do it
• Talented in yawning, rolling around and looking stunned
• Professional, imperious demeanor
Areas of Expertise:
• Supervision
• Training
• Communications
• Relaxation
Experience:
Self-employed Head Kitty Cat at Joy's Home, Calgary, Alberta
November, 2006 to present
• Execute daily operations of sniffing, meowing, purring, cuddling, sleeping long hours and rubbing self on various objects
• Jumping on and off of window sills, furniture and off-limits furniture
• Wrote, designed, produced and starred in one kitty play entitled: "The Properties of Silence"
• Re-arrange any objects on the kitchen table; knock said objects on floor and bat them around in the middle of the night
• Instrumental in jumping/walking on my human's bladder when she is sleeping
• Destroy perfectly good rolls of toilet paper and drag pieces around the house
• Training and management of humans in the home and achieved significant improvements in their ability to produce crunchy treats promptly upon demand
• Zoom around the house like a maniac for no specific reason
MEOW Foundation, Calgary, Alberta
January, 2006 to November, 2006
• Soft Black Kitty Cat
Education:
Calgary School of Catology Calgary, Alberta
Ph.D Advanced Feline Behaviour
Languages:
Meowing - Mastery of meowing in all languages
Publications:
If You Meow Alot They Will Eventually Give In
Calgary, Kitty Cat Enterprises, 2007
Testimonials:
"She's quite the girl!!"
"What a cutie!!"
"She's got quite the loud meow!!"
“Yuck – she yawned in my face!!”
References: Available upon request
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Dear MEOW,
This is Oliver
(MEOW name Mexico) checking in with an update on how the world is treating me these days.
When I was at the shelter and heard that previous MEOW adopters were coming in, I knew I had to be at my best. Admittedly, I’m very sharply dressed and my tuxedo is always in tip top condition, but I figured a little extra effort was required to seal the deal. So when my people came, I was sure to trot up to the female, hop onto her lap, and give her a big hug. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I was very excited to meet my new siblings. Mary accepted me immediately. She loves other cats, and was pleased to meet me. My brother Harry
(MEOW name Gandhi), not so much. He hissed and he postured, but I decided the best defense was to just ignore him. After a few days he decided I was ok, and took me under his paw. I’ve learned a lot from him about how this place runs. We have a really good system going around getting the humans up in the morning. We each stake out a door. Harry whines, and I knock, and eventually the people come to one or the other. Then whoever is at the other door flies to meet his brother at lightning speed, and both of us are on the bed getting spoiled. I’m surprised the humans haven’t figured this out yet. I seem to have unleashed Harry’s inner kitten. He still doesn’t get laser pointers, but he is gaining an appreciation for peacock feathers, wand toys and faux mice.
So all in all, things are good for me. I am petted, groomed, played with, and thoroughly spoiled, and my belly is never empty. I have a selection of MEOW cat beds, for which I acquired a taste, and I get along well with my feline companions. I am grateful to the people at MEOW who took such good care of me, and to Brenda for hooking me up with my new family. Harry and Mary send their regards to the wonderful volunteers, and to the cats back at the shelter.
All the best,
Oliver
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Dear MEOW,
Just wanted to let you know how 2010 was going for Fernando: he's turned into a lap cat purr machine, loves to greet me everyday when I get home from work, and sleeps with me every night. He is so happy and he makes our family happy!
I call him Haidans' (my daughter) guardian angel and this is why: back in December I was in the kitchen and he comes running in there, meowing like crazy then ran back into the living room! (in a panic) I follow to see if he wanted to play, but when I came into the room I saw that Haidan got sick all over herself and was choking on it! I grabbed her and she was fine but if it wasn't for Fernando meowing and running to get my attention who knows.... he is always very gentle with her and seems to be watching over her.
Thanks for Fernando.
Kayla & family
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Dear MEOW,
Today it my 5th anniversary in my home. I am not sure how old I am but I am still full of energy and enjoy making my Mom laugh with my antics. I still love to cuddle and give great kisses! My sister Jessie and I have learned to live in harmony but sometimes we still have a fight or two.I made my Mom very proud of my mousing skills that she did not know I had until about a week ago when we got up to a mouse in our living room at 6 am on a Saturday morning. I played very gently with him; never hurt him at all, and it was so much fun chasing him around, catching him and picking him up moving him a few inches and letting him go so he would run again and the chase would start again. I finally tired the poor little guy out after 30 minutes and he could run no more. My mom could pick him up and put him outside. I sure wanted to keep him as my own personal toy though!
Just wanted to drop you a quick line and let you know I am still doing great. Thanks Meow!
Love,
Phred
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Dear MEOW,
Nicholas
(MEOW name Alaska) loves to run around with his two favorite toys (the only two that don't end up under the couch). He's getting much bigger. He's actually kinda silly because everywhere I go in the house Nick has to come too. He's gotten really attached to me and though he's a bit spastic sometimes he still likes a good nap next to mom.
He waits at the door for when daddy comes home from work and sits at the door for a while after mom leaves for work. We love him muchly and my mother calls him the grandcat and has his pictures up on her Facebook.
Oh and the snow leopard stuffy is a friend of his named Leland ^..^
Thanks MEOW,
Kristen and James
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Dear MEOW,
Hope things are well with you and lots of kitties are still being adopted out to good homes through MEOW. I really love Mr. Brennus - he is just the funniest cat - he chats up a storm now when we play with his toys - he loves the loonie store straw mats that I buy for him (although he does demolish them with his claws rather quickly - he is on his 4th mat now). He likes to crawl underneath them and wait for his toys to be dragged by so he can attack them.
He loves to be brushed - now he gets up on the bathroom counter while I am brushing my teeth and purrs his guts out until I brush him. So all is well. I received his cat license and info - so thank you for taking care of that.
We are both going to spend the entire summer at the cabin in Lomond and will be leaving Calgary on June 1. Brennus will have a nice big cat enclosure attached to the cabin that I can let him out in - I think he will really like it there.
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Dear MEOW,
It's hard to believe that it has just been seven days since this wonderful boy - Basil came into my life! He is quite simply the most gentle spirited cat ever and has settled in more smoothly than I thought possible. His progress has been remarkable. It's hard to believe that he ever was an abandoned cat.
As you can see by the attached photo, he has taken over my office which seems to be a trait of my cats (see the photo behind him) and is very adept at diverting me from my work. In this photo we have just finished our mid-morning snuggle, brushing, belly rub and treats and he is languishing in the warmth of my desk lamp.
Over the past week, he has grown so much more relaxed and confident. Always a snuggler, he now plays and even occasionally roars up and down the hallway in pursuit of some imaginary goal. He is still a little cautious of going into the kitchen for some reason, but I don't mind that because a cat scooting underfoot when you are cooking can be a dangerous thing! He is also still startled by loud noises - but less so - and no longer runs for cover under my bed. He is not much of a scratcher - thank goodness - and he even grudgingly allowed me to trim his claws. He has captured the hearts of his future babysitter and of my daughter who was visiting on Sunday. Clearly, he has also captured mine.
Thank you for making all that possible, Tina.
Elaine
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Dear MEOW,
Here is our story about Ruby Tuesday
(MEOW name Christabelle).
Ruby Tuesday came into our family late April 2009. We had her for 4 days and something seemed off. We took her to the vet and found out she was a very sick girl. Her visit to the vet turned into an almost 4 weeks stay until we finally brought her home. Ruby had a feeding tube in her throat because of fatty liver disease. She was such a good sport about it all and is happy and healthy thanks to the generous financial support of the Meow Foundation.
As you can see by the picture, she made friends with her new brother Fluffy. Unfortunately we lost Fluffy August 6th but in the time they had together he taught her all the good spots to hide in the house and garden. The house is hers now and we just happen to live here. Ruby Tuesday loves tummy rubs that go on forever and being brushed. She's very playful and adventurous and patrols the backyard for all moving creatures! Which is a good thing as she's on a diet and the more she moves the better. She has a very funny personality and is very loving and we can't imagine not having her in our lives... the very loud snoring is another story!!
Thank you MEOW Foundation.
Lisa Bloom-Korol and Myron Korol
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Dear MEOW,
As a teacher who often spends long days at the school, I decided to find a companion for my sociable MEOW cat, Glory. She’s friendly with people, but bossy with other cats. Shelter volunteers assured me that’s typical for females who’ve been young mothers. They need those assertive ways to protect their little ones. My adoption coordinator suggested I consider the MEOW Valentine poster-boy, Budge. He’s no shrinking violet, so could stand his ground in the face of a bossy girl. But he’s also a feral cat (FP5), and very laid back around other cats at the shelter. That all sounded hopeful to me. Our meeting at the shelter went well enough, though I could hardly believe what a big lad I’d be carrying home. Anyway, it wasn’t really about me. I have experience with feral cats, so my expectations are modest and my patience is endless. It all came down to how he’d get along with Glory.
From the moment I collected Budge from the shelter, I was relieved by the support and commitment my coordinator and other MEOW volunteers offered. Everyone is invested in a placement, especially for the shy cats who have much longer stays than their social shelter-mates. Budge came home with me on Valentine’s Day. I emailed or phoned with updates, questions and observations. I got great advice, and followed it to the letter. Our first two weeks were quiet. Budge hid under the bed in his room. Glory showed mild interest, sitting outside the temporary chicken-wire door for short intervals, hoping for a sighting of the newcomer. Eventually, they caught glimpses of each other. In the meantime, I began to play and connect with Budge who massacred one peacock feather after another.
In week three, life got a little more complicated. Budge’s vocalizing escalated. He went from short spells of plaintive meows to unending, night-time noise. Lots of long, dismal yowls, and none of the happy cat chirps. At only 3 weeks, it seemed early to open the door. Glory was still giving some uneasy signals, and wasn’t as relaxed and disinterested as I hoped she’d become. I consulted again with my MEOW supporters and bounced around observations and ideas. It seemed possible that if Budge kept up the night noise, he’d drive both me and his potential new friend round the bend. I lasted a few more days, and then realized something had to give. I got ready with a can of coins to create diversions, and opened the gate.
That first night was tense for me. I fretted as I tried to sleep, wondering if I’d be waking to some big dust-up with fur flying. There are no words for my surprise at what actually happened. Sometime towards 3 in the morning, I did wake up. Numb toes, courtesy of a cat settled across my legs. I sat up to give Glory a cuddle and found myself looking into the equally surprised face of Budge! I’m not sure if he realized where he’d settled, but he certainly vanished under the bed in a flash. I’m hoping he’s now got a taste for the comfort of sleeping on a bed.
I can’t say Glory and Budge are immediate soul mates, but they are doing a wonderful job negotiating boundaries. Glory calls the shots, and Budge gives way till she goes too far, then stands his ground. There were a couple of small scuffles with swatting and hissing and then, peace. They seem to have quickly sorted the territory, and have even started to play together. Thanks a million to our MEOW volunteers for the time and care they invest in making sure every placement works, and troubleshooting each step of the way. If you happen to be considering some company for your social cat, consider the Shy Cat-alogue. I know Budge is going to shine in our little family, and I know there are lots more gems waiting to be discovered.
Kate
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Dear MEOW,
Daisy
(MEOW name Tinsel) has adjusted to her new home remarkably well. After the first night she was introduced to the family of 7 dogs and she had her first face wash and as soon as it was over she reached out and gently patted the largest of the crew with her paw. From that moment on it was all hers for the taking. Later that day I found her cuddled under the bushy tail of my 107 lb bernese mountain boy, she regularly gets into wresting and running matches with my smallest shiba inu. When Daisy wants to play she will just go up to any of the dogs and bat them on the foot and if that doesn't work she bats their nose. If that doesn't work then she tries crawling over them and if that still doesn't work then it's on to the next dog. My house has never been so disruptive but we are all thoroughly enjoying her antics. She loves to cuddle and will settle in next to you at night to sleep and if you pick her up and settle her on her back she just arches her neck back and goes to sleep. She generally sleeps on the bed with me and several dogs at night. When I come home from work I will find she has been cuddled next to one of the dogs on the bed sleeping. She is extremely bossy when it comes to meal time and wants hers first - even if she leaves it to watch the dogs eat then goes back for hers.
Thank you for this little bundle of energy and joy.
Adeline
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Dear MEOW,
Everything is running well - as smoothly as you'd expect with 6 cats in the house!
Lunaire is now Chester. Jason is now Blackie. Casada is now Fuzzy. Sookie is now Snookie. Hermano is still Hermano and Isha may be called Harry.
All the doors are now open so there is no "safe room" as such and all the cats mingle - everybody is getting along fine.
Isha is still very shy and tends to stay in what was the safe room, but likes to be petted when he's on top of the pagoda. When he's out and about he still has that slinky low-to-the-ground run of a frightened cat, but he doesn't mind the kittens and I think he will come round. He has a loud purr when he gets going! He will likely be renamed Harry as he's a dead ringer for my family's first cat who walked in as a stray in 1974 when "A Cricket in Times Square" featuring Harry Cat was on TV...
Hermano loves to investigate and tends to wander all over the house meowing occasionally, and especially meowing hello when we come home in the evening - he has enjoyed a wrestle with the other cats and gets on well with everybody. He still flops and rolls when petted, and will allow himself to be picked up which is cool. Haha - he has gone climbing in the basement rafters a few times so we are blocking up his entrances, as his favored exit is to push out a ceiling tile and jump onto a spare bed.
Chester has much improved fur - well - it's still very short but the bald patches have mostly filled in. He's very dainty in his movements - like a show horse doing dressage! He hangs out with Fuzzy a lot, and he seems quite calm and confident in his surroundings, so it's just a little frustrating that he still doesn't want to be touched. We are getting closer as the weeks go by thanks to the naked bribery of Temptations treats, and I think we will come round. It's almost like he's playing a game - he'll come up close for treats, I reach out to pet him, he dances back a few inches, all neat and tidy, and waits for more treats. Cats!!!
As we may have mentioned our upper deck is large and enclosed - all except Isha were out yesterday and enjoyed the fresh air.
The two kittens really do play "fetch"! They actually bring a ball back and drop it for you to throw again - never seen a cat do that before.
All we have to do know is get Blackie to be more energetic during the day and sleepy at night....
Cats in picture (from left): Isha, Hermano, Jason, Lunaire and Casada
Susan and Martin
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Dear MEOW,
As you know I adopted "Baxter"
(MEOW name "Sweety Petey," the feral) a week ago last Friday. I've kept you up to date about his progression. Now tonight (day 10) ... he sat on the couch next to me and welcomed a 10 minute petting session. More than ever before! And then hung around for about 30 minutes all by himself.
 Here are a series of photos from the beginning to now. Resident cat Cleo is bigger and has a pink collar. If you don't see a collar, then that's shy boy. We start with his arrival, and Cleo has already taken over the bed-house I bought Baxter. She loves it. Baxter stayed under the bed instead. Then he appeared in his first brave move, to come half way down the stairs. And THEN, he has found his confidence, and can be seen on the counters with Cleo, and waiting for dinner. (Which they both have... separately... for the time being.)
Enjoy the photos of your Meow boy! He is a happy camper. Cleo and he spent quite some time together snoozing under my bed. :-)
Things are really working themselves out. He is making great strides.
March 2, 2010 update:
On a personal note, I have been thrilled with Petey/Baxter's progression - and now by week 3 or 4, he seeks me out EVERY evening to have lap-time cuddles, is able to splay himself out with his belly exposed with no fear, has big time confidence, and is a regular part of the family. A very big progression, and this is why adopters should not be afraid try and adopt ferals or shy cats. It just takes them some more development time.
Best,
Kirsten
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Hi MEOW Volunteers, Adoption Workers and On-line Followers,
We adopted Zecuda in February 2005 and he's been a cuddle bug and making our house a home ever since. In fact, it's fair to say we have a house because of Zecuda. We were living with our first cat, Mary Poppins, in a place that wouldn't allow any more cats, but we knew Zecuda was a perfect match for Mary and us. So, we went out and bought a condo (before the real estate boom) so we could adopt him. If it hadn't all happened when and how it did, the market would have left us out in the cold. It turns out Zecuda and Mary became fast friends - she is very particular about her companions. We are grateful Zecuda is so wise in these matters.
Zecuda's first month at his new home was marked by his separation anxiety. He would get upset and start meowing whenever he woke up alone - even if we were upstairs or in another room. With patience and understanding, we found ways to help soothe his nerves - something we continue to do to this day. He now knows, through moves, renovations, vet appointments and vacations, that we will always come home to him and that he will always come home to his family. He has really settled in and we can see he is much more secure than when he first moved in five years ago.
Zecuda is a guy that loves to lie down in laps for long stretches and pats, likes attention, treats and Mary and Twitch. We recently found out that he loves lying in front of warm fireplaces too!
Our third and final cat companion joined our growing family in August 2005. He was the only male born to a litter of five kittens to the mom we were fostering for MEOW in April of that year (Kendal). We called him 'Twitch' and we like to say he turned Mary and Zecuda from friends into family. He was the only kitten in the litter Mary accepted. While a fairly jumpy guy from birth, hence his name, Twitch has grown into quite a cuddler. He's one of these cats that, when he's made a decision after a long time thinking about it, goes forward 100%. For example, it took the first year and a half of his life before he, all of sudden one day, decided he wanted to get some lap pats. Ever since then he's been a lap cat. It took another year and a bit and then he decided to get pats and cuddles on the bed, which he now initiates every night. Just last summer, he stopped hiding when guests arrived and actually let his grandparents pat him! He is constantly surprising us.
We are so grateful to MEOW for the work they do rescuing cats and adding to the quality of life (for both two legged and four legged people). The help they provided us in adopting Twitch and Zecuda was terrific.
Thank you so much. We are very happy together and it's nice to have two fuzzy lap cats in Calgary's winter temperatures.
Sincerely,
Doug and Beth
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Dear MEOW,
We adopted Zoe
(MEOW name Goldilocks) almost 3 ½ years ago. We had a few trial and errors trying to adopt a buddy for her, but finally adopted Thomas
(MEOW name Ovechkin), who was a feral cat who had been at the shelter at least 1 year.
Thomas spent the first 2 months hiding under his sanctuary room bed, only coming out to use his litter box at night. It was a slow introduction process, since both he and Zoe were afraid of each other (not to mention Thomas being afraid of us). My daughter and I spent the entire summer laying on the floor trying to pet him with a petting stick (the feather toy was his favorite) and talking to him. Finally he starting crying for Zoe and jumped his kid gate to go see her. Zoe spent the next month chasing and hissing at Thomas, who obviously loves her and tries to sneak up so he can at least be close to Zoe. Unfortunately, after adopting Thomas, we discovered after cleaning himself he left a foul smell – so we took him to the vet for a thorough exam. The vet discovered all of his teeth were rotten and the molars were abscessed, so Thomas had to have all of his teeth surgically removed. The first day home post-op on painkillers was the first time Thomas ate well. This wasn’t the end of medical issues unfortunately, since his FIV test I had requested – came back positive. Thomas has always had unexplained gagging episodes, and after his surgery, these episodes developed into frequent/congested/severe coughing (leaving him short of breath and exhausted). He was Dx as having Upper Respiratory Disease, meaning Zoe also would also be infected. Antibiotics were ineffective, but a single steroid injection cleared up all coughing/gagging for 6 weeks. Then it started again, when he was finally Dx with asthma and will need regular steroid injections.
Now that we’ve had Thomas for 6 months, he acts like a happy kitten (even though the vet is convinced he is a very old cat). He loves sleeping in the many cat beds and perches we have. He’s learned to use his scratching post, chases Zoe trying to get her to play, has learned how to play with cat toys scattered about, and as long as we move slowly to let him smell our hand first - he’ll let us brush and pet him (even his stomach at times).
Even though Zoe is very jealous of him and guards certain rooms, she has become very tolerant of him always following her. They chase each other and Zoe even lets Thomas sleep in his bed directly beside her at night. Thomas loves Zoe (who is a true Torbi and does not cuddle with anyone) – so he’s happy when he gets as close to her as she will tolerate. Thomas does lots of happy chirping and nose touches with her.
Thomas has a very battered body, proving he has had a hard life. We all love him very much and will do all we can to give him a safe happy life (no matter how old he is).
Thank you to Tina (our Adoption Coordinator) for all her help and a very special thank you to Bev (a MEOW foster mom) for her many hours of phone call advice and encouragement. We couldn’t have done it without both of your ongoing support.
Goldilocks (left) and Thomas (right)
Diane, Merrill, Parker & Danielle
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Dear MEOW,
I just wanted to let you know how Bella
(MEOW Delicata) is doing. Bella is truly an amazing cat, Vicki. I cannot even begin to express how much I love this little girl.
She has turned glossy black and her fur has completely fluffed out. She is gorgeous! I've attached pictures of her (and Fugi - who is who?) and you can see how far she has come from the scrawny runaway she was.
She is Fugi's best friend. Where she likes to play with Art, her snuggle buddy is Fugi. She hardly shy at all anymore and melted my Moms' heart by greeting her the other day, belly up and all. She is still loud at night but for shorter amounts of time. I have these little cat size soccer balls that are her favorite toys and in the morning all 4 are at the bottom of the stairs ready for me to pick up and throw lol. She loves Catnip, taunting Fugi and demanding food from me. She loves loves pet time on the floor but is not too fond of brushing or getting her nails clipped (she runs to Fugi and sulks after) . My bed is her favourite place to sleep during the day and she tests it out at night but does not stay long lol. She is so much fun to play with and if you call her she comes running hoping you will have a string or laser to chase; her eyes get big and wide. Purring is now a daily thing for her.
She is a demanding Joy and I love that she realizes she is allowed to have a voice. She does not cuddle with me as much anymore now except she cannot resist when Fugi is cuddling me and she cuddles us both
Take care,
Heather, Bella, Art and Fugi
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Dear MEOW,
Just an update on Flounce..she's doing quite well, and I think settling in nicely. I've attached quite a few pictures...as I couldn't decide which ones to narrow it down to!
Rachel
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Dear MEOW,
Here are a few photos of Miss Molly
(MEOW name Avani) - she is actually pretty photogenic cat! And yes, she is still definitely a talker (and a big purr-er)...she is quite the character indeed. She loves attention and has made herself at home now, which is a really great thing! Thanks to our AC Lorraine and all of you at MEOW for doing what you do...
Tracy and Molly
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Dear MEOW,
Carmen's spay went well. As soon as she was home she was cuddling with Ellen and motoring around like nothing happened.
(MEOW names Wensleydale and mom Pentacle) We are ready to finalize the adoption. I have attached some photos of the girls. They are very playful and are fascinated by us getting ready in the morning and going to bed at night. They like to curl up in the living room during the day and also love to sit on the window sills and watch outside. We are thrilled to have them.
Jessie
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Dear MEOW,
Aussie
(MEOW names Austen) has been a wonderful addition to our family. We had adopted a stray cat a year ago and she was lonely. Aussie and Eva are now best buddies and are together all the time, even when sleeping. We are very grateful to the MEOW Foundation and the process was really easy, thanks to Brenda. We love Aussie and are sure that he will be with us for a long time. I would like to extend a special Thank You to Aussie’s foster mom, Bev, for watching over him until we could bring him home. Thanks so much.
Christine Elliott
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Dear MEOW,
Tatti
(MEOW name Princess Tatti-anna) is fabulous and loves playing with toys, curtain strings, and loves her daily "treat"- half can of Fancy Feast with Morris. She loves cuddling with Morris and I at night and even purrs on my lap watching tv!
Morris is teaching her a few tricks, like how the faucets work and that the granite tops are cool places to chill out on when the suns out. Funny!
They have no manners but I love them anyway.
Thanks to Brenda and everyone at MEOW!
Tara
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Dear MEOW,
Last March I had to put my cat of 15 years down. It was a heartbreaking situation. I knew that I would want another cat, I just did not think it would come so soon! In September I found myself on the MEOW Cat-a-logue and saw a few kittens I wanted to check out. Carino
(MEOW name Smuffles) was the first one I met, and it did NOT take long for her to steal my heart, I didn't even need to meet any others!! Her profile and picture did not do her justice!! She is the sweetest, softest, prettiest kitty I have ever met!
On September 27th I took her home and much to my surprise she slept with me that very night! It did not take long for her to decide that she loved me and a short time later she decided that our 5 year old boxer Bentley was her best friend!! He is still not too sure about her, as our old cat liked to swat at him, but she LOVES him. She tries to nuzzle him and rub up against him, and when he is sleeping she curls up next to him and even licks and sometimes kneads him! They get along so well, and he does like to chase her, but I think she likes it more! I never imagined I would be able to love another kitty as much as my first two (mother daughter duo), but Carino has changed that and so much more. I truly feel she was made for me. Its almost as if she is a reincarnation of my first 2 cats rolled into one with extra love and affection added! Thank you SO much for everything you all do!
Nicole W
P.S. As for her name....my other 2 cats names were Tequila and Uno, so I decided to stay with the Spanish theme and looked up Sweetheart on and online Spanish dictionary and it came out with el carino! She truly, truly lives up to the name
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Dear MEOW,
Freya
(MEOW name DipsyDoodle) is doing great and getting so big! She's super active and getting along with our dog Stella better than we had hoped! They even play together, and Freya has taken to sleeping on Stella's bed with her. They're really adorable together. I attached a couple photos of Freya for you to have a look at! She's certainly very photogenic and we love her. Thanks MEOW!
Alex and Jon
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