Tuesday, April 15, 2014

A Cat Adoption Story Update! #BtC4A

From Cat Chat With Caren and Cody: Back in July of 2012 I had written about a kitty that I had bought for a family at an adoption event. I wanted to share part of that post today, with a NEW photo! So here you go, here are portions of that post from July 2012:



Get the badge & spread the word!http://btc4animals.com/blog-the-change #BtC4A"

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

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

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

 I strolled over to the large vacant storefront where cats from the Oakland Pet Adoption Center and Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue were housed.

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


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

Precious "Tigre"



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

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


Tigre and I

Tigre and I "Cat Chatting"

Simply Smitten


"I want to take you home with me"

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

I couldn't bear to leave.

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

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

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

Tigre, about to leave his cage forever


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

The adult daughter said:

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

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

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

The adult daughter said:

"YOU will BUY him for me?"

ME: "Yes"

The adult daughter said: "Ok"

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

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


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




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

Tigre in his new home in 2012
soon after he was adopted

UPDATE AS OF APRIL 13TH, 2014:  I was sooooo excited to be tagged on Facebook with his LATEST PHOTO!!! He is now known as "Smokey" and look at how happy and content he is!!!


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

Get the badge & spread the word!http://btc4animals.com/blog-the-change #BtC4A"




87 comments:

  1. I'm in FLOODS!! What a fabulous story (I hadn't read it before) and the update is wonderful. Bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amazing story! And what a beautiful, sweet cat. The bond that shows between you both on the photos is so touching. It was meant to be. You were meant to save his life and I'm so glad he is happy in his forever home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marie, that is exactly how I felt too. I caught his eye ACROSS the room. It was so strange. I was drawn to him. I DESPERATELY wanted to adopt him for our family but couldn't. It tore me apart and I was crying. I couldn't leave him. There was just something that drew me to him. I am so happy for he and his family!

      Delete
  3. Thanks SO much for the update! I think about him now and again and I was wondering how he was doing - very well, obviously!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Caren a lovely story by a lovely lady. You so warmed our hearts today and made us smile. Nice one. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh MY MOLLY!! THANK YOU!! I am deeply, deeply flattered!!!!! THANK YOU!!! Much love to you!

      Delete
  5. We remember Tigre and how he got to his furrever family. Thank you, Caren, for making it happen.
    We hope there will be more updates on Smokey. He looks so happy and content!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you are welcome! Smokey lives with another kitty and they get along quite well! I should have included the other kitty's photo but was remiss.

      Delete
  6. A story by a great lady- thanks for sharing! When we adopted our first cat, I was terrified of them. During the visitation though, the cat must have known as he crawled onto my lap, sat up and purred. I sat there terrified. Long story short, a few days later, I woke up with him curled up asleep under my arm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allen thanks so much and thanks for stopping by! Ohhhh YOUR story brought tears to my eyes!! I LOVE IT! You overcame your fears from the love of a kitty and then adopted him! That is even MORE beautiful! He won you over!!

      Delete
  7. Caren your soft, soft heart and love of kitties gave this beautiful boy a most happy second chance. It was a more than kind gesture and you not only changed HIS life but the lives of the couple who adopted him. I remember this story - and it still touches me deeply. Smokey sure looks like he's one happy boy and I know you are proud to have been a huge part of his second chance.

    Hugs, Pam (and Sam)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww thanks so much Pam and Sam, you are making me cry :(

      Delete
  8. What a sweet story, and it's so wonderful to have an update to hear that the beautiful boy is doing so well in his forever home.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is such a wonderful story and I remember when this happened to you. And you are so right in that we can't save them all but saving one is a huge help. What a great idea to go to the adoption event and just look what a wonderful thing happened. So glad to see the update. Great great story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Marg! You have done far more than I ever could with all of the babies that you have saved and given a wonderful home to. I look up to you!

      Delete
  10. Such a wonderful feel good story. We have tears of joy. So wonderful what you did, Caren!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you but every one who reads this blog would do the same! xoxo Many of you have done waaay more than I have!

      Delete
  11. Caren, it's a beautiful story ! The most beautiful is the news you got after that day and that Tiger => Smokey is happy in his forever home ! Purrs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much! I was sooo happy when I was tagged on a photo of him the other day!!! They adore him!

      Delete
  12. WOW! Caren!!!! You are such a beautiful soul!!!! I am so glad you shared this today. It almost brought tears to my eyes reading this. ( I know, i'm a sap)
    The world needs more people like you! That is so nice you got an update too!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenna, yeah I guess I can be nice SOMETIMES lol!!!! Thank you! I think the same of YOU!! You have an incredible soul yourself! The world needs more people like YOU as well, thank you xoxo

      Delete
  13. I'm all leaky-eyes and lump in throat. What a wonderful thing you did for a very lucky cat. Hooray for you, and hooray for Tigre/Smokey!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ann thanks sooo much but HOORAY FOR THOSE WHO DO SO MUCH MORE!! Did you see Sparkle's post today? Now THAT ROCKS!!! I am sooo happy for Tigre/Smokey!

      Delete
  14. Bravo my friend! Dear Smokey will love you forever. You helped him towards the life he so deserves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww thank you!!!! Yes, he is one happy boy! You do MUCH, MUCH MORE than I do, BRAVO to YOU! xoxo

      Delete
  15. This so touched my heart. Thank you for sharing, Caren. That you most of all for the current picture of that happy, contented boy in his new home. I love a happy ending. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darlene, THANK YOU! I am ecstatic that he has such a good home and is soooo happy! Would love to see him again one day, who knows?

      Delete
  16. What a wonderful, fantastic, inspiring story!! You were The Change in Smokey/Tigre's life.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This just made me tear up because I remember this story so much and how you wanted an updated on the little darling. I'm so happy for you AND him!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Melissa! Yep, I didn't link to the original because I was kind of mean (ooops!), Not long after I had written the original I DID get the above photo. I felt bad so for this post I left that part out about being upset that I hadn't heard anything. Then, the photo at the bottom I was tagged on, on Facebook on the date mentioned above. I was sooooooo happy!

      Delete
  18. hold on - mom has to go get a tissue.....
    ok - what a WONDERFUL thing you did for this family!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Caren, you have made my eyes all leaky at work.. *wipes tear*

    I too have offered to pay adoption fees for kitties to get them into a home... I've never been taken up on it, but there were times when I totally would have.

    no.. there was one time.. but the gentleman paid me back once he got paid.. :)

    Congratulations Tigre, you sure did know just the right person to woo didn't you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sooo sorry!!!! (((hugs))) Doesn't surprise me one bit that you did that!! You have done (and STILL DO), much more than I could even begin to do!!!!! Sending much love to you!!

      Delete
  20. Aw, yay for Tigre/Smokey!! What a wonderful thing to do to make sure he got to a good home!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a wonderfully heart-warming story!!! Smokey sure is lucky to have met you and to have such a loving home now. Thanks for sharing and for helping!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Awww, what a lovely story. :-) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a beautiful story! Talk about a "meant to be" event!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is such a beautiful story. I cried reading it.
    I am happy for Tigre (french name !) and happy for you too.
    Douce soirée.
    Nat à Chat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much my furiend! "Tigre" is a French name? I loved that name, if I had adopted him I would have kept it :)

      Delete
  25. Caren what a terrific story and i am so glad that they updated you on Smokey! HE does indeed look very very happy!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you and I am happy they did too!!! I am so happy HE is happy!

      Delete
  26. BEST STORY. EVER! Caren, you brought tears to my eyes as I read your post. Thank you for your big, big heart. I'm over the moon for Smokey/Tigre, his family, and for you. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU!!!! OMG noooo don't thank me, you both do soooooooooooo much more!!!! ((((hugs))))) to both of you!!!!!!! And much love!!

      Delete
  27. You made me cry. Thank you! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh nooooo! I didn't want to make you cry!!! ((((hugs)))))))

      Delete
  28. Aww, Caren, what a sweet thing to do. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Caren, you are truly a beautiful animal lover! How lovely and sweet that kitty story is!
    We love happy adoption stories. Both brandi and Quinn were adoption kitties! You certainly have a special place in heaven, and lots of animals waiting to say hello to the beautiful animal lover--YOU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh myyy! THANK YOU!!!! You give me too much credit!! I think all of YOU do so much more than I do! Yes, I DO love animals but there are so many who do so much more! Virtually everyone who commented here and zillions more! Thank you though! xoxo

      Delete
  30. You are the best! So glad you were able to help another cat get a great home. Smokey looks a little like handsome Cody, no wonder you were drawn to him. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you are so kind!!!! You know what is funny? In the photos he DOES look quite a bit like Cody, in person his coloring was different. He was far less gray when I met him, he had some beige too and Cody doesn't. But in these photos he does look like him!

      Delete
  31. I remember when you first wrote about this kitty. I am very happy for you that they have let you know he is doing well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks my furiend! Yep, they did another time too, that is why I took out the other part :)
      xoxoxo

      Delete
  32. Caren, I remember your original story on Tigre and how you fell in love with him. I also remember that you paid the fee to get him adopted. It has made my day to see that he (Smokey) is happy and healthy in his new forever home. I wish I knew how some of my former fosters were doing in their new homes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a shame that you don't know. I adopted Cody from a Rescue that was at Petco in 2007. I don't remember the name of the organization, but that day, I went home and, with her permission, I "friended" Cody's foster Mom on Facebook. EVERY YEAR on Cody's birthday and HER birthday I always send her some sort of a photo or card and I thank her. Cody was adopted rather young, (around 10 wks), and I believe she had him when he was a tiny kitten. I attribute MOST of the reason that he is such a loving and cuddly cat to her. He was her favorite, she had said she was actually rather sad that he was being adopted but she really liked me. I KNOW she showered him with love in those short weeks. On the other paw, in Cody's cage at the adoption, were his littermates (a boy and a girl). I had picked them up before I even went to Cody. Neither of them wanted anything to do with me, but not Cody! I think people who adopt a cat and meet the foster should send some sort of photo at least once a year! All of you who foster and provide sooo much love are BEYOND IMPORTANT! xoxoxo

      Delete
  33. This is such an incredible story. I take back what I joked about on FB, You’re not mean-spirited at all, but kind and loving. I’m so happy “Smokey” is being loved in his forever home. {{hugs}}

    ReplyDelete
  34. That warmed my heart just reading this post. What a beautiful kitty and what a wonderful thing to do. So nice they tagged you too.
    Sue B

    ReplyDelete
  35. Miss Caren, that is just the best story. We're glad you get updates on Smokey. The mom says she would have done the same thing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I remember this story - so glad he is happy and well!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wonderful story! Made me cry! I tear up every time I see all the kitties at petsmart that need homes and that I can't adopt because I am at my pet limit too. Plus I don't want to be one of those people who hoard either. I have Marty and Ralphie and the three girls and give as much as I can to local rescues. Every little bit counts I know.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marty I am the same!!! You are right, EVERY little bit DOES help!

      Delete
  38. This is SUCH a beautiful story, Caren. It warmed our hearts then and it warms them now.
    (((love)))

    ReplyDelete
  39. We love happy ending love stories like that! Now we gotta get some Kleenex and hug each other.
    (((Hugs))) to you guys too.

    ReplyDelete
  40. We love this very beautiful story. What a special kitty he is and what a special person you are, Caren. So happy you got an update and so happy he has been saved by you and his forever family. Wonderful post.

    ReplyDelete
  41. aawww Caren!! This is an amazing story.
    I know exactly how you feel when you look at Tigre and fell in love with him. That's what had happened to me and all my three turtles, I just know I will love them forever.

    Glad to know Tigre (now Smokey) has a good house

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Novroz thank you! Ohhh I KNOW you feel the same way about your babies! Your love shines through EVERYTHING you write! They are blessed to have you!!

      Delete
  42. Caren this is a beautiful story! I just love it! I can no longer do the on the scenes work with my local rescues but can put a little more towards helping those who help those I love.
    Thanks for giving us all a great lift today!
    Dad Pete

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi "Dad Pete" and THANK YOU! I need to NOT do any "on scenes" work, if I do, I will be even more broke than I already am!! lol. You are most welcome and thank YOU for all that YOU do too! xoxo

      Delete
  43. this is great news Caren,we alway wondered what happened to him,xx Rachel and Speedy

    ReplyDelete
  44. BALLING my eyes out….what a beautiful story and what a beautiful person you are Caren! This is what helping animals is all about…xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Amelia THANK YOU! Noooo....you do sooooooooo much more than I do!! You do this EVERY DAY, I only did it once!!!! Thank you my dear friend! oxoxoxo

      Delete
  45. Oh, Caren, what a wonderful story! My eyes are watering, but I am smiling. What a beautiful thing you did, and I am so happy you have gotten an updated photo so you can see how well he is doing.
    That is exactly how to "be the change" - great job and thanks for sharing this happy story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan THANK YOU for your incredibly sweet comment!! Thank YOU and you are most welcome!!

      Delete
  46. So, Tigre, let's see that paw with the wiggling little pinkie ;) His dreams sure have come true!! And thanks to such a generous, kind gesture by you - he didn't even have to wait another second. I'll bet there's gratitude all around on this one. Caren, you ARE the change!!

    Thank you for such an uplifting story, and for blogging (and being!) the change for animals,
    KimT
    www.btc4animals.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oh my goodness, what a lovely story and what a lovely person you are.
    I try to avoid these events because I'm so afraid that I too will be smitten and have to walk away. Your happy ending made my day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy thank you!! There are many MUCH lovelier than I am! I am like you though, I DO try to avoid these events because they upset me much too much. Have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  48. Oh, I remember this story! How fantastic that you got an update - what a cutie pie! I love a happy ending. :)


    A.J.
    BtC4Animals.com

    ReplyDelete