Posted on 04/17/2016 1:00:21 PM PDT by EinNYC
All regular FReepers know of the tragedy which struck my household March 9, which was the unexpectedly fast death of my beloved kitty Kefira from bone marrow cancer. Everything suddenly turned to grey for me without that adorable little feline playing tricks on my other cat, snuggling up to me while I read, taking her place behind my pillow while I watched a DVD, etc. After a few days of giving myself over to grief, I started to search the online pet adoption websites as well as visit North Shore Animal League on Long Island. I wanted a kitten who had Kefira's very unique color and markings. I easily perused hundreds of cat photos in this month-long search, and there were only 4 kittens in the entire country who had the "look". They were mostly in California.
I am a patient hunter when there is something I want, and I won't settle. Finally, as I was scanning kitten pictures on, of all places, Overstock.com (they have a new tab on their website called "Pet Adoptions"), my antennae immediately sprang to full alert; there was a picture of a kitten with exactly the markings I wanted AND she was within commutable distance: New Joisey. I immediately called the rescue who had her. She had been taken off the street a week earlier. I made an appointment to come and see her, setting off from school like the proverbial bat outta you-know-where. Just to get across Manhattan through the Lincoln Tunnel took an hour and a half. No kidding. Then I had to navigate through the wilds of NJ, armed only with my trusty GPS. It was arduous, as it was difficult to read the highway signs fast enough to see where Ms. Garmin bade me to turn off. Finally, almost 3 hours later, I arrived at this little vet clinic in the sticks of central NJ. As I entered the clinic, I introduced myself and followed the direction a beckoning hand indicated. There was a large cage in the middle of the lobby. It held a kitten. As soon as my eyes registered on her, I knew she was coming home with me. I took her into a little room to get acquainted. She could not get enough petting, could not get held enough, and kept rolling over to have her tiny tummy rubbed.
This kitten had been described to me by this vet's staff as 8 months old. No way was she that old. I'd say 5-6 months at most. She was thin after life on the street and who-knows-where before that. She also had a slight conjunctivitis and probable ear mites, which is typical of a cat who's been on the street. Her FeLV and FIV lab test fortunately turned out negative.
She clearly had not been in receipt of the loving she so richly deserved. This poor little girl doesn't even know how to play with toys. She obviously had not had any prior to now. And then, how could anyone abandon a treasure like this little angel? Fool!
I had the vet there treat her ears and eyes. He also gave her the first 3-in-1 shot (2 more, 3 weeks apart, to go) and a rabies shot. Then I placed her in my Vari-Kennel and off we went, toward home.
She is currently under quarantine, as dictated by my vet. Then she will gradually be introduced to my Maine Coon, Bijou. I look forward to seeing them play together.
FReepers, meet Zizu (the name just "came" to me while playing with her):
A street kitty—my favorite kind!
Looks like Zizu has the makings of a great cat, so happy for you both!
Zizu is beautiful! I’m glad you’ve found a new sweet baby to love. We now have six kitties - more than we’d planned, but life is like that. We love them all.
Awwww, she’s such a cutie!
How did Steve Zissou get Bernie Sanders in his sub? Look left.
LOL...
It’s a sub full of Hollywood commies...they didn’t even notice he was there. :)
Hug your sweet Zizu for me, K?
The gray one looks just like my beloved cat Louie who I lost a few years ago. Russian Blue?
What a Cutie. Is she Registering Independent or Republican?
First congratulations! Second, thank you for giving this beautiful and sweet kitty a loving home. My rescue kitty, after a year and 1/2 with me, has never learned to play with toys (3 years on the street and 4 in the center)except a cloth string that I snake on the floor for her. Her only toy! I keep buying them for her but all she wants is her mother pulling the string...I am happy your kitty is filling the emptiness in your heart.
Zizu's markings are one of the most dramatic examples of "genetic diversity" I've seen in a long while! Quite pleasingly striking...
And, I do hope she learns to enjoy toys. Our two "rescues" certainly have -- we find them strewn all over the house in the mornings -- after returning them to their storage bin before bedtime...
Congrats on your new companion!
Cat needs you.
I hope you get a kitten.
This is wonderful news. I wish you and Zizu a long and happy time together.
Awww, sweet, good for you! She is both distinctive and lovey-eyed. :) <3
I think I told you NOT to try to get a kitty just like the one you lost. If I did, I am glad you did not take my advice. Two big winners here! Cats are great! (Except for Max of Windridge Court, but that’s another story)
That’s a very lucky kitty to have you for her Mom! I think Kefira would be proud to have you give a home and wonderful life to another. I know firsthand they heal our hearts.
She obviously had not been exposed to toys before. I just brought in Bijou’s old trackball toy, that blue one with the fabric mouse on a stem above it. I sprayed it with catnip extract and Zizu was playing with it a little. I think she will catch on to what toys are about. Right now, she is newly ensconced in the kitchen instead of the bathroom. It’s much roomier and better ventilated. I spent all day making the kitten gate to close off the kitchen. She is crying because she sees me at the computer and wants me to come into the kitchen and pet her. She has to learn that she will be played with when I come into the kitchen and that crying will not gain my attention. Thank goodness I put that trackball toy in there to distract her. She is crying nonstop because she wants me to come in there. It is very hard, but I can’t let her think that I will come running into the kitchen when she cries. She will get plenty of attention, all the more after quarantine is over April 28.
Congrats on your new little love! Thank you for posting her picture.
Now I’m intrigued by the PVC gate & wish to see that as well. I need to construct 3 cheap gates to keep my elderly dog from messing in the living room. Right now the room doors & one baby gate suffice, but I’d really like to keep doors open & air circulating.
YAY!!! Wecome Zizu! I think the black and white parts will be the sweet kitty personality traits... WATCH out for the orange parts! :) The fact that she is responding to you petting her means she was probably a throw away vs a feral. THAT is a good thing. It took us a good three weeks to be able to even touch SK. Good luck on the introduction! It will probably go a lot smoother than you think. Hugs and congratulations!! Mom
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