by Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net

November is Adopt-A-Senior Pet Month: Two more “Happy Tails”

LEO
When Debbie’s family lost their beloved cat JB Dasher after a long illness in 2008, they weren’t sure when they’d be ready to introduce another cat to the two sisters he had left behind. But with Debbie volunteering at the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter in East Northport, NY, twice a week, it was difficult not to think of filling the void with another homeless animal.

Leo was 6 years old and had already spent 4 ½ years at the shelter. He was a loner who spent most of his time in the “cat tree” sleeping in a bucket or just watching the activities of the other cats below. He was shy and a little skittish – those traits, coupled with his age, made him less than a prime candidate for adoption. After talking it over with her family, Debbie decided to take a chance and bring him home.

Leo immediately became fast friends with their 6 year old female cat, Mink. They sleep curled up together (or fight over who gets the spot closest to the screen when the windows are opened), but they are rarely apart. Turns out, Leo also loves people – he can often be found sitting in someone’s lap or cuddling up for a head scratch.

Leo has brought Debbie’s family great pleasure, and they are glad to have given a good life to this lovable senior cat!

SEBASTIAN
Sebastian is another senior cat shelter who found a great home. Christine adopted him in 2008 from Grateful Paw Cat Shelter, where, as a volunteer, she found the 8-year old orange tabby irresistible. When she brought him home, however, her two older cats didn’t share her enthusiasm. It was a stressful few weeks during which the cats fought and Sebastian didn’t seem to be warming up to Christine or her family. Christine’s husband reassured her that with time and patience, Sebastian would come around.

How right he was! The family’s persistence and patience really paid off! Sebastian began to relax, becoming friendly, cuddly, and, in Christine’s eyes, even more irresistible. Two years later, this lucky kitty follows Christine around the house, and her lap is his favorite place to be! Whenever she returns home after a long day, he is at the door to greet her. The other cats, Pepper and Mooch, have also accepted him as a member of the family.

Christine is thrilled that she was able to give an older pet a home, and very happy that Sebastian “officially” decided to become her cat.

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