Thursday, June 16, 2005
Willie went home!
Alright Willie! It's good to be wanted, huh?
Willie has been with us for over a year. First, he was in Oakland. Then he was in Tri-Valley. He was even the Tri-Valley "Shelter Cat," meaning he had free run in the back of the shelter, and that he also got to be our official dog-tester.
If an adopter wanted to adopt a dog who is compatible with cats, we'd need to test that dog against a cat who wouldn't freak out.
Willie was that cat. And boy, was he good at his job!
A dog would walk up to him, and Willie would give him the biggest look of disgust, in that superior way that cats have, then walk away. The dog might try to chase, or eat, him, but Willie was not having any of it. No overly interested dog walked away from Willie without of the Fear of Cat instilled in his very soul.
Anyhow, Willie was very useful in testing dogs. He hated 'em all. But the dogs' reaction to him was helpful in determining whether that dog would be appropriate in a home that had cats. We've learned the hard way that adopting animals to homes where the animals can't coexist is a disappointment. Not just for us, but for our clients, and of course, for all the pets involved.
Eventually, Willie lost that job, but then commandeered a coveted cat habitat all to his own.
I think we just decided Willie would be the one who would be with us til the end. He was a cranky old man! Who would want him? Look past that sparkling white coat, and what did you see?
Well. thank you, Denise, from all of us. I am so glad you see in Willie what we have seen for years. A confident, beautiful, cuddly, gorgeous white feline. Who has lived a long (in cat years), sometimes difficult, life, and so deserves a lovely home in his later years.
