The signs providing information on any cats being kept in cages will sometimes include a note warning that this particular inmate is especially determined to get the heck out of that cage at the first opportunity. This is understandable. We don't tend to think of cats as really relishing the idea of a cage. And then we see cats like Aurora, who have no interest in leaving the cage once the door has been left open -- indefinitely. And then there is Charmin, who can't seem to resist scooting into any and every cage at the first opportunity. When I'm opening the doors to various cages at dinnertime, she'll often appear by my feet, looking for an opening to slip in far more eagerly than the cat on the other side is looking to zip out.
As far as distinguishing characteristics go, Charmin's other one doesn't require the opening of a cage door to notice:
Yes, another member of the RAPS one-eyed cat club.
Here's her story, told by Leslie (originally published in The Love Blog, July 2009):
"Charmin, our one-eyed Persian, was surrendered to RAPS as a high-strung young cat many years ago. We found a loving home for her, but her situation deteriorated a couple of years later. The young couple had a baby and then decided to get a puppy. All of that activity was too much for Charmin, and she started to urinate around her home. RAPS has a policy of always taking back the animals we adopt, and Charmin has a permanent home at our sanctuary."
I'm told that Charmin originally came to us with the full ocular complement, but somewhere along the way suffered a rupture of the right eye, leaving her with just the left. Persian cats can be particularly prone to eye problems due to the shape of their faces.
This doesn't seem to stop Charmin from doing any of the things she wants to do, though, from presenting herself to available visitors or volunteers for a little attention to conducting regular inspections of any cages she can wrangle access to. Always making sure she's not missing out on a thing.
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When I started at the shelter in Jan 2009 Charmine and Dede shared a cage together. They were allowed to leave if they felt like it but rarely did. Over the year they were encouraged to move out of their cage, and moved into the main population. Since then Charmine has always longed to be in a cage, and yes, often scoots inside an open door if given a chance. The only other cat that revivals her tenacity to be inside an opened cage, has to be Sweet Pea. Those two will sometime tag team their efforts!
ReplyDeleteSt least Charmin doesn't "let go" when you pick her up & scoot her out!! hehehe
ReplyDeleteAnn J
So true Ann!
ReplyDeleteDidn't Cleopatra have a cat called Charmin? What a coincedence! O.O
ReplyDeleteThis is one very distinctive kitty. You cant fail to remember her when you've met her. She seems a little sad but when I made the effort to talk to her she did respond. We've had a fair few rubs over the last two Sundays.
ReplyDeleteIs Charmin adoptable?
ReplyDeleteSad day for me today when I arrived for my shift. I learned that we had lost Charmin. She passed away under anesthetic while have an eye abscess drained. RIP my dear sweet Charmin.
ReplyDelete