But I couldn’t get him off my mind. I tracked him down to the Sanctuary where he had been moved because he had FIV and was not adoptable. My cat had now become Panther and was settling in in the New Aids building.
Panther - relaxed and at home in the New Aids building
summer 2013
summer 2013
Panther grieved for a while, but in the fullness of time he settled in, and looked deeply relieved to have found a safe, warm, loving place to spend his old age in. He obviously remembered me, and whenever I came to visit, he would come up to me with his funny old wobbly legs and smile at me and nuzzle me and look content. Panther went to the Rainbow Bridge in April of 2014.
But I stayed on. In myths and fairy tales, the hero is often lured away from their normal daily life into a new challenge or adventure by an animal that they follow into the unknown. In a sense, this is what Panther did for me. I like to say that although I brought him to the cat shelter, he also brought me there, and introduced me to a chapter of my life that has been incredibly rewarding and satisfying: volunteering as a kitty comforter.
One of my favourite things to do is to sit on the couch and see how many cats I can get to sit on me at once. I think my record is about seven. This is paradise.
Covered in cats
I also love the pitter patter of little feet on my back. This is how I made friends with Bella, and also dear, sweet George, who I especially love because he lets me hold him in my arms like a baby.
Bella on my back
George on my back
And being insistently snuggled. Hannah is especially good at this.
Hannah - my best snuggler
And having Tugboat hound me for treats. All I saw was a black blur as he tried to storm up my leg.
Aerial view of Tugboat, storming my leg for treats
And I fell completely, completely in love with Larry, surely the handsomest cat in the whole shelter. I can’t resist his cheeky little face, that darling little pink bip under his mouth, those wide, innocent eyes, and his funny little bow-legged walk.
Larry - such a looker. Clearly knows how handsome he is.
Butter wouldn't melt in that mouth
Butter wouldn't melt in that mouth
Blog and photos by Moira Langley
I love stories like this, to see that there are so many animal lovers out there.
ReplyDeleteand I still have to meet Larry...
Dianne