Paula

 

Paula  (MW)

Paula is one of two long-term residents of the Pen 2 cabin;  a slim little calico who can usually be found in one of the upper-level beds.  She arrived with us in 2016, part of a clear-out from the City Shelter of the cats that were considered likely to be unadoptable for one reason or another. They were introduced in a series of three blogs in 2017: the blacks & black/whites, the tabbies, and the calico/tortie/orange cats.

Watching a worm!  (MW)

All were already adults when they arrived, and many of them have passed in the last nine years: tabbies Calvin, Chase and Zivko, lookalikes Kevin & Palma, Tubby, Salina and others. Others have relocated:  Celeste (watch for her upcoming blog) and Sophie the diva; Booty is either tucked in the TeaRoom or bossing Ringo around; peach-coloured Taffy is snug in the DoubleWide.

Paula's home, the Pen 2 cabin   (MW)

Whether indoors or outside, Paula prefers to stay in her own space – a preference she shares with tortie Barbie, on a lower shelf. Both ladies are now seniors, and their original shyness has given way to a tolerance for humans that becomes enthusiasm when we come bearing gifts.

Paula, with her tabby brothers Chase & Calvin  (KN)

When I clean in the back pens on Fridays, pen 2 is my third stop, and the cats have learned that business is the first order of the day – scoop the litter-boxes, check the bedding and shake it out where needed, sweep the floor, refill the bowls.  Delayed gratification is not their favourite thing, though, and there’s some pretty impatient pacing going on before I’m done. Paula and Barbie are always in place – Paula on “her” top shelf, and Barbie snugly in a box one level down.  Company for Paula will vary; for years it was shy Pavel; more recently Chumley has deserted Pen 1, and his brother Siskel, to move in with her.  Sweet tabby Cadbury often shares space; he is less outgoing than his late brother Skittles, but when you catch him in the right mood, he enjoys attention.

Paula knows how to pose!  (MW)

Chicken is definitely the tidbit of choice for Paula, and she is quick to claim her share, especially with all the local interlopers moving in on Pen 2 – Pumpkin, Odin, Cornelius and their buddies all know that I carry handouts.  Cadbury is not a chicken fan, and he gets a few Temptations – which are quickly stolen by Paula if she gets a chance.

Paula  (BC)

On her shelf inside the cabin, Paula is the miniature queen; in the last couple of years she has been venturing out with increasing confidence, but also with a certain lack of tolerance for other cats.  When there is a courtyard gathering of cats looking for handouts, it is noticeable that they leave a clear space around Paula, and that she is not slow to smack an encroaching paw when it comes too close to a tidbit to which she is laying claim.  

Lounging outside - but almost always solo   (MW)

A warning growl is enough to have most of the hopefuls backing off. It’s clear that indoors, where she feels secure, she can be sweet and snuggly with her cabin-mates, but in a more open arena, she is more defensive, and every good former feral knows that looking scary is the best defence.  She’s small, but everything about her says to the other cats, “Don’t mess with me!”

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright