Tuzzi

Tuzzi (as in Bertuzzi) is a delightful 11-year old boy who came to live at the cat sanctuary earlier this month. He was unable to adjust when a baby came into his life, and responded to the intrusion with a compulsion to pee everywhere. After trying everything they could think of to solve the problem (including a visit to the vet to check for possible medical causes), Tuzzi's people made the tough choice of surrendering him.

I'm sure many of us wish we could just explain to cats who feel compelled to express themselves this way that it's just not going to work out the way that any of us would hope... but sadly, we can't.

On a brighter note, Tuzzi's friendly personality has already won him some human admirers at the cat sanctuary. It's not the same as being in a home and part of a family, but at least he won't have to worry about feeling friendless.

Springtime at the cat sanctuary

It's that time of year again -- the days are getting longer, the weather's starting to get warmer... and the sanctuary cats are starting to spend more of their time enjoying the outdoor areas at the RAPS sanctuary. Here are a few photos of them enjoying a pleasant evening this week.

our new greenery in the front courtyard is starting to show us some green

Lana, Salty, and Mistletoe

Sadie

Tiger
~sttrretcchhh~

Peppercorn

Jellybean

Jellybean came to RAPS as a feral cat and for a long time didn't want to have anything to do with humans. After losing a good deal of her sight, though, we became a bit harder to avoid.

Jellybean still manages to get around the doublewide, snoozing in various spots on shelves or high up on top of the cages. I first got to know her a little when Leslie asked me to start giving her a plate of her own at dinner time because it wasn't as easy for her to go and get wet food from one of the big plates we put out. Jellybean accepted my food offering, but clearly wasn't comfortable with any contact, so I didn't push it.

It's only fairly recently that I tried again to reach out and touch and discovered that Jellybean has gotten more comfortable with the idea. These days she often sits on top of the cages, and so if I want her to actually get more than a few bites of her individual serving of wet food before other cats move in and eat it right out from under her, I have to stand guard until she's had her fill. This has led to experimental patting, stroking, and even a few forehead bonks. And before I knew it, we'd gone from Jellybean wanting nothing to do with me to Leslie calling her my new best friend.

Update: Jody

When I posted about Jody back in February of 2010, she was known for loving humans (particularly ones who will rub faces with her and receive kitty kisses) and being annoyed by other cats.

Not much has changed. She's still living at the sanctuary, and she still loves giving kisses and the odd love bite. I've tried presenting her with something seemingly non-biteable like my forehead to give her kisses to, but if given enough time she generally tries giving one of my eyebrows an affectionate nibble.

This past Monday night was all about hand kisses.

Some cats are fun to do update posts about because they've changed so much over time (like Little Lizzie from last week). Others are fun to re-post about because of how very little they've changed over a number of years. Like Jody, who's gone on being true to her feistily sweet self.

Update: Little Lizzie

When I posted about Little Lizzie in July 2012, she was one of our look-but-don't-touch kitties. And even looking at this pretty girl (who came to us as a wild kitten) would often set her to flight.

As sometimes happens, though, time spent in a cage for some special treatment (in both the medical and the cuddles & extra-tasty food sense), gave her a chance to get to know the med staff at the sanctuary and learn that humans could actually be rather nice. Now she's out of her cage but has opted to stick around where she can continue to receive attention from her human friends.

When Leslie showed me the tortie cat parading around for attention, I asked her how long Little Lizzie was likely to keep it up. Leslie said she could keep it up all day. Indeed, as long as Leslie stayed in sight, it only took a glance to get Little Lizzie preening and dancing around in search of pats.

A snowy day at the cat sanctuary

Today's snowfall took many of us in the Lower Mainland by surprise, but of course the sanctuary cats took it all in stride. Most decided inside was the nicest place to be, but there were a few intrepid (or simply stubborn) holdouts.

Update: Terry

When I first wrote about Terry in October 2011, he was a shy boy who occasionally allowed pats but much more often could be found perched on high shelves from which he'd smack any would-be visitors.

Since then, he's gradually overcome much of his shyness. These days he's comfortable sitting on tables and lower shelves that put him much closer to humans. And far from seeming threatened or even put out by the prospect of human interaction, he actually seems to welcome it.

He even talks. It's not loud, but if you give him a gentle pat on the head, he responds with the most adorabe little "Mmh."