Ooly the Oldie

From kitty-comforter Pauline Chin: 
Hiding in the upper residence of the Old Aids area is an inconspicuous, quiet brown tabby named Ooly.  It often requires some effort to find her, as she habitually conceals herself… unless you have delicious chicken!  Even then, she makes no sound – just beckoning with her glowing green eyes.

MW

Ooly may look like a typical tabby, but it’s worth it to find this gal because she is 18 years old, which is equivalent to a 80-90 year old human. What makes her extra special is she is FeLV+.

PH

Before anyone hits the panic button, feline leukemia is a virus that can be active or inactive, and the cat may or may not show any symptoms.  Leukemia in humans is a cancer, with a whole host of different symptoms.   In comparison, most strays with feline leukemia will not make it to their first birthday. Those living indoors may live 2-5 years.  A healthy housecat might average 10-20 years.  It’s tough to say how long a cat really lives, as demonstrated by some of our beloved residents who have surpassed age 20.

KN

Despite all the years Ooly has lived with us, she is still wary of humans.  She’s still a chicken-lover, but she prefers it if you leave it and well… leave.  She’s gotten a bit thinner, but her green eyes are full of life, and she still has spring in her steps.  She’s more semi-feral than feral now.  I haven’t seen any aggression from her, compared to her earlier days.  Perhaps being an oldie has made her more gentle?

KN

The most coveted spot is the high basket in the back.  All the leukemia cats can easily access it via catwalks, but us humans have to climb a ladder to even see who’s in it.  At which point, we’re likely met with suspicious stares from the basket occupants.

Chateaux with Ooly - PC

Ooly may have outlived her old friends, but she’s made new friendships.  Her current closest friend is Chateaux, who might share cuddles, body rubs, and headbonks.  I once saw them staring out the back fence together.  Recently, I noticed the newer residents, Kilo and Neptune greeting her as they passed on the catwalk and cat tree.  It’s charming to watch, since only some cats accept close encounters.  Then, Ooly jumped into the basket and joined Neko for cuddles.  I was able to pet the latter, but Ooly stayed just inches out of reach.

Neko & Ooly - PC

I would say Ooly is very much an independent old gal.  She’s gentle.  She’s not needy.  She‘s not vocal.  She might be enticed by a sparkly toy, and of course, chicken.  We’re not expecting her to suddenly turn friendly after 15 years, but it’s a nice thought.  If at anytime she wants cuddles or a warm lap from a human, she’s definitely welcome.  We would love to celebrate her 20th birthday with her!

Blog by Pauline Chin

Photos by Pauline Chin, Phaedra Hardman, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Shadow

It’s not easy to write about a cat who’s rarely sighted and then only fleetingly, as elusive as his name.  However, since Shadow was mentioned in his brother Chateaux’ blog, it’s only fair that his story be told too. 

(PH)

A good-looking all-grey boy, Shadow (formerly known by the slightly more appropriate name of Ashes), came to the sanctuary about nine months ago.  He and Chateaux had been adopted from another shelter but their new person wasn’t able to deal with the needs of two young semi-feral boys.  They never had the opportunity to become affectionate or even trusting around people, so they were surrendered to RAPS.  Unfortunately, Shadow tested positive for feline AIDS so came directly to the Cat Sanctuary, while Chateaux stayed on at the City Shelter for eight more months before being transferred to the Sanctuary.

(BC)

Shadow lives in the New Aids area, where he started out in a cage, hissing and spitting at anyone who dared to open the cage door.  If I squished myself into the cage beside him and talked to him quietly for a while, he’d calm down enough to let me put my hand near him and sometimes even allowed a quick whisker rub or two.  Now that he’s no longer caged, he dashes outside whenever a scary human being enters the building.
Phaedra, who knows and loves the New Aids cats better than most of us, says that he has big trust issues – that when he’s caged he will allow himself to be petted, but when he’s not in a cage, the room isn’t large enough for him. The usual sighting of him is a grey streak heading out through the cat door. Once outside, he scoots behind the lattice board leaning up against the wall and peers out suspiciously – though he does seem to be interested in comings and goings, and Phaedra’s pictures of him were taken while he was watching her clean out the rabbit pen. 

(PH)

Only once did I find him inside the New AIDS building, sitting quietly under one of the big scratching posts, with no escape route towards the cat door.  Much to my surprise, he stayed where he was while I approached him ever so slowly and then he let me give him a quick little ear and cheek rub.  Very nice, until he realized that he could still get away from me by slipping under a nearby chair!  That was enough human contact for him for one day, but very encouraging for me.  

 

(MM)

He’s warming up slowly – but on his own time schedule.  Just the other day, when he was sunning himself on the outside tiles and I was handing out treats and catnip, he let me get within a few feet of him so there’s still hope that he’ll become friendly one day.  Would it help if we got his name right, I wonder?

Blog by Marianne Moore

Photos by Brigid Coult, Phaedra Hardman & Marianne Moore

 

 

 

Chateaux: What’s with that name?

Chat (pronounced “shat”) is the French word for cat, so that might go a little way to explaining Chateaux’s odd name.  But chateau (pronounced “sha-toe”) is the French word for an elegant manor house and chateaux (pronounced the same way)  is more than one elegant manor house, so what kind of name is Chateaux for a cat? 

Here’s the story: 
Two brothers, Shadow (black) and Ashes (grey), were adopted from another shelter as young cats about a year or two ago.  The lively pair weren’t very tame at the time and then didn’t enjoy the love and attention that could have allowed them to become affectionate companions to their guardian.   After just six months in what was supposed to be their forever home, they were surrendered to RAPS.   Sadly, Ashes tested positive for feline AIDS so was transferred immediately to RAPS’ Cat Sanctuary.  Shadow stayed on at the City Shelter but never did become tame enough to be considered adoptable so, after eight months there, he too was transferred to the Cat Sanctuary.  Somewhere along the way, there was a mix-up in the names of the two cats – Ashes came to the Cat Sanctuary with the name Shadow and Shadow was known as Ashes to the staff at the City Shelter. 

When Ashes (the black cat formerly known as Shadow) came to the Cat Sanctuary recently and the name switch-a-roo was discovered,  everyone there was used to calling the grey cat (formerly known as Ashes) Shadow.  Are you confused yet?  So as not to have more than one cat named Shadow at the Cat Sanctuary, the “real” Shadow was re-named Chateaux.  When said with an elegant French accent, it sounds pretty much like Shadow, n’est ce pas?  

So, now that the name thing is sorted out, what’s Chateaux like?  Well, he’s certainly elegant with his glossy black coat and beautiful green-gold eyes, but he’s not a lovable little kitty.  No, not at all!  Hardly surprising, considering that the Sanctuary is the fourth place where he’s lived in his short four years or so of life.  He’s quick to hiss and throw an angry paw at anyone who tries to pet him, but will stare quietly and give an almost friendly blink or two if just spoken to gently from a respectable distance.  He seems very interested in the goings-on outside his cage and will sit just inside the cage door observing the activity but scoots behind the protective drape and glare out if someone enters his cage. 

We have high hopes that, with lots of gentle attention and love, Chateaux will turn into a nice, happy cat who will enjoy being petted and maybe someday he’ll find his own forever home in someone’s chateau.  Then, maybe he can get his own name back!     

Blog by Marianne Moore

Photos by Debbie Wilcox Wolanski