So I had already decided that I would adopt an older dog or cat since Hillary had taught me what a wonderful bond ten years can forge. Rescued N Ready rescues animals from overcrowded pounds and shelters and puts them into foster homes so people adopting have information about the animal - like whether or not the animal is housebroken, can respond to commands, or is compatible with other dogs or cats or children. The adoption fee is the same or less than from the shelters.
I looked online at several great cats, fell in love with three or four kittens, and decided to go to PetSmart on the last Saturday of Adopt a Shelter Cat month. I arrived early. Rescued N Ready had not yet gotten the animals to the store but the wire crates were laid out on the floor for the dogs and stacked on the other side for the cats. While I waited I went to the cattery that houses the cats that stay at PetSmart. I peered inside through the holes in the plexiglass, and two sort of turquoise eyes stared back. I read the chart hanging on the outside and learned that inside was an 8 year old female named "Butters". I had one of the employees take her out and I petted her for a while. She was a tortoiseshell kitty with a mostly black face. When the other animals came in she went back into her cage and I went on to the next PetSmart to check out the animals I had seen online.
They were beautiful! There was Malloy, a 3 year old solid white Tom with one blue and one green eye, several 2 and 3 year old Siamese cats, and so many fantastic kittens to choose from. But none of the animals in either of the stores were anywhere near as old as Butters. Nor were any of them as excited to be petted as she had been. So I went back and asked to see Butters again. This time when she was taken out of her crate she hopped right into my lap and settled down, purring.
I don't know how she got the name Butters, except when I got her home I noticed for the first time what a butterball she was. And how she followed me around and kept head butting me for pets. She scarfed up every morsel of her food and seemed constantly hungry at first. When I laid down to read my book, she came running in and thanked me profusely with purring and rubbing and head butts. She settled down right on top of me and didn't stop purring for an hour. Wow, she was happy. And then I noticed something else about Butters. She couldn't meow. She would try, but it just came out as a squeak. Upon further inspection, she had what was either a scar, or an injury that was still healing, on her throat. It looked as if someone might have kicked her, either by accident or design.
Her name is now Fin. After two weeks she has relaxed, stopped eating so much and has slimmed down with the exercise she is getting. She is still an enthusiastic love bug - I doubt that will change. She still can't make a sound louder than a squeak, and I have a bell on her collar to help me keep track of her. She doesn't ever bite or scratch, and is super easy on my house. She just spends her time sleeping in the sun or curled up on a chair. And she sleeps right next to me and waits patiently until I wake up.
For me, she is the perfect addition to my home. She is laid back and affectionate. I wonder how she became homeless, since she seems so domesticated and well-mannered. I wouldn't trade her for the cutest kitten in the world. Indoor cats easily live to be 20 or more, so Fin is really just coming into her prime. If you or anyone you know is thinking about getting a pet, consider adopting a shelter pet and don't be afraid to adopt older animals. Most are already trained and just need a second chance. Here is the website for Resued N Ready: http://www.rescuednready.com.
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