Jett
I didn’t need nor want another cat.
Our family already had four rescues: one feral, one dumped, and two abandoned when I spotted the mangy stray streaking from my front porch one morning. I’d lost count of the number of cats I had seen stealing food from our dishes over the years.
Besides, I’m a dog person, specifically dachshunds. We have seven dogs, five of them dachsies. I’ve always said that I adore dogs but only tolerate cats.
Nevertheless, compassion compelled me to put out extra food for him; I assumed the skin and bones, practically hairless, creature was a male. Weeks passed, and I would spot him every few days sneaking food. The minute I went outside, he took off in a flash. I had several cans of cat food a neighbor gave me, and I put one out hoping to fatten him up.
He started waiting for that daily treat, going so far as to let me touch him every once in a while. By now, almost two months had passed, and he wasn’t quite as emaciated. His long black fur had begun to grow back. Somewhere in the next two weeks he must have decided to make our house his home. Most morning he met me at 5:30 and walked with me to let my chickens out. He’d nudge my leg until I petted him then swat me gently when I stopped.
Thereafter, if anyone sat on the front porch, he’d show up and try to crawl into their lap. He’d been someone’s pet, although, the time on his own had made him skittish and terrified of most humans.
After taking him to a feral cat clinic to get wormed, vaccinated, and neutered, I decided he might as well have a name. Since he was entirely black, I chose Jett. A bright red collar with a bell followed a week later. He started purring, a barely detectable rumble, then too.
Another month passed before Jett would come into the house. He hated being inside at first and would stand at the door meowing. The dachsies took to him almost instantly, and he never seemed bothered by five little black noses sniffing him—maybe because he was bigger than the dogs.
Soon Jett waited at the door to be let in. Though loud noises or sudden movements spooked him and sent him under the nearest table or bed, he still wanted to be with us. The final step, one I still can’t believe has happened—remember, I’m a dog person, not a cat person—he started sleeping at the foot of my bed every night, or when the mood strikes, atop me with his nose just under my chin.
Now healthy, and a plump twelve and a half pounds, he’s the sweetest, gentlest cat I’ve ever owned. Maybe, when it comes to Jett, I am a cat person after all.
Have you ever rescued an animal?
It all started with a greyhound. My daughter, saying she is animal crazy is an understatement, had always wanted a dog or cat. My husband was adamant about no pets (we did have hamsters & fish at some points in her younger years) until the week we dog sat our best friend’s greyhound. He was hooked. So for Tina’s 16th birthday we rescued Zeus, who at the young age of 3 was being retired from the track because he didn’t like to race. Now getting a greyhound straight from the track does have some challenges – they’re not used to stairs or windows but the plus side they are pretty much house trained. They’ve learned not to go in their crates so it’s only a matter of them learning the house is their crate. Now as I’ve said he was supposed to be Tina’s but he quickly became a Momma’s boy. Sadly we lost he in January 2012 at the old age of 13 1/2.
In the meantime, Tina started working at a vet clinic & in 2004 wanted to bring home two 8 week old tortoise shell kittens (kind of a reverse calico more black with some cream & white) to “foster” (especially since I’m allergic to cats). This was around the same time my husband was home with a badly broken ankle from a hunting accident (don’t ask…looong story) so he was home with them most of the time. We did find a home for 1…10 years later Josey is still here. Now tortoise shell cats are always female & have attitudes…Josey lives up to the stereotype. She’s queen of the house & “tolerates” all the other cats (all male – she does not like other female cats) but when we have lost one she searches the house for days looking for them & crying. She was always a standoffish type, wanting affection on her terms but as she gotten older (& especially since we lost Zeus) she has become more affectionate & more often than not she goes to sleep curled up next to my face at night. Our morning routine includes her in the same spot with me petting her before I am allowed out of bed.
The year after Josey adopted us my son brought home the cutest little kitten they found near a paving stone pile at the landscape lot he worked at. This sweetheart was black with a white front legs & paws that looked like he had a sweater on backwards. And had the brightest blue eyes…he actually resembled a gremlin, hence he was called Gizmo. Unfortunately this 6 week old baby had fading kitten syndrome & only lasted 4 days in our care.
A year later my son brought home another little devil who was also about 6 weeks old. A beautiful long hair gray & white boy that was such a stinker he earned the name Diablo. A name that couldn’t be farther from the truth now. Two days later Eric brought home another kitten from the same spot he found Diablo which we only assume is from the same litter. This little yellow tabby is named Shiloh. My husband was adamant no more pets & my daughter was just as adamant that she wasn’t getting rid of them so she found someone who would keep them for her until she was out on her own. By this time she had a steady boyfriend & eventually moved in with him where they adopted 2 dogs, Riley – a boxer/border collie mix, & Izzy – a yellow lab & took Diablo & Shiloh into their home. They became engaged & were planning on marrying in May of 2008. In the midst of planning their wedding they adopted another 6 week old kitten (Holden – a tiger striped tabby) from the clinic where Tina still worked & at the same time I was diagnosed with breast cancer. While they were away on their honeymoon we kept Holden since he was so young & needed more attention than my just dropping by their apartment twice a day to feed & walk the others. I had my surgery after the kids returned from their honeymoon & Holden came to stay with me for comfort…he never went back. I affectionately called him my “cancer” kitty not knowing that 2 short years later at the age of 2 1/2 I would lose him to his own cancer – leukemia (not FeLV but the actual blood cancer).
By this time Tina had divorced & was living with us and we had moved from Ohio to Georgia. While taking classes to become a Vet Tech Tina was working at a doggy daycare. One morning she went into work & someone had left a little 4 week old kitten in a box on their doorstep with a note saying they found him in the middle of a busy highway. Of course there was nothing she else she could do but bring him home right! Like your Jett he has long hair & is solid black (with the exception of a small white patch on his chest & on his belly) & wheres a bright red collar. He should have the name associated with devil as that is what he is – a little devil – complete with horns (he has 2 tufts of hair that stick up like horns when he’s getting into trouble). He also likes to be outdoors (as long as the sun isn’t to bright).
Josey, Diablo & Milo are the only ones that are allowed outside. Shiloh goes out if Tina or I go out with him because he jumps the fence & then gets scared & won’t come when you call him. Josey & Diablo stay inside the fence with an occasional escape but they come when called. Milo – he goes where he wants (yes he’s the spolied baby). He knows he has a curfew & 99% of the time he’s home by curfew and when he’s not he knows he’s in trouble.
You would think it would end there but no. Somehow we’ve acquired joint custody of the neighbors cat – Mittens who just turned 1. So on any given day you can find 4-5 cats & 2 dogs roaming my home. If Mittens is in the house then there’s running & playing which sounds like a herd of horses running through the place. Or if Shiloh is in a talkative mood you can hear him on the top floor of the house when he’s in the basement. It’s never dull around here. Oh, and as far as my allergies – the only thing we can figure is since we’ve been adopted when each of the cats were kittens as their dander “came in” my allergies adjusted with it (kind of like getting allergy shots).
Who knows where the next pet adventure takes us!
Wow,you sound like me. Hubby threatened divorce several animals ago if I brought one more home. Two more strays have been hanging around our house, but I’m not making them into pets!
Beautiful! Thank you for loving Jett. Never thought about it like this, but my brothers brought home stray dogs when we were kids, and that set the tone for my life. I’ve always been a sucker for a furbaby. I currently have eight dogs that needed a home in one way or another. As the saying goes, I didn’t rescue them–THEY rescued ME. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Genie,
I totally understand what you mean by them rescuing you.
Congratulations for being adopted by a cat! 🙂 We have two, down from three as we just had to put to sleep one of our old girls (she was 16 with kidney disease). I’m a sucker for cats and dogs both. We have two dogs. My daughter has a couple of doxies (along with two other rescues) and we’ve discovered the Halloweenie Festival here in Atlanta, the first weekend of October each year. Love it. They have weenie races and contests for licking and barking, and costume contests, of course. It’s always such a riot—Dachshunds are just game for anything and everything.
I’ve always wanted to take my dachsies to a Halloweenie festival!
Lisa, Where in Atlanta? I’d love to come!
My mother has taken in a few stray cats from outside over the years. One was a pet who left his home a few blocks away because he was bullied by the other cats in the house. Two were feral cats born under the storage shed (same mother but different litters). They were all very sweet and loving kitties during their lives. My husband and I have adopted a cat from a rescue shelter and from acquaintances who had to rehome their pets when they moved into smaller quarters. Our younger cat (from the shelter) is very sweet and affectionate, and big (just under 20 pounds). We learned after we adopted him that he had been returned to the shelter by two previous adoptive families. I don’t know why; I can’t imagine anyone rejecting him.
That’s so sweet. I love my rescue babies and I could never give them up.
I am so excited to see you have finally seen the light!!! Cats make the best friends!! When one adopts you as Jett has done you know you have accomplished something great. Cats only love the best people my friend!!
He’s so sweet, Beth.