My Christmas Wish List
Dec. 19th, 2007 11:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vr_trakowskiOkay, every year there's a meme going around LJ, asking people to post their Christmas wish lists, from the simple to the truly insane, so that others moved to generosity might fulfill a wish if they like. I've never done one, but I figure this year...I'll post one wish. (I know it's late. Sorry. Life's been hectic lately.)
Some of you may know that I feed feral cats. Have done for several years, ever since I first realized that the cat-shaped shadows I was seeing around the place were in fact starving. Mostly they come and go; I've taken a few to the Humane Society when opportunity has arisen, but I try not to love them too much, because sooner or later they disappear. Only one has hung around almost since the beginning, and I'd swear that she has a home she goes to when she gets in the mood.
Early this year a kitten turned up--a skinny, wide-eyed, timid fellow who seemed as desperate--more so, even--for the company of other cats as he was for food. He remained the shy one of the three kittens from that time period, letting the others take the lead, the last one to get used to pettins while chowing down. But eventually it all clicked, and while the other two eventually disappeared, he waxed large and affectionate.
Meet Hal.
He's a fine young orange tomcat, almost a year old now, with a thick plushy coat and lovely golden eyes. He lies in wait for me in the bushes every night, and when I show up he pops out and greets me, more interested in scratches than dinner, at least at first.
Here's the thing. I love this cat dearly, but I can't take him inside--I have a one-bedroom apartment already crowded with two aging cats who would not be at all happy with a young intruder. But if I leave him as he is, he'll most likely vanish over the next year, victim to car or illness or just the wandering tomcat blues.
I've considered the Humane Society, but his odds there would be very poor. The local no-kill folks--well, let's just say I had a very bad experience with them and let it go at that. My mom would take him, but she has an elderly dog and a recalcitrant husband.
This is my Christmas wish--to find Hal a forever home.
It won't be easy. He's a sweetheart, but he's been indoors a grand total of fifteen seconds of his life. He's never seen a sandbox, or been in a cat carrier. He's unneutered.
But in my opinion he's a born housecat. He loves to be petted, adores attention, and he's smart. He's not high-strung and he has a very mellow disposition.
He's also make someone a great barn cat; he can definitely hunt! He had a mouse in his jaws just tonight.
Hal's a cuddlebug--due to wet grass and other considerations he's only been on my lap once, but he acted like he'd always had one to flop onto. He hasn't quite learned that one cannot play with humans using claws, but the idea is percolating through his brain--he's not stupid.
He's skittish around most people, but not frightened, and he's treated both my parents--on first sight--as though they were me (maybe we smell the same). He's started to get a little huffy with the old queen cat I've known for years, but he's quite gentle with her kitten, only looking somewhat harassed when she tries to snuggle up to him. He's never lifted a paw to her in my sight.
He'd need neutering, vaccinations, probably deworming, possibly flea repellent (though I've never seen evidence of fleas on him). He'd need patience and coaxing and lots and lots of love. He might do okay with other cats, but I wouldn't put him with a dog or very small children. He seems quite healthy to me--his coat is thick and clean and his eyes are bright--but that doesn't mean he isn't carrying something. I don't think he's old enough to spray yet.
But if you need a sweet stripy orange cat in your life, and you live in the DC area, and you're willing and patient, this could be the cat for you. He'd need time to get to know you a little and time to get used to a carrier, unless you want to try to catch him straight out (not recommended).
If you think you could be Hal's Christmas miracle, drop me a note here or at VRTrakowski (at) gmail dot com.
And thanks.
(P.S.--I apologize for the poor quality of the photos, but it's hard to get his most winsome poses when my camera is freezing up. Click through for additional mediocre shots.)
Some of you may know that I feed feral cats. Have done for several years, ever since I first realized that the cat-shaped shadows I was seeing around the place were in fact starving. Mostly they come and go; I've taken a few to the Humane Society when opportunity has arisen, but I try not to love them too much, because sooner or later they disappear. Only one has hung around almost since the beginning, and I'd swear that she has a home she goes to when she gets in the mood.
Early this year a kitten turned up--a skinny, wide-eyed, timid fellow who seemed as desperate--more so, even--for the company of other cats as he was for food. He remained the shy one of the three kittens from that time period, letting the others take the lead, the last one to get used to pettins while chowing down. But eventually it all clicked, and while the other two eventually disappeared, he waxed large and affectionate.
Meet Hal.
He's a fine young orange tomcat, almost a year old now, with a thick plushy coat and lovely golden eyes. He lies in wait for me in the bushes every night, and when I show up he pops out and greets me, more interested in scratches than dinner, at least at first.
Here's the thing. I love this cat dearly, but I can't take him inside--I have a one-bedroom apartment already crowded with two aging cats who would not be at all happy with a young intruder. But if I leave him as he is, he'll most likely vanish over the next year, victim to car or illness or just the wandering tomcat blues.
I've considered the Humane Society, but his odds there would be very poor. The local no-kill folks--well, let's just say I had a very bad experience with them and let it go at that. My mom would take him, but she has an elderly dog and a recalcitrant husband.
This is my Christmas wish--to find Hal a forever home.
It won't be easy. He's a sweetheart, but he's been indoors a grand total of fifteen seconds of his life. He's never seen a sandbox, or been in a cat carrier. He's unneutered.
But in my opinion he's a born housecat. He loves to be petted, adores attention, and he's smart. He's not high-strung and he has a very mellow disposition.
He's also make someone a great barn cat; he can definitely hunt! He had a mouse in his jaws just tonight.
Hal's a cuddlebug--due to wet grass and other considerations he's only been on my lap once, but he acted like he'd always had one to flop onto. He hasn't quite learned that one cannot play with humans using claws, but the idea is percolating through his brain--he's not stupid.
He's skittish around most people, but not frightened, and he's treated both my parents--on first sight--as though they were me (maybe we smell the same). He's started to get a little huffy with the old queen cat I've known for years, but he's quite gentle with her kitten, only looking somewhat harassed when she tries to snuggle up to him. He's never lifted a paw to her in my sight.
He'd need neutering, vaccinations, probably deworming, possibly flea repellent (though I've never seen evidence of fleas on him). He'd need patience and coaxing and lots and lots of love. He might do okay with other cats, but I wouldn't put him with a dog or very small children. He seems quite healthy to me--his coat is thick and clean and his eyes are bright--but that doesn't mean he isn't carrying something. I don't think he's old enough to spray yet.
But if you need a sweet stripy orange cat in your life, and you live in the DC area, and you're willing and patient, this could be the cat for you. He'd need time to get to know you a little and time to get used to a carrier, unless you want to try to catch him straight out (not recommended).
If you think you could be Hal's Christmas miracle, drop me a note here or at VRTrakowski (at) gmail dot com.
And thanks.
(P.S.--I apologize for the poor quality of the photos, but it's hard to get his most winsome poses when my camera is freezing up. Click through for additional mediocre shots.)
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no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 05:13 am (UTC)-Wish I could take him, but that would be a culture shock for all three, and I can't take on another vet-bill member right now...
What a wonderful Christmas wish, I will keep ears and eyes open and cross my fingers for the Hal. Love the pictures; that tongue - silly boy!
:-)
no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 01:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 05:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 01:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 11:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 01:42 pm (UTC)P.S.--love your holiday icons!
no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 01:54 pm (UTC)But I have forwarded your post on to a friend with horses, in case her barn has room for a spare cat - she says the barn where her horses are boarded provides _excellent_ care for their animals, feline and otherwise, and I can't see her trusting her horses to a place that didn't. Though the barn in question does have a Dog In Residence, it would probably be easy enough to avoid him (how would Hal be with horses/donkeys?.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 04:00 pm (UTC)Thanks for passing on the link!! Hal's never seen a horse in his life, but I somehow get the feeling that he'd learn to cope pretty quickly. He's not particularly flappable.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 04:07 pm (UTC)Mainly, the two younger cats, both still at least semi-feral, avoid him and run away when he approaches. Sugar deals with him very patiently, but will walk away if annoyed beyond his tolerance. Not one of them has ever so much as unsheathed claws against him, not even when provoked by the aforesaid attempted Great Big Hugs.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 08:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 06:21 pm (UTC)Hope this will give someone an opportunity to have a nice cat to add to the family :-) Merry Christmas!!
no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 08:15 pm (UTC)You have a very warm heart. Thank you again! :D
no subject
Date: 2007-12-21 05:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 08:12 pm (UTC)However, I am planning to donate some money to one of the animal shelters near me, for they do a really good job, and definitely need money at this time of year. It's the least I can do, really. I know how pleased I am with Billy, and he came from a shelter. Hopefully that'll give some more animals a proper shot at a new home (and life.)
-Marlou
no subject
Date: 2007-12-21 01:40 am (UTC)I'll tell Hal your plans. *grin*
no subject
Date: 2007-12-20 11:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-21 01:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-21 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-22 05:00 am (UTC)Hal
Date: 2007-12-22 05:11 pm (UTC)Re: Hal
Date: 2007-12-24 05:09 am (UTC)