Dear Murphy,
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been one year since I brought you here to your forever home. I’m so glad I decided to go to the shelter when I did. Let me tell you your adoption story.
I had lost Ernie about a month earlier (you would have liked Ernie…he’s a lot like you), and though I was still grieving immensely, the house was just too quiet. I was lonely not having any cats here. I had seen a few posts on Facebook by a couple of local shelters of cats looking for homes. So I decided to go and check out the adoptable cats. My intention at first was to adopt 2 cats, preferably a bonded pair, since I knew how difficult it could be to find a home for 2 cats together. The shelter that I used to volunteer with had such a bonded pair. I went to see them. But after seeing them, it just didn’t feel right. I felt bad about it…I wanted to like them. Anita, the shelter volunteer, told me not to worry, that they would find a home (side note…they did a few weeks later). So I walked around the shelter, checking out the other cats.
And there you were. Sitting in your litter box in the back of your cage. You looked scared, but there was something about you that made me say… “I’d like to see this one.” Maybe it was because you were a tuxedo cat and I always wanted one. The shelter didn’t know much about your past…only that you had been left behind when the people who had you before moved away. You were estimated to be about 2 years old.
~photo taken at the shelter~
Anita took you out of the cage and we went into the “Meet and Greet” room. She put you on the bench where I was sitting, and you immediately crawled next to me and curled up. I could tell you were nervous and scared, but you let me pet you again and again. Anita and I talked for probably over an hour while you sat and continued to let me pet you. We saw that as a good sign. But I was hesitant about rushing into a decision to adopt you. I snapped a few photos of you, and told Anita I would think about it and let her know. And I left.
Oh I knew driving home that I would be back for you…but my logical self told me I needed to give it more thought. The next day, Anita reached out to me and asked if I was still interested. And at that moment, I didn’t hesitate…I said yes…and made arrangements to go back to the shelter to get you and bring you to your forever home.
~one of the first pics of Murphy in his new home~
The first few weeks with you were a learning experience. You had your own room to acclimate in, and I sat with you every day for hours…watching TV, reading, talking to you…just letting you get used to being here.
You were friendly, wanting pets, but everything…loud noises, sudden movements…scared you and you would run and hide. I began to question whether I did the right thing adopting you.
~stretched out on the bed next to me~
But it was those times when you stretched out next to me or on top me that I knew this was going to work. You got braver and braver. Until eventually you decided you were okay being here. You were home.
~first time exploring the whole house~
Murphy, you’re such a good cat. You’re silly and quirky but also sweet and cuddly. And you’re smart…almost too smart. I couldn’t ask for a better cat. Though we need to keep working on stopping that carpet scratching habit of yours, buddy.
Some would say you are lucky to have found a good home. But I’m the luckier one for finding you.
Happy Gotcha Day, Murphy!
Love,
The Lady
via The Island Cats…Every Cat wants to be an Island Cat!