My Christmas Rescuer
When Sarah went to college this year, she decided she couldn't go without a pet, so she bought a dwarf hamster and named him "Gus-Gus" (after the mouse in Cinderella). Her whole mood and tone just perked right up. Although she couldn't be around Drezzie, she had Gus-Gus. His antics helped her get through first semester. Now, we could never have cats in our house since I'm allergic to them. Because of that, I've never gotten too close (physically or emotionally) to any cat. Although I think they are adorable and admire them from afar, I cannot have them in the house. Even so, my Sarah loves all creatures, and this is where my story really begins. We have had a stray tabby cat around our house for quite awhile now. In the summer we wouldn't see him much as food was plentiful, but we knew he would "camp out" under our back deck when he wanted shelter. He would not come near people. About a month ago when it started to turn cold, Dale and I heard this cat meowing it's little heart out one afternoon - wasn't hurt or anything, just was talking up a storm, like he was asking for something. But when Dale went out to give it some milk, he scampered off. We didn't see him for awhile again so figured he was just making his rounds in the neighborhood. Two weeks ago when we had our first big snowstorm, the cat came up on our front porch and again was meowing it's heart out. When we looked through the window, he just looked at us with the saddest eyes and it just melted our hearts. I told Dale to open a can of tuna and bring it out to him, but as soon as Dale got too close, he ran off again. Didn't touch the food all night, so it froze in the bowl. The next morning Dale brought it in and nuked it to thaw it out, put it on the back porch this time, and within 30 minutes, it was gone. The cat was nowhere to be seen, but the food was gone. At least we felt a little better. When Sarah came home for semester break last week-end, we told her about the cat and how Dad had been feeding it recently. At first she looked at us like - are you guys nuts? But then she remembered that we can't just ignore an animal in need, so she took up the cause and ran with it. She got a big cardboard box out of the garage, wrapped the outside of it with an old towel (to prevent the air from getting through it), lined the bottom with white pine needles that are in plentiful supply on our deck, and covered the needles with more old towels. She set the box on our back porch to see if the cat would take refuge. Unbelievably and almost immediately, he did! She started leaving tuna and water out for him, and he always ate. She went to the grocery store to buy a box of cat food, something that wouldn't freeze if left out. Slowly she started going outside to see him, figuring he would just scamper off again. He didn't! He LOVES Sarah!! She gets down and talks to him, and he comes up and arches his back and rubs against her legs, purring just as loud as you please! He won't stay when Dale comes out, but let Sarah go out, and he marches right up! Her heart is a goner! Spencer came home for Christmas today, and even though he's more a dog than a cat person, even he is smitten with this tabby, and is in awe of how his little sister is taking care of him. During Dale's walk today, he noticed that a home down the street from us that has new owners has a sign in the window, "Cat Rescue." Perfect! Since this cat can't live in our house, before she goes back to school, Sarah wants to slowly get him used to people so that we can talk to these people about rescuing him. So in the true Christmas spirit, where giving is indeed better than receiving, we as a family are giving our hearts to this little tabby cat, and remembering what truly is important doesn't come in boxes from the mall. Merry Christmas, everyone! Chris |
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| what a heart warmong story, bless you and your family
hope Tabby finds a nre forever hone soon |
Wonderful story 
I can't wait to hear the rest, I hope you and your family are able to rescue the cat, but it sounds as though you already have. Some feral cats can never be made pets, but you are providing more than he had before. |
| Hi Chris,
I agree it is a heartwarming story! (You realize cats have a underground network where they tell each other where they can get a good meal or a bit of TLC.) Seems your good heart has spred to the cat kingdom and this little tabby feels safe taking refuge from the storm at your place. Please let us know what happens to this little one. Marianne and the boys |
What a great story! 
Bless you for taking care of him! |
| Aw, that's so sweet. Even the kitty will have a great Christmas now! |
| What a sweet story! Thank you for feeding him and making him a shelter. |
 WONDERFUL sTory Id say!!
This little tabby is going too be forever grateful too your family,and way too go Sarah!!Is she going too ake him back too school w/ her???I cant wait too hear the rest of this story,a real heart warmer Id say!! |
| A real spirit of Christmas story! Sarah sounds like a very special girl |
| Wonderful story, the true meaning of Christmas !
The tabby now has a nice family to care of him and transition to rescue in the future. Its great what an impact love, care, and attention will do. He's now a velcro cat  |
| The christmas spirit at it's best,
Lovely story chris, thanks for sharing. Hugs to you all. |
| Oh Chris - What a sweet story and a great thing to do! Bless you for rescuing this beautiful little tabby cat. |
| Sorry for the delay in an update! I got this new digital camera for Christmas and it's great, but I'm having problems downloading my pictures. May be because I'm running Windows ME (although it's supposed to be compatible with ME), but I won't know until Monday when I can call Olympus and find out what I'm doing wrong.
I do have pictures of Sarah and our stray, so as soon as I get my problem fixed, I'll post them. About the cat - looks like he might stay a Vliet outdoor cat. Sarah named him Buddy. He had to be someone's cat at some point because he's declawed! Can you imagine declawing a cat and then just throwing it out??? Anyway, today I embellished the box that Sarah put together for Buddy. I took a big patio cushion cover that we didn't use and put it under, over and around the box to help keep it warmer and drier (in case rain or snow blows towards the back of the house). Dale and Sarah brought him in Dale's office for awhile today, but he was so confused and kept meowing and looking out the window. (I can't be around him indoors because of allergies.) So we put him back outside and he's as happy as a clam! He's protected from the elements enough, and with our feeding him daily, he's a happy cat. When we go outside, he immediately comes out of his "home" and rubs up against us. He'll let us hold him for a few minutes, but not very long. Sarah still wants to talk to the cat rescue lady down the street because she wants him to have a real indoor home, but Dale would love to keep him just as he is. If it gets too cold, we can move his box to the garage at night. Never thought I'd live to see the day I had a cat! I'll post pictures as soon as I can! Chris |
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