Jesse was surrendered by his owners to Animal Care and Control. No one knows why. As many of you know due to the extremely high volume of animals that come into the ACC, many do not live for long – they are euthanized to make way for ever more animals that come through their doors. Bobbi and the Strays takes into their care many animals from places like the ACC – thereby removing them from the euthanasia lists and giving them a truly second chance at life. Luckily, Jesse was rescued by Bobbi and the Strays and given this chance.
Both of my cats had died – a few years apart – from cancer. I was devastated and took a break from having any pets. Then one day I decided it was time and I wanted to adopt a pair of cats. Another volunteer, Carl, first suggested Jesse, a three year old - he was one of his favorites. I also adopted a little 10 month old girl that I soon renamed Takoda.
Jesse and Takoda got along pretty well soon after they arrived home, especially being together for the first time – and in a new place. Now they are true pals – they chase eachother all around the apartment, wrestle, cuddle, and clean eachother.
From when I first took Jesse home, though, he was afraid of some basic stuff. Loud or strange noises of any kind – like a sneeze, a cough, dropping something, etc. would send him off into hiding.
He also had no idea what a toy was. When I showed him the toys I had for him he would whack them violently to get them away from him. He had no idea what to do with them. Slowly as he watched Takoda play with the toys and me – he started coming around. Now he ENJOYS his toys SO much – especially the ones he can carry around in his mouth. He even brings them to bed. (He did have to learn not to play with them in the bed while mommy was trying to sleep, though. Actually – I think he still may be learning this sometimes. 
)
Another weird thing about him when I first adopted him was that he was afraid of people’s faces – everyones face. And he used to smack me – kind of hard – in the head and face with both paws if I tried to put my face anywhere near him. The first time I just thought he had to get used to me. But who likes getting smacked in the head? He never used his claws – so he was never nasty – just afraid - who knows what he had been through? I already knew he never had any toys. Who knows what else he never had.
I tried not to look him in the face and would hold him under my chin or next to my face to get him used to being by a face. I would even quickly sneak in a kiss on his head and then look away or put him down. He still wanted to smack but I just made sure to hold his paws. He even wanted to whack his veterinarian when the doctor tried to look in his eyes…
But it took only just a little bit of time to show Jesse that no one was trying to eat him or anything. Now Jesse loves to be hugged and kissed all over his head and face – all the time! He even absolutely insists on being picked up, hugged, and kissed EVERY time I come home – even if I just go to throw the garbage out. He even comes over and mushes his head right into my face – especially each morning - he LOVES faces now.
Sweet Jesse
He still ocassionally runs out of the room when I sneeze, though. And he sometimes scares himself – where all of his hair stands on end and his tail gets all puffy – if he knocks something over too.
All cats want to be loved and taken care of. Isn’t that really what people want too? Sometimes it just takes just a little bit of time for adoptees to truly understand that the lives they once knew are over – and that someone really loves them.
Lap Time
You know what they say – adopt a stray and receive love everyday. I can not imagine my life without Jesse and Takoda. They make me smile and laugh every single day.
Jesse and Takoda
Tags: adopt, animal care and control, euthanasia, jesse, love, play, takoda
Don’t forget that Bobbi and the Strays has many photos of adopted dogs and cats happy in their homes – as well as some great pics of our events – on Flickr – check them out here -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobbiandthestrays.
We are also on Facebook – and there are more great photos there too!
Takoda used to be “Takilla” – I think they meant Tequila… My sister wanted me to keep it and add “a Mockingbird”…
And actually…she is kind of camera shy – and if I do capture her she usually looks kind of “drunk” – I think it is the red eye flash – makes her squint weirdly….probably why she does not ham it up for the camera too much like Jesse in the first place.
I will try to get a nice shot of her and post it – she is a gorgeous cat too!
P.S. I forgot to mention in the story that I took them home right after Christmas 2008 – I guess they were my Christmas present to myself.
Takoda appears to be camera shy. What was her name at the shelter? I’m sure that people who cared for her would like to see this photo of her in her new home. Out of the many kittens we have fostered, only one individual has kept her promise to send photos of her babies as they’ve grown. It has meant the world to us.
Message to adopters–we never forget about the animals we’ve cared for. They will always have a place in our hearts. Please take a moment to let us know how they are doing. THANKS!