Stories of Happy Tails

Rodney aka Paul: January 2009 Here is an email from an adopter who gave one of our young adult cats a wonderful home. Hi Joan, > > I just wanted to give you an update on our kitty “Paul” we adopted from you. After much consideration, we decided to change his name to Rodney. It has only been a month, but he is doing wonderfully! > > Rodney was a bit on the shy side when we got him home, but over the weeks he has come out of his shell so much. He loves to play but at the same time, he has a very mellow side. If he is not playing, he is happy to just be pet or roll over and have his belly rubbed, like a dog! (He loves that!) He is still a bit timid at times but I think that with more time he will continue to overcome that. > > From the day we brought him home our dog Callie wanted so badly to be his friend. We followed the directions to introduce the two gradually, but Rodney was still very afraid of her. However, as you will see from the picture below, he is starting to warm up to her. He has even been “caught” joining her on the sofa from time to time. I think they are going to be good friends:) > > Rodney really is a great cat. He is just SO sweet. He is gradually starting to become a “lap cat” and really just enjoys being around people. He is such a good boy and we are so happy we were able to adopt him! Thank you for all you do for these animals, and thank you for our Rodney! > > Sincerely, > Jackie

Lucky's Story:

I was living a life as an outdoor cat belonging to a very wealthy family.   One day I injured my leg and my owner's did nothing for several days.   They then called PANT and said they wouldn't bring me to the vet or pay for my treatment.    Thankfully PANT took me in and helped me.  Unfortunately, because medical care was delayed, I lost my leg.   But I am very lucky and a very nice woman adopted me.    Here is what she has to say:

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Matilda's Story

This is the story of Matilda (later to be known as Shadow). P.A.N.T. received a call one Sunday evening regarding what appeared to be a blind cat in the streets who we later determined was abandoned.  P.A.N.T. immediately responded as we knew Matilda would have soon died in an outside environment or would have likely been euthanized at a shelter as unadoptable. Here is the Jones’ heartwarming story:  

“We thought and prayed about the decision and the family agreed to look into taking Matilda.  We found out that she would need medical attention as she had four eye/medical conditions. One eye was completely blind. Even with that information, we decided that she was the cat we wanted to come join our family and we went to pick her up. Joan (P.A.N.T. founder) had taken Matilda to a vet specializing in eye care (no small feat for Joan as the nearest vet was some distance from her house.)  Joan had all the information on Matilda's eye condition so we went into this adoption with our eyes wide open (so to speak.)  We took Matilda home and the kids quickly renamed her "Shadow" because she is gray and because she could see mostly shadows rather than clear images.  Shadow soon acclimated herself to our house and our other cat, Ribo, but her eye condition worsened.  We had to make the very difficult decision to have her eyes removed.  Joan was so incredibly helpful in finding us a vet and getting us a good price on the surgery.  I am happy to say that Shadow came through the surgery very well, and has adjusted to her blindness.  She gets around the house, following people everywhere (we should have named her Fido, she follows us everywhere like a dog!) and she even plays with toy mice as she uses her hearing to locate where the toys are.  The one word people use to describe her after seeing her in action is, "AMAZING!" 

This summer Shadow had another medical problem, but we are NEVER sorry we took Shadow into our family. We do everything we can to take care of her needs and she responds to our care with her adorable head-butts, cuddle times and faithful love.  Since adopting Shadow, Joan contacts me from time to time asking how Shadow is doing.  I am amazed by the compassion of this woman and all those working for P.A.N.T. have for animals. I am glad to have been able to help them give this precious P.A.N.T cat a permanent home.” 

Jeanne Jones 

Lacy and Jordi's Story

On a Friday afternoon, Lacy and Jordi, Maltese siblings, were brought to a local vet for euthanasia as they were unable to breed due to medical conditions. Maltese Rescue Case Worker, Denise Brown, arrived immediately to rescue the pair. Once in her possession, she was faced with a foster home shortage. She contacted P.A.N.T. and we arrived that evening at her home with a foster family. Lacy and Jordi were deeply matted, had feet that looked like small boats and nails curled under. A total of four hours with a groomer, two beautiful Maltese’ emerged with more costly medical issues to conquer before being placed up for adoption. Within two months, they found a “forever home”. Here is how they are progressing:

“First of all, after living with these guys for a few months, we’re convinced we did the right thing by adopting BOTH dogs. Anything less would have totally destroyed two sweet, lovable pooches.

It took a few weeks for me to build a trust factor into my relationship with these two. Jordi was fairly easy since he was motivated by “food.” Lacy was a real challenge. She was terrified if I so much approached her, let alone try to pet or pick her up.

Once she realized that Jordi was getting along with me, she agreed to let me touch her.

Lacy has gained a few pounds and is almost the same weight as Jordi. Lacy’s original “hip problem” is no more. P.A.N.T.’s vet and her spaying fixed that. Her hind quarters had atrophied because of adhesions. She can now sit up very straight with perfect posture. Jordi had been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Over the course of time with medication, his seizures are not quite as often.

Lacy and Jordi are a pleasure to take just about anywhere. They’re good with children, strangers, and other dogs. They’re living the good life and seem to be enjoying their surroundings. They have a bounce in their walk. When they walk on a leash together, they’re shoulder-to-shoulder and IN STEP with each other. Not once in awhile. Every time. Quite a sight.

I thank you all for bringing Lacy and Jordi to us. They’ve got their “forever home” and we’ve got two pretty darned good pooches!”

Sincerely,

Jim Peterson and Helene Lowden