A Lesson in Love
posted on:
Mar '08
6
7:45pm
featuring:
I adopted Tigger about 13 years ago. I believe her to be about 15. Most people pick the most playful and loving pets when they go to a store or shelter. Tigger was just the opposite. She is a beautiful tiger cat but had been abused in her early years. At the shelter she crunched down at the back of the cage with a look of fear in her eyes but if you really looked you could see a desire for love. I brought her home and for the first 2 weeks I never saw her. I was sure she was eating so it had to be at night. I would go looking for her and find her hiding under the desk in my office. Over a period of weeks I would lay on the floor in my office and get closer to her. I finally gained her trust and eventually she would come out during the day but only if I was the only one around. I can't imagine what she had been through to have scared her so but I am so glad that I took the time to teach her that not all humans were horrible.
For the first few years she became comfortable around our family but would hide if a stranger came around, but eventually even that changed. Then I adopted my dog Murphy and that was very difficult for her. It took almost 3 years before she was completely comfortable being herself around him. He passed 2 years ago and this past fall I adopted Trooper. She is adapting much quicker with him.
I remember for the longest time she was afraid of her own shadow and would not go outside except on the front step. If she heard a sound she dashed for cover in the house. My daughter's cat Patches (they were in the shelter together and we adopted them together) was the brave one. One day Patches was outside and I had the door open so Tigger was being curious but not brave. All of a sudden Patches can flying across the yard with another cat following her. They began fighting and to my amazement TIGGER came flying out of the house and rescued her sister,then she pranced back into the house like a queen. I couldn't believe my eyes!!
My point is that so many people would have passed her by becuase she seemed cold and wasn't playful like the other kittens in her cage. I gave her time and love and she has become a loving playful trusting cat that any person would be grateful to have. Don't judge a book by its cover - - - look deeper and the rewards may surprise you.
For the first few years she became comfortable around our family but would hide if a stranger came around, but eventually even that changed. Then I adopted my dog Murphy and that was very difficult for her. It took almost 3 years before she was completely comfortable being herself around him. He passed 2 years ago and this past fall I adopted Trooper. She is adapting much quicker with him.
I remember for the longest time she was afraid of her own shadow and would not go outside except on the front step. If she heard a sound she dashed for cover in the house. My daughter's cat Patches (they were in the shelter together and we adopted them together) was the brave one. One day Patches was outside and I had the door open so Tigger was being curious but not brave. All of a sudden Patches can flying across the yard with another cat following her. They began fighting and to my amazement TIGGER came flying out of the house and rescued her sister,then she pranced back into the house like a queen. I couldn't believe my eyes!!
My point is that so many people would have passed her by becuase she seemed cold and wasn't playful like the other kittens in her cage. I gave her time and love and she has become a loving playful trusting cat that any person would be grateful to have. Don't judge a book by its cover - - - look deeper and the rewards may surprise you.
