Finding Love, At Last!
- Gail Thorell Schilling
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
Kitty finds her new home...
Some months ago, I posted a plea for a new home for Mitzi, my dear kitty who needed more companionship than I could provide amidst my travels. Since no one emerged immediately, I accepted Mr. Wonderful's invitation for her to join me on my two-month visit with him. Perhaps both his 10-year-old cats, residents since kittenhood, would welcome a third. At least I would know I'd done due diligence in trying to make things work.
First, kitty would need to fly from Manchester, NH to Baltimore. I bought a TSA approved kitty carrier, for the flight. We'd have to process through Security, so I bought a harness and leash for when she'd be removed from the carrier, which then passed through x-ray. Tranquilizers? No. This little girl never fussed when I drove her 20 minutes to the vet. I'd leave well enough alone.
A month before our flight, I left the soft carrier open with kibble leading to it and in it. Feline curiosity led her into the container. Every day I baited the carrier. Every day she became familiar with it. Then the harness. A bit of a squeeze going over her head, then snap, snap. More practice. First, a half hour. Then longer.
By the time I checked in online with the airline, we were ready. Food and kitty commode already awaited us in Maryland. And Mr. Wonderful had bought her a cozy bed capped by a tent, as well as a gate to cordon off "her" room. Such a warm welcome!
My friend Lois, aka The Kitty Fairy Godmother, drove us to the airport. Once past confused security agents (“Go that way!” “Come this way!” “Hold the cat!” Give me the cat!”) and briefly sequestered in a small room with yet another agent, kitty returned to her carrier. We proceeded to our gate, boarded, flew about an hour, and arrived without incident, without one meow.
So far, so good.
Then Mitzi arrived in her guest room—shot out of her carrier and jammed herself into a 3” space under a bookshelf. She remained there for hours. Soon the locals, Charlie, a 15-lb male, and Elle, an 8-lb female dropped by to check out their new housemate. Read: Charlie leaped over the gate and held Mitzi hostage under the bookshelf. Elle lost interest. Since the gate offered no restraint, we now had to close the door or supervise visits.
How then to help these creatures to learn about each other? Mitzi had been a loner for 6 years and lacked kitty social skills. Charlie seemed simply curious – at first. But an intruder had breached security in HIS house. He reacted by shifting into attack mode. Mitzi moved to higher ground, the very top of the bookcase and remained vigilant. Too frequent midnight shrieks, caterwauling, and thuds from falling lamp told us negotiations had broken down. Morning discoveries of clumps of fur told the story: Détente would not be possible.
After two months of Mitzi’s hissing and Charlie stalking her, Mr. Wonderful and I agreed our kitty families would not blend. Mitzi needed to live without other cats. I returned home to resume my search, contact a rehoming agency, and settle Mitzi before my next trip.
Then Kitty Fairy Godmother Lois reappeared. She and I had looked after each other’s felines for years. More importantly, she had rescued many a kitty for colleagues in Dire Straits. Now she had a brainstorm and remembered another colleague, our mutual friend: How about J.? She lives alone, wants a kitty, and doesn’t travel. She’d be perfect!
And, sure enough, she is.
Mr. Wonderful and I delivered Mitzi to J. with her equipment and chow. Though kitty dashed under a bed and missed goodbyes, I have it on good authority that she emerged in time for her supper, commandeered the rocking chair, and has trained J. to brush her on demand. (Mitzi adores her full body massage by brush.)
Mitzi has found a loving home at last.
As for Mr. Wonderful and me, stay tuned… ###
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