Last Summer. Lost, hungry and exhausted.
She wandered into our yard crying, after she spotted us sitting outside.
Probably a good thing because she was dehydrated and not in very good shape. I called her Chance. Hoping she would have a chance. She wasn't well.
This photo was taken a few days later.
Chances' Story
I posted bulletins about the neighborhood, knocked on a few doors and put an ad in the paper hoping someone would claim her. No one did. I had mixed emotions about that; I was quickly becoming attached. I wanted to keep her but my nephew is allergic to dogs, cats ... and tomatoes. Lol.
Me myself, my job takes me away from home and I am not settled here yet. Nor am I sure I want to stay.
My sister hesitantly let me take care of Chance because I have an in-law suite and she wouldn't be in direct contact with my nephew.
Chance was getting better. She was playful and had a sweet-natured disposition about her. She would sit on my desk and watch me type and tap my hand occasionally or watch the cursor move about the screen. Too cute. Chance was like a little dog. She would follow me around and liked to curl up by my feet. I never saw a cat do that before. Most of all, she slept when I slept. Bonus.
A month or so now had passed and still no one had claimed her. My sister then mentioned that we should take her to the SPCA. Reluctantly, I agreed; I had stopped knocking on doors quite sometime ago.
The next day we headed out for the SPCA. I'm not sure but I don't think she had ever been in a car before.
She sat on my lap so well behaved, not knowing where she was going, just enjoying the ride. It made me sad.
We arrived at the SPCA. It was bustling and noisy. After a short wait a woman came over and spoke to us and agreed to look at the cat. You can't believe what happened next.
She said, "She looks fine and in good health. We only take sick, injured or abused animals."
To be honest, I was somewhat relieved but it was what she said next that threw me for a loop.
She handed my sister a cat cage and said, "I'll tell you what, I can lend you this cage and you can take her a few blocks from your house and let her go. Maybe she will find her home. You can bring the cage back tomorrow."
Say WHAT? Well I could've smacked her. Maybe she will find her home? That was the stupidest suggestion I have ever heard. I went off on her about animal cruelty...my sister told me to get in the car. We left. I was upset.
A week or so later I thought it'd be a nice day to go to the park and watch the ducks and maybe see a turtle or two. Chance looked smart in the red harness and leash I'd gotten her awhile ago. Off we went.
You know, she never fought that thing. It didn't bother her. She just walked along with me like ol' Rex.
At the pond I got to chatting with a woman, she said she lived in the area. I hadn't met very many people in the community. I really didn't know the neighborhood at all.
She had two cats. One would walk with a harness and one wouldn't, no way.
Eventually, the conversation led to Chance. She offered to help if she could. She told me she had lots of friends and she could put the word out. She took a picture of Chance. We exchanged numbers and went our ways.
Summer seemed short and Fall came too fast. I helped my sister harvest the last of the grapes. I think I ate more than I put in the basket. Making our way back to the house , we heard the phone ring. My sister broke into a sprint. She was expecting a call.
She yells out the door, " It's for you!" Me? I don't know anyone here. It's the lady from the pond.
Kerri tells me she has a friend that is interested in meeting Chance. His name is Jeff. He had a Tuxedo cat named Emmy. She was 13 and passed away a few weeks ago and he would like another cat but he only wants a Tuxedo cat. She also mentioned that he went by the SPCA to see if he could buy a Tuxedo cat. (adoption fees)
I say OK. She asks me to bring Chance to her house tomorrow. Come early, come for coffee. I take the address.
Now the funny thing is, the address is on my street, 8 doors down. How ironic.
I dress Chance in her little red harness and I walk to Kerri's house in opposite direction of the pond.
The little house is cute. Coffee is good and Chance makes herself at home.
Jeff finally arrives. He's tall, a little older than me I think and friendly too.
Well to wrap this story up, he really liked Chance. I knew he would. She's an awesome little cat.
I wanted to keep her so bad, but under the circumstances it was the best thing to do.
Sometimes we have to let go.
I enjoyed the time I spent her and I'm glad I made her well.
I see Kerri once in awhile. She tells me they are both great and Jeff is really amazed about his luck and finding this cat. Two peas in pod she says. Oh and that Jeff never changed her name. He said that it is the perfect name for her because everything that happened, happened by chance.
This photo is taken about 3 days before she went to her new home. She's
so cute!
