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| Name: |
Neellah
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Age: |
Nine and a half years old
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| Gender: |
Female
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Kind: |
Maine Coon Cat
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| Home: |
Portland, Maine, USA
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Neellah
is a very special little girl indeed. She was born on Halloween night
ten years ago. Her first owner named her Punkin because of the orange spot on
the top of her head. Sadly, her mother became pregnant before this little
girl was weaned and abused her, trying to drive her away. I had lost my
beloved Licorice (my black oriental) a few months prior, and my friends kept
at me to adopt a new kitty. By that time, it was Mother's Day and I had not
been convinced that I wanted this shy little kitty, but a visit on Mother's
Day changed my mind and I embraced her as my own and took her to my home in
Wells, Maine. She was a dignified and shy little girl and didn't fit her
given name of Punkin. The orange mark between her ears reminded me of my
favorite stone, the carnelian; so I named her Carnelia. As time went on, she
was called Neellie and Neell ... so I made her officially Neellah. The name
was perfect and she responded to my call and whistle every time.
She is a pure bred Maine Coon in the natural coloration. Her paws are like
furry slippers and they are black. She is a true 'fluff muffin' and her
beautiful fur has a natural oil that keeps it from matting. She has never
have had matted fur in the ten years I've had her, but her hair balls are huge
and she sheds terribly....what? We can't all be perfection!
A year later I introduced another kitty to our home. His name is Zephy.
Neellah did not take to Zephy, and his playful nature was a constant
annoyance to Neellah. After about seven years, they settled in with each
other in a relationship of tolerance. All was well with my dear "kids" until
my dear friend Janet passed away. Janet had lived upstairs over me and had a
wonder cat named Nicodemus. Nicky (for short) was a huge white and black
former street tom. He was nurtured into a loving lion of a boy and long story
short, I brought him downstairs to live with me, Neellah and Zephy. I did all
the right things to aid in the integration of the three but Nicky was totally
taken by Neellah and chased her obsessively. She was so afraid of him that
she lived in hiding and around the perimeter of the apartment despite my
efforts with Feliway and other things to try to calm them down. At the end of
this past July the attacks on Neellah became more aggressive. Nicky was
examined to see if he was truly neutered and he was. At night he was isolated
to give Neellah a break, but during the day, he began to ramp up the chase.
I made the painful but conscious decision to find a way to give them both
peace (myself too). I talked with my son who had lost a beloved cat, Mr.
Mackee, two years ago. He had adopted a little three legged female named
Tripawd; a precious and wonderful little kitty; but still he missed having a
second cat.
With lots of thought, prayer and heart break, I decided to give Neellah to my
son, where she would have the biggest windows to lounge on and peace, lots of
affection and a better environment within which to spend her senior years. It
was incredibly hard for me to give up my little comforter kitty. Neellah
always knew when I was upset and would come to me to cuddle, purr and offer
herself up for loving. I knew that she would have all that and more with my
son and would not be chased and pestered by Nicky (who is a wonderful and
special cat himself).
Neellah has adapted very well to her new home and is very happy with my son
and his other cat. She loves my son and what makes it nice is that she knew
him for years when he would visit me. Neellah is the perfect natural Maine
Coon although she is very tiny. She was the last of a litter and was the
tiniest of the kittens. She weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (3.4 kg) but is very healthy and
vibrant (when not being pestered by a nineteen-pound (8.6 kg) jolly giant). She is a
taail-chaser, too and when she gets silly, she is really really funny.
Neellah has such a wide open capacity for love and affection. My son is so
happy with her and she with him. He sends me pictures and yes, I shed tears
for the missing of her, but I know that I did the right thing for all of us.
I love all of my cats and every one of them are precious persons with such
unique abilities to communicate and give love.
I miss my little girl but do not regret the decision that I made to give her
to my son. He was so lonely for an affectionate cat and she needed the peace
of his quiet abode and his special brand of love for all animals and birds.
He is a rare and wonderful human being, and is a tender-hearted guy. We have
been through so much over the years.
Neellah is a precious gem of a cat and deserves all the happiness my son and
I can give her. Believe me, she gives back so much more. I hope you will all
fall in love with her too!
See more images of Neellah!
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