Emily
will always be special because she was our family's first pet. And
she won us over so completely that we just kept adding cats. Luckily,
Emily loves feline company.
We met Emily at the age of six months at a vet's office where she had been
living for several months awaiting adoption. They had captured her as a
feral kitten living in their alley. She was extremely shy, being held
tight by the vet tech both times we met her (otherwise she would have
hidden.) We met two younger, outgoing, playful male kittens that day and
the staff tried to steer us toward them. But it was hard for me to resist
the scared, pretty gray cat who was starting to look more like an adult
than a kitten ... and still needed a home.
We set Emily up in a spacious laundry room with everything she needed. She
hid under a blanket in her carrier during the day, but came out at night.
We sat in the room and read aloud so she would get used to our voices and
we thrilled at the sight of a nose or paw peeking out from under the
blanket. On the morning of day three she came out to check out a string I
dragged across her field of vision and we ended up playing for an hour.
Playtime was key for connecting with Emily and we delighted in her fierce
predator within. Getting a taste of the wild in your own living room was
an unexpected benefit of cats that we found ourselves really enjoying.
Having never lived in a home, she was scared of things like the television
until she adjusted. I'm always amazed that she was never frightened of our
two school-aged sons, even in their rambunctious moments. In fact, the
youngest got the first "nose bump" greeting that Emily ever gave us. She
likes to supervise my mothering tasks. I always suppose it's a female thing.
Emily wasn't too fond of petting at first but over a period of six months
she warmed up to affection and we heard her first purrs. She now requests
affection and leads us to her safe spot (the master bathroom rug) where
she rolls, purrs and enjoys lots of petting. Though our boy cats are more
cuddly in the classic sense, Emily is the first to curl up next to me or
even on my lap if I am sitting still to read a book for a while.
Since Emily was so shy when she got here, I can't help but be pleased that
she communicates her wishes to us so clearly. She will request playtime or
snack with a meow, then a dance (video link included.) If you don't get
the message she will politely employ her teeth or claws. I pretend to be
offended, but am secretly tickled at her communication skills.
We are so glad for the chance to get to know and care for this wonderful cat.
