We knew Smokey & Tiger were a bonded pair of “elder” cats. (Shelters consider any cat older than 4 or 5 years old to be “seniors.”) We knew they were prime targets to be killed at an SPCA, or at the very least separated. And we knew of Maureen’s love for them.
Our Polly crossed the Rainbow Bridge in October, so our best cat room was vacant, although we had 3 other cats & really didn’t need or want any more. But, their story was heartbreaking, and we knew we had to save them. So, with the help of the Peeps, we adopted them.
They arrived on June 5. Then the unforeseen happened on July 10. Our beloved Socs crossed the Rainbow Bridge due to a rapidly growing inoperable colon cancer- She was only 12! No cat can take the place of another, but Smokey & Tiger really helped to fill the big hole in our hearts.
It’s just over 2 months since their arrival, but they have settled in well. They are super affectionate little explorers — comical at times. After many years of cats, we have a lot of cat furniture, trees & kitty condos- some are actually 30 + years old. (They don’t make them like that anymore!) It’s interesting to see them explore these things. And then they discover there are other levels inside the condos. And they just know the scratching posts from the furniture. And we have cat toys all over the place.
They have brought much joy into our home. There is a collapsible cat tunnel in the living room. It sits in front of a glass cabinet that is filled with cat statues. Neither noticed the cabinet until one day when we removed the tunnel to vacuum. Guess we didn’t put it back fast enough. Cabinet got noticed & Smokey thought the cat statues in the cabinet were real. She did that “puffing up sideways leaping” thing like little kittens do with mirrors. It was so hard not to laugh at her! (We stifled it & laughed later!)
Tiger is a total sun-worshiper. He can bask in the sun for hours, belly-up. He just loves the sun. In the Cat Lounge or on the kitty hammock in their room, both get direct sun. He’s rough on Pootie Pads- He can’t them leave them flat on the floor. He always rolls them up into a clump. He is a big, strong total lump of love! They both love “The Cat Lounge” (sun room) and it gets really good sun, even in the dead of winter.
Smokey hunts- a lot! I mean a whole lot!!! Many times a day, she howls loudly upstairs. It sounded like she was dying or in pain, until we got used to her “hunting voice”. Then, she comes down the steps with a “mouse” or “rat” in her mouth & gifts it to us. She even gave me a sheep! Haven’t seen the sheep in years, she just finds things in sekrit places long hidden by cats gone by. Still don’t know where the little sheep came from.
Smokey is tiny & Tiger is big. But Smokey is the boss. She mews & he listens. She watches over him like a mother hen. She grabs him by the head & washes him. She also steals most of the food, but that’s a good thing. Smokey was skin & bones. Tiger was (& still is) slightly plump & very muscular. His weight has held pretty steady & she has gained almost 3 pounds. (We will slow this down.) Now she looks healthy & has more energy. Smokey & Cheree are both silver tabbies. Tonight from behind, I actually thought Smokey was Cheree!
Both “Kos Kittehs” are very playful -Much more than the average ten-year-old cat. They “fetch” toys like little kittens. They are now totally relaxed and we think they know they are home forever & will be loved very much until they cross The Bridge to be re-united with Maureen. She obviously raised them with a whole lot of love under bad circumstances. (Hopefully they’ll remember us, too!)
Thanks to all who helped with this rescue!
Please, send no donations — Many other Peeps are in need now.
Just wanted to give you all an update.