Fairly early on in October, I decided that I wanted to adopt a furry friend to come live with me. With COVID sending my roommate across the country in just a few short days to work at a job in her home state, I was even more sure that now was the right time to welcome a new cat into my life. Growing up, I had two cats living at my parents house who lived until age 19, and I even spent months volunteering at a cat shelter in my hometown. So, needless to say, I knew what I was getting myself into.
I was determined to adopt a cat that would often otherwise be overlooked due to either age, or a medical condition. Having had worked with cats before I knew how many lovable creatures were simply not adopted because of a condition that is extremely manageable or because they simply aren’t a kitten. As I was looking at local shelters on petfinder, I came across a beautiful calico cat. My first thought was how could a cat this beautiful STILL be looking for a home. After scrolling I learned that she was FIV+, a totally manageable condition that can only be spread from cat to cat in deep wounds or from mother to baby, one that often doesn’t affect a cat’s health in their lifetime. Without hesitation I went on to the shelter’s website and applied to adopt her.
Within three days I received a phone call from Paws4Survival asking me to come in and meet her, and if all went well, she was going to be able to come home with me that day. I couldn’t contain my excitement, I was FINALLY going to have my own furry companion. I crossed my fingers that this cat would be my match.
When I got to the shelter I spotted her instantly. She was hiding in a dome shaped bed, lying quietly and looking scared. I approached her slowly yet confidently, and reached my hand out to her. She sniffed and let me pet her, showing off her sweetness and her gentle demeanor. I knew in that split second that I wanted to give her the best life possible, and the adoption became official.
After filling out a bit of paperwork my new friend Maple (formerly Theodosia) was ready to come home. I picked her up out of her hiding spot and held her in my arms to put her into the carrier. Instantly, I was met with a loud purr, and big beautiful eyes staring into mine.
As soon as we got home I brought her into my bedroom, her basecamp while she got used to her new home and could get her scent on all sorts of materials (cat bed, scratchers, blankets, litter box, toys!). Instantly, she popped out of the carrier and demanded to be petted. She hopped up onto my bed as I sat there and walked back and forth across my lap as I pet her. Eventually, she decided she wanted to lay right next to my face in bed, and slept there with me the whole night. Now, she sleeps with me every night, and is the biggest lap cat that I have ever met.
She hugs my arms as I sleep, is on my lap as I attend zoom classes, and follows me around my apartment everywhere I go. Within just a few weeks she has become my best friend, and I honestly don’t think that we could have found a better match for each other. She is sweet, playful, cuddly and silly, and brings a smile to my face every day. Together we are taking on the world, and I feel so much less lonely in the sea of quarantine with her by my side. Playing and taking care of her gives me a new sense of purpose each day, and I am constantly reminded that by adopting a cat I am saving the life of a furry creature.
Maple is a beautiful 2 year old calico cat that was rescued from Arroyo, Puerto Rico. Paws4Survival is a shelter that focuses on rescuing cats and dogs off the streets of Puerto Rico, getting them to a vet, and finding them a new and loving home. Currently due to less flights from COVID they are also rescuing from shelters in the states that are overcrowded and at risk for euthanizing the animals brought in. What they do is truly incredible, and it was amazing to be able to witness and learn more about. I am so grateful that me and Maple were brought together and I hope that we are able to have many incredible years together so I can continue to spoil her rotten.
