Velvet's Rescue

On the weekend of Beltane, Saturday April 30th, my honey and I had to go in to work. We had just returned from a pilgrimage to the Temple of Sekhmet in Indian Springs, Nevada (http://www.sekhmettemple.com). For an in-depth account of our journey check out: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usut&c=words&id=9240. After work we needed to go to PetSmart for supplies. Interestingly enough, our youngest son (19 years) was telling us about a fire that had taken place while we were out of town. Some person had 38 cats and these cats had been rescued by the fire department and put out to foster with a local animal welfare group called CAWS (http://www.caws.org). While in Petsmart we saw this little black cat with medium length fur and bright green eyes. On her cage was her name, Velvet, and a paper telling the story about how she was one of the "fire" kitties and the first to be placed up for adoption.

What a total sweetheart. She clearly loved to be petted and I knew she wanted to come home with us. When we talked to the volunteer we asked how she got along with other cats and animals, as we had 2 other cats and additional pets. The volunteer told us that she really didn't like other cats but she had lived with 37. The volunteer did not know if she would get along with dogs. The volunteer felt that if we gave Velvet a home she would adjust to the other cats and animal folk. She assured us that if Velvet did not work out she could go back to her foster home.

We were convinced and Velvet came home with us upon completion of the adoption application. When we brought her home, we set her up in the guest bedroom along with cat-box, food, water and toys. This was going to be for the gentle introduction period of time. We had to see if she and the other fur folk got along.

It took about a week, but Velvet began to get settled and integrated into Chez Lapin (our home). She's the tiniest of the cats but rules with an iron ruler held in the velvet glove of a school marm. She gets along famously with 2 of the dogs, one of the dogs doesn't get along with anyone. She hates disputes and when anyone fights she screams, and runs in to break up the problem. She loves my honey. You should see her climb up on his chest, wrap her paws around his neck, nibble his chin and drool. Our big Maine Coon tom, Nimbus, follows her around looking love struck. She drives him away when he gets too close! Phoebe, our other Maine Coon, growls and keeps her distance. I kind of think that Phoebe is happy to have Nimbus fixated on Velvet. Nimbus's interest in Velvet gives Phoebe some breathing room.