Webster gets a family.
If you do not know Webster, his post is here
If you do not know Lara, her post is here
If you do not know my Elvis, her post is here
Webster got adopted by my best friend in the entire world.
Her house has been too sad because they lost their old man Foxy cat.
Cancer.
Foxy was Lara’s Elvis.
Lara has two other cats— Lady, and her Kitten (who has not been a kitten for very, very, very many years but never grew out of kittenishness)…. and after Foxy was gone, Lara could see that Kitten was struggling.
Kitten loves to be fussed over and interacted with in a very cat-specific way that Foxy excelled at… but Lara’s other cat, Lady— has no interest in stepping up and being nanny to the adult child who still lives in her basement… get a job.
So Lara was thinking about getting a companion for Kitten… but, you know, the thing with adopting an animal… they are all so different and unique, and Lara needed a cat who had a very specific and unusual trait.
Basically, at that exact moment, I started writing about how Webster just LOVES other cats… KITTENS IN PARTICULAR.
Lots of people thought I should keep Webster. But I was not a good fit for him… fostering means upheaval, turnover, and a two-week quarantine— longer, if the kittens are not doing well!
Webster needs a home where every day he can have stability and do what he loves best— his purpose on earth seems to be loving other animals, and he TRULY takes it very seriously… you can quite literally SEE in his face, how much happier he is with his animal friends.
The first night when Lara came to meet Webster— she asked me if I was sure I wanted to give him up… but the next day she saw what I saw.
I had just gotten all Webby’s kittens adopted, and Lara could SEE.
He wandered the house.
Sitting near us, but then wandering around… returning… but leaving again.
He was not HOME, with me.
Lara said— buddy, I can see that you are at loose ends… we will take a trip and see if you can be HOME, with my Kitten.
View this post on Instagram
How’s it going at Lara’s house?
Slowly.
Cats + new cats.
Rarely involves the cancan.
Lara’s cats were like— MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE ASKED US BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE SAVED YOU THE TROUBLE.
Fortunately, Lara and her husband fell in love with Webster… her husband especially, bonded FAST— basically, INSTANTLY… and if you are an animal lady, married to a man who was NOT an animal person when you met him… (ahem, Paul) YOU know, AS I DO… that watching your partner fall in LOVE with a fluffy being, makes you love the human even more.
Adding love is good, even if it also adds stress and need-for-patience.
AND… it does seem… things are improving!
Proximity is becoming fine!
AND! AND! Recently, there was a lap-emergency and a lap had to be shared for unknown-to-human-reasons and it was acceptable to all… but no encore yet.
Lara started using a Feliway diffuser… she feels that it is making a difference!! I had never heard of this!
There are two kinds, and she is using the one for multiple cats… she told me that she had used the other kind previously for another cat, and also thought it helpful, FYI.
I wish I’d had one of these for some of my adult fosters who could have used some calming, and I will be ordering one.
It’s been three months and there is definite progress… although, the above photo implies companionship and that’s not quite accurate.
Lara knows this is hard for Webster, and we are all HOPING SO MUCH that given a little more time, we will have a friendship.
In the meantime, he is with humans who love him very much.
Webster is lucky.
Many shelter animals are not.
There are animals right now, exactly like Webster, waiting.
ALL we have to do, to divert their journey to euthanasia, is give them a home.
There is something different about helping adult cats.
The way they look at you when you open the cage.
They have lost hope.
WE HUMANS, can a make a difference.
xoxo, VEB
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
Cat Public Relations and Media Representation
December 7, 2018 @ 11:44 am
Lovely post. My husband and I also gave up a cat to the neighbors when they moved. Sebastian was always at their house playing with their two daughters and only came home at meal times and at night. When we brought him over to their new house, he jumped out of the carrier and immediately rolled around on the floor, marking his new territory. No question – he was at home. They had him for his last ten years, always king of the household and much adored.
December 7, 2018 @ 11:45 am
Feliway is AWESOME! I just love Webster, I am rooting for him!
December 7, 2018 @ 11:48 am
Delighted that Webster has a new family that loves him! With all the kittens and cats in your home, how do you combat fleas?
December 7, 2018 @ 11:52 am
BATHS! Fleas die in water, so all the kittens get a bath (with unscented non-toxic dishsoap)… adults get a flea treatment at the shelter, but the kittens are too little… they usually get more than one bath anyway because kittens = OMG MESS.
December 7, 2018 @ 11:51 am
I would love love love to adopt a kitty. Unfortunately everyone in my house is allergic to them. Especially my daughter which really breaks my heart because she is the one who wants a cat the most! Damn allergies!!!
December 7, 2018 @ 1:08 pm
What about a hairless cat? A friend of mine had one, and it worked for her. With so many cats needing homes, you could probably find one to rescue.
December 7, 2018 @ 11:52 am
I’m going to go out on a limb here and risk sounding corny, but this just makes my heart sing. I’m so glad Webster found a home with your best friend. Webster is obviously a special little guy. (Well, they’re all special, in their own unique ways.) Now you can visit Webster whenever you like, and Webster will know you are still a part of his life. A happily-ever-after ending.
December 8, 2018 @ 12:21 am
Well if you are corny, I am right there with you! I had been wondering about Webster and how he was doing, and when I saw this in my inbox, I couldn’t hit the link fast enough. It’s so wonderful to see a cat appreciated for his own little quirks, which make him his own kind of perfect. 🙂
December 7, 2018 @ 11:57 am
Oh gosh, watching Webster with the kittens just broke my heart all over again, in a good way. He’s such a special guy. How wonderful that Lara’s husband fell in love with him – it makes the getting acquainted stress easier for all. Thanks so much for this update. It looks like a happy ending is well within reach.
December 7, 2018 @ 12:11 pm
BTW, it’s good to know that Lara had luck with Feliway. I tried that on my rescues, William and Harry, when I first brought them home, but it didn’t seem to have any effect. Harry, especially, is a very sensitive, anxious little guy, even after over two and a half years of living with me. My vet prescribed Buspar at one point, which is an anti-anxiety medication that can be prescribed for humans also, but trying to get medication down a cat’s throat – well, you know. I have had some luck with Bach’s Rescue Remedy, something a friend who has many animals, recommended. It’s a is a colorless, odorless, homeopathic product derived from floral extracts, and comes in liquid form. I usually put a few drops on their food in the morning when I have to take them to the vet.
December 7, 2018 @ 12:26 pm
You might want to mask that phone number, if it’s a phone number.
December 7, 2018 @ 12:28 pm
You & Webster just made my whole day — maybe week. I’m giving extra extra kitty love to my girl tonight — snuggles on the couch!! (in honor of Webster)
December 7, 2018 @ 12:43 pm
This gives me hope that the three babies I took home from the shelter one week ago, will eventually get along. Two are bonded, but the third is non stop hissing and even a little swatting action. Does that ever end? I think the hissing lady wants to be a solo kitty, but that’s not happening. Any advice greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
December 7, 2018 @ 1:26 pm
Wish I could show you pictures – my 23 year old son just adopted a 10 to 12 year old female cat with one eye. So proud of him for seeing beyond “perfect.”
December 7, 2018 @ 2:05 pm
really happy for this update, thank you 🙂
December 7, 2018 @ 2:12 pm
IM NOT CRYING YOURE CRYING
Narrator: She is totally crying. 😭😍
December 7, 2018 @ 2:15 pm
Our family adopted two feral cats from our local animal shelter. Maria and Binx. We are enjoying them so much. Binx is taking his time adjusting. But just last evening he got up on my bed with me and went to sleep. It made my day. At last some progress. Love your posts.
December 7, 2018 @ 4:50 pm
Victoria- I love Webster. So much! He reminds me of a foster I had this year, Corky, who hid under the bed for the first 3 weeks and then discovered the joy of playing with my track toy and never stopped batting it back and forth. I’ve never been so emotional giving up a foster. What do you think about a VEB trapping event in Philly? I am a trapper in Philly and fell in love once someone taught me – I bet a number of your readers would be interested in learning and cutting down on our outside cat population.
December 7, 2018 @ 4:58 pm
Tears (of happiness) for Webster 🙂
December 7, 2018 @ 5:43 pm
How wonderful !!! Webster has a home with your best friend !! I am glad his new parents love him and I hope his new cat sibs will too . Fingers crossed for him !! I love it when my best friends/family take one of my needy strays !!! It’s the Best ! Congrats !!!!! Too many !!!!!!!!!!. I know . …. can’t help it !
December 7, 2018 @ 6:07 pm
Soo happy for Lara and Webster! I completely agree every librarian should have a kitteh named Webster. And Roget…. I am sure Kitten and Webby will be best of friends, and SOON!
….Webby’s story had me crying joyous tears 🙂
December 7, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
So glad Webster has found a home with your friend. I can tell by the photos that it won’t be long before they are bonding like old buddies. Wish I could adopt a feline, I miss the purring! Mister just keeps saying no, which makes me feel like a child, and this child knows better than to bring one in where it’s not wanted. Been there, done that, and it was miserable for 15 years for two of us! But who knows, maybe one day????
December 7, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
We really need some strong legislation against-unspayed, unneutered pets,it is beyond sickening that we pay to have millions of unwanted animals killed instead of insuring that all or most animals born are going to have a forever home. I also disagree with keeping packs of feral cats alive if they are killing large numbers of birds especially our song birds. I don’t know what the humane solution is and I love Cats and have cared for feral cats and all of our cats through 59 years of marriage have been strays that hung around and eventually became house cats. Just feel very very sad at the plight of the birds.