Tag: adoption

Margerumalia – Homing The Last Two Kittens

Eric Margerum

Newsletter – November 22, 2024

This is a photo of the last two kittens the day before we captured them off the back deck. They are Trisha (calico) and the OOC (Other Orange Cat). The temperatures fell, as did the rain, just after their rescue and we’re pleased they’re living together in a warm, dry home with a man who really cares about them. 

We used a humane trap this time and the only scratches I suffered were the result of transferring Trish from one cat carrier to the other. She was scared to death and escaped my grip like a cat outta hell, running around our little downstairs bathroom, spraying food, water, and cat litter everywhere. I already had my tetanus shot from the previous rescue and hadn’t completed my prescription of antibiotics so I was safe, if somewhat bruised and bloodied…again. 

The capture of the kittens was a bit of a comedy of errors. Trish got trapped right away. We knew when we heard her scream in fright, but the OOC was a different story. The humane cages, if you’re not familiar with them, have a spring loaded door that snaps shut when the animal steps on the metal plate at the end where the food is. First the OOC walked around to investigate the food from the outside, trying to reach it with his paw. We watched from the window quietly urging him to enter the cage from the other side. When he finally did walk in to eat, he accidentally wedged the little food bowl under the metal plate preventing it from triggering the door. He ate his fill as we despaired of capturing him at all. Suddenly the bowl moved and the door slammed shut. We did it!

They huddled together in our cat carrier while I texted my friend about coming to get them. He rushed out to buy supplies and arrived in a couple of hours.

Today, the report from their adoptive human is that they’re slowly warming up to him and the OOC is letting himself be petted. Trish is more standoffish just as she was on our back deck. I’ve heard the psychology of animals and humans says that adaptive behavior can be learned even by watching another’s progress. I expect she’ll come around.

Unless we capture their mother, Tabitha, I won’t be sharing more wild cat stories. She really needs to be spayed to prevent more pregnancies. Tabby won’t thank us for the experience, but it’s what she needs. We’ll also need to find a larger cage! The humane trap we have is too small for her.

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Margerumalia – A Happy Day in PA

Eric Margerum

Newsletter – October 25, 2024

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I’m going to draw the curtain on the Marcie Saga with this photo from Pennsylvania. Her forever Mama sent it to me a day after taking her home and it’s endearing to see Marcie thriving in her new home alongside the toy bell mouse we bought for her. A toy she chased enthusiastically all over the basement! We feared Marcie’s reaction to the long car ride, but she settled into the trip very nicely. 

I now have a taste of what foster parents might feel when a child moves out of their home. That was always the plan and there’s great joy in knowing the child is happy and healthy. I learned that a caring foster parent can’t help but feel the empty space left behind, longing for reassurances that the child is doing well. We’ve gone through that. 

A few days ago I opened the back door to give food to Tabitha (Marcie’s birth mama) and one of the orange kittens. He let me pet him about seven or eight times while he gobbled his food and quickly broke into a satisfied purr just like Marcie’s. Tabby watched with interest but kept her distance—she’s a survivor.

By the way, a couple of newsletters ago I set up a vote to find out your favorite image of Marcie for a children’s picture book. At the the time I joked that it was good preparation for the national elections. THAT was well prophesied! It was a dead heat between A, B, and C at 30% each with the original photo capturing the last 10%. Haha!

I hope you exercise your right to vote if you haven’t already. I did. 

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I need to go create a poster for the high school play I’m directing, so I’m making this short. The cast of Elsewhere will perform on November 1st & 2nd and would appreciate your positive vibes for a successful run. 

TTFN!

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If you received this email because it was forwarded to you by a subscriber, welcome. You can subscribe as well by following the link on my website: ericmargerum.com. A free story awaits you there.

Margerumalia – Adoption Time

Eric Margerum

Newsletter – Oct. 18, 2024

I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.

Marcie met her forever Mama today and Debbie and I said our good-byes before she drove off to Pennsylvania. Our next door neighbor and her husband actually live in PA not in their house next door. It’s a long story. We really like them and hope they move back soon.

I’d gotten used to our little rescued ragamuffin warming my lap as I typed one-handed at my computer, my other hand cradling her behind to prevent her from sliding off and plopping onto the floor. Cats land on their feet and this little kitten developed her agility in the wild climbing trees and wrestling with her siblings, but she’s also bumped her head against my desk a couple times. 

A few days ago I woke Marcie up by coming downstairs and she mewed at me about twenty times. She’d finally found her voice, but what did she want? She was purring fervidly so I knew she was glad to see me. Eventually I asked her if she had woken from a bad dream and she pressed her nose against my lips. That was a yes. We sat quietly together for a while after that. 

I’ll miss the daily routine of visiting her four times a day.

I’ll miss Marcie’s spectacular leaps at my hand weights while I’m working out.

I’ll miss finding Marcie on the couch downstairs in her favorite napping place.

I’ll miss the warm spot in my lap where she used to curl up.

Aw, shoot. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.

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We were planning to rescue one or all of the other three kittens, but Debbie did some research and learned that no one wants more cats. Not the Cat Cafe, or PETCO, or the no-kill shelters. Now we’re thinking about a catch-and-release plan to get them spayed and neutered. We already have an indoor cat who needs an insulin shot every twelve hours, with a feeding schedule to match. 

Wherever you are, I urge to consider adopting a cat or dog if have any room in your home, your budget, and your heart. They really could use your love and attention. And your love will be generously repaid with interest. 

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