We adopted Chris in late 2009 from a shelter named Sav-R-Cats in Surfside, South Carolina (near Myrtle Beach). I met Chris while I was volunteering for Sav-R-Cats and worked with Shirley and Linda who are not only still there, but still keep up with Chris and his shenanigans. They decided to send Chris, Frankie and Puck a gift which arrived the other day.
Frankie and Puck were interested right away, Chris was off doing his own thing and was not aware something new was in the house. As soon as I opened it, the two of them were inspecting the contents.
Soon Chris sensed something was up and was there in an instant to lend a paw in the inspection process.
Even the box itself was thoroughly checked out.
Inside the box were some lovely, handmade blankets, two with a gold cat and one with a black cat. One each for Chris, Frankie and Puck.
But there was something else in the box.
The blankets were already a great gift but there were also toys in the box.
Some of the toys were labeled “Loony Loops” and “Springs.” There was a toy called a “Hexbug,” which looked interesting but I decided to save that for later. The first one I took out was a spring which Chris immediately started chasing around the house.
They loved the blankets too.
There was also an envelope.
Inside was a nice card and note from Shirley, Linda and the cats at the shelter.
Sadly, many of the cats on the note were Chris’s shelter mates in 2009 and are still there. There is Ace, Ralph, Jack, Jerry and Yoda, Cole, Carter, Sarah and Alinda. I took Pictures back then for Petfinder and remember some of those names, like Jerry and Yoda.
Yoda and Jerry at Sav-r-Cats, dated October 3, 2009.
These two cats are best friends and must be adopted together, which may have made it more difficult for them. They have lived a good part of their lives in a shelter (Jerry since 2006) and could possibly die there without ever knowing a good home. Of course, they are treated well at the shelter but I would love to see these two and the other “old timers” find a loving home to live out their remaining days.
Another cat that I remember on the card is Sarah. It seems the males are more likely to be long-timers at a shelter but not always.
Sarah, dated November 11, 2009
There is also Jack, who reminds me of our departed cat Tigger.
Jack, photo taken October 3, 2009.
Not on the card is Hope, who I photographed in early 2010.
Hope, dated February 11, 2010.
If anyone lives near Myrtle Beach, or know someone who does, and would like to help a cat or two that have been in a shelter too long, please contact Sav-R.Cats.com or check out their Petfinder page.
Update: It turns out that Hope was adopted so that is good news.
I got Rose’s help and let all the cats out the back door on Sunday. I held Frankie’s leash while Rose watched Chris and Puck. Everything went pretty well for a while then Rose yelled to me that Puck had caught a lizard and brought it in the house. She wanted me to get it out but I had to get the cats in first so I gave her Frankie and went to get Chris. While I was trying to catch him he caught a lizard too.
The first story is about a cat named Bart. He was hit by a car and found by a neighbor, “stiff and in a pool of blood.” The neighbor brought Bart to his owner who buried him. Somehow Bart managed to dig himself out of the grave and was found by a neighbor five days later. That neighbor knew that Bart was dead and buried and brought him to his owner. The owner could not afford the cost to treat him and asked the Human Society for help.
Then there is 
Bad Cat Chris 