In late August of 2009 my favorite cat of all time lost his year long battle to cancer. His name was Busterfield. He and I had been best friends since he was a little baby kitten. After 16 years of a bonding friendship he was gone. Busterfield was a one of a kind cat and can never be replaced. If you have ever lost that special friend then you too know the heartbreak and have experienced that OH-SO empty sad feeling deep with in your heart.
Over the years and with the loss of many pets I have come to realize that the best therapy for both pets and humans alike is to mourn for a respectful amount of time but then go out and get your self another cat or dog. Personal experience has shown me this is the best way to help a heart heal.
SAFE HAVENS-NO-KILL SHELTER FOR CATS is a wonderful place to do just that. For over 16 years they have been home to dozens of strays and abandoned cats and kittens. They are located at 8431–137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616…right off of Durant Rd.
The first of October I decided it was time to start looking for another cat. My Busterfield had been a purebred Brown American Shorthair Tabby…he was beautiful…his markings were perfect in every way…When shopping for a replacement cat you must not make the mistake of trying to duplicate what you lost. Each feline is unique and if you try to replace what you loved you will be disappointed in your choice. But you can copy the fur markings of a pet…so when I heard that several adoption shelters in the area had acquired a few purebred American Short Hairs I began to inquire.
My first stop was Safe Haven…I had heard that they had three of these cats that were ready for adoption. I asked to see all three in the viewing area…two of the cats looked a lot like my Busterfield but the kitten was different. They told me that it was called a Macral Tabby…a mixture of red and black. It kind of had the look of an American Short Hair but a little on the funny looking side. This kitten was called Calistoga. After careful consideration I decided that I would go with the kitten. Her sweet little pug nose and mixed up colors won my heart on the spot. As they were preparing Calistoga for the adoption process I began to look at the other cats in the room when I happened to notice a 3 legged cat not to far from the viewing station. She had the most beautiful eyes that would draw you into her beautiful face. I asked why she only had the three legs and they explained that she had been discovered caught in an animal trap and that the leg had to be amputated at the base. They said that you would never know she only had three legs because it did not slow her down one bit. So I asked if I could just look at her in the viewing area…Annabella was just the sweetest little thing… I put her down on the floor to see how she walked and she hopped like a rabbit… that’s all it took…I was sold! I looked at my husband, “who else would take her if I did not.”
While the staff was working on Calistoga and Annabella…I did a meet and greet just to give all the kitties a little TLC. My eye was caught by this beautiful large black ball of fluff in a crate on the floor. I asked what his name was and they said Hayden…Hayden had been turned back into Safe Haven for re-adoption. This cat was just so special, he kept bumping his head on the cage door, over and over again. He had an all black face with the whitest set of whiskers I had ever seen. I asked if it would be ok to see Hayden in the viewing area since we had to wait for the other two cats to be processed. Well this cat and I hit it off in a big way and before I knew it he was in my lap giving me cat hugs and nose kisses…how could I not take him home as well. So after a few “pleases,” my husband consented. I had come to get one but ended up with three…it is very hard to leave them behind as there are just so many in need of a home.
Calistoga…soon became…Taffy…Taffy is an American Short Haired brown-black and red Tabby which produces a Mackerel Tabby. She has large gold eyes, a little pug nose and a flat round face. The only reason I changed her name was because I could not say Calistoga…she looks like the salt water Taffy you would buy at the fair grounds. She is not a lap cat and rarely sits in it unless she decides that you need a little attention. And you better appreciate it because it is only going to last for a split second. Sometimes at night she will sneak into your bed but only when you are not looking. Taffy keeps all of us on our toes both feline and humans alike. When she is not racing through the house she is flying through the air and jumping on a cat’s back or teasing a twitching tail. Taffy is really a very sweet kitten…I get the biggest kick out of her when she gets annoyed. She squints her eyes, sticks out her small chin beyond her lower lip and just glares at you…she is so much fun to have as part of the pet family.
Annabella is our three legged cat…you could call her a special needs cat, but to see her run through our two story home at a faster clip then the other felines you would never know she is missing her left front leg. She is a very sweet and loving cat but more on her terms then yours. At times she can be a little feisty and definitely can hold her own…many of the other felines have been on the receiving end of a mean right hook. She simply never lets her handicap get in the way of enjoying the good life. Her favorite place to sleep at night is outside in the screened in balcony off of our bedroom. I even have to go get her during violent thunder and lightening storms. Her favorite place to rest during the day is in a sunny spot in the downstairs sunroom. We love to watch her turn and roll over and over in sheer delight in the cloth cat houses left on the floor. Annabella hops like a rabbit and runs like a fox…she is a fun cat to have. If your circumstances are right I recommend that you consider a special needs cat or kitten…they can be amazing.
Hayden is just one big lovable ball of black fur…and was the last feline we decided to take home that day. He is a very large long haired black and white cat who has a very obvious love for people and there companionship. He gets along very well with all the other cats in the Berg pet family. The very first night he spent with us my husband and I had retired to our bedroom to watch a little TV. I had put a billow behind my back for support when suddenly Hayden took a running sprint from across the room…up on the bed and square into my lap. After many cat hugs…rubs and nose buts he sat in my arms for almost twenty minutes…just purring. I have never seen that kind of gratitude from a cat before in my entire life…what better reason to get a cat from a shelter. For the first several days after Hayden’s adoption he kept me laughing hysterically at one of his many facial expressions. His all black face is complimented by very long white whiskers and eyes that twinkle with thoughts. His favorite spot to sleep is on my king size pillow at night…all of my pillow! At times he will take his soft fury paw and gently rest it on my arm…as if to say I am here, Hayden is a very special feline.
Since Taffy, Annabella and Hayden we have given one more sheltered cat a home. His name is Little Bugger…and a little Bugger he is! He looks a lot like my beloved Busterfield but could not be more different. Little Bugger is a small male cat that needs a lot of patience and TLC. He is a very sweet cat but is very shy as you approach him. He gets a long well with all the other cats but is a little touchy with Peppy, one of my other male felines. Cats are very territorial and it is important to keep the right balance in a multi-pet home. Cats create their own pecking order and because Taffy likes to keep Little Bugger on the go and Hayden is two times Buggers size, I suspect he feels he needs at least cat in submission. We are working on Little Buggers attitude! These four cats joined Marley, Mary Maincoon, Gizey, and Peppy to become the Berg bunch! And we love them all.
Well that is our adoption story from SAFE HAVENS NO KILL SHELTER FOR CATS. When a client of mine suffers a loss I always recommend that they go to a shelter and get themselves another fury friend. At a shelter you can see the pet and interact with the animal in a viewing area and when you leave you can feel good about giving that animal a forever home. There are so many abandoned and homeless cats and dogs in our cities and towns…shelters are overflowing and need your help. Perhaps, you have reached a point in your life that you do not want any more pets but still love animals, then why not volunteer at a pet shelter…that is a great way to share your love for cats and maybe even dogs in a way that others can not.
 Gizzy |
 Little Bugger |
 Marley |
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 Peppy |
 Mary Maincoon |
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Mardella Berg Owner of eight house cats, one very patient husband and A-1 Pet Care from SleepEas-zZ Pet sitting service.
