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A Second Chance at Becoming a Spoiled Housecat
Sunday, August 17, 2014
By: Amy Puffenberger
A Second Chance at Becoming a Spoiled Housecat
Baxter loves his new home and family
I visited the HSHV in mid-December looking for a new kitty companion for my five-year-old Tuxedo cat, Rupert. As I walked around the shelter, several friendly volunteers, eager to help me find the right cat for my home, greeted me and offered their assistance. I had visited nearly all of the rooms when I came across Baxter (then named Marvel), a two and a half year old white and grey tabby who had been at the shelter for a month. He was sleeping in the corner kennel with his back to me. I asked about his story and was told that he had been abandoned in Whitmore Lake in November and was very ill when he got to the shelter; they didn't know if he would make it. Within minutes of opening the cage, Baxter went from shy and guarded to playful and affectionate. Even after we had closed the cage, he reached his paw out to grab my arm. I knew then that I had found the newest member of the family.
When I brought Baxter home the next day, he was very timid in his new home, but that didn't last for long. After the first couple of days, you would've thought that he'd been here forever. He walked around like he owned the place, eagerly playing with every toy he could find, chasing Rupert around the house and playing, and cuddling with me for hours during his many daily kitty naps. Every once in awhile, you can see that he still struggles with loud noises and being skittish; and I can't help but think that someone in the past had been very mean to him. But those moments are increasingly few and far between, and most days Baxter can now be found gazing outside from his favorite windowsill, or cuddled up on the couch peacefully sleeping the day away.
Even though it breaks my heart to think that someone could treat an animal so cruelly, it fills me with joy to see him learning to trust again. Now, every day when I come home he's the first to jump up and give me lots of cuddles. And it's in moments like these that I'm so thankful for the wonderful work that the HSHV does for animals in need, giving so many a second chance at life as an overly spoiled housecat (the only way it should ever be). From both Baxter and I, thank you!
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