TBT: A Love Letter to Laz...
To you poor boycat who sufferred 2 years of torment from pit bulls and grabby kids... You were a hot mess when you arrived here, trembling, afraid, prepared for more problems. Life had not been kind to you. It was good that a breeder/foster got you out of that first place.
The breeder/foster cared for you but couldn't keep you because you were so messed up and she had kittens coming soon. But she knew me and thought I could help you. I had recently lost Iza and was looking for another Tonkinese.
I got you instead (at the time). She sent me your pictures. A Siamese tabby! And with gorgeous deep blue eyes. You know that you are named "Lapis Lazuli" because of your eyes, right?
You went kind of nuts for the first days, locked in a room and fearing everything. But I kept visiting you each waking hour. Remember the silly songs I made up? Remember how I just talked to you constantly, sometimes just making up words? It was like you would "meow" and I would say "ba-wadda, yubil adda woo". You didn't care what I said, you just liked the sound of a calm voice you heard while being stroked gently.
It was hard on both of us when I set you free in the house. You could smell the others and you weren't sure of your place in the hierarchy. You had always been "the least" before. You didn't know you were adult and strong. Just "least".
So you tried to raise your status. Poor old Ayla was an easy first target. I understood, but had to protect her from you. You were surprised at how fierce an old womancat could be (never having met one before), but you were younger and stronger. I had to keep you away from her most times still talking nonsense to you and giving you a lot of attention.
Marley was way stronger than you. Remember seeing your fur on the floor after you tried to dominate him? You learned a lesson then. So you returned to attacking Ayla. My poor dear boycat, I couldn't allow that. I almost despaired of having you here. But neither of us gave up easily. I kept talking to you for your peace and security. It helped.
The next Spring, I put a harness on you and carried you outside to see the whole world. You sure didn't like that much at first. But I held you firmly until you started to relax. Remember your first outdoor sniffies? Remember seeing birds and squirrels? You stared in amazement.
You weren't sure what to make of all that new stuff. But after I carried you around the backyard a few times (tightly gripped), and you saw Marley and Ayla felt safe out there, you did too. You saw where they went (the backyard) and did not go (beyond the fence), and you learned where your new home was (that big place you had only seen from inside before and where I was).
I was very worried when I finally took the harness off you and let you walk around on your own. I feared you might just leave. And that is a decision I leave to all cats here. If you don't want to stay, you don't have to. I was so happy you returned after a few minutes sniffing around.
You were still mean to poor old Ayla sometimes, but you began to run around in the backyard. I thought at the time that it may have been the first time you ever ran just for pleasure. I enjoyed that. You are a fast runner. Dang, you can cross the whole backyard faster than I can cross a room! You are the fastest runner I've ever known.
I remember the first mouse you caught and brought to the deck door as a gift to me. We tossed it back and forth for a few minutes. It might not have been your first mouse, but it was the first you brought to me. The playing was fun for us both.
And then Lorelei Lee (Lori) arrived. She was attached to me at first but she adored you. Best thing that ever happened in your life, right Buddy? I got you sort of sane and she did the rest. She wasn't any kind of threat, and that changed you so much. It was like she flipped a light-switch in your brain.
I thought I was your friend. But I'm not a cat. Lori became the real friend you never really ever had before. And I am grateful for how she calmed you down finally!
You've sure changed a lot, Little Buddy. I understand it was difficult, but you managed it. I saw you sniffing noses with Ayla the other day, and a year ago, I wouldn't have imagined it. You can even play/wrassle with Marley these days peacefully. That shows how far you've come.
And thanks for the flops. When you flop over in front of me, I know you want my attention. It's your signal. I'm happy to respond to it. That you want my attention is great.
It was a hard start, but you sure are one of The Mews now.
Mark