After 15 years with 3 cats, and finally saying goodbye to Buddy, my gorgeous longhaired ginger, I didn't want to open up my heart to another kitty for a long time.
I also had moved to a 4-plex house's bachelor apartment in February, about 6 months after Buddy's passing.
It was too painful to live in that apartment block any longer. As well as losing my pets, my Dad and older brother died within a year of one another. Before that, a close friend succumbed to her condition at 28 years old.
.. Too much had happened. Time for a change.
Time for Timbit.
In December 2010, when I'd been settled in and made the little flat my home (complete with painted walls, etc), my upstairs neighbours told me of a 'really really old' cat that was about to be put to sleep unless he could be re-homed immediately. His humans considered him a 'nuisance' because he kept getting into things and making messes.
Well! This 'really really old' cat turned out to be one handsome, sweet and, once he figured out he was in a new home, funny and affectionate.
I noticed, tho', that he would flinch if I put my hand close to his face, so I wondered if they had hit the poor guy. I'm incensed that anyone would have a cat this long and THEN decide he's not worth it .. also that they may have been abusive!
It's been almost 5 years now. Timbit's showing his age and prefers to spend all his time sleeping on the kitchen mat.
I keep an eye on him to make sure he uses his litter, can eat & drink, and enjoys being picked up & petted.
One day, maybe this year, I may have to say farewell to Timbit. For now, I have a lovely old kitty who shows me every day that he's so happy to be genuinely home.
victoria, Canada
