We have talked to some of our adopters and they have agreed to let us post their stories about their successful adoptions on our web page. If you have adopted a cat or dog from The Cat Connection in Royal Oak or Commerce, Michigan, please send your story and picture to Ellen at tcc@wowway.com. Thanks!

April 19, 2007

...Carla saw the vet yesterday and all is fine. She has a sister that is 2 months older and they get along just fine. Carla has adjusted just and learning some social skills. She is still a baby. She has become my cat and our other adoptee has become close to my husband. The house thunders at night with playing chase in the dark. They love our big windows and mentally chasing the birds. Thanks for having a healthy kitten for us to adopt.

December 6, 2006

Just a quick note to let you know how happy we are with Allie (Panda), she' adjusting beautifully, very lively, happy girl & very entertaining, got her leukemia shot on Monday so that's completed. Enjoy The fotos!
Thank you for giving Alan / Felix such a great start.
Thanx for all your kindness & support, Jane & Jack Purslow

November 28, 2006

My family and I have truly fallen in love with Alan, now known as Felix. We haven’t stopped smiling since we held him at the Pet Expo. After his adoption, it only took Felix a day to adapt to his new home. He is now running around with all the playful energy of a well adjusted kitten.
Thank you for giving Alan / Felix such a great start.
Kind regards,

Gloria, Jim, Mike and John Webber

February 5, 2006

When we went to the Animal Expo in Novi, we had absolutely no intention of bringing home a pet. After all, with two dogs and two cats already, we had our share of animal love. However, once our son, Jacob, held Impala, now renamed Zorro (black kitty), our family was destined to grow.

We heard from Ellen how he came to The Cat Connection, and it was harrowing story. But this tale (tail?) has a very happy ending. Zorro fit in with the rest of our crew instantly.

Thanks to Ellen, Jill and The Cat Connection.

Jacob, Devra, and Steve Goldberg

July 21, 2005

I just wanted to send you a note letting you know how good I am doing. My mom (Kate Balconi) adopted me April 5, 2004. I'll admit that at first I was very nervous about going home with her. It was all new and scary. But now, my mom is my best friend. She's told me that she knew once she saw me that I was the cat that she needed to adopt. We love playing together. My favorite toys to play with are either my laser pointer or my red mouse, although there is a plethera of toys for me to choose from. Mom and I cuddle every night and I really love when she scratches my head! I wait at the window each day for her to come home from work and meow loudly when she pulls into the parking lot. I think the entire neighborhood can hear how happy I am. Mom says that I'm growing up so fast. I just celebrated my second birthday! Thank you so much for connecting me to my mom. I couldn't be a happier cat! Love,

Sammie

June 2, 2005

Wobbles and Clyde were both adopted from The Cat Connection. Wobbles has CH, but she manages to climb up on the kitty condo all by herself to watch the birds out the window. One of the pictures I sent shows exactly how Wobbles sleeps. We absolutely love our cats. They are precious creatures and we treat them like our own children. If I could adopt them all I would.

Dawn Beffrey

March 31, 2005

We adopted Maya, now Mocha, from you in February. She hid under the bed for the first few days, but now is playing all the time. She now has a Siamese brother named Skye. They are getting along very well and play together. I have never heard any hissing between them. We had company at Easter and Mocha was very social and hung out with us, while Skye stayed hidden most of the time while they were here.

Joy

March 9, 2005

Brooks and Dunn were adopted Jan. 2, 2005. Their new names are Stevo and Larry. They love our big house. They play with each other day and night. They are also very loving to my wife and I. They are definitely a blessing in our house. Adopting them is the best thing we could have done. Besides, we feel pretty good about saving them from death row. Included are a few pictures. These cats are fun and have great personalities. They can't seem to get enough attention.

James Hanel

March 3, 2005

Carmella was quite the talker when we got her home. As she became more comfortable and safe, the meowing subsided - by Sunday. Fortunately I had a snow day on Monday which meant we had another full day for bonding. By last night and this morning, she started to actually play by herself. The first few days she seemed to be looking for something. I think she's so used to having the other cats around, she was looking for them. I also noticed she sheds a lot. Starting to brush her on a regular basis. It has made a difference. Perhaps being in a confined environment contributed to all the extra fur.

She's been very comfortable sleeping in her carrier. Our house is pretty big so she felt safe in there. After 3 days, she's getting much more comfortable with our home.

I have never seen a cat so affectionate. She is everything I ever wanted.
I have no doubt she was meant to be ours.


Marlene

January 27, 2005

I thought you might enjoy a couple shots of Bonnie & Clyde. They have very different personalities, and are adapting well. The only house rules are: STAY INSIDE; and stay off the diningroom table. The first one is obeyed at all times, the second whenever I am around. Close enough.

They are affectionate, good natured, and enjoy playing together and with their caretaker. Favorite toys are shoelaces and my bathrobe tie. Dressing in the morning requires at least a ten minute play session. Both charge shoelaces. Clyde enjoys walking back and forth in front of the computer monitor. Bonnies favorite place is on a roost in front of a doorwall, Clyde contests that place and also enjoys a blue recliner in the living room. I am working on getting them a second roost. Bonnie will generally defer to Clyde except when excited and playing. I have never heard a cross word or hiss between them.

John Green

November 1, 2004

I am writing to thank the Cat Connection for our new family members. When we went into Petsmart to adopt a new cat that we had already pick out, she was gone. The only cat to be adopted that day. We were heart broken and started to look at the other cats there. We had one pick out and then decided to get two cats. Then we saw Izzy and Buttercup. (New names, Cartman (Izzy) and Butters (Buttercup). They were two kittens that had to be adopted together. We fell in love. They are doing very well and since they are brother and sister, they play really well together. They often wake us up in the middle of the night playing. There favorite thing is to tip over glasses of water on the nightstand trying to get a drink of water. They are growing everyday and eating us out of house and home.

I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work you do at the Cat Connection. It is people like you that make the world a better place.

The Dreyers,

Jeff, Jennifer, Jake and Jason

November 2, 2004

Hello,

Chubbs is doing well. My daughter renamed him Casper. He is using his litter box, eating and drinking plenty, and getting along well with both the dog and other kitten. He was quite defensive the first day--knew how to take care of himself but by day two they were all getting along. I only had to reprimand (scruff and restrain) him twice that first day. My other cat was a bit more work and she is a doll now. He is still cautious with the dog but the two kittens are lively and there is a lot of excitement around here. He purrs as soon as he is picked up.  Hopefully he will lose a little weight. He was sneezing some the first day but that has decreased. I am very pleased with him. Thank you for rescuing him and carrying out such good work.

Angela Thomson

October 25, 2004

Ellen,

Attached is a photo of Guinevere, she is adjusting fabulously! She and Morris are already friends, and seem to like each other. We have many cozy places for her to sleep. She and Morris met each other Sunday, and no hissing! Just sniffed each other and got up on the couch together.  Morris is very laid back and loves everyone. She explored part of the house Sunday, really enjoying to sit on the couch back and look out at the woods. I think she will like her new home. I am still keeping her in a room by herself when I am not there just to be safe, but the adjustment seems great so far!

Gayle
 

August 11, 2004

Hi, Ellen,

Below her picture is the story of our adoption this past January of TBD, whom you called "Claudette" while she was at the Cat Connection. She is a wonderfully playful and funny addition to our home. She's a definite people cat, who is under the misimpression that she is a dog: follows us everywhere in the house, lies at our feet if not on a lap, sits with us at the computer and anywhere else, and would join us on top of the dinner table if allowed.

Our seven year old Maine Coon has adjusted quite well to her new companion; she finds TBD "interesting" to watch and has found some new quiet places to hide when she's had enough of TBD's youthful enthusiasm, which she considers to be irrational exuberance.

I took some poetic license when this was written for our grandchildren this past spring, including them in the story even though they live in Europe and weren't here when TBD was selected, but otherwise it could be a primer for adopting a cat into an already caterrific household.

Thanks again for the care you all take at The Cat Connection and for this GREAT cat. And after "the story", you'll see TBD and "That Maine Coon Cat" together.

Best regards,
The Gibsons

 


My name is TBD, which means
   my name's To Be Determined,
And until very recently,
   my life was quite uncertain.

I wandered cold streets searching there
   for food and some affection,
When some kind person found me,
   took me to the Cat Connection.

They fed me, bathed me, cared for me,
   and gave me all my shots,
Then put my picture on the web
   for humans to adopt.

A bearded man came in one day
   to see us in our cages;
His wife had seen me on the web
   while looking at cat pages.

He brought grandchildren in with him
   and they were so excited
To be part of choosing a new cat
   (and that made him delighted.)

They looked at all the kitties;
   there were lots of us to see.
They picked up some and petted them,
   but finally they chose me!

They took me to their family vet
   to make sure I was fine.
At my new home, their Maine Coon cat
   would think I was devine.

Or would she? They'd been told at first
   to keep us separated.
I did not think my homecoming
   would be this complicated!

I got a bedroom all my own
   with food, water, and litter.
That Maine Coon cat sat by my door;
   she was my kitty-sitter.

She called to me and I mewed back;
   we heard each other's sound.
We also sniffed each other's scent;
   our exchange was profound.

So bit by bit, our humans brought
   the two of us together
In rooms we both would occupy,
   so they could all see whether

That Maine Coon cat would accept me
   and that we would not fight.
She hissed at me a dozen times
   and threw up twice, one night.

The grandchildren played with us both;
   they tossed furry toy mice
For us to chase and then retrieve;
   (mice were my only vice.)

I've since become an indoor cat,
   as all pet cats should be.
The Maine Coon cat said that's how we
   avoid cars, dogs, and ...fleas!

In daytime, we watched birds feeding
   and drinking at the fountain.
We took catnaps, we played with toys,
   we climbed furniture mountains.

At night, when the folks went to bed,
   once more we separated,
But got along by day much better
   than anticipated.

Within two weeks we shared our food,
   our toys, and even litter.
We shared our humans too;
    that Maine Coon cat did not seem bitter.

My adoption is final now,
   and my new family's smitten
(Yes, that includes that Maine Coon cat)
   with me, their rescued kitten.

If you can find room in your heart
   and home for one like me,
Visit your local shelter;
    there are lots of us to see.

Prince

(formerly known as Cherokee)

We adopted "Cherokee" a long haired 4 month old fluff ball the summer of 2002. We renamed him "Prince" also called "Princey". He is wonderful! My daughter's baby. He likes to be pushed around in a stroller, plays with our dogs, is very affectionate and just a BIG sweetheart. At his last vet appointment he weighed 14 lbs. Our vet, Dr. Vangeison of Wixom Veterinary, says he is just a big boy. Most likely a Main Coon mix. I attached some pictures of the gorgeous boy. Thank you. Being in rescue myself, I know how hard it is and how rewarding.

All the best,
Chris Coke
 

Sebastian

Thanks for asking about Sebastian. Our family is really nuts about him. He is a constant source of entertainment. He settled himself into the family quickly and is still having a ball investigating every inch of our house. He has quite an appetite and he seems to be growing bigger everyday.

Our cairn terrier Foxy is really tolerant of Sebastian and they greet each other every morning by rubbing noses. Poor Foxy has to withstand being "stalked" by Sebastian, but she is such a sweety that she pretty much shrugs off the "attacks". Sebastian and Foxy enjoy having their evening treat time together.

We discovered early on that Sebastian loves a little pink ball with a bell in it. He'll entertain himself for hours and run all over the house playing with the ball. My daughter and Sebastian actually play "fetch" with his little pink ball for a long time together each day. We didn't know that cats can play fetch! He also loves to chase my son's remote control car. Ben has attached some feathers to the back of the car and Sebastian loves to play chase.

Probably the biggest adjustment we have had with Sebastian is his tendency to nip and scratch unexpectantly. We've read some cat books and are learning to avoid these behaviors. He seems to be getting less aggressive with time and patience. We have also had to train him to stay off of the kitchen counter. The spray water bottle seems to work well, but he still hasn't learned to stay off completely even though we are being very firm and consistent. We know that he's a teenager and hope he'll settle down soon.

We think Sebastian is one of the most beautiful cats we have ever seen. I think he knows it, too. We are sending a picture of him to you. Hope you like it!! Feel free to write to us anytime.

Diane and Co. : )

Esme

(formerly known as China)

Hi Ellen, I adopted my cat from a foster mother in Ferndale. I have had a wonderful experience, and want to share a story with the cat connection.  I was very lucky to find Esme through The Cat Connection. She made herself at home right away, and has owned the place ever since. She is a character and has a personality all her own. Esme has become our best friend and our home wouldn't be the same without her!
 

Timothy J. Elliott