Lily’s Got Cattitude

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - 2:00pm
Sleeping white cat

Becca Adams shared the following story with us about meeting her beloved feline companion Lily at a time when she least expected to adopt a cat.

The story of Lily actually begins 18 years ago, when I met the first love of my life at the SPCA in Virginia Beach, Virginia: a domestic shorthaired cat named Rassa.  For 17 happy years, Rassa was my companion, partner in crime and best friend.  He was diagnosed with cancer in December 2011. We discussed our options with the vet, and decided to make him comfortable for as long as he maintained his quality of life. Never one to enjoy a change of scenery, he seemed to agree. Rassa left us in March of last year, which is when Lily’s story begins.

My husband was out of town on business when I said goodbye to Rassa, so a friend came to stay with me. We stayed active, and during a day trip, she suggested that we stop by the SPCA. I told her I was not ready. The next day she suggested the same thing, and remembering a spring day 17 years earlier, I decided to go, but under no circumstances would I adopt an animal.

The Richmond SPCA is absolutely wonderful.  There are two huge cat playrooms with large tunnels and hiding spaces and, for the more reserved kitties, large, private condos. I walked past Lily twice, thinking what a beautiful cat she was. A predominantly white calico with one blue and one green eye, Lily seemed rather interested in me.  My mom had calico cats and they definitely had a fair share of “cattitude,” so I kept going.

My friend said she’d found the perfect cat for me. Thinking, “yeah, yeah, sure,” and feeling a bit guilty, I agreed to meet this perfect cat. Of course, Lily came prancing into the room. She walked right over to me, jumped in my lap and gave me a healthy head butt in the face. She looked me square in the face and sat down in my lap.

Two hours later, Lily and I were headed home.   

She’s been with us for exactly a year, and has “adopted” two other rescue cats as her babies.  I couldn’t imagine life with another cat a year ago, and now I can’t imagine my life without Lily.

Share your rescue story in the comments or email us at happytails@aspca.org.

 

Tags: 
Adoption

Comments

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 15:20 — Emma (Visitor)
Oh, what a gorgeous, sweet pussycat your Lily is. I am so joyful that you found each other, that she found you when your heart was aching for Rassa. In fact, you helped and saved each other. Bless you both. Becca, enjoy your life with your precious Lily.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 09:53 — Jeff Jin (Visitor)
I wish you all the best with Lily. I can relate as my beloved 18 year old Asia passed away this January from liver failure. Right before she became terminally ill, a little stray cat came into our lives. A year ago, I too couldn't imagine life without Asia -- but now I couldn't imagine life without little Anne Shirley.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 10:20 — Heidi (Visitor)
I love Anne of Green Gables and what a wonderful name for a precious kitty! Had to comment...not many would know Anne girl.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 10:56 — Jeff Jin (Visitor)
:) I named her Anne Shirley as she was the orphan girl that I never expected and after seeing her, I knew that we were "kindred spirits".

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 09:59 — ScarletDove (Visitor)
Yes Becca, see how this little bundle of life just fell into yours and helped to heal your heart. Both Lily and Becca, you both are wonderful and I do understand so well how new life heals. May you have happy lives!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 10:26 — Cynsia (Visitor)
I lost my calico, Kelly, 3 years ago (almost to the day) to CRF. A few days after, i decided to go to the local shelter - not expecting to find a friend. A maine coon caught my eye and when I picked her up, she snuggled in. She went home with me that day and helped me greatly with the grieving process. She was not a replacement for Kelly but a new friend. I still miss my special girl but can't imagine life without my crazy, loving Abbie..... Best wishes to you and thank you for adopting!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:20 — Gail (Visitor)
OMG! The same thing happened to me, only what makes it special is that I'm a Feline Adoption Rep for a local shelter! My tortie, Sadie, passed at 17 and after a week of mourning, I returned to the shelter only to have a Maine Coon in an overhead cage smack me on the head when I passed by! Her bellowing meow sounded like "MAMA!" and "Abby" came home with me that day. Congratulations to Lily on convincing her new Mom that it was meant to be! Our fur-kids know best!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 13:14 — Anna (Visitor)
my cat was a total sweetheart, but our landlord certainly wasn't. He did not care about us or our pets safety. there were snakes crawling up to back door, but he wouldn't spend a dime to try get rid of the snakes. Our puppy was bit by a snake & developed a very bad infection from it. Our cat loved our puppy too. on July 14th, left for work, cat was doing fine, came home, puppy was all freaked out, and my cat looked like she was going to collapse. took her to my vet & was told she had bad injury to her stomach. in my lease too, it said landlord was NOT to come over when I was not home. i think he came in my rental home & kicked my cat in the stomach. she only lasted one day aftet that & then died! don't use Ray Gasperson of NC for a landlord, if you've got pets! he has no regard for tenants or their pets safety!

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 16:32 — Michele (Visitor)
You can report him to the owner of the apartment complex, as well as to the local housing authority. There's also Yelp, Yahoo Local, and Apartment Ratings as well as Ripoff Report you can use to put out a warning about this fool. And you could, depending on the laws of your state, sue him for animal cruelty causing death. I hope you got an autopsy report from your vet. If he entered contrary to the lease agreement, you could even prosecute for breaking and entering as well as property damage--under the law, pets are property, this is one case where that designation is useful. Consult an attorney.

Wed, 03/20/2013 - 10:58 — Phyllis (Visitor)
I hope that SOB was tried and convicted. That's my nice way of saying I hope he was shot and killed. It infuriates me to no end how cruel humans can be.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 10:34 — Margo (Visitor)
What a beautiful cat with a great ending. I lost my cats they were twins. When I went to get my cat there was these two one born right after the other. In my hear I know I had to taken them both instead of just the one Simba and Cougar was tere names Simba passed away 2006 from blader and kidney problems and in Oct 2008 I found out Cougar had diagets and passed away Aug 2010 they were just eight weeks old when I got them both. I know what is it to love and lose that special animal in you life. I am so happy for yu that you took Lily home and gave her a great life.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 10:35 — Roinald Barnes (Visitor)
I have taken in many cats and have three at the moment, had to put down an old one last fall a stray we took in 2 years ago. It is just wonderfull these stories of saved animals it makes life worth living which probably will not be much longer for me I am almost 80 and worry about the three I have if my wife and I pass.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:26 — Gail (Visitor)
Both you and your wife have very kind hearts. As an adoption rep, I see cats relinquished all the time due to their caretakers passing. It's good to prepare for them now. If there are no family members or friends who'd take them, please make sure your will or instructions left behind stipulate that the cats go to a NO-KILL SHELTER. If that is not specified, most shelters will only keep the cats for a short period of time, then they will kill them due to lack of space. A No-Kill shelter will keep the cats until they are adopted (barring unforseen contagious disease).

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:41 — Ingrid (Visitor)
I know what people go through when loosing a beloved pet. I lost my last Yorkie in August 2012 but adopted a homeless cat as a companion for my feral rescued cat Blackie (now tame after 3 years). I am 75 years old and am sure that my cats will outlive me and therefore I am including them in my will by giving $200,000 to anyone who will take them in and love them as much as I do.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:57 — Donna (Visitor)
Our mom left over $1000 in her will to have her pets taken to well known Animal Rescue organization, Friends of Animal. instead, the unethical attorney actually insisted my mom's cat be taken to a pound only 2 weeks after her death. luckily one of our relatives came & got the cat, but it was stressful to even leave the house, because I was afraid my mom's cat wud be put to sleep! Do Not use Frank Leone for a probate lawyer, if you value your pets or children's life or their safety. he won't adhere to the terms of the will, after you pass away. This is in Connecticut, one of the most unethical probate court systems in the nation.

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 16:25 — Michele (Visitor)
You should be able to report an unethical attorney to the state bar association. Also, check out ripoffreportdotcom to report an unethical business of any kind.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 10:42 — Carol Heard (Visitor)
Becca, I am so glad you had a really good friend who was persistent enough to know you could give another sweet kitty a great home. And then, you adopted two more! You have a great heart!! I love to hear such stories because having worked in rescue for over 20 years, it can really get discouraging trying to find really good homes for our little babies. I have 5 cats, I do not recommend that folks get over-catted but sometimes that's just the way it is. I have a beautiful blue seal-point female named "Cloud", a sweet male cat name after his previous owner, "Robert Stachowitz", a black male named Mr. Sanders, another Siamese mix, (was a feral cat in the neighborhood) named Percy, and another tall slant grey and white male with long white stockings, named "Moe". I inherited "Moe" from an elderly lady who had to go into a nursing home. So that is my menagerie plus an Australian Shepherd mix named Noel who endures being loved on, and slept on by seveal of them. They think she is their mother....oh well such is life!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:03 — Peggy Plummer-M... (Visitor)
What a wonderful story. For the last 16 yrs we have been blessed with our four Burmese kitties. We lost two of the four last year, my little MeMe (Marion Elizabeth), and our Simon. Our remaining two are glued to hip at all times. Samson turned 15 in Feb., & Sidney (Simon's litter mate) is almost 17! They r our "fur children' We will most definitely rescue more when the time comes... I hope that you hv many wonderful years with yr new fur child! Cats r amazing animals and it is a shame that more people don't know that! Good luck!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:20 — Kathy (Visitor)
Cats know who they want to go home with. Two of mine picked me out and did the same to me - I'm going home with you. Beau died over a year ago. But Winston is now with me. He's a love bug and a Mama's boy. I love him dearly.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:42 — Evie (Visitor)
I Heart Calicos.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:48 — Coralie DeWald (Visitor)
How beautiful! i have had a soft spot for the dark striped tabbies, and of course, Calicos and Torties, (with their respective 'Cattude" and :Torti-tude." So true, and so endearing. I have at present three rescue sisters, one lovely Calico, and two Torties--one of whom is my feline soul mate. They do have cattitude, but that makes living with them so interesting. Bless you for being picked by Lily--they do let you know that you are important, and you were smart enough to listen to her, and look what a great relationship. I love my rescues, and you are another who was rescued, like I was!!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 11:56 — Lorena (Visitor)
I am happy Lilly found her furever home with Becca. I hope the two of you have a long and happy life together.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 12:02 — Dennis From San... (Visitor)
Hello from San Francisco - Read your story, and can't think of anything wise or clever to add, except to say that Lily is just gorgeous, and the 2 of you are so lucky to found one another. Putting our beloved pals to sleep when they are suffering is the hardest thing; and every time it happens it's the 1st time. I just try to remember that it's the price for all the wonderful years of love & fun they give us. And they ask for so little in return. I wish you & Lily many, many years of happiness together!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 12:46 — Julie Q (Visitor)
We lasted ten days after the loss of our beloved Maggie who was 21. We rescued Soufy as a kitten. She just turned 18 and is the boss of the house! I don't think our kitty friends would find it's "disloyal" to adopt another cat soon after they leave us. It is because we love cats so much that we need one to rescue us! Lily is not only beautiful but smart because head butts are the best! >^..^<

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:16 — Sarah (Visitor)
I agree whole-heartedly. I always adopt kittens a few years before my older cats go to the Rainbow Bridge. My elderly cats have always enjoyed "training" the young ones, and when the time comes for their exit, I'm not quite as devastated, because I always have the other kitties to help me with my grief. I truly believe they know I need them, and want to make sure their replacements are ready so I they can die in peace.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 13:28 — Colleen Dixon (Visitor)
Well I have a different rescue story. I live in California and work in Sylmar. For about a week a Tortoiseshell cat kept walking into my office where I sit at the front desk and she would walk around to me and meow and walk away and out the door she would go. She was sleeping in a storage unit next to our front door, one of our clients who happens to carry cat food on her gave me some so we feed the little kitty along with a bowl of water, finally I was able to trick her into coming all the way out caught her and put her in my car which was close and the door was open so we can get in quickly. My daughter named her “Minka” and she has been with us for 1 yr and 5 months. She is a love and loves lots of attention and makes bread.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:12 — Tina Sibbitt (Visitor)
Congrats on the new housemate and condolences on the loss of Rassa from another cathouse! My 17 year old Neewah now has only some teeth on the bottom, but I hope he sticks around awhile longer. Lilly is so pretty, and I love those eyes!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:27 — James Abbott (Visitor)
Lily is so lovely. My condolences on your loss of Rassa. I lost my sweet "Lance" due to abdominal melanoma. He was in pain, couldn't eat or drink, and I had to do the inevitable. I held him in my arms loving and kissing him as he was put to sleep. He was my second loss in three years. I now have a lovely Calico I named "Calli" who is the joy of my life. She knocks over, packs off and walks over everything that isn't nailed down, but she is the love of my life. Jim

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 15:08 — LilySue (Visitor)
I also have a Lily that I got from the HSUS shelter after my Siamese got lost - a domestic shorhair, lovely silver gray and white fur with beautiful pale green eyes. She also chose me (interesting how that happens) and she's been such a wonderful kitty - I just can't imagine life without her, even though I also have another kitty (15 years now) - a Calico-Tortie mix with a HUGE attitude. They balance each other very well.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 15:13 — Kathryn (Visitor)
Lily is a beautiful kitteh, and I'm so happy that she found you!!!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 16:15 — Melanie (Visitor)
Becca, I know how you feel. I lost my special forever cat Picasso two years ago after a four year battle with CRF, and my heart was broken. Five days later after going "just to look" I brought home my beautiful shelter cat Mia - since she wouldn't let me put her down, I decided I had to bring her home since she picked me. I will always love and never forget my dear friend Picasso, but Mia is my new special friend!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 16:44 — Lisa (Visitor)
I loved hearing your story. I had 2 cats and just lost the one to small cell lymphoma as she was 14. We adopted our first cat Lilly a year before and she is 15 now and still the love of our lives. She has hyperthyroidism but we treat her with medication every day and seems to be doing ok for now. If something happens to her it would be hard to think about adopting another cat.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 19:34 — Linda Larnerd (Visitor)
We have 2 adopted kitties and they are a real part of our lives. After having 3 "regular" kitties, which have all passed over the Rainbow Bridge, these 2 brothers are a real treat, not having to introduce them made them all that more pleasurable!

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 22:35 — Erin (Visitor)
A beautiful, heartwarming story. I agree that the Richmond SPCA is a wonderful place. We adopted a beagle from there and they helped microchip our cates.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 23:29 — Bryan (Visitor)
I know just how you feel about your cat. I had a cat that was killed about 3 years ago and it tore me apart. Then my girlfriend at the time went online to an animal shelter/hospital that had two abadoned kittens. I went there and immediately scooped them up and brought them home. And just like you Becca, I can't imagine life without them. Their names are Samuel and Isis. I don't let them out AT ALL! I can't risk happening to them what happened to Phoenix, the one that was killed by a car. I dug a little gtave for her near my bungalow, and even though it's been 3 years I still pay homage to her. Glad you're happy!

Sat, 03/09/2013 - 23:49 — Andrew W. Matheson (Visitor)
Sat., March 9th, 13, 21:45 Hrs. M.S.T. Hi All, Bless the Beasts and the Children - So Sang the Carpenturs 40 Years Ago. These Cats are the Property of the "Great One". Its Our Respnsibility to Give the Best "For Ever Homes" We Can, for The "Great One" Will Truly Bless Us, and His Children - Cats/Dogs etc. Will B Blessed as Well. I Have a Cattitude Attitude. I Have a Loving Child 7 Yrs Old. He is My Pride and Joy. Tnx., Operator.

Sun, 03/10/2013 - 05:35 — JOANNA (Visitor)
GOD BLESS YOU DEAR.. AND GOD BLESS TO ALL ANIMAL LOVERS, TO MAKE IT BETTER WORLD FOR ALL OF US.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 02:03 — Patrick Oliver (Visitor)
Congratulations Lily!

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