Well, at least for my husband and I (and our recuperating son) as we've spent many years being owned by literally hundreds of animals. =)

4 years ago, to be a companion to my lonely older regal lady cat, we rescue adopted a gorgeous, incredibly sweet natured young male cat who was both emotionally needy and nearsighted. When we had to put my sweetest angel girl to sleep a few months ago, he deeply mourned her leaving, then decided he rather liked getting ALL the attention, but then grew impossibly bored. Ever lived with a very talkative, spoiled rotten, bored, nearsighted cat - one that weighs in at 15 pounds of solid, attention demanding muscle? At times I think I carried my sons around less! LOL

So, for Valentine's Day, instead of chocolates (bad for you) and cut, dying flowers, or jewelry neither of us would ever wear, we decided to just follow our hearts and rescue a feline companion for him, thinking ahead to a few more months when my son moves out and I go back to work. We spent a few nights last week getting to know some of the cats at a local rescue shelter.

One beautiful baby girl black and white tuxedo "fuzz butt", only 8 months old, had already had a litter of kittens who all died. Tiny little kitten herself, possibly a whole 4 lbs, all play. I do mean ALL play. Lots of aggression, lots of anger. She only knows how to relate to people one way - play/attack. She doesn't normally break skin, but she will start to get more and more aggitated because she doesn't know when to stop, and most people playing with her just keep going until it goes too far. Not a good cat for a house with little kids. She and my husband bonded on sight and she's definitely energetic enough to keep my furry fella alert, but actually *too* active.

While he was playing with her, I "talked" to the other kitties and the volunteer who was there. One lovely white stocking gray and tan tabby had been rescued 6 or 7 months ago and had basically not been out of her cage except for the brief time during cage cleaning in all that time. The period she was fostered, she had such a bad upper respiratory infection that they kept her caged for her own safety and the health of the other foster cats. She showed some obvious signs of cage pyschosis and clearly didn't want to get her hopes up. When let out to play during cleaning, she'd investigate just a little, then jump back in her cage for safety if other cats came near. She'd been waiting longer than any of the others for a home and basically "told" me, "if you're not taking me home, just please - just leave me alone."

We discussed all the different cats and I had pretty much talked my husband into those two, although he really only wanted one and I really wanted to bring home even more - especially a gorgeous regal tabby who's personality strongly reminded me of a wonderful cat I had years ago. I wanted at *least* those three, and had already become attached to 4 others and, if we didn't rent, etc., would have been wonderfully happy to bring them all home instead of trying to choose between them.

However, when I called the volunteer, the third tabby lady just really didn't like the other two, or any other cats for that matter. Sigh. However, yet another needy lady was mentioned. A tortoiseshell that had recently come in, missing a back foot. Torties are hard to place anyway, and a 3 legged one - well, they didn't hold out much hope. The vet says the foot injury was recent and looked mechanical as opposed to say a dog bite of similar - possibly a leg trap or other human caused trauma. She was rounded up by animal control, rescued on the last day before euthanasia, taken to the vet to *finally* have her foot seen to, and then taken back to be spayed. New, terrified, in a lot of pain and not really that trusting of people by now, she stayed mostly all curled up and so tense that she actually shivered.

So, needless to say, we compromised, instead of the entire pride, Saturday, we brought home the three most needy ones above. =)

As soon as we opened the carrier, the white booted one showed a remarkable personality turn around. Once she *knew* we were actually giving her a home, she just relaxed and became very eager and alert. The tuxedo did a quick explore of the house, found my son and his room and instantly staked claim. Before the night was over, she was already bossing him around and staying right by his heels. Since he's still a little unsteady with his balance, we were afraid at first, but she and the others all show a fabulous understanding of his condition and stay out of his direct path.

The tortie spent the first night huddled under a chest in the livingroom. Within the 1st hour, I gently pulled her out and slowly carried her around the entire house so she could "see" her new home. After that, I just lay down on the floor and petted her about every other hour, gave her food, water and litter, and let her be. She seemed terrified of the sound of a male voice, especially my son or husband raising their voice to call out from room to room, and I strongly suspect that she equates her missing leg with a loud abusive male. (Other reasons, too, but I'll save those ramblings for the Consciousness or similar forums.) By yesterday evening, she was out asserting herself to the others to let them know she may have 3 legs, but that's still plenty of claws! lol

Actually, no major fights At All. Just a few territorial or personal space flareups, none of which have lasted more than 5 seconds. We want to change their names as the shelter ones just don't "fit" them, but right now they all answer to pretty girl anyway. All three girls hate being picked up or held, but love sitting next to us on the couch or bed. Of course, I haven't done much of anything but talk to kitties, pet kitties, play with kitties for the last 48 hours. By bed last night, the tuxedo was calmly curled up on my son's bed, the white booted one was comfy on the cat tree, the tortie had fallen in love with my husband but was following me around or curled up watching tv with me, and our slightly overwhelmed fella was snuggling happily with my husband (I suspect soaking up some "male bonding" time after being overrun with females, lol.)

Right now, I have my male over my husband's desk, the white foot over mine, the tortie in the chair in the corner, and the tuxedo kitten running from my feet to the kitty tower in the living room and back. All purring and/or sleeping. Not bad for a house full of scared, angry, emotionally needy felines who just met. =)

Don't just walk by the adoption centers because they're not full of registered, papered blue bloods. There are so many animals out there who have done nothing to deserve death or a life in a cage. Don't overlook the rescues; they are some of the most appreciative and affectionate companions you'll ever meet. Animals aren't dumb, they "know" a lot more than people think and these babies know when they're on borrowed time or not wanted and they are so grateful and dedicated to those who give them homes. Even the hard to adopt or "high need" ones honestly don't take but a few extra hours at the start and will pay you back a thousand times over with love and devotion.