Sadly, sweet Gemini was not able to survive a second bout with Fatty Liver disease this summer. She will be missed and loved by her family forever. We love you, Gemini.

His previous owners dumped him and he was brought to Animal Aide 3 ½  ago. His name is Shaggy. I didn’t pick his name – that’s how he came to me, but it suited him, so it stuck. My mother, who volunteers there, brought him home to foster because he was so old, 15 at the time, no one wanted to see him caged. The first time I saw him I thought he was the most unusual looking cat I’d ever seen. Within a couple of weeks, he was jumping on my bed, right beside my face, pawing at it to wake me up so I could pet him. I fell head over heals in love with him within days. However, he was a grumpy little cuss! He hated being picked up and every time I did, which was often, he’d smack me in the face with both front paws so hard he made my cheeks red. But I was persistent. I knew that somewhere inside of him was a sweet little guy who wanted nothing but love. There was. It took time and patience, and, let’s face it, stubbornness on my part, but I made him happy again, or maybe for the first time in his life. He sleeps beside my head, or sometimes at my feet, almost every night, usually all night. Every now and then he looks at my mom or me and meows the sweetest little meow in the world because he wants some lovin’. He sits for hours on end purring, while he’s awake or asleep, and it’s the loudest damn purr I’ve ever heard. He is truly one of the happiest cats I’ve ever seen and he makes me happy just seeing how happy he is. Knowing that I did that, after all the hurt those stupid people caused him by abandoning him, and seeing his love for me because of it, brings me a joy and fulfillment that would be hard to top. It’s one thing to gain the love and trust of a human; it’s in our nature. Deep down it’s what we all want. But animals are different. Trust and true love, especially towards a human, come extremely difficult to them. But not my Shaggy. He still gets grumpy sometimes – he is an old man after all. And sometimes when I pick him up he lets me know to put him down with a few smacks to the face. But I wouldn’t give him up for the world. He is my baby boy and will be no matter how old he gets. I’ve had him for 3 ½  years and I love him more every day.

A delightful and timid Skittles came to live with me in the winter of 2006. With all the inquisitiveness of a young cat, she explored her new surroundings. Leaping to the summit of a bookcase, or crawling under a cabinet, she scanned and sniffed her new home. Her energy was also evident when I found a picture knocked off the piano or several books from the bookcase on the floor.Skittles likes to be petted and have her ears gently rubbed. While scanning the computer screen, images disappear behind a pattern of black-striped fur. Skittles thinks socializing with her takes priority over reading online. Skittles spontaneity and friendliness appears whether I’m reading, eating, coming home or waking up in the morning. Her little face looking at me with an expression: ‘Hey, I want attention!’ or she is thinking, I want her companionship. Skittles demonstrates athletic skills as she chases after a toy I’ve thrown or catapults after one I’ve tossed. Quickly running back to the other end of the hallway, she crouches down with eyes sparkling, ready for a return throw. I usually tire of this game before she does. Skittles has adapted to her new home quite well. Life would certainly be different without her. I round a corner past a bookcase that Skittles has taught me to look on the fourth shelf where she crouches with that hopeful and inviting look which I interpret as ‘Let’s play!’. Sure enough, I throw a toy and chase is on! She knows how to get my attention.