The day Poe met his new adoptive parents, it was love at first sight!
Why the adoption?
I had to downscale and move to a smaller home in a secure estate!
The reality with estate living is that hardly any allow cats. The security and lifestyle offered is a big attraction, and is becoming the norm for many South Africans, especially single Silvers. Living alone in a free-standing house simply is not safe.
My home looked like a prison inside, with slamlock gates securing the sleeping area; something my son arranged to have installed. I felt safe when home alone. But I did not want to live behind bars! Yes, I had a large garden, and a lovely home, which was my little haven, but it was time to move on.
Poe was my comfort during sad times, instinctively knew when I was having a bad day, and used to follow me wherever I went; whether it was meeting new guests, hanging up washing, or working in the garden. He even joined me at the dining room table, but his favourite place was sleeping on my bed while I was tapping away at my keyboard.
Sadly, finding an estate that allowed a cat is just about impossible, so the search for adoptive parents began.
I told you how I took Poe to a cattery that rescues and attempts to rehome cats. The dedication of the owner is amazing! She was not going to let Poe go to just any home, but also said just how difficult it is to find a home for an adult cat. Poe was already five years old!
He's such a handsome, charming young man, though, and knows how to steal hearts, so I kept on hoping.
Deep down, I feared the worst. I could not keep my darling Poe caged forever, even though he was being cared for!
My sister-in-law is very involved with animal rescue groups and got many to share our 'Plea for Poe'.
I had a person calling asking when and where he could pick up my cat!
No! No! No! I was horrified!
That wasn't going to happen! I wasn't going to let my baby be adopted without knowing where he was going and if the person would give him the love and care that is what every pet needs!
The cattery carefully screens any potential adoptive parents, and Poe was spotted by two angels. After much chatting to see if they'd be a good fit, and checking videos of their home, a young couple living on a farm on the North Coast, adopted Poe.
They immediately bonded, and I was kept in the loop along their trip back home. He hated travelling by car, but allowed his new mommy to stroke him through his igloo carrier, and soon fell asleep. That never happened when travelling with Poe by car.
Here he's still a little unsure about his new surroundings in this photo!
Of course, Poe had to be kept indoors for a while, and was only taken outdoors on a leash, or he might run away, something cats that are moved to a new environment are known to do. Here he's surveying the farming area he now lives in; paradise indeed!
He's getting spoilt with new toys, some improvised. This is a quaint new scratchpad that his new Dad also used to give him a 'skateboard' ride.
I could not be happier for Poe, a darling, dapper young tuxedo cat who stole my heart, and that of the young couple who adopted him.
The cattery owner was astounded that an adult cat was adopted so quickly; a first for her!
I get regular updates from Poe's new mommy and am super thankful and proud to be a spectator from the sidelines!
I believe there are still angels walking this mixed-up world of ours, and Poe's young parents for sure are two angels, 'disguised' as two lovely young people!
Some photos were taken by Poe's new Mommy and used with her permission.
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