I have generally had healthy cats with long lives, possibly because I spend enough on vet bills to stabilize the economy of a small country. Nonetheless, there comes a time when it’s time to say goodbye. Following the deaths at age 19 of our Bengal, Tekir, and our Burmese, Zar, I vowed that henceforth I would concentrate on fosters, giving them a happy place to chill on the way to a new home. I called Sheri Berliner of Friends of Petraits. “What have you got to foster?” I asked. “Black and white rough coat, 14, with hyperthyroidism. Her 90 year old owner passed away.” “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” I said. I had no intention of keeping that cat – but then my sister died of COVID, and this old, amiable lap cat named Mela took turns comforting everyone. “Fine, you can stay,” I muttered.
Then my husband commented that he missed the Bengal, a gorgeous breed that looks a bit like a leopard. I contacted a breeder and let her know that we were not in the market for a kitten, but if she had an adult that needed to be rehomed, let me know. Two days later she phoned. One of her cats had been returned when the owner killed himself (oh geez, another death cat). Next thing you know, I’m driving to Aurora with a cat carrier. Fiona quickly adapted and became a valued member of the household (albeit a bit of a bully).
A few nights ago I was sitting on the couch, minding my own business and cruising Facebook, when a posting by Orphans of the Storm caught my attention. “That’s a Bengal!” I exclaimed. These are $4,000 cats, not usually found in shelters, but there she was. “We don’t need two Bengals” I thought as I filled out the online application. The next day I drove out to Riverwoods and found her cowering in a cat tree cave. “She’s been here a week and won’t come out,” they said. “I’ll take her,” I said, “I know Bengals. She just needs time.” She is now residing in our guest suite, hiding under the bed or in her crate, emerging only to eat and drink and occasionally peer at me. But give her time. She needed a home and apparently we needed another cat.