It was true! My Lunar had a new summer friend: a fox! I live rural and have an abundance of wildlife on my land that visit. This post will share some simple guidelines, and silly experiences, that will help you pick your pet’s next perfect companion!
How Do You Know Your Pet Wants (or Needs) a Companion?
Recently I adopted a friend for my 10 year old kitty, Lunar. He showed, and told, me a number of times, in different ways that he was ready for his next friend. Two years ago we lost our beloved Mr. Orbit. At this time I started to build my new home, plus, I was dealing with the onset (and remedy) of cancer. Life was handing me too much and another pet was not feasible. Lunar and I were lost without Mr. Orbit, but we had each other, plus Lily and Rio our horses.
It took 3 years after purchasing my property to complete my house, horse property, et all. Life was starting to reveal, and Lunar was definitely telling me he was ready for another kitty buddy; one that he told me was awaiting us.
Lunar’s Signs of Needing a Mate of His Own
Once Lunar was my solo cat, he roamed to my next door neighbors. They had chickens and peacocks. Lunar had friended Penny the oldest female, which is called a peahen. They had a reciprocal relationship. From the onset of moving into my RV, Penny was curious about Lunar. She would often visit, and my neighbors told me Lunar visited his feathered friends at their place. But things changed this year. Penny had 3 baby peacocks. She often would parade them over to my place to show me and Lunar. Yet as the babies grew bigger, they were challenging Lunar who just sat and stared at their nonsensical behaviors. Penny was now a mother serving her offspring. Thus, Lunar’s relationship with Penny shifted.
I live where wildlife roams. Daily lots of species visit. Deer with fawns, young bucks; of course the peacocks, wild turkeys with offspring; an occasional passing cat (which Lunar had no opinion over); hawks, eagles, owls, skunks, squirrels, snakes, raccoons and one lone fox. This was the summer of the fox. Lunar would disappear for hours with his new friend. They were close by. Typically, hunting together. I figured this out one day when Lunar showed me his new talent of hunting the tiniest of shrews. Something he had never done before. He didn’t eat them, just showed them to me; putting them down to watch them scamper away. The fox was hanging around the horse barn area. Lunar loved to stay near Lily and Rio, so that was where they met.
One night I saw the fox advance on Lunar, and it was clear they knew each other. However, Lunar did not want the fox near our home and chased it to the edge of our property. The fox was not too scared, but he did respect Lunar’s boundaries. A few days later my neighbor drove by. She then texted me: “I don’t know if you are aware, but a fox was messing around with Lunar, so I stopped and scared the fox off.” I laughed and texted back that was Lunar’s latest friend. The fox moved on after a few weeks. Probably in search of a new mate. There were two foxes at one time; one went missing. I figured this lone fox wanted to find a mate of its own species, which is natural. And, it was becoming apparent Lunar needed a permanent friend in his own species too.
The Main Event: Lunar’s Turn to Have His Own Mate
Lunar became more anxious when I left for long periods of time during the day, particularly after his fox departed. I needed and took my first days, time away from our property of 3 years. I knew from his recent behavior it might be difficult on Lunar, due to his insistent codependency on me. So, I had 2 caregivers come in several times a day to feed and play with Lunar. It was not enough. He wanted me. And told me so. And so did the Lunar’s sitters. This was Lunar while I was packing up to go. He parked himself in my car. Lunar understood I was leaving under gracious protest.
As I traveled north, I told Lunar’s Angels to give me a tangible earth sign that Lunar was really ready to accept his own kind into his life again. Lunar had been content for a long time being the only child. So I said, “Make it obvious.” I stayed at a motel for a few nights. The first night I arrived the motel put me outback where it was quiet. Ironically, people with their pet dogs were in rooms next to me. I did not request it, yet it was fitting I was put in the pet zone.
When I pulled up to what looked like an abandoned car, I decided to re-park in front of my room. However, I noticed something behind that car and walked back over to look. And, I laughed. The sign from the universe came in the form of an abandoned cat cage! That was a pretty darn obvious answer. I decided, to make sure it was not someone’s cage, so I left it to my last night. If it was still there I’d check it out more, as it was filthy dirty.
As it were, the cage waited for me. So I took it into the motel room, put it in the shower and gave it a good bath. Hello! Behold this cage was brand new! No rust on it, only a sales sticker. Perfect. Even better than the two I already owned!
As I drove home I asked Lunar what type of kitty he wanted. Lunar’s guides assisted this process as well. As our chat unfolded we agreed it needed to have soft, kind energy that matched Lunar. Someone, he could mentor, as well as play with and enjoy. The 3 pets during Lunar’s 10 years had been adopted from shelters. And all had major issues. Lunar was a nursemaid to all. Now, he needed to have an easier companion; we both did.
What I learned was there was a 1 -1/2 year old female waiting in a shelter close to where we lived. She needed a friend too. She would be reserved, a quiet one, with a soft kind heart like Lunar. No particular color. It was about the energy match that I had felt.
When I got home Lunar meowed huge scolds at me. Yet, hugged me tight. The next morning he was crying. Yes. Cats cry with real tears. He drooled too. Lunar told me he had missed me too much. Was afraid of being left alone again. I assured him it was time for his next new cat friend. And, I would find her that week.
Two days later I had a dental appointment in a city to the north. I took the new cage with me and told Lunar that I’d see what I could do. No promises, because I would not come home without the perfect match for him. There was a shelter on the way to- and from the dental office. Tucked away on a side road. I did not know this until I did a search the night prior. I felt that would be the place to start, after noticing other shelters a bit further away. I did peruse the adoption pages, but decided to look in person. I wanted to adopt all those cats staring at me from their website page.
I entered the shelter. It was clean and well run. I told the head person what I was looking for, and she showed me the different rooms, each full of available cats and kittens to adopt. The first room I started in, was full of good sized, mature cats. Many were patiently waiting their ‘person’. One big orange cat was so friendly to pet. He was 6 years. I knew the age didn’t match, but thought I’d see his temperament. What he wanted was to get out of his cage. He did not want me. It was clear he conned me! As fast as he could he jumped out of my arms, to the floor, and started cat fighting with another cat that was housed below his cage. Then he went onto harass another! Holy cow. I had the perfect encounter to remind me to listen to the energy match first. Fortunately, a staff member came in the room to attend another, so she quickly scooped the con artist up and put him in his cage. This room was full of very mature cats. None that qualified in age or energy. I moved to another room, then another.
I came to a room with assorted cats. As I looked them over, I watched a group of people interact with a group of kittens. I scanned the cages and stopped at the corner cage. I was drawn in. A small brown tabby was sleeping curled up in the back corner of her cage. But then, eyed me. I opened the cage. Put my hand in cautiously, to pet her. She put her head in my hand and relished what my hand offered. Her energy was reserved, so kind, and she seemed so very sad. I closed the cage and read: female, spayed, 1-1/2 years old. I watched her as I looked at the others. She got up and started eating her food. I knew I sparked something in her, as she had in me. The room was rather chaotic with the family playing with the kittens. I decided to go get more info on “Katara”.
Katara had been relinquished by her owners, along with her 4 kittens. She had been born in their house, never spayed, had at least this known litter, then all were brought in to the shelter a couple weeks back. When I found all this out, my heart broke for her. No wonder she was sad. In less than a month she lost a life she knew; lost her 4 kittens; had surgery and put in a confined small cat cell to recover. Geez. Too much for such a sensitive, young, kitty. As I was asking about Katara several of the attendants heard, then told me Katara was very sweet and easy to handle. I told them I was going back to talk with her.
The room was vacant when I entered. I opened Katara’s cage, and asked her from my heart if she wanted to come home with me. She advanced and put her head in my hand and said a hopeful yes. She began kneading her towel too. That did it for me. I almost cried for her, as she had almost lost all hope. I returned to the front desk. As I filled out the paperwork, two of the attendants nodded in approval that Katara would go home with me. I went and got her new cage. They asked if I needed help putting her in the cage. I told them I could get her; and they let me do so.
I opened the cage for the third time. Quietly I said, “Katara, come out from your corner, you are going home with me.” She got up, stepped forward with caution, so I could pick her up. I held her to my heart, and told her she was safe. She began purring and did not stop. I placed her in the cage and went out front to bid good-bye. The staff was amazed I got her in so fast. I told them she purred the whole time and they were rather mystified, as she never purred for them. Our ride home was quiet. When I arrived home I put her in the bathroom still in her cage, so I could ready the big cage in the living room. I was listening to her prompts. She did not want to be isolated. So I put her in the large cage where she could see and get acquainted with Lunar safely. Lunar was outside, so I let Katara have settlement time.
When Lunar came in he did not fuss to much with Katara and did not approach the cage until a half hour later. They met nose to nose. Katara is small, only 5 pounds. Lunar is a big kitty, weighing 15. She hissed at Lunar, showing caution. Lunar looked at her, and opened his mouth in a sort of hiss without sound. He walked off. Later, he checked on her again. And they repeated the same. After that they just got along. I waited until the following day to let her out to greet Lunar. And, it was apparent they would bond to be best friends given the time and space to do so.
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