When Fifi arrived at OAAT Pet Rescue she had lost her cat confidence. Her world had been tipped upside down and she was scared, sad and uncertain. She needed someone who had the time, the compassion, and the love to help her learn to trust again.
And, then on the 26th April 2019, along came Pamela…
" I was dropping off some some donations to One at a Time Pet Rescue when I saw Fifi. She had been rescued the week prior and was hiding under a blanket in a holding pen. She looked incredibly sad. At the time I had two cats, Rebel and Marla (both rescues, and I wasn’t intending to increase my little family). Fifi had been placed up for adoption, but with no takers and I couldn't help coming back to the adoption post - and was pretty much a goner. With the reassurance from OAAT Pet rescue I made the decision to adopt and I took Fifi home on the 26th of April 2019.
She spent her first week with me in a spare room that I’d fitted our for her. It had a hole in the door that included a privacy curtain so she could interact with Rebel and Marla from the safety of her own room and she could hide if she wanted. The room also has a large double window and a kitty viewing platform so she could watch the birds in the backyard. She was scared of any loud noises so I made sure I was as quiet and gentle with every movement and interaction.
My two cats were VERY interested; a little hissing from Marla, and Rebel saw her more as another source for extra food. Introductions were made slowly and everyone kept to their own spaces. Marla was still pretty cranky but I was hopeful things would settle down once Marla realised that Fifi wasn’t a threat to her place in the house. Night times saw Marla in her usual place tucked into my shoulder, Rebel along my legs and Fifi sleeping on me which she did from the day she was released from her spare room....
...Unfortunately at the same time all of this was happening Rebel became very unwell and by the end of June had passed unexpectedly due to a pancreas issue. It was interesting because Fifi in her short time with us had a much better relationship with Rebel than Marla ever had and missed him more. I don’t think the girls will ever be best friends but they have a healthy respect for each other and share my lap for naps when I’m sitting on the recliner chair.
Fifi is definitely a lap cat and invites herself up on the recliner for cuddles. She also does bunny flops onto the ground (sometimes really dramatic), and when you’re patting her on her stomach she might decide she’d rather use your arm as her favourite kicker toy! She also does the best full length stretches I’ve ever seen and shows how very long she is.
Of a night she retires to her bedroom, which has has pillows on the floor, a PupNaps calming bed (where she is encompassed in its tall walls and fluffy surface), and a Futon surrounded by stuffed toys. Nothing but the best. She also loves playing with balls, especially ping pong balls up the hallway late at night. She has dynamic paw work. She also has access to a large outdoor enclosure and loves sitting out there watching the world go by. She still has moments where certain noises will scare her but these are fewer and further between now. I like to think that I was in the right place at the right time and she is now loved and safe.