Saturday, November 20, 2010

TUCKER'S DAY


At 8:20 this morning, I gently put Tucker into the cat carrier with his favorite Mousie and took him to the SICSA adoption center. He was a good rider and didn't make a sound. He actually seemed to enjoy the car ride but I'm sure that was because he had no idea what was about to happen today.
Once at the center, I selected a suitable display cage for him, filled his water and food bowls, then emptied his bag of kitty toys into the cage. As I looked around, I saw lots of little Tuckers. I don't know when I'd seen so many black and white kittens in one place! The positive thoughts about "my" Tucker being adopted this weekend began to evaporate.
By the time I'd returned from filling his water bowl, Tucker had climbed into the clean litter box and was sitting there shaking like a leaf. That broke my heart and I took him out of the cage and held him for a little while. The place was noisy as people arrived with their kittens and cats, so Tucker continued to tremble. The feisty little scrapper I'd sat up with until 2am was no longer there. In my arms I held the frightened, quivering waif of six weeks ago.
I knew this day would be difficult. I've gone through this many times with other kittens and it's never been easy for me to let them go, but I didn't expect Tucker to be so afraid. I thought he would be frisky and purring. I could barely keep from scooping him up and taking him back home, but we were already there, he was physically ready for adoption, and I had prepared myself for this day - or so I thought.
I stayed at the adoption center longer than I ordinarily would have. I couldn't leave until I felt sure Tucker was going to adjust to his surroundings. I placed him back inside his cage because I was concerned he might be so scared he'd jump out of my arms. I was still having a difficult time with the idea of leaving him, when all of a sudden he gave me a glimpse of that spunky little guy I knew so well. He spied his jingle ball and those green eyes lit up as he started toward it. Ah, there was something he recognized from home. He finally began to explore the cage. He was going to be ok without me afterall.

5 comments:

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

did your sweet little kitty get adopted?...my heart is breaking knowing he is not going to be with you..seriously..I wish I would bring him home with me..I am glad he did well..

Karen said...

Oh, Kady..I am so emotional right now reading your story about Tucker today. Did he get adopted? I too, wish I could bring him home to live with me, but I'm in Washington State and the trip is too far to travel. Please let us know asap about his adoption and how it goes. I will miss in so.

Sandi said...

ohhh, i'm going to miss little tucker :(

i hope he finds a wonderful home with people who will love him as much as you do...

Laura said...

I also wish I could bring him home to live with me...even if I live in Italy...I really love Tucker...
let us know something about his adoption.
Laura

Keri said...

You described to a "T" exactly how my husband and I both felt taking our litter of 5 kittens back and forth to PetSmart every Saturday for 4 months. None of them ever did get adopted so they are still here with us, but I am sure, because Tucker is an "only child" (our rescue org. had a stipulation that kittens up to a certain age be adopted out in pairs if they have siblings) he may have better luck finding a home faster.

Whatever happens Kady, thank you so much for being so open and honest with all of us...sharing your heart so candidly. :)