I’m hesitant to say it, but this may be our longest stretch in a very long time without any new kittens. Currently, our kitten population remains stable at three, with Benny, Joon and Camille (pictured at right) quite at home in the Community Room. Their socialization process continues beautifully, with Camille making the most extraordinary progress.
You may recall that this little cutie has been on a behavior modification program, and it is really paying off. Whereas Camille used to regard hands, fingers, and anything else that came within range as the perfect chew toys, she’s learned more appropriate ways to show her affection. Just today I stopped in to visit with the little ones, and Camille let me stroke her, head to tail, and rewarded me with a rumbly purr. She also touched her nose gently to mine. I’d say this little beauty has learned both to give and to get love.
Not to be outdone, Benny and Joon are increasingly interested in our affection. To punctuate this fact, they’ve taken to napping in the “Outgoing Mail” box. (As one punny volunteer noted to Benny, “That’s good! You are an outgoing male now!”) Last month, Benny would only just reach out to sniff at my fingers; today, he let me give him some good skritches on his neck and back. Benny and Joon were never “mouthy” kittens like Camille was, but they, too have learned that love has great rewards.
Each winter, it seems that we have a few kittens that turn out to be leftovers. Perhaps they were a bit too shy to find homes when they were teeny, or perhaps they had issues to overcome before they could go to their forever homes. Some of these kittens stay with us longer than others, and I thought you might like an update on one of last winter’s cuties – Rangpurr.
Rangpurr (pictured below left) was one of many kittens who settled in to life in the Tabby’s Place apartment bedroom, along with companions Yelena, Bolt, and little Florence. Rangpurr was a little slower to warm up to people than some of these other kittens, though, and as a young two-year-old, he’s still a resident of Suite B. We have an amazing group of volunteers who work on socializing our cats, helping shy boys like Rangpurr learn to enjoy human company. When I recently checked into Rangpurr’s progress and learned that he had grown to be openly affectionate, offering head bonks and all, I couldn’t wait another minute to visit with him.
This beautiful orange boy is incredibly sweet, and he doesn’t mind showing it! Instead of a timid kitten, hiding behind his friends, I found Rangpurr stretched out confidently in his kitty bed. Though I hadn’t seen him in a while, he greeted me like a long-lost friend, purring and arching his back so that I could scratch him just so. It’s a remarkable testament to our volunteers who have worked with him, and even more so to Rangpurr, that he has come such a long way.
Kitten season will be upon us soon enough, but as we wait, it’s good to reflect on the little lives that have become a part of our own. What journeys they all take! Camille, Benny, and Joon, and even Rangpurr (if a year later), have learned the wonder of love and trust. Thank you, dear sponsors, for helping to give these wonderful young cats the space and time they need to blossom.