Mouse
Being in Rescue, I’m reminded almost daily that I meet both the best and worst people of society. Today is a lucky day…I met Sandy who is one of the best people and animal advocate.
Meet Sandy
Sandy has been involved with TNR for years. She has spayed and neutered countless cats in the community and taken in many who could not safely be returned outside.
Sandy’s job moved her out of state and she took many of her rescued cats but felt 3 needed to live in a sanctuary setting. She asked Bear Den Sanctuary for help.
We were full for intake but in the nick of time we were able to send 3 of our friendlies to another Rescue organization to be put up for adoption and we took in Sandy’s 3 cats.
She paid an intake fee and began monthly sponsorship for all 3.
Mouse's Story
Mouse, Tang and Winter are her three rescued kitties who came to live at Bear Den Sanctuary. Sandy messaged for updates on their acclimation and well-being.
Mouse, she continually mentioned, is the most friendly of the three. Mouse will love on you and ‘talk’ to you and probably try to get into the house. I kept watching for these friendly signs from Mouse but didn’t see them.
Mouse seemed scared and disinterested in people. I figured he needed more time. After 3 weeks in the relocation cage, I released Mouse, Tang and Winter onto the property.
Immediately Tang and Winter took off to find their own niches towards the back of the property but Mouse didn’t veer too far.
Mouse began to live under the deck of the relocation cage where he spent 3 weeks.
Relocating Mouse
Time did not prove to be helpful for Mouse to acclimate. He did not let people near him. He appeared forlorn and lonely. I continued to try to pet Mouse but he stayed isolated under the deck. Mouse was sad.
I reached out to Sandy regarding these concerns about Mouse. My goal in reaching out to her was to get ideas on how to improve Mouse’s quality of life. Are there treats he likes? Should I try to put him in a relocation cage with another cat? What could I do to make him more comfortable? I told Sandy I was worried about him.
About 15 minutes after I sent this message, Sandy replied: “My plane lands in San Antonio tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM. I am renting a car, driving to PetSmart to pick up a large crate and supplies and will be at the Sanctuary by noon. I will pick up Mouse and drive him home. I made a mistake in bringing him but he is my family and I will make it right.”
All Ends Well
True to her word Sandy arrived at the Sanctuary by noon the next day. It took some coaxing but she lured Mouse out from under the deck.
She loaded up Mouse with all the supplies and started the multi-day driving trip back to her new home in Tennessee. I thought she might be mad at me that I wasn’t able to provide Mouse with the care he needed.
On the contrary, Sandy took full responsibility and thanked me for offering the space for her cats. Tang and Winter are doing quite well at the Sanctuary. Sandy is one of those amazing people who treat her pets as well, if not better, than family…because they are.
