Meet Lola

Today I would like you to meet Lola. Even though he has a girl’s name, he’s a mancat. That doesn’t stop me from repeatedly referring to him with feminine pronouns, because of the name.

You may have noticed Lola on my side-bar. He needed a foster-home and the rescue group with which I work had none available, so he came to my house. Well, that’s not strictly true. There was another foster-home, but there was another homeless cat. I think most of you reading this know how that is. In any case, Lola came to stay with me on Saturday.

He is a friendly fellow and definitely loves having his long, fine fur combed, though not brushed. He loves tummy-rubs and side-rubs, but will let you know when he’s had enough. He is declawed, unfortunately, so he will nip if he’s annoyed. It’s not a bite because he doesn’t mean business by it. But he lets you know.

Lola is a curious explorer, a talkative fellow. He will wander the house, saying something, perhaps describing what he sees and smells. He was sometimes permitted outside in his old home, but that won’t be allowed here, so I have to watch he doesn’t try to enforce his old habits on his own by darting through a half-open door. So far, he’s content to try to dart out through the door of the back parlour, where he’s being kept for now.

I have let him out, as you can see by the photographs. He knows there are other cats here, has been hissed at by Tungsten – and wisely turned away at such times – and spoken to by Josie. Tucker hisses at him, as well, but it doesn’t have the same effect as when the orange one does it. Being warned off by a cat with the heart of a tiger is different than being told what for by a large furry sausage. Renn seems to have the least problem with the newcomer.

There is still plenty of adjustment to go through. Lola was interested and excited by his new surroundings at first, then he become discouraged. I’ve noticed this reaction in many cats. Now, he is less depressed and behaves a bit more energetically. However, a genuine picture of what is going on inside the poor boy may be gleaned from the fact that he is currently hiding under the bed. I have no doubt that he will eventually be fine with his change of circumstances but, as with a human, being given up by the family with whom you’ve lived for your whole life is tough. Everything in Lola’s world now is strange, and much of it, so he must believe, unfriendly.

Lola is available for adoption, of course, and if anyone is intrigued by this dinstinctive cat, he would be pleased – well, curious – to meet them. Until then, he will reside with me. Safe and sound, but for the time being, bewildered.