Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Noah's Next Adventure

Noah will be leaving me. He is not, unfortunately, going to be adopted but, rather, is going to a new foster-home.

Neither I nor the rescue-group of which I am part care to change foster-homes in mid-cat. The animals have no way of knowing that they are not in a permanent residence, and when they are adopted, the change is often significant enough. To switch their homes a couple of times before adoption takes place is jarring and confusing to the little creatures.


But there are several reasons for this move in Noah’s case. If you’ve been reading this blog lately, you know that I am selling my house. I have not yet achieved that goal but I hope to soon. This will necessitate moving to a smaller residence in which four cats and I will find ourselves in cramped quarters. A fifth will make it even more so. Even that would not be so bad, but the perma-cats’ dislike of the boy requires him to be locked up in a room alone when I am asleep or absent. This will reduce the living space further by about a third, assuming I move into a two-bedroom apartment.

Just as significant a reason, though, is why Noah must be sequestered much of the time. He is picked on by Cammie - some days all evening - and by Tucker. The foster-home to which he will go recently had two cats, who would chase and wrestle with each other. One was adopted. The remaining beast misses his friend. Noah, on the other hand, disturbs the calm of my household largely, I think, because he wants someone to play with him - and no one does. Just last night, I watched him rush at Renn, and stop short. He wasn’t attacking my big boy; he was having fun. He wanted Renn to pursue him - in play - or wrestle with him; something enjoyable. Renn growled and warned the boy off.

This is Noah’s chance to have a pal with whom he can enjoy himself. He will also be free to roam about the house when the people are gone or sleeping. (Hopefully, he doesn’t roam too much during the latter time.) I believe this will mean much to a young, energetic cat.


He will of course be confused and perhaps frightened. But he is adaptable, and finding himself in a new environment with a whole new world to explore will keep him occupied until he grows accustomed to his new foster-guardians.

I will miss the boy. He can be annoying at time, I must admit. He is usually into something. But these are the high spirits and exuberance of youth. He is a warm-hearted cat who now purrs much more than he did. He is smart and learns quickly, and above all he is entertaining. He will go to his new home - may it be of short duration before his permanent adoption - tomorrow. Peace will reign once more in my household, and the perma-cats will rest more easily. But something will be missing. Whenever a cat who has been in my care leaves, he takes something indefinable along with him, and it isn’t replaced. It’s because no cat can be replaced. Noah will be absent but his adventure will continue.

22 comments:

  1. Fingers and paws crossed for Noah, that he settles into the new foster home easily and is accepted by the resident cat (and vice versa). Also that he finds his forever home! It seems to us that he's been waiting a long time now. We hope this all will work out for his Highest Good. And that all works out for you and your cats for your Highest Good too!

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    1. Things are quiet here, but at least I'm not spending the evening separating Noah and Cammie, or Noah and Josie, or Noah and Tucker, or Noah and Renn...

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  2. Unfortunately that does sound like the best plan for the sweet guy.

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    1. He is a sweetie, just young and energetic - too energetic for the old crowd here!

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  3. Wishing you well Noah. I hope you like your new playmate and you are adopted together

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    1. Having both adopted together would indeed be nice.

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  4. So many changes John, but as you say this may be the best for Noah. We hope he finds a friend in his new buddies. We hope your open homes are going well.

    Julie and Poppy Q

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    1. No word yet on viewer responses to the open house...

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  5. Noah....dood....we troo lee.... troo lee.... wish ewe nothin but de veree best; we hope ewe settle in quik lee; we hope yur new fosterz.... let yur dad john noe how yur doin...., N we wish ewe de kewlest Christmas gift oh all......a for everz home ......♥♥♥♥

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    1. I put an update on Noah's arrival in his new foster-home after Kari's comment below. An adoption would indded be a nice gift.

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  6. I wish the best for Noah in his new foster home. Hopefully it will suit him well and he and his new companion will get on well, and he will have another cat he can enjoy playing with.
    It will be strange without him and of course you will miss him, but the perma cats will probably be breathing a big sigh of relief.

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    1. Yes, the perma-cats were looking for him after he left, and they didn't seem upset not to find him.

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  7. we know it will be hard, but it sounds like this move it good for both of you. we know that despite the Brat being a pain sometimes, she is wonderful with our smaller foster kittens. we hope Noah does wonderfully and makes a great impression in this next step. you did a great job with him.

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    1. It's very quiet here already. It's always tough letting one go.

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  8. We'll miss him. We've developed a fondness for dear Noah. The youthful exuberance combined with intelligence sounds like my Tigger. Maddening at times but endlessly captivating, a big heart with lots of love to give and a ready purr. We wish him well. Can you give us updates? With things the way they are, your new arrangements seem like the best solution .

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    1. I will relay news about the boy as I receive it. He was delivered to his new foster-home and has already met Channing, his new roommate. Noah tested him by rushing at him, not intending to attack (he did the same here from time to time) and there were hisses and growls. But the report I received was optimistic.

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  9. Hoping that peace is settling in for you. I am sure Noah and Channing will do fine :)

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    1. It is much quieter now. The perma-cats are more relaxed. But still, something fun is missing.

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  10. We will miss Noah on your blog. His adventures and shenanigans certainly kept us amused. Perhaps his new foster home will have youngsters like him. Selling one's home and moving is so stressful - for both humans and felines. We wish you luck and hope things go as smoothly as possible. From Eileen and Jessica

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    1. Noah is very entertaining. And he is a sweet-natured boy, really. He will have a new feline friend where he is now - if he doesn't overdo it. When he was leaving, I told him just to be himself - only a little less.

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  11. Noah is one beautiful fellow so hopefully he will find a forever home quickly. Play can be difficult with an established clowder who may or may not admit another. Our fellows are a bit clickish and one will play with this one but not that one etc. etc. Ah the never ending wonder of the feline mind
    Purrs to the crew from all of us

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  12. I hope Noah does well in his new foster home. I'm sure the first few days might have been a bit frightening but I'm sure he'll settle in.

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