Pippin and Tucker

I adopted two kittens on May 21 named Galahad and Lancelot, now known as Pippin and Tucker. Originally I was only going to adopt one kitten, but I am really glad I adopted 2 instead. They play together all the time and are never lonely. You can tell how happy they are to have a playmate.

They are fun to watch them interact together. They can replace your TV!  I would like to encourage anyone thinking of adopting one kitten to really consider two instead. I have not owned kittens/cats before, but the happiness they both bring me is indescribable.

I think it is important to keep in mind that older cats need homes too. If you only want one cat, adopting an older one may be the answer.

All the people I dealt with in this organization have been wonderful about providing information and help. They really care about the welfare of animals.

Best wishes. You'll have a brighter tomorrow and so will your new feline friend/s.

Karen (KATren...I couldn't resist).

Meow

I just wanted to let you know about "Meow" who was the kitty that stole my heart!

I first saw "Meow" while looking at Petfinder.com. I thought that after I had put my beloved "Buddy" to sleep that I just could not take in another cat. I had previously owned 2 other cats (whom were like my babies) and did not ever want to go through the pain of losing anymore!

Something drew me to orange & white cats. I just thought they were very sweet and friendly and wanted another one (but didn't want to go through all the pain again!)

Well, I just had to look on the website to see what it was all about! They make everything so easy for you to click on, that I thought just by looking and not having to go to a pound or shelter would make it easier than having them look back at you with those sad eyes! I was wrong!! The picture of Meow with his cute little handsome face haunted me! Especially since I printed his picture.

Before I knew it, I was picking him up at the shelter and bringing him home! Meow has been with us almost 4 years now and couldn't get any sweeter! He loves everyone, and will go to anyone for attention! We added another "boy" to our home named "Leo." Leo was my mother's cat (my mother passed away in 2003) and Meow just took to him right away! Unfortunately, Leo did not take to Meow! After 3 months of separation and fighting Leo reluctantly gave in to Meow's charm and now they even sleep together! They still have little spats, but they are buddies now and our little kitty family is doing great!

Meow has been such a sweet little guy and lives up to his name when he wants to talk! He has the loudest "Meow" I've ever heard! Thanks so much to Joyce for giving up her little buddy to us! I know Meow was one of her favorites, but I can promise you, he is one of our favorites too!

Sincerely,
Susan Martella & Family

Vader

I can remember seeing him for the first time at One by One when I started volunteering in July of 2003. In fact, I'll probably never forget it.

Staring down at me from an elevated perch was a ball of black fur,with lazer beam green eyes staring down. This cat was ENORMOUS, and HAIRY...and MEAN! We got off to a pretty rough start, but we both learned that first impressions are not to be trusted.

Gradually Vader began to trust me, and sometimes left my fellow volunteers questioning my sanity for getting so close to him. So we carried on with our annual routine of 'special time for Vader', up until Vader's Aunt Marianne saw him sitting on my lap one day and essentially told me I had to take him home.

By mid December, Vader weasled his way into my heart. I decided that Vader deserved a gift during the hustle and bustle of the holidays too. Vader made the trip home 'just for Christmas'... and never left.

He sleeps on the pillow right next to my face every night (he tends to drool...and snore, but we're working on it). Vader has also learned to love every member of the household, including his 8 and 13 year old aunts, and his momma's momma.

Vader was never one to associate with men, but he's now snuggling with my fiance, and has just recently started to enjoy belly scratches without biting. He has started to play like one of the kittens, and has claimed the entire house as his domain, He's also taken a liking to playing the guardian, guide, pillow and overall boss of his newest companions; (four other fosters turned adoptees, Arwen, Eowyn, Galadriel, and Pippin).

Vader the Beast has learned to trust again, and boy does that fearsome feline love with his whole heart. Just goes to show you what kind of love a little patience, kindness and a few well placed treats can bring you.

Thanks guys!

Laurel Solt

Tulip

We adopted Tulip in October of 2003, and for those of you who know her, you know how much she needed a home of her own to rule and be the only kitty. Her personality is amazing - almost doglike at times, which worked in her favor, as my husband did not used to be a "cat person". We visited Petco one day, with no intention of adopting, just to look around. We met Tulip and she instantly bonded with my husband (she ran to him when he called her by her name), and while we were there we filled out all the paperwork.

When Tulip came to live with us, it was like she knew where she was going, what she was doing, and that our home was now her home. When Kathy came with her, she let her out in our back bedroom where she scooted under the bed, then realized there was food and a litterbox right there - instantly she came out from under the bed, looked around, checked out her new stuff, and then started exploring. Later that evening, much to our surprise, she was sitting on Jason's lap (she's a kiss up if you ask me!) purring like the motor she is.

From the first moment we met her, we knew that we all belonged together. Tulip is now a spoiled rotten little kitty. She has a huge kitty-condo that she loves to perch on (that is taller than both me and Jason) and act like she's tough stuff. She loves her rainbow shakey mice, her turbo scratcher, catnip toys, and going out on our back porch - even though she HATES her harness. Other pastimes of Tulip's include yelling at the birds (if you have ever seen Bucky, from the comic "Get Fuzzy", she outdoes him yelling at the chickadees - or as he calls them "chick-a-dinners"), biting Jason's feet, stealing Jason's seat (which is really funny to watch), sleeping in our bathtub, and talking/yelling at both my husband and I.

Thanks to Tulip, we never sleep in. I never sleep comfortably, as that little kitty is a big, fat, bed hog. We can't wait to come home from wherever we are, just to see her run to us. Tulip has changed both my husband and I, and we are all three grateful to the people of One by One and the support and friendships they have given to us.

Thank you again, so, so much!

-Carrie, Jason, & Tulip Conwell