Theo

We will start by saying this: our Theo is a cat for those people who really really like feline companions with a personality! And a pink nose which becomed almost red when she is not in her good mood or when one of the volunteers is doing the opposite of what she wants :)) Well, we exaggerate a bit now, but this sweetie of ours, she’s quite something!

Theo was found in the parking lot of a block of flats when she was smaller. She was scared and skinny, letting her presence be known by… meowing loudly. As it usually goes, some people were bothered by her so she had to “disappear”. Luckily, one of our volunteers lives nearby so Theo was quickly taken to foster care. She enjoyed it, we were told, she was a very good kitty and not loud or sassy, she was just a friendly and loving girl. This is what we also saw in the beginning when she came to the shelter and was separated from the other cats, alone, in a small room: she enjoyed the attention, couldn’t wait until we went to her too, to feed her and stay a bit with her. And the first thing we saw was that pink nose of hers, so adorable and kissable. And she, Theo, a beauty of a cat, with bright amazing eyes and perfect proportions of the body.

When she joined the rest of our cats, things changed – which makes our story a sad one, if you think of it, because this darling just cannot adapt to so many cats and so many people. There are volunteers with whom she has never “spoken”, or slapped, with whom she gets along fine, probably because they never tried to hug her, for example, or hold her. It is true, she did not seem to ask for that but still, others tried because she is just so adorable! What I, one of the volunteers who wanted to cuddle her, got in return for trying were some strange sounding meows and a few slaps on the wrist – true, no claws involved, just a warning to let her be. So I explored further, to find out what Theo likes and what not.

Theo definitely doesn’t like a crowded place. Our kitchen is small and quiet usually, it’s where we take cats by turns, especially those who need to be fed separately for some reasons. It’s there that Theo likes it the most: we can cuddle, she gives me headbumps and she’s waiting patiently for her bowl of food. And let me tell you this: this gil can eat! Petting on the head is allowed and usually she enjoys it. After she eats, she likes to lay down somewhere and just watch what’s going on. Sometimes, she wants me to pay more attention to her, but other times she doesn’t. If I insist, despite her warning me, I get a loud disapproval. If I tell her something about that, she talks back – we can actually do this, the two of us, for quite a while, and it is I usually who give up. Her nose – while we are having these discussions, becomes red and sometimes I cannot help it, I just have to give her a kiss on the nose. I am confronted with strange sounds and a soft slap. If I get farther from her, she takes two steps in my direction to slap and run fast. That is when I usually call her “Theodora”, which of course she disapproves of and talks back. Having Theo is like having a sister with whom you sometimes fight but whom you love deeply, truly and you’d do anything for her. She is special, loving and sweet but also knows very well what she likes, what she accepts and what not – which makes her even more special and sweet.

With other cats, Theo tolerates them very well but doesn’t have but one friend in the shelter: Gasly. They look for one another, play together, they are very sweet whenever they have the space and time to sit together.  She is a bit annoyed by kittens bothering her, although she is very young herself and does like to play from time to time, especially when it’s her time in the garden: she chases blades of grass, jumps on them, hides behind tree trunks or in the grass if it’s taller, chews on plants, she is like a kitten indeed! She did try to play with other cats she chose, but they did not want to be her friend. And, when there are too many of them, it’s time for her to find another spot from where she can watch. She’s more into people than other cats, and the life with us and 50+ other cats doesn’t suit her at all. She prefers to retire to the kitchen, where it’s quiet and stay there for a whole day, rather than going out into the garden with the others.

Theo is happy to see me whenever I go to the shelter, I can see that. I think she knows how much I love her and that, even if she’s in a bad mood, I understand. Now that I know her limits and I respect that, she feels more comfortable with me than before and is now willingly giving me the love I wanted so badly from her at the beginning, when I didn’t know her that well. Problem is that now I also know that Theo needs to go home, she must. In time, she will just lose herself in the shelter, she will get sadder and sadder as months and years go by and that spark which now burns inside of her will slowly fade. I am almost convinced that rescuing her is not finished yet, it is not enough that she is safe with us. For Theo, the true rescuer will be that person who will adopt her and give her the life she is meant to live: one filled with love, understanding, peace and quiet, a life where she can be herself and have her “bad” days without being scolded for it but understood and loved even more for being the kitty she is. If I myself could adopt her, there isn’t a thing I’d change about Theo, none. She is just perfect the way she is!