Most people do not realize that feral cats are starving; not only for food but also for love and a family.
Our friend, Carol, in Israel, was feeding a wonderful feral cat, Hamoodie, but life is difficult for homeless felines. One day she discovered him dead: either killed by an animal, traffic or by eating a poisoned rodent.
Very soon after, another stray cat, Maple, arrived at her outside cat food dish. The ginger-colored cat has a clipped ear indicating that he is part of the trap, neuter and release (TNR) program, whose goal is stopping feline colonies from exploding in numbers.
One never knows how wild a stray is. Do they bite and scratch? Maple had been chowing down at Carol's for a few weeks, when he shocked her by jumping up on her lap while she was outside daydreaming and sipping coffee. She feared the worst, but was startled to learn that the cat was not dangerous. Instead, the opposite! This feline demanded affection!
"I was lost in thought and not in a good mood," said Carol. "When Maple jumped in my lap he insisted on being petted. He bumped his head under my chin and then lay on my stomach. All the nervousness and sadness evaporated from my body. It was an incredible feeling."
After the cat had officially completed his healing and adoption ceremony with Carol, he was aware that part of the deal involved a new brother -- a Husky German Shepherd mix, named Boodi. Maple wandered inside his new home for a look around. Boodi inexplicably did not mind the cat. Maybe because both were rescues, they called a truce, understanding the importance of a safe home with a full food dish.
"I have never experienced such a demanding cat," declared Carol. "You would assume that a feral would crave food but this one craves affection and attention. He's a love bug and thinks that I should spend my entire day petting him."
It rained that first night, so Maple slept with Carol.
"He laid near my head and held onto me," said Carol. "He is so attached to us and usually sits with me, on me, or steals my chair for a restful cat nap."
Shiver me timbers, she was not ready for what happened next! He was sitting behind her on "their" computer chair and without an "Ahoy Matey" meow he leaped up onto her shoulder like a huge furry parrot!
"I let him sit there for a few minutes because I was laughing too hard to take him down," admitted Carol. "Blimey! My kitty-parrot was heavy! He was balancing like a tightrope walker whilst lovingly giving me head-butts and twisting his tail around my head as his starved soul demanded attention."
A few days later, Carol's four-year-old neighbor came to borrow eggs. The child saw Maple and asked, "Why is my cat in your house?" Apparently, the furry pirate had been mooching from her family too! Carol feels like the lucky one because Maple stole her heart and bunks down at her quarters!
