By Julee Russell 

We received this letter in the mailbag recently.
Dear “Paws to Consider,”
It’s been almost six months since we adopted that new, big guy, and I finally got my paws on the computer so I could let you know how it’s worked out having two cats in the family.
The night Mom brought him home, all I saw was this big black furry thing in the carrier before she put him in the bedroom and closed the door.  But I could smell fear while I crouched outside the door….imagine, twice my size and scared of little me!
After a few days, he came out from under the bed and started to eat, and I got a chance to see him through the doorway….
v-e-r-y handsome:  great fur, gorgeous eyes.  Mom sure knows how to pick them! But we didn’t rush into things.
After we’d had a few days of sniffing each other and batting paws under the closed door—and testing each other with a few hisses—Mom put us on a time share arrangement:  he got the basement while I had the rest of the house during the day…and then we’d switch at night.
Then one afternoon when I walked into the living room for my afternoon nap, there he was, on the back of the couch in the sun, looking out the window at the birds.  We had a little sniff and then settled in for a good snooze. Of course, there were a lot of adjustments still to be made—for example, the first few times we played tag and he caught me, he’d knock me off my feet (did I mention he’s twice my weight?).  But he’s learned to be gentle. And Mom has made some things easier: we each have our own food bowl and she added one more litter box—a jumbo plastic storage box big enough for him to turn around in—so we don’t have to share.
Another thing that helps us get along is the vertical space in the house:  I can relax in a high window sill, bookshelf, or my basket on top of the radiator, or leap gracefully to the top of the fridge; the big guy prefers his basket on the floor. I love to be up high—maybe Mom will buy me a cat tree someday!  Meanwhile, the top of the shower wall will do.
So it’s working out fine. I have company while the humans are at work, a buddy who will groom the hard to reach spots, a playmate who likes to play chase on the stairs and wrestle, and a partner when it’s time to stalk the toy mice or curl up on Mom’s lap for an evening nap. It was fine being an only cat, but I think two is better.
Sincerely,  Chatty Cat

Dog available for adoption:

Tally, or Sweet Pea, as her Foster Mom calls her, is a Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab cross approximately 3-4 years old.  She is extremely sweet natured and gentle with other dogs, especially small ones, and wonderful with children.  She loves all people, especially her foster dad and enjoys heading out into the fields and shelter belts with him.
She's well house trained, almost dainty and quiet.  She seldom barks except to alert us to someone arriving.  She's healthy and full of energy outdoors and can run like a deer. She comes when called and will sit and sometimes stay.  We highly recommend Sweet Pea as a family pet -- full to the brim with love to share.

For anyone interested in adoption or becoming a foster home, go to www.svfanimals.org or call 840-5047 for the forms. (Photos submitted)

Help control the pet population, remember to have your pet spayed or neutered.