Hi everybody. I’m back with another one of my friends from HART of Maine. Today I want you to meet Wilma, a sweet long-haired polydactyl tortie girl. She’s about six years old, and she’s been at the shelter since January of 2011 — that’s more than two years, poor thing!
And worse yet, when she came to the shelter her name was Trouble. What kind of a name is Trouble? What an awful thing — and a self-fulfilling prophesy, too. Humph!
Anyway, today Wilma’s getting her moment in the spotlight, thanks to yours truly. Hi, Wilma!
Wilma: Hi, Bella.
Bella: So, what’s up with you these days? Still trying to steal Linus’s food?
Wilma: Yeah, and what about it? I’m hungry and all he does is sit there.
Bella: Come on, Wilma, you know that’s not nice. Do you at least like Linus and the other sugar kitties?
Wilma: Honestly, I’d rather be an only cat or live with another cat that doesn’t mind me being the boss. I am, after all, the boss of my little fiefdom here at HART.
Bella: Oh, I suppose. So, Wilma, I know you’re diabetic. Do you still have to take insulin shots?
Wilma: Nope! No I don’t. I just have to eat my special food, classic style Fancy Feast pate. Fancy Feast does sound like an appropriate type of food for a fancy cat like myself, don’t you agree?
Bella: Oh, Wilma, all the diabetic kitties at HART eat Fancy Feast — even the ones that aren’t as fancy as you.
Wilma: You just had to say that, didn’t you?
Bella: So, Wilma, we know you’re not a huge fan of other cats. But is there a special kind of home you like?
Wilma: Well, I love, love, love people, and I’d love to be surrounded by people who want to pet me and love me, because I love to purr, too. I like to help with all the chores, and I can’t wait to help some wonderful human make their bed, fold the laundry, cook supper, wash the dishes … oh, and I like kids, too!
Bella: How’s your health other than the diabetes?
Wilma: Well, I just had a bunch of teeth removed because I developed stomatitis, a severe and very painful inflammation of the gums and mouth. But I feel a lot better now, and since I only eat soft food I don’t have to worry about whether or not I can chew.
Bella: And why do you walk around with your head tilted all the time? Is it just to be cute?
Wilma: I do have to admit it is kind of cute. But it’s not just an affectation — when I came to the shelter I had a really, really bad case of ear mites. The infection was so bad that it permanently affected my ear, and that’s why I always have a tilted head. Don’t worry, it doesn’t stop me from doing awesome cat things like jumping up and down and running and playing.
Bella: Aww, that’s too bad about the ear mites. They sure are awful, aren’t they? But I’m glad you’re doing so well. The only more awesome thing than good health would be a forever home, isn’t that right?
Wilma: Absolutely! I’d be so happy if somebody came in and wanted to give me a forever home. I really am an awesome cat, if I do say so myself.
Bella: If you’re interested in learning more about Wilma (formerly known as Trouble), visit HART’s website. If you’re super-interested, you can download and fill out an adoption application, too.
If you’re interested in adopting a diabetic kitty from HART, they’ve got lots and lots of perks for you: You’ll get $100 worth of Fancy Feast cat food, a year’s supply of insulin (if the kitty you adopt is insulin-dependent), a free blood glucose monitor and testing supplies, and free boarding for your diabetic kitty at HART if you need to go out of town. Oh, and a free class on how to do glucose tests and give insulin shots. Get in touch with one of HART’s adoption counselors for more information — call 207-829-4116 or e-mail info@hartofme.com.
JaneA Kelley is a punk rock cat mom and award-winning blogger. She is a regular columnist for Catster Magazine, and she and the Paws and Effect Gang share a home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Wilma, you are full of tortitude, aren’t you? You sound a lot like my roommate Binga! But we just let her THINK she’s boss, ya know? ;-)
Tee hee hee. Yeah, we never let the torties know that they’re not really the boss … not if we want to avoid a face full of claws, that is. :-)
I hope Wilma finds a home soon! Two years at the shelter, what a dear. I love torties, have one myself (and 10 others). They are very special!
Mama has a special place in her heart for tortie and calico cats, too. Her first cat teacher was a calico named Iris, and I’d say that between Iris and the cats that agreed to adopt Mama since then, that human is pretty well trained, all things considered.
Wilma, you sound like a great kitty for an older person, maybe one who lives in an apartment complex that allows only one animal. (Grandchildren or children could visit frequently). Kitties like you would do well with a person who has the time to make you their special baby. I just lost a 16 year old cat to a tragic accident, but he had most of his teeth removed due to stomatitis and also had severere arthritis. But he ate soft and hard food till that terible day over a week ago. People fawn over kittens but I personally love those kitties who are a bit or a lot older and not perfect (like all of us humans aren’t). I’m sure you would make a great best friend to someone and I wish you lots of luck.
Thanks, Anita. I’ll send your good wishes to Wilma. Mama loves her very much and is just shocked that she came to the shelter with the name Trouble. <3
I have had the pleasure of meeting the Wonderful Miss Wilma! She is a real sweetie. I can’t believe she was called Trouble. I think she is more of a Diva, LOL! Very sweet, fuzzy girl who was nice to me, even though she had never met me before! Like any Tortie, she lets you know where you stand, and if you are Human, you are OK in her book!
Purrr — yeah, you’ve got Wilma’s number, all right! Tee hee hee!