Minerva the Mama

Hi Jackie, I just wanted to give you another update on my sweet ones. Raqsi has continued to gain weight, and last Sunday was just over 8 lbs (she was under 6 when I brought her home, you guys couldn't get her to gain weight)! She clearly looks like a little toughie now, Dr. McAbee told me I needed to keep an eye on it because we don't want an obese cat, but she hasn't shown much change in these past couple of weeks so I think she's reaching a plateau. Laily, on the other hand, while she's put on a few ounces, still has that sleek supermodel look about her. Both girls are highly vocal, when I"m home, if they aren't parked on the couch with me, they are calling out to each other or me constantly! You can tell that Raqsi used to be a momma, she frequently gives Laily a bath, which Laily seems to enjoy . . . to a point. Then Raqsi decides to turn it into a rough game and then they start tumbling and rolling. They still chase each other up and down the stairs, and i"m glad for that because Raqsi needs all the exercise she can get! Laily is my constant shadow, almost directly underfoot. She still doesn't like to be picked up and held, but at least she lets me pick her up for maybe two seconds and then put her back down -- an improvement. SHe does, however, LOVE to snuggle either on top of me or next to me on the couch. Raqsi is a little more independent, she may find a warm spot near us. She does become much more chummy, however, if I"ve recently handled food! If I fall asleep on the couch, she is usually on my chest when I wake up. She must get there very gently because I never feel her settling on top of me. Laily seems to have recovered beautifully from all her tooth extractions. She has taken to wanting to chew and shred papery things, including the daily newspaper. I have tried to pass her the sports section, but she seems to prefer the editorials, go figure. My friend says she is trying to digest the information. Anyway, they are doing very well, and I'm so glad they are in my life. I still cannot believe that Laily spent so long at the shelter without any prospective adopters realizing how fantastic she is, but I think maybe she was a little intimidated by the hubbub of all the other cats and didn't display her best qualities to prospective parents. In our quiet home she seems in constant ecstacy. Raqsi also seems well adjusted, I'm sure if she could speak she'd tell you I don't feed her enough, but otherwise I think she has no complaints. ;-) I still think about the ones I left behind, and am so glad to see that Princess got adopted and that JackBlack has an adoption pending! I hope someone soon sees how great some of the others who impressed me are -- Vinnie and Salem in particular! Thank you again for all you do. Take care, Shauna