Case Studies

Aug 31 2009 7:56AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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By Bruce Case

Picking is almost impossible because they are all so cute and playful ... and the few that aren't tug at my heart strings because I want to give them the love and attention they deserve.  It took us about two hours but we found the one we would adopt.  A bright eyed, gently playful little girl we would call Rosabelle (we are, technically, below the Mason Dixon line).

The only other male in our home was Bogart; our 18 year old cat that was cantankerous at first blush yet loyal and loving once you knew him.  After sending Bogart to "cat heaven to eat 'mice cream' " (as quoted from my daughter), we decided to adopt a new cat from the Arlington Humane Society. I had lobbied for weeks (and I am proud to say – successfully) that the cat had to be a boy because I am not secure enough to be surrounded by females (wife, daughter, female dog).  But once we met Rosabelle all bets were off and I am now the last bastion of the male perspective on the home front.

I often wonder what Rosabelle's take on all this is.  Not about me being the last bastion of the male perspective (that’s my axe to grind and only mine ... ).  It is amazing how quickly she has adapted to her new home.  Going from a 2x2 cage to a house to roam would seem glorious on paper but scary and overwhelming in practice.  She now has a 70 pound Golden Retriever to contend with that would love nothing more than to play tackle football with her.   And to top if all off – my daughter has already threatened the "let’s dress her up in my baby doll clothes!"  Yet Rosabelle has explored every corner of our first floor (she’s too small to make the steps for now), hasn't hesitated to hiss at the dog, loves to play and hasn’t brought out her claws even once.  I can't help but think it's her perspective; her upbringing that has effected her transition and her demeanor.

As a newborn, she was picked up by the Humane Society as a stray.  Her first four months of life (until our adoption) were spent in a 2x2 cage with hundreds of other animals – constantly "on display" for visitors looking to adopt.  She was in and out of the vets several times with infections, eating troubles and other various and sundry challenges.  When we took her home, she was still on antibiotics from her last illness.  I’d like to think that she feels our love and caring for her. I’d like to think that she appreciates that someone is giving her the chance she deserves.

I am already learning a lot from this little kitty named Rosabelle.  How simple it can be to adapt and see the positive in change – yet we often make it complicated and emotional.  That I can survive (at least so far) as the only male in our house.  That diversity of perspective should be celebrated because it shapes our view of the present and of the future.   

Unless, of course, you are a Dallas Cowboys fan – there is absolutely and positively no excuse for that ...