Sometimes the best things happen by surprise. Like making a friend in an unexpected place. That’s what happened to Minnie Mouse and Tiger at the APL.
Early in March 2016, a Good Samaritan brought in a small, mostly white stray kitten. Minnie Mouse, as she was named, was underweight and had little energy. With medical care and good food, her condition began to improve.
Later that month, Tiger was surrendered to the APL. Unlike Minnie Mouse, Tiger was a large, adult cat. The apricot tabby was seriously ill and barely moving. The APL veterinary staff found that he had a life-threatening urethral obstruction. Tiger had emergency surgery just in time, and was placed on a special diet. He, too, began to improve.
Tiger and Minnie went home with an APL foster care volunteer to get some extra attention and love. Though a bit uncertain at first, in foster care the two bonded and became best friends.
The feline duo eventually returned to the APL to find their “furever” homes. Barbara’s daughter was an intern in the APL’s veterinary clinic, and she told Barbara the tales of Minnie Mouse and Tiger, how Minnie had grown, how Tiger was the darling of the department, with his very loud “MEOWWW,” and how the two had bonded in their foster home. When they became available for adoption, Barbara was interested in both of them. But, she couldn’t make it to the shelter that day, and the pair was adopted by someone else.
A couple of weeks later, Barbara went to the APL to look at cats. She couldn’t believe her eyes: Minnie Mouse and Tiger were back! Their previous adoption hadn’t worked out, and they had returned to the shelter that day. Fortunately, the two friends remained together, and were ready to try again. Barbara adopted them at once.
The two have thrived in their furever home. Minnie now weighs seven pounds, and is healthy and active. She “hunts” loom-made pot holders Barb made as a child, tossing them up in the air, then parking her “treasures” in her favorite spots (Barb once found five right by her pillow!). And Tiger is still Minnie’s big brother and protector. He knows how to “go find Minnie” and gently herd her back to Barb. He never has to look for her, though, when Barb asks who wants to play “sheets;” when they hear her announce one of their favorite games, they both come running. Making the bed, Barb billows the sheets up and over them, and they stake out spots on top of and under the sheets. They then “attack” each other from their hiding places in the linens!
On the day Minnie and Tiger were adopted, a member of the APL staff told everyone that these cats were going to a good home. Truer words were never spoken. Thank you, Barbara, for giving this lovable duo the best Happily-Ever-After - together.
Information about the Cleveland APL
To meet the adoptable animals at the Cleveland APL, visit our adoption center in Tremont at 1729 Willey Avenue in Cleveland or our PetSmart Charities® Everyday Adoption Center in the Parma PetSmart® store at 6870 Ridge Road. To view all of the animals who are waiting for loving homes online or on your mobile device, visit
www.ClevelandAPL.org or download our free adoptions app on your iOS or Android device.
Our Facebook page is called “Cleveland Animal Protective League”. Here is the link to it for your reference:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cleveland-Animal-Protective-League/29396512928
Our Twitter handle is @Cleveland APL. Here is a link:
https://twitter.com/ClevelandAPL
Carmen
Cleveland Animal Protective League