Okay, okay … I give in!
Azar is becoming more and more demanding every day. Ever since Sunny died in November he has been extra needy and wanting constant attention, even coming up with new games so that Nog & I will play with him. Except we can’t play with him 24/7 (though his daily snibble count has gone up considerably). And so I have decided that the time has come to be more than “cautiously optimistic” and look for a wee companion for Azar…
It does really feel like it’s for him. I still find myself crying over Sunny and have no real personal need to have another cat at this time. Plus there are my health issues to consider. But Azar is breaking my heart. He is clearly lonely and out of sorts, having never been the only cat in the house before. Sometimes he wanders from room to room meowing, like he’s looking for Sunny and can’t understand why he’s not there anymore. And, as I say, as much as I love cuddling and playing with Azar, I can’t do this all day long. So this new kitten will be for him.
I want to get a little one because I don’t want there to be any problems with the two of them getting along, and I know from past experience that Azar adores kittens. And this way Azar can be “big brother”, like Sunny was with him when he first came to live with us.
Anyhow, I have never gone shopping for a cat before – cats have always just kind of happened to me. So last night I asked on Twitter if anyone had a kitten that needed adopting, and got one reply (still waiting to see if the kitten is available). And then this morning I came across Defensa Felina, which is an organisation that takes in stray, lost, injured or sick cats, and then tries to find homes for them. The cats come with a guarantee that they have been “de-bugged” (both external & internal parasites), and have been given their first vaccinations. They have also been tested for feline leukemia and have a chip inserted. And all cats “of age” have been neutered. For this they charge 60€ and you must sign a contract agreeing to maintain the cat in a loving environment, to never abandon it or give it away, and in the case of small kittens, to have then neutered after they are six months old.
At first I balked at the price until I realised that any cat I took in from the street would cost more than that in initial vet check-up bills, and there would always be the risk that it might be carrying something contagious that could hurt Azar. And so I am thinking about doing this soon (as long as they accept credit cards – though if anyone out there would like to adopt a kitteh for Azar, that would be great). Who knows, Azar could have a new little buddy by tomorrow. Eep!
Defensa Felina Website
Defensa Felina Blog
[warning: the above websites contain seriously cute photos]
casa azahar 
Oh, how exciting! This sounds like a great plan to me. I can’t wait for updates (and photos!).
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Yeah, I reckon there might be a photo or two… 😉
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Aww… cute overload 😀
az, you should know better than directing me to a cat rescue site
*dq repeats mantra imprinted on her by offspring: “I don’t want any more cats. There are already enough cats in the Lair” “I don’t want any more cats. There are already enough cats in the Lair” “I don’t want any more cats. There are already enough cats in the Lair” …*
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Oh, this is a great idea. Rescue organizations like this one are great ways to adopt pets because there are so many needy animals out there, and most rescue organizations are really overwhelmed and need people to adopt. The fact that you’ll get a vaccinated and even possibly fixed kitteh is a bonus, even if there is a fee – way less hassle for you. Poor Azar! I’m not surprised he’s lonely and out of sorts! This will be great for him, too, I just know it. Looking forward to pictures and updates!
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I am already picturing the “Azar audition” for the new one.
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Heh, maybe he’ll do his death-defying back of the sofa walk. 🙂
So how does it feel to be a godmother? (goddessmother? codmother?)
Thanks again, honey!
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Cod! Yes, I like that! Give them cod for a get-acquainted supper!
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Well, they are very thorough. They sent me 15 or so photos to look at and tomorrow someone is coming over to interview me and check out the premises. Apparently they also come over to see how the cat is doing after it’s been living with you for awhile. They say they would even like you to send them update pics from time to time. And they are very clear about giving the cat back to them if for some reason I can’t keep it. Which, all things considered, is actually a bit of a comfort to know.
So it’ll probably be a couple of days before I get around to meeting any of the cats “in person”. Some of them are in foster homes, so it might mean a bit of travelling around.
Getting all impatient now. Now that the decision has been made it’s hard waiting.
And thanks to Sled, Azar’s new buddy is “half-way” there… or here. Yay! 🙂
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So what do you think? I’m rather fond of Sofia, though she’s now 5 months old and quite a bit bigger…
Cachorros
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Oh, I’m partial to Cielo y Susi, but since you only want one Sofia is very very special. I love that yin/yang face she has.
The opportunity to view pictures of a cute kitten that your decision is affording me in the future has me all agog.
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Cielo is also one of my favourites, but by now she’s about seven months old. Well, who knows, I may end up with an older cat. Or perhaps Abril…?
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It’s official. Sledpress is the madrina of Azar’s new kitten, and Archie is the padrino.
Thanks guys! That is one lucky cat to have such an illustrious pair as his/her benefactors.
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what a lovely idea – and how completely fantastic of Sledpress and Archie to make it possible 🙂
Looking at that website just makes me want a pet, though… or in fact, to adopt all of them. Which would be foolhardy given that I’m not allowed pets in my (rented) flat, and that I’m only at home in the evenings. So, I will just have to live vicariously through Azar’s kitten!
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OMG! How can you choose!????
I wish I understood Spanish. I want to read all the bios.
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What are “tutelados” and “non tutelados”?
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I believe that means supported by Defensa Felina or not, with the “health guarantee” and follow-up visits.
Some of those bios are truly heartbreaking. Even though they all have a happy ending it’s sad reading about the conditions in which some of these cats were found. I wonder what would happen if you fed the bios into google translator?
Heh, I just realised last night before going to bed that the kitteh pic I found for this post actually looks like a “defense line” of kittehs, so now I chuckle every time I see the pic and the title.
Interview coming up this afternoon. Must remember to change the sand in the litter box and water the cat grass…
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The interview went well and Azar totally charmed the heckity out of the woman who came over. As the cat refuge is outside Seville they are going to try and arrange for a volunteer to pick me up tomorrow morning … getting excited now!
A lot of the pics shown on the website are cats staying at foster homes or else those submitted by people who have cats they’ve found and cannot keep. Apparently there are a lot more at the refuge, including Sofia.
They don’t do the vaccinations, etc until you choose a cat, so even if I decide on a cat tomorrow I probably won’t be able to take it home until Friday or Saturday.
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Azar charms the heckity out of everyone, and he’ll probably do it to the new kitteh, too. I’m actually rather looking forward to it. It’s going to be cute overload city at casa az.
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