Lenny-Happy Ending-Cat Adoption NYC

IN A YEAR OF LOSSES, ONE SWEET GAIN

I had some good reasons not to adopt Lenny. My orange tabby, Leo, had died suddenly a month earlier and a few days later, my 11-year-old collie-chow mix, Lady, had ended up at the Fifth Avenue Veterinary Hospital. Three days later, she came home with a diagnosis of severe hip displasia and probable Cushing’s disease. While Leo and Lady had never appeared to be close, the dog became depressed as she convalesced at home alone. I was so worried about losing her that I didn’t have time to grieve Leo.

The same week that both my vet and a neighbor suggested Lady needed a new companion, I began noticing a flyer in my vet’s office about a young cat that liked dogs and needed a home. I called the contact person, Emily, who told me Columbus had been adopted but sent me to KittyKind’s adoption center to meet another cat she had rescued that liked dogs. He and I didn’t “click” — plus he was mischievous and playful and would’ve been bored living with an aging dog. But, thanks to serendipity, that day I also met a year-and-a-half-old gray tabby named Lenny who went belly up and started “kneading” with his paws when I said “hello.” My heart did a flip-flop. KittyKind volunteers called the person who had rescued (and named) Lenny, and were told that he did, indeed, like dogs.

I decided to sleep on the decision to adopt. The next morning, I called Emily with all the reasons I couldn’t do it: I was up to my eyeballs in vet bills ;I hadn’t yet mourned Leo; and I hadn’t cleaned by apartment to make it welcoming for a new pet. “Alice,” Emily responded, “Lenny is living in a cage!” She said he’d be thrilled to have a home, plus I could foster him before making a final decision to adopt. That night, Lenny came to stay.

My dog, who is well known for her winning smile, had not smiled since her hospital stay, but since Lenny arrived, she hasn’t stopped. His attention and antics have made her thrive. My European friends marvel that a cat and dog can be friends. These two will eat out of the same bowl!

The human in the household has begun to smile again, too. As I grieved Leo, I came to understand that his sudden death, followed by Lady’s serious illness, had magnified my grief at losing two good friends earlier in the year. A wise friend pointed out that when the time comes for me to say good-bye to Lady, it will be Lenny who will get me through it. I believe that.

So, thank you, KittyKind. You may not realize it, but sometimes you save more lives than just those of the cats you rescue.

Alice G.