Dwight and Lorenzo - kittens - approximately 11 months as of 5/20
Dwight - short-hair male Tuxedo; Lorenzo-long-haired - male - Himalayan - cream colored.
It would be a wonderful outcome if Dwight and his beloved Lorenzo could be adopted together. That they are adoptable at all is a triumph of love and optimism, as there was a time when we despaired of ever making sense of having rescued these two tiny kittens.
Back story: Dwight, named for the character on "The Office", and Lorenzo, were abandoned at a trailer in West Virginia. Barely 8 weeks old, the two of them alternated between hurtling into the open and advertising their desperate need for help, then running for their lives. By the time they were physically rescued, we were already quite exhausted.
Even when they were tiny, both Dwight and Lorenzo harbored - one might even say, deliberately cultivated - doubt and mistrust. While the other kittens we rescued from the trailer - 5 in all - wised up, developed appealing ways, and got adopted, Dwight and Lorenzo systematically frightened all the kitten-loving potential adopters who came to meet them - Dwight with his terrible threats and hissing and spitting, and Lorenzo with his cold and haughty look of disdain.
We tried to explain to both kittens that their chances for living in a real home rather than an abandoned trailer were diminishing, along with their tiny kitten cuteness. They are now in that leggy, long and slender stage of growth - still obviously kittens, but no longer rounded and inspiring of key marketing words like "tummy" and "roly-poly".
However, they are, for the right adopter(s), two of the most endearing creatures you could ever invite into your household. Lorenzo, for all his austerity, is so open in his love of Dwight that we are able to see his courage and vulnerability more clearly than if he were actually kind to us. And he has softened each day in his eye contact and his engagement, a clear sign of promise. His ears are always up, and his former icy stare has been replaced by an expression of hopeful caution.
Instead of his old poker face, Lorenzo's exquisite visage is one on which can be read a variety of positive qualities - chief among them are curiousity, and his absolute devotion to Dwight, whom he envelopes in bear hugs and cleans diligently.
Dwight for his part is one of the funniest guys going. His expression is also changing; Dwight's glaring scowl used to serve as backdrop to spitting out cat imprecations whenever anyone looked at him. It was hard to get anyone to look past this trait to see the inner Dwight.
Now we can point proudly to the fact that Dwight has matured into a fellow whose expression is comical and open, and if he is still a little reactive to fear, it is running a strong second to his love of being petted and held. Occasionally the two impulses are neck to neck, and he will alternately spit and purr in anticipation of being held. He shows off for his friend Lorenzo in ways that are boyishly innocent and earnest.
Both kittens are capable of falling asleep in your arms, purring and utterly giving way to being cuddled and coddled. They need only a bit more time to master their acceptance of the approach of humans. This consternation is understandable if you could see the conditions from which they came, and if the other kittens from their litters overcame fear more quickly, it is possible that Dwight and Lorenzo were just more sensitive, or that they matured less quickly than their surviving siblings.
For obvious reasons, we would like to see Dwight and Lorenzo go to an adult home where they would remain indoor cats in a supportive, protective environment. It would bless these two kittens, and we promise that it will bring untold joy and laughter to your life.
For those cat lovers who wonder what became of Dwight and Lorenzo's mothers, fathers, etc? That is a commendable interest. We have systematically trapped, spayed/neutered, tested, and vaccinated the young adults who were also abandoned. We feed them daily, and have now coaxed them from the abandoned trailer to the barn on our property. Interestingly, Dwight's mother, and a calico whom we do not believe to be related to any of the kittens, are rapidly revealing that they are eager to be picked up, held and petted, and our intention is to bring them in as soon as possible so they too can be adopted before winter sets in.
Update
Hope springs eternal, and so our update on Dwight and Lorenzo is presented herewith in the fervent hope that its depiction may take aim and find its mark in the heart of a loving adopter.
Obviously bigger and now neutered, Dwight and Lorenzo remain as innocently and naively themselves as they were as kittens. They have known only love and care, and within its safe construct, they conduct their days in happy friendship and devotion, long legs spilling over the edges of their hammock, making toys out of any odd piece of refuse that has fallen to the floor, chirping with great interest over things that are new. They are shy when meeting new people and continue to give unpleasant and, for the most part, inaccurate impressions of themselves.
Truth be known, Dwight and Lorenzo would make wonderful, endearing and loving companions for an individual who would take pleasure in offering them gentle and unhurried friendship. For our part, we would pledge to offer unlimited support and partnership to the adopter who would surely find, in the fullness of time, the same delight and joy which we take in these special kittens.
Some facts about Dwight and Lorenzo:
* They are impeccable in using their litter box.
* They are healthy and up to date on all vaccines, wormed, and Fe-leuk and FIV negative.
* They purr madly when being petted.
* They have never scratched nor bitten us, although they have perfected some rather off-putting behaviors when they are afraid. Dwight still spits and hisses. Lorenzo rarely lays down his ears, although his blue eyes can occasionally glint with false ferocity.They are able to relax and revel in being held, but this capacity is still being perfected.
* They are both very handsome.
* Excellent eaters, they enjoy food of all types heartily.
* They are comfortable around other cats, and dogs, although they have not been mainstreamed in their foster home. In other words, with patient support, they would adjust well to a new environment.
Please take a moment to consider these two cats on whom your imprint and effort could comprise such a significant and meaningful portion of the next update on Dwight and Lorenzo.
The adoption fee for cats is $125.00.
click here to send a non-binding application
