Lacy's story is perhaps one of the saddest we've come across, made even sadder for those of us at RESCUE because we placed her in her first home back in 1996. In October of 1996, Lacy was adopted as a nine week old kitten. She was returned to us this year. Her adopter said that she was "a burden". We were of course thinking there was a horrible health or behavioral issue. When we asked the adopter what made Lacy a burden, here was her reply: "I recently remarried. We have other pets. We cannot have this many pets. Cleaning three litterboxes is just a hassle! It's not worth it." We never did ask the adopter why Lacy was the one forced to leave the home. To make matters even worse, Lacy didn't adjust immediately to life in our Feline Care Center. She was so upset at being there that we couldn't even touch her, remove her litterbox to be cleaned or replinish her food and water. We called the adopter to learn more about her personality in their home. The adopter said she had the sweetest temperament at home and then called us back an hour later offering to come pick her up. Had the adopter seen the light? Did the adopter now realize the pain they were putting this poor girl through and would she love and cherish Lacy for the rest of her life? Hardly. "We'll come pick her up," the adopter stated. And then she continued: "We feel just awful that she is now such a burden to you. We'll take her to our vet and have her euthanized." Oh, my! Needless to say, we declined her offer opting instead to work with this troubled, sad girl. While her return circumstances are so very sad, it has been a great joy to see her loving personality emerge and watch her once again come to trust people and seek out attention and affection.
Poor Lacy was pretty confused and upset for awhile...adopted when she was just 9 weeks old, her adopters returned her after 9 years saying they had too many animals, Lacy was a burden, and just "not worth it". Sad and overwhelmed, it took Lacy quite some time to understand that she was now among people who loved her and indeed found her to be "worth their while".
With lots of TLC from our volunteers, Lacy has become quite the diva kitty that seems to be well aware of what a treasure she truly is! Lacy enjoys attention from her people but also enjoys her independence as well. Lacy greets you with purrs, gentle head butts, and leg rubs. She happily accepts petting and chin scratches before she is ready to busy herself with some of her favorite activities. Some favorite activities include watching over her universe from the highest perch of her kitty condo, eating a good bowl of wet food, and downing some yummy treats. Her most favorite activity though, paws down? Playing.
Lacy likes to chase laser beam lights and foil balls. She'll also entertain herself by tossing around furry fake mice and subsequently trying to catch them. The absolute best way to play with her though is by taunting her with a feather wand, swizzle wand, or a toy mouse attached to the end of a wand. She LOVES to stalk and then WHAMMO - POUNCE!! If you make any of these wand toys slither out of view behind a corner or door, Lacy's eyes grow wide, she flattens her ears, lifts one of her paws, wiggles her butt, and blasts around the corner after it!! Now, what is even funnier is once she reaches the wand, she'll stop, smack it, and run (paws skidding) back around the corner to get into stalking position and repeat the whole thing over again! It is just hilarious to watch; you can't help but laugh! If you happen to be using the wand with the toy mouse attached to it, she'll capture it and then bunny kick it with her hind legs. If you make the wand toy go up and down the wall, Lacy will stand on her hind legs frantically trying to get that toy under her control!
As much as she loves to play, there is a point where she can get so excited - or over stimulated - that she needs to take a break to calm down. It is the same thing when she receives petting - she gets to a point where she needs a break. Once you get to know Lacy, it is very easy to read her and to realize when she needs a break. Our Lacy would do best in a home where she's given some time to adjust to her new surroundings. Since there are times Lacy enjoys attention and other times when she enjoys her independence, her new family will need to respect that...it doesn't take long to understand what Lacy wants! Lacy would be fine as your one and only cherished feline or could adjust to another friendly, mellow, independent kitty. Our volunteers have done a great job making Lacy feel like a valued, and loved kitty; however, what Lacy really needs to heal her heart is a home of her own with a person or family that will open their hearts to her and let her know that she will be a cherished member of their family forever.
To watch a video of Lacy - http://www.new.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1030397122635
