Fri 6 Jun 2008
Traditional Friday Cat Blogging: Miss Caitie
The top photo below was taken more than 10 years ago, but it’s never been published until now. Here’s the story: Not long after we adopted Caitie, the organization that rescued her brought in a professional photographer for a fund-raiser. Like school photos, the initial one costs just a few dollars, but the rest of the package can really add up. But it was for a good cause, so we thought we’d take advantage of it.
The photographer was set up in a trailer in the parking lot of a KMart. Pat and I took Caitie there after work and after dark. Lorraine, the leader of the rescue organization, saw us and talked to us in the lot while we waited for our turn, and she was very happy to see the calico she herself had fostered.
When we got inside the trailer, Caitie hung back in the rear of the carrier, so I had to reach in and drag her out. The photographer instructed me where to place her, but Caitie jumped down and slunk back toward the carrier.
“Pick her up and put her back on the bench,” the photographer said impatiently, in a tone of voice that implied the word “Dummy” at the end of every sentence.
I set Caitie back before the camera, and the result is what you see here: A frightened cat who had been put in a carrier and taken to a dark place where she could hear the voice of a human she likely recognized. Pat said later that it would be understandable if Caitie felt we were going to give her back.
No, we weren’t going to give back this little lady cat. And we didn’t buy any of the photos except this one.
It took a few years, but she grew to trust us, and we haven’t seen that kind of fear
since. Here’s a picture that was taken May 15 of this year:
Hey, it’s Friday! Time for more catly goodness:
Board the Friday Ark at The Modulator (submit your post here)
Weekend Cat Blogging by Sher at What Did You Eat
(see the weeks host to enter your WCB post in the comments for the weekend roundup)
Bad Kitty Cats Festival of Chaos is at TBA
(submit your post here)
The Carnival of the Cats at Pet & the Bengal Brats
at Pet’s Garden Blog Sunday Evening
(submit your post here)
William said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 0:14
Poor little Caitie! I bet she was very scared that she was going to lose her home. Clearly she wouldn’t have that fear now!
Miz UV said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 1:27
What a sweetheart! She’s lucky to have found such a good home.
Lux said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 1:47
She just didn’t understand what was going on in that first picture. Now she understands perfectly - she’s loved!
Gandalf & Grayson said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 7:28
Caitie is still as gorgeous as she was that day, but thankfully has gotten use to being loved and content! Wonderful!!
The Meezers said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 8:25
oh poor Caitie. we is so glad you are not so scairt anymore. you’re very beautiful!
Modulator said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 8:46
Friday Ark #194…
We’ll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals (photoshops at our discretion and humans only in supporting roles). Watch the Exception category for rocks, beer, coffee cups, and….? Visit all the …
Casey said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 9:59
Oh Caitie! I know just how you must have felt….I was always fearful that I would be abandoned by my mommy and daddy, b/c the previous mommy and daddy (whoever they were) had abandoned me.
I’m glad that you are scared and are more trusting. So am I!! It’s such a wonderful feeling.
You do look very beautiful in both pictures! But I don’t think I like that professional photographer very much….
Hope you have a great weekend!
Eric and Flynn said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 10:57
Oh poor Caitie. What a sad photo that first one is. She looks so relaxed and trusting now.
Cheysuli said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 11:17
Caitie cat I am so glad that you have such a wonderful second photo and is very happy.
Tybalt said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 12:19
Caitie is such a darling and lovely ladycat!
That first picture made my mommy want to reach in and snuggle and comofort her.
The Big Piney Woods Cats said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 12:32
Awwww….she found the best efurr furrever home! She is such a doll!
You asked if that was a dragon fly on the flower on our Friday Flower post. Momma says she thinks so. It was acting kind of funny, maybe sick.
Patches
SocraticGadfly said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 17:16
Or, instead of cats, you can have Friday SCATblogging – test your outdoor knowledge 22-point scat questionnaire.
Bonus Friday musical SCATblogging about scat singer Esperanza Spalding.
Zippy, Sadie and Speedy said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 22:08
Awe, poor Caitie, we don’t blame you fur being scared. It took all of us awhile to believe that every time we were put in a PTU and taken somewhere we weren’t going to be abandoned.
Angus said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 22:22
What a difference love and trust makes! I’m so glad Caitie has a loving home with you.
Derby said,
Fri 6 Jun 2008 at 22:28
Caitie does look a bit upset in the first picture, but I love the way her tail curls around her body and up on her side.
The second picture, she is her lovely natural self.
China Cat & Willow said,
Sat 7 Jun 2008 at 0:12
So glad that Caitie knows she is loved and in her forever home now! But what a lovely curl of the tail in that first picture (that’s how China Cat’s tail usually looks).
Dragonheart & Merlin said,
Sat 7 Jun 2008 at 4:20
Caitie, you are beautiful! You do look scared in that top photo. We are glad you have a wonderful Forever Home full of love.
Carnival of the Cats #221 — Carnival of the Cats said,
Mon 9 Jun 2008 at 10:37
[...] + Pat presents Traditional Friday Cat Blogging: Miss Caitie posted at It’s all Good., saying, "Celebrating Caitie’s 11th Gotcha Day all [...]