Early this spring, a bone-thin, worn-out kitty wandered into the back yard of a home in Yonkers. He obviously needed a good meal, which the home’s kind owner was happy to provide. The cat wolfed down two cans of Friskies turkey and giblets, lay down on the patio, made a weak attempt to wash his paws, and went to sleep. He stayed the night and also stayed for breakfast the next morning. A canvass of the neighborhood turned up no family missing a cat, so another phone call to Just Strays--another foster cat.

Our vet said, “He’s in pretty good shape, except that he’s undernourished, filthy, and has worms.” No problem. Worming is an easy matter, and a good bath washed away the usual dust and dirt of life on the streets. Nourishing food and vitamins brought out a beautiful sheen to his marmalade-orange coat.

Franklin was adopted by a woman who wanted a quiet cat. Franklin seemed to fit the bill, but in his new home he began doing all the wonderful, inquisitive, active things that cats do. Sad to say, he was returned--abandoned again, so to speak. New priority. Find Franklin a home where this handsome cat will be appreciated and loved for his good looks and playful nature.

Just before this newsletter went to press, Nikki called me. An energetic couple who loved cats and had five of their own were shopping for food and supplies at “Pet Goods” on a day that Nikki and Vivien were holding one of our Adoption Days. The couple saw Franklin, and were mesmerized. “But we already have five” they said, looking back and forth at one another. “We better not.” They continued on their way, but kept returning to take just one more look at the gorgeous kitty they felt so drawn to. Nikki and Vivien could see the bonding beginning right then and there.

On the third return trip, the couple came up with the rationale they needed: “We don’t have an orange cat! Needless to say, Franklin is no longer for adoption. He is having a ball in his new home with Avril, Mike, and five feline friends who aren’t orange. Another happy ending.