Ava and Bob came in to my life in 2016 while volunteering at the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk ME. My time at the shelter involved Reiki and Animal Communication to support, enrich and help the animals (some with special needs) to find their forever homes. Read more about the program here
These stunning pure white cats were 8 years old and full brother and sister, rescued from a hoarding situation. After countless adoptions they were being returned due to their unwillingness to use a litter box. The shelter tried many options to test out the litter, box size, location and more. I did multiple communications with them and loved their wisdom that was shared, and their openness that they just didn’t understand the concept of a litter box, it had never been an option and they didn’t ‘get it’! After continually being unsuccessful at finding a resolution and knowing I was becoming quite fond of these cats, the shelter asked if I would take them home to see if I could figure it out. Then the Shelter would know what criteria a potential adopter would need to have for them. Bob and Ava spent a few weeks at my house and began to integrate beautifully into a tribe of 3 dogs and 2 horses. They interacted with friends and with students who took classes at the house. Needless to say, I decided to keep them and give them the best life possible. The outside doors were always open and they could wander in and out, while I could get to know their behavior and noticed slowly their habits began to change. We didn’t fully resolve the issue, but it was enough for them to remain in our home. Bob was more elusive, Ava loved interacting with people during classes and visits, she also loved to spend time at the barn with Echoe and Sunshine.
Bob transitioned peacefully in 2019 while we were traveling in Aiken SC and is buried on a friend’s farm there. Ava returned to NH and has been living at another friend’s horse farm ever since. She is a content outdoor barn cat and loves to interact with her new family and takes early morning walks in the woods with them too. She visits the neighbors and has found herself a lovely life. I miss them both and the amazing time we had together. I do get to visit Ava, although these days she too is quite elusive 🙂
2023 UPDATE: Ava found her lifestyle and excelled at the farm. Her enjoyment of being outside, living in the barn, and following Brendan on his early morning walks was all very fulfilling. She would wander over to the neighbors house occasionally, and spend time with Jenny during barn chores in the barn. After her short life on the road, and the loss of her brother, this was the best possible outcome for her. All the toileting issues were resolved because she had chosen to live outside. Over the past couple of years, she had some physical issues where she had hurt herself, Jenny and Brendan would call to update me and share their intuitive feel on the situation. Her care was second to none after landing at their home. In October 2023 I went to visit and it was the first time that Ava chose to spend time with me and sit in my lap. This felt very much like she was saying goodbye and that she was in process of transition. My love, honor and respect for her in the life she had once she was adopted from the shelter, and how she transformed into an amazing cat who interacted with people, client’s and the workshops at my home in Milton NH.
I received a message from Brendan a few weeks later, that Ava was found in the barn, transitioned, curled up and at peace. I am so grateful that we had the time we did together and so blessed that Jenny and Brendan were willing to take her on when I was traveling and couldn’t give her a safe place to live while I was on the road.