Goldie in from the cold and enjoying a peaceful nap on the couch this afternoon.
Relaxing at the computer, enjoying an original composition Cat Day by his new buddy CheapRobot.
Goldie last summer standing beside the chalk art he inspired by next door neighbor Meghan.
When he was homeless and without a name living outside of Terrace Tower in East Cleveland, Ohio. Gary took this picture of him from our 12th floor apartment.
It was 2007 when he showed up outside the main entrance of Terrace Tower in East Cleveland. I think it was Spring. Some residents petted him, some fed him, others kicked him. He looked like he was between one and two years old, very healthy and smart. We think someone dropped him off; abandoned him.
At night, he slept outside the door. If it was chilly during the day he liked to sun himself on top of the transformer beside the building.
He was a friendly little guy too; still is once he knows you and feels safe being near you.
Soon, a very young little female cat joined him. Called "Princess" by her owner, she had to be put outside because the owner didn't have the money for a pet deposit. It was obvious that someone abused her. She didn't like men and to be touched; she would scratch and bite anyone who tried. Her so-called responsible owner put a carrier outside for her; some filthy junk that looked like it was dug up out of a dirt pile. Several days later, it was thrown in the dumpster.
Because these two were together, Gary decided to name them. The male cat finally got a name - "Goldie" and Gary started calling her "Hawn". How clever!
Some of the residents fed them but didn't clean up the empty cans or whatever packaging the food was in. Some days no one fed them and on the brutally cold days and nights, often what was left out for them was frozen. I made sure they were fed several times daily, more often in the winter.
When the elevators didn't work, I wrapped their food in foil packets and we dropped their meals to them. The impact of hitting the pavement would loosen the packets so the cats could open them and eat. They got used to the air drops so all I had to do was call them and they would be under the window looking up; waiting for their meals.
During the summer of 2007, Gary managed to find us a truck for $500.00. Every day I went out Goldie would walk me from the door to the truck and, when I returned, he would come out of nowhere and escort me back to the building. I called him my Guardian Angel.
Months later, after she was put outside, Hawn would sometimes join him. If I had purchased cat food, I could feed them near the truck.
Management didn't want the cats around the building due to all the litter left behind from the residents who fed them. Attempts were made to discourage feeding them.
Once I got my Social Security disability approved and started the negotiations to get our house, Gary and I wanted to bring them with us. We made sure they were fed; we wanted to make sure they would still be around when we were ready to leave.
I made my offer for the house in October 2007. Due to numerous complications, the deal wasn't finalized until March of 2008.
Finally, we could give Goldie and Hawn a real home.
It was April when we got the Penske truck and were ready to roll. Goldie was going to ride with Gary and his friend Alan in our truck. He willingly came to Gary. Hawn scratched the hell out of me and everyone who tried to touch her. We tried to bring her several times; even when we returned to East Cleveland for doctor appointments. She cut us both up.
Our truck broke a wheel axle and couldn't make the trip. My friend Dee and I proceeded southeast to Toronto where we unloaded the truck with the help of Gary's two sons Bo and Keith and one of Bo's friends.
I returned to East Cleveland to find Gary and Goldie laying in bed. Goldie lived with us in the small efficiency apartment until we made our final move once our truck was fixed.
A week later, we made the final move and Goldie walked into the house and made himself comfortable immediately.
He no longer has to endure the brutal lake effect snow storms coming off of Lake Erie. He often doesn't want to go out in the rain and snow. He is quick to come inside when the weather is bad. He has many comfortable and safe places to sleep, good healthy food to eat, clean water to drink, grooming and health care.
Goldie reigns supreme here; HE TOTALLY RULES and we are so glad he chose us to be his mommy and daddy.
Awww... What a lucky cat! Looks like he's gone "from homeless to house-cat." ;)
ReplyDeleteGoldie has me trained quite well. He hasn't lost his 'street sense' though - he kicks major cat ass of any who come onto the property. He's a blur & more dangerous than Iron Mike. But he is a smart and good boy.
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