Henry, a nine-year-old tabby patch longhair, joined us today from the humane society. Here he is resting up from his long day of being
discussed, shaved, shampooed, purchased, inoculated, tested, examined
and transported. He looks plain brown here, but he has a nice white bib
and white paws, and his tabby fur, when it grows back, will have a warm
orange undertone to it.

Henry was given up for adoption sometime in January because his elderly
owner had to go to a nursing home. He had a sister, Missy, who was
adopted separately by some heartless person, and he’d been languishing
in a little melamine cage for about six weeks by the time we came upon
him yesterday. Nor has that been the only trial he’s endured in his
life. He is completely declawed – even the back claws, for heaven’s
sake! – and he weighs over 18 lbs. He is actually difficult to pick up
and carry.

Dave’s never owned a cat, but I’ve been looking forward to having a pet
again, so we decided that this was our opportunity to be good
Samaritans. Henry is a patient, uncomplaining creature who will make a
great first cat for Dave, since he will not be climbing the blinds or
clawing the furniture. We’ll help him to lose some weight and get a bit
more exercise. I hope he will find it easy to forget the rough ride
he’s had in 2009 so far.