Kiki is also featured in the 2008 Calico Cats Picture Gallery.
Kiki was an abandoned kitten who had been living in my city neighborhood for a year. Neighbors put food and water out for her; but her wildness made it hard to get close to her. She bit, scratched and struggled if you managed to pick her up. She was very wild and a real rascal; although charming and beautiful. She was fast, zipping around everyones yards, hanging out in the tops of trees antagonizing squirrels, and often getting trapped inside folks cars, laundry rooms, utility sheds_as she would zip in without being seen.
She once spent the entire night in my car, to my great surprise in the morning.
One day, as my beautiful and beloved 22 year old calico cat, Camille, lay dying in my living room_ I opened the front door, and Kiki ran inside, touched noses with Camille, and ran back out. I wasn't planning to replace Camille, but I took this as a sign. After Camille passed; I rather reluctantly adopted Kiki. She was a real handful for almost 3 years. Smart, playful and loving_but wild. She remained high up on top shelves and cabinets and broke many of my treasured collectibles. She bit (although never breaking skin) and scratched and I had to warn visitors of the tiger living in my house. Vets dreaded seeing us coming and had big red warnings on her file.
All except one patient, gentle natured vet who advised me to talk softly and remain calm around her and that she would eventually come around. Although I considered on more than one occasion, out of total frustration, releasing Kiki back to the wild, this vets kindly advice remained with me.
Kiki is now a beloved, sweet, gentle, affectionate, well-behaved 5 year old indoor cat. She loves all visitors, sleeps on my pillow next to my head every night, and no longer breaks my toys as she much prefers playing with her own.
Kiki was definitely a semi-feral or reverted feral one year old cat when I adopted her. It took a good 3 years of loving, consistent patience, but she did come around and acclimate to indoor, domestic living. I named her Karma Kitty_for all the scrapes and adventures she survived. But, I call her Kiki, and I love her.
© Jodi from Berkeley
Who could resist Jodi's story about Kiki's brief interaction with Camille, and the sensitive and savvy vet who counselled Jodi during those first years? Kiki is a beautiful girl, and a wonderful example of the kind of cat love and patience can produce.
My cats of the week are selected from general photo submittals to other galleries.
Kiki was an abandoned kitten who had been living in my city neighborhood for a year. Neighbors put food and water out for her; but her wildness made it hard to get close to her. She bit, scratched and struggled if you managed to pick her up. She was very wild and a real rascal; although charming and beautiful. She was fast, zipping around everyones yards, hanging out in the tops of trees antagonizing squirrels, and often getting trapped inside folks cars, laundry rooms, utility sheds_as she would zip in without being seen.
She once spent the entire night in my car, to my great surprise in the morning.
One day, as my beautiful and beloved 22 year old calico cat, Camille, lay dying in my living room_ I opened the front door, and Kiki ran inside, touched noses with Camille, and ran back out. I wasn't planning to replace Camille, but I took this as a sign. After Camille passed; I rather reluctantly adopted Kiki. She was a real handful for almost 3 years. Smart, playful and loving_but wild. She remained high up on top shelves and cabinets and broke many of my treasured collectibles. She bit (although never breaking skin) and scratched and I had to warn visitors of the tiger living in my house. Vets dreaded seeing us coming and had big red warnings on her file.
All except one patient, gentle natured vet who advised me to talk softly and remain calm around her and that she would eventually come around. Although I considered on more than one occasion, out of total frustration, releasing Kiki back to the wild, this vets kindly advice remained with me.
Kiki is now a beloved, sweet, gentle, affectionate, well-behaved 5 year old indoor cat. She loves all visitors, sleeps on my pillow next to my head every night, and no longer breaks my toys as she much prefers playing with her own.
Kiki was definitely a semi-feral or reverted feral one year old cat when I adopted her. It took a good 3 years of loving, consistent patience, but she did come around and acclimate to indoor, domestic living. I named her Karma Kitty_for all the scrapes and adventures she survived. But, I call her Kiki, and I love her.
© Jodi from Berkeley
Who could resist Jodi's story about Kiki's brief interaction with Camille, and the sensitive and savvy vet who counselled Jodi during those first years? Kiki is a beautiful girl, and a wonderful example of the kind of cat love and patience can produce.
My cats of the week are selected from general photo submittals to other galleries.
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