12/06/2026
Forever Home Friday 🐈⬛❤️
I just wanted to get in touch and give you an update on our lovely tuxedo cat Ponder (originally Marvin), whom we adopted from you last October.
He had had a bit of a mysterious start to life, having been found straying and hanging out in a neighbourhood cat colony before someone began feeding him and brought him to you. Our first interactions with him were fully hands-off. He was a shy boy, scared of human touch and unsure what to do with himself. But we sensed that we, and more importantly, our ginger cat at home, Carrot, might be able to help bring him out of his shell.
And I am thrilled to say it has. It has not been a quick journey. His aversion to being near humans made it tricky to get him to the vets for his all-important inoculations before he could meet Carrot, or even go outside. But after 3 months of gentle persuading and him getting used to his safe room as his space (and a little help from you and some gabapentin!), we got the visits done and were able to start introductions. The little chirrup sound Ponder made the first time he met Carrot, and still makes whenever he sees him, was a breakthrough moment. And as I hope you can see from the photos, Carrot has really brought Ponder out of himself, and they are firm friends. [Even if perhaps Ponder does give 'little brother' energy sometimes, and Carrot has to remind him they can spend SOME time apart!].
Over the past 7 months, we have reached many goals. Ponder now is used to us touching him and asks for strokes and rubs on his legs when he wants some affection, and loves a good chin tickle in particular. He goes outside and loves exploring his territory with Carrot; it's a joy to see them heading out on 'patrol' together (although the local bird population now has to contend with two furry sentinels shouting at them from the conservatory). And he has grown to love his creature comforts, curling up on a warm bed or chair in winter, and sunbathing in the conservatory or out in the garden in summer. I think he is pleased he no longer has to fend for himself out there, and regular mealtimes are a definite plus.
Thank you so much for helping us find Ponder and for continuing all the excellent work you do.
❤️🐈⬛
Thank you so much to Ponder’s adopter for giving him the time and space he needed to settle and to Carrot for being the best big brother he could have asked for!
❤️
