Yeti Bear (May 3, 2023 - Present)

On the third of May, we welcomed a delightful rescue cat named Yeti Bear into our home. Just a day after Lucky passed away, I found myself early in the morning exploring the Petsmart adoption website for adult male cats. When I came across the name "Yeti Bear," I was intrigued and questioned why someone would choose to name a cat "Yeti Bear."

Well, here is Yeti Bears's story as posted by his rescuers, Kneading Kitties.

“Yeti Bear, born 1/1/20 (best estimate), is a large portly kitty with an old man soul. He was caught up in a TNR (trap-neuter-return) project and the colony caretaker discovered that he is actually a very sweet kitty, not feral at all. Initially we thought he was older. He has a gravitus about him, and a serious demeanor, and had several damaged teeth. He also had dreadlocks and, despite the colony caretaker trying to brush out his hair, some of the matts just couldn't be tamed.

So off to the vet he went to get his dental issues addressed and get a good grooming. Imagine our surprise when our vet informed us that the cat we thought was ten was in fact no more than 3 years old! Clearly he had been living a rough life for some time, and that likely resulted in the damaged teeth and poor coat. After having several tooth extractions, a dental cleaning and a good bath and shave (this was found to be the only way to tame the matts so he got a modified lion cut) Yeti is looking for his forever home.

His main requirements are a Sunny place to stretch out and nap, plenty of food to eat, wet food once a day, and petting. He would not object to being spoiled a bit. Yeti would probably do best as an only cat- he is fearful around other cats and can be territorial, but in his foster home he has coexisted peacefully with a female and a male kitty, both non- alpha and very laid back- so he may do ok with other very mellow cats after a proper introduction . He has not been directly exposed to dogs but does show anxiety when he hears dogs barking. Yeti Bear is neutered, up to date on all vaccines, dewormed, microchipped and ready for the perfect Sunny window sill.”

The day we encountered Yeti Bear, I held him in my arms and he looked directly into my eyes. He was an armful at 16 pounds but his piercing sea-green eyes and serious expression suited him well. A memory stirred and I felt Lucky was sending Yeti Bear to us.

When I asked Joan about Yeti Bear, "He makes me smile," she replied. That day, we brought Yeti Bear home and chose to keep his name "Yeti Bear" because it reflected his identity when he was found. Contrary to what his name might suggest, though, Yeti Bear is not a beast; he is soft and cuddly. He is My Sweet Boy.

During Yeti Bear's initial days, he enjoyed playing Hide-and-Seek. We found him among Joan's dolls, nestled among the knick-knacks in the TV console, hiding behind the Venetian blinds in the office window, under a cabinet in my closet, and beneath the bed. Yet, he joined us for happy hour, stretching out on the couch, and he was the only cat who seemed to enjoy belly rubs.

For those who may not be aware, "Yeti" refers to a mythical creature believed to inhabit the Himalayan mountain range in Asia. In Western popular culture, it is often called the Abominable Snowman. Nowadays, there is evidence suggesting that the Yeti legend is likely linked to sightings of the Himalayan brown bear. Our Yeti Bear probably resembled this mythical creature with his tangled fur and broken teeth when he was found.

Louie (January 5, 2024 - Present)

When Louie's mother, Carolee, was admitted to the hospital in September 2023, she asked me to look after Louie. "He enjoys going out into the hallway," she mentioned.

Having previously assisted Carolee with Louie, I agreed to care for him while she recovered from surgery. For two weeks, I attended to Louie's needs and spent time with him in his apartment and the hallway where he greeted residents getting on and off the elevator on the third floor.

Louie is a striking Siberian cat, with blue eyes framed by a gray mask. He was born Kuz'kin Dom Louis on April 9, 2018, in Moscow, Russia. His father was Kuz'kin Dom Emir, and his mother was Kuz'kin Dom Eva. Louie arrived at Sky Harbor airport on April 12, 2019, to start life with his new mom, Carolee.

Due to his good looks and gentle nature, Louie was well-known and liked by many. The residents, caregivers, and housekeepers all recognized Louie, and even some of the resident's guests were familiar with him.

While Carolee was in the hospital, Louie disliked being alone and could often be heard crying in the apartment. As Carolee's recovery extended to two weeks, I brought Louie to our apartment, where our cat Yeti Bear lived. The two cats had previously met and seemed to get along well, which they did.

Louie and Yeti Bear became inseparable companions. Yeti Bear shared his drinking fountain and window shelf with Louie, and soon Louie began showing Yeti Bear the layout of the hallways. However, Yeti Bear, who had experienced a tough life before his rescue, would charge home at the sight of someone in the hall. Yet, he always paused at the door to check the hallway and ensure his friend Louie was alright.

Louie missed his mom and would trek down the hall to his apartment every day. I would follow him, let him in, and watch as he searched for his mom, hoping she would be home. One day, he showed me his toy box tucked away in the corner of the bedroom. I picked out a few toys, but he wasn't interested in playing. I hugged him and reassured him that his mom would return soon.

Unfortunately, Carolee's recovery took over two months. Although Louie checked for her every day, he quickly adapted to living with Yeti Bear. I took photos and sent them to Carolee and her daughter, Leslie.

Carolee loved Louie dearly, but after her long recovery, she was too weak to care for him. We kept our doors open, allowing Louie to move between apartments, but he always came back to eat, use the litter box, and spend the night with Yeti Bear. Carolee noticed Louie's happiness, and we assured her that we would always take care of him.

It was with great sadness the day we learned our beloved friend Carolee did not survive the night. We will forever honor our promise to this wonderful woman and ensure that her Louie has a permanent home with his buddy Yeti Bear for the rest of their lives.

Lucky (Feb 4, 2015 - May 1, 2023)

Joan and I met Lucky on February 3, 2015. On that day, I submitted the adoption paperwork to Anthem Pets and scheduled to pick him up the following day. We brought Lucky home on February 4th, and on that same day, Lucky was featured as Pet of the Week in The Foothills Focus Newspaper with the following story alongside a photo like this.

“I once had a family and lived in a comfortable home in Anthem where I was loved and had all the comforts a cat could ever want or need. One day, though, my family began packing up their belongings, but instead of taking me with them, they opened the door and let me out into the backyard. I watched them drive away -- confused, terrified. The neighbor lady noticed me in the yard a few days later. She occassionally put food and water out for me. Oh, how I missed being inside my house. I stayed close thinking they would come back but they never did. As time went on, I learned to live outside, but I sure missed my warm bed, snuggling up with my person and the feeling of being loved by someone. I never gave up hope.

One day a couple of ladies with metal boxes came by and placed them under the covered patio and then left. I was intriqued and also enticed by something that smelled delicious inside the boxes -- I was so hungry that after a short while I decided to take a chance. Inside was a banquet of the most wonderfully prepared tuna I'd ever had in my life. I enjoyed it so much I forgot where I was and stepped forward to get the last crumb and "slam" the back door shut and I was stuck. It was very scary, but I've come to realize it was a blessing. When I woke up the next day I was in a warm and safe home. There was a nice lady talking to me. Suddenly she just scooped me up and held me close. That was nice. I've been with my foster mom for several weeks now and doing great, I feel so blessed to have been given a second chance. By now you prpbably understand why they decided to call me Lucky!

Now I am neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped but during the time I was loose and unvaccinated I got Feline Imunodeficiency Virus from another cat. FIV cannot be passed to humans or other animals but it can be passed to other cats. I should be the only cat in your home. I am a male kitty, approximately 5 years old, great with kids, cats and small dogs. Please call Anthem Pets to schedule a meet and greet with me. I will be the love of your life if you will let me!”

During our visit with Lucky, we instantly fell for him. He was a stunning gray and white Ragamuffin cat with a small gray goatee. The scars on his nose indicated that he had overcome challenges. However, on the first night we had him, Lucky was frightened and hid under the bed in the guest room. The next morning, I opened the patio door, and in an instant, Lucky bolted outside, dashed across the yard, leapt over a 6-foot wall, and vanished.

It was awkward to contact Anthem Pets and admit that the cat we had adopted the previous day had run away, but they provided me with guidance, the contact details of the women who had the trap, and reassured me that he likely wouldn’t go far.

I set his litter box outside along with the trap and food. I also placed a pet carrier at the front door with some tuna. That night, we heard a noise, so I went outside to check the trap. It appeared untouched, so I went through the gate into the backyard. Something was on the wall. I shone my flashlight, and there was Lucky. My heart soared with joy.

I attempted to approach him, but he scampered down the wall to the front of the house. Then he returned up the wall. I went inside to fetch some dry food, but he wouldn’t let me get close. I sat at the patio table for a while as he observed me, pacing along the wall. When I extended my hand with the food, he dashed down the wall again and vanished into the night.

Some neighbors joined the search with flashlights, but Lucky was nowhere in sight. The hooting of an owl nearby made me anxious, but we had no choice but to return indoors and hope the trap would work.

Soon, there was a "tap" at the front door. Opening the door, I was astonished to find Lucky sitting on the doormat, looking up at me with curiosity. I cautiously stepped outside, but he ran away. By this point, I was convinced that Lucky knew where his home was. I brought the litter box inside and set the trap in the backyard with fresh tuna and water before we went to bed.

The next morning, I was awakened at 6:00 AM by the noise and meowing from the backyard. Lucky was in the trap, clearly unhappy. The food and water dishes were overturned. I carefully brought the box inside, ensuring all the doors were closed. Lucky had claws, so I was cautious when removing him from the trap, but he allowed me to hold and hug him. Perhaps he remembered his previous experience and appreciated this second chance.

Lucky soon became a calm and devoted cat, but he longed to be outdoors. Eventually, I took him outside, initially with a harness and leash, but I was confident that since Lucky had returned home to us, he wouldn’t run away again. And I was right. Lucky perched on the wall, slept on it, patrolled the house's perimeter from there, and even hunted from the wall. He enjoyed climbing the tree in our backyard.

Lucky had the freedom of both the front and back yards via his wall, but he never ran away again. He truly became "the love of our lives", and we were indeed "lucky" to have him!

On May 1, 2023, Lucky lost his three-month battle with an intestinal tumor. He had dropped to just 6 pounds from 12 pounds. "Lucky, you were the smartest, gentlest, and most loving cat I have ever known, and you will remain in my heart forever. I will miss our hugs, you scolding me when your dish was empty, and sitting with you on the patio every morning after you explored the yard. R.I.P my precious Lucky."

P.S. Lucky, I know now that you sent us Yeti Bear. The day we sat on the bed, you were so sick, when a strong gust of wind raced across the bed. I knew it was your angel but I am now convinced it was your spirit connecting with Yet Bear's! We could never have found such a loveing cat without your help.

Brandy (October 6, 1994 - January 21, 2015)

One day in October 1994 someone found a tiny gray kitten lost on the side of the road. When I saw that cute little face peeking out of the carrier, I knew she had to be mine. I named her Brandy and for the next 20 years and 4 months we were inseperable.

Brandy was a purrr-fect pet. She was a small, tidy cat with a whisper meow. Always independent, she reserved a stern hiss for any stranger who came too close.

Two vivid memories I have of Brandy as a kitten. Having never owned a cat before, I followed her veterinarian's advice to have her declawed and to use a spray bottle to discipline her. But when I saw her bloddy, bandaged paws I was horrified. And, the spray bottle worked but it also made her extremely afraid of the sound of any spray. I decided I would never do either to another cat.

Brandy was never a "picky eater." She always had a bowl of dry food and I fed her first thing every morning and again when I got home from work. She ate 1/4 can of Friskies for each meal Monday through Thursday. Then, Friday through Sunday she had a 1/2 can of Fancy Feast fish for each meal. Brandy would never turn down tuna fish so if I had tuna, Brandy had tuna.

Brandy loved to play in a paper bag. One day, without thinking, I gave her a "shopping bag." As usual Brandy jumped right into the bag. However, when the handle of the bag got caught around her neck, she panicked. Racing through the house, under the bed and under the furniture, she ripped the bag to shreds before I could catch her and pull the handle off of her neck. After that, Brandy never played in another paper bag.

Brandy liked to stretch out between my legs at night and she was usually laying on my chest purring for her breakfast by 7 am in the morning. If I didn't wake up, she would jump from the top of the chest-of-drawers and land on me in the bed. Brandy only weighed about 8 pounds but this tactic of her's usually got me out of bed fast.

Brandy lived with me in Pennsylvania and then moved with me to Arizona. To my surprise, she was the best kitty ever on the trip across the country. I stopped at pet-friendly motels after every 8 to 10 hours on the road, set up her litter box, and gave her food and water. I would shower and go out to dinner. Brandy was always asleep on the bed when I returned.

Through the years Brandy never seemed to age. When we moved to Anthem, AZ with Joan, Brandy took over the guest bedroom as her own. As she did in Philadelphia, Brandy liked to go outside with me. In Philly she never attempted to jump the wall and run away and in Anthem she would not step off the patio into the rocks.

Then, in December 2013, a diagnosis of constipation would, instead, prove to be a colapsed colon. After more than 20 years together, Brandy crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in Peace my precious little cat. You are loved and greatly missed Brandy. This is your story and I can only hope I did you justice telling it.

Chubby Foster Pet

“It was bitter cold night with a hint of snow in the air. I found a box of rags on an old wooden desk sitting on a covered patio. I had slept here before because the rags were dry. Tonight I snuggled into the box fluffing up my fur to keep warm.

When Charlie came out on the patio I didn't run. Other nights I had bolted over the back wall and disappeared. Tonight, I was too cold to run. He picked me up and hugged me. It was nice. He took me into the house where it was warm and gave me some food and water. Then, to my surprise, he set up a litterbox and a nice warm bed for me to sleep in.”

That is the beginning of Chubby's story but it would be spring before Chubby would find his fur-ever home. Since Brandy might be territorial, I kept Chubby in the basement. However, I had five tenants that used the washer and dryer in the basement so I put a note on the door so they would not be caught off guard when they found a cat roaming around in the basement.

I took Chubby to Brandy's vet and she gave him a clean bill of health. My next step was to try to find "Chubby's" owner. I posted flyers and contacted the local SPCA. Months passed and no one claimed Chubby. The weather was warming and Chubby was always happy when someone came into the basement and gave him some attention.

There was an outside door to my basement on 27th street. I usually parked on on 27th street and often brought my groceries in through that door. For months Cubby would follow me out to the car and then come back in with me. He never atrempted to run away. But I decided he needed a better life than the basement. He needed a more attention, more love and a warm bed.

I posted several newspaper ads before a charming young couple called about Chubby. We arranged to meet at my house and I explained to them that I kept him in the basement because I had a cat. I also explained that Chubby was not fat but that I had named him Chubby because he had "puffed up his fur" to keep warm the night I found him and he looked like a "fat cat."

The minute they saw Chubby they fell in love with him. They sat on my basement steps petting and hugging him. He liked the attention and that night they decided to adopt him and to keep the name Chubby.

I shared the expense of the vets visit, Chubby's shots and neutering with them and they took Chubby home. For several years they sent pictures of Chubby's progress to me and they truly loved their cat. It was a very sad day when I received an email from them that Chubby had passed away. Chubby had brightened so many lives and I will never forget Chubby.

Over the years I have lost track of their names but I have never forgotten them or Chubby. Only three photos remain of Chubby and, although I only fostered Chubby, he was missed and will always be remembered by me.