Senior Bonsai finds a SAVIOR

I have been happily fostering Bonsai (a sweet, affectionate 16 YEAR old love) for several months.  She has been to a few Desperate House Cat Adoption events, but doesn't do well in that situation.  She is THE perfect kitty.  I had let it be known that I was committed to keeping Bonsai for the rest of her life if she was not adopted and pretty much thought that would be how things would turn out, which was great with me!

Last Thursday I received an email from Mr M., a retired gentleman who lives in Laredo. He and his wife were looking for an older feline companion for his wife, who has cancer.  They looked on the TLAC website, focusing on older cats, and found Bonsai.  The Desperate House Cat poster and beautiful photos of Bonsai caused Mrs. M. to fall head over heels in love with Bonsai immediately!  Mr. M. emailed TLAC.  A staff member gave him my email address, which got the ball rolling.  This husband and wife KNEW that they wanted Bonsai without even meeting her.  It was love at first (internet) sight!  I used the Foster to Forever adoption process, so all of the paperwork was taken care of easily and quickly.  Mr. M. and his son drove to Austin all the way from Laredo Saturday morning and we met in the Davenport Bldg. at 11:20.  Bonsai didn't quite know what to think, so was understandably frightened and apprehensive.  Mr. M. didn't hesitate for one second.  Bonsai is the cat that he and his wife wanted!  After just a few minutes, with prompt service from the office staff, I was able to give Mr. M. all of the paperwork that he needed and all was complete in short order.  He was ready to take precious Bonsai to her forever home.

Lo and behold, Mr. M.'s son had ridden to Austin with his dad from Laredo because he was thinking of adopting a kitten.  After looking in AB, with the wonderful volunteer showing us all of the kittens in that building, we went to SB.  She showed him only 2 kittens and he fell absolutely in love with little Rein.  It was so heartwarming.  He has always been fond of cats and now that he was settled in his law practice and his own place, he wanted a cat of his own.  Once again, the staff made this process as speedy and painless as possible.

Rein and his new daddy!

There were so many "goose bump" moments throughout this process.  It is a PERFECT example of how every single person played such an important role in these 2 adoptions from folks who live 3 hours away--Maggie, who creates the Desperate House Cat posters; Alli and Rebecca, who take so many of the photos; the staff member who got Mr. M. in touch with me; Sarah, Joanna, and Carla who post helpful documents on the Project Starfish website; the volunteers who help "hands on" in the cat buildings; the staff who finalize the adoption process; the person who keeps the website up-to-date and user friendly--and everyone in between.  It is truly a community effort.  Without such helpful, giving people, I just know that things wouldn't have ended up as happily and stress-free for this family from Laredo or for Bonsai and Rein.

The Website that saved Bonsai

I heard from Bonsai's (now called Sophie) new family this morning.  She has adjusted very well and is giving lots of lovin' all around!  Rein is having a ball in his new home, plus entertaining his new owner!  A very, very happy ending for all involved.  Thank you, thank you ALL!