Asante

This special cat in need was named Asante which means "thank you" in Swahili.

I met this fine cat in the meadows near my home at The Sea Ranch. She was living amongst tall grasses and shrubs. The local humane society called me about a starving abandoned cat which was begging at a rental home. This hungry little tabby cat readily and repeatedly came up to me when called and ate from my hands. I spent three mornings with her sitting and talking until she comfortably walked into a cage.

I brought her home to feed and care for her. She was such a needy frightened little Being. I decided to foster her and socialize her in preparation for an adoptive home. Unfortunately, she subsequently tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). I was advised to euthanize her but I could not as she was assessed to be healthy in other ways and, most of all, I fell in love. She warmed my heart with her gentle little ways.

Asante has been with me for nearly 8 months now.

She lived under a cabinet for most of the time but within the last several weeks she has been talking to me, approaching when I enter my studio, and now feeds out of my hands again and purrs quite beautifully. She is also playing with a catnip toy for the first time which is quite cute. She is a calm, well-behaved cat. I honor her for her well balanced presence.

Most recently she was tested once again for FIV per a more definitive test and she tested negative! This could mean she would be welcomed into someone’s home without this huge medical problem. And, then she did indeed find her new home.

The humane society, most especially wonderful catsitters, Mary, Lisa and Jackie helped when I needed to be gone. These were several good months for me as I learned a great deal about Life from my Asante.

I wish to share the note I received from her the day she left with Sandi……Thank you for saving my life! Even more thanks for giving me so much love and care—and for the nurturing and socialization—so I can truly enjoy my life now! I will miss you terribly and the home I’ve grown to know. I’m looking forward to my new adventure, new home, new parents, another brother to play with and all to love. Sandi said she’d take good care of me and keep me happy for the rest of my days (a really long time). Please come and visit me and until then much love, happiness and peace to you and Ralph. Love, Asante =^..^=

I thought you all would want to know about this good ending and beginning for this special Being.