Best buds seek new surroundings

This is Bailey(bottom) and Bentley (top). They're beautiful, aren't they? They were the cutest kittens! Yes, all kittens are cute, but can you imagine these two as tiny, blue-eyed puffballs?! A family adopted them waaaaaay back in 2000. They filled out a great application and happily signed our contract. We took their picture and posted it in our family album. We waved them out the door and wished Bailey and Bentley a wonderful life. Seven years later, we're all back together again.

Bailey and Bentley loved their family and loved their home, especially one room where they felt safe and happy. Whenever they had to leave that room, their pet parent complained, one or the other would urinate on a chair. This is certainly odd behavior, and understandably frustrating. We hoped we could work with the family to understand and address the underlying reason why this was happening but they chose to bring them back to us to find a new home.

When we brought them back to the Playroom, they were very frightened and angry. For the first two days, they had their own little compartments . Bentley huddled in his area and growled, Bailey stared in wild-eyed confusion. Neither wanted to eat, making us all very nervous: Many adult cats who are abandoned by their families stop eating and fall victim to hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver syndrome. Most of them die from it (out of grief? stress?). Finally they ate a little food, drank a little water, and used their litter box (we all sighed with relief).

How are they now? Jennifer, one of our volunteers, took this lovely picture. She said they were mellow and laid back. They enjoyed being petted and chatted with, but never came across as needy or demanding of attention. They were curious about Jennifer and her camera but, once they satisfied their curiousity, they went about their feline business and let her commune with the other cats. Neither Bailey nor Bentley have urinated anywhere other than the litterbox.

What happened in those seven years? Why did these two loving, playful cats become introverted with their family? Maybe there was construction in the house. Maybe their favorite family member left. Unfortunately, we may never know. We know they have finally adjusted to the Playroom (which is not nearly as comfortable or cosy as their favorite room). We know they're sweet, beautiful, curious, and loving. We know they'll make two wonderful roommates for someone who will commit to them to the end of their happy days.

Editor's Note: Bentley passed away on Monday, August 27th. He went into acute hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver syndrome, the same condition that took our Sarah. He fought valiantly. He even let us try to force feed him through a surgically placed tube. He was in such pain that, when he asked, we let him go. Bailey has been placed in a home where she will get a lot of attention.