Four days ago, on Wednesday, I adopted these two handsome gentlemen from the local shelter. They are both 5 years old, and they were surrendered together to the shelter because their owner had to move back home to care for her mother, and the cats were not welcome.
Yesterday (Saturday) I released them from the large bedroom where they had spent the last 72 hours decompressing and getting acclimated to me and their immediate surroundings (food, water, litter pans, beds, toys, scratching posts, etc).
Upon their release, they explored every inch of my small house, and having discovered sufficient high perches, sunny windows, and easy-to-open cabinet doors (oops!) they have declared their intention to extend their lease for the premises indefinitely.
The black gentleman is now named Omar, which means "long-lived, flourishing" and the tabby gentleman is now named Noah, which means "rest, repose." I thought the names suited them, given all they've been through.
Omar has one cauliflower ear, and Noah has two. They were found as strays by their previous owner, and the ear issues are probably a result of untreated ear infections in their misspent youth. In addition, Omar's tail is only 3-4 inches long. It's possible he was born that way, or it may have been amputated at some point.
Given their checkered history, I was expecting an adjustment period of weeks if not months, but they have settled in as if they've lived here all their lives. Both are perfectly well-behaved and very loving, for which I give credit to their previous owner. Clearly they were
very well cared for. I feel very lucky to have found both of them.
