In this instalment of Happy Tails, Jennifer tells us how she came to adopt River and Chloe, two kittens who started out life living in a barn before they were rescued.

Chloe (aka Chloe Banana) and River ("Riv", "River cat") are both around seven months old. We became a family on October 31, 2021. Happy Halloween!

When I submitted my application with VORKA to adopt, I got a call from my adoption counsellor Karen who explained she had a very special kitty in her care. Karen said this kitty had an amazing personality, but she had issues with her eyes. She had adhesions on her left eye from having had multiple viruses that went untreated when she was first born and she’d need surgery when she’s a little older.

Chloe and River were part of a group of kittens initially rescued by Tiny Kittens from a feral colony called the River Colony. River was named as an homage to their beginnings.

I didn't know much about feral cats and colonies. I read the kitties' bios on the Tiny Kittens website and watched their intake video and it broke my heart. They were so sick. Chloe was a playful kitty even in these sad circumstances, making do and playing with whatever she could find.

When Jennifer met River & Chloe

My mother (aka "Grandma") and I went to see Chloe and the other kitties from the same colony. Karen handed us a bundled little "Chloe banana" in a little banana hammock-type thing that Chloe was nestled in. As soon as she was handed to us, she purred and cooed and we were in love. She bunted our hands to pet her and rolled around for us to scritch her tummy.

I sat on the floor to play with the other kittens and River wouldn't leave me alone! She climbed into my arms, sat on my lap, wrestled my toes....she certainly picked me.

We had to wait for a while for the kittens to be cleared by the vet to come home. It was so difficult to wait, but our counsellor let us come for visits so we were able to bond with them while we waited for the clearance.

Both my girls love their "hoomans". I was expecting an adjustment period, but that period was about two minutes - they came out of their carriers, jumped into our arms, lay on my legs and both fell asleep on me immediately. But not for long! After a little catnap, time to explore!!

When I was waiting for them to be medically cleared, I kept dreaming about the day they'd come home. I could hardly wait to hold them and cuddle them. I knew that not all cats are that tactile - they don't all like being smothered with cuddles and love - but these two are perfect for our family. They want as much love and attention as we can give - and they give it right back.

Truthfully, my universe is completely kitty-centric!

River is my little shadow. She loves my mom, but she is 100% my girl. She follows me everywhere. She's so curious and wants to understand what I'm doing at all times.

Chloe rules the house. She’s independent, does what she wants, when she wants and much of the time that includes sprawling on me as her own personal hammock! River’s a curling-up kitty, but Chloe’s a stretcher. I marvel at how such a small cat can stretch herself so long! We call her sleeping style "sleeping 3 cats long"! If I am laying with River sleeping in my arms and Chloe wants in, she'll just come and plunk herself on top of River!

What River & Chloe love the most

Chloe had a a little ball that when you touch it makes 20 different sounds (great at night when I'm trying to sleep and I hear "kitty kitty kitty").

River's favourite toy is Chloe! They love to play with each other.

As I'm sure is the case with many kitties these days, my two girls love to participate in Zoom calls with my office!! Or I'll be chatting with my colleagues on Teams and all of a sudden they'll get a message that reads something like "iup98ruffffhiy" ...their response is always "Hi River!"

Why adopt?

I love watching animal shows on TV and picking breeds of cats and dogs that I’d love to own....but honestly, there’s no option for me but to choose adoption from a rescue.

Every cat (and dog) deserves to be loved and cared for, but those who have had a rough go of life, even more so.

Happy Tails: River & Chloe and Jennifer

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