Supporters of OHS have incredible hearts and incredible pets. As a donor relations manager, I have the pleasure of getting to know some of these amazing people. During a visit with Janice Hooson, (see In Memoriam, page 18), I was introduced to her two pets, Juliette the Maltese-mix dog, and Daisey the tabby cat, both adopted from OHS. Jan was particularly fond of Daisey and I quickly fell in love with the kitty as well—she was confident around Jan’s dog, interested in new people, and had the cutest meow I’d ever heard.

When Jan passed away recently, I instantly wondered about her pets. I knew that she was a member of Friends Forever, an OHS program that ensures the care of any pet who survives their owner. Jan wanted her pets to be taken care of by OHS in the event she passed, so I assumed they would be coming to OHS to find their next home. I learned that Jan’s longtime friend adopted Juliette, and that Daisey was being brought to OHS and would be available for adoption soon.

That night my husband and I decided that this was the perfect time to add the first feline to our family. We have two large dogs and I admit that we were nervous about how our coonhound, Frankie, would adjust to having a cat in the house. I shared my concerns during a one-on-one behavior training session with OHS trainer Jennifer Shirley. Jennifer was incredibly helpful, talking me through how to successfully introduce a cat into the home. We even did a pet meet with Frankie and a robotic cat to see how things might go! It was hard for me to believe, but the OHS Behavior and Training Department has a robotic cat that most dogs believe is a living, breathing and meowing feline.

We brought Daisey home about a month ago and she’s been a wonderful addition to our family. She likes to roll on her back and get belly rubs and to play with feather toys. We’re slowly navigating the cat and dog introductions, and have baby gates up all over the house to prevent surprise encounters between the dogs and Daisey. We’re confident that with patience—and Daisey’s assertiveness around dogs—that all of us will soon be snuggling together on the couch.

Jan was a faithful friend to her own animals and I feel honored to provide a warm and loving home to the cat she adored.

TWO YEAR UPDATE: Tillie (formerly Daisy) becomes one of the pack

Alexis, a former OHS employee, brought Tillie home in July 2017 after Tillie’s person (Jan) died. Because Jan had enrolled Tillie in the Friends Forever program, Tillie was brought to OHS and made available for adoption.

Initially, Alexis and her husband were apprehensive because they also own a dog with a strong prey drive. Tillie had lived with a dog in her former home, so the couple worked with the OHS behavior team to ensure a smooth transition.  It took ten weeks for the pack to bond. During that time Alexis kept the dogs and Tillie in separate rooms and supervised incremental greetings. Now Tillie and the dogs are best buds they sleep and play next to each other.

Over time Tillie, who is very food motivated, has become more dog like. Alexis has taught her tricks, sharing that Tillis is really smart. Tillie sits and high-fives with hand commands and is in the initial stages of learning how to jump through a hoop. “She loves learning new tricks and being part of the pack” said Alex. During the day the dogs and Tillie are separated because the dogs have a dog door and Tillie is kept indoors.  Alexis explained that “when we come home after work, we have to let them be together or Tillie gets upset.”

Tillie’s new parents keep a close eye on her because she has had bouts of urinary tract stones. She is on a special diet and uses cat litter which changes color to indicate pH levels, so Alexis can monitor her condition.  Alexis expressed gratitude for the Friends Forever program because it allows older adults to adopt younger pets without worry. Tillie was three when her owner passed at age 93. “Friends Forever is an incredible program,” says Alexis. "It allows elderly people to have pets; everyone who loves animals knows that a house feels empty without another heartbeat in it.”

 

Read about other Friends Forever alumni.