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Here's the Story of a Lovely Lady

[I wrote this post the night before the shooting rampage in Sandy Hook at our Elementary School and decided to share it now as a way to give us all a break from focusing on such sad news. Later today (I hope) I will be sharing some experiences I've had, living here during this madness, from being surrounded by Press to more about my determination to make things better here-again. Stay tuned.]

Molly sits alone in a small bathroom along with her litter pan, a plastic bowl filled with Meow Mix®, some water and a few old towels to rest upon. This is Molly's life now that her caretaker passed away. Molly, like so many other pets, lived with someone who hadn't made plans about what to do should they no long be able to provide a loving home. It's something any cat guardian would fear imagining, but what if it happened to you? Where would your cats go? What would happen to them?

Molly Chubby.jpg
©2012 Jessica.

Molly wasn't kicked out of her home to wander the streets. A family member, the granddaughter of Molly's caretaker, took Molly home with her. She was four months pregnant with her boyfriend deployed overseas. Her family thought Molly would keep her company while her boyfriend was away. Jessica knew she was mildly allergic to cats, but went ahead with the adoption.

Molly on the Bed.jpg
©2012 Robin A.F. Olson. My first moments with Molly.

Within a short period of time, Jessica's allergies got worse so she tried to find Molly another home or a rescue to take her, but no one would help. She didn't want to be cruel to the cat, but she felt she had no choice other than to put Molly in the bathroom, where's she's been living for months.

Molly funny look on bed.jpg
©2012 Robin A.F. Olson. Molly is suspicious of the lady who brought a cat carrier with her.

It's very difficult to place an adult cat who isn't a fancy breed. Molly is a pretty white and gray cat with subtle stripes in her tail, but she's not going to compete against Siamese or Maine Coon cats…or kittens…you know how it goes.

Molly in Carrier.jpg
©2012 Robin A.F. Olson. Before the meow-a-thon began.

Jessica put an ad on Craigslist which is a BIG NO-NO. Cats fall into harm's way via that publication and I believe they don't allow posting of animals on their site for that reason. We have folks who check CL every day to alert all the local rescue groups to intervene and hopefully help the cats listed there. That's how I came to rescue the DOOD.

Molly full body.jpg
©2012 Robin A.F. Olson. 16.8 pounds-in case you were wondering.

Molly was lucky that someone from Mary's Kitty Korner felt they could find Molly a new forever home, but their problem was getting Molly to their Vet to be boarded until a foster home opened up for her. I saw the email asking for help and I don't live too far from Jessica, though the total trip is about 150 miles. Even though I have too much going on, I had to help Molly, maybe because she reminds me of one of my cats, maybe because I just like to help.

Cool Molly.jpg
©2012 Robin A.F. Olson. Checking out the Vet's office.

This morning, I met Jessica and picked up Molly. I tried to be respectful, not sure if Jessica would cry over the reality of Molly leaving. I held Molly before placing her into the carrier and asked her if she wanted to say goodbye, but she didn't seem too perturbed that her cat was leaving for good (which is upsetting to me and maybe you, but this lady said she wasn't someone who had cats in the first place so I'm not going to vilify her…just gonna move on to the rescue pat of the story). She was very appreciative of the help and said she did want to visit Molly at the Shelter once she was settled. Whether it was the truth or lip service it didn't matter to me. Molly was safe and that's all I really cared about.

Then I started driving. Molly cried the ENTIRE trip, non-stop, every second or two. Some of her cries sounded like I was trying to murder her, while others sounded like she was gargling and meowing at the same time. She must have broken off most of her claws from trying to get out of the carrier, but thank GOD she didn't blow her bladder or worse.

Molly Portrait.jpg
©2012 Robin A.F. Olson.

Once we arrived at New England Veterinary Center & Cancer Care (that's a mouthful!) Molly settled down. I brought her into an exam room and found out she weighs 16.8 pounds. I thought she was over 20.

Molly was frantically pacing the room, I'm guessing looking for an escape route, but between her pacing, she came over and said hello, let me pet her and she started to purr. I liked Molly a lot better out of her cat carrier!

Molly would be a great addition to any family. She seems pretty laid back as long as she's not in a car. If you're interested in Molly and live in CONNECTICUT, please contact Mary's Kitty Korner to find out how you can adopt this lovely lady.

Comments

Robin, thank you for posting Molly! I know how hard these last few days have been for you and the lovely town of Newtown. I so appreciate everything you did to help in the rescue of Molly. She is a great cat, safely and happily chilling out in her foster home. She was vet checked, is very healthy and loves people, she is a purring machine! Hoping that someone will take her home to her forever home, soon. 

Lisa Shackett

Sometimes the only way to do what is best for you and your kitty is to close your heart and not get overly emotional and not follow through.  I wouldn't begin to vilify this woman as she tried and I'm sure being pregnant didn't help one bit.  Hormones - crazy things.

I am thankful to her for trying.  For reaching out for help, and for allowing you to come into her home.  Best wishes Molly, may you find a wonderful home .. third time is the charm.

Good luck, Molly!


Jessica did an excellent job by most standards.  I think many families just turn the cat over to the pound without an attempt to do much, Jessica did her best within the limitations of the allergy.  Robin, You are so good to help Molly, she'll remember you as the beginning of the happy second chapter of her life.

I'm so glad to hear that Molly now has a chance to find a good home. And I have to agree with acniee above - it's much easier for a cat lover to take in and deal with a cat allergy or a problem cat, but for someone like Jessica, this was a real stretch, and she did the right thing. That's really all that matters, so Kudos to her! Please keep us posted on Molly, and thanks, as always.

J~

I'm glad Molly is safe with a chance at a new forever loving home.  I'm grateful Jessica did the best she could for her and didn't just dump her like so many do.   Molly's response to car rides reminds me of my Thunderbolt's.  When I adopted him he just about wigged out while we were driving home.  I don't know how poor Fireball survived trapped in the carrier with him!  I don't take Thunderbolt ANYWHERE unless absolutely critical!

This "lovely old lady" as Robin called her is a spitting image of my friends cat, who's also called Molly. May be it is a common practice to call white gray cats Molly, I don't know? :-)

I think that Jessica has done enough while taking care of Molly although she knew about her allergy, I truly admire her. That reminds me of a story when me and my friend left the town for a few days and Molly had to live with a friend of ours, called Ani, who was allergic to cats too, but she insisted on taking care of Molly, she just told us "No worries, I will take some pills and everything will be fine". Well, it wasn't but we really appreciated her desire to help us.

I will contain my more fierce feelings and keep to the positive; *PRAYERS* and love going up, and out, for Molly, who is a gorgeous cat, to find the loving, forever home she (and every cat and kitten) so richly deserves.  I'm sharing your post to my social media, with message, to try to help.  May you be blessed, Robin! :)

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