Oscar
On Becoming a “Cat Person”
In March 2006, Laurie Premer of Brooklyn—a longtime dog lover—took the kitty plunge and adopted Oscar (formerly known as Mackie), a sociable, one-year-old Tabby, from the ASPCA. She recently sent a note to update us on Oscar’s enviable life with his pet mom—now a self-proclaimed “cat person”—and his feline companion.
I thought long and hard about bringing a cat into my life. I had always loved cats, but had never had a kitty companion to raise, and felt I knew nothing about them. My family members are dog people, and I only had dogs growing up.
I realized I was ready to commit to a lifelong feline friend, but I had one strict requirement—I had my heart set on an adult girl cat who wasn’t shy. I loved meeting all the cats at the ASPCA—they were so beautiful, and I wanted to bring them all home with me. But then I met Mackie, a beautiful, silver-striped, one-year-old male Tabby. He was a little cat, but full of spunk. I could tell he was feisty—he was very curious the second I walked in. When we opened his cage, the little guy jumped right out! It was love—I adopted him and named him Oscar.
Since that fateful day, Oscar has proven to be the best cat in the world—he is very active and curious, and gets into the highest places. He loves playing, and I have spoiled him with cat toys. Favorites are the cat dancer and those crinkly, sparkly mylar balls. He’s a cuddler (on his terms!) and a burrower—on weekend mornings, he will walk over me, reminding me to wake up and cuddle with him.
I was so thrilled with Oscar, but felt so badly when I would leave him alone. I eventually adopted a kitten companion—Frankie, a black-and-white tuxedo cat. They bonded right away, and now cuddle and play the day away. They are my therapy, and I now consider myself a “cat person.
Check out more stories of furry fate in our Happy Tails Archive.