Spritz ~ Sister of Mitts

On March 7^th, I received an email that made my heart skip a beat. When I saw the name in my inbox, I was hoping it was an update. This couple had adopted from me, and they occasionally sent a picture or a paragraph about how things were going. And they were going great! In fact, the couple was COMPLETELY in love with their Winnie's Wisher.

 It was what was in the subject line of this email that caused me to gasp. I knew it couldn't be a mistake. I mean, the names do rhyme, but there would be no way to so completely “misspell” the name of the one they adopted as to make it say this. I quickly started into the email to see what this could possibly be about. Only a few lines into it, this is what I read:

 Brent and I had a conversation today when he got home from work. It was kind of random but we were talking about Mitts and her sister Spritz came up! We both wish we had not separated them and I told him that Spritz has always been in the back of my mind! We would love for Mitts to have a playmate and I couldn't think of any cat better than her sister! We both know she is a special kitty and that she will take a lot of time and patience. How do you feel about this? With her still being there (we looked on Petfinder) maybe there is something to it? We all know how well it worked out for us to adopt Mitters (her little nickname)! So let me know what you think!

 I would have continued to sit there staring at the screen, but I couldn't get started typing fast enough. Even as I was responding, however, I was already thinking about just how MUCH of a “special” cat Spritz really is. I mean – she held top spot for SHYEST CAT EVER in the cathouse. I knew that Jnanda and Brent understood that she would not be the move-right-in-and-be-a-family-member kind of cat that Mitts was. But I didn't think they really understood what an undertaking this would be. I wrote honestly in my response and hoped that they would still give Spritz a try.

 I got a response from them immediately. That was on March 7, and we set it up to meet on March 9 where we met for Mitts. They understood that this would not be like the adoption of Mitts even one tiny bit. I explained that I was sure this would take several weeks, or possibly even months. I said everything that I'd said in my emails – how Spritz really does want love, and how I think she is capable of coming around someday, but that it was going to be a l-o-n-g road. They were in. We discussed this being a trial, and that if at any point they felt it just wasn't going to work, I would take Spritz back. I drove away knowing only one thing. If ever there was a home where Spritz had the very best chance, it was this home.

 I never posted about this on the blog because I wanted to have some idea of whether or not this adoption might stick before writing about it. Jnanda and I stayed in touch, and week after week all Spritz did was hide. I explained to Jnanda that Spritz would probably never make contact on her own and that she would probably have to “force” love and handling on her. They worked out a routine, and Spritz was given “forced love” and canned food (she loves it) on a daily basis. She would tolerate this lap time and then bolt away when given her freedom. Over time, she didn't seem as anxious to get away. The “petting sessions” got longer. Mitts was not at all impressed initially. She certainly didn't greet Spritz as the long lost sister she'd been yearning for.

 Then on March 27^th, I received an email from Jnanda, and in the subject line was this – Breakthrough!!!! My eyes wouldn't let me read fast enough.

 We started our regular routine with Spritz tonight - got her out from under the bed and got her to eat a little. Then to the couch, Spritz in my lap. Then Mitts jumps up in Brent's lap!( I have Spritz in my arms right beside him.) Mitts has never done this before, mind you, she usually keeps her distance from us when I have Spritz. We both just kind of looked at each other like, uh oh, what's about to happen here? Mitts leaned over and put her nose in Spritz's ear and then she started to lick Spritz on the head!! It was the most precious thing I have seen yet! Spritz enjoyed the kisses from her sissy! After that, Spritz sat calmly in my lap for a few more min. Then she jumped down and I thought she was definitely headed back under the bed. Nope! To our surprise she walked slowly to the kitchen to get herself another bite to eat, and then she came back to the doorway and just kind of sat there a min. She kind of walked around in the kitchen(we could see her at this point) and came back to the doorway and kind of bathed a little. She was so unbelievably calm and acted like a normal cat! It was so awesome! I HAD to tell you this! I hope you are as excited as we were!

Well, I WAS as excited as they were. After that I got another email that Brent caught Spritz playing with toys in the middle of the night. That warmed my heart as well. But Spritz was still hiding the biggest part of the time. When she'd been there a month, I was worried that Jnanda and Brent still might decide that Spritz was never going to be “normal” and that having a continuously hiding cat, who had to be worked with every day, might be more than they could do.

 When I took in Ivy, and then within a few days received Quinn, Peter Pan, and Tinkerbell, I realized how wonderful it would be if Spritz would NOT be coming back. Kitten Season has only just begun, and I had four new ones in less than a week. I could certainly use the room. But that was only a tiny sliver of it for me. Spritz had never had it so good. I knew there would NEVER be another home so perfect for her. I held my breath and sent off an email of inquiry to Jnanda and Brent. I asked if they had any ideas yet about whether or not they thought they might make it permanent with Spritz. I said I would wait to write about it on the blog until they were sure. Here is the response I received:

 Spritz is in her forever home with us and Mitts! No matter what it takes or how long it takes for her to come around she is here to stay! You don't have to ever worry about getting an email from me asking you to take her back! I can assure you the only emails from me will be updates of how good she is doing and the progress she is making! So please, write away! We are so excited to read what you have to say! We love her no matter what and I promise you she will be very well taken care of and loved just like Mitts is! Let us know when the blog is up! Looking forward to reading it!!!

 Here are pictures of Spritz in her new home.

On a lap

Another little miracle for a Winnie's Wish kitty.

See you tomorrow.

Comments

[Cat]

What wonderful news and what wonderful people!!! Yay Spritz :-)

[The Poupounette]

We are so happy for Spritz, and for you, Chrystal, and for her new Forever Family!

[Milo and Alfie's mom]

Oh this is so wonderful. I so needed to hear something joyful today after the Boston tragedy. Thank you to Spritz's new family, and Chrystal, and all who helped another Winnie's Wisher get the loving forever home she deserves.

[Random Felines]

O!M!G! That is so amazing..... the is a special place for people like that willing to work with and adopt the "less than perfect" cats. YEAH!!!!

[Bellen]

Another successful story: it's not over yet, of course, but then, it never will be. Spritz will continue to evolve, her character will change over time. But she'll only get better and more comfortable and happier. A pet who is shown by decent people the possibilities she may have if she allows herself will always choose to be loved. There is no unadoptable cat or dog.

[Cassandra]

Hooray!

[Mindy Slimmer]

Hip, Hip, Hooray! This is the BESTEST NEWS EVER!!!
I can not wait to see what Andrea writes on your blog today as she has been rooting the hardest for Miss Spritz (the last of Leo's sisters) to find a forever home.
((Warm fuzzies in my Heart))
Bless you Chrystal and all that you do!! Did you realize that Sunday was the one year anniversary/gotcha day for Miss Golden Bug and Mister Percy Paws?!?! Time sure flies when you are having fun with your kitties. :)
Much Love,
Mindy :)

[Savannah's Paw Tracks]

Yea Spritz!! I have been in my furrever home for 16 mos and I still won't allow being picked up, I struggle, scared, and then bolt when released. I also spent a long time UTB. But I sleep with Mom and Dad every night, now invite brushing and pets and I have learned to play again. I was one year in my rescue shelter, no one wanted me because I hid all the time, even the volunteers though I was unadoptable. Now, just read my blog!! Tell Spritz' guardians to try Spirit of Essences, it is working wonders for me since last Nov. paw pats, Savannah

[Mary]

I'm crying happy tears!! Yay for Spritz and Mitts! You know those two were my favs (probably because they look so much like my Buffy). I am SO happy they found a wonderful home... together! Bless these adopters and YOU for the great work you do!

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

YAY!!!!! HIP HIP HURRAY!!!!!! Happy dance!!! Oh boy oh boy oh boy!!!!!! Happy happy happy dance!!!
WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! Yippie Yahoo!!

I think you can see that I'm a tiny bit excited, no? MOL! Oh man! You have NO idea how happy I am about this! ok, you probably have some idea.. Leo's last sister is IN A HOME! and is LOVED!!!! And is with Mitts!!!! Oh happy day!
(and I swear to you that if this is one of those days when I can't post a comment to Chrystal's blog I will seriously crawl through my computer, shimmy through the interweb and do my happy dance at Chrystal's, smooch all the kitties on the lips then figure out who to smack for the commenting issues!)

Leo's whole family is happy and HOME now! Can there be anything better????

Well, we could get Frosting and Hershey Bear to California and get the rest of the kitties adopted! And we should share and tweet and email all that info, but we should also celebrate that the shy one has a happy home!

Just think, if it can happen for her, it can happen for all the kitties. Even Tibby Bean! Let's find someone with the patience of these wonderful people for Tibby, know anyone??

Don't forget, donate, adopt, book, brick, adopt! And for heaven's sake, dance!

[Lee County Clowder]

Way to go, Jnanda and Brent. Kittie purrrrrrrss to you and Spritz from all of us.

Enjoy your furrrever home, Spritz, and keep on getting braver.

[Webbthistle]

Happy tears here. Yay for such wonderful forever paw parents with such patience and love!

[LP]

Hooray for Jnanda and Brent! Keep working with her. Try playing with her on a daily basis with a wand toy or the red dot. We did that with our Mitalee. She hid alot at the beginning but we played with her and gave her love (like you are doing with Spritz) and now she is THE LOVEBUG of the cottage. She meets everyone who comes here and loves everybody! Truly. It took time but I am here to say it CAN be done.Thanks for taking her. She has a wonderful forever family :)

LP and the critters in the cottage xo

[meowmeowmans]

Oh, this makes me so happy that I am crying tears of joy. Seriously. Yay for Spritz, Mitts, and their family. Thank you for being you, Chrystal. What you does matters, and is wonderful and important. Big hugs, dear friend!