“The first time they decide that the safest place in your house is YOU and nothing else is something you won’t ever forget”
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your rescue pets
I moved from Germany to Ireland around 10 years ago for work and I didn’t intend to stay for long. I wasn’t a big animal lover back then (to be honest I was mostly scared of them) but they do tend to creep up on you silently and with a furious love like nothing else.
What made you decide to adopt?
We had a flatmate that brought his own cat, and he had a keen sense on whom to annoy the most with his presence – much to my dismay that was me since I was readily available on the couch with the heating blanket. Once he moved out, we knew that something furry was missing and it was clear we needed cats of our own.
How did you find the pets you adopted?
In retrospect, either Lady Fortuna or something else was at work since we searched for quite some time for the perfect match at local rescues. Then a KLAWS fosterer made a post in one of the work chats about the cats that are currently looking for a home – that’s when I saw both Maple and Coco and I knew they were the ones.
What have been the highlights of your life with Maple and Coco?
Seeing them change from two little curled-up balls behind the cupboard to slowly exploring their new domain bit by bit. It didn’t take them long before they chose their primary can openers respectively and bossed us around like royalty😊
The first time they decide that the safest place in your house is YOU and nothing else is something you won’t ever forget. The first nose kiss, as well as the first scratch from playing too rough.
Have you had to face any challenges with regards to bringing home and living with Maple and Coco? If so, how have you overcome or coped with them?
To our surprise, we anticipated a lot more hiding and time to gain their trust, but it took both of them only a week to explore the whole house. Maple was very open from the very first day, shy of course but pats and sniffs and playtime were early on the menu.
Coco on the other hand was known as Ms. Hissyfit due to her not allowing anyone near her except Maple. It took a lot more effort to gain her trust and to this day she still hates to be held in any capacity – we respect that, but you do yearn to hold them close sometimes.
If you had to describe Maple and Coco in just three words, what would they be?
Maple: Affectionate – Cuddly – Tortitude (if you know, you know😉)
Coco: Strong-Minded – Purrrfect – Funny
Do you have any advice for people who are thinking about adopting a rescue pet?
If you are unsure whether it’s the right time or animal for you, give fostering a try.
If you fall in love and it is a foster fail – great! And if not, you provided a cat or a dog a loving home until the perfect family for them came along.
