Last updated: 22 Jul, 2019
Published on: 13 Jul, 2018
Titchi’s touch heals a hurting heart
Losing their beloved cat Ginger left an empty place in Mary and Walter’s heart. A shy and scared kitty just so happened to be their answer.
As self-proclaimed ‘cat people’, Mary and Walter really felt the recent loss of their cat, Ginger, who they were missing terribly each day. “My husband misses the company of a cat in the mornings, as he gets up early,” said Mary. Both in their 70s and living in a quiet home, Mary and Walter had so much love to give, and little did they know that they were the perfect ‘pawrents’ for a shy cat.
Loving cats runs in the family. While Mary and Walter’s daughter was recently adopting a kitten of her own though Little Legs Dog & Cat Rescue in Queensland, she heard about PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program and passed the details on to her parents.
“We weren’t looking for another ‘Ginger’, but we wanted to fill the huge gap he had left in our hearts and home,” Mary recalled.
Mary and Walter contacted Little Legs Dog & Cat Rescue directly to ask if they had any cats registered in PetRescue's Shy Cat adoption program.
Mary and Walter were introduced to a shy cat named Tichi, and decided to take him home for a trial to see how they got along. But immediately after arriving at their home, Tichi ran straight under the bed and hid - very common for a shy cat.
“We felt unsure, at first, if Titchi would settle in to our home. He did not seem very friendly,” Mary said. This timid nature is one of the reasons why shy cats are seen as less desirable for adoption, but Mary and Walter weren’t ready to give up just yet. As they soon found out, all Tichi needed was a bit of time, patience and love.
“Getting to know Titchi has been very satisfying,” Mary stated. “We have given him kindness, space when he wants it, food when he is hungry, and pats when he asks for them, and Titchi is now much more friendly, and even gives us the ‘lovey dovey’ eyes, which is extremely heartwarming.”
And a shy cat he is no more! Titchi now allows Mary to bath him, and seems to enjoy it! A big change from the timid cat that first entered their home.
Titchi is certainly living the life that every cat dreams of. He mainly sleeps during the day, on whichever bed he fancies around the house. When Mary and Walter are watching TV, Titchi strolls over, looks at them both, squeezes himself in between them and curls up for another snooze.
“He is also beginning to enjoy a short stroll outside in the yard, although the birds are a little scary for him!” added Mary.
Daily life for Mary and Walter has certainly changed for the better. “It is really good to have someone to look after and care for again,” Mary said. “When Walter is up early in the morning, Titchi is always there to keep him company and give him with someone to talk to - which is something that he used to do with our old cat, Ginger. And as Titchi settles in even more, we both look forward to the cuddles and affection that Titchi will bring!”
We need your help spreading the word about PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program, so that more people like Lily can connect with cats in need, like Angie!
Do you know a senior citizen with a quiet home and lots of love to give?
Print this flyer and pop it up at your local shops, library, senior citizens centre, vet clinic or in your neighbours’ letterbox. Help connect shy cats with senior citizens - they make super companions!
Find out more about PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program.