Rescue Stories: Buddy - A Scared Street Cat Found His Happy Family | Lola The Rescued Cat
Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Rescue Stories: Buddy - A Scared Street Cat Found His Happy Family

We’re excited to share a rescue story with you today that’s very special to us. Buddy is one of our best friends. His mom, Jenna, is very good friends with Mommy, and we followed Buddy’s story from the very beginning. He definitely has a “Happy Ever After” ending. Without further ado, meet our friend, Buddy!

Lola


When I moved into my apartment in Houston during the summer of 2010, I discovered there were many strays and a group of feral cats in the complex. Being a cat lover, I set up a feeding station on my fenced in front porch, and I also fed the ferals in a few different areas around the complex.


rescue stories|rescued cats
I first noticed Buddy towards the end of the summer in 2010. He would stare at me from way across the courtyard that my apartment faced. He seemed curious about me, but kept his distance. He would come to eat on my porch, but only after I had gone inside. If I opened the door he would immediately run away. My first impression was that he was feral because he stayed away from people. But unlike other ferals, he was very interested in watching me.


rescue stories|rescued cats
Buddy when he was living on the street. 

I slowly gained his trust by just talking to him. People probably thought I was a nut when I was talking to him across the courtyard! It took a little over a year, but he gradually came closer and closer to me.



rescue stories|rescued cats
Buddy on the street.

He learned the sound of my car, and when he heard me pull up he would trot down the sidewalk to greet me and follow me onto the porch. He eventually let me pet him, but I learned that he was very fearful if you approached him straight on. So I would sit in a lawn chair with my hand dangling, and he would come up to me and let me lightly touch him. I was successful in finding homes for several of my strays and had the same intention for Buddy. As soon as he was the slightest bit comfortable with me I was able to get him to the vet and then place him in my bathroom. When he got a clean bill of health I started to look for a home for him.


rescue stories|rescued cats
Buddy, happy in his box.

He did surprisingly well when I brought him inside. He stayed in the bathroom for several days so that my cats could get used to him, and when I let him out he got along very well with them. He was very fearful of my roommate, John, though. John is a crazy cat man and tried very hard to win Buddy over, but Buddy was always very fearful of him. I got the strong impression that Buddy had been abused because of the way he flinched when you tried to pet him. And because he was so fearful of John, I assumed a man had abused him. When I had taken him to the vet he was already neutered so I also assumed that he had belonged to someone and they had thrown him out.

Buddy bonded with me but was still fearful of being touched. And he would NOT let me pick him up or handle him in any way. He would really freak out. I was afraid that he would have a difficult time adjusting to another home so I decided it was best that he stay with me.

Spooky was a cat that I had long before Buddy. Spooky was a very jumpy cat that preferred to be alone for the most part. After Spooky’s best friend went to the Rainbow Bridge and I was down to four cats, Spooky and Buddy really started getting along very well. They played a little together and at night they slept in 2 beds that were next to each other.



rescue stories|rescued cats
Spooky

Buddy spent a lot of time with my other cat, Finnigan, whom he is extremely bonded with. But he had a relationship with Spooky that no one else had. When Spooky became ill and died very suddenly in June of 2018, Buddy was very depressed for about two months. He lost a little weight and looked for Spooky all over the house. He also became much more affectionate towards me which was a pleasant surprise, but also very sad because I knew he was upset and needed nurturing. Eventually, though, he returned to his old self.


rescue stories|rescued cats
Buddy sitting on his mom's lap.

I've had limited contact with Buddy for the most part as he is very fearful of touch. I respect his choice, and I let him come to me and try not to ever startle him. Little by little he's become more comfortable. 2018 was the year that I saw the most progress in him, which started after Spooky's death. Buddy seeks out petting now and likes to lay beside me on the couch for short periods of time, which never happened before. He also sat on my lap for the longest time ever! Normally it would be about 1-2 minutes max; this year he has sat on my lap several times for 20+ minutes! Progress!



rescue stories|rescued cats
Buddy and his best friend, Finnigan.

Although Buddy is still fearful of touch, I feel like he has come a long way! It's a very slow process and he may never be 100% comfortable, but I have learned to love him on his terms. I let him come to me, and he does so more often than he used to. Having a cat like Buddy is not for everyone. It takes a special person to love a fearful cat. Buddy is very bonded with Finnigan and they do everything together. He is happy, and that is all that I ever wanted.


Jenna,
Connecticut

Would you like to comment?

  1. What a lovely story. I am glad Buddy has such a loving home and a best friend in Finnegan.

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  2. Loving a fearful cat is a challenge, but the rewards are excellent! Thanks for the post!

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  3. Awww, Buddy, you hit the jackpot with Jenna! I can totally relate with our cat, Shiloh. He is the same way. But we respect his "special" ways and he is a very content kitty. Very nice story...we love you guys!

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  4. That is such a beautiful story and we're so happy that Buddy found exactly what he was longing for!

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  5. Wunderfull story 'bout Buddy boy!! Mee acts a lot like buddy used too...thanx fore sharin yore story....you have helped mee LadyMew understand mee more....
    Buddy mee wishess you a furry guud life! You dee-serve it so much!
    **purrsss** BellaDharma

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  6. What a beautiful cat and a beautiful story - thanks for sharing Buddy with us.

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  7. What a great story. Buddy sure found the purrfect home for him.

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  8. WOW! Jenna sounds like an amazing person! What a wonderful story -so happy for Buddy!!

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  9. what an awesome story thank you for sharing. I follow them on facebook but did not know buddys story

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  10. What a great story! My Mom says that rescues like Buddy (and Me and Queen Penelope) are difficult - at the beginning. With Queen Penelope it was almost 5 years before she would actually sit on laps and want cuddles! Me, I still hate being picked up, and I am not much of a lap cat, but I LOVE cuddling in bed!
    Purrs
    Marv

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  11. Awe, wonderful story on Buddy. I follow Buddy & Finnigan and enjoy seeing their posts. Thank for the rest of the story.

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  12. Aww, this is wonderful! There's a purrfect home for every cat, and Buddy is so clearly exactly where he is supposed to be. Thank you, Jenna, for loving Buddy so much, and so well. :)

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  13. What a sweet story. And Buddy be a very handsum mancat. Big hugs

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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  14. He was obviously socialized and once someone's pet, and he really wanted another home, and how wonderful he found a human who saw that in him, and also understands his need to move slowly.

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  15. Buddy is not unlike Boodie - it has taken her the better part of her 17 years to come around, but that's because the humans still respect her space.

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  16. That is a really beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Purrs,
    The Chans

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  17. buddy; itz veree nice ta meet ewe N we troo lee N joyed yur storee; we R sorree ta lurn bout spooky but we R happee ewe N finn haz a cloze bond....we R buzzed happee ya finded a loving foreverz; yur box foto iz total lee kewl ;) ♥♥☺☺

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  18. I'm so happy that Buddy has a home and a BFF. What a great story. Thank you to Jenna for sharing (and of course caring for him and taking him in!).

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  19. What a heartwarming story - Buddy is a handsome boy and looks very happy in his forever home. Thanks to Jenna for giving a feral a chance!

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  20. My sweet ginger nephew’s story reminds me of my Kaspars who was also semi-feral and took years to fully trust completely. Jenna is a lucky Mom to have had another ginger boy Angel Hobbes as well as Buddy and Finnegan. It’s my dream to someday have a ginger boy.

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  21. Buddy's story reminds me of Bear. I only had to feed him a few times before he flopped in my lap begging me to pet his belly. But the watching thing was the same ... and not eating while I was out there ... and the mostly seamless transition to indoor only.

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  22. What a great story. Buddy is luccky to find you.

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