Hello from a kitty fanatic!

Hi My name is Chantal, I'm 21 and live in Australia. I share my life with my partner and our three beautiful rescue cats - Whisper, 9 years old, Kairi, almost a year and a half old, and Tidus, 7 months old. I've always adored animals, and was fortunate enough to grow up with a whole slew of animals since I was very young. Before my current three kitties I've had over ten cats, all sadly since passed on.

I bond very closely with my cats, I never view them as 'pets', simply beings I choose to share with my life with, all of whom play the role of mother, daughter, sister and best friend at once.

Two years ago my 'special' cat, the cat I bonded most closely to and was truly the most special and loved person in my life, was poisoned by some horrible neighbor (I never found out who, but it was a confirmed intentional poisoning). My heart broke, I've never felt pain or loss or grief half as strongly as that, and it took over a year for me to stop crying every day. I still think about Miko every day and my heart will never stop aching for her (and my other beautiful kitties who have passed before and after), but it was her death that put me on the path of animal welfare activism and adopting shelter cats. I felt the only way I could move on from her death was if I turned her awful passing into something positive, and so I adopted an older shelter cat in the hopes of giving her a new lease of life (in addition to annually sponsoring a cat cage at the local shelter in memory of Miko).

Nowadays I try to donate to animal charities as often as I can, and I've adopted two more kitties from the shelter, making a total of three. I plan on moving to a larger house soon and will be adopting more cats as money and space permit. I strongly feel that if you have the love, room and money for another animal, you should put it to use - there are so many homeless pets out there who are at risk of euthanasia simply because no one has come along to take them home in a timely manner. It's heartbreaking.

Anyway, sorry, I have a hard time getting off my soapbox on this issue, and I'm sure it's especially unnecessary here as we all love kitties and want to do what's best for them


Here are photos of my cats, and a couple videos too:

Kairi:


Whisper:


Tidus:


Walking Tidus on a Leash:

Cuddles with Tidus:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ArkadiaT.../1/NevkdA61RiI

I hope to see you all around soon!

Welcome to TCS, Chantal. We're so glad you found us here.

Let me begin by saying how very sorry I am to hear of your loss. Miko sounds as though she was very special indeed -- and, she continues to live on through the lives of all of those she touched. And, her legacy lives on through the shelter kitties you have adopted and for the charitable acts you do in her honor. No doubt all of your past and present cats are special and very much loved and adored, but I do understand that special bond one has. And, I think your activism is a beautiful way to commemorate a life that was taken so cruelly.

Your cats are stunning. Kairi is just lovely. I love her coloring. She looks as though someone just shaded her in with beautiful pastels. And, just seeing her picture causes me to want to kiss her and snuggle down for a nap alongside her. I'm not sure you mentioned whether Whisper was male or female, but Whisper, too, is precious. I love the markings around his/her nose. It would be near impossible for me to not kiss that black nose around the clock! And, Tidus...all spindly legs...just adorable. And, that look upon his face is priceless. Each of your cats ooze personality through their photos and I look forward to getting to know you all much better as time passes.

TCS has been such a special place in my life for the last two years. I hope you find it to be as warm, inviting, and informative as I have. This truly is a wonderful site and I am so thrilled to see another cat lover and advocate join us here. Welcome to you all.

Welcome to TCS! I hope you enjoy it here as much as I have. You have a beautiful furry family.

Well hun, you and I have very similar views! That's why we have ten kittens because we have the resources to properly care for them. We also foster kitties for our local shelter and do everything in our power to help them out.

Your babies are absolutely beautiful! I'm sure you'll fit right in here at TCS!

Beautiful kitties! Welcome!

Your cats are beautiful I'm sorry about Miko

Welcome! And please, don't ever step off the soapbox. We all feel very strongly about animal welfare, but it doesn't hurt to have a fresh fire lit under you on this issue every once in awhile, don't want to have anyone getting complacent as we go about our busy lives. I don't think anyone needs to let a day go by and not remember that there are too many kitties not as fortunate as the spoiled darlings on our couches.
Bless you for adopting a senior kitty. It is a shame that so many of these wonderful creatures are passed over in favor of kittens for adoption. If I ever adopt another another cat, it will be a senior. Fortunately my 4 are all healthy, so it will be a long time before I have a spot for another one.
Once again, welcome, it is good to have you here.

Hola y bienvenido a TCS, ...Catulina

Milky

:te saludan!!!........

(Translate: Hi and Welcome to TCS, Catulina ,Milky say hello to you!!!... )

Please feel as you home here, we can learn so much and deep about out kittys in this marvelous site, I just only please ask you read the rules and other stuffs that can help you to feel as you Real home!.. here you have the link my friend.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82565

Please ask whatever you need to know, there are plenty of good members and of course our tireness Mod´s to help us here!....

See you on the forums!, Glad you join us!

It is so very, very difficult to get over the loss of a beloved cat. Miko lives in your heart . Glad you found TCS and enjoy your time with us.