“My playful, affectionate and gentle young male cat, Bandit, needed a companion who would enjoy his company,” admits Tenley. “After reading the description of Willow, then named Twix, by her Furry Friends’ foster mom, I met her at an adoption event at PetSmart.
“She was certainly adorable, and I was optimistic about welcoming her into our little family. As it turned out, Willow adjusted to living here almost immediately. In fact, she seemed to assume the entire household was hers, whereas the adjustment was more gradual for Bandit and me. Willow quickly claimed favorite resting spots, sleeping areas and my attention while Bandit, being the gentle soul he is, tended to retreat rather than challenge her.
“Willow has brought affection, laughter and an unexpected education in feline behavior into my home. She’s certainly challenged some of my expectations, but she’s also made life considerably more entertaining! Bandit loves playing chase and is generally quite gentle with her. Willow, however, has a different interpretation of what constitutes an enjoyable game. She’s a bit of a little old lady trapped in a young cat’s body. Fortunately, they’re gradually becoming more comfortable around one another. They may never become inseparable best friends, and that’s perfectly fine. My goal is simply for both of them to feel happy, safe and loved.
“Willow absolutely loves toys! Her favorite is a motorized three-in-one hide-and-seek toy. I turn it on, and she’ll dash around the house, disappear for a bit, then race back for another round. She’s my little bull in a china shop! Watching her play is especially entertaining because she’s bold, somewhat clumsy and delightfully awkward, which somehow makes her even more adorable.
“She also loves being petted and cuddled. I affectionately call her my little ‘velcro’ kitty because as soon as I sit down, she materializes out of nowhere and attaches herself to my lap. Personal space is clearly a concept she believes applies to everyone but her. Bandit’s and Willow’s different eating habits have required some creative problem-solving, including separate feeding systems so that Bandit can enjoy his meals without Willow ‘volunteering’ to finish them for him.
“At night, Willow now curls up near my head, usually without touching me, while Bandit settles near my waist or feet, leaning against me for warmth and cuddles.”
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Furry Friends Fur-Ever Stories are compiled and written by Nomi Berger who is the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles. She is a volunteer writer for Furry Friends in Vancouver, WA and also volunteers her writing skills to animal rescue groups in Canada and the USA.
