rescue confessions: Timon

This week was a doozy. I blame the lost hour because getting out of bed was just brutal. But it’s Friday and I’ve got a new Rescue Confessions for you, so let’s get this party started.

Meet Timon and Megan. I’m still celebrating International Women’s Day so I thought it would be fun to share Megan’s story. She and I served on the board for the US National Committee – UN Women Chicago Chapter. I enjoyed getting to know her on a professional level and now a personal level through our shared love of cats. So, without further ado, let’s hear how she met her bff Timon…

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Megan’s Turn:

Tell us about your rescue! Name, age, breed, species??

Name: Timon (as in the meerkat from The Lion King)

Nicknames: Handsome Prince, Buddy

Age: 5 ½

Where did you two first meet?

We met at Almost Home Humane Society in Lafayette, IN. I graduated from Purdue in December 2012 and asked my boyfriend (now husband) Ben for a cat for Christmas. Since high school, the first thing I knew I wanted to do after graduating college was to adopt a cat. The week of graduation, I met Timon and fell in love.

Why did you decide to pursue adoption?

I had a cat growing up and loved the chance to love something unconditionally. Our family cat was loved by all of us and I thought that was the biggest my heart could get. When I brought Timon home with me, my heart grew exponentially and it grows bigger every day with the love I have for him.

How did you know they were “the one” (or two, or three!)?

I had played with a lot of the kittens at the shelter and thought any one of them would be wonderful to bring home. Until I met Timon. I picked Timon up and he immediately started to purr – and that’s when I knew. I didn’t just want a cat, I wanted the cat. Timon is the cat I was meant to find.

What advice do you have for someone who is deciding whether or not to adopt?

Ask yourself why you want to adopt and be honest with yourself about the answer. If you are ready to love something unconditionally, to care for a living thing and give as much love as you have, then adopting a pet is the most wonderful blessing. It is a lot of hard work but it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

Anything else you’d like to share (favorite dates/stories/lessons learned)?

Timon is my best friend and my loyal companion. He has lived in 3 states with me, including 3 airplane trips (even to California and back). He loves to sit with his Mom and Dad and knead with his special “kneading blankets” (not sure if this is a thing but it is for Timon).

Timon’s Turn

Favorite toy: 

I love to play with string, whether that be string Mom is pulling around on the floor for me or the string of Dad’s hooded sweatshirt while he is trying to work. I also love hair ties and wait every morning on the sink for Mom to pull out her hair tie bag so I can find one for me. Mom doesn’t let me play with them without her supervision though (for safety I suppose, Mom is very protective).

Most impressive trick: 

When I hear an odd noise, I stand up on my hind legs to look around. I did this the first day in the shelter when I met Mom and she immediately laughed and said my name could only be Timon since I looked like the Lion King meerkat.

Least impressive trick: 

Sometimes I decide to poop on the floor right outside of my litter box if it isn’t as immaculate as I desire. I am a little high maintenance and generally only like to use my box if it has fresh litter. Otherwise, I tiptoe around the edge of my box like I’m in the ballet so I touch as little of it as possible.

I will do anything for:

Mom’s attention. I was returned to the shelter as a kitten before Mom found me and took me home, so I have separation anxiety. My routines with Mom are how I schedule my day. When she gets home, I wait in the same spot in the living room for her to pick me up and carry me around. When she wakes up, I jump up on the sink for cuddles and fresh water.

Laser pointer or catnip:

I prefer to play with a laser pointer. Catnip has not really been an interest for me, although my brother Charles (4-year-old cat) loves it.

My favorite place: 

Mom’s lap with a cozy blanket.

It drives my mother the craziest when…

I growl at my brother Charles when I am cuddling with Mom at night. I have tried to tell Mom and Dad that it is nothing personal against Charles but that I came first and nighttime cuddles are my Mom and I’s thing. I would just like some space and time with Mom before bed.

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I mean, don’t tell Roni and Cheese, but how cute is Timon?? Thanks for reading! Be sure to check back next week for another Rescue Confessions!

xoxo,

Christine