By Heidi Wulfers
This is written in honor of four adult cats who have spent the majority of their lives living at the S.P.A. While no cat is unadoptable, we have learned that these four require extra patience from any prospective adopter. Each has been adopted once or even several times, taken home, and then returned to the S.P.A. None was aggressive or destructive, but each was returned due to lack of sufficient time to adjust to such a new situation. So, however long it takes, each will reside at the S.P.A. until maybe the day comes when really patient adopters give them each a chance to become part of a family. Meanwhile, life is good for these lucky cats who have been rescued by the S.P.A.
Xel-Ha, who arrived as a baby with her twin sister, is now 4 1/2 years old. She is the first to greet us when we bring food in the morning and has brilliant green eyes that could light up any space. Suerte is a large male with an independent streak. At 5 1/2 years old, he is the only cat in our Adult World that does not enjoy the treats we sprinkle around after a few hours of play. He observes the others’ excitement but is bored and has quite the superior expression on his face. Martin is almost 14 years old and is the undisputed master of Adult World. He is gentle with his discipline of other cats who approach him, but no one doubts he is to be respected. He is our very own “Old Deuteronomy.” And Aussie, dear Aussie, is closing in on his seventh birthday. He is a delight when in the cattery, lying next to the volunteers, staying mostly aloof from his fellow cats but loving up the humans.
You will recognize this tune and many of the lyrics composed by the Eagles. I hope you enjoy our S.P.A. version of their “Hotel California.”
On a dark dusty Pinos
Hot wind in my hair
Warm smell of jacintas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There Xel-Ha stood in the doorway
I heard the parish bell
And I was thinking to myself
«This could be Heaven or this could be Hell»
Then she lit up her bright eyes
And she showed me the way
There were mewlings down the corridor
I thought I heard them say
Welcome to the Hotel S.P.A.
Such a lovely place (meow meow meow meow meow)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel S.P.A.
Any time of year (meow meow meow meow meow)
You can find us here
So I called up Suerte
«Please bring me my treats»
He said, “We haven’t any good ones here
That anyone wants to eat»
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say
Welcome to the Hotel S.P.A.
Such a lovely place (meow meow meow meow meow)
Such a lovely face
We be livin’ it up at the Hotel S.P.A.
What a nice surprise (meow meow meow meow meow)
Bring your chicken thighs
Crickets on the ceiling
Bedding on the floor
We are all just pensioners here
With volunteers galore
And in Martin’s chambers
They gathered for the feast
Comida served and all cats run
But some just will not eat
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
«Relax,» said the Aussie
«We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But why would you want to leave?”
Xel-H, Suerte, Martin, and Aussie would enjoy having an “owner” now while they wait for their forever homes. Each can be virtually adopted! Go to this page on our website https://www.spasanmiguel.org/virtually-adopt-me-cats and choose the cat you want to virtually adopt. Sponsorship is $20 USD per month (or peso equivalent). We will send you routine updates about “your” cat. By virtually adopting one of them, you will enhance his or her life by helping to contribute to the cat’s medical care, shelter, food, and general well-being.
