Hugga Dec 2009

Tail of the Month

Hugga

If you have been to the kennel in the last two weeks you have probably met our new kennel cat, Hugga. He came to us via the Brewster Animal Rescue League. We called Dawn and explained that we were interested in a few of the cats that we had seen online and in the paper. Dawn told us to come on down, that she had the perfect cat for us.

Well, she couldn't have been more right! He is a perfect fit, sitting up on the counter greeting customers, literally placing his paws on their shoulders and "hugging" them. He doesn't LOVE the dogs yet, but he seems fairly unfazed by them. His biggest issue is his enormous need for affection. When we first talked with Dawn and asked how he had ended up at the Rescue League, she explained that the owners felt he was too affectionate. Of course I scoffed at that reason, saying, "Someone actually thinks a cat is too affectionate? Come on, people usually complain that they are a bit frigid at times." Well, now I understand.

Hugga doesn't quit. He can be distracted by the paper coming out of the printer for a couple of minutes, but then he and his big, bushy tail are right back in your face. It is very funny! And Hugga doesn't just hug. He wraps those big paws around your shoulders and neck and then puts his nose right in your face. He rubs against your face, back and forth, back and forth. It only stops when you put him down, to which you are treated to yowls of annoyance at the thought of being put down for a moment. And one of his favorite places to sleep (only after he gets the idea that he can't be my newest scarf all day) is across the top of my desk.

Hugga keeps a close eye on the printer

just waiting for the right moment to swat the paper!

Hugga has also decided to rearrange our kitchen area. Most mornings we come in to find all sorts of things in different places. He also likes to keep watch on things from on top of the cabinets.

He really is a wonderful addition. For years we had a sweet cat named Harry, who had been abandoned at the kennel and absolutely did not want to leave our cat room (trust us, we tried). Harry lived with us for years and when he passed away, we didn't think we would be able to find another cat who would fit in with us. But now, we have a big, hairy fur-ball who thinks he is king of the entire kennel. He is sitting here with his paws wrapped around my shoulders, incessantly nuzzling my face as I type. He may be a bit much at times, but he is one of us. We love him!

His highness, asleep on my desk!