REHOME SUCCESS STORIES

ZIGGY’S STORY

To start at the beginning, we first became interested in Ragdoll cats  when we met ‘Freddie’  who is a silvery grey Colour point Raggie that belongs to the girl friend of one of our sons. We had not encountered one of  these ‘gentle giants’ before, but this introduction alone was enough to make us want one of our own!

The story follows that we did some research on Ragdolls and came across Ziggy on the website of the ‘Ragdoll Rescue and Rehoming Group’.  We knew at once that he was the one for us and we just had to have him! We went through the normal channels of applying directly to Dawn the co-ordinator for the South of England who told us that there had been enormous interest in Ziggy.  We tried not to build our hopes up too much at this stage but equally we were  not prepared to give up on him without strongly stating our case, as to why we thought we might be suitable owners for adopting him.  We understood Ziggy needed a quiet, loving home where there were no young children or other cats and we were confident that we were able to offer him that.

To cut a long story short, we could not believe our luck when Lesley, his owner, finally brought Ziggy to live with us. When we first saw him  our hearts just melted, he was even more gorgeous than he was in the picture and we’ll never forget the way he first looked up at us with his beautiful blue eyes.

We were very saddened to learn from Lesley that Ziggy had not had the best of starts in life, having been kept outside in a small cage, which is enough to make any devoted cat owner weep. To think that any human being could treat such a  loving and affectionate animal in this way is beyond belief. Happily, Ziggy seems to be unaffected by his past experiences and is now a very socially included and contented member of our family.  He has proved to be a very trusting and friendly boy and we cannot believe how quickly he has settled into our home-life.

We had been warned that we might experience some anti-social behaviour for at least a week or two; surprisingly, it was only a few hours after Lesley left him with us, that he warily crept out from behind the sofa (where he was hiding) and allowed us to make a fuss of him. He used his cat litter tray promptly without any problems and he was hungry enough to eat half a bowl of cat food which we put down for him.( He apparently does have a very good appetite and loves his food!)

During the course of his first day with us he found the courage to  slowly explore the whole house, by repeatedly going into his cat litter tray and rolling around in it, then rubbing himself round all the furniture in each room. He kept repeating this performance until he had virtually covered every nook and cranny! We had not anticipated this kind of behaviour but suspected that it was his way of marking his new found territory. We did not interrupt him while he was feeling his way round and just kept  talking to him softly to reassure him. It obviously did the trick as he was soon in our laps purring away on his very first evening with us!

We have had Ziggy just over a week now and it seems like we have had him for ages! He is a very vocal boy who always acknowledges our/his arrival into a room with a ‘meow’ as if to say hello!  We are sure he sometimes thinks he is a dog as he has some remarkable canine traits in the way he follows us around and sits and waits for us like a dog might. Nothing escapes him as he is very nosey and inquisitive and he wants to be involved with almost everything we do. He can be a bit demanding at the best of times, for example, when we are getting up first thing in the mornings or preparing meals etc..  and  he does not like being ignored, so we knew we needed to get him used to a consistent routine, otherwise he would have us glued to our chairs all day!

Ziggy enjoys being groomed and pampered every morning and knows he can always expect some lively play sessions where he is encouraged to expand some energy by darting around chasing his toys, (the small mice being his favourites.)  He has his own quiet ‘me’ time in the afternoons when he like to go to sleep in one of his chosen spots, usually one of our chairs,  or in our front room where the sun comes in. He also likes to sit on the window sill from time to time and watch the world go by. The evenings are undoubtedly reserved for quality lap time with us and there is always a lap (or four) at his disposal!

Ziggy  has stopped hiding  when we have visitors and will now come and introduce himself from a safe distance until he is sure that they are no threat to him. He soon finds he is then the centre of attention as he laps up all the fuss and attention made on him!  We recall one episode where he first spotted his reflection in the patio doors and sent himself into a state of panic!  It was  difficult to tell whether he was frightened or angry, however, after our efforts to reassure him, it took a while before he was able to convince himself  that this was not another cat he was looking at!  Fortunately, he no longer reacts or takes any notice of his reflection although he still likes to double check from time to time!

Ragdoll owners won’t need telling what the joys and pleasures of owning these lovely cats are. However, for anybody who has never owned a ragdoll before, or is considering buying or adopting one, we  would say don’t hesitate, although you do need to have plenty of time to devote to them.  If you want a lap-cat and a loyal companion then a ragdoll is definitely for you. 

We have found that the love we have invested in Ziggy has already been repaid a hundredfold.

With our sincerest thanks to Dawn, Lesley and all concerned.

Gillian & Colin Issott

Andrew and I began our love affair with ragdoll cats a year and half ago when we purchased our first cat called Skye. Skye was a 2.5 year old ex-breeding cat who was looking for a new home. We quickly warmed to her affectionate and talkative nature. She loves to follow us around the flat, wait beside the bath, sleep in the bed and have little conversations with us. We decided that Skye was lonely and in March last year purchased a kitten called Isla. Although the best of friends Isla and Skye are complete opposites. Isla has an extremely fiesty nature and is the ring leader.
She wakes us up at 6pm every morning looking for food. If we are not getting up, she will knock things off the bedroom cabinet. Isla is also known for stealing food off the kitchen cupboard including a whole tub of lurpark, butter and potato scones which she fairly distributed to the other cats!

When Cianne suggested that we get another kitten although instantly tempted, we had to give it a great deal of  consideration. We did not want to upset the dynamic which we had between Skye and Isla. After discussions with Cianne, she suggested that we re-home a male kitten as that would provide a balance with the two females. Rossi joined the McDonald clan on 6th October 2007.

Rossi is an extremely laid back boy who loves loads of attention and cuddles. Although we had slight hissing for the first 24 hours, the three cats were soon cuddled up in bed. Skye acts as Rossi's mother. He cuddles up to her and as she grooms him he lets out the biggest purrs ever. Isla is his playmate and they are regularly seen charging around the flat after a ball or a mouse. Rossi loves lying on his daddy's belly and getting strokes. We still however see indicators of Rossi's turbulant background.  He is extremely anxious at meal times to the point where he tips the food all over the floor. Rossi also  gobbles his food at top speed and pushes the other cats out the road. This is possibly because his start in life involved him
fighting for food with several other cats.

Rossi has won a special place in our hearts and  within our family. We are grateful to   Cianne for  giving us the opportunity to rescue such a special animal. Andrew and I look forward to sharing many happy years with our beautiful ragdolls.

Alison & Andrew

CHARLIE AND ALFIE

We lost our beloved Birman, Clover, after 18 years, she had been a wonderful part of our family for so long and we felt lost without her. As most of us know you are heartbroken with the loss and feel you will never get over the pain!  We had considered a companion for Clover after her sister Cassie died but we felt it unfair to her when she started to show signs of ill health.

After seeing the Ragdoll re-homing site we felt that we could give a good home and after speaking to Dawn she arranged a home visit to set the ball rolling. Within a few days Dawn called us to let us know of a little boy that may be suitable and be happy with us. His foster carer Liz called us to let us know all about him and we arranged to go and see him with a view to taking him. It took a couple of hours to get there but was worth the journey. On arriving we were welcomed by Liz and introduced to Charlie who was only nine months old, we were stuck with how beautiful he was and he seemed to know we were his new family he was very friendly and purred constantly. There was no decision to be made he was ours and we loved him straight away!

The journey home was a noisy one as Charlie wasn’t best pleased in the car. When we got home we opened the carrier with a view to letting him settle in gently, we were surprised that he had different ideas and was within minutes rolling around enjoying all the attention. He discovered food, water and litter tray within ten minutes and then went to explore the rest of his new home. We were astonished at how curious he was and he seemed to settle almost immediately.

He has the most adorable and lovable personality you could wish for and everyone who meets him falls in love. He has been with us for 6 months now and after seeing the latest appeal I spoke to Dawn about a companion for Charlie. We were lucky and went to see a little boy who was only five months old and being looked after by a lovely lady, Heather, needless to say Alfie has been with us for almost four weeks now. Alfie is equally adorable and has a wonderful personality and is developing every day.After advice we decided to be brave and get the introductions underway as soon as possible so that the boys could enjoy each others company .After plugging in a Feliway (which really does work!) and a liberal dusting of baby powder on each boy we just let them get on with it so to speak, there was quite a lot of grumbling and hissing and spitting from Charlie but it wasn’t as bad as expected and of course we were never far away just in case!

Alfie just wanted to be friends with Charlie and so there wasn’t a battle of who was the boss because he seemed to know that Charlie is (well for the moment anyway)!  Just after a few weeks and they are the best of friends there is a lot of purring, running around up and down the stairs and lots of playing together. They sleep closely together and we have even found them grooming each other. We are truly delighted that it has all gone so well it is lovely to see them together both looking and acting so happy.
We cant thank Dawn enough and all the carers for all their hard work in making sure these beautiful cats are cared for and re-homed to families who will give them the good home and love that they deserve .

Cheryl & Phil,
April and Rosie
(Charlie and Alfie’s slaves!)

Moshi and Skye’s Story

How many times have we said it, us cat lovers?
“That’s it, no more cats; I can’t go through this pain again.”  I have said it five times since the first cat I had to part with, but this time I meant it, or so I thought at that moment.
But the pain of not having a cat is greater than the pain of losing one, although you don’t believe it at the time.  After three months since saying goodbye to my last cat, who was 22 months old, home felt so empty and my heart ached for another cat or two!
I was first introduced to Ragdolls by a friend of mine who owns a male Seal Mitted and after a few days of losing my cat my friend had to go into hospital.  She asked me if I would look after her cat, but if I thought it was too soon after my loss and if I would get too upset she would put him in a cattery.  I jumped at the chance and said, “I thought it would help me a lot,” which it did.  He is a rescue cat, we formed a close friendship in the two weeks I looked after him, he was very loving and we spent hours together, either indoors or laying in his garden close to me while I did some weeding.  He loved his cuddles and grooming and the love and trust Tzar gave back to me was amazing.  So I made my mind up, Ragdolls it was. 
I decided I would like a young female and a female kitten.  So a few weeks later I rang Dawn Davies, one of the co-ordinators at the Ragdoll Rescue Group and told her what I would like.  She said she didn’t have any kittens but would keep me in mind if a kitten came along.  I was prepared to wait.  She would arrange a home visit and if all went well with that we could proceed further.  Two days later I was invited by two friends, (one being Tsar’s mum and the other being a very kind cat loving lady who takes us both to the vets when needed, as neither of us drive) to the Woking Cat Show.  It was here that I met Dawn at the Ragdoll section.  Dawn talked to me about two four year old Blue Colourpoints who needed rehoming, a male and a female and if all went well with the home visit would I be interested in adopting them.  They had been rescued in a very sad and sorry state and I was warned that the male was very poorly with a heart, lung and kidney problem and were not sure of the long term prognosis for him and could die. These two cats were inseperable and the Ragdoll Rehome Group desperately wanted to place these cats in a home together so if the boy, named Moshi didn’t make it the girl, named Skye would at least be in a loving home at this sad time.  They were due to go to the vets three days later to be neutered, but at the time were not sure if the male would survive, they also would have to have a lot of fur shaved off as they were both so matted, I was told that you couldn’t get a brush or comb through some of their fur.  I thought this was a far cry from the one female and one kitten I had planned for, but my heart had gone out to them already.  I asked what they would look like and Dawn pointed to a show cage opposite.  I walked across to it and a pair of the most amazing blue eyes looked up at me from the most beautiful face I had ever seen and such a wonderful coloured coat, I was thrilled and in love with two cats I hadn’t even met yet.  I went away from the show with a lot to think about. 
A few days later Dawn rang me and told me they were both fine, Moshi (the male) had survived the operation, he still had some fluid around his heart but he was still with us.  Then she asked me to think about her next request very carefully as she did not want to put any pressure on me.  I braced myself and waited for the half expected question, would I be willing to take them both knowing that Moshi may not be with me very long, but it was important that they stay together no matter for how long as Sky must have her chance to say goodbye to Moshi if or when he dies.  Every nerve in my body was screaming NO!  I cannot do it, I cannot lose another pet so soon after the loss of my last cat, but after talking and listening to Dawn I knew I had to give these two babies a chance of a happy and loving home for however much time we had together.  So I said yes.  I would take them both and there hasn’t been a moment since that I have regretted that decision. 
The home visit was a success and a phone call the next evening from Tina, one of the team said her husband, Mark would deliver them the next morning, but an hour later another phone call from Tina said things had changed and Moshi was going to the vets again for an operation the next morning as the vet wanted to drain off some of the fluid from around his heart to give him the best chance possible, my poor little darling.  I hardly slept that night I couldn’t eat the next day as my stomach was churning.  I couldn’t stand it any longer and rang Dawn to see if she had heard anything, she said she hadn’t but that was a good thing because his operation was scheduled for 11am that morning and if anything had gone wrong she would have heard straight away.  I tried to relax and wait for a further phone call giving me good news.  That evening Tina rang to say all had gone well and that there wasn’t as much fluid as had been expected to drain off.  Sky also had her stitches taken out after being neutered.
Tina along with her husband, who were the ones looking after Moshi and Sky since being rescued arranged for my precious cargo to be delivered the next morning.  I was the very lucky and very proud owner of two beautiful Blue Colourpoint Ragdolls and when their fur grows back they will look even more beautiful, if that’s at all possible.  Most people only want kittens!  I know, I was one of them!  But when an older cat comes into your life and doesn’t know you from Adam and yet is willing to trust and love you after all they have been through, what more could you ask for and I have got double the trust and double the love, how lucky am I?  And yes, they are inseparable, they go everywhere together and both squeeze into the same small bed and Moshi uses Sky’s tummy as a pillow as she tenderly and lovingly grooms him and after she has finished grooming him he puts his paw across her back legs as they fall fast asleep together.
They have settled very well and at night sleep on my bed, Moshi cuddles into the small of my back (keeping me nice and warm) and Sky sleeps on my pillow next to my head and during the day when we play together Moshi joins in until he gets tired, he is included in all games and wont be left out of anything, they have their favourite places like sitting on the lounge window sill like a couple of bookend watching people walk by or laying in their basket by the inner grid door with the main door open and the sun coming in, or stretched out on my bed.  And as I look down at my sleeping babies I can’t believe I have only had them a few days.  They look so relaxed and contented and who knows with loads of love and care we three could have a long and happy future together.  But no matter how long we have it will be the greatest time ever.  Before I finish I would like to say to Dawn, Liz, Tina and Mark a big thank you for their great support before and after I received my babies which made my decision to adopt them so much easier and I promise regular updates and photos of their progress and as you can see by one of the photos there is no room left for me in the bed to-night so I am relegated to the cat basked!!

Wendy Widdicombe
Surrey

Sapphire & Amber

Hi  

My name is Sapphire and  my sister is called Amber. We would like to thank every one at the Ragdoll Rehome Group for all the loving care they all gave to my sister and I while they found us a new home which they did.  We are very happy in our new home with our new mummy and we have a daddy too who Amber follows every  where. We love them both as they spoil us very much and when they go out shopping we always get some thing nice.  Mummy lets us do as we like but we know when we have been bad girls as we don’t get treats so we go and say sorry to mummy  but Amber and I do fight now and again and there is fur every were so the vac as to come out and Amber and Idon,t  like the vac so  we go to mummy's bed out of the way but we always get a love after.
Well we will say good bye now as it’s cuddle time .
                                                                        
Goodnight god bless every body.         

Sapphire & Amber x

 Ruby’s Story

Hello!  My name is Ruby and this is my story …

I’ve been told that I am 6 years old but no-one seems to know when my birthday is and it was such a long time ago that I’ve forgotten.  My previous owner was very forgetful as well because she put me and my best friend Chloe, who you’ll meet later, in a cattery and left us there for a year.  By the time that anyone came to collect us my beautiful coat had become a mess because I’d forgotten to clean myself properly, I’m always forgetting things!  Anyway my coat had to be shaved off and now I look a bit funny, although my new mummy says that it will grow back.  Some of my teeth had to be taken out as well so sometimes I stick my tongue out and forget that it’s there, I must remember to start writing things down!

A lot of people have looked after us since the cattery place but now I live with my new mummy and daddy in Cheshire, so finally I’ve become a Cheshire cat and I’ve got the grin to prove it! 

We’ve been here 3 weeks now and it’s really great.  We can go anywhere we like in the house and my daddy has now put extra wiring on the fence so we can now go out in the garden.  They seemed to think that I wanted to jump over a 6’ fence!

Before I forget let me introduce you to Chloe.  She is my best friend and she has huge feet and a very loud meow.

  We spend a lot of time together, we play together and just so I don’t get all matted again we wash each other just to make sure it’s all done properly.  Chloe is very intelligent she knows how everything works, this is a photo of her making a few adjustments to the DVD player.

We start our day at 5am by letting our mum and dad know that it’s breakfast time.  Chloe is great at getting the message across with that meow of hers.  If they don’t get out of bed we start running around, that normally does the trick cos of Chloe’s huge feet.

During the day we normally just hang out together.  We have a choice of sleeping areas sometimes we go on the big bed in the sun, sometimes we go on the fluffy blanket on another bed and sometimes we just lounge about on the sofa together

My Story

I first encountered my friend, Racheal’s Ragdoll, TT, before Christmas and instantly fell in love, he was so friendly and a real beautiful boy, she told me all about the breed and I was hooked!!! 

I did a lot of research on the net and spoke to a few breeders, who were really helpful and encouraging; I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision for both me and my perspective new friend / s, after all I was wanting to adopt but I knew it has to be a two way thing.

It was back in January 2007 when I first spoke to Dawn about wanting to adopt a Ragdoll, I had decided that it would be better to adopt 2 Ragdolls so they could keep each other company while I was out a work. Dawn was so knowledgeable, helpful and encouraging I have found her enthusiasm to be endless. Dawn told me all about the Ragdolls available for rehoming, she told me all about Truly and Precious and they sounded perrrfect!

Dawn and I discussed my circumstances and she told me that I would need to have a home check and Angela a breeder from Llangollen came mid February and gave me the thumbs up!!

I wanted to meet Truly and Precious before and arranged a visit to see them on 10th March, I fell in love!! We made arrangements for them to come to me after my holidays on the 7th April, it meant that I would be able to have the whole of the long Bank Holiday period with them to help the settling in period.

Truly and Precious		Me and Precious on the 10th March

Truly and Precious arrived in Chirk as planned on Saturday the 7th April, I was so excited I had everything prepared and the day had finally come. Zoe’s circumstances had changed and that is why she had made the very difficult decision to find a new home for them both, she knew that both of them would be loved and looked after.

It took a while for them both the settle down, which I expected, because Truly and Precious had been kept outside in an outdoor pen, it took a while for them to adjust to indoor sounds and movements, I started off by keeping them restricted to 2 rooms and gradually introduced them to more and more, now they have the run of the home – OUR home!!!

I took Truly and Precious to the Vets on the 20th April to get their matted coats sorted and to get their injections up to date, when I collected them after, they looked fantastic.

Truly and Precious have gone from strength to strength their characters are really coming through now, I look forward to going home to see them both, they are part of my life, I am so grateful to Dawn who has been fantastic from the start of the process to now, she definitely deserves a medal in fact the whole team need to know that

SADIE’S STORY

Saturday the 17 Feb 2007, and my name is Sadie and strange things have been happening today.   There I was put into my cat basket and whisked out of the door, I feel fine, so why am I off to the vets? Anyway, after several hours travelling in the car we came to a halt. My mum took me out of the car and took me into a strange house, hey what’s going on here, I mee-owed. Mum was talking to two strange people about me, and then mum opened my carrier door and I ran like lightening. I never did see Mum again.

I don’t like strange people or new surroundings, but I have found a nice dark and quiet spot under this here futon, in what looks like a store room. Been under here for a good few hours now, but I ain’t budging. This strange man keeps coming into my room, laying on the floor and looking at me, who does he think he is, keeps putting his hand towards me, can’t get any further away from him. Phew, he has gone away again.   Oh no, he is back again, but this time he has got a bowl with him. Sniff-sniff, smells familiar, my Hills I/D biscuits. I let my guard down and edged forward for a nibble of the biscuits, managed one or two then he kept moving the bowl away from me. What game does he think he is playing, I’m stopping here!

It is now getting dark and this man has just popped back into my room with the bowl of biscuits, he hasn’t bothered trying to look at me this time but just went out and closed the door behind him. All is quiet, no noises from around the building, think I will have a snoop around.

Sunday 18 Feb 2007.

Still hiding in my little den, at least I managed to have some food during the night. He keeps looking at me, what does he want? GO AWAY and leave me to sulk. I think he got the hint, as a bowl of food and water was left for me, but the door was once again closed.

Time goes by and they visit me in my little hidey-hole, but I don’t want to entertain them. They will just have to play on my terms and when I am good and ready. Some nights I’m shut in my room and other nights, I am allowed to roam the flat, I assume it is a flat anyway as I have not found any stairs when I have been venturing out on an evening. No sign of Casper or the humans, but lots of toys, they must belong to Casper as I have not heard any children around here. All nicely stored in a box, huh not for long, about time I had some fun. Mice, balls, bells and a scratch post and sniff-sniff, a tatty fur toy that smells really good. Phew this is getting me all dreamy.

 I have been here over a week now and I am feeling a little better about the new surroundings. Tony and Lizzie are the names of the people looking after me, they treat me well, always plenty of food and water for me. I even let them brush me now, but I don’t like being held. Oh’ it does feel good, to have a good brushing. I even let them stroke me now, but not for too long, can’t let them think that I am beginning to like them

As for Casper, well all he wants to do is chase me all the time. Naturally I have let him know that I am not interested and give him the odd swipe when he gets too close to me, and if he really bugs me, I use his litter tray, beats leaving a smell in my room. I must admit though, I have sneaked the odd sniff at Casper when he has not been looking. I suppose he is OK just not my type.

Recently I noticed that my water tasted different to normal and it makes my legs go wobbly. Tastes nice and makes me feel a little relaxed, they even gave me some tuna for a few days, not had that for years.

Days go by and Casper and I cross each others path, but only at a distance, I still don’t like him getting too close, must admit, I did flip my lid with him the other day. Lucky for him that I had had my nails manicured the other week, think they are due to be done again soon.

I have been here over five weeks now. Life is OK I even get to sleep on the sofa while watching the television. They are getting used to me for when I want feeding, even if I wake them early mornings. Can’t understand why Lizzie does not like me pawing her while she is still in bed. Tony likes to give me a good scratch of which I am grateful. As for Casper, well he never changes. He still runs at me like a bull in a china shop, so naturally I give him a swipe.

Tony & Lizzie must have a lot of patience to cope with me; naturally I am a Tortie or what you would call a red head!!!

Sadie