Ginger

Meet Ginger. She lives with Mary.

“On a Saturday morning more than three years ago, my partner Tim and I visited the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society in search of a kitty.  Karma, my precious feline companion for over 18 years, had died several months before. We walked past the dozens of beautiful cats and adorable kittens, hoping to find that “special” kitty that would like to join our family.  I admit I was leaning towards adopting a kitten.

I lost sight of Tim, and finally heard him calling from a room down the hall, the one with the rabbit cages.  “What about this one? She’s very pretty,” pointing to a longhaired black adult cat looking out from the row of bunnies.  The shelter staff person said, ‘Ginger came in with her litter of four kittens and is about a year old. We put her in with the rabbits because she is a little “crazy” and can’t be with other animals. She bites people, too.’ ‘Not exactly what I am looking for,’ I said to myself. Tim insisted on taking her out of the cage, and she snuggled in his arms. But everyone loved Tim. As a case manager at a local program that helps homeless people with mental illness, he had a heart for anyone with serious problems. ‘She needs a home, and I really think she’ll be fine once she feels safe,’ he said hopefully.  I finally agreed, and Ginger came home with us.

It was a difficult initial adjustment. Ginger hissed if we approached her or even looked at her. She ran from one end of the house to the other meowing loudly. By that afternoon I had nicknamed her ‘Ginger Snap.’  But that night she jumped on the bed and slept between us. ‘She may never be a lap kitty, but she’s smart, playful and seems to be very happy,’ Tim observed. Boxes and golf balls were her favorite toys, and we laughed at her antics. Gradually her biting changed to licking as we spoke softly to her. She let me brush her long coat and came running when she was called. And one day she curled up on Tim’s lap while he was reading. We were a happy family thanks to Tim’s belief in everyone’s inner goodness.

Our story, however, is bittersweet. Tim became seriously ill and passed away last year. Ginger is my dearest comfort. She jumps into my lap (yes!), purrs constantly, and makes me laugh on days when nothing else can. I send Tim gratitude every day for choosing Ginger. He knew what a difference a good home and lots of love can make in a troubled life. And I do have my ‘special’ kitty thanks to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society.”