About three years ago I started to notice a chubby tabby cat skulking around my apartment building. I’d see him every few months or so, sneaking around the cars in the parking lot, but whenever I’d try to get his attention, he’d just flash me a dirty look and walk away.
Then, one day I opened the apartment door and there he was, sitting in the hallway in front of me. He meowed and walked over, so I bent down and scratched his chin. When I stood up again, he walked passed me into the apartment like he owned the place.
So began our dysfunctional friendship. 🙂
Over the next few months I’d see him just once or twice a week. He’d scratch at my door or meow, so I’d feed him a spoonful of tuna and give him a kitty massage. I felt used, but loved.
Around this time last year he started to visit more often — eventually every day — and began to feel more like a member of our family.
I was starting to get attached, but he was so outgoing and sweet that I figured he must have lived with people at some point. I never saw him wear a collar, though, and he was always starved and covered in fleas. Maybe he’d just gone astray.
The time came to get him checked by a vet. I braced myself for potentially bad news — that he might be sick or microchipped and belong to someone else. Nope. It turned out he was perfectly healthy (except for worms) and didn’t have a microchip. My heart leapt! Tabs had officially become my cat.
I’ve known other cats, but none like Tabs. He still plays like a kitten, shows tons of affection and isn’t afraid of people at all. Sometimes, I feel like a proud stage mom when he’s complimented on his looks, LOL!
Yes, I fully embrace sounding like a crazy cat lady. Ain’t no shame in that game. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You had a survey a while ago and I’ll be honest, I chose one of the main reasons I come to your blog is Tabs. He’s an amazing guy. And what an amazing love story. You crazy cat lady.
From another crazy cat lady 🙂
Aw, that’s such a nice story on how you met Tabs. He’s such a cute kitty. Have I told you how we met Zena? If not, here it is:
My mom was curious into how much a Rat terrier puppy would cost after my other dog passed away. We weren’t actually ready for another puppy but we were just looking. Lo and behold, we saw Zena’s photo up on her old owner’s webpage and she was up for adoption. We fell in love with her profile and her expressive eyes.
Ms. Cindy (her old owner) and my mom had many conversations and she said she wanted us to have her. She explained that she was up for adoption for two reasons–Zena wasn’t getting along with another alpha female and she had a litter of one pup that was so deformed and it was congenital so both the sire and dam of the pup had to be taken out of the gene pool. The puppy died a few hours after birth. My mom and dad drove 3.5 hours (7 hour round trip) to pick up Zena on June 24. After that, it’s been a hard core love affair.
Ms. Cindy said she may have a bit of a food strike as she had her puppy a few weeks before when we brought her home. We didn’t expect the food strike to last for a month and a half (she did eat human food or ate food if it was from my hand). We tried everything and breathed a sigh of relief when she ate her kibble mix. Her fur was a big old shedding, unshiny mess from having a pup so I had to brush her every single day. It took three months of hard work to get that coat to the shininess it is today.
Zena is a rare dog breed known as the Decker Rat Terrier, a dog bred to hunt down everything from rats to grizzly bears. There’s only 400 “true” Deckers (to be a Decker the dog must have 50% or more Decker blood. Zena is 78.6% Decker) in the world so it’s sad she had to be taken out of the gene pool. However, had she not we wouldn’t have her. I love my Zeeber.
It’s been full of up and downs for the two years and two months we’ve had her but I wouldn’t exchange her for the world. She’s my Zeeber.
“I felt used, but loved.” – ha! I think it’s true what they say – We don’t adopt pets, they adopt us. I like to think that stray cats watch us and don’t come forward until we’ve been deemed “good people”. When I moved into my first place, a little cat followed me home and tried to walk past my door, too! But I had to leave him outside because I was rarely home and wouldn’t have been able to take care of him. I didn’t feel too bad though because I saw him in front of someone else’s door a few days later. I didn’t feel so special after that! 😉
Isn’t it funny, how things happen when least expected? You and Tabs seem as if you’ve been together forever…I’ve never seen a cat with such “patience” or personality. It’s as if you two were always meant to be, it just took some time for you to find each other…love stories like that! 🙂
I got my kitten when I was 9 and still have her today, when I’m in my 20’s, and it’s needless to say that I can’t imagine life without it!
But I love all cats, just yesterday I met the cutest kitten, all scrawny underfed, tiny and super intelligent. He used me to jump to the nearest wall to catch a bug, later attacked a dog three times his size, came to my grandmas house for lunch and overslept on sofa….It breaks my heart that he will have to keep living on the street, especially since his ‘dad’ was my/grandmas cat who I met the same way and was poisoned later… Both he and his ‘son’ were so different from my cat- she doesn’t like to be carried and avoids people, but I love her still..I wish I could adopt all those cats…
Tabs looks like a beautiful cat!!
That is so sweet. Tabs is adorable. I absolutely LOVE cats.
Aww, what a sweet story! But aren’t you afraid that his original owners will show up at your doorstep some day? (or do I watch too many movies?) lol
That is so cute! I love your story! Im not a cat person. But tabs is super cute!!! Im glad you got to keep him after all and hes a healthy happy kitty now!!
Sara:)
.-= Sara’s last blog post… I won! You Can Win too! 🙂 My Prize and Contest Reminder =-.
Tabs is one handsome boy! Jack, my neighborhood cat, started to follow me around like a puppy and my neighbor noticed that. Unlike Tabs, Jack just loves to go around to visit his neighbors and get some extra food. He looks a lot like Tabs, I wonder if they are related to each other.
.-= Dao’s last blog post… Sunday Beauty Reads =-.
I love Tabs! Especially diggin’ Tabs and the Benefit too! I’ll never forget coming home last summer and finding the brand new 2lb. Ragdoll kittens I had just gotten ripping up my $70 limited edition NARS Botan brush that my friend sent me from Paris! I had yet to use it and those little boogers destroyed it.
Hi Hannah,
LOL, oh no! Are your kitties still into busting up your brushes?
aw, this made me tear up
I love to read about Tabs, he has a busier social life than me !!!!!!!!!!!!! Karen & Tabs, a match made in heaven <3
such a sweet story! if only he started coming around more often earlier.
i got my tabby to follow me home one day when i was walking my dog. he then became our outside cat (we had some inside and my moms cat wasn’t crazy about him).
then after my first year at college, i took him up with me and he’s been living with me ever since!
he also seemed to have a family because he wasn’t feral in any way. he likes people a lot.
Wherever he came from, he spells LOVE. You gave him a new leash (haha) on life. I am not in accord with those who think that cats should be allowed to roam free, especially in city areas where the cars zoom fast. I like to associate songs with my pet. I have a Cairn Terrier and I have two songs that go with him. One is by John Lennon and was written for his and Yoko’s son Sean. It is called Beautiful Boy. The other song is a little silly. I don’t know who sings it but it is called “Sexy Boy”. I think that is Tabs song, too. What do you think? Louise
We love Tabs! Please keep him featured in your column.
That is so cute how Tabs found you and you adopted him 🙂 He’s one handsome kitty. I wish I weren’t so allergic–I want a nice cat too. Since I can’t have one, it’s nice to see your adorable Tabs!
.-= Marilyn’s last blog post… The Monster Truck show was awesome! =-.
i think it’s wonderful how you took tabs in. all over the world, people abandon their cats because they figure they’re hard to move with, or because they misbehaved in some way. all animals, kitties, doggies, bunnies… they all deserve a second chance, and it’s great that you’ve given that to tabs!
cha cha came into my life a month and a half ago because i’d been looking to adopt a cat. a friend found a cat in her back yard one day, and didn’t know that she was pregnant. on may 16th, there were three little surprises in her house! i took one look at the little black one and fell in love, so when he was fully weaned i took him in. since then, he’s been my friend, fur baby, lap warmer, and typist (he likes to walk around on the keyboard to give me a hand)!
i always thought i was a dog person (i had a pug named mr. wrinkles who passed away) but cha cha has shown me that i show big potential as a crazy cat lady.
hooray for people that adopted their animals!
.-= ines + cha cha’s last blog post… Eye of the Day – Friday Night Dancing Edition =-.
Tabs is the best! I am a complete and total nutty cat lady also, so you are not alone 🙂
.-= Kelly’s last blog post… Where Am I?? =-.
What a handsome devil and what a touching story. Thanks for sharing, Karen 🙂 Now I need to go pet my kitties!
Aww ^^ I am totally bookmarking this – it’s the stuff of stories, Karen! Tabs is lucky to have found you, and by the sounds of it, you’re just as lucky to have found him <3
.-= Rae’s last blog post… The view from here =-.
Awww… I just adore sweet kitty stories. Tabs is such a cutie! I saved my little man from a quick death penalty (he was the only one out of his siblings to not be adopted- he was skinny, sickly, had ringworm, gross eyes and hissed a lot). People need to give the scraggly cats a chance!
.-= Marmar’s last blog post… Christian Siriano ♥’s VS =-.
Tabs is a wonderful and handsome cat! I too, have been suckered in by a stray cat. Our newest member Morrie virtually lived in our yard for three weeks and would have continued to do so if we had not rudely (in his mind) taken him to the Shelter to find his original family. When they were not located, we adopted him. Its comforting to know other people have their hearts turned to mush by wandering felines.
P.S. The bonding process of my three cats slowly continues!
So, Tabs was kind of independent cat before knowing you Karen:). I think he’s a cat with personality, don’t take that away from him. I think he’s cute (but don’t let him know that I’ve said that).
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Chic’s favorite articles of the week: New fall 2009 makeup and nail polish collections =-.
Awww!!
I think it’s so great that there are people like you, Karen, that actually take care of an astray cat and love him so much. <3 Tabs is such a beauty, I specially like th pic with the blue ribbon!
Such a lovely story about Tabs. And there is no shame in beeing a carzy cat lady. I am the lucky housekeeper for 3 cats and I love it:-) It is true what they say, you can’t own cats, but they will graciously let you live with them and keep them in the style to wich they have become accostumed.
Awww it’s love isn’t it Karen? I love the story, and always enjoy your Tabs updates. The photo of him sitting on the brown couch cracked me up, he has so much attitude.
this is such a lovely story. I can’t imagine you blog without Tabs now :)and I LOVE cats myself. my cat is 13 years old and she was my BDay present.
.-= Marina’s last blog post… Twilight Beauty: Luna Twilight and Volturi Twilight =-.
Karen, no one will ever love you more than a cat or dog you have rescued from a life on the lam. They know what life on their own is like, and I swear they always remember it. You are lucky to have found each other!
.-= Charlestongirl’s last blog post… La Mer – The Radiant Facial =-.
wow! what a wonderful story about your pet. i love it. i have a “chiweenie” (chihuahua and dachshund mix). she’s been my best friend for 7 yrs now. i love her so very much and she brings such joy to my life.
LOVE him. Did the vet give you a ballpark on his age?
Awwww that is such a sweet story! Tabs is super cute!
.-= gio’s last blog post… Is nanotechnology in sunscreen good or bad? =-.
I love your story of how you and Tabs met! So heartwarming to hear how it all went down.
Tabs reminds me of a cat I once knew, a roommate’s. His name was Zeus and he was probably the coolest cat I’ve ever met! Tabs has the quality, like he knows how cool he is, LL Cool Tabs.
This is such a sweet post Karen. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Stef’s last blog post… Win a $50 gift card from BeautyTicket.com! =-.
Hi gals,
Tabs was thrilled to see all these nice comments! He sends you all big kitty hugs. 🙂
Happy Monday!
I’m convinced that cats adopt us! We don’t adopt him. Thank you so much for sharing your story of how you got Tabs! I love the pictures! Especially him sitting like a human. LOL
.-= Sarah’s last blog post… Creepy: Human Skin Rug =-.
I appreciate this story about Tabs, he’s a cute cat, and i always enjoy pictures or stories about him. That’s makes your blog one of my favourites 🙂
He’s very special, and you can be very proud about him !
Give him a hug from me and my two cats Misty and Villo 🙂
OMG this has to b one of my fav blog posts from u (and i love them all)…Tabs is ADORABLE and i was sure u had him since he was a kitten. My fiance and i have 2 big fluffy cats (sisters) and i love them so much that i know at heart i am a crazy cat lady 😉 both have such different personalities sometimes it is hard to believe they r related. Even thu their hair is everywhere (and i mean that their hair is up to 5.5 inches long in most areas)…but such a lil inconvenience to have such love. Cat do make u feel “used, but loved” most times but the loved part wins each time (L)
thnks for sharing this wonderful story!!
That was beautiful, you’re a good mom Karen 🙂
I can very much relate to your story of how Tabs adopted you. I have a beautiful cat named Bean. when we got him, he was a stray hanging around my inlaws they had been watching him for about 8 months before they could get close enough to feed him and then one day he just went inside their house. they called me and my husband so we could adopt him, my mother in law is terrifed of cats. he had belonged to somebody at some point because he had been declawed and neutered. he was in terrible shape was 6lbs had been bitten so badly by fleas that half of the fur on his face was gone and he had a broken tail. I took him to the vet, no microchip or collar and we had been scouring the papers for sometime, and no one was looking for him. he also had feline HIV. now 8 years later all his fur has grown back, he is 13lbs and has beautiful snowny white fur. My aunt who is a vet said he is in perfect health even with the HIV(my secret is give him a little yougurt everyday). I am so greatful to have him , he makes everday better!
Karen,
Zena sends a curious head tilt and a sniff to Tibby Tabs! She finds cats a curious species. The kitty in my area (named Zilfidge or spelled to that effect) runs away from Zena even though she’s just curious!
And Zena sends you a “I didn’t do anything” look and a kiss. She’s in the doghouse with Momma as she decided to go al fresco sans fence today. I made up with her after having to carry her all the way back home (I’ve had my strength training of the week me thinks. She’s not a light dog to carry 1/4 of a block) as she decided to play kiss up and take a nap right next to me. She curled up into a little donut. It was so cute. I can’t stay mad at her when she does that.
I am jealous you have a cat. My apartment bldg does not permit pets. 🙁
-meream
.-= All Women Stalker’s last blog post… 10 Best Body Lotions … =-.
Such a great story! Cats definitely choose their people. 🙂 That photo of him sitting up on the couch never fails to crack me up!
.-= Trude’s last blog post… Lately… =-.
Awww, I really enjoyed reading this. What a wonderful story of you and Tabs. =)
I hope to adopt a cat at some point after my living situation is a bit more stable (college can be a bit hectic with all the moving around for internships and all) but until then, I just got myself an adorable little dwarf hammie named Mochi.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… NOTW – Zoya Sylvie Gradient w/ Gems & Glitter =-.
Thank you so much for that very wonderful story! I believe that cats choose their owners and they have such unpredictable attitudes that are constantly surprising.
.-= Connie’s last blog post… Totally Wearable Tutorials: Tea Time =-.
Aww… that is so sweet ^_^. Thank you for sharing this story! I missed having a cat around :(.
.-= Astrid’s last blog post… Photoshop Hand Tool Bug =-.
I love the story of Tabs! He’s an adorable kitty.
.-= Amber’s last blog post… Avril Lavigne’s Suprisingly Sweet Black Star: Coming to the US Fall ‘09 =-.
Aww he’s so cute.
Thank you for adopting an animal! I just started volunteering at my local Humane Society and there are just so many animals people don’t realize they can have and love on. Just the other day, I had a kitten who…climbed on my HEAD. She was sitting on my lap when all of a sudden she just scampered up my tshirt to my shoulders…and then onto my head. Needless to say, I felt quite loved and “chosen.” I’m strongly considering adopting her myself. Keep loving your Tabsy!
Awww… your kitty looks just like mine! We got ours from a rescue, but he’s super-social and adorable. I love happy adoption stories 🙂
Tabs is smart to have chosen such an excellent mommy. Keep us posted about the potential little brother or sister!
i guess thats how it is with all cats.. they choose us! awwwh. I had a kitty growing up who was actually the neighbor’s cat, but she ‘lived’ in our home! At 7am and 6pm she’d disappear to her home to have her meals and then come straight back to our place! It was amazing, coz she lived with us, slept on my bed at night, watched tv with us and waited to lick our (my sister and mine) ice cream bowls 🙂
I have to tell you about my cat friend. Last year i moved house,and met a ginger cat that would always come up to me for fuss and he would follow me home. I named him Temp as my temporay cat lol. He seems to be well fed but is out alot. He started to come into my house and eat my cats food. Earlier this year when it was snowing he was still outside so i bought him into my house. And he stayed for a few days. He still hangs around most days 🙂