Ashley's Happy Tail

Dear North Shore Animal League America,

My name is Wendy Wegner, and I was referred to you by Sabrina at the Wellness Center. I currently live in Manhattan, grew up in Port Washington and volunteered at the North Shore Animal League when I was in high school. I wanted to write to you about an amazing senior cat, whom I adopted from the Animal League.

I wrote to you about little Ashley last fall, and I believe my note was posted in the employee area because so many staff members know and love her. She has been on the Seniors for Seniors program, and I bring her back for her regular checkups, where she is lovingly cared for by Dr. Olga. I am hoping that you might consider putting my story on your web site or in the newsletter, in order that more people can read this wonderful story and consider adopting an older pet. I have attached a few photos of Ashley.

Believe all of the wonderful things that you read about the virtues of adopting an older cat. They are wise, affectionate, calm and appreciative. And they can even be your lucky charm!

When little Ashley came into my life, she was still very sad from losing her elderly human companion, who had passed away a few months earlier. I met Ashley during the May 2007 Adoptathon, and it was love at first sight. Ashley, who was living in the Cat Habitat, watched me very closely, and then gently nudged my hand as if to say, "I am not going to let you forget ME!" Of course, she just had to come home with me. Ashley was 16 years old and had some serious medical issues, and I wasn't very hopeful that she would be with me for long, I Just wanted to give her a dignified and loving home in which to spend her remaining days.

But now, amazingly, we are well past celebrating our first year anniversary together! This beautiful little sweetheart has blossomed into a cat with such a super-sized personality, that she makes me smile and laugh every day. She is very frail, yet she is a little burst of energy when she sees a dangling toy or "bosses" the other cats in the household. She is an incredibly brave little girl and takes her fluids and medicines like a trouper. She chatters away with me in the kitchen, and every night she gives me another one of those endearing nudges. She wants one more cuddle before she goes to sleep (and, as we all know, love and cuddles are the best "medicine")!

And good stories happen all the time. Recently, as I was driving back from Vermont, I was pulled over in Massachusetts for speeding, I was certainly wrong, no question about it! A lady state trooper came up to my window. She looked at Ashley, who was on the floor of the passenger side in a nest of pillows that I had made for her. Ashley started to get up in her little wobbly way. The state trooper said, "What's wrong with your cat?" I said, "Well, she's 17 years old. I rescued her last year, but she’s doing great, she just thinks we are home!"

The trooper took my documents and went back to her car to write up my ticket. She came back a few minutes later and handed me a piece of paper and said, “This is a gift for you, it is just a warning. You're a good person. I have four rescue dogs, three rescue cats, and one rescue goldfish (??). Slow down and drive safely."

So Ashley is my lucky charm! And I slowed down and drove safely.

I will always find a place in my heart for a senior cat. It is my little way of making a difference in this world, and I hope that you feel the same way, too. Please consider adopting an older cat or dog. You'll be glad that you did.

Kind Regards,

Wendy Wegner