Jules joined the League's Sponsor Program in 2003. Jules is a medium-sized bright white adult domestic long hair cat with the most amazing green eyes we at the League have ever seen! He was discovered abandoned on our shelter's doorstep. Jules was terribly frightened and appeared very anxious. He was so fearful that he cringed when anyone tried to pet or handle him, which led us to believe he may have been mistreated in his past. He had no appetite for nourishment and a serious upper respiratory infection.

Later testing showed that Jules also suffered from a heart murmur and cardiac arrhythmia; conditions which are known to cause fainting spells or even death. We continue our promise to Jules to monitor him closely and provide the necessary medical attention he needs. Our wish for Jules is that he not only find a wonderful home to call his own, but that he feels safe and loved for the rest of his life.

Jules' Updates

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4th Quarter 2008
Jules continues to make great strides in his foster care home. Dare we say that he is finally getting used to his foster family and becoming comfortable with his surroundings? He's an example that you can, with patience and persistence, bring an animal out of their shell and gain back their trust. We are thrilled that your monthly funding helps to enable Jules, and all the other special-needs pets in this vital program, to not only receive the medical care they require, but the love and attention they deserve. Compassionate Sponsors like you, helpful foster care guardians and the Animal League are all working together - and we are achieving wonderful results for these pets!

3rd Quarter 2008
The grooming saga continues in full force with Jules. His beautiful, long white coat does require high maintenance. Luckily, his loving foster family is up to the challenge. They groom him almost every day so as to avoid those pesky matted hair patches. We are happy to report that Jules is showing slight improvement in handling the grooming sessions. Not as much claw digging into the carpet and not as much whimpering afterwards. In time, I'm sure we'll be able to prove that with practice, you can teach and old CAT new tricks!

2nd Quarter 2008
We are happy to report that Jules seems to be feeling well. His recent shedding seems to be coming to an end and he seems to be getting better at keeping himself groomed. His foster family is so very proud of him. Jules is really coming out of his shell and becoming a part of their family. He seems to trust them more and is showing it by hanging around them more when they are home.

1st Quarter 2008
Medically, Jules' condition remains the same. The League and his foster family are still very relieved that he no longer needs to take any thyroid medication. Jules' household recently had quite a bit of company which means that Jules stayed pretty much out of sight. Since his normal daily routine was disrupted, Jules fled to the comfort and safety of his foster parent's bedroom. There, he was able to sit on his cow shaped pillow behind the curtains next to the glass sliding door and watch the birds all day long in the bird sanctuary. Not a bad alternative at all!

4th Quarter 2007
Jules had a checkup recently and was diagnosed as being "as healthy as he's going to be." In addition, there was a bit of exceptionally good news, as it appears that Jules' thyroid levels have returned back to relatively normal levels; pending a follow up blood test, it looks as though he may not have to take thyroid medication any longer! We're sure this makes both him and his primary pill giver very happy.

3rd Quarter 2007
Emerald-eyed Jules is more than just a gorgeous face. He is also an intricate and interesting cat. Whether it's his complicated cardiac condition or moving into a new home, Jules bounces back with grace and determination.

2nd Quarter 2007
Jules is not only beautiful, but he's adorable, too. His foster mom collects cow trinkets and recently, Jules has become quite fond of a specific cow pillow. The pillow is black and white and has a three dimensional cow that extends from the pillow. Jules loves to roll all over it and has been sleeping on it every night with his head right in between the cow's horns. The pillow officially belongs to Jules now, and we think he will love it “till the cow's come home.”

1st Quarter 2007
Jules has already adjusted to having moved recently, so exploring every nook and cranny isn't as important as it was a few weeks ago. Instead, napping in the sun has taken top priority. Not only does Jules love to dream, he loves to daydream, too. He spends hours peering from the window, watching all that local nature has to offer. The patience his foster parents have shown waiting for Jules to be affectionate towards them has really paid off. Happily, "good things come to those who wait."

4th Quarter 2006
Jules has a set of places to sit around his apartment where he can watch the world go by. From time to time, he will roll around on the floor in front of his foster parents. And as soon as the lights go out, Jules jumps up on the bed for attention! It may not sound like much, but for a timid cat that used to only eat crouched behind the bathroom toilet when his foster parents first took him in, it is a huge breakthrough. Jules wouldn't have come this far without your love and support.

3rd Quarter 2006
Throughout the warmer months since our last update, Jules enjoyed himself lounging on the oversized windowsills in his foster parent's apartment, enjoying the view. There's more activity in the warmer months for Jules to keep tabs on, although now as autumn settles in, we're sure he'll be interested in watching the leaves fall from their trees. Most times when his foster father comes home from work, Jules can be found completely relaxed on his windowsill perch. For such an uptight cat, this relaxation makes his foster parents very happy. It is better for his heart if he remains calm. In addition to lounging around he enjoys 'harassing' his foster parents after they've gone to bed. He has all the energy at night from snoozing on the windowsill all day long!

2nd Quarter 2006
Now that the warm weather is behind us, Jules has emerged from his dark and cozy hiding spots under furniture and along the baseboard heating, and clambered up to the windows in the apartment to start working on his tan!  Rarely, his foster dad tells us, does he relax as much as he does when he is fully bathed in warmth and sunlight on the windowsills in the apartment. Thankfully, says foster dad, there are enough wide, kitty friendly sills in the apartment so Jules can share the space with his feline sister. His heart problems have not been causing Jules any trouble lately, and we're all very thankful for that.

December 2005
Jules' favorite spot is a blanket on a bench in his foster care home. Usually he will jump down if he's been frightened by a noise. That's when his foster care pal, Cleo steals his spot to “keep it warm” for him. Well we've been told that Cleo jumped up while he was still up there and was standing over him as if to intimidate him out of his own spot! Instead of deferring to her though, Jules gave her a couple of paw swats to her rear end and she jumped back down! Evidently Cleo gave her foster care mother and father a look like ‘it wasn't worth it anyway.” So Jules was left alone in his favorite spot for at least a few more minutes of beloved sleep. It's just too cute the way they behave together! Thank you for your continued support of the Sponsor program.

November 2005
We swear that Jules can tell time! He knows exactly when his foster care parents should be home or when they should be going to bed. When that time arrives, Jules will go and wait – either by the door if they're not home, or on the bed at night time. He certainly likes to stick to a schedule and his internal clock is always on time! Isn't that cute? We can't thank you enough for giving us the opportunity to care for Jules and the other special needs animals. It is because of your support that we can provide them with loving homes and needed medical care.

October 2005
Jules recently surprised his foster care parents with a change in his routine – he now runs right to bed the moment the television is turned off at night, waiting for his parents to come and pet him. If Jules thinks they are being too slow, he sits up and begins meowing as if to say “hurry up!” He has become very vocal these days about what he wants, and his foster care parents couldn't be happier. It's wasn't too long ago that Jules fearfulness prevented him from interacting with them. Of course, if someone he doesn't know comes near he still runs and hides in the closet or under the bed. Jules' thyroid medication has been cut back, and he appears to be doing well with the new dosage. His appetite also remains good – he loves the wet food, gobbling it down immediately, and nibbles on the dry kibble throughout the day. Thank you for giving Jules and the other special needs animals a second chance. It is because of your generous support that their days are happy and healthy.

September 2005
Jules has always been the follower in his house and preferred to let Cleo, the other cat, take charge. But lately Jules has grown a bit more assertive. Usually Cleo always initiates a game of chase, but Jules decided recently to turn the tables on his feline friend. Spotting Cleo napping, he crouched down, tail swishing, eyeing his target. In a flash shy little Jules pounced on Cleo, awaking her with a start. Jules' foster care Dad was watching the whole thing and told us the look on Jules' face seemed to say “Oh, what have I done!” Before Cleo could get to her feet, Jules was off and running. It's nice to see the fearful cat take charge for a change. Thank you so much for your kindness. You are truly making a difference in the lives of Jules and the other special needs animals.

August 2005
Jules continues to do well – he's got a good appetite, he's taking his medication (without too much fuss), and he's coming out of his shell more and more. When someone comes into the room, he no longer runs away immediately. There is one thing though that his foster care parents still need to work on with Jules – getting his picture taken. Jules has a beautiful coat, and when he sits up straight he looks regal, like a lion. But each time his foster care parents try to capture that royalty on film, Jules wants nothing to do with it. His parents will continue to work on Jules' camera-shyness, but they did want you to know what a handsome cat they have living with them – thanks to your generosity. It is because of your kindness that we are able to place Jules and the other special needs animals into warm and loving foster care homes.

July 2005
Slowly but surely, Jules seems to be getting less apprehensive about things. The other afternoon his foster care Mom was reading a book in bed when Jules came out of hiding and jumped up on the bed to sit with her. She was amazed (and beside herself with joy) – Jules usually only comes out after dark, once everyone has settled in for the night. To have Jules come out during the day and settle in to be stroked is nothing less than a miracle! Thank you so much for giving Jules and the other special needs animals a second chance at happiness. It couldn't happen without your generous support.

June 2005
When Jules first arrived here, he was a terribly fearful cat. He would hide all the time – no one could ever find him. These days Jules has shown much improvement – he can occasionally be found basking in the sunshine and even playing with toys. Don't let him see you looking at him however – on those occasions when he's been caught with a plaything in his paws, he acts as though he's done something wrong and immediately runs off to hide. It's still an improvement over those early days though! The Sponsor program relies on your kindness and generosity. It is because of you that we are able to provide Jules and the other special needs animals with the best possible care. Thank you so much.

May 2005
It's time for Jules to lose his winter coat and there are tufts of fur everywhere. He has a long white coat, and the hair looks like tumbleweeds floating through his house. Jules' foster care parents brush him often in the hopes that it will cut down on hairballs. Jules has gotten better about the grooming, but he would still prefer to do it himself. We can't thank you enough for your continued support of Jules and the other special needs animals. It is because of you that they are getting a new leash on life.

April 2005
Jules has gotten over his bad cold and is back to his usual nervous – but sometimes playful – self. He's once again pretending not to be interested in his housemate, Cleo, and hides out under the furniture. Jules' appetite appears to be much better – he can often be heard in the kitchen crunching on his favorite dry food with the few teeth he has left. Your unwavering support has given Jules and the other special needs animals a second chance at health and happiness.

March 2005
Poor Jules came down with a bad cold recently. He was lethargic and sneezing constantly – he just wasn't his usual self. Luckily his foster care parents and his feline housemate, Cleo, gave him lots of tender loving care. Cleo is the one who usually gets the cold, so she seemed to know just what would make Jules feel better – snuggling up together on the couch. All that extra attention must have worked – Jules was on the road to recovery within a week's time. Thank you for opening your heart up to Jules and the other special needs animals. Your support makes a world of difference in the quality of their lives.

February 2005
Jules has finally given in to taking his hyperthyroid medication. He used to give his foster care Dad such a hard time - racing under the bed and then refusing to open his mouth for the pills. And trying to hide the medicine in lunchmeat didn't work either - Jules is no dummy and he caught on to that very quickly. But now, after almost a year, Jules realizes that the sooner he takes his pills the sooner he can be on his merry way to take a nice long nap. We truly appreciate your continued generosity. Without it, we couldn't care for Jules and the other special needs animals.

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