LAKI
February 14, 2008

During the evening, around July 14, 2008, I was made aware of a stray kitten in our area. We have a number of stray cats around due the fact that someone nearby is not taking care to spay or neuter their cats. I have taken a number of kittens and cats to the Hawaiian Human Society (HHS) over the last 4 years. I decided I would take this one as well. The last time I trapped kittens I caught a few bites and scratches so I decided I would try and let the cat get used to me first this time. My neighbors and I fed the cat in the evenings and I began to play with her in the evenings. Slowly the cat got used to me and our other cats. I was able to pick her up regularly without any biting or scratching. In fact she never tried to bite or scratch just run away. I had asked a few of the neighbors if they would like to adopt the cat but unfortunately they could not. Since I had 2 cats already I really did not want to adopt her either.

Sunday July 20, 2008 I took the little stray to the HHS. To be honest I was feeling bad and a number of us had grown attached to the little kitten. But I thought it was for the best. Being a kitten and somewhat friendly I thought she would likely be adopted. However, something was nagging me and I emailed the HHS on Monday July 21, 2008 letting them know that I would be willing to adopt the stray if she was not adopted. On Tuesday July 22, 2008 I was called by the HHS asking if I was willing to adopt the kitten. I said 'yes' if nobody else wants her after you place her up for adoption. They told me she would not be placed up for adoption since she did not pass their temperament test. I was somewhat dumbfounded but said yes I would take the cat.

On July 24, 2008 I picked up the little kitten from the HHS. The little domestic short hair is kind of a Tabby-Siamese mix. She is beige with gray-brown ears and raccoon tail and has been named Laki. She was very skinny. I don't think the few days she was at the HHS agreed with her and I guess she would not eat much. She arrived; much to the dismay of my other cats, to a big bowl of food provided my fiancé. She was shown the litter box and began to explore the area. Hina has been hissing at her and my male cat Hone just wants to be anywhere she is not. When I finally lay down on the couch to watch TV that night, Hina and Hone were in the bedroom with my fiancé. Laki explored the area and finally put her paws on the couch and looked up at me. Laki jumped on the couch and explored the blanket I had over me then laid down on my chest and began to lick my hand and fingers. She slept until 3:00 A.M. with me. Laki then began her nocturnal playtime and I awoke later to find her curled up near my legs. I am certainly glad I emailed the HHS or this little kitten would have been put to sleep. She might be a little skittish but she is happy and we will do our best to see that she had a long and fun filled life regardless of her temperament.

We took Laki to the vet and she had a temperature; we are giving her antibiotics. She is responding well and has become very playful over the last few days. At night when she cuddles up next me and when I pet her she purrs louder than Hone. The loud purring gets me since her normal 'meow' is barely audible. It is very clear this little kitty was looking for companionship and home.

Laki is now a permanent member of our family. She is growing quickly and is a very dominant girl. This girl has grown into a very playful, affectionate and lovely cat. Since she had to survive for sometime on her own outside she will steal whatever she wants from our other cats. But she is a joy to have around and I firmly believe there was reason that I got attached to her. Our other cats have started to accept her. Hina will play with her from time to time. Hone still does not care much for her but I have seen them play occasionally.

Laki has adjusted well to our new home. The only problem is that she also will mark from time to time. Though she is smaller than Hone she will go toe to toe with him when they fight. It is amazing to see how feisty she is. She has had her own adventure recently. I typically let them out in our yard each morning for a short time. They are then fed and I either head off to work or go back to bed. One morning I went back to bed and heard Laki chasing Hone around. They might have bumped something but the noise did not actually make me think anyting was wrong. I was startled awake by Wileen telling me Laki was gone. Now I am sure that I brough her in and we searched the house and Laki was nowhere to be found. Then I noticed the window in the bedroom in my office. The screen was missing. I looked out and the screen was on the roof. We went outside and found Laki hiding under a car in the guest parking area. We brought out some treats and retrieved her. While Laki was chasing Hone one of them must have run into the screen knocking it out of the window. The next day our neighbor said she heard a cat meowing and saw Laki on our roof. She must have jumped down from the roof to Wileen's truck then went around to play for a couple of hours She is always good for a laugh.