A happy post today to introduce you to our two newest family members: Billy the Cat and Lily the Dog.
Billy and Lily have been with us for a couple of months now, but I've not spoken about them before because I was waiting to do a proper introduction. As you can see, they are such classy little creatures, they merit a post all their own. 🙂
Lily came to us just a couple of weeks after Opie had passed on. She is a street dog rescued from Puerto Rico with very special needs. Lily is painfully timid and afraid of just about everything. People petrify her, even a moderately loud noise sends her scurrying to hide under the table or the bed. When she first came to live with us, about eight weeks ago, she would not let Desi or me touch her or approach her. Her foster, my coworker Anna, told us she might have been abused on the streets -- one side of her impossibly cute face is lopsided, with a tooth that sticks out, and it is possible she was kicked or hit hard in the face while still a puppy, causing her jaw to malform. Her tail remained firmly tucked between her legs almost all of the time, and she was terrified about going on walks-- sad, when you think of the fact that most dogs love walks more than anything else in the world. When she saw a "crowd" of four or five people together, she would shake like a leaf.
By now Lily has warmed up to us -- a bit -- and will give us a huge welcome when she sees Desi and me, even if we have been gone for a few minutes. At night she will sleep squished up against me, as if she wants to be sure I am around. Her tail's out and wagging most of the time now, and she loves it when I pick her up, after she has approached me, and will give me long, loving kisses. She has also managed to chew her way through an electric blanket, my laptop cord, a pair of prescription eyeglasses, a couple of cushions, several shoes and the bathroom rug, among other exploits.
She will still run away, though, when we approach her, and small incidents -- like a plastic jar that noisily fell to the floor in the pantry the other day while she nosed around behind me -- will set her back several days. We have managed to get her out for walks, and she is doing better at not jumping every time she hears a car, but she also still doesn't want to voluntarily go for a walk: she would rather just trot around and play in our decent-sized back yard.
It will probably take a while, but I know she will heal: dogs have such an incredible spirit, and although Lily's appears to have been broken by some lowlife, she will learn to trust again.
Billy came to us through PETA. This handsome tuxedo cat arrived at out home, carted by Ingrid Newkirk herself, one stormy February afternoon as the snow piled outside. Billy was living on the streets near Norfolk, Va., where PETA is headquartered, when someone trapped him and brought him in. He lived at the PETA office for a few weeks while he waited for a home, winning over the hearts of all those who worked there, Ingrid said. They even made a video of him going a little wild in a ball pit (he was called Henri at the time but we named him Billy because it goes so well with Lily -- and Desi thought it was really funny because it sounds similar to the Hindi word for cat).
Billy is indeed a gentleman - he is incredibly sweet, incredibly vocal, and incredibly lazy. Most of his day is spent either sleeping, grooming himself, or demanding treats, but give him a ball -- or a mouse (and we get a few of those in our old house) -- and he will chase it tirelessly. He also likes napping on my laptop. It's possible that he was an extraordinarily friendly feral, or an indoor-outdoor house cat who had lost his way. Right now, it's a bit of a challenge keeping him indoors because he will try to run outside every time the door opens. But he is learning there is plenty to do indoors: he has a bed right by our bedroom window and it suits him perfectly to just lie there and look outside at the birds and squirrels. Lily and he have become friends -- with a healthy dose of sibling rivalry thrown in -- and enjoy playing with each other or curling up next to each other when they've tired themselves out. They are so cute together!
Every dog and cat that has come into our home has been a rescue, but this time round I felt especially passionate about adopting animals who had lived on the streets. Coming from India, where one is always surrounded by homeless dogs and cats, I have a special place in my heart for these incredible warriors who carry on with their lives despite numerous challenges: traffic, stupid people who think hurting a dog is either necessary or enjoyable, and lack of food in lands where people have very little themselves.
The first street dog I knew and loved when I was a little girl was Moti, a yellow, extremely dignified creature who lived under the stairs of our Bombay apartment building. Moti belonged to everyone in the neighborhood. The kids doted on him and brought him any scraps of food their moms would let them have. When the pound van would make its rounds (this was before India stopped animal euthanasia), some of us kids would scramble to fetch Moti and lock him up in our flat. Others would keep a watch from the building's terrace and once the van was safely out of sight, Moti would be let out. He was the sweetest possible dog and the only time he actually bit someone was when this rather nasty brat, Sujit, kicked him. There was general consensus in the neighborhood that Sujit deserved that bite fair and square.
I will be telling you more about Lily and Billy in upcoming food posts. Stay tuned, and if you've adopted a street dog, I'd love to hear about your experiences in getting them settled in.
*Meet Kala Jamoon, the latest addition to our family!
N
You are one super amazing woman, Vaishali 🙂 While most anti-natal vegans only talk of adopting, you actually adopted your human son. An ethical vegan, animal lover, an adoptive mom to human as well as non-human kids... You are such an awesome person, so inspiring. Keep up the good work, God bless the entire family 🙂
Vaishali
Hi N, Thanks for your kind words. They are very much appreciated. 🙂
tallblonde1976
thank god for people like you! I am glad to have found your recipes too.
Anonymous
This was almost too painful for me to read - but thank God for people like you.
JS
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! I wish you lots of warm memories and wet, sloppy kisses from your babies.
pallavykP
Vaishali, hats off to you, for giving these 2 LOVELY animals a real home. Your love, patience and care has shown such an improvement in little Lily. I was shocked to read how badly she has been treated, how can anyone be so cruel? I hope they get what's coming to them.
Please keep us updated on their adventures.
Dorothy
What a great thing you guys have done! I have always felt the best way to honor the spirit and memory of an animal friend you had to "give back" is to save another. Or two:) Two less wandering waifs in the universe. None of my dogs were from the street although they were rescues. But my cats....there's another story. I began my little sanctuary not knowing it would be one:) I took street cats who showed up hungry and sick and filthy, many terrified of people. Won't say it doesn't take alot of patience but NEVER have been disappointed. Very rich little souls. Your two new buddies are already conversing with you and each other- great omen for the future! Good luck to the new family members. They have already hit the animal lottery. And really love the food in your blog:)
Be well- Dorothy
Steven H
Wonderful story, thank you are sharing. My wife and I have for 14 years loved a beautiful cat from a shelter and look forward to having dog like Lily soon.
NancyAnnK
What a heartwarming story! I'm so glad for all of you. What sweet, sweet babies. It made my day to read this!
We adopted our street dog Tara on January 1st of this year. She was found wandering the streets of southern Indiana, pregnant. She was taken to a shelter, had her pups, and was going to be euthanized. The day before that was to happen, a local shelter in Illinois that rescues dogs from high-kill shelters took her in. She was then with a foster mom for a week, and then we adopted her.
She's a handful, but what a blessing she is. She is still having accidents in the house, still chews things up (she ate my husband's glasses today), but she is learning more and more every day and is becoming a really good girl. I wouldn't trade her for anything.
Catherine Hess
Congratulations to you all! Billy is a gorgeous little guy.
Dana
I am always so happy to see a new post from you pop up in my mail and today's introduction competes for those about your bringing Jay home for my absolute big smile/love quotient. They are beautiful- as are you and Desi for rescuing them and showing them that not all people are cruel. Thank you for all you do! Please keep us posted on Billy's progress.
Anonymous
Billy and Lily are so fortunate to have been found by you. You are truly special.
Laura
Giving a homeopathic remedy to your dog will help him immeasurably! Aconite, in a 30C potency, put into his water, will do wonders. Try it! You will have a newly happy dog.
Ira
Poor Lily, her story reminded me of some of the street dogs in Mumbai, where you see both compassion and cruelty towards animals. But what a wonderful and happy ending to her story! She couldn't have found a more kind and loving home.
About Billy the Billi, he is indeed a handsome boy--
and a lucky one. Absolutely thrilled and delighted to learn that the amazing Ingrid Neukirk came by herself to deliver Billy!
On the indoor vs. outdoor thing, we have always kept our cats indoors for their safety and welfare but weather permitting, we do take them out for regular walks/outings on a harness and leash. They look forward to it and it definitely makes a difference to the quality of their lives to be able to experience walking on the natural ground, in the open and under the sky, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells.
Your posts about your dogs and cats are easily my favourite ones and I look forward to hearing more about Lily and Billy.
Ramya
Hi Vaishali!! Congrats on the new additions to your fam!! They look so adorable and they're so lucky to have found such a loving home with you, Desi and Jay!!!! Our Bella, a Great Dane rescue also came from an abusive past and she's not a fan of little boys either...not sure if they trigger some bad memories or they're just unpredictable for her like you said but she charges at them so we're still trying to work on helping her overcome her fear 🙁 She's so gentle and loving with Kiara our two year old that it seems out of character but it's so tricky not knowing her past and everything we try is like guess work! She was a nervous nelly too with tail permanently tucked under her legs but she's come a looooong way since!! She used to dive under the car seat when we'd go for long drives since huge trucks and vans would freak her out...she doesn't do that anymore :):):) we can't wait to meet you guys in person! Hopefully soon!!
Margo Sluman
Beautiful story and photos. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for your wonderful blog!
pixel8ing
Warm welcomes to the new family members Billy and Lily! Thank-you for being my very favorite blog!!
Alan
What a great story! Our own Puerto Rican street dog has quite a journey, and I smiled when I read about odd noises being scary.
And thanks for the shout-out to our blog.
ecocatwoman
I'm so happy for all 4 of you! I've taken in so many street cats and dogs over the years, there are too many to mention them all. Each one has been a joy to share my life with and they have shown their appreciation for safety, comfort, plenty of food and LOVE. I actually rescued 4 dogs from the streets in early 1998 within months of each other. Caleb, like your Billy, had obviously been abused. Initially, if I laughed out loud and threw my hands into the air he'd run and cower. Loud noises frightened him. During a vet visit for a spinal problem, years later, his x-ray showed he'd been shot with buckshot before I'd rescued him. He was with me for 13 years. Lily and Billy are blessed to have you and Desi in their lives.
Vaishali
Oh my god, what kind of person would do such a horrific thing to a dog? Caleb was so lucky to find you, Ecocatwoman, and you obviously gave him all the love he deserved. In fact, all of those dogs you rescued sound like lucky souls. 🙂
ecocatwoman
I think that I was actually the lucky one because they brought such joy and laughter to my life. And they made me a better person. Hopefully posts like yours will encourage others to reach out and give a homeless cat or dog a loving home. - Connie
Nupur
Congrats on the new additions! Billy the Billi is so dapper with his mustache and tuxedo. And my heart goes out to Lily, but she is in the best hands possible and I am so happy for her.
Our dog Dale (RIP) was not a street dog but had been rescued from an abusive/neglectful owner- he was neurotic all his life but very loving and loved all the same. We found that a predictable routine helped a lot- he knew there were no unpleasant surprises around the corner and liked that.
How does Jay like his new buddies?
Vaishali
Hi Nupur, Jay loves Billy, but Lily has been rather wary around him because kids, as you know, are unpredictable, and that's not exactly a great combination with a timid dog. But they are slowly getting better around each other, and I hope one day are good friends who will burn each other out every day, giving me some much needed rest. 🙂
Macrojane
So happy for you...they are beautiful.
Vaishali
Thanks! 🙂
Smanders
This was a joy to read at the start of my day. I am so happy for those two sweet and now fortunate beings to have a safe place in this world with such a kind,loving family.
Thank you for sharing and congratulations!
Vaishali
Thanks so much for your kind words. We feel lucky. 🙂