Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Meet Kendal-Crosslands’ ‘fur babies’
Residents of Kendal-Crosslands Communities share stories about their ‘feline fur babies.’
Residents of Kendal-Crosslands Communities, a continuing care retirement community located in Kennett Square, share their stories about their “feline fur babies” and the health giving benefits as an integral part of their lives as an older adult.
Jeanne Jacobson
My fur baby is “Eugene,” a black shorthair kitty. He is 3 years old and was a rescue cat. When I first got him, he was very skittish. He has calmed down quite a bit, allows visitors to pet him, and he has acclimated very nicely to his new home. When I saw him, I thought he was the most precious kitten. He looked at me with those beautiful eyes and I melted. My granddaughter was with me when I picked him out. At the time, she was attending a university in Eugene, Ore., and so she said I need to name him Eugene. After a long day, when I come home, he runs to the door to greet me; he is great company and I can feel myself relax immediately. He sits next to me and makes me feel a lot better — especially on days when I’m sick or simply had a rough day. I think he’s a “person” of habit. Once I moved his food and water from one end of the kitchen to the other and he didn’t eat until I moved it back. Maybe there’s truth in the “finicky” cat. He makes me laugh and the health benefits I receive from my fur baby are invaluable.
Peggy Draegert
Meet my fur baby “Sine,” a gray and white domestic shorthair. Pronounced sha-nay which is Gaelic for “that’s it.” He was supposed to be the last of the litter, and maybe he was, but the name came with him and it has stuck for 15 years. Sine was found in New Jersey at a bus stop, soaking wet, just a little kitten, crying, alone and what was thought to be the last survivor of a feral cat. My daughter, Laura, adopted him, cleaned him up, and became part of her family for 12 years. Then, we decided he would come live with me — ‘Grammy.’ He had a hyperthyroid issue at the time and after extensive and various treatment methods, he is now healthy and has even gained weight. I provided him the health he needed but he in turn has provided me with much health benefits. He is the best snuggler, lies down next to me, he’s warm and soft, and happy to snooze. Even at 15, he still likes to play with some cat nip toys or chases bubbles but maybe not as much as he used to. I feel his warmth and comfort on days when I need it the most. I feel as though he lowers my blood pressure and when he senses that I am upset, he tends to me. He can be laid back and an agreeable kitty, but he still has his own ideas and thoughts too. He’s a great fit for my home and my community.
Carole Smith
“Archie” is my Maine Coon. He is 3 years old and he adopted me — I didn’t adopt him. I’ve always been a ‘dog person’ until Archie came along. He can be a little scaredy cat, as the saying goes, but he loves to snuggle. He just sits on my lap when I knit and it’s such a stress reducer. He lies on my lap when I brush him in the morning — he has a routine. I read somewhere that dogs have people, cats have staff. I believe that’s true. You are at their beck and call but it’s very endearing. We lost one dog and two cats within a three-year period and I said I’m not getting another. Well, when I saw the litter of cats that need a new fur-ever home, I couldn’t resist. At that time, little Archie fit in the palm of my hand, literally. He’s not so little anymore and today he’s grown to be a wonderful companion. I am blessed to have him in my life and the perfect health I garner from his unconditional love is unmeasurable.
Marj McCann
Meet “Vinnie,” my little tough guy, and he appropriately fits his name. He is clearly my cat, a brown Burmese. He is 6 years old, and when I am home relaxing, my lap is his for most of the time. I have a list of instructions for when the time comes and I need assistance. One of which is I need a cat on my lap at all times. But, today, Vinnie gets me out of bed and keeps me on a routine. There is a reason to get up and that is to take care of my little guy. He meows in my face every morning — it’s his routine and his loud purr reverberates just as an alarm might. My baby is calming and the health benefits are evident. For example, when I wear an Apple watch, I can look at my heart rate and when Vinnie is on my lap, the rate decreases. He is a stress reducer. He was on the TV show “Too Cute” on the Animal Planet network. We had to wait for them to stop filming the episode that featured Vinnie and his siblings before I could take him home. So he’s my little TV star, too. He’s very affectionate and everybody should have a cat — no matter your age.