Welcome back to Whisker Wednesday! There’s a good chance you’re here because you want to know more about Floofenstein. But, if you’re new here, I’m sharing our newest family member’s story from how he joined us until he has fully integrated into the clowder. This week isn’t a normal entry. Jim and I are convinced Floofenstein is a gift from Bumbledore, and I want to tell you why.
If you’re reading this post, you likely already know that I lost my familiar, Bumbledore, to cancer in January. What I didn’t share in my memorial post was the deathbed promise I made him. On our last day together, I promised to give another cat the same kind of second chance we gave him. That, when my heart was ready, we’d adopt a cat that needed a home, one that was considered “hard to adopt.” At the time, I didn’t think my heart would ever be ready.
Fast-forward nearly a month and a half to February 25, the day I realized Floofenstein was injured. I certainly didn’t feel ready to open my heart to another cat, but Bumbledore had decided I had enough time. Or he felt that having someone else to love would help me heal.
As evidenced by the fact I’d only seen Floofers once before, his territory was not by our house. Odd, then, that he would suddenly show up on our elevated deck. Then, within a week, Floofenstein was eating from the bowl on our porch every evening. And, just a week and a half later, he chose to enter the trap and let us help him. Just 18 days from him coming to our area to choosing us to help him. Compare that to our neighbor who has been trying to catch him for a year without success.
I firmly believe that Bumbledore found Floofenstein, likely at his moment of greatest need, and led him to us. Whether his greater interest was helping me or helping Floofers, I don’t know.
And then he helped bring Floof back to us. When Floof wasn’t home on Tuesday morning, Jim and I both asked Bumbledore to help him come home. And then, the next morning, there he was.
For the skeptics
“But a cat changing its territory doesn’t mean he was led to you,” I can hear some of you thinking, “and neither does a cat coming back to a loving home.” And you’re right, but there’s more.
Part of what I loved so much about Bumbledore is that he liked to cuddle. Floofenstein is even more of a lap/cuddle cat than Bumbledore was.
We regularly compliment our cats on having shiny and silky coats. Floofers is fantastically shiny when he’s clean and soft as silk.
I often told Bumbledore how much I loved his fangs — they’re what first captured my interest when I saw him. While Floof’s fangs aren’t as noticeable when his mouth is closed, they are slightly visible.
We made a big deal about Bumbledore re-finding his voice with us and learning to ask for what he wanted. Floofenstein is already communicative and quite vocal.
Still not convinced? Well, that promise I made? You can’t deny that an injured cat needs a good home. And, as an FIV+ cat, he would have been much harder to get adopted. Considering how long he’s been out on his own and how healthy he must have been for his wound to heal so well, I think it’s possible that he was infected with FIV when he was attacked. He perfectly meets Bumbledore’s criteria for our next family member.
And there’s one more thing. Bumbledore was my boy. Despite getting about the same amount of attention from Jim and I, Floofenstein has made it clear, almost from the first moment, that he’s my boy, too. He’s perfectly content with Jim, but he generally chooses me.
What I think this means
No one will convince me that Bumbledore didn’t bring Floofenstein to us. Whether his motive was to help me heal, to get Floofers to a good home, or a combination, I don’t really care.
Bumbledore found someone who fits perfectly into our family. While we’ve only recently started introducing him to the other cats, I have no doubt he’ll fit in just fine as soon as they get used to him. Bumbledore wouldn’t have chosen him otherwise.
So, thank you, my sweet, sweet boy, for taking care of me, for choosing so well. Floofenstein will never replace you, he won’t be my familiar, but he’ll be an amazing companion, and an excellent reminder of your love.
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