Entrant's First Name
Orri

Animal Bio
Strudel was my second feral foster kitten from a large colony in Kamloops, BC. She came into the shelter at about 3 months, spitting, hissing and hiding. I took the tiny tabby home, purrito'd her (wrapped her tightly in a towel) and exposed her to life with humans and other pets. The first night she squirmed out of the towel, hid under the couch, and bit me pretty good on the foot. About a week later, she was the most loving, silly little kitten I had ever met. She slept in my arms and required at least 2 long snuggles a day. She was special, we had connected, and she became my first of many foster fails (though I prefer the term foster success). It's so rewarding to see a frightened feral or semi-feral animal assimilate into domestication so easily, and this goofy kitten had fully won my heart.

Not even a year later I took in 4 bottle fed orphaned kittens. Strudel took on a motherly role, cleaning and sleeping with the newborns. She would play too rough, but she learned fast to be gentle. She has helped me raise many other foster kittens since then.

At almost a year old Strudel began acting grumpy and lethargic. She didn't eat for a day, so I took her to the vet for x-rays and an ultrasound. Strudel had eaten a ball of loose string from my mattress, and it had embedded itself in her intestine. It had caused her intestine to stop functioning and was close to destroying part of it, so she immediately underwent surgery. I wasn't too nervous because I got to watch, and her veterinarian worked fast to remove the string. I think I was most upset that they had to shave off her adorable belly spots in fur. Strudel does poorly in kennels, so as soon as she was awake she was pacing and panicking. She ended up coming home with me that day, as the vet figured she would do better at home. We cuddled all night, and Strudel was feeling great from the pain medication. She recovered without incident, and was back to her usual antics soon after.

At 2 years old, Strudel hasn't changed much. She enjoys playing with her dog, bunny brother, and 2 cat sisfurs. Strue knows the sounds of cheese wrappers and ice cream cartons, and enters a dairy-fueled rage if she manages to eat any. Strudel's favourite hobbies are chasing and devouring insects, mewing and leaping at spots on the wall, and judging you from afar.

Strudel has retained some quirks from her time on the streets as a baby. She hides from strangers and hisses if they try to touch her. After about 2 days, she starts rubbing on their legs, and eventually climbs in their lap and rubs her stinky breath all over their nose. Earning her trust isn't difficult, it just takes some patience, and it is definitely worth the wait!

Strudel has brought so much laughter and joy into my life, and I am so happy I took a chance at fostering that feisty little furball. Every cat is amazing in my cat lady glasses, but Strudel is something special.