Meet Moose, The Cat Who Converted Me: An inspiring True Story by Renee James

It's official. I've become "that lady". And I'm embracing it. 

I have never liked cats. I never had one. I was afraid of them. They're mean, they're sneaky, their pee stinks, and they'll definitely eat your eyeballs out when you die. 

In early 2020, the pandemic was plaguing the world. I'm a bit of a self proclaimed germaphobe. I was feeling really anxious. I thought, "Perhaps I should get a pet. Animals make me happy." Sadly, I'm not allowed to have a dog in my apartment. So I began my cat search. 

I began sorting through pages and pages and pages of cats for adoption online. I started reading about cat breeds. I read about caring for a cat. I read everything I thought I'd need to know. I nervously continued my search.

One day, I saw a cat named, "Big Ben". He was listed as "extra large". I never saw any others described as such. I decided to send the rescue an inquiry. Turned out, Big Ben was in a foster home pending adoption. The rescue said they would contact me if his foster home wasn't going to keep him. I never even met him, but somehow I was sad. Maybe a bit defeated. Then the call came. They're not keeping him because he bullies the dog, but they will be fostering him until a favorable adopter comes along. I got contact information to call the family. I called the family and explained to the wonderful man, Chris, on the phone that I've never had a cat. He gave me a run down of Big Ben's personality. Chris spent nearly a hour on the phone telling me everything I should know and answering all my questions, even the juvenile ones. 

We set a date for me to come to their house and meet Big Ben. I was so excited and nervous. I arrived at their beautiful home and was greeted with warm smiles and friendly chatter. I was still nervous. Terrified even. There were cats. I ... was in the same room ... with MULTIPLE CATS. Then, Chris pointed to the giant lump of fur on the kitchen floor and said, "That's him!" I'm certain I let out a "Holy shit!" Big Ben lifted his head and looked over his shoulder at me. He was completely unenthused and slightly disgusted. He put his head down and went back to sleep utterly unimpressed by me. It was then that I knew "he's the one". Chris loaded Big Ben into a medium sized dog crate and I stepped outside to give the family a chance to say goodbye to him. They really did love him and were sad to see him go but he was terrorizing their 100 pound rottweiler. Big Ben was loaded into my vehicle, he cried and cried. I felt awful. I arrived home with my new cat. I placed him in the bathroom as I was instructed and let him decompress. My husband and I decided to change his name to "Moose", you can guess why. 

The first few days, Moose and I felt each other out. We'd sit in the same room and just stare at each other awkwardly. I loved it. From day one, Moose never ran nor hid. He was too cool for that (and too big to fit anywhere to hide). I kept in contact with his foster family (I still do actually) and the rescue he came from. Everyone was so helpful at answering all my questions as I learned to be a cat mom. Life was suddenly way more interesting. Moose's antics were something I never anticipated. First, he'd only poop in the bathtub. Turned out there was nothing wrong with him, he just didn't fit in the XL litter box I had purchased. I had to order a giant Maine Coon box. Problem solved. Then, he got comfortable and started jumping inside the refrigerator. Big boy was willing to go to any length for food. About two months after we adopted him, we celebrated his 8th birthday. He let me dress him up. Life with Moose was everything I hoped for and more.

After about a year and a half of fun and laughs, Moose was diagnosed with diabetes (and also has hyperthyroidism). He was already on a diet prescribed by his vet when his diagnosis came along. I was heartbroken. My best friend CAN'T be sick. I learned to administer insulin, check blood sugar, and get him well again. 

Today, Moose is 14lbs. down from 26lbs. He's still insulin dependent, but we're doing anything and everything to make him well. Now that he's a svelte cat, he does cat things. He could never do cat things before. He jumps all over the place now. Yet again, we're on an adventure. Moose became everything they said he wasn't when I adopted him. They said he'd never snuggle, he'd never sit on a lap, and he'd certainly never sleep in bed with you. 

He sits on my lap all the time. I can't sleep at night if he's not sharing my pillow and snoring in my face ...

I love him more than I imagined possible ...... even though he WILL, in fact, eat my eyeballs some day. 

Fun Things About Moose

- He once mistook my finger for turkey and sent me to the ER.

- He loves chickpeas.

- He was once a barn cat. (allegedly)

- He has no prey drive.

- He's disgusted by our Guinea pigs.

- He made his cat sitter rush him to the vet while we were

  on vacation. Turns out he was just protesting by not 

  pooping.

- He can snatch food off your fork while it's en route to your

  mouth. 

- He has a weird affinity for throw rugs. Must be

  rectangular though.

- He hates toys. Games are for children.

- He likes spicy food. Curry (any variety) is a gift from

  the Heavens and he WILL fight you for it.

- He talks constantly.

- He pooped under the Christmas tree. Just because.

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

Family portrait: Moose with his loving cat parents Renee & Jon.

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