Scary story, 2 happy endings

[Wild Tafari]

Deborah... This had ME in tears! So glad your boy decided to go back home and that you both were able to comfort each other after such a scary situation. I hope your relationship continues to blossom from this point on after such a big step on his part...

I wasn't sure what he'd do if I tried to pet him but took the chance and he hurled as much of his body onto my lap as would fit, curled up as best he could and took a nap. I was stunned, started crying so hard I had snot running down my face. Hell, I've got tears running down my face now. HE SAT IN MY LAP. OMG OMG OMG HE SAT IN MY LAP. Those of you who have faced similar challenges know how this feels -- it's indescribable.

So, I got my wish and an early birthday present from my boy, and a reminder that miracles happen.

 

[John Popp]

I can't imagine what went through their minds to see me creeping around their bushes with a flashlight in my mouth, a blanket in one hand and a feather wand in the other. LOL.​

"There goes the crack fairy again".

Glad everything exceeded your expectations. A pretty big range of emotions for an evening and probably more than you run through in an average month.

 

[DChap]

Wow Deborah so scary indeed but such a sweet ending! So happy for you and Maliik!

 

[jungle boy]

Those of you who have been around awhile know of my challenge socializing Maliik. It took 1.5 yrs to completely gain his trust and another 1.5 yrs to be able to touch him without him cringing. He can be petted now but picking him up is still a work in progress and at great risk to me.

Last night, DH disobeyed the cardinal rule of closing doors and tried to bring in the cat stroller while the garage door was open. Maliik was in the laundry room and escaped. He ran into our neighbor's backyard, low fenced and backing a very busy street. For the 20 minutes it took us to convince him this was a bad idea, I swear I didn't draw a breath and my heart was hammering in my chest. Luckily he realized he'd made an error in judgment and ran back into the house where he took refuge on top of the laundry room cabinets.

I headed to the tequila, poured 2 knuckles worth and downed it in one swallow, staggered to the couch in sheer emotional exhaustion and proceeded to cry at what could have happened and in relief that he was ok. Maliik came into the living room and sat on the floor near me. Then he jumped up on the couch and sat next to me which is not unusual. I invited him into my lap and lo and behold, he puts his paws on my leg and lays his head down. I stopped breathing again. I've waited for this for soooo long and would often tell him that if sat in my lap just once a year, I would be happy.

I wasn't sure what he'd do if I tried to pet him but took the chance and he hurled as much of his body onto my lap as would fit, curled up as best he could and took a nap. I was stunned, started crying so hard I had snot running down my face. Hell, I've got tears running down my face now. HE SAT IN MY LAP. OMG OMG OMG HE SAT IN MY LAP. Those of you who have faced similar challenges know how this feels -- it's indescribable.

So, I got my wish and an early birthday present from my boy, and a reminder that miracles happen.

WOW! What a captivating story with a MAGNIFICENT storybook ending! And I can't deny that I got a bit misty eyed at the happy ending. OMG, I feel like such a wuss right now! I am sooo happy for the both of you!

 

[SV Dad]

One of the great things about this board, is the help and experience from SV owners. It was very gracious of Deborah to share this event with the community. We all are glad of the recovery, but more importantly the large breakthrough of Maliiks relationship. Reading this board it would be easy to make a misconception about the breed, because this is where the community comes for assistance to challenges with their cats. So it is nice to see the progress, even if it takes a few years.
All of us on the boards know how amazing this breed has proven to be. As one of our members pointed out, if you just read this board, you could get the impression that this is a challenging breed.
For those of you who are guests to the board, or just read the comments, rest assured, the posting members are quite accurate with their their praise and new found loyalty to the breed. The proof is right here on the boards, when we all ask the first time owner, when is the second SV joining their new found kitten?
(I wonder what the rate is, of owners who obtain their second SV within 3 years of their first savannah?)

 

[John Popp]

Some great points there. By in large the posts and topics here apply to all breeds of cats and the best part is questions and comments are greeted by people who truly care about their pets. In many other circles there just isn't the same love for these troubled cats and often a lower threshold to the lengths people will take to work with them.

That so much of the content here relates to troubled Savannahs doesn't really bother me. Because of their uber kitty status, want of play and interaction, best that people be prepared for it. Best that these stunning spotted creatures stay out of the hands of people who want to wear them as jewelry, as in the end when things go wrong it detracts from the positive efforts many people make here for the breed.

No question many people would have given up on a cat like Maliik. Even more might have had a celebration upon his escape. That this forum has a host of people that comprehends and would take on an effort like that is what makes it a great place to converse. To the contrary, I'm reminded of a woman I saw at the vet driving a 7 series BMW who mentioned that she had a $500 limit on the health of her cat, which hopefully this forum dissuades her type from ever owning a Savannah.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Having done Savannah Rescue since 2004, I can tell you that initially we assumed that we needed to establish a breed rescue early on because we needed to be ready. We went to great lengths to establish a database of foster homes all over the country, we had people ready everywhere....and they waited. And waited.

Savannah Rescue no longer keeps a proper database, we have nearly 8,000 on our rescue email list waiting for an available rescued Savannah and there is no way for our volunteer team to manage that kind of database, not to mention the wasted effort in processing questionnaires to establish their suitability when most of them won't get a rescue.

My point is, we haven't seen a deluge of Savannahs into shelters and Rescues. There are many reasons for this but I believe that one of the major factors is their personality, people WANT to try harder to keep their pet. They are more willing to do the work that owning a pet can entail...

Thank you Rascaldad for pointing out what many may not get...that just because there are threads posting problems and issues does not mean this breed is more challenging than another breed. It simply means we care enough about our breed that we are there to help others...and not all breeds inspire this kind of dedication! Most people are more likely to go to an online forum to complain than to praise... it's just how it goes.

 

[SV Dad]

Your welcome, Bridgette.
John Popp's adventure with Chongo is another example of great support.
It is refreshing to hear that the number of Savannah rescues is low. Having a board like this may prove to be a great educational introduction to the breed, and thus a high success rate for permanent first placement. And maybe get the legislators of many states to reexamine the laws, as there is ample evidence on these boards to show these cats are not dangerous, but an example of great breeding.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

That would be nice...but mostly what I find is that people don't go looking for forums and enthusiast groups until they've taken the plunge. Possibly more than most breeds, people tend to get so over-excited when they discover Savannahs they rush out and buy the first available one... and then do the research.

There's some that do it properly though, and this forum will be a great resource for those!

 

[John Popp]

That would be nice...but mostly what I find is that people don't go looking for forums and enthusiast groups until they've taken the plunge.

Guilty as charged!

I think it was a week after we got Chongo before I joined. Did my research, read a ton and a good support mechanism in my crazy cat lady sister. On a family vacation about a month beforehand, my cousins started referring to me as the "crazy cat dude" and really hammed it up on my birthday buying me all kinds of "Hello Kitty" stuff including a robe and pink slippers.

Anyway, I am sure you are right that people are likely owners before they check in here, but it's probably no different than any other pastime or hobby forum where the membership follows suit.