Get to know the Cat Connection store cats
Written by: Kristin Blair “Webmeowster” at the Cat Connection Store

We here at the Cat Connection love cats and extend that love to each and ever kitty that comes into our store. If you have come into our store you have met our lovable, well fed and sometimes grumpy housecats. We have decided it is time for our beautiful kitties to be in the spotlight and wanted our customers to know each one more personally.

Shadow aka “The Store Regulator”
Anyone who has stepped foot in our store has been greeted by our big black cat, Shadow. While he can be a bit of a grump sometimes, he is a treasured member of the Cat Connection family and we wouldn't change him for a thing.

When Shadow was about 9 ½ years old he came to the store to board for several months because his owner at the time was gutting her house and rebuilding it. 3 ½ months later, the owner had called and told us she would pay up her bill, but wanted us to drop him off at a shelter. Anne, the store owner, didn't have the heart to take the chance of leaving it to a shelter to find a good home for an older cat so we kept him at the store. When we felt he was ready, we tried to find him a loving home and did adopt him out. Unfortunately, the families were not prepared for such a stubborn boy. After his third attempted adoption, he was returned to the store and we decided his true home was with us here at the Cat Connection (and he couldn't be happier.)

Now at the age of 15, he is our pride and joy. When he first came to stay with us he was overweight, covered in dry skin and dander, and even had weevils in his food. Several months ago, Shadow was diagnosed with a hyperthyroid condition and had to undergo chemotherapy. He has bounced back and is better than ever. He is now at his ideal weight, has a beautiful coat and healthy skin and is in fantastic health. We love this cat!

FYI: If you see Shadow by the front door, he's not there to greet you; he's there to speed by you for a few moments outside. So please be careful when entering the store.

Abby aka “The Ghost Cat” or “Abby Monster”
When Abby came to the Cat Connection, she was about a 1 ½ years old. She came to us as a feral cat with her litter of feral kittens. With some work, patience, and a lot of love, the kittens became wonderful, loving companions and were adopted out at the store. Jay, the store owner, fell in love with Abby and wanted her to be a part of the Cat Connection family.

When they let her loose in the store, she was still a bit feral as well as territorial. For the first several months, she would guard the office door and beat up any cat that came near the owners. However, one day she came in the office and had been scratched across the face - Maggie had set her straight and the playing field was now even.

Now Abby is 6 ½ years old and loves her life here at the Cat Connection. While customers don't see her often (the ghost cat) – when she does make an appearance, customers fall in love with her almost immediately. She is just a sweet ball of fluff. She likes to spend most of her day sprawled across my desk while I try to type. She is quite the drooler as well. She is a treasure to this family and we can't imagine the store without her.

Maggie aka “The Superstar”
We all know and love Maggie like she was our own. She also came to the Cat Connection at about 1 ½ years old. Jay and Anne, the store owners, had a booth at a local Home & Garden convention where several animal rescue agencies had booths as well. While at the show, one of the rescues would take the animals around the show on a leash to give them a better chance of finding a home. When the volunteer set Maggie down, a large Weimaraner came up and laid a big sloppy kiss across Maggie's face and she just sat there happy as could be. Anne knew immediately that Maggie would be a perfect addition to the family.

Maggie is definitely the store “Superstar”, as she is always out and about greeting the customers. Her pretty face is featured on a TreasureKnit Blanket above the counter for all to see, but if she's not by the front door or in her bed, she is sprawled across the checkout counter so that she can approve the daily purchases. She is also featured across our website as she is very photogenic and will pose for the camera like a natural.

Maggie is now 6 ½ years old, and certainly lives the good life. She is also a polydactyl (or “Hemmingway” cat) and has 7 toes on each front foot and 5 on each back foot. If you do have the pleasure of meeting our wonderful Maggie, please be sensitive of her “pitcher mitt” paws and soft tummy as she is not fond of being poked at. Would you be?