Great Cats for Great Homes

  Annika is a 5½ years old (DOB: 4/7/2013), Siamese-mix, long-haired cat. She weighs a little over 8 pounds, has beautiful, slightly crossed blue eyes, stand-out freckles and her fur is a lovely mix of cream, grey, taupe and black. She also has the ragdoll trait of going limp and relaxed when picked up. Annika has been spayed, microchipped, and is strictly an indoor cat. She is up to date with all necessary vaccinations. She is also in excellent health – she had her annual exam and teeth cleaned this past summer. She currently has a health insurance policy for major medical coverage, which can be transferred to the new owner. Annika needs to be in a fairly quiet household – she has been raised with me and one other cat. She should be okay with another cat if it isn’t very aggressive, and she may also do well around a small dog that doesn’t bark a lot or is nervous. Annika could also do well with older, laid back children. She may shut down and hide for a while in her new home. In spite of her playful, sassy self, she’s pretty shy and easily scared and will need someone who is patient and gentle and has the time to spend with her to get used to her new surroundings. Ideally, she would like a stay-at-home parent and prefers to hang out wherever you are. When Annika feels happy and safe, she is a wonderful blend of sweet, playful, funny and loving. Annika will be your best ‘worst’ assistant… she wants your attention at the most inconvenient times: like when you’re rushing around the kitchen in the morning; she will chat you up or fling herself on the floor on her back and meow for a tummy rub. Or, when you are at your computer trying to concentrate on writing something complex and critical, she will jump up on the table and step between the screen and the keyboard so you can’t see a thing. So, you put her on the floor with a few choice words, turn back to the computer and there she is again, and again. She’s like a child when she needs attention and will let you know: she wants to be picked up and held in one arm and bobbled. And, if you are wearing a necklace, all the better – she can nibble at or bat it around while being bounced up and down. Try making coffee or typing with one hand while jiggling her like a baby... She will be busy purring and so pleased with herself and, like a true cat, totally oblivious to the inconvenience of the situation. When you first pick Annika up while at the computer, or in the early morning hours if she’s slept with you (hogging half the bed because she likes to sleep horizontally), she likes to reach out with a paw, touch your face repeatedly as if stroking it, and lick you on the lips. Yup, lip kisses. Her eyes are focused on you and she just has this look of love and happiness on her face. It’s oddly endearing. I just clamp my lips together and work on avoiding lip burn from the sandpaper tongue. And when it’s the dinner hour, Annika has the most amazing internal clock. If you’re in another room with her and say, “Let’s go,” with enthusiasm, she’ll skitter out of the room and around the corner so fast her back end has a hard time catching up with her front end as she heads towards the kitchen. If you are otherwise occupied at the anointed time, she will remind you of your obligation. Annika is also an enthusiastic fan of nature. If you holler “birdy” or “squirrel alert,” she will rush to the site where she thinks the action is happening (sometimes you have to guide her...), lock eyes on the ‘target’ and commence with cat speak. She loves to sit on her perch by an open window or door on a nice day and hang out. Her one ‘freaky’ behavior is that she loves to chew on plastic bags. I have to hide them in a closet. If she gets ahold of one, speaking sternly doesn’t deter her. She knows you’re freaked out and that’s part of the thrill. You may have to go faux-stomping towards her and, if she’s in a particularly bold mood, that still doesn’t stop her. You may actually have to pry her away from the bag and follow it up with a lecture that is more for your benefit and relief. Hide the plastic! If a bag has to be in her presence, even for a short while, keep your eyes on her… These are just a few examples of Annika’s persona. It’s hard to encapsulate over 5 years into a few paragraphs. The big and the small moments, the laughs and the challenges all blend together. I have been so lucky and blessed to have had Annika in my life. I love her dearly. I will miss her terribly. I hope to find her a home and family who want her and is committed to keeping her healthy, safe, happy and well loved.

For more information on meeting and adopting this kitty, please fill out a pre-adoption application under "ADOPT" on our website at WWW.CATSCRADLERESCUE.COM. Your information will be forwarded to the owner for follow-ups and meeting arrangement.  This cat is offered for adoption due to the owner's special circumstances and all questions will be referred to the owner for reply.

Cat's Cradle is an all-volunteer, non-profit foster-home based rescue serving Oregon cats who need new homes. 100% of your adoption fee goes to provide for the medical and physical needs of the cats in our care. We invite you to become a foster parent and experience the great satisfaction of helping a cat or kitten in need.