Roxie and Sheena, an Unexpected and Joyful Adoption

Roxie and Sheena enjoying their favorite hobby, looking out the window

  By Carlina Colon

Until three months ago you could say I was the typical person who said “I’m not a cat person”. But that changed in the moment when my husband and I decided to foster Roxie and Sheena,  two year old beautiful black cats.  Their previous owner was an elderly man who died from natural causes. He had many cats and all of them were taken away after he died, except Roxie and Sheena. Nobody wanted them because they were black. "Really?" I thought.

A close neighbor of the former owner started to take care of them while they were moving all the belongings from the previous owner. She couldn’t adopt them because the landlord did not permit pets. Then the moment came when the apartment furniture and belongings were removed and these beauties were going to be dropped off at the county shelter.  That’s when Kerry (a friend of the neighbor who was taking care of them) contacted Christine (founder of Riverfront Cats) for help.

Christine asked me about the possibility of fostering Roxie and Sheena for three months.  I was doubtful at the beginning since I never had cats in my life, only dogs. However, after listening to their story and seeing pictures of the black beauties, I talked to my husband and we decided to take them in. We agreed only for three months.

When they were brought to our home, Roxie and Sheena were very afraid and nervous. There weren't the only ones. I always said I didn’t like cats because they don’t play with you like dogs and they are not as affectionate as dogs. OH I COULDN’T BE MORE WRONG. Roxie and Sheena were living proof of how sweet and affectionate a cat can be when you take the initiative to demonstrate affection, love. They were sad because their owner died, the melancholy was evident in their body language so my husband and I gave them their space for a couple a weeks to recover. After that, we started petting them little by little and then playing with them.

Roxie started to get very attached to my husband. She followed him around the apartment, rubbed against him all the time, more than me, and by now she sleeps on his side of the bed every night. On the other side, Sheena is attached to me, she wants me to pet her all the time, more than my husband, and sleeps on my side of the bed sometimes. We each have a personal fan.

My husband and Roxie

After seeing how their behavior changed and how much they love us, we decided we are not fostering anymore, we are adopting them; they are our little girls. There are no words to describe how happy we are to see them greet us at the door every day when we get home from work. My perception of cats has forever changed, especially black cats. They are particularly smart and beautiful.

Roxie on the chair while my husband is using his laptop

Also, I can say our relationship as a couple has improved since bringing home these would-be orphaned black cats.  Our bond is stronger.  My husband and I enjoy quality time with our furry children. This experience has enlightened, prepared and validated our parenting skills for when we have human children one day. They both require attention, affection, routine and discipline for healthy growth and development and a happy home. In my personal opinion, adopting any pet in need, is the most rewarding experience you could ever had.

Interested in adopting and providing a new home to a deserving pet? Maddie's^® Pet Adoption Days, is hosting a big free adoption event. This is the biggest free pet adoption event in the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals is leading the charge in New York City!. Mayor’s Alliance hopes to place hundreds of dogs and cats in qualified forever homes in the New York City Area on June 1 & 2. Free adoptions for qualified adopters will be offered throughout that weekend at participating shelters and other adoption locations, and at two large, outdoor adoption events in Manhattan. To see other cities participating in Maddie's^® Pet Adoption Days click here.