A Cat Photo Page For Hope

by Joyce Rice
(South Florida)

Hope (aka Sarah) was adopted from the shelter in September 2010. Her home is in an office building of 32 staff. Her predecessor, Patches, was a 10 year veteran with FIV, who died in August of 09. When all of the grieving and healing had been done, the staff requested another cat. When visiting the shelter, Hope just relaxed in the arms of the CEO and waited to have her belly scratched. We knew she was the right cat immediately. Upon introducing her to the staff, we were surprised to find that they all thought she looked amazingly like Patches. We had not seen that at the shelter. Hope, however, is very different from Patches. Aside from the female/male thing, Patches had his favorites...Hope loves everybody. Patches came to us sick, Hope is healthy, curious and forever on the move. Patches was never able to visit a staff member at home because of the FIV thing...Hope regularly spends weekends with the CEO and is looking forward to visiting with other staffers. Why a cat in an office?? Because they are forgiving and encouraging, less needy than a dog and offer a calming spirit in troubled times. Hope's name came from the fact that the office was in the midst of a three way merger when she was adopted and she has brought hope for better days ahead.