Some people when asking about LNV want to know what things networks do for focus persons. Up until a while ago, if asked about Drew’s network, I would have said some of the things they do are working out, sharing activities such as IMAX, bowling, skating, movies, hanging out at his place once a month, celebrating with him, watching out for him when his parents are away, eating out together, taking him to Vancouver for a special outing, going to concerts, having him to their homes for meals and visits, and even having him as a weekend guest. Yes, there are a lot of wonderful things they do and who could ask for more.
But there is one thing more, something really special. Drew loves cats and for sometime expressed a desire to have his own cat. His step-father and I resisted this initially as Drew lives on his own and we weren’t sure he could look after a cat and we had no trouble imagining all of the things that could go wrong. We did make a visit or two to the SPCA with Drew but we weren’t keen on strays with no history. Much to Drew’s disappointment we kept delaying the decision. Fortunately for Drew, there are quite a few cat lovers in his network and once they heard about Drew’s desire, well no problem, they just got down to solutions and told us not to worry. As Drew would say, "they know what they are doing".
Cathy set things in motion. The clinic where she takes her cat has an adoption and foster home program where they try to make ideal matches between cats and owners. She did all the arranging and the clinic started the search for Drew’s ideal cat and soon found Benson, a four-year-old orange male with all the right qualifications. Although Benson is very shy and a one on one kind of guy (purrfect for Drew) Cathy and Drew did manage a visit with him at his foster home and both agreed that the cat for Drew had been found!
Now things moved very quickly and other network members got involved preparing Drew for Benson’s arrival. Carol, who has four cats Drew knows well, has long been sharing with him all the necessary tasks needed to take care of cats. Network friends gave him "objects d’cat" for Christmas to get him started. Cathy and Larry went shopping for the litter box, cat food, and bed. Sarah (Drew’s network manager) set up a visiting schedule in preparation for Benson’s first week, for network members to check in, make sure all was well and help Drew if necessary.
Well the big day finally arrived and I, Alistair, Cathy, Larry, Sarah and Mike all met at the clinic to pick up Benson. The clinic staff was terrific and Drew was treated with all due respect for a new cat owner. When Drew emerged from the back with the cat carrier and Benson inside there were many oohs and ahhs. Everyone was excited; we were bringing home the new baby!
We are happy to report that all has gone very well and Drew is taking excellent care of his new companion. Benson has bonded with Drew but is still shy of people and takes refuge under Drew’s bathroom vanity when others arrive.
Even though Benson has yet to learn it he has many friends who are concerned for his welfare. He has lucked out; he is a cat with a network!
Drew is very joyful about his pal Benson and how much bigger that joy is when shared with his best friends.
I highly recommend networks for cats but if your focus person is into snakes or tarantulas you may have a problem!
