Sample Communication

This is an excerpt from a conversation I had with Yogi, a resident at HART (Homeless Animal Rescue Team). When I met Yogi, he was shy, seeming to want attention, but skittering away when people approached. Yogi came to HART as a stray kitten in 1997. He developed a large tumor on his lower jaw. To remove the entire tumor, part of Yogi's jaw had to be removed as well. Fortunately, the tumor proved to be benign. Here's what a transcript of a communication looks like:

7/29/99-Yogi

It seemed you had something you wanted to say to me? Yes.
What was that? Do you like the way I look?
Yes. I find your eyes and your demeanor quiet, shy and appealing. What about my jaw, does it gross you out?
No, not at all. I felt bad for you when I saw it based on what I imagined might have caused it, but it didn't make me like you less. Ok.
So what did you want to tell me? I wanted to know if anyone could like me enough to take me home?
I think so. Marty said she would like to take you home. She would? Oh that would be great. I just adore Marty. She takes care of us all you know.
Oh yes, I know. Would you mind being part of a big cat family? No, that someone would want me is good. You know, some of the people who come say I look gross. I don't, do I?
No, not at all. I think people just don't understand that this was surgical and it helped you recover and you're fine, not in pain or anything. So you're not ugly. You're strong and brave and have prevailed over adversity. You have courage and a body sturdy enough to withstand problems. Yes, that's true, isn't it. I can be proud, not ashamed.
That's right! And if people pull away it's because they don't understand yet, not because I'm gross.
Exactly. Go for it-ask for love just as much as your brother does. Ok, I will.
Anything else you'd like to tell me? Yes.
What's that? Thanks. I'm a cat; I want to see myself beautiful.
You are. Sometimes you just have to redefine your parameters.

Two weeks later, I received the following e-mail from Marty, HART's director, "…Yogi let me pick him up today!!!" And then, the following week, "Yogi update….Almost everyone is able to pet him now without him running away!!!!! Hurrah!!" The week after that: "Yogi is doing great!! Loving attention."