My wife and I had to make the worst decision of our lives when on 9/19/14 we had to put our cat named Max down .For 11 years he was the most wonderful companion you could ever ask for . When we were leaving the Vets my wife started talking about getting a kitten . I told her that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make that commitment because we wouldn’t know how long it might live . Well after a miserable weekend alone I thought that I did want another cat . I called a friend who also was a cat person and he recommended that I go to the Parma Animal Shelter . I went on line and looked at all their information and saw a kitten that I felt a connection to and sent an e-mail to Paula Graham who was Jeter’s foster mom . She called me back and we made arrangements to meet at the shelter on 9/23 . When we got there we made our introductions and she wanted to look at all the kittens they had at that time . I told her that we could look at other kittens but I felt this connection to Jeter and when I saw his picture on the web site I felt like he was telling me to come and get him . We went into the cat room and got to know her and Jeter and told her that we wanted him . We filled out all the paper work , paid the fee and played Jeter for a while . We thought we would be leaving with him but we found out that he had to be neutered before he could come to his fur-ever home and he had to weigh 3 pounds for that to happen . Well he only weighed 2.6 so Paula told us that she thought that in 2 weeks he would make weight , have the operation in the morning and come home with us that afternoon . My wife was concerned that he would forget us and could we come and visit him before then ? Paula said that on 10/3 he was scheduled for a shot and a test and we could visit him at the shelter in the afternoon . So we came that day expecting to only visit with Jeter and found out that she also brought along his 5 brothers and sisters and a couple other kittens that Jeter’s mother was also taking care of . We went into the cat room with the kittens and Paula and had a blast for an hour with them . When 10/7 came we went to the shelter and took our baby home to his fur-ever home . A few weeks after that Paula called us to see how he was doing and said she would love to see current pictures of him . I made arrangements to stop at the shelter and show her all the pictures I had . When I got there she looked at all the pictures and we talked about all the crazy things he did and we gave her a donation for the shelter . Since then the shelter called to make sure everything was going all right . Yesterday 1/9/15 , I went to the shelter to show Paula current pictures of Jeter and to give her some toys for her future foster kittens and another cash donation for the shelter . Now I have seen some comments on the internet that have not been complimentary about the shelter and I just can’t understand how that can be . My wife and I have found the shelter and especially the volunteers and Paula to be nothing but wonderful . I could not do what these people do but I thank God that they can . As far as we are concerned these people angels and they do a wonderful job . We plan on staying in touch with Paula and continuing to support the shelter . If someone were to ask me where to go to adopt a cat or dog I would say the only place to go is the Parma Animal Shelter . Because of them and Paula we now have our wonderful kitten Jeter ! God bless them and the work they do .
Bob and Alicia Fortenbaugh
