Once upon a time, there was a cat named Sawyer who was so shy no one could touch her.

Sawyer’s Saga:

Her life began innocently enough. Like many cat companions, she was adopted from a shelter when she was a kitten. There was another cat in the home, and the two cats did well together.  That was October of 2014. Then a few years later, the young woman who’d adopted her lost her job and got involved with drugs. Things went downhill for the poor cats. The woman’s parents visited to make sure the cats had food and minimal care, but when the other cat died, Sawyer was left alone for days on end. After a while, the parents brought her to their home. Unfortunately that turned out to be just as problematic, though in another way. The father had diabetes and dementia. He overhandled Sawyer and she bit him, hard enough to draw blood. Though well-intentioned, the parents never really wanted her, and after the bite incident, it was clear Sawyer needed to go elsewhere.

Sawyer was a very lucky girl, because the parents chose to relinquish her to the Oregon Humane Society, top in the country for a successful adoption rate. Sawyer began her new journey at OHS on New Year’s Eve day, 2024.

Upon examination by the cattery team, Sawyer turned out to be physically in good shape, but her mental state was another story. It didn’t take long for staff and volunteers to see that the poor cat huddling in fear underneath her blanket needed help.

OHS had recently built a place for such animals where they could receive individual care and learn to trust again. The new Behavior and Rescue Center (BRC) sits down the hill from the main shelter and adjacent to the Community Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Crimes Forensic Center. Much of the large building is set aside for dogs, but the cat area, a quiet space with roomy cat suites, was perfect for the little dilute tortoiseshell. Away from the clatter, noise, and people, Sawyer finally had a chance to relax, at least a bit.

When Sawyer came into the BRC, her long fur was a mass of mats

When Sawyer came into the BRC, her long fur was a mass of mats, but no one could get close enough to brush her without her cringing in absolute terror. Over the weeks, volunteers and staff worked with her, trying to help her come out of her shell. They would read to her or sit quietly nearby to get her accustomed to a safe human presence, but no matter how they tried, the shy cat showed no progress. Only one volunteer managed to break through that barrier of fear. After several weeks, Sawyer began to accept soft petting on her head. When she finally ventured out from under her blanket, the volunteer made the decision to take her home.

Carolyn had been looking for a companion for her elderly cat Pinot, who had shut down after the death of her 19-year-old Cassis the previous summer. Carolyn had taken three older cats as fosters, hoping to find a suitable buddy for Pinot, but it didn’t work out. Two of them were aggressive with him, and the other was terrified of him. Not about to give up, Carolyn had a feeling Sawyer might be the one.

Sawyer started off in Carolyn’s office room hiding in her tent bed, but she did allow petting—in fact, she loved it. After several days, Carolyn introduced the new cat to Pinot. She couldn’t have asked for a better response—Sawyer just lit up!

When Sawyer saw Pinot, she lit up

Sawyer begins her transformation.

It was time to find a suitable name for the little cat. She had never responded to the name Sawyer, so Carolyn looked for something else more to her personality. One day she was muttering through a string of possibilities, (mostly wine names to go with Pinot). When she said, “Chablis,” Sawyer perked up and turned to look at her. Carolyn feared it was a coincidence, but several hours later, it happened again. So Sawyer became Chablis.

A shy, traumatized cat blossoms into a devoted companion

 

With love, care, and a kitty buddy to show her the ropes, a shy, traumatized cat blossoms into a devoted companion.

I spent the month of July with Pinot and Chablis while Carolyn was on holiday. At first, Chablis hid from me as Carolyn had warned me she might. I was concerned it would be the BRC experience all over again, thirty days of her hidden under the bed, only glimpsing her big, scared eyes staring out of the shadows. Happily I was quickly proven wrong.

Chablis and Pinot helping me write

Within a few days, Chablis decided I was an okay human. Suddenly she was a changed cat. When I came through the door, she and Pinot would be out waiting for me. She lounged beside me or on my lap whenever I sat down. She and Pinot would snuggle together on either side of me on the couch. The two of them played often. Chablis’ beautiful eyes that had for so long held only fear were now filled with excitement and wonder. I was, and still am, overcome with joy at the change she had made with the care and faith of her loving adopter.

Not a scaredy-cat anymore

Take a chance!

Those cats you find in the shelter, the ones who huddle in a bed or under a blanket, may be exactly the cat you need! Shelters, even the good ones, are filled with noise and commotion, an environment where cats tend not to show their best side. The shelter is a big scary place with no means of escape. That’s enough to dampen anyone’s personality.

So when you are looking for a cat to adopt, try to see past the kennel bars. Talk to people who know that cat. Get information about their former life. Find out everything you can, and then take a leap of faith. The reward may be great for both you and your new friend.

Chablis at home