Freddie Weasley was one of the sweetest kittens we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. People were put off from adopting him when they found out he was deaf. There are all sorts of stories about deaf cats- that they are crabby, ill tempered, violent, aggressive and anti-social. We used a fact sheet from the Cat Protection Society as part of our learning about deaf cats, and the key point was finding a way to communicate. A big reason that deaf cats can be seen as grumpy or aggressive is that they aren't aware people are coming up behind them until they are actually touching them. It's therefore not surprising that they would get a bit of a fright. By doing simple things like tapping the couch next to them when they are resting they can feel the vibrations and know that someone is there.
We gave the factsheet to Freddie's new dad when he came looking for an indoor cat to be his buddy while he worked from home. He has used the fact sheet and then expanded on it and has developed a fantastic relationship with his kitty. For example, he calls Freddie for dinner by flashing the kitchen light three times. Freddie's mum and dad are so happy with Freddie that when they decide to bring another cat into their family they have decided they will only adopt a deaf cat.
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We know most of the visitors who come to our blog are not from Sydney, but we thought we would follow the example of our friends at Fuzzy Tales and put some names out into the universe. These kitties are from the Cat Protection Society , the wonderful organisation we fostered Henry, Lottie and Alice Darling and Barney and Dino Rubble for.
This is Hayden. He was abandoned when his family moved out of their home and left him behind. He is a black cat, and at 5 years old some people think he is too old. As he has trust issues and startles easily, he is not very suited to a family with children. He needs a calm patient family who will help him to come out of his shell and respect his boundaries.
Calamity is a 7 year old ginger and white girl. She came to the Society when her family moved into pet-unfriendly housing and had trouble with allergies. Calamity is blind in one eye. She would prefer not to live with another cat, but likes children who have good cat manners. She is an affectionate, playful ladycat.
Hayden, Calamity and a host of other cats and kittens are available for adoption from the Cat Protection Society Adoption Centre at 103 Enmore Road, Newtown, Sydney.
This is him on the bed today in our spare room, having a knead on the blanket. He is looking much more mancatly than last time I saw him. 
This is Freddie during his last week with us before he went to his Forever Home. You can see how big Lishy was compared to Freddie..jpg)
Freddie spent his first 24 hours here in the spare room and adjoining bathroom. Lishy snuck in between mum's feet when she was going into his room, and the boys responded really well to each other. I also snuck in, and Freddie didn't have a problem. Mum decided to leave his door open and supervise us, and we have been having lots of fun! Freddie has only ventured as far as the landing, but is really enjoying having buddies to play with. Suey is just ignoring us all, as usual, although she has had a couple of nose kisses with Freddie. (I thought I would add, mum only lets us mix with Freddie because she knows he is a strictly indoor cat who has had all his vaccinations. He comes to the clinic mum works in for his check ups. If she didn't know his health status, he would have been quarantined in the same way shelter foster kittens are).
Today, I have been living with my mum and dad for three years. This is the first photo of me that wasn't blurry or of my bum.
Mum thinks I was a gorgeous wee boy, and I tend to agree ;) This is me and my first toy, Marty Mouse. You might remember Marty as the intrepid reporter who travelled between Townsville and Sydney with mum and dad last year.
Freddie Weasley.
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His mum and dad love having him as part of their family, and he is settling in very well. He loves playing games with his dad and charging about during the day, and is becoming a real cuddlepuss at night.
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Today, the lesson was keeping a clean machine..jpg)
I gave him an extra lesson on trying to keep your ears clean so you can avoid your mum coming at you with an ear wipe. .jpg)
After our cleaning time, we settled down for a rest..jpg)
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Today, Little Freddie Superstar (as my daddy calls him) secured his Forever Home. He will go to his home next week, when his new family are a bit more settled in their new house and have been able to set their home up for him. He is going to live very close to us, with a mum and a dad. His dad works from home, and wanted a buddy to keep him company during the day. We think Freddie will be great for that role, as he is a real for true buddy cat..jpg)
We are very happy for our little friend:)
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A cuddle,.jpg)
And a snooze..jpg)
This has been a good day.
Suey is also being a good teacher, because she is teaching me about boundaries. I am being a good boy and not annoying her too much. She even gives me nose kisses, which my foster mum says she reserves for very special kittens.
This is me this weekend. I look a lot more grown-up, if I do say so myself.
I am recovering well after my spay surgery. My wound is a bit bigger that Georgie's was, as I had a different vet, but I am not letting it slow me down. My foster mum keeps seperating me for a rest, as I am so intent on wrasslin' with Freddie and Lishy. It is FUN!