The Food Bandit strikes again!                 

The Food Bandit strikes again!

One of our major goals as we start the New Year is to concentrate on finding homes for some of our “long term” kitties–the ones who have been with us for a greater length of time either because they are shy or have health issues or are older.

One of those kitties is Stewie, aka: “The Food Bandit.” Whenever I get updates on Stewie and his sweet sis, Maggie, from foster moms, Kristin and Christina, they usually tell me a new story about Stewie’s “thievery.” Stewie watches for dinner to approach the table and then he dashes in and swipes whatever happens to be on the menu for the evening–chicken wings, pieces of bread, slices of pizza–anything you can cook or bake, Stewie will nab.

Thinking that I must not believe some of the more outrageous “Stewie the feline Robin Hood” stories (Stewie’s motto is “I take from the rich and give to the poor–poor, little Stewie”), Kristin and Christina decided to catch “Stewie Hood” in the act. Christina hid around the corner as Kristin placed pizza on the table. Stewie, in Stewie fashion, leapt into action and Kristin sent me this super photo.

And now, Stewie is ready to steal your heart.

Stewie and Maggie have been in foster care since the end of 2008. They came to us as young kittens, in the 4 month old range, but they were extremely shy. The man who contacted me about them had not really worked with them. In fact, he let their feral mother back outside before we could get her fixed and I am sure she has gone on to repopulate his neighborhood. I hated to subject her kittens to the same life of fear and hunger that she had lived with, so I asked Kristin and Christina if they would be willing to take on a tougher foster project–to which they readily agreed.

Stewie and Maggie also had a sister, Cassie, who was the most outgoing of the three kittens. With just a little bit of work, she was ready for a trip to PetSmart and got adopted this past February. We had high hopes for Stewie and Maggie, as well, but when their shyness made it impossible to take them to the adoption center at PetSmart, we began to look for other ways to find them their forever home.

Stewie looking innocent. He says, "I would never, ever steal anything."

Stewie looking innocent. He says, "I would never, ever steal anything."

I know there are people out there who are not necessarily looking for a lap cat, who may want the cat (or cats) that no one else has chosen. I asked Kristin to give me a listing of all of Stewie and Maggie’s good qualities, as well as those that only a very special person would shrug their shoulders at and say, “that’s just the way they are”–namely their shyness and fear of new situations. Someone in Siamese Rescue once told me that aggression kept cats out of their foster program, but shyness never did. There were always people willing to love the shy kitties.

Here is what Kristin said about her two shy babies:

Maggie is very sweet and loves to play with the other cats. She also loves to sit on the cat tower and watch the outside critters. Stewie is Maggie’s best friend and she cries whenever they are separated. One of her favorite activities is playing chase–with the other kitties and with little pieces of paper that you crumple into balls for her. Maggie loves tuna and soft canned food. She does well with the dogs and she knows her name.

“Maggie does have anxiety issues. She does not like to be picked up and usually only lets me pet her in the early morning or late evening. She will run if she thinks you are going to try to pick her up or pet her when she does not want you to. I am the only one she will let near her. I use Feliway and that helps a bit with her anxiety, but she is still scared of new situations.”

Maggie reminds everyone that shy cats are not needy and lurking about waiting for you to sit down so they can climb in your lap. Shy cats, when they bestow their love, have given a great gift.

Maggie reminds everyone that shy cats are not needy and lurking about waiting for you to sit down so they can climb in your lap. Shy cats, when they bestow their love, have given a great gift.

About Stewie, Kristin wrote: “Stewie is very sweet. Food is definitely the way to his heart.  He loves to play with the other cats and he also likes to ‘drown’ the toy mice in the water bowl.  Stewie loves his big sister Maggie and they like to cuddle on the cat tower together.  Stewie has a favorite bed which he loves to nap in. Unfortunately, his favorite bed is pink.  Even though the color might not be suitable, we call it his ‘big boy bed.’  Stewie is the more outgoing one and loves to play.

“Stewie is not a big fan of dogs and likes to chase and swat at them.  I usually have to tell him to leave the dogs alone.  Stewie likes to hunt and prey on food…..usually the food on your plate.  Even when you think he is not around, he will swoop up and take what you have.  Stewie knows his name and also the words, ‘No, Stewie, not the pizza!’

Stewie is afraid of people.  He will only let me pet him and pick him up. He runs and hides when people come over. However, Stewie greets me at the door when I come home and  follows me around like one of the dogs. Both Stewie and Maggie have eyes that run, but they do not have an infection. I just wipe their eyes out each day.

“It is going to take a very patient person with both Stewie and Maggie.  They are not really lap cats.  Someone will really have to continue to work with both of them. Stewie has really taken to me, so I know it is possible for him to love his future mommy or daddy.”

Now we just have to find that perfect Mommy or Daddy who will love Stewie and Maggie and not mind that they are not the clingy, cuddly, hang out in your lap sorts. Rather, they are the pizza stealing, independent, gain my trust types. And we know there is someone out there who will love them just as they are–even when pizza is on the menu.

Stewie and Maggie, hanging in the cat tree, planning their next heist. We think Maggie is the brains of this operation and Stewie is the muscle behind the coups.

Stewie and Maggie, hanging in the cat tree, planning their next heist. We think Maggie is the brains of this operation and Stewie is the muscle behind the sneak attacks.

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