There wasn’t anything extraordinary about him from an initial glance.  He was matted, dirty and stank of strong urine.  No different than many other stray cats brought in to the shelter.  I could see dried blood from cuts on his face, ears and neck– he was a mess!  He was curled in a protective ball in the humane trap and his big gold eyes peered back at me as I looked at him.  I sighed to myself as I opened the door to the trap.  He hesitated but a moment before uncurling himself and slowly walking my way.  I was amazed at his size!  He reminded me of lion with his huge paws and his long yellow and orange fur.  He was a little underweight at 18 1/2 pounds– that is a lot of cat!

 

I knew he would never have a chance to be adopted without cleaning him up and tending to his wounds.  He was sedated so we could clean the cuts.  The entire right side of his face and neck had to be shaved in order to clean his wounds.  Next, he was bathed and scrubbed to remove the filth and smell.  His hair was brushed and all the mats removed.  We dried him and wrapped him in warm blankets and waited for the sedation to wear off.  Looking at the peaceful sleeping cat, I named him “Ace” after the drug we used to sedate him. 

 

He was a silly sight for a while.  The right side of his head looked stark naked compared to the long fur of the left.  The hair eventually grew back and Ace gained some weight.  His coat took on a healthy sheen and grew even longer.  The orange markings grew darker and his eyes were clear and bright.  He was a beautiful cat indeed!  He was finally ready to be adopted.

 

Ace spent the first few weeks in our Cat Room before being moved to the lobby area of the shelter.  We keep several cages of cats up front to help socialize them and to show them off to the public.  It was finally his turn to be moved, and what happened next will live in our hearts and minds forever.

 

In the mornings, the cats are turned loose to romp the lobby area.  One by one in turn they play while their cages are being cleaned.  When Ace was turned loose from his cage, he did something that no other cat had done.  Instead of running wildly enjoying his freedom, he strutted gracefully around surveying his new domain.  Like a king in his court, he inspected every nook and cranny.  After his inspection, he glared at us as if to say “Is this a coffee break?  Get back to work!”  This went on for several days until one morning Ace decided to claim his throne.

 

 I was sitting at my desk taking care of paperwork when out of no where a large 20 pound cat leaps from floor to desktop claiming my desk area as his own.  I was stunned and more than a little startled at the suddenness of his actions.  Before I could even speak he laid down, turned his head and gave me a regal look.  His deep gold eyes pierced through me in a look that I dared not defy.  This was his desk now.  I needed to go find my own.

 

It started with the desk and progressed to my cushioned chair.  Every morning I would find him snoozing contently.  I would have to joust him to win control of the soft seat, and he would inevitably slowly stretch and hop down letting me “borrow” my own chair for a while.  It became a game to us both that I called “Whose chair is this this anyway?”  It was then that I realized  I had been demoted as Shelter Director to a mere a supportive staff to his majesty.  Ace had proclaimed himself Shelter Director.

 

His routine in the evenings was impressive in its complexity.  After close, he was released to roam his kingdom (our Lobby area).  He first checked his personal food and water bowl.  If not adequately filled we were given a chastising meow.  Next, he inspected his personal littler box.  If it was not cleaned to his specifications we were notified by his disgruntled meows.  Then, he would sashay over to survey the condition of the other cat cages in the lobby and to socialize with the “Commoners”.   He was official greeter to all newcomers and gave them a welcoming meow.  After speaking to everyone he would take his place on his throne (my desk), and act as protector through the night.

 

Nearly nine months after first coming to us as a matted, dirty, wounded cat– Ace was adopted in to a loving home with other cats.  I am told he has his own room, his own litter box and his own personal food and water bowl.  He is truly still “King” of his domain. 

 

Few animals have touched our hearts as greatly as that big orange cat we named Ace.  His presence is missed by all who knew him, but we are delighted to know that he finally has a home.  Sometimes, without thinking, I still look to see if he is curled up sleeping on my cushioned chair.

 

From Rags to Riches