Thursday, October 4, 2007

GABI LIN

It was two years ago today that this dear little one came to live with me.  It was determined that she was about two years old so I have chosen October 4th as her birthday, at least a day of new beginnings for her. Of course no one (but her & she's not talking) knows exactly when she was born.  Most of you know Gabi's story so please bear with me as I tell it again on this special day.

Gabi (the name a co-worker and I gave her) was found by the Humane Society on the streets of Seattle in August of 2005.  She was starving, matted, flea ridden...a real mess.  After an initial examination to see if she was microchipped (she wasn't), she was taken to a lady in the Seattle area who raises and fosters Persians and Exotic ShorthairsGabi by the way is an Exotic,  because she has short hair unlike a Persian who is long haired.  Anyway, the next couple months she was cleaned up, examined by a vet, vaccinated, and started on the road to recovery.

The end of September, a co-worker of mine had started looking for an Exotic kitten.  She knew this lady as she had talked to her before about Exotics.  So she gave her a call to see if she had any Exotics ready to be adopted.  The lady didn't have any kittens but she told my friend about the little two year old, who'd been rescued and was ready to go to a permanent home.  She emailed some pictures to my friend, who emailed them to me and for me it was "love at first sight!"  She decided she'd take her and I kept saying well if it doesn't work out, I want her.  Meanwhile we were going over names, my friend (and myself ) both liked names that have meaning.  We kept coming back to the name "Gabi" because in Hebrew it means "God is My Strength."  After hearing the story of her survival, we both felt "Gabi" was a fitting name..   So my friend picked her up and took her home.  The vet had said that Gabi should have dry food available at all times and be fed canned food at least twice a day, because she wasso thin.  (She still only weighs 4lbs 8 oz and my vet would like to see her between 5 & 6 pounds)  Well, my friend only feeds dry food twice a day, she does not leave it out for her cats...so after a day or so she could see she had an impossible situation going.  Trying to feed two cats, two different ways...it was not going to work.  She came to work the morning of October 4, 2005 and said "I can't do this! Would you like to have this cat?"  OH YA !!!  I took an extended lunch, went to Petsmart, got a carrier, cat food, litter, etc. and that afternoon my co-worker left early, took my carrier, went to her house & got Gabi and brought her to me.  She came home with me that night and immediately settled into her new home. 

It's only been two years...but I feel like it's been forever.  She's such a sweet girl, especially at night when she jumps up on my bed and curls up next to me while I read.  She leans her little head on my arm and purrs away, sometime stretching out a front paw to my arm.  Once I turn out the light, she gets up and goes down and lays on her blanket at the end of my bed.  When I wake up in the morning...there she is...sitting there, looking at me...waiting for me to get up and give her her breakfast.  However, if I sleep too long, she's up walking around me, gently pawing my arm or head with her little white paw.  Making her little throaty noises which mean "mom get your _____ out of bed and feed me." 

Some may feel it's silly to go on and on about a cat...but she's such a dear little girl.  I can't help but love her.  Before she came along, I thought Persians were quite unattractive, their smooched faces did nothing for me.  But once you have one in your house...and you get to know their sweet personalities and dispositions, all those feelings fade away. 

So Happy 4th Birthday little Gabi Lin....I love you ! May we have many more happy years together.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Linda, I too rescued my lovely little calico, (Cailee), and her birthday was Oct. 1st.
I love this story because it is so similar to mine. My little cailee comes to bed and puts that little paw on my arm, letting me know she loves me, then falls asleep with me. In the morning she just meows so loud like she wants to talk..it is adoreable. So, no< it isn't silly. It is a beautiful entry that I relate to in every way. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Lori

Anonymous said...

Oh Linda of course you love your little friend Gabbi Lin ,who wouldnt ? and she loves you too ,Happy Birthday to her and many many happy returns of the day to her ...love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

(((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))I love the pics and what a nice entry.Happy Birthday Gabi Lin.

Anonymous said...

Ah.... I love the story and Gabi is a doll.  Happy Birthday to Gabi Lin.  Joni

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Gabi Lin!!!!  This entry is wonderful ~ I can see everything you are describing.  I'm so glad Gabi came to you, the fact she settled in no nicely after all she had been through says it was meant to be.  I certainly don't think it is silly to talk about your cat, or any other pet for that matter.  They are such important parts of our lives, they should be included.  I would love to read more about Gabi ~ you'll never bore me!!  She is a doll.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Wonderful entry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much love & HB to Gabi!
The Girls send a big WOOF to her, they say to ell her to Keep Her Paws Up!  ;)
Hugs,
Sugar

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Gabi! I just know you and Gabi were made for each other. I'm so glad your friend couldn't keep her and offered her to you. I wish she could talk and tell us just how she ended up on the streets of Seattle. Katinka and Nina (of big flappy ears fame!) say happy birthday too. Course it's not silly to talk about your pet, if it was it'd mean we were all stupid! Lol! Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

Great entry, Linda. Sounds indeed like the two of you have settled in quite well together. Strange, someone else in J-land just got adopted by a cat today... Gabi Lin is a very sweet looking cat.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, precious Gabi!  You know how I feel about your cat!  I think she's the cutest thing I've ever seen.  I just love her little face.  What an attitude!  LOL  I don't think it's silly at all going on and on about her.  It's obvious that she has brought you an enormous amount of love and joy.  She deserves a birthday tribute!
Hugs, Kathy

Anonymous said...

Yippie - your cat has the same birthday as I do. I'm in good company!

Anonymous said...

I did love reading all about Gabi Linda and how you came to have each other in your lives.  I think she looks a sweet cat.  I had never heard of this breed before, although my ex sister in law did breed persians.  I just love cats and wish so much I could have one now.
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Gabi!!!
Linda :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting my journal...I loved the story of Gabi and I love her wee face she is so gorgeous!
bella xx

Anonymous said...

That was such a heart felt story! Bless your heart....I don't think it's bad if you go on about a pet you love...I feel that it's natural! :o) Thank you for sharing....Happy birthday Gabi Lin!
Lisa