The call to find someone to foster Lux was fraught with enigma. They never named him directly because of all the media hype that accompanied him, and I had no idea at the time what the real deal was; only that I’d never been contacted in that way before to foster and/ or adopt a cat. Here is the email I received from the volunteer coordinator at Oregon Humane:

“Hi Mollie, We have a special situation of a Tuxedo long hair cat that needs a placement. Are you interested? I can refer you to our media Director for more details. You came to mind since I know you had a recent loss. (It may be too soon to think this way). I apologize if this is poor timing. I just thought you’d be the ideal home. K.”

I had just lost my great and wonderful Dirty Harry a few weeks earlier. His death, though anything but sudden, took a great toll on me. He had been with me for 12 years; I had watched the super-smart black & white go from youth to mid-age to old to dying. I remember when he started feeling his years he would lie in his donut bed and stare at me, his eyes saying, “What’s happening to me? Why do I feel this way?” He was a stubborn thing and didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want to let go either. But death comes to us all. Still, the passing of this gorgeous, funky, obstinate, playful, curious, dirty, hairy boy hurt like nothing I’ve endured before.

~ Harry ~

K. was right, it was probably too soon to think about taking on another cat, yet something about her query intrigued me. I replied:

“Thanks for thinking of me. I would be interested to know more, though I can’t make any promises at this time. (I have 3 other cats besides the one who died) I take it this isn’t a foster situation; that you are looking for an adopter?”

I had also discovered a more generic request on the private OHS Foster Facebook page:

 “Hi Guys, I have a special request. We are looking to privately place into a home a male, four year old cat. This cat has long hair and tuxedo markings. He needs to find a new quiet home, preferably the only pet, but may do well with older, low energy pets. No kids under 10. Do you know of the perfect home? After a lot of transition, he just needs a calm place to call home! Please email if you know of a great foster to adopt situation and thanks.”

This request was somewhat different that K.’s direct contact with me. Curiouser and curiouser. I hadn’t heard back from her, so I emailed her again:

 “I saw the note on the facebook foster page. I assume it’s about this same cat, and I am in a good position to foster. I was out of town for a couple of days so Snowball, the foster I had, went to someone else. I’m home now… But again, not sure about what is meant by “foster to adopt…” Anyway if you need a foster, I can pick kitty up tomorrow after work. Uh, Media director…?”

I was beginning to wonder…

Maybe it was the passing of Harry that spurred me on to take the leap of faith with Lux; maybe it was arrogance; maybe it was a deep-seated desire for my fifteen minutes of fame; maybe I just wanted to help a cat in need.

…………………………….to be continued

Next up: 3: LUX GOES VIRAL – The Meow Heard Around the World