Meryl Grigg was left feeling devastated after her dearly loved rescue cat, had to be humanely euthanased. Three years later she was finally open to the possibility of adopting another cat after moving in with her mother, Win.
While Meryl believed that bringing a new cat companion into their home would complete their little family and be a good source of support for her elderly mother, she was in no rush to adopt one. Little did she know what was in store.
Meryl knew Frank was the one for her right away.
RSPCA’s West Lakes Adoption Hub is close to Meryl’s home and one day, on a whim, she decided to take a look inside – and that is when Frank caught her eye.
“He came up to me straight away and was just so loving and adorable,” Meryl recalls from her first meeting with the Burmese red point.
“He was not like the other cats, he had these big blue eyes.”
After returning home, Meryl couldn’t stop thinking about Frank, so much so that it kept her up all night.
“There was something about him that made me just want to have him,” she said of her decision to take the leap.
The next day, Meryl returned to the adoption hub, this time with the sole intention of bringing Frank home with her.
Frank’s spirited energy has lit up Meryl and Win’s home.
Having previously cared for mostly senior cats, Meryl was slightly apprehensive about adopting a younger cat due to her lack of experience with them. However, she concluded that a playful and curious young cat could actually be the best idea for her and her 90-year-old mother Win, whose cognitive abilities have declined in recent years due to Alzheimer’s disease. Turns out, Meryl was right.
“Frank’s naughty, spirited, loving, and so full of energy,” she said.
“Sometimes he goes away and enjoys his personal space, and once he’s done he comes right back and starts playing with us.”
She describes him as being like a toddler, though fortunately without the tantrums.
Not only has Meryl deeply bonded with the two-year-old cat, but she has also noticed how Frank is a positive presence for her mother.
“He is lovely with my mother, she looks forward to seeing him and has so much fun interacting with him every single day,” Meryl said.
Previously named Wes, it was Win who decided his new name should be Frank, in honor of the song Old Blue Eyes by Frank Sinatra.
Frank is extremely passionate about his food.
Meryl theorizes that since Frank was brought in as a stray, he probably spent a large portion of his life not knowing when his next meal would be. Owing to this, he has now developed an impeccable palate for just about everything that is given to him, although he has a particular liking for his dry food and his favorite flavored fish treats.
She recalls a shocking but funny incident from Frank’s first week in his new home when she woke up to him making a mess of her pantry’s lower level and indoor dustbin in his search for something to eat.
Initially he would gorge his food quickly, which was concerning, but he has since calmed down.
“He now knows he is going to be fed properly at the routine times,” Meryl said.
“In fact, he is the first one in the house to get fed every morning.”
One month down, a lifetime to go…
Having completed one month with Frank, Meryl is assured that he is truly well-settled now and admits that he has been the best addition to her family.
“He has truly enriched my life. I love waking up and seeing him around, and coming back home from work and having him jump into my arms. He is my little buddy,” expressed Meryl.
She wholeheartedly looks forward to having him around for a long time and is excited to watch how his personality keeps evolving as he gets older.
Many more cats like Frank are eager to find loving forever homes.
Recently, the West Lakes Adoption Hub had cause to celebrate as they crossed the 100-adoptions milestone since opening in April. Approximately 85% of these adoptions comprised of cats and kittens.
“It is really great to see these animals get the love and care they deserve and find their forever home,” said Abbey Rivett, Animal Care Officer at the West Lakes Adoption Hub.
Abbey’s enthusiasm for her work at the Hub is obvious. She said she especially enjoys seeing shy animals come in and grow into their personalities as they start bonding with the team caring for them.
While Frank has found his forever home, there are plenty of other sweet cats and kittens waiting at the West Lakes Adoption Hub to find new, loving homes.
If you are considering adopting a cat, why not visit the Hub and meet these fabulous felines? Alternatively, you can see who is available for adoption by visiting our website.
