We adopted the latest member of our family, Smokey Joe, last winter from the Lycoming Animal Protection Society for our youngest daughter's sixth birthday.
We were so excited to bring him home to "meet the rest of the family," which included two other cats and one dog, along with two girls. It has been quite a change for all of us!
The first week or so was a little crazy as we would only "see" Smokey Joe a few minutes of each day. He was very scared at first and would hide so well that it would take us all day to find his new hiding spot.
We realized that leaving the shelter was a big change for him and that we just needed to be patient. Plus, Smokey didn't know what to think of our dog. Having been at LAPS for three years, I'm not sure if he had ever seen a dog. I believe he just thought it was a really huge cat that sniffed around a lot.
Things are just great now. Smokey Joe has so much personality. And best of all, he doesn't hide on us anymore. Sadly, five days after bringing him home, our beloved Bear (our older cat) passed away. Something we knew was coming, but you are never really prepared to lose a pet.
However, the girls and I are happy that Mr. Smoke (as we sometimes call him) got to meet Bear. We truly believe they were long-lost cousins. Their similarities were uncanny - right down to a crook at the end of their tails.
Having Smokey here has truly made the passing of Bear more "bearable."
We adopted Bear 12 years ago after the flood. He was a stray that stole our hearts. We can see now that the Smoker Joker (he has many nicknames) is doing the same thing.
Our family doesn't plan on ever getting a kitten again. These older cats still have so much love to give - I only hope more people would give the older cats a chance.
Smokey Joe is as happy to be with us as we are to have him as part of our family!
For more information about LAPS, visit the no-kill shelter at 195 Phillips Park Drive, South Williamsport, call 327-8707 or visit online at lapsshelter.org/.
Do you have an animal tale you would like to share? Every other week the Sun-Gazette will feature a different cat or dog and interesting facts about that week's animal.
Readers may send in a photo of their cat or dog for the chance to have their pet featured in an upcoming story.
E-mail a .jpg format photo of your furry friend to the Lifestyle Department at life@sungazette.com or mail a photograph to the Lifestyle Department, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
Please include the pet's name, owner's name and city of residence. Also include the animal's statistics and any interesting facts, history, tricks or "tales" about your pet.
