Partner profile: Desiree
“I’m a cat! Meow!”
Desiree’s two street cats are her family.
Holly KO
CCN Board President and “Crazy Cat Lady”
Desiree is a single retiree living in a tough low-income housing community. She takes pride in fostering her “crazy old lady” reputation because other residents give her a wide berth.
Desiree is a single retiree living in a tough low-income housing community. She takes pride in fostering her “crazy old lady” reputation because other residents give her a wide berth.
She’s loud. She drinks. Clashes frequently with landlords. Been jailed for alleged assault.
We adore each other.
We come from very different worlds but our shared love of cats culminated in a ride-or-die friendship. On her good days, she’ll laugh and yell “Meow! I’m a cat!” On her hard days, she’ll say, “my cats are my people.”
Desiree’s cats, “Buddy Love” and “Little Girl” were my first TNR cats ever. Like Desiree, the two cats put up tough, intimidating fronts. She was the only one who could get close to them. They followed her everywhere, like little bodyguards.
After the spay/neuter surgeries, both cats mellowed out considerably. They still act like they own the neighborhood, but prefer to stick close to Desiree’s apartment. This winter, they’re even staying inside most nights, snuggled beside Desiree.
They’re perfect for each other.
NAMES AND SOME DETAILS CHANGED FOR ANONYMITY.