'Not adoptable' stray loving cat

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Provided

When Joanna Biondolillo took in Sam, she was told the old cat was not adoptable.

Two years ago in the dead heat of July, a skinny, beaten orange Tabby was dumped in my neighborhood.

Not knowing whether the cat was male or female, I called it Sam, which would be great if he was a boy and short for Samantha if the cat turned out to be a girl.

I tried to get Sam help with every no-kill shelter in the area, but to no avail. I was even told that an adult cat that was blind in one eye and had no tail was "not adoptable."

An orange tabby not adoptable? Nonsense! Off to Ohlandt Vet we went. Sam turned out to be a boy and in good shape, given his circumstances.

Now, this fat, sassy cat sleeps on my pillow, takes walks with me and our two dogs, waits for me at the end of the drive when I take my morning run and spends his days lounging on the porch next door with his feline girlfriend, Gypsy.

Sam I Am has learned to pose for his portraits and, like our dogs, rings a set of jingle bells that hang from the inside of the front door when he wants to go out! He is still frightened of those he does not know, but for all he has been through, he has made wonderful progress. He is a loving creature and yes, this half-blind, no-tail cat was very adoptable. I wouldn't give him up for the world!

Joanna Biondolillo

Johns Island

Compiled by <strong>Brenda Rindge. </strong>Got a pet? Tell us about it. We want to tell your stories and run your pictures of Rover, Boots and even Ziggy on our Pet Plus page. If it's furry, feathered or slithery, and you love it, tell us why in 250 words or less. If it's a hero, tell us. If it's