My Name is Lincoln, But Call me Snuggles

So you know my name.  But do you know how smart I am?  I decided life on the street was not for me…too cold, too hungry, too lonely.  So I found my way to this house and hung around acting friendly until, unable to resist my charms, the resident PAWS volunteer saw me and took me inside.  It was February 12, Lincoln’s birthday, which I have now dubbed my “new-birth day.”  It’s also the day they started calling me Lincoln.

Ah, I do like PAWS.  Life here is great and I have no desire to go outside ever again.  Why would I?  I have everything I need right here in my foster home.

What do I have here that I like?  Well, first of all people.  I adore people. I purr as soon as anyone picks me up and I am always up for a good snuggle session and a scratch behind the ears from anyone. I really do mean anyone.  I like young children, teens, grandparents, perfect strangers, and best of all, you, because you are going to adopt me.

My plan, once you bring me home, is to hang out with you a lot.  I will help you get dressed for work in the morning and settle in with you when you are relaxing at night. I will follow you from room to room and I will talk to you while I do.  I am not a big talker, but I do like to chirp a few words of greeting when I see you in the morning and when you return at night.  Not going out?  Ok, I am good with that.  We can hang out all day long.

Don’t think, however, that you will need to entertain me.  I have lots to do while you are busy.  I can watch the squirrels outside (I said I would not want to go outside, but I do like to look).  Or, I can play with my toys.  I have never met a toy I did not like.  Give me anything and I will play with it.   I especially like to toss catnip mice in the air and chase them as if they are real.  If you do have real mice, and I am not saying you do, they will be history with me around.

My foster mom, who is a very smart lady, says I am the perfect cat.  She says I am amazingly trusting, whatever that means. She says I have no bad habits and I agree with that.  For example, I never beg for food.  And I am not picky about what you serve me.  Whatever it is, I will tell you it is the best and eat it with gusto.  Want to snuggle?  Dinner can wait until after we cuddle.  Worried I will knock over your Tiffany lamp?  Oh come on.  I am active and energetic and fun to watch, but, hey, I am not nutty like those kittens you are oogling.  I am just absolutely the best cat around.  I don’t even know why you would bother to look at any other feline at this point.

So, if life is so great at my PAWS foster home, why am I writing this column?  Well, my foster mom went out and I snuck on to her computer because, while I don’t want her to feel bad or anything, I can see this is not a permanent situation.  I know I need to get my story out because all I lack in life is a home of my own.  I will take any size, shape, and combination of people who want me.  I do not discriminate.  However, I would prefer not to share my humans with another cat.  I really need all that love and affection for myself.  Don’t worry.  I think there is enough of me to keep you so happy that you won’t need anyone else but me.

I am beautiful, smart, sweet, and just so adorable.  What are you waiting for?  Call me now!  (Just don’t tell my foster parent I wrote this—she doesn’t know I can use her computer and, later, I intend to order some catnip with her credit card).

To learn more about Lincoln or any of our other adoptable cats, kittens, or dogs, contact PAWS at (781) 246-6111 or PAWSwakefield@yahoo.com. You can also meet many of our available pets at our weekly adoption hours: Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital or at the Danvers PetSmart every Thursday and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.  Last, but not least, we hold adoption hours at the PETCO in Woburn the first Saturday of every month from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Don’t miss our annual Rabies and Microchip Clinic on Sunday, April 21 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital, 19 Main St., Wakefield, MA.  This clinic is open to dogs and cats from ALL towns.  The services include: $15 rabies vaccines, $25 microchips, and $10 nail trims.  Payment by cash or check only, please.  For the safety of all, dogs must be leashed and cats in a carrier.  VCA Wakefield will donate all proceeds to benefit the animals cared for by PAWS.  For more information, call 781.246.6111, go to pawswakefield@yahoo.com or visit our website at pawswakefield.org.

PAWS is an all-volunteer animal welfare organization.  Founded by the late Esther Nowell in 1982, PAWS responds to animal-related needs in many communities north of Boston.  Our top service areas include Wakefield, Lynnfield, Reading, North Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Woburn, Winchester, and Malden.  Our mission is to promote and protect the rights and well-being of all domestic animals and wildlife, and foster a greater understanding of animal welfare and animal rights through education.  PAWS receives no local, state or federal funding.  Our budget is completely funded by our membership dues, adoption services, annual fundraising efforts, and kind donations from friends and members.