Yes, our beloved little wobbler, Mink -- otherwise known as Schmink or Schminkers to his family and friends -- is now happily living in his new home in Portland, Oregon. Shirley L. and James C., long-time supporters and wonderful friends, had asked a couple of months ago if they could adopt our last two disabled cats, Mink and blind Cinder. Well, sadly, just a few weeks ago Cinder died in the vet hospital from an acute case of liver failure. Shirley and James still very much wanted to adopt Mink, and so shortly before Labor Day we sent him off in the good care of Gale Lang's TLC Pet Transport. I hadn't posted this yet because we wanted to have some photos of Schminkers with his new family, and I got those last week from Shirley during my "blog break."
This was probably the most difficult "letting go" I've been through. I've explained before why we were no longer taking in disabled cats so I won't repeat that here, only to say that as a fellow who had six cats of his own when Alayne and I first met, I've always been a "cat guy" under the hood. So when it came time to say goodbye to Mink, it was tough to do. I emailed Shirley shortly after Mink left:
"Mink just left a few minutes ago ... oh my, what a sobbing mess I was. That was so hard. Harder than even I thought it would be. It was partly because he was our last “official” cat ... so that marks the end of an era for us ... but mostly because it was Mink himself, one of my favorite cats ever. Ever. I just held him in my arms and cried. The driver, Doug, kept patting me on the back while Alayne handed me tissues. I wish I could have figured out another way to keep him here and in my life, but there wasn’t a good way ... and I know he will be much happier with you guys. Honestly, I wouldn’t have let him go anywhere else. You guys are special, he’s special ... and you both deserve each other. Bless you for taking him."
Shirley and James had spent the weeks leading up to Schmink's arrival by outfitting his own bedroom with new cat trees, cat beds and scratching posts (and multiples of the above!). Because they have other pets, both dogs and cats, they wanted to make sure he could take things slow and easy while they supervised the introductions to his new family.
Mink was having none of this "slow and easy" stuff. On his third day, he managed to break through the kiddie gate Shirley and James had put up across his bedroom door while they left the house on a shopping trip. When they returned an hour or so later, they found Mink lounging in the middle of the living room floor, surrounded by their other pets.
The day after he arrived, Shirley had written:
"Mink is AMAZING! We are totally in love! He has such determination this little guy! Last night I let him roam the house so my animals know he is part of the pack. I have one dog that is sweet as can be but I feel cautious of her around a new cat so I put her in our bedroom and let Mink have the run of the house. I think it will be good stimulation. He walked up and down the stairs, walked all around the house, went into the kitty door where our other cats have their litter and food. When he went back to his room he was all tired out! At the end of the evening I go up there and we cuddle for hours. He LOVES the wave scratching post. We made a little step for him to get up on the couch and he is amazing on the cat tree."
Here's James with Mink (who was only outdoors for the photo):
And one more:
With the photos she sent last week, Shirley wrote:
"There is no way I thought he would be sleeping with the dogs within 4 days. He is amazing -- the moment he came into the house he acted like he lived here forever. He is so LOVING, SWEET, ACCEPTING -- well, you already know all these things about Mink. He navigates the stairs incredibly well and when he wants some "R&R" away from the other 4-legged pets he goes up to his own bedroom which is totally decked out with 3 different cat beds, a special cat tree, two different scratching posts/wave, a chair and sofa! ONLY THE BEST FOR THIS MAN!"
Well, as you can imagine, any trace of sadness I had felt over saying goodbye to our little wobbler completely disappeared when I started getting these reports and photos. I was so happy to see him like this, in such a wonderful home.
Finally, one last photo to share:
Funny enough, the only pet that still hasn't quite accepted the newbie is one of Shirley and James' other cats, Queen LaTink. She doesn't bother Mink (uh oh, I could make this ryhme if I wanted to), but just gives him the "stink eye" look as Shirley describes it. (Any cat owner knows that look!) But even she is finally coming around, Shirley says.
Shirley and James, thank you so much for taking this special boy in and for giving him such an incredible family to call his own!
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Still No. 3!
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Love Mink's story! Currently volunteering at a no-kill animal shelter, I love to see such happy stories of our furry friends finding their "forever" home! Thanks for your passion to care for your animals! Rest in peace, Cinder!
Posted by: Linda | October 20, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Wow! Love the picture of Mink snuggle in between the dogs! So happy for the little guy!
Posted by: Kate & Luke | September 16, 2011 at 01:50 AM
I have been a crying mess reading this Mink story. Great to see him in such a loving and happy home.
I could feel the pain of letting your sweetheart leave for his new home, as well. My heart hurts for the loss of Cinder.
Thanks for sharing how happy Mink is with all his new siblings!
Posted by: Glenda | September 15, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Mink is such a handsome boy and I'm glad he is in a true home environment. I remember meeting him in Montana on a visit. It is interesting, I thought that as a wobbler he would have trouble with stairs and wood floors, but from the post and the pictures Shirley and James sent it wouldn't appear so!
I'm also sorry to read about Cinder. Another beautiful black kitty.
Since you are out of the disabled kitty business now, it would be wonderful to get periodic updates on some of those who have gone on to their forever homes like Herbie, Bunny, and now Mink if you get them. A lot of us long time blog readers remember them.
Posted by: Karla | September 14, 2011 at 11:01 PM
I too send my sympathy over the loss of Cinder.
Wonderful pictures of Mink and the gang. Best wishes to Shirley and James and the rest of his forever family!
Posted by: Chloe | September 14, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Yippee Yeah for HRH Mink!!! Wowiwee....beautiful story!! Lucky kitty and lucky humans!!
So sorry for Cinders passing. I had tears of joy reading this blog as well as tears of sadness.
Beautiful story and fantastic photos!!
Posted by: Jennifer McRoberts | September 14, 2011 at 09:52 PM
I am sad about Cinder, as Karl & I were able to meet & see Cinder on 2 visits to the ranch in Montana....but very happy to hear about Mink getting a forever home. Thank you for taking care of Mink, Cinder, our 2 Rolling Dog Kitties, Bunny & Molly. They all were very lucky to have you both in their lives.....
Posted by: Tia Rosetti-Mills | September 14, 2011 at 05:30 PM
I'm sorry about Cinder. :(
As a cat person, I so understand why Queen LaTink gives Mink the Stink (eye) after viewing the pictures. ;)
Vicki
Posted by: Vicki Thauvin | September 14, 2011 at 01:30 PM
What a wonderful story. Steve, I know how hard it was to say good-bye to Mink. I had a lump in my throat while I read that part. But, to read about the amazing new digs Mink is now living in & the wonderful, wonderful accepting family she is a part of now made me smile ear to ear. The great part is you were a huge part of his life & now he has a new family who will love & care for him as much as you all did.
I am so very sorry for the loss of Cinder. It hurts so much when they leave us to go to Rainbow Bridge. Being a huge cat person I loved to hear about your kitties but I understand your situation. I love all animals so to hear the stories of your other residents is why I read this blog. I enjoy so much the stories & the amazing work & effort you all do on a daily basis to give each one a loving environment. Throw in a barn cat story every once in a while...:)
Posted by: MsFitzTX | September 14, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Love this story and all the pictures! Shirley and Schminck at the top look like they belong on the cover of a Cat Fancy Magazine. So sorry for your losses Steve - as for Mink, he has struck gold!
Posted by: Angela | September 14, 2011 at 11:49 AM
What a wonderful family that your little darling is now a big part of!! Such sweet photos and tender details on his 'arrival' to his new home....God Bless Cinder, Mink and the families.... Gosh...I absolutely agree...having to say 'goodbye' is REALLY hard!!
Posted by: Valerie | September 14, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Obviously you were the middleman (again) until Mink found his forever home. And wasn't the wait worth it! He looks happy, they sound and look happy; seems like a win-win to me!
Posted by: Mircat | September 14, 2011 at 11:31 AM
The Story Of Mink - the Rich Life!
Posted by: Linda Murphy | September 14, 2011 at 11:26 AM
This was totally meant to be. Mink is exactly where he belongs. Rest in peace sweet Cinder. Cheers to you, Steve, for being a cat guy under the hood.
Posted by: Linda | September 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Cinder was such a loving cat as well and I know she would have fit in with Shirley, James and crew. Thanks you guys for taking Mink...she and the dogs must have been together in another life to take to each other so quickly. :) I'm sure she is very happy to have a family and a house to roam. It warms my heart to see her with the dogs. I know how you feel Steve and I had a few tears as well but as you said she is with a wonderful family!!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | September 14, 2011 at 09:53 AM
What an exceptional post! So sorry about Cinder but no way can you really be sad about Mink. What a life he has already!!! I'm sure he feels really special being in a home where he feels like the king. The photos are wonderful. It's funny how animals can be so accepting; and he fit in so quickly. Thank you Shirley and James for the life you are giving Mink.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | September 14, 2011 at 09:51 AM
I cannot believe Cinders' passing was given only 1 brief mention. Other animals' passings get lengthy blog posts and Cinder got only a "by the way" mention. You have a lot of cat lovers out here and this one feels hurt that she got so little respect. Rest in peace my favorite little kitty momma.
Posted by: Anne in FL | September 14, 2011 at 08:59 AM
Great story. Mink is in a really good home and looks very happy.
Posted by: Dee | September 14, 2011 at 08:21 AM
I have shared your web site and mission with many people. I read the story of Mink and remember why I think Rolling Dog Farm is a very good place for so many lucky animals (and people too!).
Posted by: Mary H. | September 14, 2011 at 07:34 AM
I am so happy for Mink, but as a cat girl with no cat right now I feel your pain. I too needed some tissue reading your post, so hard to say goodbye but a happy goodbye for sure. What a lucky guy is Mr. Mink to have first you to love him & now a wonderful new family. All cats should be so lucky!By the way, Montana still misses you! We are having wonderful end of summer weather this year:)
Posted by: Kathy Huffman | September 14, 2011 at 02:43 AM
What a brave thing to do Steve, I feel for you how you write about the departure... and how amazing it is that sometimes animals can fit RIGHT in! If you'd have said that this is a photo of a cat adopted ages ago I would have believed it too!
Great adoption, Shirley and James, and lots of good times with them all!!
Posted by: Jessica, NL | September 14, 2011 at 01:57 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss of Cinder. I know how hard that must have been for you and Alayne, but Mink's getting adopted into such an awesome family is such good news! He went from having a wonderful life on the Farm to having a wonderful life in Oregon with Shirley, James and his new furfriends. Those pictures speak a 1000 words...Mink is a lucky boy!
Posted by: Ann | September 13, 2011 at 09:24 PM
Okay, no fair making me cry while I'm trying to read the post!!! What a life this little guy has -- he is the new king of the house! Thanks to Shirley and James for adopting him, and praying for the void in your heart to be filled up with loads of joy, Steve.
Posted by: Leila - Washington | September 13, 2011 at 08:58 PM
So sorry to hear about Cinder, but happy for Mink. As a cat person myself, I will miss the stories of the disabled cats you've helped. But remember to give us a barn cat update every now and then ;)
Posted by: Brad | September 13, 2011 at 08:40 PM
What a wonderful story. Bittersweet, yes, because you had to say goodbye to a friend, but look how well it is working out. Mink's a lucky little guy, to have first been cared for at the Ranch, and now to be with his wonderful new family.
Posted by: Ashley | September 13, 2011 at 08:13 PM