Meet Zoe!
Name: Zoe
Breed: Domestic short hair
Likes: Getting her way; cuddling up to people she likes (on her terms, of course); monitoring everyone’s movements inside her home; tunnels; and chicken (especially KFC).
Dislikes: People who do not respect her personal space and boundaries; grandparents; and not having the run of the house.
About Zoe: When Zoe was 12 years old, her first owner dropped her at the Arlington Animal Welfare League, where I adopted her. Still upset about being left by her first owner, Zoe went on a hunger strike, and several days after I brought her home, she was formally diagnosed with anorexia (!), Thanks to prompt intervention by the vet and some strong (and temporary) antidepressants, Zoe snapped out of her funk and has been ruling the roost ever since. Zoe presides over her home with an iron fist in a velvet glove, but as long as you abide by her rules and preferences, she will be sweet and loving, with only occasional swats to remind you to toe the line. Last year, she took her show on the road, staying at the home of friends in Arlington for 10 months while I was away on extended work travel. She quickly established her dominance there as well, keeping visitors in check and once, exerting a power of intimidation far greater than her six-pound frame, winning a standoff with two adults who wanted to climb a staircase without her permission. Despite — or perhaps because of — her fierce nature, she quickly won the love of her new temporary family, and she in turn included them among the acolytes to whom she shows affection. When Zoe came back home to me, they found that they had to adopt not one but two cats to fill the void. Now, at 18, Zoe’s kidneys are starting to fade a bit, but she refuses to let that slow her down and still looks and acts like a cat half her age. Without a doubt, she will be the boss until the end.