Helping Hawthorne
Nov 20, 2024
Incredibly smart and often misunderstood, six-year-old cat Hawthorne needed someone who would appreciate and cultivate his intelligence. He found that in adopter Kathy Kiser. “I started turning on a nature channel, which he loved. I then noticed him watching intently when I was watching the news and other shows. Weirdly, he seems to like the morning news the best,” says Kathy.
Found on the street by our Community Outreach team, Hawthorne got to me known as a “sassy man” around PAWS Chicago because he often got overexcited when playing. However, we soon learned that Hawthorne’s sass was simply a combination of smarts and boredom.
Hawthorne’s thrived in clicker training class where his intelligence was put to use. However, he was still struggling to find a person who appreciated all he had to offer. This is, until he met Kathy Kiser.
“When I got to PAWS, I met several cats first, but nothing clicked until I met Hawthorne. I feel like we are kindred spirits, and I liked the idea of adopting a cat that was having trouble finding their person,” recalls Kathy.
So far, Hawthorne is doing a great job settling into his home.
“We are still getting to know each other, but I am already seeing so much progress. I really want people to know that with patience, love, and respect even the tough cases can make amazing pets,” says Kathy.
During their first week together, Hawthorne eagerly claimed Kathy as his person and wanted to be underfoot constantly.
“As he got more confident, he started doing his own thing and finding the places and things that he likes. Now when he's close to me, it feels more like he wants to be there and not so much that he needs to be,” says Kathy.
Kathy makes sure Hawthorne has lots of enrichment to keep his active mind occupied.
“We have 2 or 3 play sessions each day when he starts getting restless, and I have continued his clicker training. He is starting to learn to interact in a more appropriate way and he is so much fun to interact with,” says Kathy.
Hawthorne especially enjoys playing with wand toys, scratching his scratch pad, and trotting on his running wheel (when plied with treats). But that’s not all.
“I now have a large box as a permanent fixture in my living room. He also loves watching TV. I started by turning on a nature channel, which he loved. I then noticed him watching intently when I was watching the news and other shows. Weirdly, he seems to like the morning news the best,” says Kathy.
Every day, Kathy and Hawthorne’s bond blossoms a little more.
“He is a really cool cat, and we just have such a strong connection. He is quirky and a little misunderstood but has a great heart and is extremely smart. I love how he likes to explore and sometimes, even when he doesn't want to be touched, he will lay next to me and scoot until he is as close as he can get so he is touching me,” says Kathy.
In the end, Kathy and Hawthorne’s relationship is proof that love conquers all.
“I really just want people to know that if they have time, love, patience, and a willingness to learn along with their animal, any problem can be overcome,” says Kathy.
Ready to find your Hawthorne?