Pongo and Babe, adopted brothers

This is a look back to 2009. I rescued Pongo, a small, sickly black-and-white kitten, in July 2009. Strangely enough, it was on the day I also found a lost dog who had nearly died from heat stroke and dehydration (and Pongo was himself badly dehydrated--it was a very hot day). I found the owner of the dog 3 days later, and Pongo spent a week in the hospital recovering.

Then Pongo became the favorite cat in the office. Everyone loved him and was giving him loving licks--Elvis, the long-haired brown tabby, Nana, the white calico, and Gracie, the long-haired calico.

Elvis and Gracie moved to the USA, but when I got back, every night I would hear the plaintive cry of a young cat over by the Dining Hall on campus. It turns out it was the little rascal, Babe, hiding behind the vending machines. I brought Babe inside (after getting him dewormed and vaccinated) and, after about a day of sizing each other up, Pongo and Babe decided they loved each other. Perhaps they recognized in each other feelings of abandonment and rescue.

Being a couple months older, Pongo was the boss, even as Babe outgrew him in size and strength. If Pongo happened to be losing in a wrestling match, he would grab Babe's big ears and bite just hard enough to make Babe give in. 

Nana was the motherly (adopted mother) boss of the two little boys, but Nana found a family in October 2009. So Pongo and Babe spent even more time together once Nana was no longer around to mother them.

They became inseparable.

But, unfortunately, separate them I did, when Pongo was adopted into a family near campus. I had hoped they could take them both, but it's a large enough family in small enough house to make two cats impossible. I know Pongo is loved in that family and has become a regular member, but Babe misses him a lot. So Babe has taught me to play like a cat in order to make up for that--a bit anyway, as he still misses Babe so much.

I have to say repeatedly how these two little guys are the most affectionate and playful cats I have ever kept. 

 

Pongo on left, Babe on right, together

Pongo Portrait

I rescued Pongo last year on a very hot late July day. Strangely enough, the day I found Pongo I also found a stray dog (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was about ready to drop from the heat and/or dehydration). Well, Pongo was in bad shape too when I found him. He was severely dehydrated, but a week in the hospital and he was soon one energetic little guy. If a kitten could be a puppy, that would be Pongo. Pongo got along well with every cat and he also was very affectionate with people, once he got to know them. Babe, whom I rescued in late September last year, became Pongo's 'little brother'. Both Babe and I really miss having Pongo here, but Babe has become more friendly to me, which is a good thing if Babe is going to be adopted. Pongo lives with a family very near the campus, and most likely the place is near where he was abandoned, since I found him on the east side of campus and his new home is near the east gate. I'm putting Pongo in the category of 'former Swimming Pool Gang' because he has a similar color to Sheba and Gus and was found in their territory.

 

Pongo and Babe know how to stay warm.

They stay in my office, which is heated. And they love to cuddle up together--when they are not knocking each other around (just playing!). Babe is smaller and younger than Pongo, but seems to have more muscle pound for pound. But don't worry, if Pongo starts to lose he clamps down on one of Babe's long ears until Babe gives up. I'm going to call these guys my Office Staff.

Collage of Pongo and Babe in the Office

Click on the photo to go to a full web album of their photos.

My office mates

And they are my best buddies, too!  

Pongo, now about 10 months old. He is really a mild-natured kitty who gets along with just about anyone. And Babe, now pushing 7 months old. He is a little shy and sometimes high-strung, but when he is with Pongo, he is usually quite relaxed and playful. Pongo originally appeared in the territory of the Swimming Pool Gang while Babe emerged in the Dining Hall Troop. I don't think either were "out on the street" long enough to qualify as members.

 PONGO

 

PONGO

 

PONGO

 

BABE

 

BABE

 

BABE

 

PONGO ON LEFT (BACK), BABE RIGHT (FRONT)

 

PONGO LEFT, BABE RIGHT

PONGO AND ELVIS

Pongo was a sickly kitten of under 3 months when I found him--dumped near the campus swimming pool, sick with a cold, and in mortal flight from crows. He rebounded and is now a strapping, healthy male (neutered) of around 9 months age. He seems to have got along well with any cat he has been put with. One of his favorite older friends was Elvis. He loved to cuddle up to Elvis, and, now that Elvis has moved to a new home (with Gracie), Pongo cuddles with me a lot. Pongo misses Elvis, Gracie and Nana, but he still spends a lot of time with Babe. They have become like brothers actually.

Nana-chan has found a new home

Nana has moved to a large farmhouse outside Fukui City. In fact, not far from where Pushkin lives. I'm sure she misses Pongo (and Gracie and Elvis); Pongo sure misses her. As you can see from the photos, Pongo and Nana liked to cuddle up together.