Jody and Marjorie: A Foster Love Story I Never Saw Coming
When you foster cats, you learn quickly that every one of them comes with their own story, their own quirks, and their own timeline. Some are easy. Some are hard. And some—like Jody and Marjorie—completely change the way you think about rescue.
Jody was part of the very first foster set I had with KKHR. His two siblings were adopted quickly, but Jody was always the most timid. He was ridiculously sweet, but scared of everything. Adoption events were a nightmare for him. He would hyperventilate from fear or hide under a blanket the entire time. Eventually, I stopped taking him. It just wasn’t worth the trauma.
Then, I brought Marjorie home.
Marjorie came to Kitty Kat Haven and Rescue from a feral colony when she was about 8–10 weeks old. She had missed a critical socialization window, and it showed. She was spicy, and not just a little spicy, either. She was a full-blown ghost pepper in a kitten’s body. She didn’t want to be touched, didn’t want to be near people, and made it very clear that she was in charge of her space. Over time, she got more comfortable in my home, but even then, she never let me touch her. She was independent, observant, and incredibly smart. She knew exactly where she felt safe, and that was usually under the couch.
From the moment they met, Jody—my quiet, scared little guy—was completely smitten. And Marjorie, my spicy enchilada, followed him everywhere. It was like watching two puzzle pieces click into place. Jody gave Marjorie a sense of calm, and Marjorie gave Jody a sense of confidence. They were inseparable.
When Marjorie got spayed, I kept her in the bathroom overnight to make sure she didn’t mess with her stitches. Jody sat outside the door the entire time. Every time she meowed, he got visibly upset and pawed at the door like he was trying to rescue her. That’s when I knew I couldn’t separate them. I officially listed them as bonded.
It was a hard decision. Who was going to adopt two scared, anti-social cats? Neither of them wanted human affection. They just wanted to snuggle with each other and be left alone. I made a promise to both of them: if no one else wanted them, they could stay with me for the next 20 years. That was fine. They were safe, they were happy, and they were loved.
Then, a few months later, I got a call from our Foster Coordinator. Someone had applied for Jody and Marjorie. I was shocked. I spoke with the potential adopter and was completely transparent—these cats weren’t cuddly, they weren’t outgoing, and they might never be. But nothing I said changed her mind. She knew they were the cats for her.
Fast forward to today: Jody and Marjorie have been in their forever home for over a year. They’re still madly in love, still snuggling, still choosing each other every day. They may never be lap cats, but they’re happy. And that’s all I ever wanted for them.
Fostering isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking. But sometimes, it’s magic. And Jody and Marjorie? They were pure magic.
— Krysten
Ready to make an impact?
Foster: Fostering a kitten, teenager, or adult cat can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do.
Volunteer: Lend a helping hand at a local shelter or rescue organization.
Adopt: Open your heart and home to a furry friend in need.