Adorable Gnocchi the TNR Kitten Found a Home!

I know! The purr-motor, the adorable snuggly-ness... He really is a sweet little dumpling. He let us clip his nails with no complaints at all. He loves to play with toys and he also loves to be pet. He must be thinking that maybe humans can be friends, like he faintly remembers from when he was a baby, before he was tossed into the street, but he needs a loving and patient family to show him and to teach him what it is to belong.

Earlier this week I discovered a new game to play with him. I put my hand out to him, palm up, and said "Gimme five" and he reached forward and tapped my hand with his paw. Then I raised my hand up above his head and said "Way up high" and he sat up straight and reached up and tapped my hand with his paw again. Then I lowered my hand to the floor of his cage and said "Way down low" and he tapped my hand again. I wanted to say "Too slow!" and pull my hand away, but he kept tapping my hand before I could get out of the way. So instead I grabbed his soft little paw gently and say "Too slooow" and he cocks his head questioningly, then rolls over on his side so I can rub his belly. Yesterday he played "Gimme five" over and over. Of course, today when I brought a camera down he refused to play. Typical cat!

He's allowed out of the cage to roam around one room in the basement, and he takes full advantage when we're not there. Newspaper that was on the bed ends up mysteriously on the floor, little toys that were on the windowsill end up inside his cage... So we know he explores. But when we come in he is always in the cage. I think he feels more secure there when people are there. Tonight we tossed a toy around outside the cage, temptingly, and he crouched and scooted from one back leg to the other and finally he couldn't stand it anymore and he bounded outside the cage to catch the toy! He played for a while, realized that he was outside the cage, and then scampered back in.

He really needs stable company. We only go down to the basement to see him when we give him his medicine, so he only gets to hang out with humans for an hour or so per day. And none of that time is just relaxed, human-in-the-background-reading-or-watching-TV time. He desperately needs a forever-home or a real foster with someone who will be patient and encouraging and kind towards him. He's still kitten-playful and funny and goofy, but he's also got maturity beyond his age and shows it by being so sweet and cuddly.

Now if only he'd do "Gimme Five" for the camera! I will post more pictures soon. If anyone knows of a foster or (better) someone who might be interested in adopting a little kitten, please let us know!

Isn't he a cutie?

I have no idea if a sort've shy-ish kitten would be better off in a quiet home (so he can gain confidence) or a more active home (so he can learn that he can be brave in a crowd). I honestly don't know!

But he is getting braver by the day. Yesterday I hardly had to coax him out from his cage, and when he got out he RAN REALLY FAST around the room up on the bed down from the bed around the cage back into the cage and then back out of the cage. He did that several times, burning off some kitten-energy.

And this afternoon when I came in he was on the bed and he stretched and hopped down off the bed to meet me at the door. So he really is trying, and I think he's doing really well.

He loves playing, wrestling with fingers and toes, chasing toys...

Here he is checking out the personals:


And taking a break from checking out the personals:


He's trying to get inspiration to write his own personal.
"Single gray tabby kitten seeks loving home to play in. 8-months old, healthy (except for healing infection in right eye), happy, cuddly little sweet dumpling. New to the human scene but excited to join a family. Much joy and love and fun in exchange for kibble and a litterbox and love."

Subject: Gnocchi still needs a home

Unfortunately caseopele's friend won't be able to take Gnocchi. Honestly, I think that the adoption process is a bit daunting.

So the little guy still needs a place to lay his hat. He only has one week of eye-medicine to go, and he's as cute as ever. He's playful (loves chasing string and "wrestling" with your hand), cuddly, and sweet. Is anyone interested in adopting or fostering him? I'll post more pictures soon.

Lulu's momma brought a man to meet Gnocchi last night. The man is very interested, and seems really nice. We should know next week... Fingers crossed!