West Side Mews: Lucky Luna – Just a Short Stay at the Shelter, and No Wonder Why!

By Victoria Cumings

Jersey Girl Luna had a lucky break in late summer 2021, finding the most fabulous forever home just one day after arriving at the Best Friends animal rescue organization’s location in the Big Apple.

Originally named Jinx by a shelter in the Garden State, at a few months old Luna was transferred to New York City where on the very next day her pet mom-to-be and fiancé walked in the door and fell head over paws for her! It’s no wonder, with Luna’s beautiful chimera (symmetrically bi-colored) face and stunning black, orange, and white fur. She reached her long arms out of the kennel to her visitors and, with that, ‘cat-tured’ their hearts. Once home on the Upper West Side, Luna was provided a cozy bathroom to acclimatize in, but her curiosity soon got the better of her. Her bold and adventurous spirit meant there was no way she was staying in one place when she had an entire apartment to explore.

This little explorer has just turned two, recently celebrating a birthday. As Luna’s personality has developed, it’s clear she’s independent and enjoys spending time doing her own thing. This might involve fiddling with a piece of string (one of her preferred pastimes) or chasing her motion sensor zippy balls around the floor. Luna also amuses herself with finding hidden treats in pet puzzles, so has no shortage of stimulating activities to keep her engaged.

Like many cats, Luna is the proud owner of a carpet-covered condo, where she enjoys spending time. Not a lot of this time is wasted on napping, however, as Luna is always alert. She has some serious ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) and doesn’t like the idea of anything fun going on without her. This means her daily siestas are performed with half an ear open, and if she hears something she likes the sound of, such as the opening of a tin of tuna, she’ll be there quick as a flash. When she is tired out though, perhaps after a round of evening ‘zoomies’, it’s back to the condo, a choice spot in the floor, a nook in the closet, or to mom’s bed to crash for the night. As the sun rises Luna will do some more racing around the room to kick-off the morning. She certainly has no trouble getting her daily 10,000 steps in!

In addition to being physically energetic, Luna is also very communicative, with her repertoire of sounds including chirping, some high-pitched meowing, and the occasional scream. Mom used to worry, but has since figured out Luna’s calls are simply to say she’s ready to play, as once she has her attention Luna will lead her to her toys and gently tap on her selections. Thoughtful Luna also kindly helps her mom, who is studying at law school, to not spend too much time with her nose in the books. Luna will climb up onto the desk in order to push various pens and books around until she’s noticed, a cute distraction that’s certainly tough to ignore.

When it comes to mealtimes, Luna is a light eater and well established in her routine of two cans of wet food per diem. That’s not to say she isn’t treated to the occasional dry snack – an automatic feeder spits some out during the day, which she won’t hesitate to grab. If it’s been quiet for a while cheeky Luna will stick her paw up into the spout, like a teenager at a vending machine. Let’s hope she doesn’t get stuck! Luna also likes Churu paste, which her cat-sitter uses for coaxing, as well as certain human food. No-added-salt tuna is a must-have; if Luna gets a whiff of it she’ll come running.

Given she lives on the 18^th floor of a Manhattan apartment, Luna spends all her time indoors. She does, however, enjoy watching birds outside from her perch by the window, and poking her nose against the tiny crack that’s open to sniff the fresh air. Once in a while, after waiting by the door for mom or dad to come home, Luna darts into the hallway to see what’s cooking. With her nose to the ground like a truffle pig, she usually only sniffs halfway along the corridor before getting nervous, especially if she hears a person or dog. Back in the apartment, Luna might have a good claw at the back of the sofa, or dig her nails into her cardboard scratcher. Given the pandemic, she’s been lucky enough to have people around a lot, with dad working from home and mom always close by. Luna also has two kind ‘uncles’ who visit and take care of her if her parents are away. An extended family of fans, all captivated by her sweet personality.

Cats are known to be brazen, perhaps due to their hunter origins and instincts, and Luna is no exception. The extent of her chutzpah became evident when, one day, mom and dad noticed Luna had been very quiet, hiding in the bedroom or sleeping on the floor making twitchy movements as if she was having some magnificent dream. Later in the afternoon, when her parents were doing some tidying up, all became clear. Unbeknownst to them, Luna had stolen a slice of bacon from the breakfast table earlier and had been spending the day burying it into things and sleeping with it! The funny girl had been taking such care to hide her porky prize, preferring to roost on top of it like a hen rather than eat it.

Well, if one is going to spend so much time with sticky bacon they must need their teeth cleaned. It takes two pairs of hands to hold her still, but mom and dad work together to brush Luna’s teeth so she doesn’t get gum problems later in life (and as cat toothpaste tastes like beef, the experience isn’t so bad). Luna also enjoys her fur being brushed, and is a fastidious groomer. She’ll flip over to let mom get both her back and underbelly, welcoming the feeling of the bristles all over her plush kitty coat.

Despite being fiercely independent, and not much of a cuddler, Luna is very sociable. She thrives on human companionship, and loves being included in what people around her are doing, be it working, watching TV, or eating together at the same mealtimes. A favorite game with dad is playing fetch, where Luna will chase after a little plush ball he lobs down the apartment hall. She’s also become quite adept at shoving doors open with her body weight, which can be slightly unnerving for mom when she’s home alone, but all is well when she realizes it’s just a friendly kittycat looking for some company.

Lovely Luna – cared about, content, and seizing every one of her blissful Upper West Side days.