“Hello. I am Sage. I am sweet, and I am shy. I’m not so scared, just shy. You may pet me and talk to me, and I really do appreciate your attention. It’s just that, so I’m told, I was homeless, living alone in what looked to me to be a bad world. Mean things, ugly things, scary things, and not a lot of food for a gentle girl cat. How could this happen to a girl like me?”

“I’m mostly white, which in this winter world is good camouflage. But I’d rather be warm and loved than able to hide easily. I’m relieved – even almost happy – to be here at Feline Rescue. I’m just still learning that no one and no thing is out to get me here. Not even the one-eyed black guy who likes to hang on my door! Just hangs there and mumbles at me. He says he likes me. I hope somebody does!”

“Some of me is tabby, especially my tail. I like my tail. I even like me. Yes, I know I have a sad face. It’s because I have a sad heart. I need to be loved, and I need to love at least one person and feel safe at home. I want people. I want at least one lap to sit in. If I had a lap, I think I might remember how to purr. Purr is what a good cat girl does when she feels safe and happy.”

“I lie down here in my corner and ask you to pet me. When you do, I don’t look so sad, now do I? See the cute little white tip on my tabby tail that I like so much? See me. See Sage and know that her heart is big and kind. Notice that I carefully wash all of my soft white fur; it’s hard to keep clean, but I do it because I’m hoping that you’re looking for a clean cat to adopt. Are you? $120 is all it takes. This shy, sweet, love-bearing girl will go home with you and be your forever cat. I promise. I am Sage.”