by Gary Wietgrefe
Victor, the Hilltop Refugio’s first dog, is gradually retiring after a decade of duty. Jack will take over as Victor struggles to hear and see out of his remaining eye. Jack is partial pit-bull and got in trouble each time he wandered the streets of La Penita. Jack’s a nice dog but the sight of a pit-bull-type dog scares people. Jack was sent to the Refugio as penalty, but actually it was his reward.
Like Victor, Jack love’s cats. Refugio dogs are not allowed in the horse arena or cat area. Victor and Jack make sure of that. They also look out for jaguar's and other jungle pests that sometimes wander into La Penita and to the Hilltop Refugio. Victor, and now Jack, are on guard day and night.
One particular cat, upon arrival at the Refugio, picked out Jack as her friend. They are inseparable, drinking out of the same bowl and eat the same (dog) food. This cat can roam where she wishes and be with other cats eating cat food . . . but she prefers to hang with Jack and eat his food.
Too many cats come to the Refugio to get them all named. So, what do we call the cat that hangs with Jack? “Jack’s Cat.” We’ve had other odd couples … but that’s another story.
All of the Hilltop Refugio cats are hopeful that new human friends might love them too. On Saturday mornings from 9:00-11:00 a.m., volunteers hold and pet them while they wait for their forever home. And now volunteers are now even training new pairs of cats and dogs to get along and look out for one another.
All animals at the Hilltop Refugio have their own booklet tracking arrival, treatments, vaccinations and etcetera. Consider adopting a cat and dog they will love you as much as you will get to love them. But you won't need to adopt Jack and Jack's cats, they have claimed their forever home.
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