After a rough start in life, Emmet was a very shy boy. No one could get near him. He spent his time at Safe Haven hiding. In warm weather, he had a hiding place in one of the cat-friendly structures in the patio area outside his room. When it turned cold, he hid under the couch inside. Finally, he found his forever home with a couple from Port Angeles, who was able to see through the shy exterior. They decided that Emmet should come home with them. Although it was difficult for him to adapt to new places, the couple was very patient with Emmet, and gradually he became more comfortable in his new home.

Then disaster struck! The couple had to move to Oregon and would be living in a camper. Concerned that the change in environment would be too difficult for Emmet, they reluctantly returned him to Safe Haven, where he resumed hiding under the couch. Gradually he would come out – mostly for food. Occasionally he would tolerate limited petting.

Many months later, Emmet was readopted by his original family, now living in a permanent home. On a sunny Sunday they made an all-day trip from Oregon to take him home. A few days later, we received an email from his new family: “We are very excited to report that tonight Emmet came out of his ladder cubby and sat with us to get some much needed petting and brushing … lots of brushing … fur everywhere. He even followed me out into the living room and looked out the patio door. He purred the whole time. He did not even jump when one of us got up to leave his room. But the most amazing thing is that he actually climbed up on our laps to be petted while we were sitting on the floor. He meowed and purred like before.”