Eclair's 1st Birthday Fundraiser

Hi from Eclair and Con. Rambling fragmented story below (she’d love you to give it a read), but to keep it short… we’re celebrating Little Lady’s 1st ‘Birthday’ - one year since she was trapped and came home. It’s been a hell of year that nearly ended with us saying goodbye to each other (really, read below). But we made it through. So today, Eclair and I are asking you to join us in making a difference. We're raising money to benefit Brooklyn Kitty Committee, Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Chloe works tirelessly (while working a full-time job!) to make an impact on reducing the homeless cat population in NYC, through rescue, Trap-Neuter-Return, medical help and a Foster/Adoption program. She is one of the main reasons Eclair is lucky to have a safe and warm home, and why I'm the luckiest guy to have Eclair by my side.

Eclair and I thank you for any and all support. If you aren't able to financially support, consider fostering or volunteering for a rescue group. There are an estimated half a million cats on NYC streets, and like Eclair, they deserve our love and help.

Long story: It’s been one year since the Little Lady [Eclair] was trapped and brought home. For those of you close to me, you'll know it hasn't always been the happy easy photos you see of her on [her] Instagram.

A bit of a back story, and apologies in advance for the ramble. Trying to type this as she headbutts me for attention.

March 2022, I'm walking home from the subway in freezing temperatures. A few blocks from home, I spot a small cat following me on the opposite side of the street. As I make my way down the driveway to my building, he [misgendered at this point] follows me and waits outside. Not knowing one thing about cats, I run upstairs and fill a bowl with Lactaid milk. By the time I get back downstairs, he's gone. So commences me walking around the neighborhood at midnight, bowl of milk in hand, calling out for bebe boy, not a clue how unhinged I look.

The little one reappears the next night, and so commences our months of courtship.

Being told that 99.9% of calico cats are females. Multiple hours spent on the garden wall each night feeding her and trying to win her trust. 3am insomnia checking the intercom and seeing her outside on the wall, and deciding to keep her company over more sleep. Finding people to 'catsit' an outdoor feral cat while away on vacation.

Four months of this, and I knew we couldn't go on like this much longer. Always knowing that with outdoor cats in NYC, you never know if they'll make it through the night to see you the next day.

So come the end of July 2022, I [probably very naiively] decided to trap the little lady, and house her...

For the first two months, she [and I] cried non-stop. Countless nights were spent on the floor of the bathroom / bedroom to try and keep her company, me wondering if I had ruined her life.

Then we entered into five months of co-existing. Her not wanting me to get too close. Me not wanting to break her trust further.

February 2023 and we had just passed the six-month mark. I always had in the back of my mind that if she wasn't happy within that time, I'd relocate her to a barn upstate so she could at least be safe outdoors. While I'm having these discussions, my upstairs neighbor proceeds to flood my apartment, forcing me and Eclair to pack up and relocate on Valentine's Day.

After an hour of 'coaxing' her into the carrier, we make the move to Chelsea, me worrying that we're about to start over from Step 1 - crying.

Thankfully the little lady proves me wrong. She's still shy, hiding, wanting her space. But she seems content.

April 2023. Nine months since she was brought inside. Slowly she starts to let me get closer. Starting with laying next to her. Then a hand next to her face. Until one day she lets me pet her, and she's making biscuits. Queue the tears.

So we've just hit our twelve months. And the last three months I've been lucky enough to see her grow into the most charismatic, sweet little lady. She loves nothing more than for you to lay next to her, holding her and giving her pets. If you don't, she will head-butt you until you give her the attention she deserves. Despite how tough the first nine months inside were, seeing her happy these last three months has brought me more happiness than I could describe. I could not imagine my life without this little demon by my side.

Love always,

Eclair and Con