When Grace MacLeod moved from Cape Breton to Halifax in 2023, she wasn’t just looking for a fresh start – she was searching for the purr-fect companion to share it with.
As a nurse with a hectic schedule, Grace longed for a calm and cuddly presence to make her new apartment feel like home. Little did she know that her perfect match – a nine-year-old white and orange Calico named Trixie – was patiently waiting for her.
“I always had cats,” Grace shared. “My last cat, Scully, was a Calico too. She showed up on my doorstep as a kitten and made it clear she wanted to stay. Losing her in 2020 was hard, but when I moved to Halifax, I knew I was ready to open my heart to another cat.”
Grace started her search by visiting Nova Scotia SPCA shelters and browsing their adoption pages. But none of the cats clicked – until she saw Trixie’s photo online.
“Her sweet face caught my attention right away,” Grace said. “When I read that she’d been in foster care for six months and had arthritis requiring daily medication, I knew I had to meet her. As a nurse I knew I was very comfortable giving medication and thought that might deter others from adopting her.”
Rather than scaring her off, Trixie’s challenges made Grace even more determined to give her the second chance she deserved.
And when they finally met, it was love at first belly rub. “I fell in love with her sweet nature. She came right up to me and plopped on her side for belly rubs,” Grace recalled with a laugh. “She was the cat for me. I adopted her the next day.”
Grace adopted Trixie in November 2023, and the Calico quickly made herself at home.
“She settled in like she owned the place,” Grace joked. “She started sleeping at the end of my bed, but it didn’t take long before she moved up to share my pillow. She’s very clear – I’m her person.”
Trixie’s life has blossomed in Grace’s care. She was previously overweight and was put on a special diet, but she is now a healthy 12 pounds.
“She loves to eat, so that was a challenge,” Grace admitted. “But now she’s so much more active – zooming around the apartment and playing with her favourite toys.”
One of those favourite toys? Grace’s foot massage ball. “I was using it one day, and Trixie went crazy for it,” Grace said. “Now it’s hers. She also barrels through her play tent, chases strings, and adores her cardboard scratchers. She’s playful, cuddly, and always the centre of attention.”
Trixie’s sunny personality shines even brighter during trips to Cape Breton to visit family. Finding a pet who was comfortable with travelling was important for Grace, and she’s happy to report Trixie is an amazing traveller.
Trixie sits calmly in her carrier throughout the four-hour trek, and once in the county Cape Breton home, she parks herself in a window hammock and will sit for hours watching the birds at a feeder.
It’s safe to say that adopting Trixie was one of the best decisions Grace ever made.
“I wish more people would consider adopting an adult cat,” she said. “You get to miss the kitten stage and skip right to having a calm cuddly companion. Older cats have so much love to give”
They truly are a perfect fit.
And that perfect fit shows during their quiet one-on-one time in their apartment, where Trixie follows Grace like a little shadow. Once on the couch, Trixie is always on her lap or by her side and is spoiled with love and affection.
Grace said it’s the second chance she deserved.
Their experience highlights the joy of adopting an older cat. At nine years old, Trixie might not have been everyone’s first pick, but she’s proven to be a perfect match for Grace. Together, they’ve created a heartwarming bond that proves second chances can lead to the happiest of endings.
“I’m so grateful that Trixie and I found each other,” she said.
So, if you’re considering adoption, take a cue from Grace. Visit the Nova Scotia SPCA and you just might find your Trixie – a furry friend who needs you as much as you need them.
And for Trixie, the hammock-loving, belly-rub-demanding Calico queen, life with Grace is nothing short of “purr-fection.”