Meet best mates Hemi and Harry

WEST MILFORD — This week's "Sweethearts of the Week" were featured in the Messenger in January and are being featured again because of their love for each other and their need for someone to fall in love with both of them as they must be adopted together.

In the past it has taken about a year for a bonded pair of cats to find their new forever homes and families. Harry and Hemi (Hemingway) did not arrive at the shelter together and the fact that both their names start with H is only a coincidence. Harry was already at the shelter when Hemi arrived.

Harry was found living with a managed cat colony with a nasty wound on his head. He was trapped and brought to the shelter so his wound could be treated. His head wound was deep and infected and his fur was dirty and matted. His head was shaved, the wound was stitched and he was put on antibiotics. He was very frightened but slowly began to trust the volunteers. When his wound had healed, he was placed in the shelter's quiet "library" adoption room with other shy and quiet cats. His nickname became "Head Wound Harry" and he liked to hide in a cat bed but also loved attention from the volunteers.

After his head wound healed, he became known as "Handsome Harry" and he is now very loving and quietly friendly. He loves attention and has made friends with all the other cats in the library. His calm presence makes the new arrivals accepted and cared for.

Hemi arrived at the shelter as a skinny and scared stray. He had to be coaxed to eat, but after a medical exam and treatment, he began to eat more and to allow the volunteers to pet him. He seemed to be very unhappy in a cage, so after he had gained a bit of weight, he was moved into the "library" adoption room where the cats are free roaming. Like Harry, he also hid in a cat bed hut. And if he did come out and lose his hut, he would find another cat or bed to hide behind. And then he found Harry. Harry shared his bed with Hemi and they became best mates. With the security of a friend, Hemi has relaxed and become friendlier.

They are not so attached to each other that they do not enjoy being petted and loved by humans. Their love for each other is a joy they would like to share.

Harry and Hemi would be happiest in a quiet home with a laid back routine and lots of TLC. Both are neutered, up-to-date with inoculations and all medical needs.

To meet these two best mates, visit the shelter on Lycosky Drive, call 973-728-2859 or go to www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org with links to the shelter's two facebook pages.

Update
Two of the four "Sweethearts of the Week" at the West Milford Animal Shelter featured in the Messenger's special "February is the Month of Love" series have been lucky in love and found their new forever homes and families.

Jack, an 11-year-old black and white cat, was adopted along with a five month old kitten named Biscuit. They had not met at the shelter but are now fast friends.

Sadie, a five year old Labrador Retriever mix, will be joining the family of a young couple who are in the process of buying a new home that will be a new forever home for all three of them.