Fiona, who quickly morphed into “The FiFi,” reached through her cage and caught the attention of my husband on our visit to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.  She came home with us on last December from AWLA.  Arriving three months earlier at AWLA, she had been transferred from an animal rescue group in West Virginia; seems that kitties are adopted more quickly in the ‘big city’ than in smaller rural communities.
 
What a wonderful pussy cat!  I am absolutely smitten with this little girl. She is about 5 years old, and that’s all anyone knows about her background, other than the fact that someone did a wonderful job of socializing her.  A calm extrovert, she follows me everywhere–talking the whole time.  The FiFi is gentle, polite, sweet and very cuddly–the best fuzzy ever.
 
I am writing this short love story to encourage you to visit the AWLA at 4101 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304 (www.alexandriaanimals.org), if nothing else but to see how well-cared for all the animals are, to kiss them and assure them that they will soon be taken to a forever home.
 
Years ago, I contributed to the construction of this new facility, and am so pleased with the results (and The FiFi!) that I signed up for a monthly credit card deduction to continue my support of all the good work AWLA is doing.
 
AWLA sees a future of no more homeless animals, no unwanted litters of kittens and puppies, a future where animals don’t suffer. 
 
But good care takes money; your generosity would help provide the financial stability that enables the League to care for thousands of animals at the Shelter each year, and to find them permanent homes. 
 
Please contact AWLA’s Development Director Lisabeth Adams at 703.838.4774, ext. 206, for details on how you can help.
 
Nancy Burns, the gardening columnist for The Alexandria Times, lives in Belle Haven with her husband and Fiona.