'Friendly' Callie And Coco: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Callie and Coco, 3-month-old kittens, are the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pets of the Week.

The two kittens once made their home in the quiet corner of a suburban yard, tucked beneath a weathered wooden deck, according to Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"The world above was loud and strange, filled with human voices and unfamiliar smells, but underneath the deck was a world of shadows, safety, and the warmth of their mother’s fur," Larkin said. "Their mother, a clever and cautious stray, had raised them as best she could. She watched every passerby with wary eyes, teaching her babies to be careful and quiet."

Fate had other plans, however, Larkin said.

"One morning, their mother was gently lured into a humane trap by kind humans," Larkin said. "She was taken away, spayed to stop the endless cycle of kittens, and then released to live her life free of motherhood’s heavy burden. Her babies, however, were different. From the start, they were curious about the two-legged giants who occasionally peeked under the deck with soft voices and outstretched hands. They were cautious, yes, but also brave. Friendly. Hopeful."

Coco, the first to be captured, is a pastel tortoiseshell beauty with delicate white markings and a "personality as bright as sunshine," Larkin said.

"As soon as she was brought indoors, it was as though she had been waiting her whole life for this moment," Larkin said. "She didn’t hide or hiss — she ran right up to her foster, eyes gleaming, tail held high, purring like a little motorboat. Coco made herself at home quickly. She would hop onto your lap with the confidence of a cat who knew she belonged. Then, with a purr so loud it could melt even the coldest heart, she’d place both tiny paws on your cheeks, lean in close, and give your chin a loving bath."

Affection poured from Coco in waves, and she soaked up every pet, every coo, and every smile like sunshine, according to Larkin.

"Coco had a gift — she made people feel special, as if they were the only ones in the world who
mattered. But Coco wasn't alone."

Callie, her "quieter, more mysterious" sister, came in a few days later. Callie’s coat was a masterpiece— half calico, with bold patches of black, orange, and white on the front, and a soft swirl of tortoiseshell on the back.

Her eyes were a striking green, Larkin said — "the kind that seemed to look right through you — calm, curious, and impossibly wise for such a young kitten."

"At first, Callie kept her distance, choosing to watch from a high perch or a safe corner," Larkin said. "She didn’t rush into arms like Coco did, but when you were still and quiet, she would come. She’d gently climb onto your lap, settle in like a whisper, and begin to purr, soft and steady, while you brushed her silky fur. Her presence was peaceful — like a soft breeze through tall grass."

Toys were a mystery to Callie at first, unlike her sister Coco, Larkin noted.

"Why chase a ball when you could ponder its existence instead? But one magical afternoon, something changed. A feather toy skittered across the floor, and before anyone could blink, Callie pounced. She rolled, she leapt, she chased Coco in a blur of fluffy tails and delighted squeals. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and joy, and it was as if a door to her playful spirit had opened wide. That day, two sisters tumbled through the room, chasing each other like they used to chase leaves beneath the deck. But now they were warm. They were safe. They had soft beds, gentle hands, and the promise of forever homes."

If you are interested in meeting Callie and Coco, you may call the shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, visit the Facebook page or visit at the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter.

The rescue is at 3 Verleye Ave., East Northport, and visiting hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

The shelter is also open from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday nights only for those who cannot make it during the daytime hours.

"And though they are still young — just 3 months old — they have already shown the world something beautiful: That even from beneath a deck, hidden in shadows, love can blossom," Larkin said. "Coco and Callie, once wild and waiting, are now ready to find the people who would cherish them for life. And somewhere out there, two human hearts are waiting to meet theirs."