We have committed kitten!

[deborahjross]

In your family, who gets to choose the next pet? And does the pet become "theirs"? What if the pet bonds to someone else?

For me, these are utterly inconsequential questions, especially when it comes to cats. But there is a special pleasure in meeting a new cat and getting to say, "Yes, I want this one." I did that with Cleo, my all-time favorite kitty. She was one of a litter of abandoned kittens. I took Rose and Sarah to pick one. The others were beautiful orange and white bib colors, but here was this dirty dishwater-looking little girl. I thought, "She's a gray tortoiseshell, how magical," and made sure the girls picked her up first. She's 15 now, slowing down and getting even more cuddly, but still with that "torti" attitude.

Gayatri (brown tabby and white, between 1-2 years old, one eyed) was Dave's pick. He saw her at the shelter and she was so desperate for contact, and so vocal, she reminded him of a favorite cat. She's a whirlwind of energy, stands her ground with Oka (German Shepherd Dog), is still vocal and aggressively affectionate. But... Cleo isn't interested in playing with her.

So, after our vacation, we determined to add a third cat, perhaps a kitten. Dave found a pair of ocicat mixes on Freecycle; we went to see them, but they were clearly unsocialized, practically feral. Would not do well with high-intensity dog. At this point, I raised the issue of who gets to choose the next one. I go more slowly, thinking things over and Dave just goes out and gets one, so it did require some conversation. As it turned out, we were within blocks of the animal shelter. So, let's go look at kittens.

The shelter had a wonderful set up with get-acquainted rooms filled with toys and insulated from outside distractions. A volunteer brought us the first of two kittens I liked. Sweet, but a little too timid. The other was adopted while we were playing. One older cat was too mellow to offer a challenge to Gayatri. But the volunteer suggested one little black male (also a "let me out of here, love me!"). he'd been there since late August. Apparently, people don't want black cats (??) So we played with him, he snuggled and licked our chins, and we took him home. Tried to change his name, but it stuck. Shakir.

The vet says he's closer to 10 months, not a year +, as the shelter said. The magic of boy endorphins has taken hold -- Cleo's first contact with him was a nose-touch, no hissing at all. Cleo and Gayatri have been easier with each other, now that all's right with the world. Shakir and Oka are working things out gradually, with many near-encounters of the alien kind.

Pics to follow.

Comments

[lingster1.livejournal.com]

My condo association says only two pets allowed and I'm already over the limit (two greyhounds and a cat)or I'd go out now and adopt another cat. My granddaughter rescued a momma kitty and her five tiny, unweaned kittens off the treet where they had obviously been abandoned. Once they were weaned, she and my daughter have so far found homes for all but two, momma and a little female. I would love to take them both!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Such temptations!