We've been adopted!

Z., A. and I are pleased to announce that we've been adopted by a sweet, orange, boy kitten. On Tuesday, July the 4th I was talking to A. in the driveway after coming home from water aerobics class and heard meowing coming from the bushes near the front of the driveway. I went over to look and out pops this adorable little guy and without one iota of fear walks right up to me for pets. We have not had a cat since Z. was little and our last cat Samantha died. While a beautiful cat (a long haired Himalayan) she peed all over the house and had to take Paxil every day (yes, the antidepressant for people) which cut it down from almost daily to once every couple months, but was still a major PITA. When she died unexpectedly we were not anxious to get another cat and deal with all the responsibility again. I should mention that before Z. was born, A. and I were cat parents kind of people. A couple years before Samantha died our most beloved cat Sidney had died after having thyroid disease, a trip to the NYC Animal Medical Center for expensive treatment, then kidney failure and a few years of a number of daily medications- we were pretty burned out from the years of sick or behavior problem cats.

So, back to this new kitty, after petting him I could see he was dirty and was extremely bony. So I said to him, "follow me and I'll get you some water at least" and turned and walked down the driveway and up the back porch stairs to the kitchen door. He followed me like a puppy and waited on the porch while I got him some water. After a few minutes I thought, well, I really should feed the little guy and found a can of chicken left over from my radiation days and gave him some. Well, that was it, the kitten decided we were the home for him and he hasn't left since. We won't let him inside (he has an appt. next week to be checked out at the vets and treated for whatever bugs he may have) but he wants to come inside desperately. He stays on the back porch close to the door when we are inside and if we go outside he follows us around wherever we go. He has no fear and is very affectionate and friendly. We had friends over that evening and he was really good with the kids (9 year olds and a 17 month old). While we kept saying we didn't want a cat, if we did want a cat this was the perfect one!

I emailed my neighbors and took his picture and put up a flyer at the supermarket and library down the block. But after a couple days it became clear that this cat wasn't going anywhere and we'd all be heartbroken if someone came and claimed him. So today, after making the vet appt. and rationalizing that if his previous owners really were missing him they'd be the ones with signs up at the Acme, Z. and I went and took the signs down and started talking about names. The current favorite is Calvin, after the boy in the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. Z.'s been obsessed with Calvin and Hobbes lately, but since she has a stuffed Hobbes she didn't want two Hobbes in the family, so we thought, why not Calvin. We'll decide for sure very soon.

I think having a pet will be good for Z. She's actually a little apprehensive, not terribly so, but she's a bit nervous around animals. She has major dog phobia, but likes cats and has enjoyed going out in the backyard and hanging out and talking to the kitten. I think it will be good for her to have a live creature to talk to and play with at home besides her stuffed animals. As for A. and I, in spite of our initial resistance, which I have to say was pretty half hearted, we both quickly became attached and started feeling those cat parent feelings again. My friend C., who has a number of cats of her own and is a foster cat mom to many others says that cats and people find each other. I think she's right, I think this cat was destined to find us and to live here. I'm so glad we've been adopted!