Today is a day of new beginnings.
This evening Dave and I, along with Maggie and Jan will attend of first UVA basketball game of the season. Dave and I, die-hard ACC fans will root for UVA, Maggie and Jan, and Richmondites, will root for VCU. No matter who wins, it is always exciting to drive into Charlottesville, park by the JAG school and then ride the shuttle off to John Paul Jones Stadium where we will scale our way up to the heights of the bleachers, out of t-shirt gun range and spend two hours hooting and cheering, and hissing at bad calls. College basketball fanaticism is something I caught from my buddy, Jay Pinto, who turned me on to Big Five Basketball in the Philadelphia Palestra back in the early 70’s. I love it all; from the roars of the crowd, the shrill of the whistles to the squeaks of the sneakers on the floor.
If there is one think I love better than basketball, it is kittens. With the right set of circumstances, I’m afraid I could become the crazy woman with thirty cats you see on the news at least two to three times a year. So, to feed my need for time with kittens and avoid over populating my home with felines, I have become a foster-mother to two of the tiniest, sweetest little fur balls for the next several weeks. My task is simple, to care for them, love them and play with them.
Cayla and Allie, as they were named by the granddaughter of one of the volunteers at the Madison Greene Humane Society, are about five weeks old. They are perfect miniature cats; inquisitive, friendly, playful and best of all, warm and cuddly. They are also unfortunately, a bit stinky. Tomorrow I’ll have to head for Petsmart to get some wipes to bathe them with.
Wait, hold the phone! I hear the familiar sound of scratching on the carpet in the corner. Ooooh nooo! Our first accident! Note to self; Cayla and Allie are not allowed to walk the floor of the office without my keeping an eye on them until further notice. Oh the joys of motherhood!
So far Izzie and Purrl have come in to the office to take a look at the babies, always keeping their distance. Purrl has come closest, offering hisses as she approaches. Luckily, I have a nylon play-yard for them to stay in. It’s just safer for all of us that way.
Now, I know there a many people who do not share my affection for the feline of the pet species. I contend these are people who have never really known a cat. If you think you might like to get to know a cat without any kind of commitment, try fostering one for a couple of weeks. I think you just might be surprised.