After months of debating over whether or not to get a dog, we marched ourselves into the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA yesterday afternoon and adopted a kitten! Andy and I had stopped by there last Monday to look at the pups and were smitten by an adorable one-eyed white cat called Casper. He was a feisty fellow with a penchant for dangling earrings. His one blue eye was enormous and twinkled while his closed eyelid gave the illusion that he was winking. I was surely tempted to bring him home with me but we were heading out of town Sunday afternoon for an overnight and didn’t want to leave a new cat home alone. So, I captured a great picture of him on my phone and left Casper behind vowing to come back in the new week to bring him home.
Over the course of the weekend, I showed the photo of my new love to several people. I was surprised by how many found his unique appearance disturbing and even revolting. When they looked at his face, they saw a damaged animal, something to be pitied. Each time I saw his bright eye and perky ears, I just fell for him harder.
So, yesterday afternoon, as soon as we’d eaten lunch and gotten things squared away at home following our return trip, Dave and I went to the SPCA to bring Casper home. Sadly (for me), Casper was not there. His bright blue eye and cheery disposition had charmed someone else and he’d been adopted over the weekend.
Since I’d already set my heart to adopt a kitty, Dave and I made the rounds of all the different cages. There are so many cats there to adopt. As we walked by, many of them jumped up on the side of the cage, just begging to come home with us. With so many sweet faces and pleading mews, it was easy to imagine how people are tempted to fill their homes with cats. After walking around in there for a while, you really want to take them all home. But, one was all we wanted.
After test driving several little to mid sized kittens, we eventually chose a three month old male kitten called Sterling. We’re not crazy about the name but will find one that fits his personality as we get to know him. For now, Dave calls him “Junior”.
Compared to Izzie, Junior is a tiny thing, weighing less than three pounds. He is mostly white, with grey ears and tail and a blotch of grey over his right shoulder. He was pretty dingy when we brought him home so a bath was the first order of business once he’d had some time to settle in. He took the wash well but just the sight of a wet cat is pitiful. Most of the remainder of his first evening was spent wrapped up and cuddling on our laps.
Izzie is both indifferent to and curious about our newest family member. She comes up to his pen every so often to sniff him. If the top is open, she helps herself to the yummy kitten chow and his litter box. We’ve heard a few growls and hisses out of her but so far have only heard one peep from Junior. He has excellent “motor” skills however and will purr endlessly when petted.
I haven’t figured out exactly why I felt it necessary to adopt another cat. We did decide that we are definitely not ready for a dog. I was also a bit discouraged by the price of the one puppy I saw advertised in the paper. When I called, I was informed the placement fee was $1,500! Even though we could have afforded the price, I found the amount excessive for a family pet.
So, one cat, two cats, it’s really no big difference. Selfishly I am hoping this new kitty will remain a lovey lap cat now that Izzie has decided the great outdoors is the place to be. In the next few weeks his little personality will reveal itself to us and a real name will replace “Junior”. Until then, we’re open for suggestions.