New Kitten(s)

After we had to put our last cat to sleep in March, we knew we weren't ready to be pet owners again right away, if ever.  Aside from the inevitable pain when they die, it's really, really, really, nice not having to deal with the litter, food, and cat hair everywhere every day.  Plus it's super easy to travel, which we did quite a bit of.

However, to misuse a quote: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."  Todd and I recently began talking about another pet, which led to perusing local shelters online.  It was all very casual until Thanksgiving, which was held this year at my brother's house.

After lunch, the cat race clearly sent their little cat ambassador - a catassador, if you will, in the form of my brother's cat - on a deadly mission of endearment.  Armed with only the cold resolve of a killer and a warm, vibrating love bomb strong enough to wipe out the population of an entire 7-11, the cat zeroed in on its target and detonated it's payload right in my lap...by curling up and purring itself to sleep.

That's when shit got real.

So we started to verbally weigh the pros and cons of a new cat or dog while stepping up our online shelter search, but it was clear the battle had already been lost.  After ruling out a dog, it was just a matter of when, not if, we would get a cat.  Then it happened:

"Nicole was found with her sister living on the streets.  She is super sweet and loves to have tummy rubs." read the posting on the Dallas County Humane Society website.  It was love at first sight.  I mean, look at those eyes!  Plus she has a cute crooked tail (apparently from being broken at some point) that she curls up like a piggy!

Following the instructions on the Humane Society website, we emailed our interest and followed it up with a completed 4-page(!) adoption application.  We got a response that evening that Nicole was still available and we could meet her the next day.  We were so excited!

We drove down the next afternoon and were led into the kitten room.  Nicole was just as cute as her picture and was in a large cage with...dun-dun-Duuuun!!...her sister, Paris:

From the Humane Society website:  "Ms. Paris was found with her sister living on the streets.  We do believe she is deaf.  She is a love bug and really loves her toys."

Oh boy.  We've had two cats before, but had decided we only wanted one this round.  But how can you say no?  Especially when they're sisters?  Especially when one is deaf?  The matter was decided when before I could really say anything Todd stated it would be too cruel to split them up and just like that, BOOM!, we adopted 2 cats (and couldn't be happier).

Of course, we had to change those names (I mean, Paris and Nicole?  Uh-uh).  After a few days at home and just before their first vet visit we settled on Selkie for big blue eyes and crooked tail, and Kaya for the yellow-eyed deaf girl.

Selkie was named for the selkie in the movie Song of the Sea.  A selkie in Irish mythology lives as as seal in the sea, but can shed their coat on land and become human.  In Song of the Sea (a really well done animated film), the selkie Saoirse is a little girl who becomes a cute white seal with big eyes:

Kaya was chosen for the other cat because allegedly it means "pure".  That may be debatable, but the name stuck.  So here they are, Selkie and Kaya:

"I'm Selkie.  I have runny eyes so the vet says I get eye drops twice a day.  I have a broken tail that doesn't bother me - I twist it up like Princess Leia's bun and sit on it."

"I'm Kaya.  I can't hear so I'm just a fearless play machine.  I have the energy of four cats put together.  Instead of "No!" I get big gestures and a squirt bottle.  I shattered the camel in the nativity and single-handedly de-handed both a shepherd and a snowman."

Selkie poses for her baby portrait

Cuteness overload

They love each other - really glad we didn't split them up.

We like the warm bed in front of the gas-log fireplace

Our first visit to the vet.  We came from the Humane Society already spayed, microchipped, and current on our vaccinations, but we still need a checkup.

I've spilled

On an ending note:  there are so many cats, kittens, dogs and puppies looking for loving permanent homes.  Please, if you're considering getting a pet and are ready for the long-term commitment, visit your city's animal shelter, or the ASPCA or the Humane Society, or The Shelter Pet Project.  There are tons of great resources online to find local animals available for adoption, or just drive down to your local animal shelter and look in person.

Just looking at one resource, the ASPCA, there are currently 1,618 dogs and 942 cats available for adoption within a 25-mile radius of my zip code.  There's no need to go to a breeder; that's 2,560 animals of all breeds, sizes and ages that just want love, attention and care.  Again, if you're sure you're ready for a pet, please adopt from a shelter.  Thank you.