November 17, 2017
Dear Everyone:
“Jeannie” has a new cat.
You may recall that “Jeannie’s” previous cat, Lucy, went to Kitty Heaven
last Summer. Since then
“Jeannie” has been cat-less.
She decided to wait until after her trip to Italy to begin the
Search-for-a-New-to-Her-Cat in earnest.
She actually went so far as to fill out a detailed questionnaire from
the Maine Coon
Adoption people in preparation for adopting a Maine Coon kitten.
Yes, they did a background check on “Jeannie”.
Alas, the Maine Coon Adoption people found her to be less than adequate
as an adoptive cat-owner.
Before you get your umbrage up, remember that a pure Maine Coon kitten
can sell for hundreds of dollars; so they may feel that they can be
snooty about with whom they place their adorable little felines.
Consequently, a few weekends ago, we stopped at a local pet supply chain
store where they were having cat adoptions.
“Jeannie” met with the woman who actually runs a particular cat
rescue group. This group
also required a questionnaire, but the woman was happy to help “Jeannie”
fill it out. She also
produced a photo on her phone of two beautiful kittens that were hoping
to be adopted soon.
Naturally, “Jeannie” fell in love with them both.
But by the time we met with the “foster mother” in
Antioch, one
kitten had already claimed a new home.
The “leftover”, temporarily nicknamed “Toby”, was still
available.
“Jeannie” immediately placed a “hold” on “Toby”.
He can’t go home with her until he has his obligatory “operation”
to assure that he will never father any kittens.
He will be available this Sunday.
In the meantime, we stopped by the pet grooming establishment run by
“Kathleen”, the woman who used to give Lucy her occasional
shampoo-and-blow-dry. In
addition to provided grooming services for local cats and dogs,
“Kathleen” also energetically scouts for homes and “foster homes” for
rescues in
Contra Costa County. In
fact, that’s how “Jeannie” wound up with Mishka.
“Kathleen” called another cat rescue person who promptly brought over a
lovely young calico temporarily nicknamed “Little Mama”.
This is because, although the vet guesstimates her age to be
about eight months, she has already had one litter.
She has also been put in neutral.
“Little Mama” was found in a junk yard where she had fallen on hard
times and evidently picked up a few bad habits.
She’s still getting used to the idea that using a litter box is a
good idea; and jumping up on the hot stove to investigate what’s making
all that steam probably isn’t.
As for names, “Jeannie” has decided on Benedick and Beatrice, from
Shakespeare’s
Much Ado
About Nothing.
“Toby’s” foster mother has already begun calling him “Benny”.
Not that it makes much difference to the cats, of course.
Cats don’t answer to names.
Cats answer to the sound of the can of cat food being opened.
Programming Note:
Thanksgiving
takes place next week.
“Marshall” plans to drive up from
Fresno to
join us for the Holiday. So
there will be no Letter next week.
Everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Love, as always,
Pete
| Previous | Next |