Approximately three weeks ago, I was working the Monday evening shift at Feline Rescue in St. Paul. Shift leader extraordinaire Donna asked if I could clean the med room (this is where we quarantine sick kitties until they can join the general shelter population). As I was cleaning, I was distracted by the wailing and shrieking coming from one of the upper cages. Said inmate, name of "Jack Sprat" apparently wanted to get my attention. Our procedures require that every cage you move to, or cat you handle in meds requires that you CLEAN YOUR HANDS.
After cleaning my hands, I visited this little bit of misery. He immediately started to purr, wrapped himself around my neck and was generally adorable. Little Bastard! I already have three cats, a dog, a ferret and a bearded dragon!
I put him back, and washed my hands. He cried the whole time I was cleaning, and when I was finished (washed my hands) I took him out again. Keep in mind he was meowring at me the ENTIRE TIME. He settled in for a cuddle and a purr.
I went home, and told my family about this kitteh named Jack. My husband said "We don't need another cat, we don't like orange cats, and kittens are a pain". OK, all true, I had to agree.
Fast forward 2 weeks. I had to miss a week at the shelter. It is now Monday, the 14th. As I am walking past one of the upper kennel stacks I hear a familiar "Meowrer!" Shrieking bloody murder to get my attention; Jack Spratt. I was sure he would have been adopted immediately. I opened the cage (since he was in general population, no need to wash hands). He leaped into my arms, purring, and nibbling, and otherwise frantically trying to get me to love him.
No. You see, I already have three cats. I don't like kittens. I am not looking for a cat. I have never had a orange cat, I like black cats. No.
I called my husband (on cell and home phone) and left the following messages " Um, Hi. I am at the shelter with this cat...Um, I think he is meant to be ours. Umm, yeah, I'll call you later".
My husband heard "yeah, so I fell in love with another cat, and I am bringing him home whether you like it or not".
Oh, no. We ask permission in OUR house. I am quite sure I asked first. Maybe. So I went to Dawn (adoption woman extraordinaire) to put a hold on him "Until my family could come and meet him". YES, I did say that!!! it's in writing, somewhere.
Dawn gave me devastating news, Jack had another family in line first. NOOOOOOOOOOO. But really? A family, with kids to love and take care of him. We wish that for all our kittehs. I tried to believe it. All night, I walked past him and he yodeled to get my attention. I cleaned like a maniac so I could spend some time with him to say goodbye. He curled in my lap and purred.
I forgot to mention one thing, and this is important; Jack is a little sick. He is sneezing and coughing quite a bit. No infection, but he may have a compromised immune system, and some environmental sensitivities. Our Leo, aged 8 is a special needs cat (he is also dumb as a ten-pound box of rocks, but that is a different story) with severe respiratory issues. No big, we have a great vet, and are used to cat snot. As much as you can be.
When I left, Dawn said she had to contact the other family. I went home to face mine. NO there wasn't a cat in my bag, NO, I didn't adopt anyone (yet), NO we probably wouldn't get him, he was going to a family, wasn't that (sniff) great?
I went on. I went to school, to work, home. ate, slept. Played with the other pets. while I was out Tuesday evening, we got a call. "Feline Rescue" said the caller ID. OMG. OMGOMGOMG.
I couldn't remember how to retrieve voicemail for our vonage account. NOOOOOOOOOOO!
I called my husband at band practice and left frantic messages. Finally I bowed to the unknown, and tried to sleep. When I woke up, I immediately made my husband show me how to get voice mail and heard "The other family was here last night, but they are uncomfortable with the sneezing." "If you want him, contact me.". OMG! OMGOMGOMG!!!
So Dawn got three messages in rapid succession in various states of chaotic expression "Um this is Kelley? Um, yeah we want him. I mean my family has to meet him. I mean that's really a formality, we want him, Um call me". Such elegance and clarity.
Dawn called me back and we arranged to meet at the shelter that evening. I don't remember what I did all day. Food was consumed, class was taken, work was done. I went to the shelter.
When I got there I took him out of the cage, and held him while he purred. He recognized me, and settled in for a cuddle, and an occasional finger nip. My husband showed up on his motorcycle, with the cat carrier bungied to the back (I had the car, but no carrier). He took one look at this orange sneezing ball of naughty, and sighed. "Yeah, ok." Big softy.
After I apologized for falling in love with a cat, we signed the papers, packed him up and took him home. Jack Sprat was part of the family.
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