WHO KNEW?
We have two new additions to our family in the form of three month old kittens. They are fun and playful and bring a lot of energy with them. It was quite the ordeal to adopt them from a large cat shelter. The red tape, paper work and questions seemed to go on forever, three hours in person in addition to conversations on the phone. I suppose they want to be sure their cats go to a good home to protect their investment…they have been neutered, microchipped, given all their shots and trained to use a litter box. Still that seems a little excessive to me. I’ve been used to the simple process of being given a kitten and, well, taking it from there and just enjoying a new pet. No safe room, no special food or strict eating schedule, no rules in playing with them, no tiptoeing around them to keep from startling them. Evidently this elderly lady has taken care of cats the wrong way all her life. Who knew cats were so delicate and easily traumatized, certainly not I.
My son and his family adopted them and are responsible for their care but I get to enjoy them without any of the work. The family is gone during the daytime so the kittens, being such social creatures, come downstairs and stay with me. They play and sleep at intervals and chase each other up and down the stairs. I get my fill of playing and petting until the others come home and take up the heavy responsibility of doing things the right way.
The children are beyond happy at having a pet, they’ve wanted one for a long time. My grandson wanted a dog, a large one I might add, but when he cuddled with the kittens he decided that cats are much better. I think all children should have a pet of some sort, it’s a big part of childhood and of learning to be responsible for something other than oneself. When I was young I had both dogs and cats which I loved fiercely. My last pet, not so many years ago, was a large black cat that was smart, funny and very loving. I still miss him. I’d been thinking of getting another cat but now happily I won’t have too, especially since I’ve learned that I didn’t really know how to properly care for one….