Almost
I’m a weak woman.
I almost got a kitten yesterday.
I had to be talked down off the metaphorical roof.
Sounds like it’s still not time to get a kitten. I went to the pet store with the idea of using a coupon I had. What I really wanted to do was put myself in danger. I gravitated to the adoption center and there was a mixed Siamese kitten in there.
Found out that the Siamese had to be adopted with another kitten, so I immediately affixed my attentions to a tiny black kitten while eyeing an older black and white kitten who seemed very curious and playful through the glass.
People from the shelter were still putting cats in their cages, so I got a chance to talk with them. They heard that I was interested in the Siamese and asked if I would like a flamepoint. A flamepoint is like a Siamese, but with white fur and orange markings on their points; ears, nose, paws, tail. Perfect. I love flamepoints. This flamepoint was still in his cage and was actually destined for another store across town.
The flamepoint kitten was a little older; probably four or five months old. From the moment I held him, he purred and purred. Very patient and loving. I’ve been waiting for an affectionate cat who likes to be held.
Then I held the little black kitten, who was so rambunctious that he immediately crawled on my shoulders and started scratching me and biting my hair. Very cute and high energy. I was drawn to the black kitten because they tend to get adopted later because of superstition. Me, I grew up with a black cat and don’t believe in anything, anyway.
Before I held the kittens, I had a hard time keeping it together. Part of me is pulled strongly toward loving another cat and part of me still misses Stinky. I will always miss her and love her, and don’t think a kitten is a replacement.
What a kitten would do is help me focus my attention elsewhere.
But Heather pointed out that it’s still not time.
After petting the kittens, I felt a lot better. Then I called Heather and we discussed my kitten danger.
And I ended up having to walk away.
I think she’s right. I think I need to wait. I think I do things on impulse, or don’t like to wait for them. I set a minimum time limit for myself and I was trying to get out of that.
And the truth is, I like this special time with my boys. I love only having to change the cat litter for two cats. I realized that the diabetes had probably been around much longer than I thought; the litter box duties had been more onerous for some time. I just didn’t notice until Stinky had started camping at the water dish a lot.
And there will always be more kittens. I’m fairly sure the kittens will find homes, quickly. That Siamese is so cute; they go fast. The flamepoint will find a home too. One of the shelter volunteers held him after I did, and wondered if he’d have to take him home instead. The black kitten was so cute and playful that someone will want him too. The slightly older black and white kitten that I only saw through the window … he’ll get adopted too. He was very intelligent and curious.
I feel sorrier for the more sedate cats in the adoption center. One was a Siamese mix a couple years old. In theory, I’d adopt an adult cat, but I’m selfish. Kittens are fun. But a Siamese mix probably also will get adopted. Some people want to adopt more calm, older cats. But these cats will all be adopted. If they’re not at the shelter, they’ll be fine.
I can’t save the world or all the cats. I just can’t save myself from one kitten.
I also know that I can no longer go to the pet store. I’ll just get myself in trouble. I’ll have to make do with going to Target for my cat supply needs until I can learn to behave myself.
