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coffeedaivLast June, Shiva (the cat) died.
I came to realize, living with her, that we had an agreement. There were things I expected of her, as a cat, and things I provided for her, as her human. A warm Bed. A full Bowl. A Clean Box. This is what I offered.
That she be the Best Cat Ever. This is what i expected. And what I got.
I mourned her passing, I sat with my grief, I totally lost my shit when a drive thru barista asked me how I liked my espresso and I replied "Like I like my cat; Black, and with an infinite capacity for waking me up". Except i started crying as i tried to say that. much to my utter humiliation and abject horror, because losing my composure and breaking down crying is something no retail barista is paid enough to deal with (to her her credit, she was entirely professional and kind and sympathetic, once i explained (between sobs) what was going on).
And I knew, I was not done with Cats. I knew, SOMEDAY, I would be ready for a new cat.
I felt pretty ready ... six weeks ago? I wasn't actively looking for a cat. I simply let the Great Cat Spirit know that when she had someone who needed a home, i had a home that needed a cat.
And I had a couple near misses, sort of. But nothing actually happened.
About two weeks ago, I came to realize / decide that I was probably going to get an Orange Tabby cat. And this was going to be a problem. Aya, C's previous cat, was ... challenging. I loved him, of course. Shiva (eventually) loved him. And he was a Pain In My Ass. Cristy left him with me, when she went to Washington DC. I left the window open, because it was hot. And when I came home, the little fucker had escaped; out the window and out of the apartment.
Panic ensued. Texts ensued. A search ensued. And I found him, pretty quickly (and I called C and told her that). He just wanted to go to the corner store for a Pepsi. Literally, I found him in the alley that is next to the Market in my building.
This not to speak ill of the him, but to support the "he was a challenging creature at times" assertion. And a lot of that was "He is an Orange Tabby, they are ALL crazy". This, according to C.
So, I didn't tell C any of that decision. I figured, when the Great Cat Spirit sent me a cat, I would be ready. And if that cat was an orange tabby, great. If not, also great.
Last Thursday. I got home, and got on Discord. C posted a picture of a kitten. A Female Orange Tabby kitten (approximately five months). Who had, apparently, showed up at her back door, and asked her for help (after C's sister had left, and after c had taken her shower; That is when this kitten started meowing, loudly, at the back door). So, C brought her in to the house, and said to the Discord channel, Does anyone need a kitten?
Naturally, and of course, I said, Yes.
And after a little back and forth, I went to Mud Bay for supplies (litter and food and treats), and prepared to wait.
Tonight, I have a kitten. Orange fur and golden eyes. And her name is Aglaia. For the Greek Goddess of Brilliance, one of the three Graces. I have to say, any cat who waits until C is out of the shower to ask for help deserves recognition.
She is, right now, asleep on my bed.
And the Great Cat Spirit (as played by Orson Welles, in the Muppet Movie) had assistant prepare the Standard Contract. Aglaia agrees to be The Best Cat Ever. I agree to provide A Warm Bed. A Full Bowl. And a Clean Box.
I came to realize, living with her, that we had an agreement. There were things I expected of her, as a cat, and things I provided for her, as her human. A warm Bed. A full Bowl. A Clean Box. This is what I offered.
That she be the Best Cat Ever. This is what i expected. And what I got.
I mourned her passing, I sat with my grief, I totally lost my shit when a drive thru barista asked me how I liked my espresso and I replied "Like I like my cat; Black, and with an infinite capacity for waking me up". Except i started crying as i tried to say that. much to my utter humiliation and abject horror, because losing my composure and breaking down crying is something no retail barista is paid enough to deal with (to her her credit, she was entirely professional and kind and sympathetic, once i explained (between sobs) what was going on).
And I knew, I was not done with Cats. I knew, SOMEDAY, I would be ready for a new cat.
I felt pretty ready ... six weeks ago? I wasn't actively looking for a cat. I simply let the Great Cat Spirit know that when she had someone who needed a home, i had a home that needed a cat.
And I had a couple near misses, sort of. But nothing actually happened.
About two weeks ago, I came to realize / decide that I was probably going to get an Orange Tabby cat. And this was going to be a problem. Aya, C's previous cat, was ... challenging. I loved him, of course. Shiva (eventually) loved him. And he was a Pain In My Ass. Cristy left him with me, when she went to Washington DC. I left the window open, because it was hot. And when I came home, the little fucker had escaped; out the window and out of the apartment.
Panic ensued. Texts ensued. A search ensued. And I found him, pretty quickly (and I called C and told her that). He just wanted to go to the corner store for a Pepsi. Literally, I found him in the alley that is next to the Market in my building.
This not to speak ill of the him, but to support the "he was a challenging creature at times" assertion. And a lot of that was "He is an Orange Tabby, they are ALL crazy". This, according to C.
So, I didn't tell C any of that decision. I figured, when the Great Cat Spirit sent me a cat, I would be ready. And if that cat was an orange tabby, great. If not, also great.
Last Thursday. I got home, and got on Discord. C posted a picture of a kitten. A Female Orange Tabby kitten (approximately five months). Who had, apparently, showed up at her back door, and asked her for help (after C's sister had left, and after c had taken her shower; That is when this kitten started meowing, loudly, at the back door). So, C brought her in to the house, and said to the Discord channel, Does anyone need a kitten?
Naturally, and of course, I said, Yes.
And after a little back and forth, I went to Mud Bay for supplies (litter and food and treats), and prepared to wait.
Tonight, I have a kitten. Orange fur and golden eyes. And her name is Aglaia. For the Greek Goddess of Brilliance, one of the three Graces. I have to say, any cat who waits until C is out of the shower to ask for help deserves recognition.
She is, right now, asleep on my bed.
And the Great Cat Spirit (as played by Orson Welles, in the Muppet Movie) had assistant prepare the Standard Contract. Aglaia agrees to be The Best Cat Ever. I agree to provide A Warm Bed. A Full Bowl. And a Clean Box.
