Exactly one week and one day ago, I got a kitten from the Humane Society. This was the culmination of three months’ searching, waiting, and fretting. I remember the exact number of months only because my mom gave me a hot pink feather boa cat wand for my birthday–in April. So, yeah, I decided to get a cat a while ago, but only made it happen last week. That’s not the point of this story, though, so we’ll move on.
Clementine and the Niece
My entire childhood, I wanted a kitten. Unfortunately, my parents said no. Then they said no again. And again. They might have said it a fourth time, but by then I was starting to get the idea. Later, they switched tactics and tried to beguile me with a parakeet. Its name was Sunflower, and it died. Then I got another parakeet (Cirrus). It too died. Whether or not these deaths were my fault (autopsies were not performed, despite my requests), I didn’t get another pet after that. Not even a fish. I couldn’t take it. Two small graves in my backyard was plenty.
Time passed, my parents had my younger brother (who was not entirely unlike a pet), and I went to high school, then college. My first semester at George Washington University was made of crap. I was ridiculously homesick and my dorm room had concrete walls, for Pete’s sake. Then, the call came. My mom had adopted a ball of fur from the Humane Society.
Norris will always give you her back…
I know you’re tempted to curse and throw things at my mom. Please don’t. I was upset, I admit it, but I eventually realized that she was trying to replace me. (Which, of course, could not be done.) I have magnanimously forgiven her. (Though it sometimes comes up before birthdays or Christmas.) Her name (the cat’s, not my mom’s) is Mrs. Norris. In the beginning, she was Hermione, but her personality required a name change. She is, quite possibly, the most disdainful cat alive–which is saying something.
In February, when I moved, I knew right away that I wanted a kitten of my own. I held off because I was getting settled in my new place, and because I wanted to be sure I could afford one. I get nervous about money, and I’m also a pessimist. I was pretty sure that if I got a kitten, I’d end up having to spend three million dollars having a bull’s head thorn extracted from its ear. Finally, though, I took the leap of faith and brought home the little bundle of joy I’ve named Clementine.
Were you looking for me?
Clemmy (I chose “Clementine” for its numerous nicknaming possibilities), is sweet, teeny and kind of a pest. At first, she liked to sleep riiiiiiiiiiightnext to my head on my pillow. Now, she sleeps on the pillow (which is my favorite) and I use another one. I’m afraid of walking in my own house for fear I’ll trip on her. Getting into the bathroom without her is impossible, so she sits on the edge of the tub and watches while I take a shower. It’s kind of creepy. She walks on my keyboard when I’m trying to work on my blog or check my email, gets up to follow me even if it’s just to open a window, and likes to play when I like to go to sleep.
My fuzzy reward
Which is all to say that I adore her. Having a kitten is more work than I thought it would be, but it has its own fuzzy rewards. I won’t lie to you–I’m looking forward to the time when I can go to the gym without worrying that she’s going to accidentally garrotte herself on my dental floss–but this time while Clemmy is just a baby? S’awesome.
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Congratulations on your new (beautiful, adorable) baby. She’s sooo cute – look at those eyes! I had cats when I was really little, but after they passed I couldn’t get another one because my dad had developed an allergy and my mom (they were separated) hates animals. But when I moved out I got my own little kitteny ball of furry love. Having a pet is so rewarding – the unconditional bond shared between cat and staff – er, owner, is amazing. Best of luck to the both of you!
(PS, the comment about garotting herself on floss made me nearly spit out my tea!)
awwww… congratulations on your new bundle of joy!!!! I remember those first days when they are new and little (I’m a doggy mom myself, but kitties and puppies are better than babies I think
) Just allow yourself to relax… I came to realize that even though we worry, they do have a sense of self preservation, so as mischievous as they can be they aren’t going to harm themselves too much (unless it’s eating something… that’s a whole nuther kettle of fish). Good luck and be prepared to be constantly blown away by cuteness! (my bf has joked that our dog will have cataracts b/c of all the pics I take of him)
Oh Ruby! She is the most adorable kitten I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot of kittens. When can I come visit?!
Anytime! But I’m really looking forward to visiting you in Chicago. I really hope that Chloe Neill has a signing and we can go to it together!
Oh, yay! Congratulations, new pet parent! There’s just something about a little ball of fur that brings life to a house. Plus, they’re constantly amusing–better than TV!
*sings* soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur…happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr-purr-purr
Clemmy is completely over the sleepy kitty phase. She’s all about running from one end of the house to the other. And I bought her a few different toys, but of course, her favorites are a brown paper bag and one of my old hairties. Go. Figure.
OMG! I am dying of cuteness! Clemmy is adorbs and I happily welcome you to the furbaby clan. She might get older, but she is a cat and will always provide endless amounts of entertainment and annoyance. You will put up with it though, and lavish in her cuddles and relentless 5 AM “feed me” wake up calls.
I had a ton of pets growing up, and most of them died. It is not an easy thing for a child to experience. Maybe your parents were trying to shield you from it, or maybe they didn’t want the hassle. Regardless, it changes and matures us.
*huggles you and Clemmy*
Last night I woke up and she was all cuddled next to be under the blankets. Best kitty moment yet. I’m totally into pet-personification, though, so I love making up inner dialogue for Clem.
Kyo is a burrower, only with T though. You should hear T & I do kitty inner dialogue! We have specific voices and personalities for each of them. We crack ourselves up. I think all cat owners do this. lol
She’s absolutely beautiful. Pets are the most awesome thing ever, I’m convinced.
Congrats.
Agreed and thank you. I’m so lucky to have Clementine. It’s totally awesome that she puts up with me.
OMG she is so sweet and looks just like my baby – ‘Pixie’. Scarily alike.
Enjoy the kitten years, they are exhausting but so cute. Meow!
Aw, Pixie is a cute name for a cat. If she really does look like Clementine, then I can definitely see the name fitting, too!
She is adorable!! And I love her name! But yes, you got it right. They are the epitome of craziness and annoyance but oh so lovable at the same time.
Yeah, late at night, when I’m trying to sleep, I’m pretty I love you/I hate you. Depends how early I have to get up the next morning!
[...] Ruby @ Ruby’s Reads got a KITTY! [...]
She sounds so sweet! Now I want a kitten