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"The Cage"

“Eight is Enough” is the title of this post, but what I really wanted the title to be was “Damn-it, would someone please not allow me to go into Pet Supermarket any longer?” Here’s the thing, for most of us cat lovers, having to walk past “The Cage” – you know the one I’m talking about – the one that is in front of the store that is filled with cats/kittens that you have to unavoidably walk by to get to the cat food aisle is heart wrenching at the very least.

Normally I do my best to make a very polite visit to say hello, but I try to avoid any serious eye contact that would involve an overly dramatic emotional connection with the cat(s). It’s the only way I can get through it without turning into a pile of mush when I leave the store without all of them in my arms.

They say it is in a cat's eyes that the magic resides... for me, this little one instantly put a spell on me!

Maybe it is my over exhaustion from traveling two weeks in a row, maybe it’s because for the past year I have been so heavily involved in cat advocacy issues and I see things differently, but it happened and it happened so quickly that I could not stop myself. We made eye contact and the bond was so inextricably woven that I literally stopped in my tracks to catch my breath and found myself with tears running down my face, I was so overcome with maternal instinct.

Kismet. Fate. Destiny. Call it what you will, but I no longer question my life when it brings me down a path that I don’t quite understand at the moment.  Irrational and crazy immediately come to mind, but I had no control of my actions as my hand reached to open the cage door to pick up this little being that had captured my heart. I held him in my arms and he instantly cradled himself against my chest and began to purr his message of complete love and devotion to me. Trust me kitty, you had me at hello.

He looked up at me and our eyes locked again, forming a bond and promise of lifelong intent. I was on break for lunch from work and was not prepared for any of this. I also have a household of very happy, well-adjusted cats at home who don’t really need to have their social dynamic disrupted. I told myself this and every other sane argument I could. Dan was out of town and was scheduled to land from the flight he was on in the next hour. I took a picture and sent it to him. Surely he would talk me out of what I was inches away from doing.

I put the kitten back in the cage and handed my business card to the store clerk. I made some ridiculous comment about knowing Jackson Galaxy, as if it mattered, and asked them to please hold the kitten for a couple hours so that I could discuss it with Dan, all the while arguing internally with myself that I was losing my mind. Naturally, Dan told me to get the cat, not even offering one iota of concern, sensibility, or negativity. Sigh… now you know why I love him so much…

One minute a caged cat, the next, a promise of a wonderful new furever home...

Kizmet as I have named him (Kismet as in fate, but with the “z” that is a predominant trait in our Zee/Zoey domain) is now residing in my office with the door closed as we ease him into the household to meet the other cats in the next week or two (which is contingent on the results of his first vet visit – I want to make sure that not only is he healthy for his own well-being, but for that of my beloved other cats as well). He is a three month old Tabby/Maine Coon mix with gorgeous almond eyes and big paws that he needs to grow into. He was apparently found on the streets and rescued and I can only imagine the story of the beginning of his life.

Just look at that precious face!! He seems to be saying, "See, I'm a good boy, aren't you glad you adopted me?!!"

His life right now – he is happy. Very happy. He has toys to play with, food in his belly, warm and snugly furniture to nap on, and room to run and stretch his beautiful body. When I open the door to spend time with him, he is overjoyed to see me and is a loud, purring machine of happiness. This is clearly only the beginning and I can’t wait to share his journey with you all!

Snugly afghan - check. Comfy couch - check. Wadded up ball of paper toy - check. Yup... sprinkle with love and you have all the necessary ingredients to make one happy kitty!

In case you missed it, we have a giveaway going on from Bergan Pet Products and you can win a pawsome Turbo Toy for your cat!! Click here to read the post/review and leave a comment for your chance to win! Comments must be made by Tuesday, November 13, midnight, PST to be eligible.