Sunday's visit from my friend included a trip to the local animal shelter, and this little guy clawed his way into both of our heart strings! He couldn't decide who he wanted to have cuddle him more and continually passed himself back and forth between us, as if he wanted to have two mommies. I didn't bring him home that night - decisions as big as adding a new family member to the house, Jaysen and I include each other in. I thought about the little guy from 5 o'clock until around 9 pm, and by the time he got home from work I was ready to beg for him.
Jaysen gave in to me very quickly, and we raced to the shelter for their noon opening time on Monday. There he was - just waking up from a nap and waiting for us to bring him home! Jaysen had the same reaction Opal and I did to him - complete meltiness leading to utter must-have-the-kitty abandon. Wormwood is an adorable little terror, and was almost dubbed "Ivan the Terrible" for his wiley ways!
We took him to PetsMart to pick out some toys and new collar. He chose 3 frugally priced catnip mice. I also found a hooded catbed for him that was on sale. Jaysen was still bouncing name ideas around in his head at this point. We came very close to going with Absynthe and bought him a neon chartreuse green and silver collar with a bell. We decided tho that Wormwood fit him better than Absynthe - a name for a more laid back, sophist - not a young upstart like Wormwood! Then it was off to Walmart - where Jaysen found even more things for his new little man...a green food dish, kitten chow, treats, and a small nylon corner tower for him to play in.
How are the others taking to him? Well, Blitzer is enthralled - he can't get enough of playfully exchanging chases. Margarita is blissed out to have a new baby in the house - she LOVES playing with cats, and this one being only 4 months old, she has someone she is bigger than to bunny pounce after in high chihuahua fashion. She was smiling ear to ear in-between pants all afternoon yesterday. Ripshin is JEALOUS. I am trying to reassure him that HE is MY kitty-boy, and that Wormwood is for Papa, but he is still quite jealous and I've had to call him down a few times already. Nothing serious - just head locks mainly. Not being a cat person I don't know if the little guy is in any danger or if this is like the pecking order of wolves which I understand all too well.
We're really proud of Wormwood - he doesn't appear to be afraid of anything! He climbs like crazy - has no trouble getting to the food bowls or the litter box - all of which we have to keep on a counter in the utility room because of the dogs. We have some table manners to work though - he thinks whenever someone is eating something he needs to be up in the plate finding out what it is all about and seeing if it's something he wants to eat or something he wants to play with. His curiosity quotient is incredible!
Wormwood seems to like the men in the household - he loves Jaysen and was quite into Bryan last night. I think it's the first time that's happened with a cat for him. He prefers cats to dogs, but previously has only been around aloof cats. Ripshin is very picky about who he socializes with, and prefers me to anyone else in the house. He had a traumatizing beginning and I think it stunted him socially. Wormwood has no such issues - he's the most outgoing cat I've ever met!
Adopting him has opened a door for us I've been looking for since Ripshin was only 6 months old. I'm taking Wormwood to the vet he saw while at the shelter - they already have a file for him, and in speaking with them on the phone they are quite nice folks. He is too young yet to be neutered, so that has to wait until late April. Ripshin, however, has yet to be fixed and will be 2 years old in May. I asked Wormwood's vet what they charge and the usual $100 plus shots was the quote. BUT - they referred me to a low-cost clinic up an hour away that will do the surgery plus the rabies shot for only $43! I am THRILLED! I'm waiting now to hear what the schedule is looking like for April and May - I'd like to have them both done at about the same time to keep the unwanted pouncing at a minimum.
I got very little done yesterday other than refereeing the animals to make sure everyone was getting along okay. Jaysen and I slept in the livingroom so we could keep an ear our for any kitty brawls. Thankfully none occurred.
I have lots to catch up from, so I am off to do it!
1 comments:
Congrats on the new addition to your family! :D He's too cute! :D
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