Every Scratch is Worth It
>> 06 July 2009
I can be a cold, callous, miserable person. I'm not really a girl who squeals over babies or small children. Most humans annoy me, what can I say- especially the ones that seem only exist to scream in my ear at a restaurant while their mother publicly breastfeeds them, as if saying to the entire dining room, "Yes, I am ruining your dinner and you will deal because I birthed this! HA!" (Sorry, minor rant/pet peeve there). But animals I have a soft spot for, especially those who have been abandoned, left behind, or given up. I worked in rescue as a volunteer, and I know what fates await them. When I heard the DC Humane Society and Animal Shelter was giving away cats and kittens for next to nothing, I knew that meant they were overcapacity- and those not rescued would be killed. My roommate was already adopting her cat, Jacks, a one year old tabby that needed to go home with a friend. I told myself I would not give in when I went to visit, but knowing that the shelter was not a no-kill shelter- and knowing that when shelters are this desperate to push pets out what it likely means- deep down, I knew my fate.
I melted quickly, especially since Roommate B needed a companion for her cat. At first, I said I would only adopt a kitten that looked like my old cat, Clint, who lived seventeen years and was my first pet that was truly mine. But when I got to the shelter and found out he was gone, they asked me to look at Abe, a 2 month old tiny runt tabby kitten. And Abe is now named Link, and he has spent the weekend happily settling in with me. He's cute. He's adorable. He is teething and expensive and a ball of energy and wakes me up throughout the night because he wants to play now, but he's sweet and adorable and I'm totally in love with the cat. So is N, who has become Link's favorite of us since I'm the disciplinarian. (He knows the spray bottle well, though I feel that when I get home my drapes will be done for).
I'm excited to watch him grow up and become friends with Jacks, who he already tries to beat up (Jacks is a good 10 pounds heavier). I say all this now, as I suffer from some major separation anxiety stemming from a slightly OCD mindset that is worried about the kitten alone. Later, once I have given him his first bath- well, I'll still think he's cute as my arms bleed more than an emo kid at a Saves the Day concert. But I really just wanted an excuse to blog a braggy post with pictures and be one of those people.
PS: Want a cat? Ready for a 20 year commitment (okay, approx) with someone who will be by your side, no matter what, as long as you give them the same? Or maybe a dog- a larger commitment and man's best friend that again, wants your love and attention? DC Humane Society is still running specials on adopting. Save a life today and gain a friend, companion, and the unconditional love of a rescued pet. Click here to visit them today.
