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An #AdoptACatMonth Story

Have you ever met someone you just couldn’t put out our mind afterward? What did you do about it?

For me, that someone was a kitten.

That Fateful Meeting

When I attended the BlogPaws pet social media conference in May, I was fortunate to room with not just my friend Jeanne, who writes Random Felines. That meant I also roomed with three adorable foster kittens she was fostering for the Colony Cats rescue organization: Dior, Gucci, and Armani.

tuxedo kittens and orange tabby kitten

At first, the kittens thought I was a scary stranger. During the course of the stay, their opinion of me changed. This probably had something to do with the fact I brought them a cupcake and let them play the mouse chase game on my iPad.

It was like being a cool aunt, letting them do things like chase my feet under the covers even though I knew that would probably not be allowed in their future homes.

orange tabby kitten crouches on bed

The next-to-last night of the trip, all three kittens chose to sleep in the bed with me instead of with their foster Mom. That was just adorable. I was sorry that they were awake before dawn, running through the room like hooligans before it was light enough to take any photos of them all cuddled up to me.

The final night of the trip, Armani and Gucci slept somewhere else, but little Dior slept right next to me the whole night. When I woke from a terrible nightmare at 4 am, Dior was there, meeping at me. How could anyone’s heart not melt when that happened?

tuxedo kitten yawns

They aren’t yours, I reminded myself. You have three cats at home. There are adopters in Ohio who have waited all winter for kittens. Still, I tried not to embarrass myself by crying when I left them behind and drove home.

Kitten on my Mind

The thought wouldn’t leave my head. Dior picked me, and I should make this work out, somehow. I looked for photos of her on Random Felines blog and social media, noticing how the color of her eyes was changing like I was some kind of a kitten stalker. She was still in foster, but not for much longer. You can hold out, I told myself.

The it even seemed like the kitten herself was telling me to stop all the looking when I saw this photo.

tuxedo kitten paws at camera

Dior. Photo courtesy Random-Felines.com

I checked airfare to Ohio, and then I reminded myself, There are lots of kittens in Florida.

Back and forth I went inside my head, knowing that my adoration of this particular kitten was impractical. I decided it was best to keep quiet until she was adopted. Then, if I heard her adoption didn’t work out for some reason, that would be my sign. I would speak up and say I wanted to adopt her then.

The Enabler

Then one evening, I was chatting online to my friend Connie from Tails from the Foster Kittens, and I admitted I had been thinking about Dior.

Chat with Connie about Dior

Before I could say “kitten enabler,” a message popped up on my screen from Jeanne: “I really want to drive to Florida.”

Holy cat, it looked like this could really happen!

The Wait

Dior was old enough to be adopted, but she wasn’t spayed yet, so that had to be done by the rescue before she could travel and be adopted.

After her spay surgery, the veterinarian’s office notified the rescue that she needed additional surgery for a hernia. That surgery was scheduled for the day before she was scheduled to travel to Florida.

Each time she had surgery, I would wait to hear news, not wanting to be a pest, but hoping she was all right.

Arrival

The day came at last. I drove to the airport and found Jeanne already waiting with a Sleepypod Air on the curb. The carrier was complaining loudly. I could hear little kitten meows on the short drive from the airport home.

Newton is the first cat to greet visitors, and he was interested in the contents of the cat carrier.

Orange tabby cat sniffs red Sleepypod Air carrier

But he gave me some space to open it so I could finally see our new family member who had traveled a very long way to be reuinted with me.

As part of joining our family, she is also getting a new name. Everyone, meet Cupcake.

tuxedo kitten against striped blanket

She has lots of adventures to share with you very soon!

Thanks

Cupcake joining our family would have been possible without Colony Cats allowing an out-of-state adoption, and Jeanne from Random Felines went the extra mile — literally — to get Cupcake here. A big thank you from all of us!

Also, I never would have made the decision to say anything about wanting to adopt Cupcake if Connie wasn’t such an kitten enabler. So a big thanks to her, too.

Comments

  2. OH my gosh! She sure chose you, didn’t she? What a little sweetie! Certainly sweet enough for that name change!
    What a coincidence! I just met Jeanne for an out of state adoption from Colony cats too! Wrote about it today too, lol! Isn’t it just perfect when the right kitty shows up and no matter where it is, it gets to the right people? Gotta love this community!

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  6. Oh My Cod I’m so happy for you I’m crying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some things are just meant to be and you can’t fight it. And I ADORE her name!!! We can’t wait to follow all your fun new adventures, Cupcake! Welcome to the blogosphere 🙂

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  9. She is so adorable. It is sometimes hard not to succumb to temptation. I have
    been tempted myself at our local pet store, although I have two cats already.
    Yael PlayingInCatnip.com

    Reply

  11. This is such a great story!! I remember when you at BP and fell so hard for Dior AKA Cupcake and I truly wondered then if you were going to take her home with you right there! I am so glad it all worked out so well for everyone! WELCOME sweet Cupcake! How are all the other kitties responding to her?

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  12. Mommy is at work reading this. Her eyes are moist, but she can’t show too much emotion or she’s going to get busted for not doing what she’s supposed to be doing.

    Let us just say: congratulations to everyone and this just made mom’s day.

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  15. So many people think that adopting a new cat is the easy way out – that if you had any self-control, you’d be able to walk away. But I’ve found the exact opposite. It takes a brave person to take the opportunity presented to them when a cat chooses you – despite the obstacles. It takes a brave person to not talk themselves out of it – to accept the call – to embrace a heart full of love instead of minimizing it. It takes a brave person to see the obstacles and go through with it anyway. Adopting Bear almost 11 years ago was exactly all that – and I haven’t regretted even one second – even when he and Kitty were constantly at it. I’m so excited we’ll get to see Cupcake grow up and come into her glorious own.

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  17. Mom Paula is sitting here reading this and tears are flowing down her cheeks, especially when she read that Dior’s new name is Cupcake! How wonderfully appropriate.

    Mom Paula – Those kittens are special. I loved little Armani, but you kept going to Dior. I didn’t know the story of her sleeping with you and being there when you awoke from your nightmare. She definitely chose you! I look forward to seeing photos and hearing of her adjustments to her wonderful new forever home!

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  18. guys…we iz BUZZED HAPPEE for ewe….welcome two yur new for ever home cupcake anda most happee gotcha day two ewe… 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 we noe ewe will be happee, N we wish ewe yeerz N yeerz oh that happee N healthee nezz ta come….984 paws up two connie N jeanne for helpin make thiz all poss a bull ~~~ ♥♥♥

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  19. As a Colony Cats volunteer (and friend of Jeanne’s) – I’m so excited for you and lil miss Cupcake! HOORAY!! Thank you for adopting her!! 🙂

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  21. Mommy eyes are moist too. Sometimes, the decision is made for you. And this was one of those times. I have had the pleasure of meeting Jeanne two times but right here where I live. It was a joy both times. You did good as they say, and welcome precious Cupcake. I have watched you since Jeanne brought you to foster. xxx

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  23. Our mommy held out until we read her name then her eyes started leaking! Happy tears of course! We love this story and are so happy Cupcake has the forever home she picked herself!

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  24. Congratulations on your new family member! I’ve been following your blog as well as Random Felines for awhile now. I had heard that Dior was adopted, but I didn’t know you were the new mama. She is just adorable. Best wishes to you and Cupcake. I’ll look forward to hearing more about her.

    Reply

  27. Wow! This is a wonderful story! I look forward to hearing how Cupcake settles in and all her stories as she grows up with Aston, Newton and Pierre.

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  29. Congratulations! Ashton, Newton and Pierre, now you can blame any trouble you get into on the kitten. 😉

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  30. I was smiling the entire time I was reading this, as I knew where this was going… I had almost the exact same experience at BlogPaws last year. 🙂 Only the kitten’s name was Gypsy, she was a tiny calico, and I spent the entire 3 days of the conference trying to convince myself that adopting her was the most impractical idea ever. Fast forward a year later.. .her name is now Piper, she’s the light of my life, and adopting her was the best decision I’ve ever made in my adult life. Here’s to knowing when to listen to your heart, and not your head, when a kitty chooses you! Wishing much love and joy to you, Cupcake, Newton, Ashton, and Pierre! 🙂

    Reply

  35. Congrats on your new fur fam member. Funny how these things happen when we follow our heart. Cupcake looks cute and smart as tuxies usually are.

    Reply

  37. Woo hoo!!! Mommy loved little Dior, because she said she looked like a baby Lexy. We’re so happy she found her forever home with you, because it was surely meant to be! Now we can watch her grow up!

    Reply

  38. Oh Julie!! I’m so happy and excited for you! Cupcake is a doll and the heart knows what it wants! You do remember my fateful Global Pet Expo trip when I unexpectedly came home with a kitten… our sweet Jazmine! Enjoy your little one! xoxox

    Reply

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