The Teenager and I had a very long chat the other night and we decided to adopt another cat as soon as possible, so I went to Cats Protection yesterday.
He wanted to call the new cat ‘Dog’ or ‘Jam’. At a push, ‘Enchilada’. Hmm. This is the same kid who named my mum’s cat Yoda eight years ago.
Anyway, at the centre there were four long rows of the cutest, saddest cats. Heartbreaking. Half of them were clambering behind the glass, the other half hiding or sitting with their backs turned.
Some of them had sad histories. One had been kicked so badly in the stomach that she had to have an operation. One had lost an eye. Many had been abandoned and some were handed over by owners who could no longer afford to keep them, due to the recession.
I looked around. So many cats, but one stood out. Dora. A dinky little all-black female. Five years old, with a bonkers glint in her eye and I took to her straight away.
Back at reception I handed over my ID, my bank card and my details. I filled in numerous forms, read the small print, promised to take her for her second injection and swore allegiance to Cats Protection. I joked that there was less paperwork when I took my son home from hospital after he was born but that didn’t go down so well.
Dora came through in her basket and we whisked her off to the car. Back home, she has settled in incredibly quickly. When The Teenager came home from school, she jumped straight onto his lap. It feels as if she has been her forever.
Dora could never replace Bubble. She’s her own little character. She seems slightly crazy, but I like that. Having a crazy cat in a crazy world is no bad thing.
p.s. Dora just would not stay still for a second to let me take a proper photo – think she was high on catnip. And we’re going to call her Isadora…
What a little cutie!! So happy you’ve brought her home and she’s settling in.
p.s. Glad you resisted “Dog” and “Enchilada” – though I’m still rather fond of “Jam.” Isadora is a lovely name!
She’s gorgeous! So tiny but with the loudest miaow, bless her. ‘Jam’ came a close second! Couldn’t bear to keep the name Dora as sounds so old-fashioned and she seems too classy and feisty for that, so I had a brainwave on the way home from work, hence Isadora. In time we can drop the ‘dora’ part and just call her Izzy!
X
Ah, that’s so lovely B, I’m thrilled for you – and of course the very lucky Izzy – which just so happens to be one of my fave names ever.
Gosh, I can just imagine how tough it must have been for you seeing all those little ones in distress. When I took my mum to Battersea Dogs Home (not to get her adopted you understand!) but to choose her dog (the one before last) I was in bits – so much noise and chaos.
Have a great time with Izzy – I’ll be drinking a toast to you both shortly!
WW,
J x
Thank you so much!
I adore the name Izzy too and think it really suits her compared to Dora, lol. She’s settling in so quickly, it’s weird!
I think we made the right decision. I know it was very quickly after poor Bubble, but if this week in the world has taught us anything, it’s Why Wait??
Enjoy the vino! And thank you for all your support.
Bx
p.s. I LOVED that disclaimer about taking your mum to Battersea…x
Lovely girl xx
Well done for adopting and also an all black cat. They are the last cats to be adopted as people think they are unlucky amoung other weird thinking! My all black cat called Molly was dropped off at my work at around 3 weeks. I took her home just before the RSPCA were going to take her.
Sam xx
Thank you! After yowling her whole first night, she’s settled down now and sleeps on my bed.
Never really thought about the whole black cat thing before. Maybe I should take up spells and chanting outside under moonlight, lol. Frighten the neighbours!
X
p.s. Molly is a fab name.
Little Izzy looks so cute. They never replace what you’ve lost but a new lovely individual that’s part of your family. So nice to see its a black cat as they are the hardest to find homes for. We took in two with very strange personalities. They had two failed adoptions but settled with us lol! We also changed their names but it has taken two years for them to answer. Looking forward to more photos I haven’t a clue how to do things like that. Have a lovely weekend and may the sunshine in Cardiff x (Can’t find out how to put a smily face on) sad or what !!
As soon as the little black dynamo sits still long enough, I’ll take proper photos! She’s like a kitten, but is five. Crazy.
The sun is indeed shining here already – hooray! Just a shame I can’t open the back door and appreciate my fake grass that I put down. The cottage is open plan, so can’t risk Izzy getting out. Oh well!
x