Today is the big unveiling of my surprise.
A new refrigerator!
Ha! Just kidding!
Even though I did work hard to get that thing installed (cleaning out the old one was hell), this is not the big surprise I had in mind. The big surprise actually comes in a rather small package.
Are you ready for it?
There he is!
That’s right I adopted another cat. He came with the name “Kaiser” but I don’t think I’ll be keeping it. I’m not sure what name he’ll be given as I haven’t had a chance to really see what he’s like yet.
I first met “Kaiser” on Saturday when I went to see what kind of cats Animal Care Foundation (a no-kill shelter) had. I was immediately besieged by a tiny little calico kitten. When I say besieged, I mean this little tyke would not leave me alone. I thought that was it, that was the cat for me.
Then I noticed a black cat peering at me from beneath one of the shelves they had set up for the cats lounging pleasure. I put my hand out for him to sniff, but he immediately shied away. Still, I was intrigued.
After another 10-15 minutes, the little black kitty ventured back out again and I gently gave him my hand again. This time he came out further to investigate and he seemed to find me up to par as he proceeded to alternately rub my fingers then wash them with his cute little pink tongue.
I tell you, it was love.
But what about the calico kitty? He was still clamoring for attention and he was so sweet! How could I choose between them?
That was when I noticed that “Kaiser” was missing one of his hind legs. Apparently, when he was an even tinier kitten (he’s about 6mos old right now) he got caught in a chicken snare near Kaiser High School, which is where he gets his name. By the time he was rescued, his leg was far too infected to save. But this little guy is tough. He gets around just fine with his remaining three legs.
This is what finally decided me though. The little calico kitty is outgoing and playful. He’ll have no problem finding a good home. Whereas “Kaiser” is very shy and I think that most people might shy away from taking home a three-legged cat.
It’s going to take a lot of patience to get him to trust us, but I’m sure it will all be worth it in the end.
(Most of the pictures I took of him are of him immediately exiting the carrier. I had to resort to the flash since it was dark once we finally brought him, hence the horrid shot of his poor face. I’m hoping that once he gets adjusted I’ll be able to get better photos.)
Once he said hello to Quincy and took stock of where he was, he proceed to take off to the first available hiding spot. Which was my dirty, dusty closet.
I’ve only seen him twice since we brought him home Monday evening, but that’s okay. I’m going to give him all the time he needs. It’s not going to be easy. Patience isn’t actually one of my strong points and I have to continually resist the urge to check to make sure he’s still breathing.
As for the other cats, they seem to have accepted him into the fold remarkably well. Quincy sniffed noses with him and Pressie doesn’t even seem to care that he’s around. I’ve given them lots of extra love to make sure they know they’re still valued members of the family.
All in all, things are going quite smoothly. :)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Very cool Surprises! I agree he needs a new name— so what are our options??
I bet the new fridge will be alot nicer than the smaller one was. Enjoy it all!! And get some more pics of Triad!
December 19th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Hello little black kitty! Welcome to the Akamai family! I’ll see you around when you feel up to making your appearance. :D
Hi Opal, the email I gave now is a new, safe one. :)
December 19th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Quincy’s not the baby anymore! Well, I don’t know how old Kaiser is, but still, Q’s no longer the “new kid on the block!”
lolol
I understand the lure of the kitty in need of rescue!
The Meezer says welcome!
(((hugs)))
December 19th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Oh! This is sooooo exciting! Good for you! Glad you chose the black kitten! I would have done the same. Always looking out for the underdog! Or I guess I should say, undercat! Mimi is happy for him too! He needs a chance in life and you are the one to give it to him!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:36 am
What news! He looks very handsome. His expression kinda reminds me of Spock, but it could just be the photos. : )
December 19th, 2007 at 11:40 am
How exciting! That’s one lucky cat! You are right….the little calico will find a home in no time. You’ll probably wake up one morning, and he’ll be on your bed.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:42 am
I am a sucker for the lame and halt as well. I got one kitten out of a garbage can and two of our cats are formerly feral that moved in. Give him a chin scratch for me if he ever comes out!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! He’s one lucky kitty. I have no doubt that you will bring him out if his shell and care for him and love him. God bless you, Opal. You’re the best!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Yay! Welcome, Kaiser (or whatever your name ends up to be)! He’ll be fine with three legs…I had a rottweiler/doberman cross who before he was my dog and was still half grown was shot and lost his right rear leg. He never knew he needed that fourth leg. (I’m kinda sorry you didn’t get BOTH kittens.) Hope he comes out of hiding soon. I know he will be a great addition to Chez Akamai. I’m thinking of lots of good black cat names …wonder what his will be?????
hugssssssssssssssss
mer
December 19th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Congratulations!!! He’s so pretty…I mean handsome!
December 19th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
You’ve such a big heart, Opal! You go for beauty where it counts (yarn, refrigerators) and that’s something I admire as well. When it comes to your babies, that’s another story. You find that inner beauty is the draw.
What do you think about Aristotle or Ari for short? I think he has an aristocratic profile and it just might fit his personality.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Seems Kaiser made a good choice ;) Best of luck to the newly expanded family. Many skritches to the tripod kitty (when he comes out of hiding!) *HUGS*
December 19th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
What a wonderful surprise! Little Kaiser has found himself a wonderful family.
Btw, I love the new fridge and would have been thrilled if that was the surprise. *L*
December 19th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I completely get the lure of the downtrodden. Welcome, Mr. “K”!
December 19th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Yay for new kitty! He looks so sweet – I’m sure he’ll be one of the family in no time.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Good for you! I like your new mister, he’s got a good look about him. And any cat who sticks it out on three legs has spunk – that’s a good thing too! Congratulations!
December 19th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Congrats – how exciting! He’s a cutie – and how nice that you adopted a special needs kitty. Can’t wait to here how you two get along….
December 19th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
He’s a lucky boy! We named our black cat Seth, and our black dog Morpheous, I’ve got a thing for black animals I guess. Then there is the stray cat outside that decided to lurk around our house and she’s missing one of her front paws. The sweetest thing though, and I wish I could bring her in…
Either way, I am excited for you and him!
December 19th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
What a cutie pie. I think you are right about shyness. My dog Chance seemed shy and almost aloof at the shelter, but he turned out to be the sweetest, cuddliest dog. A true kindred spirit.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Congratulations on the new baby! I can’t help you with the name, though. Knowing me, I’d end up naming him Tony, or Jason, or Barbarian, or DeMarcus…
December 19th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Oh That is just too sweet. I think his face looks real cute in the picture – very unique. Yeah for Kitty Love!
December 19th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Well he’s not a husband but he’s probably just as much trouble :-P
He’s a handsome dude and you’re his angel for taking him into your heart Opal!
December 19th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Oohh, yay! He sounds like an interesting cat. I hope he warms up to you soon. What a great Christmas gift to yourself. :-)
December 19th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Opal, you’re an angel. Welcome, Kaiser.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:33 am
Congratulations on your beautiful new kitty! The world needs more people like you.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:46 am
P.S. You’re tagged!
December 20th, 2007 at 3:54 am
Awwww….what a sweet kittie and bless you for taking the “not perfect” kittie. You’re probably right … he wouldn’t be adopted out so easily. I’ll be he will come around quickly with some good old TLC.
Since he is all black, how about naming him Coal. You could always say you got Coal for Christmas. (Oh that was bad even for me!)
December 20th, 2007 at 4:10 am
How wonderful! I’m tickled for you *and* your new little resident. No doubt he’s had a tough life until now – and you’re just the girl to show him that things can be very much otherwise :)
I dunno – kinda looks like a “Henry” to me..,
December 20th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Well done, honey, both on the new boy and the fridge!
It’s Thursday here so I hope he’s starting to adjust to his new home. Good luck with the name. Sometimes they just look at you and a name seems to fit them, others take a while…
HUgs and congrats
December 20th, 2007 at 8:03 am
What awesome news. He looks very happy in his new home.
Happy Holidays!
December 20th, 2007 at 8:15 am
You are very compassionate to welcome the cat that might be hard to place in a good home. I am sure “Kaiser” will warm up very soon. Congrats also on your new fridge… I’ve been wanting a new one, but the old one still keeps ticking along… darn.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I had a sneaking suspicion that you were getting a cat. I do like the name Kaiser, partly based on the band the Kaiser Chiefs.
Congrats!
December 20th, 2007 at 10:37 am
What a lovely surprise, and what a beautiful boy… he’s a very lucky person to join your househild
December 20th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Now that’s a surprise even I would love! Kaiser is such a cutie pie! With a mistrustful wary look on his face, lol. But in time, that’ll be a thing of the past. Awww.
And very nice new frig too.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Very cute! Great surprises!
December 20th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Your new kitty lucked out big time coming to live with you! I can’t wait to see what he ends up being named. Congratulations on the new addition to the family:-)
December 21st, 2007 at 12:36 am
Congratulations on your new family member! I could feel the drama as I read, which cat will she bring home, I wondered. I know you will come up with the perfect name for him, as you said, “Kaiser” does not quite fit. I’m very glad to hear that Quincy and Pressie approve, this is so important. I look forward to seeing more pictures of him, little does he know, yet, he is in kitty paradise.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Oh I missed your post on the new kitty. Congrats to you both! May you have many years together!