Our little black cat, Shuri, is my favourite mistake. She’s also skittish, even now in her fourth year. She’s the kitten we shouldn’t have adopted for a family cat, because she was scared of her own shadow and clearly the runt of the litter. The shelter had so many sociable, silly, playful kittens vying for our affection. Shuri was hunched under the furthest corner of the pen looking like a terrified baby bat, all scrawny with disproportionately massive ears. But like you say, the heart knows and my heart knew that as a black cat she would be less likely to get adopted in the first place and her temperament would not be a selling point. So we took her home. She has come so far. She’s quietly confident but with very clear boundaries. I’m convinced she has a sense of humour. We are absolutely in love with her, and she with us. In another three years, she may even sit on my lap…!
She sounds absolutely adorable! If cats would talk, I’m sure she would be so grateful to you for choosing her. (We have a refuge cat too and can’t believe what a big part of our life she has become.)
I'll share a story about Cooky. One day, many years ago when I arrived home from a long weekend of classes, I was met at the door by a cute little beige puppy with a toy heart in his mouth (my kids named him Cooky)! He was such a wonderful addition to our family (even though I must admit that I wasn't really prepared to have a dog at that time!). He did have a bit of an attitude too. One day when I picked up my youngest son at the bus stop just around the corner from our home with Cooky walking at my side, we decided to walk back home through the park. It had rained earlier in the day so the grass was a bit wet. As my son and I decided to cut across the park to reach our home faster, Cooky decided that he didn't want his paws getting wet, so he took the paved path around the park to get home! Our neighbors, who were also picking up their kids, were laughing and saying that he was quite the 'dignified princess'! I miss him still, even though it has been many years since he's passed.
Our little black cat, Shuri, is my favourite mistake. She’s also skittish, even now in her fourth year. She’s the kitten we shouldn’t have adopted for a family cat, because she was scared of her own shadow and clearly the runt of the litter. The shelter had so many sociable, silly, playful kittens vying for our affection. Shuri was hunched under the furthest corner of the pen looking like a terrified baby bat, all scrawny with disproportionately massive ears. But like you say, the heart knows and my heart knew that as a black cat she would be less likely to get adopted in the first place and her temperament would not be a selling point. So we took her home. She has come so far. She’s quietly confident but with very clear boundaries. I’m convinced she has a sense of humour. We are absolutely in love with her, and she with us. In another three years, she may even sit on my lap…!
She sounds absolutely adorable! If cats would talk, I’m sure she would be so grateful to you for choosing her. (We have a refuge cat too and can’t believe what a big part of our life she has become.)
Beautiful story of Heidi and you!
I'll share a story about Cooky. One day, many years ago when I arrived home from a long weekend of classes, I was met at the door by a cute little beige puppy with a toy heart in his mouth (my kids named him Cooky)! He was such a wonderful addition to our family (even though I must admit that I wasn't really prepared to have a dog at that time!). He did have a bit of an attitude too. One day when I picked up my youngest son at the bus stop just around the corner from our home with Cooky walking at my side, we decided to walk back home through the park. It had rained earlier in the day so the grass was a bit wet. As my son and I decided to cut across the park to reach our home faster, Cooky decided that he didn't want his paws getting wet, so he took the paved path around the park to get home! Our neighbors, who were also picking up their kids, were laughing and saying that he was quite the 'dignified princess'! I miss him still, even though it has been many years since he's passed.