(sigh)...Well, now it's Official.

[badgerpup]

Tomorrow (Thursday) I will have formally qualified for the status and will join the ranks of "Crazy Cat Lady" with the acquisiton of my fifth cat. :hide::yoiks:

It's all Wimsey's fault.:grr:

Hear ye the tail...er...tale:
I went to work Saturday night (July 4th) and left the monsters cats in the house. Figured the BOOM! factor wouldn't bother them so much; they'd dealt with thunderstorms before...but the smell of the fireworks...not to mention the atmosphere of people drunk on beer, 'patriotism' and the excitement of just generally blowing shit up would probably upset them.

So, I got home about 6:20 on Sunday morning, let them out (Esme decided to stay inside), told them (as I always do) "Have a good day, and be careful!" and then I went to bed.
Later that day, Finnegan and Riktor came home, but no sign of Wimsey. I wasn't too worried...until it got later and still no Wimsey. Next day (the 6th)...still no Wimsey. Now I'm getting scared.

My neighbor across the street- a very nice, elderly lady, mentioned that Animal Control had picked up a LOT of animals who'd been terrified by the fireworks and had run like hell out their usual haunts. I thought this was a long shot, since my guys had been INSIDE...but the scent hangs around...and people still had some fireworks left over from last night...and while Wimsey's usual sign of disapproval is peeing on something, sometimes cats do take business trips when they're mad at their humans...so I called the animal shelter.

Too early, got the answering machine. Figured I'd have to go down there and check after I got done with physical therapy.

Walk in the door and hear all these kittens crying (I'm innocent! Choose me! What am I doing here? Let me out!) It's only funny when it's a LOLcat caption...and now I don't think I'll be able to see much humor in those particular caps anymore.:cry:

All of them black kittens...must have been about a dozen kittens there and it broke my heart, because you know how hard it is for black cats to find homes.
One kitten in particular...reaching out through the bars and of course I responded...
the attendant took him out and the kid jumped on my shoulder and started up the motor.
He's just the kind I like, too...some Siamese in his gene pool and he looks like he's going to be a leggy boy.
I can't get him out of my mind...and I know if I just let it go the chances of him finding a home are pretty small.

So...The clowder is going to increase by one.
Oh, and Wimsey? The little shit showed up...about 20 minutes after I'd gotten home from the animal shelter, none the worse for wear. :banghead:
I called them and told them they could stand down on his account (I'd filled out a 'Lost Cat' slip for him and now it wasn't needed). They were very nice about it.

Wimsey got major cuddles and the "Where the hell were you don't ever do that again you scared me so badly" speech. Neighbors must have been busting a gut if they'd heard.
I've asked Wimsey (hope it penetrated his furry little skull) to please at least just check in every 24 hours to let me know he's OK.
My old Alpha Cat Misha used to do that during the summer- he'd stop in to let me know he was OK, maybe grab something to eat, pick up his messages, and then he was off again. But he'd always be right there to greet me when I came home...

I hope the new guy will settle well into the clowder...I just don't feel right in letting it go now...and if Wimsey doesn't like it, he's got only himself to blame.

Now I need to go buy another cat box and food dispenser...

I'll let y'all know the little guy's name as soon as he tells me.

[Sanity Claws]

1. Welcome to my club

I have only two but am a certifiable crazy cat lady. Just ask my neighbors.
I look forward to seeing photos of your clowder

[emilyg]

2. Pics as soon as possible. I ended

up with 12. Crazt cat lady for sure. LOL

[MadMaddie]

3. Well I am glad you are a crazy cat lady....that little fella is

gonna feel very special!!!:yourock:

[badgerpup]

4. He didn't like the trip home...

Had him in the carrier and he was really stressed and VERY vocal. Had to make a stop at Petsmart on the way home (of course I brought him in!) and he seemed to calm down when he was out of the carrier...so there I am carrying this kitten through Petsmart, getting the stuff I need...and going through my head there's this complaint:

"They told me I'd have this 'forever home' and how wonderful it was gonna be...skipped RIGHT over alla fine print about how I'm s'posed to GET there...jeez, I wonder what ELSE they didn't tell me...

Oh, little guy...if you only knew.:scared:
I ended up letting him ride loose in the car on the way home...he seemed less stressed (quieter) and once he stopped trying to sit on my shoulder, we did fine.

He's got his first vet visit scheduled for today- general checkup, feline leukemia/FIV test (he's too young to be 'tutored' just yet) and first distemper shot.
He's sitting on the desk right now, purring and helping me type this.

Still hasn't told me his name yet...sometimes it takes a while.

The other cats aren't thrilled...but there was an awkward game of "BOO!" initiated between the new kid and Finnegan within half hour of meeting..."Tag" with Wimsey, and "Just don't do it here" with Esme.
Riktor is the one who will have the most difficulty, but he always does...he really doesn't appreciate ANY kind of changes to his routine. :shrug:
Time to get out the Bach Flower remedies...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. What is the threshold for Crazy Cat Lady status?

I have three cats. Am I there yet? Does four put me over the line? Or more?

And congratulations on your new kitty. Enjoy your new role as CCL.

[hamsterjill]

9. Achieving Crazy Cat Lady Status is not really a number...

But more an "attitude", I think. It's more about enjoying your feline companions and not really giving a damn about what the rest of the world thinks of what you are doing. It's rather liberating!!!

[ginnyinWI]

6. did he ever tell you his name?

And do you have a picture? I had a black male kitty for 18 years.

[EndersDame]

7. This Thread is Useless With Out Pics

I love black kitties
This is my Frisky

[ginnyinWI]

8. I love black kitties too!

Tim, 1989-2008. Born at our house; never lived with any other family. Very mellow kitty and always a gentleman.





Zelda, born in 2004. We took her at age four when our son couldn't keep her. You can't tell too well from the picture, but she is a large cat, probably a Maine Coon mix. She's like a wild stallion at times, galloping through the house--very athletic. Loves to play and loves a warm lap in the evening (which she totally fills up!)

[EndersDame]

10. What beautiful babies you have had in your life

[BrklynLiberal]

11. I am not even going to tell you how many I have...and I did not go looking for any of them..

They all found me... :D

[grasswire]

12. aw comeon...

..it's not like we're going to tell the authorities about the six dozen cats...:-)

[BrklynLiberal]

13. lol....

I do not have this many...