Shelby-the-Kitten

Three weeks ago today I adopted a kitten. [I have a history of doing this.]

I rode with J. to deliver his vintage Dodge to a paint/body shop owned by an acquaintance.  As the men were unloading the truck from the trailer and then going over it point by point, I noticed a calico kitten skittering about, very much in the way.

I scooped her up and made a fuss over her. 

Tony, noticing this, suggested, 'You like that kitten?  Take it home with you.'

 A year ago when we rescued Clancy from the court house parking lot I felt he should have another  kitten to companion him.  I watched for a sighting of his siblings, having been told they were among the group of homeless cats being fed in a sheltered alley, but never saw a cat or kitten in the area.

Surely Clancy at a year old would still appreciate a feline companion near his own age.

Tony remarked that there were two kittens.  'They seem to hate each other--don't get along,' he said.

As the men continued their discussion another kitten scampered from behind the house.  Like her sister she was a blue-cream tortie but with distinctive tabby stripes. She wasn't as forward as her sister but when I coaxed her closer and picked her up she snuggled against me, seemingly needy.

'Does it matter which kitten I take?  Will you wife mind that you're giving one away?'

My question astonished Tony!

It was kitten number 2 who rode home with us.  

I named her Shelby.

The older cats sniffed of her, grumbled with an attitude of 'Here we go again!'

Clancy, introduced to his new companion, ran and hid.

Shelby developed a sniffle which she gave to Clancy. For a week they sneezed dolefully.  Clancy, though not at his best, began to be intrigued, to instigate noisy chases and tumbles.

Shelby is now bright-eyed, recovered from her 'cold.'

She is rambunctious, always underfoot, greedy. She and Clancy roister through the house, clamber over the furniture.

Well fed now, she is losing her fragile bony appearance. 

She's had her first round of shots with follow-up scheduled for mid-month.

Spaying is tentatively planned for January.

I think often of the other kitten, Shelby's sister, who is unlikely to be pampered and protected.

I didn't choose so much as Shelby chose me.

Shelby, nearly over her sniffles.

Tearing through the house is exhausting. Let me rest.

I don't want to open my eyes, but I'll purr.

Back to my nap--call me when its tea time!