Sunday, January 15, 2006

Meet the newest family member


Did I mention what we got for Christmas?

A new kitten!

Crunch (Cinnamon Toast Crunch is her full name) was the kitten of a stray that hangs around my mom and dad's Minnesota farm (there is no punishment bad enough for people who take their unwanted animals out into the country and just dump them). We adopted her so my mom would have room to take in another cat, making for one less cat who would be running around homeless, or shelter-bound.

We brought Miss Crunch (also known as Crunchlington, Crunchy the Clown, Crunchberry and other names) home on the plane. She was a doll and didn't make a peep the whole way, even when Rob carried her through the metal detector to make sure she wasn't a small furry terrorist.

Now at home in Seattle with us, she's been busy getting to know siblings Dexy and Wednesday. It was, shall we say, a challenge. Crunch still hisses, growls at and swats the older two cats, but we're almost getting full nights of sleep now. And she's reminded us how wonderful little kittens are -- how funny, how tiny, how playful and full of life. She's just a joy.

Just call me the Crazy Cat Lady.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Um, you are still a few kitties short of being a "crazy cat lady"! I have seven currently. :)

Your little Calico is adorable, and I love her name!

I know you will have a lot of fun with her as she grows into your family.

--Laura

Anonymous said...

Miss Crunch is absolutely adorable!

Is it just me, or are rescued cats just greatful to have a home? While I was a teenage/young adult we rescued 2 cats--one from a shelter and one stray and they both acted so greatful to have a home. One would just look at one of us and purr his gratitude.

Unknown said...

She's a real cutie.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new family member. Do you think you could post pics of a three of your cats?

Anonymous said...

Gael -- What an adorable kitten! I too am a crazy cat lady -- four and counting! They are impossible to resist. Enjoy the kittenhood -- it's over so fast!

Anonymous said...

Awwww, she is so cute!!! She and the cats will get used to each other. It's fun to watch. And I love the name!

Finding My New Normal said...

She is adorable! Hope you have a long happy life together. We have two cats and love them both so much.

Anonymous said...

OOOOH CONCATULATIONS! She's a tortie too, they're the best... so fun. Have you heard of Catster? Our little tortie girl, Saffron is on there!

grandefille said...

Yay! Welcome, Miss Crunch! Harry sends smooches!

That photo is hilarious. She's like, "Dad? Dad. There's a state trooper in the ... Dad? DAD!"

Anonymous said...

That is so wonderful that you gave her a home. We got a third kitten in a similar way, and after a few weeks, he got along fine with the other 2 cats. He still swats at the girl cat and makes her screech, but that's mostly just funny now, and it's good for her to be challenged, because, frankly, she was getting lazy. Our other big boy cat likes him just fine, and they even sleep together on occasion (they just don't know how to quit each other). So don't get discouraged- they will all be friends enough soon, and three cats is more fun than two.

Anonymous said...

good for you girlfriend. i currently have four rescues (little bit - got her at 2 weeks of age abandoned in the woods) , snowball (all black- so so sick when i got him - he literally had to fight off dogs for his food), diva (was found in a tied pillowcase in a dumpster) and the latest - moxie (the only surviving member of a feral colony who i could not leave outside by herself) in the house and am feeding several more strays out on the porch, and have been involved in taking care of feral/strays for at least 30 years. you are so right in that there is not a horrible enough punishment for the way people so badly treat animals.
it does take a bit of time to get the "newest" one 100 percent accepted but, if you do it right, it will work out. just remember that the ones who have been there "before" have seniority over the newbie. i have never failed in fitting in yet another member of the family.

good luck!

Anonymous said...

She is sweet-- hope that things with Wednesday & Dexy are better soon. All the best from Euri and Llewella

The Mistress said...

I recommend reading “The Feline Mystique: on the mysterious connection between women and cats” by Clea Simon. (published by St. Martin's Press, c2002.) The Feline Mystique is a fascinating exploration of the timeless bond between women and cats.