Hope I successfully attached the photo...
Of course, after I lost my dear sweet soul kitty in March, I swore I wouldn’t get another. Then I decided to foster. But the application to foster a pet is harder than a job application - I understand the need to be selective but jeez.
Then I made the “mistake” of checking out the cats up for adoption. And then I saw Sofia, a 10 year-old domestic longhair. I have always loved long haired kitties. They are my favorite. I love kittens, who doesn’t, but senior kitties don’t get as many opportunities to be adopted, and it’s tough to give kittens the time they need when you’re working full time.
I really didn’t want to lose the freedom to take a weekend trip whenever I wanted, or go on a long vacation without worrying about finding a pet sitter. But with COVID, it’s not like I’m going on a long trip anytime soon. My final excuse was that I didn’t want to leave a cat by itself all day long while I worked and then did stuff like walk and play tennis. That’s not fair on a cat. Then our work from home period was extended to mid September, so I’d have time to bond with the cat and perhaps assess whether to add a second one to keep it company. It was like it was supposed to be.
So...I inquired about Sofia. It took the shelter three days to return my call, and when I did get a call the details were hardly overwhelming. It’s like they didn’t want me to take her. Stuff like “she wants attention until she doesn’t,” “she’s not particularly affectionate, but most older cats aren’t,” “an apartment is fine because she sleeps all day.” Hmmm. I decided to take her because I felt bad that she was given up when her owner got sick with cancer. I was not even allowed to meet her. I had to apply over the phone and pick her up curbside, like I was ordering fettuccine Alfredo from Olive Garden.
But so far she has been a sweetheart. I’m worried because she isn’t eating, unless she’s sneaking something when I’m not looking. But she is super affectionate. I expected her to hide under the bed or in the closet for days but she hasn’t. She’s incredibly playful. And a lap cat! I don’t know what that adoption counselor was talking about. I’m sure part of it is that she is jittery, but she is a sweet, gentle, affectionate girl. I kept her name, Sofia, but changed her official title to Princess Sofia Petrillo, Supreme Golden Girl