Pets are interesting. We don't really need them, but they're so damn cute.
Today I woke up happy with everything--my wife, my job, and the number of pets in my household: zero. One of those things would change today. At first, against my will, but then with my consent.
How did this start? Manipulation. Plain and simple.
I was looking forward to a day of fixing up the house. Adding some plants in the corner and framing some pictures...generally a lazy day of self-indulgence. By 10:26 this plan changed drastically. I was on my way to a kitty shelter, to humor my wife. To make her think I was even interested in adopting a cat. As we walked to the cat shelter I was already entwined around her little finger and I didn't even know it. When we entered the cat shelter, my chest puffed out in defiance, I tried to resist. But I already knew the outcome: Jim + Claire + a new fuzzball in London.
We walked down into the bowels of the building, where all the cats were living in kennels. We were let loose to explore all the homeless cats. With so many cats, you would think this would take some time. But, no...as I walked into the first kennel, the cutest orange furball appeared. It was over. That was the cat: Captain Finchley. At one point I considered pretending like we weren't going to get this cat, but I gave up. It wasn't a matter of us picking him. He picked us. (inserted by Claire: Just like EMma and Chowder before him!! It wasn't manipulation!!!)
Sunday, September 02, 2007
The Story of Captain Finchley
Once upon a time, in a land far away from America, in a place called Avantflat, there lived a man and a woman. They were happy people, generally agreeing on most matters and enjoying life on a daily basis. But, despite their happiness in Avantflat, the man and woman knew that something was missing--their pets. In previous years, the man and woman had enjoyed the pitter patter of furry feet and mews and barks and occasional disruptive behaviors of their constant companions Emma, Chowder and Buster. Alas, the rules in Avantflat were strict regarding the furry friends, so despite their best efforts, the man and woman were forced to leave their friends behind (temporarily) on the farm.
Buster: I don't care. I like the farm. They let me eat whatever I want and I can chase squirrels and get to go on nighttime walks. I didn't want to go to Avantflat anyway...and if they think that I'm leaving the farm when they get back, they've got another think coming. I'm living the good life.
Chowder: Everyone love me! Love me love me love me love me!!!! Ahhh......Jim and Claire? Who are those people again?
Emma: Damn you Claire and Jim. I curse you ten times over!
The year went by and the most insistent and passionate pet lover in Avantflat started feeling like the void must be filled. The man, vehemently oppposed to a furry friend, stated many convincing arguments which kept the woman at bay for some time. But then the urge became too strong for the woman and she began to avidly researching the adoption of a retired racing greyhound. Spewing much negative attitude, the man bitterly agreed to walk the greyhounds but later confided to the woman that there was no way in hell he was going to agree to adopt one. (Though he would occasionally go to walk them). Not one to back down, the woman promptly began researching labs, at which point the man got desperate and decided to be a little more leniant on the previously banned subject of getting a cat.
Today Jim and I went to a cat shelter and met Captain Finchley (previously known as Pharoah). Captain Finchley is a long haired yellow cat about 10 months old. Although Jim was dragging his feet, as soon as he met Finchley he fell in love with him (Finchley pulled an Emma and jumped up on Jim's leg, purring manically, which was really all it took for both of us). Finchley came to the shelter because the people who had him before had small children who tortured him. He is a big, long haired, friendly and affectionate cat and we are excited! We went to get his litter box and carrier today and barring any unforseen issues, Finchley will come home on Thursday evening. We'll give him a couple of days before we introduce him to neighbor cat Spike. Here is a picture of Jim with Emma and Chowder's new English brother:
Buster: I don't care. I like the farm. They let me eat whatever I want and I can chase squirrels and get to go on nighttime walks. I didn't want to go to Avantflat anyway...and if they think that I'm leaving the farm when they get back, they've got another think coming. I'm living the good life.
Chowder: Everyone love me! Love me love me love me love me!!!! Ahhh......Jim and Claire? Who are those people again?
Emma: Damn you Claire and Jim. I curse you ten times over!
The year went by and the most insistent and passionate pet lover in Avantflat started feeling like the void must be filled. The man, vehemently oppposed to a furry friend, stated many convincing arguments which kept the woman at bay for some time. But then the urge became too strong for the woman and she began to avidly researching the adoption of a retired racing greyhound. Spewing much negative attitude, the man bitterly agreed to walk the greyhounds but later confided to the woman that there was no way in hell he was going to agree to adopt one. (Though he would occasionally go to walk them). Not one to back down, the woman promptly began researching labs, at which point the man got desperate and decided to be a little more leniant on the previously banned subject of getting a cat.
Today Jim and I went to a cat shelter and met Captain Finchley (previously known as Pharoah). Captain Finchley is a long haired yellow cat about 10 months old. Although Jim was dragging his feet, as soon as he met Finchley he fell in love with him (Finchley pulled an Emma and jumped up on Jim's leg, purring manically, which was really all it took for both of us). Finchley came to the shelter because the people who had him before had small children who tortured him. He is a big, long haired, friendly and affectionate cat and we are excited! We went to get his litter box and carrier today and barring any unforseen issues, Finchley will come home on Thursday evening. We'll give him a couple of days before we introduce him to neighbor cat Spike. Here is a picture of Jim with Emma and Chowder's new English brother:
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