Otherwise known as Cricket, at least right now. Yep, we got a new kitten. Sort of on impulse, though it’s actually something we’ve discussed off and on for years.
Meredith loves little animals, and last summer we had thought of getting a kitten. We got a new dog instead, and then I got pregnant, and the kitten idea sort of fell away. Then this year it came up again. We discussed various options: Did we want an adult or a kitten? Where should we get it from? How could we best make sure it would fit into a household with two kids and a dog and cat already?
I looked on a few rescue sites and contacted a few rescues. We went to a local pet store that adopts out animals for the SPCA and there was a sweet, adult black cat there. Kris and I both have a soft spot for black cats, since Sebastian is such a sweetheart but was in foster care for 8 months even though he was a kitten. It’s hard to find homes for black cats. But this particular black cat was super sweet, and then scratched Meredith with very little provocation. I think it made us a bit cautious. It’s so hard to know what a cat is actually like in an environment like that, but we really don’t want a cat that will quickly move to scratching or biting.
For years now, I’ve wanted a Ragdoll cat. But it seemed a bit silly to get a purebred cat when there are so many cats and kittens out there waiting to be adopted. But it suddenly didn’t seem so silly anymore. Ragdolls are known for their wonderful, social personalities. With a busy household and a friendly, social cat already, we really wanted a cat who would be adaptable to noise and not be constantly wanting to hide. We did look in the classified ads at some kittens, but in the end I decided my standards for a cat were the same as they were when we were looking at dogs: either a rescue from foster care (or potentially the SPCA, but you get a much better picture of what an animal is really like from a foster home), or a purebred from a good breeder.
I had actually contacted a Ragdoll breeder who had an adult female Ragdoll available who she had decided not to breed after all. I’d kind of wanted a male (they are supposed to be friendlier, more adaptable, and more social), but we figured we’d at least meet the female. I also contacted another Ragdoll breeder who I’ve talked to before. She has a male on her site who I am absolutely in love with.
When I contacted her, I asked if she had any adult cats available, and as a bit of an aside I also asked if she had any kittens that might grow to look like him. We were still sort of thinking a kitten might be better because we could adjust him or her to our family right from day one.
She emailed me back and told me that she actually had a male kitten who she had been planning to keep as a breeding cat who is half-brother to the cat above and who she thought would look very similar. He ended up developing a black marking on his leg that would disqualify him from showing. She had just decided that very same day that she would have to sell him as a pet kitten instead. So long story short(er), he is now ours.
Meredith wanted to call him Happy Birthday Cake at first, but we all seem to have settled on Cricket. His dad’s name starts with C and his mom’s name is Lady Bug, so it fits. He is a sweetheart. The first evening we brought him home he started coming to us when we went into the room we are keeping him in. He sleeps at night with us and loves to cuddle and purrs all night long. He’s a little cautious around Meredith still, but he will generally run over to her and rub against her legs, purring the whole time, as long as she doesn’t move too quickly.
He loves Fiona. I think he thinks she’s another baby kitten or something. If I put her down in his little room he will go over to her and curl up with her or rub himself against her. At night he likes to curl up right next to her. She is still a bit flaily and will grab at him or kick him and he doesn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, I think he thinks she’s trying to play with him.
We’ve only had him three days, but he seems to be adjusting very quickly. We’ve let him loose a bit the last few evenings and he really wants to explore more. He’s fearless about Sorcha and loves to bat her ears and tail. She is tolerant, and I think really wants to play. She can be quite rough when she’s playing though and I don’t think I will trust them unsupervised together until the kitten is much sturdier and faster. She’s showing zero signs of aggression though and is listening quite well when I ask her to down or leave him.
Sebastian is a very laid-back and friendly kitty, but he seems a bit put off having a kitten in the house. When the kitten has been downstairs he usually goes to another room. He’s hissed a few times, but we’ve been giving him lots of attention and treats and I think he’ll be fine in a few days. We’re taking their introduction really slowly though, as we want it to be as positive as possible for both of them.
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Poor Sebastian. First a dog then another baby and now a new kitten. He’s probably getting really tired of all the changes. I hope they get along though.
I love that Fiona and Cricket will grow up together. I bet they will be best buds forever
I know, poor kitty. We had him before Meredith even! He’s a pretty adaptable kitty though. We’re hoping that he and the kitty will be friends and company for each other; that was one of the big reasons for getting a second cat. Even if all they ever do is tolerate each other that’s okay too. Sebastian got along with Tipsy though, so I think he can get along with anyone.
As for Fiona and Cricket, I was thinking the same thing! They are only 9 days apart in age, so that’s pretty cool.