Maybe this has happened to you. You innocently go into a store but you are accosted by something tiny, furry and purry.
And you walk out with a brand new kitten. Yes, this happened to me today. I had no intention of getting a kitten, but here's what came home with me:
The kitten picked me. He walked right up in the pet store (where we were just getting some food and litter for the two cats already at home) and announced he was picking me to be his human. It's a dastardly trick, but one that works every time.
The other two cats of the house were bewildered and spent the day trying to assert their dominance and create a pecking order where the new kitten would most certainly be at the bottom. However, the 8 week old kitten would have none of it and ignored the hissing and growling and occasional half-hearted swat from one of the bigger cats. He took over their toys, took over the older cat's favorite chair, and helped himself to their dinner. In short, he moved in and took over, knowing he's possibly the cutest thing around.
The second oldest cat just got neutered very recently and once the new one is old enough, he's going in as well. There's not much of a point to this diary beyond reminding people that spaying and neutering your pets is vital and will keep their populations down. Moreover, there may very well be a cat, dog, puppy or kitten (or maybe some other animal) at a shelter near you waiting for a good home. C'mon...look at the photo above. How can you resist?
ASPCA
Denver Dumb Friends League (great shelter in my old town)
Petfinder
No doubt a look in your yellow pages or a quick google search will turn up good shelters in your neighborhood that need donations, volunteers and people to adopt pets if they have room in their homes.
Butters (the new kitten here) thanks you.
And remember, they say having a pet adds (quality) years to your life. You do want to live longer, right? And be happier, right? There could be a Butters out there for you.