My Cat is an Asshole and It's My Fault

For the most part, Jinx is a very good cat. She is snuggly and comfortable around the kids. She likes to play and loves Dylan but she has developed a rather annoying habit and I'm pretty sure it's because of me.

Back at the end of November whilst under a ridiculous amount of stress, I decided that I needed to manage it by getting more exercise. However, the exercise classes offered at work either cost too much (read: anything) or were at inopportune times. It was too cold to walk outside so I embarked on the course of action any sane person would: I started getting up at 4:30 am to work out on the elliptical machine that had been gathering dust in the basement. Jinx stayed with me: didn't matter that I wasn't interacting with her, I had my ear buds in to keep my motivated as I tried not to die and she just wandered around the basement until I was done. She was like my little fuzzy conscience. I started at 5 days a week but soon realized that 3-4 were more realistic as the promised endorphin rush never materialized and I was TIRED. I still kept the first alarm set for 4:30 thinking that I could maybe talk myself into getting up (HAAAAA) and if not, could turn if off and return to sleep for another hour. The only drawback to this plan? Jinx has the ears of a bat, er cat.

As soon as the melody for the early alarm started sounding, she was up the stairs ready to get moving. OMG OMG, it's time to go-go-GO! and while I would be able to settle myself back down for blissful delicious sleep, she decidedly could not which meant that the next hour was spent with her walking up and down the bed, curling up on Dyl, trying to curl up on me, getting on my nightstand, investigating the closet, etc. So then I started not setting the alarm when I knew there was no way in blazes I was getting up early the next morning. Too late, the damage was already done.

She now comes in between 4:45 and 5 am every morning to let me know that Mom, you skipped your workout AGAIN and oh by the way, Im'ma just bother Daddy too to really rub the guilt in. FINE cat, you WIN. I'll start getting up early. Asshole.

I better not go up for my shower and find her curled up on my side of the bed or so help me God, I'll turn her into a hat.

Introducing Jinx

So, we've, uh, adopted a cat.

Say 'Hi' to the nice kitty

Sorry. Here she is.

But can't you see the resemblance?

(I clearly find myself quite amusing.)

We were planning to adopt again but not until the fall, maybe closer to the holidays to give some distance, to clean and purge and disinfect. Not as a 'gift' because giving animals as a gift is wrong to me, but to celebrate as a family getting through a tough year by expanding our ranks and opening our home and hearts to an animal in need.  Then Amy DMs me on Twitter that her sister has a cat in need of a home, sends a picture, uses the words 'sweet', 'bullied' and 'shelter' and we. were. toast.

Dyl and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and like *that*, the decision was made.  Is it soon after Bonnie passed? Yeah, a lot sooner than we would have liked. The deciding factors? That she needed a home as she was being bullied where she was and that she would be a 'rescue'. There are so many animals out there now who are losing their homes due to circumstances beyond their control, filling up shelters and likely being euthanized.  We have the space, the means and the love to give so why wouldn't we open our home and hearts to this little lady? Also? Dyl and I both LOATHE bullies of all sorts (I'm looking at YOU, dolphins and Adelie penguins) so that was the deciding factor right there.  Note: we are also giant SUCKERS for a good sob story so get your while the getting is good and/or until we come to our senses.

We asked the kids and they were all for the idea, clamoring to look at her picture again and again with Noah chirping over and over 'Sooo ka-YEWT!'

I am the Lady of the Window and all shall bow before me.

Jinxie's settled in quite nicely; she even slept on our bed with us her first night home and that past few days she's been wanting to be where the action is ie. where the screaming banshees known as the kids are. She's clearly angling to sleep in Noelle's room but that will happen when hell freezes over and/or Noelle turns 11 because according to her, a lot happens when you are 11.

She's a sweetie and is already making herself home be being where she shouldn't be: tables, counters, kitchen sink.... She is so soft and is a dead ringer for Mr. Clyde; she does the psycho cat thing where her eyes go wide, her ears go back and she races around the house like a race car driver strung out on PCP. She has even snuffled me a couple of times (snuffling entails her curling around my shoulders and burying her head under my hair in my neck.) That was solely a Mr. Clyde thing and a bit 'Whoa' the first time. She has the daintiest poops and doesn't eat wet food (huzzah!) but twice now stickers have attached themselves to her butt fur so that was a fun extraction adventure.

She's a fantastic addition to the family. Now to remove her from the dining room table for the eleventy millionth time.

What? I make this look good.