Don't get me started... Too late.
I have problems. A 13 year old daughter with an unrestrained passion for animals. We have two dogs, four chinchillas and five cats. Of these, one cat (Woodrow), and one dog (Otto), are truly members of the family. The rest are essentially useless. Three of the cats are never allowed in the house, but I dutifully pay for their food and vet bills when thay fall ill.
Just before Christmas, my mother-in-law (
) called saying her old cat died. I offered her one of ours but she she declined naturally preferring a kitten. At the
's request, my wife found a cute little orange kitten at the local shelter. It was an 11th hour reprieve as the kitty was scheduled to be "Tookified" in a few days. The
is thrilled. She'll come by to pick up "Daisy" in two days. Two days pass. No call. No visit. Finally my wife calls. Her mother has "changed her mind". Doesn't want the kitty after all.
There is no way I can return the cat to the pound without breaking my 13 year old daughters heart. Impossible. Now the cat sleeps in my daughters bed under her watchful eye. I'm screwed. Sort of.
The
has a birthday in a few months. I've already started getting her present together. I have a cat collar (heart shaped) engraved with "I belong to Joan. If I'm lost return me to..." with the
's address. I plan on finding the nastiest flea-bitten hissing, spitting, piss-spraying cat I can find. A gift from the heart. First time in 24 years I'm looking forward to that womans birthday.