We are catted

The joke line about pussy hunting had worn thin, so I did not use it today. 

Ok Phyllis, I replied, we will leave at 11.00 to go to the Lost Dogs' Home to choose a cat. We left home at 11.30. We were going to catch a train to Macaulay Station and walk from there, but Phyllis asked if we could drive. He did, through the city with me guiding him.

Just to remind you, once my inheritance came from my mother two years ago, my youngest brother wanted to repay money he owed me. I had kept a record for a while and then deleted the file. Mother was an animal lover, so I told him to donate the $800 to the Lost Dogs Home, and he did, in my name, in person, in cash. Maybe three times I have caught the train Macaulay Station to donate old but still reasonably ok towels. 

I saw what the towels were used for today, and they are put to many uses. 

Phyllis confidently drove us to look at cats. I was prepared to choose one and then return later to collect it, after buying what we needed for a cat. It took forever to find a parking space. We should have caught the train. 

We arrived at 12.10 and a guard greeted us with, sorry, staff shortages. It is closed for lunch between 12 and 1. I Googled and found The Goat Cafe, or something like that. A bite to eat and coffee for me killed some time, then we saw there was a Woolworths across the road, and I could get one item that I needed at home. Phyllis and Kosov bought a bahn mi to share. We had walked through an off leash dog park to get there. I only saw one small pile. People are very good about picking up dog droppings. 

Back at the shelter, I had to fill in an online form. I was stressed and my hands were shaking badly. I handed my phone to Phyllis to fill in the online form. As soon as it uploaded, we were taken to see the cats on offer. All the cats on offer have been humanised, if that is a word. They are fine to take home as a home pet. They are turned over quite quickly, and so once we chose, the cat could not be held for us. We had to take it then and there, but we had no cat care equipment. Can we do this guys, I asked of Phyllis and Kosov. Yes, we can. Back in reception there was more form filling in, and auto registering with the local council, free for old people like me. Scan of driving license, scan of pension card for council registration, free for old age pensioners like me. 

At reception there was a package of a litter tray, litter, a dual food and water bowl, and a catnip filled fish soft toy. We bought the pack, along with the some discounted high quality food that the cat was used to. That required a lot of work on my phone. I handed it over to Kosov to finish this time. My hand tremors had become worse. 

Choosing the cat was heartbreaking. They were all great. We narrowed it down to two, a four year old male and a one year old female. 

Back and forth we went, what do you think, no, what do you think, no what do you think. Kosov and I were more inclined to the four year old grey male, but Phyllis was enchanted by the one year old female, though he liked the male cat too. This went on for half an hour. Eventually I said to Kosov, look Phyllis really wants the female. If Phyllis is not happy, we won't be happy. 

Her introduction to The Highrise went well enough. We decided Phyllis' and Kosov's bedroom would be her safe space and she slept with them overnight. Kosov slept well but Phyllis did not. She had her toilet tray there, and food and water bowls. The toilet tray is now in the bathroom. 

The next day we went out for shopping for cat stuffs. We bought a collar, a cat play house come tower, different cat litter that didn't look like chook food pellets, and something else I can't remember.

We came home to find a lump under my bed doona, and there she was. 

She once scratched at my sliding wardrobe door. Then I actually saw her push the door open and go inside my wardrobe where she curled up. If I go out onto the balcony, she really wants to come with me, to the outside world. I think she has crammed a lot into her one year of life.

Phyllis and Kosov have made a great effort with her. She was fed more mid afternoon, forcing me to spell out the food rules. Dry food at 7am and wet food at 7pm. If she doesn't finish her food, it goes in the bin, and give her less the next time. She can have tiny snacks during the day. 

This Saturday mid cat 'thing' shopping, Bone Doctor sent me a message that she would be passing by this evening and could we have a Thai dinner across the road Of course. That was nice, but my head is done in, and I am looking forward to Sunday with nothing to do, aside from self indulgence, and monitoring the cat.

The cone is to stop her licking her spey wound. 

I never knew there was a gap under the oven, but she found it. I blocked it off with the old keyboard and something I grabbed. Once the cone is off, I will unblock the gap. I doubt she will be interested. 

So, here she is, on my vanity.

In their bedroom, uninterested in the catnip fish toy. 

Assembling the cat entertainment house, which has not interested her at all, yet. 

What can you say beyond, aww bless. 

We did not like her name, and after about 30 hours (No Phyllis, she is not going to be called Blaze), I think we have decided on Jass. Does Jass look a bit like Cloudia's Pixie?

Thelma's cat is 22 years old. That takes me to being ninety years old. If the lads can't keep her should I die, my sister or niece will take her in.