We were thinking a young male would be best. I don't know if there is any scientific evidence to support it, but my experience is that tomcats tend to get along better with others while females are more "particular" about who they like. (Believe me. I had two female cats who only learned to tolerate each other in the last years of their lives and they lived to be 23 and 18. I don't want to go through that kind of drama again.)
Anyway, on our first trip to adopt a kitten we went to the SPCA. I should have called first. But I didn't and when we got there we were told that all the cats were at Petsmart in Frisco. I called there and was told that all the cats had been adopted. That's really good news for all the cats, but not good news for me. So, I started looking online.
I tried phoning the rescue organization that we went through when we adopted Harry. It was only three years ago and it's worked out beautifully. But apparently, you still have to fill out a new application and specify the cat(s) you are interested in because no one actually answers the phone.
I answered all the questions honestly, just as I did the time previously. I didn't expect to be turned down, but apparently each individual "foster mom" gets to decide who does and doesn't get to adopt a cat that is in her care. We were turned down because we said we would allow the cat to go outdoors, and this foster mom just wasn't having that. (The previous one told me she'd prefer we didn't let him go outside, but that since we'd never lost a cat to outdoor hazards, she was going to let me have Harry.)
Here's how it worked for us. When we first got Harry, he went out on a harness and leash so we could see how he was going to behave. We live on a corner. Would he bolt when a car drove past? What would he do when the neighbor's dog started barking? Would he come to me if I called him? He did not go outside unsupervised. He was with us for two years before he realized he could climb the fence. But he doesn't climb the fence (well at least not very often). I don't know if it's because he realizes that there's a dog on the other side or because there's enough for him to do in his own back yard.
Here is Harry's typical day: When he gets up in the morning, he likes to go outside and walk the perimeter of the fence. He takes his job of protecting us from intruders very seriously. After he's patrolled the perimeter, he comes in for his breakfast. After breakfast he likes to make sure nothing has invaded the garage. Then he has a snack. Then he has some trouble deciding where he'd like to be and what he wants to do. Inside? Outside? Eat? Nap? Sit on someone's lap? Chase birds? So many decisions! But when the sun starts to go down, Harry knows where he wants to be. On the back porch chasing bugs - unless it's cold, rainy or too windy. (Harry doesn't care much for cold rain, or wind.) We sit on the porch with him to encourage him and shower praise on him when he captures a moth. (Moths are a bit more challenging to catch than mayflies.) He recently caught a baby snake. He had great fun with that! (I'm not sure how that snake survived being tossed around like that, but Mark moved it to the other side of the fence while Harry wasn't looking, and if it has any sense, it won't come back inside our yard.) When it's time to go in, Harry comes in with us. When we go to bed, he goes upstairs and situates himself at the foot of the bed, although since Heidi's been gone, he prefers to be in between us. And then the next day, he's happy to do it all again.
Hunting. It's what cats do. It's what they're designed to do and they enjoy doing it. Harry is not dependent on the catch of the day for survival as a feral cat often is. But he still enjoys the hunt. He also enjoys playing with his stick toy. (A squeaky, feathered bird attached to a stick with a piece of string.) He especially appreciates that toy when it's raining outside and he's forced to stay indoors. But given a preference, he'd rather chase bugs, snakes, and field mice - outside. (Unless it's nap time.)
I'm reminded of "The Cat's Diary" - Day 183 of my captivity....
Harry lives with us. He is NOT our prisoner. There are a few things I'd like to say to the crazy cat ladies who will only agree to allow cats to be adopted by families who intend to imprison them but I don't think I'll say them here although I do wonder if they seriously want to help the cats find loving homes or if they have some other, stranger motivation that I can't even imagine. Maybe it's a power trip - who knows?
We were very fortunate that someone reminded us about Operation Kindness. That's where we found our Duchess Megan. They are okay with you letting the animal go outside as long as it's supervised. (A common sense policy.) Megan has not yet been allowed out and so far she has shown no interest in going out. She's only been with us for a week now and is still adjusting to her new surroundings and family. It's too soon to introduce the great outdoors, although as she and Harry bond their relationship, I'm sure she'll want to go where he goes. But for now we are content for her to remain inside.
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