Gotcha day

Believe it or not, I didn't understand what the term 'gotcha day' meant for some time, until my own pets came along and I relied on the memories section on social media to tell me that I have had one of my 'adopted kids with the fur' for a year!

Today is my ginger boy's special day, as you can see from above, he was just a little ginger scrap of a lad when I brought him home, cuddled in the car during the journey because he didn't like the carry case and then nodded off in my arms like a tiny, fluffy and so precious newborn and stealing my heart.

However, that day wasn't meant to be about me. My mum had wanted him, even named him, he has a full name based on the band The Stranglers. We already had two girls, that had just been spade ready for his arrival and one of the girls was supposed to be hers, but because I had been home more due to my part time job, she had bonded with me.

It was Mother's day this time last year. In a way he was part of her gift and it seemed to be going well, as she had to keep him apart from the girls at night incase of any unpleasantness.

Unfortunately, our little ginger prince had a way of letting us know when it was toilet time, it wasn't that he had any accidents, but he had a very unique smell, putting it politely, which was bad enough during the day in the shared litter tray, but by night in a bedroom, I was told that it was much worse.

I was too anxious to have him in my own room at night, I know for a fact I am hardly still and was scared that I'd squish the poor little man in the night. So, he had to make his way in the main room and learn how to behave with his big sisters, until the time came that they were only his big sisters in age and not size, as we could tell just by looking at him, that by the time he had finished growing, he might resemble a small tiger.

Soon, the time came for his big boy operation, it seemed only fair that if the girls went through theirs for him, he had to show some respect and we didn't want to leave it until he was already marking or trying to cause trouble! Even now he has only been out a handful of times, but as a responsible owner, I don't want him getting anyone into bother, so to speak, for me it really is sometimes like having small furry kids.

The young kitten took that in his stride and was playing a few hours later, but with less enthusiasm than normal. He didn't need a collar and he never went near his wound or seemed to notice that there were a couple of things missing.

Eight months or so ago, he became a big brother when a special case arrived with us. A six week old, who had already seen two homes came into our care and had a week or so time out in his own room, while he was assessed as to if he was ready to deal with a new family, as expected my girls were going to take a bit of time, but not my eldest boy, he was caring and patient from the first meeting.

He let 'the baby' at the time have a little hiss and hit out slightly but he just calmly dodged it and watched him for a while, then when he was also brought into the main room, he started showing him around like it was some kind of special tour, the litter trays, the food area and then he seemed to take over bathing duties and keeping him clean, some days it was like he was copying him and in time the girls also helped to keep him clean and accepted him as part of the family.

I was pretty surprised, when this morning I found out that I had had the middle child for a year, I went through the pictures and how much he had changed and grown, even his eyes had changed but he still kept some of his kitten habits, like climbing up and kneading me in the morning, even though he is much bigger and a little heavier, though not quite a live-action version of Garfield, he can be just as greedy, especially when it comes to meat and fish.

His birthday was in January and most kittens aren't homed until they are at least eight weeks old. I was lucky enough to meet mum and promise that her baby would not for nothing, even if by accident he also ended up being my cat. I have even seen pictures of the dad that he is the double of, but it is possible that he is slightly bigger than his old man these days, I still keep in touch with the owner of mum with pictures and updates, especially on days like today that are quite special for us both, as I am pretty sure I am the only one who still keeps in touch and I am happy to do so.

As for Gotcha Day gifts, I think we were a bit early as we did recently get a new cat house from BnM and a new fish toy for him to chase around, I have been told many times that my cats are probably better off than some kids as they are always fed and have plenty to keep them entertained as well as each other.

Happy Gotcha day my now not so little man and gentle giant of the house!