Marley & Benji Chronicles

I LOVE KITTENS!! At one point, I was the young cat lady. Single mother with a million (seven) cats. I tried to own a dog once, but not only were the cats not having it; I just could not weather the walking in the weather--pun intended.

However, in my last relationship, we agreed on the added responsibility of canine ownership; mainly because we had seven teenage children whom we incorrectly assumed would actually share the load of caring for them. Fifteen years and a divorce later, I went to visit one of my stepsons. His cat had kittens, and he saved one of the litter for me since "mom never let you have one". Happy wife, happy life. HA! I should have just gotten another cat.

Mr. Oliver Whiskers, as he was named, brought back so many lost memories of owning a kitten. He was full of personality! However, three years after having him, I lost my home and could not find affordable housing which allowed cats. I just don't understand the purpose of advertising an entity as pet-friendly, yet then excluding cats. So, I could have a pit-bull, iguana, goldfish, lemur, or baby tiger cub, but my chubby tabby cat is not on the list...Hmmm.. In my dismay, I had to adopt him to a neighbor. He is currently a YouTube star and still living his best first life!

Late 2019, I began a new relationship, with a feline lover!! August of last year we moved to a pet-friendly condo. Every day, I scoured Craigslist in the pets and free sections, looking for a new kitten. Finally, at the end of January of this year, I found an ad with four beautiful baby kittens born that month! My initial contact with the owner was doubtful. He took a few days to respond, and mentioned that he had decided to take the kittens to a local shelter where they could be cared for and adopted. I was HORRIFIED!! I had finally found a baby kitten, to train and love from "youth", and here this guy was changing his mind! Well, why sir, place an ad?!

I was desperate. I sent a mile long text about the Mr. Whiskers debacle, and literally begged him for a kitten. Persistence is the key, I say! Because of my long-winded plea, he developed a change of heart. Surely, as quickly as I responded, someone else would do the same; far quicker than the wait amongst so many already-sheltered animals. We made the agreement for me to pick up the kitten later that afternoon. Of course, on arrival, with there being four, it was so hard to decide amidst all the cuteness. The kittens seemed to be paired off. Two gray, sort of identical ones were huddled over a makeshift plate of food. While a different-toned gray one was playing in a box with a black one. Jason, the owner, explained that they sort of clung to one another in that way. In that moment, my fiance and I knew we couldn't leave without the other.

In an instant, not only did I have one, but TWO kittens! Immediate shopping was done for the "coming home" of our new "babies". We were at Petco, Dollar General, Walmart, Family Dollar. Literally any store with a pet aisle in a ten- mile radius has been visited in the past month in hopes of finding new treasures for our new additions. We are such proud parents! This is my partner's first experience "raising" kittens. Together, we have five children, ages 11-20. As they are becoming their own people, with their own agendas, we now have our fur babies to cuddle and spoil. We can also say that WE are their "parents", not step-parents. This is an ongoing adventure we will enjoy together!

I am beginning a Facebook page, Marley & Benji Chronicles, in the near future to capture the highlights as they grow and start to display their individual natures. The photo I shared was captured during one of their many naps, as they have such a hectic daily schedule of eat, play, sleep repeat. One is never far from the other, and every nap is within touching distance. Separation anxiety at its' finest, I'd say. I can't wait to see how they interact in the future! Stay tuned....