My kitten

The moment I knew he was right for me was just because fate dropped him straight into my hands, the day I met my furry little baby Tailz, a very tiny black cat, was my very first day at co - op at the SPCA. Tailz came in with an infected tail, half of which had been torn off from circumstances of which are unknown. Since his tail was so severely infected he had to go to the vet but something drew me to this cat and I was lucky enough to help out with his recovery. Of course there are protocols when a cat is sick or injured and because tailz was, he had to be in isolation. When I spent my time in there cleaning dishes I would hear his tiny little meow and he’d stick his paw out and stop me from moving past his cage. So I’d let him sit on my shoulder as I did the dishes so he’d get some enrichment as he was all alone and it wasn’t good for kittens to be alone in their young age, they need socialization. It became a ritual for me to see Tailz. My heart strings grew thicker and thicker the more I saw his tiny little self as he’d try and bat at my arms to get to me. Eventually I convinced my parents to let me foster him and took him home to treat his tail which had to be soaked in Epsom salts and warm water everyday. Kitten, as he became known, stayed in my room during the day when I was at school and whenever my dogs would greet me at the door he’d know I was home and I’d hear him crying down the hall and as I got to the door he’d stick his paw out. Of course he’d get to come out and play after school when I was home during that time. Later when he’d grow older and wasn’t a foster anymore he’d come greet me with the dogs as well. I never remembered a time we were apart, he clung to me so much. Now as Tailz grew older and got better, his adoption was pending and I was nervous I wasn’t going to be allowed to adopt him as we already had two cats and three dogs. But one day my dad said to me he was thinking that Tailz fit in with our family so well that we should consider adopting him. I honestly felt so confident that Tailz was meant to be mine my worry wasn’t necessary. When the adoption was finalized and he was all mine he stopped spending time “ locked “ in my bedroom with the door shut but he always chose to nap on my bed. I remember the night before I left to go to Columbia I woke up in the night and he had nuzzled himself in between my arms and rested his head on my shoulder. I was very careful not to disturb him.

Kitten has always been with me since I adopted him. He came with me to college and helped me and my roommates study to become vet - techs. By help I mean he’d be getting treats left, right and centre, to be practiced on for physical exams and seeing where muscles are. He was so compliant especially when treats are involved. He’d catch the mice in the house even when I’d tell him not to. I remember trying to take one from him and he growled at me, “ This is my mouse mum!” he told me. He came to my high school co -op presentation as the star attraction and I couldn’t think of doing any of these thing without him.

Honestly my first year of college was hard being away from home and learning how to be independent. I remember I was on the phone with my mum crying about how much I missed her and Kitten came up onto my bed and licked away my tears. I know the salt was probably the main attraction but my belief was that not only was this a rare behaviour for a cat but he was being a good cat for me when I needed him because when he needed me I was there too. He always likes to shower with me, although I think he’s more in there as a life guard because every time I stick a body part out of the tub trying to shave or something he paws at me trying to get me out and I think it’s because he’s nervous for me. He’s the funniest, most vibrant cat I've met and I adore him. The best story I have is a growling story. We were eating dinner and Tailz, who was still pretty tiny hopped up on the counter, stole a steak the size of himself and ran to his cardboard cat kingdom where he growled in the corner as I tried to take it back. A second best story is when he stole his MEDICINE off the counter and the only person awake was my sister’s boyfriend. So he tried to get it back but he chased him under the bed and Kitten was growling at him. He woke up my sister and said, "Kitten’s took his medicine.” “So take it back,” she said. " I can’t, he’s growling at me!”.

I don’t know what I would have done with out my little man and honestly, I don’t think about it often because I truly believe that destiny gave me my soulmate. He chose me undoubtedly and he’s chosen me everyday since. For that I’ll love him for the rest of his life. The best pets are the ones that chose you and you can find them at your shelters because no matter what situation they come from and no matter big, small, cat or dog they give you the best love. And I know Tailz always will for me.