I’ll tell you where. It’s firmly engaged with the following:
1. I really, really want a feline companion. That little Scottish Fold in the video below has managed to sink its claws directly into my heart. I’ve watched the vid a few times now, and every single time I have to fight off a “hed asplosion from teh cute,” if you will. I can’t stand it. I neeeeeed a fuzzball.
Easy, right? I get a fuzzball, right? Wrooooong. It’s A-Okay with the landlord, but I’m still trying to figure out if I can feasibly afford a pet. I’m of the mind that you don’t just take an animal in willy-nilly because it’s purrrrty. You ensure you can support it as you would a child. Can I afford possible veterinary emergencies, RFID chipping, Fancy Feast and a cat-sitter for when I take a vacay? I’m not sure yet. I need to run the numbers.
I’m also on the fence regarding a purebred cat v. a shelter adoption. Shelter adoptions these days are not cheap. Shelters want to place their wards with serious, responsible owners, and they need to cover their overhead. As such, the local shelters I’ve looked into have fees topping $100. That ain’t nothin’. It’s still cheaper than a purebred, and I’m sure I could fall in love with a stray.
But.
I am IN LOVE with Scottish Folds. IN LOVE. I have never reacted so strongly to kitty cute, ever. Specifically, I want a short-haired, red tabby folded-ear, probably a male. (Like the one in the video.) Yes, my desire is THAT SPECIFIC. But you know what I just asked for? Urm, a cat that would cost about $800, with transportation, because breeders are thin on the ground in the Midwest. I cannot spend $800 on a cat! Not right now, anyway. I could start a kitty fund, but it would probably take me the better part of a year to scrape it all together, and that would be highly irresponsible anyway, because did I mention I still have 5 years worth of student loans left to pay, in addition to my rent, credit card, partially furnished home, etc.? Right.
Butbutbut…I WANT it.
So in the very near future, I will check out some pound kitties, and hope one mewls its way into my heart the way these shagging Folds have.
In the meantime, I’ve been considering imaginary cat names. Here’s the shortlist:
Harlie de Fuzz (short for Harlequin Hairrison deFuzz, Ph.D.)
Chumley 2.0 (named for my first ever kitten, a darling fluff-ball who disappeared from my life far too soon)
Plonk (named for teh booze, obvi, and if I were totally honest I’d just name him Fisheye Screwtop Cab, or Friday-Sunday Night Chez Sid)
Speyside Ben (named for my favorite whisky, BenRiach, but sounds like a racehorse)
Too late to claim: Katamari!
I should get a shelter kitty. Rationally, I know I should. But, what if it grows up to look at me like this? I don’t want a feline with an agenda, hespecially if that agenda is CLEARLY to cut a bitch.
Ugh. Anyway. Decisions for another time.
2. Sunday, I spent the afternoon trawling the booths at the 2008 Fancy Food Show/All Things Organic Trade Fair. There wasn’t much I was super-jazzed about, but a few tipples snagged my attention, and I’ll make sure everyone knows about ‘em ASAP. I just want to see if I can convince someone to pay me to cover ‘em, first.
You know what is not on my mind-space shortlist?
My paternal grandfather bit it last week. He’s the first of my grandparents to go. I’ve never met the guy, and last I heard, he was somewhere in the Philippines with family 2.0, after years spent being an asshole to his first brood (I suppose that’s where my father learned his sterling approach to parenthood). You know what? I feel nothing. I feel sort of bad for feeling nothing, of course, and I will have to figure out how to muster some sadness when I call my aunt back later this week, because shit, her father has died. She must be in some pain, right?
But I can’t call her back, because right now, I can’t say I give monkey’s toss. I don’t hate the guy, or even slightly dislike him; I never knew him. And as such, I can’t care.
It’s tough being a cyborg.
I hear ya on the paternal grandfather death. And it’s understandable, given your relationship with your dad. I’d say don’t feel like you HAVE to mourn and if you end up mourning all the sudden, don’t be freaked out by it either. As long as you’re able to help others, I think it’s all good.
Just flow.
And as for the KITTEAH! They’re kinda like kids in behavior (getting into everything, demanding attention, scratching the hell out of you sometimes), but you can leave them for a couple of days alone with food and water without Social Services coming to visit.
My responses in order:
1. Kitteh–Just so you know…if you go to the Lurie Center (where I had Sophie snipped) the cost is much more minimal for the spay/neuter, chipping, and shots.
If you want to go to Iowa with me some weekend, the shelter there is quite a bit cheaper than the ones here in chicago. i paid $25 for freeway and $50 for pisceous (because she was already snipped and they paid for it).
My only caution against male kittehs is that they have far more instances of urinary tract issues (infections, blockages, etc.) and that can get very costly because if one occurs, you have to get them to an emergency center ASAP because it can be fatal.
We can barter kitteh sitting duties if you’d like!
PS–harlie de fuzz is my fave.
2. You must dish about the foodstuff on Friday…I wants to hear about the FOODS!
As for your grandfather…I don’t think you should feel wrong or bad for not feeling anything. How can you feel something for someone you’ve never known? It’s like expecting you to feel sadness for every stranger who ever passes away. Letting your aunt know you’re sorry for her loss is plenty–and honestly, chances are she’s probably feeling her emotions so much right now she won’t really question yours, you know?
Hey (being reading your blog for a while ..lurvvve your flickr food photo’s gonna try your potato and bean salad later)
anyway being having the same dilemma cat, dog, cat, dog.then fish, then cat, dog, cat again.
like you need a companion, but have the same problem, a cat or dog costs! like a child…(i’m i ready?) plus that feeling omg i’ve got a living thing to look after..(I can’t even look after bamboo)
Cats are lesser worry, can look after their-selves etc.. (so i’ve been told), but not into that thing where they bring stuff in from the outside like mice eekkkk or other little presents. and plus its hard to make a cat a ‘house cat’ e.g litter boxes etc.. yuk
dogs need more care and attention..
SO i’ve narrowed it down to a house rabbit… not as smelly as cats and dogs and because I have a nice outdoor patio can live outside in the summer and inside in the winter..plus bills will be v low (veggies for dinner etc..)
I will be happy to catsit or offer snuggling services!
I also totally understand about the paternal grandpa thing. Can’t fake feelings that aren’t there. I’ve been there.
this link might help you with minimizing the costs of pet ownership: http://www.queercents.com/category/reducing-pet-costs/
I will contribute $50 to your cat fund. Me lub da kitty kat. I have a similar issue. I’ve been trying to come to a decision by summer whether to get a kitty or a pupply, preferably a siamese or a pug. you’ve turned me on to the idea, by the way quite some time ago and i haven’t yet decided what to do.
Don’t worry about the grandpop thing. You can’t miss or mourn what you never had. I felt the same about my grandpop when he passed away and I saw him weekly. Call me and I will fill you in on some things.
I absolutely love your writing. You should be writing for a mag or newspaper. Hell, write a book. Pitch a show for TV. You’re the best! When I’m down, I check out your blog. It always cheers me.
BLAZE! was $60, I think. That included his first round of shots and neuter. My kitty seems to cost more than my puppy now because there is litter to buy, litter poop collection bin things and of course food.
And crack.
BLAZE! has a nasty habit.
But omg, girl, those kitties are so cute. You know I loves the kitties.