New Addition To The Family

I’ve wanted to get Reba, my third child, a playmate for some time now. She’s very playful and can just play for hours if you have the energy to keep up with her. Problem is, I just don’t have the energy to keep up with her play needs. I contemplated about getting another dog, but two dogs in an apartment would be a little cramped.

So the next best thing would be a cat, I thought. Cats are low maintenance and can be very playful. Sounded good on paper, but every time Reba sees a cat she wants to eat… err play hide and go seek in her mouth with them, so that could pose a problem.

Wait! I got it! Kitten. She wouldn’t eat a kitten (so I thought), and then they could grow up together and get used to one another. Man I’m a super genius!

So me and the girls set off to find a kitten for Reba to ea… play with. This was back in Jan/Feb time frame, and unbeknownst to me it wasn’t kitten season yet. We would stop by the SPCA now and then to check and see if any came in, but each time we either was too early or missed the last batch of kittens, so eventually we just gave up. Plus it was getting risky making that many frequent trips to the SPCA. With all those puppies also needing a home, who knew how many I would bring home.

Then, back in early July, my daughter Aletha and her friends found a kitten near the freeway hiding under a car. Knowing that I was in the market she called me, and Amanda and I went to have a gander. By this time the thought of getting a kitten had lost my interest, and I was secretly hoping it would be a flee infested feral mongrel so I wouldn’t have to bring it home. Foiled again!

Daisy ~8 Weeks old.

She was just adorable, and very loving. I was very surprised considering where she was found. Although she was pretty frail, with very little meat on her tiny frame, her fur was soft as an angora sweater. We named her Daisy.

Reba and Daisy's first meeting. Feel the love!

So we took her home for the Reba test. And much as I expected, Reba tried to eat her. Reba would just stare intently at Daisy, drooling and licking her lips. I had never seen Reba act like that before, and it was rather scary. Funny thing was, Daisy wasn’t the least bit scared of Reba. She might as well have been a giant throw pillow as far as she was concerned.

Amanda displays Daisy's single white toe.

Well after about a week or so, Reba finally got used to Daisy and now they are the best of buds. They chase each other around the house, and Daisy loves playing with Reba’s tail. She also loves to torment Reba when she’s in her cage. Sometimes they sleep together and Daisy will curl up between Reba’s legs. Ok, everybody at once… “Awwwww!”

Reba and Daisy napping during a recent road trip.

I’m glad things worked out. In the early stages it was a bit touch and go. Especially the first day when Reba tried to swallow Daisy’s head… while it was still attached. Daisy is growing fast, and she is just a little terror around the house. And much like Reba, is full of nonstop energy. They were made for each other. Can I get another… “Awwwww!”

Daisy now, aprox 16 weeks old.

You can see the rest of the pictures here.

~Michael