There I was, napping up a storm, when I heard Daddy come up the stairs, outside, and so prepared to welcome him home from work as usual.
Except this time was different.
He was walking around out there, and knocking on doors, and speaking to somebody.
Daddy said he heard my puzzled "What the ****?" through the door. ;-D
When the door finally opened he had something in his arms, and it was wiggling! (That was what he'd been talking to!)
He made a beeline for the bathroom, and closed both doors.
When he came back out, and picked me up for a hug, I immediately cussed at him like I had not done since we rescued dear Maximus, many years ago.
Sorry, Daddy! ;-D
Daddy describes what happened....
Oh, brother!
Nikita is curious as all hell. ;-D
I got home from work at midnight, and walked up the steps and right into the presense of a purring Kitten, with a collar, that reminds me of KC, a little, in appearance.
This Kitten is very friendly, let me pick it up, and won't stop purring.
I tried knocking on neighbors doors, but no-one answered the door.
I could have just left it outside, but decided not to.
Damn tootin', I'm curious!
Daddy started scurring about, after setting me down, and I watched, and waited.
He took my water bowl, dried it out, and tossed some litter in it!
Then used another bowl to give me fresh water.
He got a small bowl and put water in it, and took both into the part of the bathroom where his Litter Bowl, and Shower, are.
By now I had used my superior intellect to put two, and two, together, and the photos only served to confirm my suspicion.
As Daddy continues....
"I have a pic of Nikita looking at the closed main bathroom door, before I opened it so he can get to his litter box."
Mighty nice of you Daddy, Dearest....
You know, I never realized, until now, just how absolutely fascinating a closed bathroom door can really be! ;-D
Daddy says he wants to find out if it belongs to someone in the complex before deciding what to do.
How to best go about this, and make sure we find the right Human, is the question.
Knocking on doors, or posting a Flier around the complex, and wait for the owner to come to us?
The Kitten may have fleas, at least, and we don't know if it's a guy, or gal, or old enough to have gotten fixed, yet.
It looks, and acts, healthy, but we have no idea how long it's been outdoors, or outside our door, or how far it has wandered, or if someone just left it at our doorstep, knowing I lived here.
The notion of our taking it in, if unclaimed, is very much up in the air as while Daddy can handled the extra $50 a month on his rent, it would cost him another $400 for the Apartment Pet Deposit (He paid that for me when we moved in years ago.), and we don't know what the vet might need to do.
Daddy, and I had been talking, before his seizure in May, of taking in another Kitten for me to mentor, as an eventual replacement for me in Daddy's life, and on this Blog, when it came my time, years from now, to go to Rainbow Bridge.
When we found out the extra Deposit was required, that put our plans on hold at least until next year, at least.
Daddy works tomorrow, and Monday, but has Tuesday, and Wednesday, off, so we shall see what transpires, and will provide updates.
Luckily his paycheck was Friday, so we have SOME extra money for a few things we may need.
After posting this I will return to my spot on the bed, or to the top of my Cat Tower, and listen for the Kitten, and watch the door....but you know what else will be on my mind?
MY Mentor, 12 years ago, and MY introduction into HIS life, as a month old Kitten, and all that I learned from him in the short time we knew each other.
***THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP FOR NOW.***
***UPDATE - 1130AM***
Thank you everyone for the support, and advice, from both of us!!
It's been exciting, this morning!
If I didn't fully believe it last night, I believe it now, hey there's a Kitten in the bathroom! ;-D
Talkative, hungry, and smart, too!
I've hissed a few questions at it from my perch on the bed, but I don't think it heard me.
So much for my initial effort to help Daddy get answers! ;-D
The Kitten stuck its paw out from under the door, snagged the little rug, with a claw, and pulled it into its safe haven so Daddy had to retrieve it. ;-D
When he opened the door to bring it food it dashed past him, and into the living room!
I went one way, and the Kitten dived under the bed, with Daddy right behind it to retrieve it!
I didn't know Daddy was part Retriever! ;-D
Or that he could move so damn fast, either! ;-D
Well, he DID turn 50, in March, and is on his way toward his, um, Golden, years. ;-D
The Apartment Office has heard from no-one about a missing Cat, none of my neighbors, that I've managed to contact, lost a Kitten.
Maintenance first saw it, yesterday, around 430pm, in the bushes next to our building, so how it managed to reach the 2nd floor, and when, is anyone's guess.
Daddy will put a basic flier, with no info, just a contact number, and then head to work, leaving me to watch over things. ;-D
***END UPDATE***
***UPDATE: DAY 2 - 11am***
The "What, Just Water, and no Bread?" Look. ;-D
I reluctantly have to agree with Daddy, that look is just so damn cute!. ;-D
Daddy got a bigger water bowl, and litter box, plus a small bag of Iam's Kitten Food.
He said the Kitty is very thirsty, and hungry, and when it finally figured out the litter box it couldn't wait to use it. ;-D
Daddy got this really intriguing Feather Stick as well.
I have been wary, and a tad nervous, since the Kitten arrived, and while I've only nibbled a little at my dry food, I've been actively asking Daddy for reassurance, and getting hugs, and pets, in spades, and some treats, and playtime, which included testing the Feather Stick. ;-D
When Daddy checked on the Kitten, upon getting home from work, early this morning, I heard him playing with the Kitten with the Feather Stick, and got real jealous!
We had our first serious Mutual Hissy Fit! ;-D
Daddy said that when the Kitten heard my question from the other side of the door, it turned to look quizically at the sound, and replied.
I said... "Are you playing with MY Daddy?"
It replied... "Yes, what of it?"
A Historic Occasion, to be memorialized in Poetry, and Song, if the little one is a keeper, I'm sure. ;-D
Daddy laughed his ass off.
Hmph!
I had spent the day, after Daddy went to work, investigating from the safety of my bed, and tower perches, and managed to get a very basic outline of the Kitten's tale, which I will share soon.
I have not told the Kitten my name, figuring I'd save formal introductions until our first face to face meeting. ;-D
One last thing: Daddy called my Vet for advice, and to set up a tentative appointment for in the morning.
The exam, viral tests, and possible first vaccine, have an estimated cost of $130.
Daddy figures doing the Kitten tests, exams, shots, and more, in stages, instead of buying the "Kitten Package" upfront, is the easier way of doing things.
***END UPDATE***
JULY 13, 2010: Intruder Alert! Day 3: The Vet Check ;-D
JULY 14, 2010: Intruder Alert! Day 4: OK, Young Lady, What Are You, Anyway?
JULY 15, 2010 #1: Seen and Heard 14: Archie, Edith, and a Little Scared Tortie
JULY 15, 2010 #2: The Meet and Greet: A Preview - This Gal has Tortitude!
JULY 18, 2010: Bachelors No More! A Society Debut for a Charming Young Lady
It is an indoor event (since Kitties are not allowed to roam unattended here), and you are all invited!
If you see 2 Pigeons hanging around, they are Archie, and Edith, and seem to be the little one's Guardian Angels...so don't go chasing them! ;-D
The Young Lady will be ensconced in her Safe Haven napping, and then preparing for her Big Day, & will make her entrance around 9am (She IS just a child, afterall, and nervous about all the attention!).
JULY 28, 2010: The Education of Elvira Begins
What a beautiful baby.
(S)he has a collar on, may belong to someone near by.
Or not. Can't wait to find out.
What a wonderful surprise.
Posted by: KC | July 11, 2010 at 06:19 AM
We have come back from reading your story of when your Daddy found you and brought you home.
That is a very pretty Cat that found your Daddy - we're waiting to see what you do next.
Posted by: Hannah and Lucy | July 11, 2010 at 06:53 AM
Hi!
What a beautiful tortie.
Well, I know it is a girl because 99.9 percent of all torties are girls.
The collar makes me think she belongs to someone, but there isn't a tag on the collar with a phone number?
How very strange.
Your manager makes you pay a deposit for EACH cat?
Is that in your lease?
You might check because that is very unusual.
Normally, there is just a one-time-only fee.
Please let me know if I can help.
I think that I could negotiate with your apartment manager and get the fee waived.
Posted by: Deb Taylor & the Taylor CatSSSSS | July 11, 2010 at 08:43 AM
Yes, the baby is a girl - as 99.999% of torties are (just like over 80% of ginger cats is boys).
Our the mom would put up a flier without a description or pikshur and make the people who call describe the kitties.
We has to pay rent efurry monf - $15 for each of us.
The mom says we needs to get jobs.........
Posted by: The Meezers | July 11, 2010 at 09:14 AM
We hope the kitty's family can be found soon.
If you keep it we knows you will be a great mentor.
We thinks it stinks you would have to pay an additional $400 for it.
Posted by: Artemisia, Fenris, Socks & Scylla | July 11, 2010 at 10:14 AM
I see Deb commented above... she is my best friend and a paralegal.
If anyone could get your fee waived, she can do it.
Trust me on this.
What an adorable little kitty, she reminds me so much of KC and Little CatZee.
Love & Purrs,
ML
Posted by: ML | July 11, 2010 at 10:43 AM
We are hoping that the little one is healthy and happy!
Tell your dad to wash his hands REALLY good before touching you after the kitten- they can carry things just through clothes and things.
Like Leukemia and Upper Respiratory.
Your dad needs to have him tested for that before he puts both of you together- just to make sure!
Posted by: Hansel | July 11, 2010 at 11:51 AM
What a beautiful cat...
Posted by: Jeff | July 11, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Just checking to see what is going on.
So exciting.
There's a kitten in your bathroom!
~ML
Posted by: KC | July 11, 2010 at 04:04 PM
Thanks for the update.
This baby is just so adorable! :)
Hey Nikita, I turned 50 a few weeks ago, and I'm still sorta fast too! LOL
All my CatSSSSS are laughing at that cause they think I am very slow! MOL
Posted by: Deb Taylor & the Taylor CatSSSSS | July 11, 2010 at 06:29 PM
Torties are usually she's, and this one seems to be pretty cute.
Also pushy, manipulative and wants her own way, like a typical tortie (and I should know, living with one!).
I wonder where she came from - obviously she belonged to somebody at some point.
Posted by: Sparkle | July 11, 2010 at 09:25 PM
That tortie is a cutie!!
If she has a collar, we would think she belongs to someone.
Maybe she got lost??
Maybe the flyer that your Dad puts up will help find her home.
Posted by: The Island Cats | July 11, 2010 at 09:36 PM
Awwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!
What a cutie!!
We can't wait to hear more about her!!
Your TX furiends,
Samantha, Clementine & Maverick
Posted by: Life From A Cat's Perspective | July 11, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Well, we'll wait for an update!
Sounds like, if you do keep her, that Deb would be a good resource re. waiving the $400 fee for each cat, which is absurd.
What a cash-grab.
Humans would do more damage than a Cat!
Our human understands completely on the money issues, no question!
It's not too difficult to provide food and litter, but the vet bills--particularly the unexpected ones--are a killer.
If you can't find this kitten's humans and can't keep her, try and contact a private rescue organization or find a low-cost spay/neuter program.
A lot of cities do offer them, often through humane societies, but sometimes through private rescue groups too.
Good luck!!!
Posted by: Fuzzy Tales | July 12, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Cute kitty!
Maybe a little hard to discover her family, if there is no contact info with it.
An extra $400 for EACH cat is steep.
Here, the complex either totally prohibit pets or, if pets are allowed, there would be no charges at all.
Posted by: Momo | July 12, 2010 at 09:46 PM
That is a cute little kitty.
We were amazed to learn that you have to pay a deposit to keep kitties, and even more amazed that you have to pay a monthly rent for them too.
Sounds like a get rich quick scheme for landlords.
Posted by: Eric and Flynn | July 13, 2010 at 05:46 AM
Just saw there was an update so came by to catch up - the kitten seems to be making herself at home.
Nikita seems to be telling her all the house rules, but whether she takes any notice may be another thing!!
Best wishes Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Posted by: Hannah and Lucy | July 13, 2010 at 06:57 AM
The kitty is a tortie and therefore a girl.
There are no three colored males in cat world only very very seldom.
I have never heard of paying a deposit for keeping an animal !
Or you are allowed, or you are not.
My vet says that cats who only live inside don't need special shots.
She looks exactly like my Lisa who died in February.
Posted by: Gattina | July 13, 2010 at 09:05 AM
The introoder is really cute and, you are right, a closed door is really interesting, especially when you hear kitty noises behind it.
Please keep us posted on the cutie introoder.
Posted by: Harry Spotter | July 13, 2010 at 07:04 PM