Well, you knew this had to happen, didn't you? It was Catoberfest at Pets Lifeline in October and so I went over to shoot video of all the adorables waiting for their "forever" homes. Some of them made me laugh (the two barking chihuahuas) and some could break your heart (a dog who has been there a long time and needs a home).
But none of them really "spoke" to me.
Until I met Aspen.
A few days later, I was strolling along the Plaza with our advertising manager, Gail Rorick, delivering the Patch Readers' Choice certificates to winning businesses, when I happened to say that I'd been to the shelter but hadn't found a cat who had "clicked." Right at that moment—I kid you not—right at that moment, I turned my head and saw a cage full of kittens in the window of Sonoma Home. Now, I'm fairly new to Sonoma, so I didn't know that was a local kitten hangout. They really do "hang out" there—in kitten hammocks!
Well! We just had to go inside, and wouldn't you know it, one of the kittens—the one bothering all her sisters who were trying to sleep—just threw herself at the cage and squeaked a demanding "take me home!" —clinging with all fours, looking me fair and square in the eyes. I was shocked. There it was.
All the way to San Diego and back, all I could think about was Aspen. I went down to collect a Press Club award for my work there last year. (First Place Science and Technology Reporting, Daily Newspapers and Websites for this story on weather monitoring—I was thrilled).
When I turned on the radio, there was a segment on how cats can reduce stress in your life. Ha!
I called Pets Lifeline, somewhere on the open highway in the middle of nowhere, and they told me I'd have to wait until I got back, Aspen couldn't go "on hold."
So, I hoped she'd still be there when I returned.
Now, everything in me had said, "Get an older cat—you don't need the extra hassle of training a kitten."
But, when life sends you an Aspen, you go for it.
My mother always said, "When choosing a kitten, pick the lively one, because that means she's really healthy."
So, I got what I bargained for.
Aspen is as sharp as a whip (oh dear!) and makes me laugh constantly with her antics.
Somehow, I feel there's another name that would fit this kitten, which would reflect her personality—and mine—better at this stage. Part of me wanted to name her Press Club Kitty (PC) for short, because she's black and white like newspaper and it reminded me of my trip to San Diego. But there's got to be something more Sonoma, something more mischievous than that for her new name, in her new home. Thank you to the volunteer who fostered and named her Aspen for Pets Lifeline. You have raised and trained her well!
And to friends who have inquired—yes, I am managing to get sleep, regardless of the tiny, cold, wet nose in the middle of the night and the purring like a freight train.
Name this kitty please. Add your name to our comments section below.
(Picture taken in my laptop backpack, where she had hidden.)
