The one aspect of marriage that I find most difficult is the whole "joint decisions" thing. Generally speaking, Colby and I are pretty in sync on most things, so it's really easy most of the time. Which tends to make the times when the joint decisions AREN'T so easy stand out in kind of stark relief.
I've always wanted a cat. Even before I was begging my parents for a dog, I was patiently writing to Santa Claus year after year with my cat requests. One year, my parents hinted at the fact that I may actually get a cat, and I actually did--a stuffed cat. Ha. Ha.
Fast forward a bajillion years to my life post-college. I really wanted a pet, I knew that Colby really hated cats and I quite loved dogs and had experience raising them, so a dog it was. And then another dog. And then I got married and as we started building our beautiful life together, I realized that I wanted something more. Something that I could cuddle and love and raise, together with my husband. A dog of course, you sillies! But the more I've thought about the idea of a third dog, the more the it kind of exhausts me.
Scene: A friend's house, watching So You Think You Can Dance. Enter stage left, a delicate little kitten of only a few months old, curling up on my lap and purring contentedly as we watched our show. Why, yes, I think to myself, this is what I need in my life! A self-reliant, independent, yet cuddly kitten.
Once upon a time I would have found the kitten of my dreams, marched down to the local animal shelter and procured her. Now, there is a little more finesse involved, a little more effort on my part to make my kitten dreams come true. I think I might need to work on my technique, as evidenced by this facebook conversation this morning.
Angela: So, did you see our kitten?
Colby: Our what?
Angela:
I've named her Pigwidgeon!
Colby: Define "our".
Angela: It's the kitten you're going to give me when you get home!
Colby: Ohhh, is that what it is? How about them' apples.
So, what do you think, I've got a pretty good shot, right? He's coming home tomorrow, so I think a visit to the shelter might be in order this weekend so that he can visit little Piggy and fall in love!
Awww, she's precious! I can't have a cat, Tom is allergic to cats and if he's around them too much, they trigger his asthma.
Posted by: Jenn | July 22, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Shredded drapes, shredded upholstery, smell of ammonia, hairballs, unhappy dogs, unhappy husband, and unhappy Daddy. I know from experience that the last one is not a factor but you really should consider all of the others.
Posted by: Old Warrior | July 22, 2009 at 11:40 PM
She really is adorable, and I love the Harty Potter name! I do have to say that the main things I don't like about cats are that even though they're so cute and cuddly when they're young, that doesn't mean they'll stay that way. Horribly unpredictable. I also don't like that even if you change the litter box every five minutes, the whole house smells like cats. Maybe you could teach her to use the loo!
Posted by: shani | July 23, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Oops, I totally meant Harry! Damn phone!
Posted by: shani | July 23, 2009 at 12:08 AM
would that be the actual kitty? she is precious!!! personally, i prefer cats because they rarely smell, can be very loving, and yes you don't hva eto pay attention to them 24/7. best of luck and i hope you get your piggy!
Posted by: laura | July 23, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Awww, what a cute little fluffball.
I've had cats since I was 10. My mom made the mistake of taking two daughters to pick out one kitten, so we got two. I guess my dad had agreed to one cat, but the conversation with my brother when Dad got home from work went like this:
Dad: Where are Mom and the girls?
Bro: They took the cats to the vet.
Dad: They what?
Bro: Took the cats to the vet.
Dad: Why do you keep saying "cats," with an "s"?
20-some years later. . . my parents have four!
Hoping for the best outcome so that everybody's happy. :)
Posted by: Kate P | July 23, 2009 at 05:13 AM
Guys are easy; just promise him some sexual favors in exchange for getting the cat.
Seriously.
Posted by: Jay | July 24, 2009 at 01:00 AM
Your dogs are bigger, so I can understand why you need a cuddle bug. Do your dogs get along with cats? Mine go crazy around them, so I don't think it would work. And I like the name :)
Posted by: Becky | July 24, 2009 at 07:27 PM