The Love Spirit of Animals and Oh Zachary

When my sister Amy was younger she accused our Dad of not having the "love spirit" of animals.  It's true.  For the most part he's not an animal person.  He's not an animal hater, but he's just not an animal person.  The smell, the hair.  I'm right there with him, although I do have 2 big hairy dogs.  I just invest in lots of Scentsy and vacuums.

Anyway, my kids have an abundance of love spirit of animals.  Especially Zach.  My dear, sweet Zachary.  *Sigh*  Since he was very small he's been asking for a cat, for hermit crabs, for hamsters.  Once we joined 4H he wanted a calf or a pig.  Uh, he doesn't understand that once you raise it you then sell it "by the pound".  He has always wanted our dogs to have puppies.  Dear, sweet Zach finally got to the age where he could understand that we have 2 boy dogs and that both are fixed anyway.  My mom has 20 some odd cats around her place.  4 are inside.  So maybe it's 24.  I don't know, I think she won't tell me the real number.  Zach is like her in so many ways.  He definitely inherited his love spirit of cats from her.

Recall a few paragraphs back when I said we have 2 dogs?  Large dogs.  Rex is a German Shephard and definitely has never had the love spirit of cats.  Jerry...we weren't sure because he's never been around any since we've had him.  He's a little sweetheart but he really likes to tree squirrels and has laser beam focus on them when they dare to cross his back yard and he happens to be outside.  Luckily he's easily distracted by treats so we can usually get him to leave them alone after awhile.  Anyway, Monday night the boys went to football practice and Z calls me and says, "Mom!  Can we have a kitten?"  Followed by me saying, "Uhhh, NO Zach, we have 2 dogs and I'm allergic, remember?"  After that, a chorus of boys says PLEASE MOM, CAN WE HAVE A KITTEN, COME ON MOM, WE WANT THE KITTEN!  The football team totally ganged up on me over the phone to convince me to take this damn kitten!  I said no, AGAIN.

Fast forward 5 minutes later I go to pick the boys up.  Zach is holding the kitten.  Now, I don't mind cats, I've just never really had cats.  Because I'm allergic.  Did you get that part?  About my allergy, I mean.  Allergic.  Wheezing, itchy allergic.  We're clear on the allergy, right?  And of course, she's absolutely adorable!  I reach my hand out to pet her and baby talk to her.  The little rat fink bites my finger.  So not off to a good start.  But I do not have the heart to watch him leave her on the practice field and watch her as I drive off.  Nights are getting chilly here and she's so very tiny. He told me the little kitten was following him everywhere while he was at practice with the high school boys and she was licking the ranch dust from his fingers from his flavored sun flower seeds.  I told Zach to get in the car with the kitten and we would see if our neighbor Lynda would like to have it.  Lynda already has 2 cats and 2 dogs and apparently is not allergic to either and definitely has a love spirit of ALL animals.  Lynda wasn't home.  We go on home, let the dogs out, take the kitten inside and feed her a leftover hamburger from dinner.  She gobbles it down so fast she nearly chokes.  I could feel every dip in her spine, every rib.  Her meow is so weak and pathetic it's awfully sad.  I give her water and she seems so inexperienced in lapping it up I think she should probably still be with her mama. 

As we are making phone calls trying to find her a home, because we have two dogs, remember, and I'm still allergic, she falls asleep.  Content, her eyes close while she's curled up on Steve's shoulder.  Steve, who grew up with cats.  She sort of slides down and lands on his stomach.  And falls asleep there too.  Have to admit it was pretty adorable.  Her little motor was running, she was very happy.  My mushmallow of a husband says, Well, you haven't really been around cats in a long time, maybe you're not allergic anymore.  Maybe we should try it for a few days.  See how it works out.  If not, Kelly can take her. 

Needless to say it is now Wednesday.  The cat has a name.  Ana.  Ana has a litter box.  Ana has a segmented dish for food and water.  Ana sleeps with Zach. 

My Dad, the non love spirit of animals Dad, is coming to visit in a few weeks.  I'm sure he will love Ana, the kitten whose meow has gotten a little stronger and whose ribs I can no longer feel.