We ventured into the unknown for Christmas and agreed to let Connery adopt a kitten--something he had recently professed to be his heart's true desire. I have never seen him so excited for a present, once he realized that his present was not just a litterbox and stuffed cat. ("Merry Christmas, son, here's a box where an actual cat would shit! But you get a stuffed one!")
We told him that he could adopt the kitten from one of our local animal shelters (we're blessed with two excellent ones here in Gallatin and Park counties) after Christmas, and he held us to our word. Even though he went to Great Falls to stay with Nana and Papa after Christmas so that we could get into his playroom with pitchforks and a backhoe loader, he still wanted to come home on the first possible day that the shelters would be open and, presumably, raining kittens. It was a little surprising, because normally we would have to remove him from the comfortable, warm, treat-filled home of Nana and Papa with some dynamite. Such is the power of Newton:
Connery visited with several cats during our stay at the shelter, but this was the one he bonded with. When I asked him for an answer to put on the form as to why he wanted to adopt this kitten, he replied, "Because I like him and he likes me." Cuteness.
The only one not thrilled is Sotek. Our faithful kitty companion for almost nine years, she was not amused to find a new kitten in the guest room. In fact, she's thrown up twice since we let him out of quarantine. Next time is sure to be on our pillows. I'm checking into waterproof covers. Since the last second cat she endured turned out to be Bean, I guess can understand her reticence.
For all the angst Newton is causing our older kitty, however, he is bringing considerable joy to the rest of the family. Brought in to the shelter as a practically feral stray, he is still pretty skittish, except with Connery. It's pretty obvious to whom he credits his new home.
More surprising to me has been his willingness to interact with Emerson. I would have thought he would run off right away, but he has warmed up quickly to her. Meanwhile she loves him to distraction, yelling out, "'TEE!" (her word for kitty) every time she catches sight of him:
Best. Kids' Christmas present. Ever.
