- Joined
- Aug 30, 2019
- Messages
- 5
- Purraise
- 18
I'm excited to be here. 26 years ago, I disliked cats (not to the point of mistreating them) but I never thought I'd own one.
Aside from my 19-year-old daughter, the best thing my first wife (of many wives) gave me was an appreciation and love of cats.
A week after we married in 1993, she insisted on a cat and it had to be a certain male Persian at our local pet store. He did get my attention in that he would only eat by picking up his food with his paw. He was white with a red tinge that started at his brow and ended at the tip of his tail. The red furrowed brow always made him look mad, but he was a loyal friend. We named him Jasper. Hence my name, Mad Jasper.
Long story short, When Jasper passed in 2005, we found Jinx. He was a white Exotic Shorthair (Longest hair ever). He was my daughter's cat. He was the most tolerant cat a 5-year-old could ask for. And he remained that way until he passed on May 29th, 2019. I have a tribute video that I will post at a later, more appropriate time.
I just realized this was still a long story and I haven't even got to Speck and Pixie.
Anyway, in June of 2017... 12-year-old Jinx was still thriving as an only cat. I randomly told my third (and final) wife that if we ever get a cat again, I want it to be a rescue. Little did I know the next day while on a beer run following a severe thunderstorm, I would get that opportunity.
I was approaching the beer store while talking to my dad. It was still raining pretty hard, windows up and conversation over Bluetooth, and still I heard a bloodcurdling sound outside. It caught my attention... and I noticed the tiniest of black specks lying in the middle of the road ahead of me. I stopped the truck to check it out and it was a tiny black kitten, crying for help. The road was covered with water and he was barely holding his head above it. He was so tiny and weak. And I am tearing up just typing this.
I brought him home (after I picked up a 6-pack). He gave me a wicked staph infection on my hand. But a little over 2 years later that .4lb speck is a 16lb amazing Speck. And a member of the family.
So back to the first wife. She married a great guy that I consider a close friend. He has been an amazing step-father to my daughter and I hope that we both walk her down the aisle someday. She loves cats and has 2 1/2 inside cats and a colony of ferals that she spays/neuters/feeds.
One of these cats (actually a 12-week-old kitten) turned out to be very approachable and lovable. She developed a respiratory infection and was brought inside for treatment. But they couldn't keep her. While hanging out one night, she showed the kitten to me. A week later, Pixie is doing wonderfully and is part of the family.
Jinx never really embraced Speck. He was tolerant, but that was about it. Speck has been the best big brother to Pixie. They play, that chatter, she feels safe with him. While he is a bit of a rambunctious ahole, she is as sweet as they come. And they fit in so well together.
And I work from home almost every day so ultimately, the joy is mine.
Aside from my 19-year-old daughter, the best thing my first wife (of many wives) gave me was an appreciation and love of cats.
A week after we married in 1993, she insisted on a cat and it had to be a certain male Persian at our local pet store. He did get my attention in that he would only eat by picking up his food with his paw. He was white with a red tinge that started at his brow and ended at the tip of his tail. The red furrowed brow always made him look mad, but he was a loyal friend. We named him Jasper. Hence my name, Mad Jasper.
Long story short, When Jasper passed in 2005, we found Jinx. He was a white Exotic Shorthair (Longest hair ever). He was my daughter's cat. He was the most tolerant cat a 5-year-old could ask for. And he remained that way until he passed on May 29th, 2019. I have a tribute video that I will post at a later, more appropriate time.
I just realized this was still a long story and I haven't even got to Speck and Pixie.
Anyway, in June of 2017... 12-year-old Jinx was still thriving as an only cat. I randomly told my third (and final) wife that if we ever get a cat again, I want it to be a rescue. Little did I know the next day while on a beer run following a severe thunderstorm, I would get that opportunity.
I was approaching the beer store while talking to my dad. It was still raining pretty hard, windows up and conversation over Bluetooth, and still I heard a bloodcurdling sound outside. It caught my attention... and I noticed the tiniest of black specks lying in the middle of the road ahead of me. I stopped the truck to check it out and it was a tiny black kitten, crying for help. The road was covered with water and he was barely holding his head above it. He was so tiny and weak. And I am tearing up just typing this.
I brought him home (after I picked up a 6-pack). He gave me a wicked staph infection on my hand. But a little over 2 years later that .4lb speck is a 16lb amazing Speck. And a member of the family.
So back to the first wife. She married a great guy that I consider a close friend. He has been an amazing step-father to my daughter and I hope that we both walk her down the aisle someday. She loves cats and has 2 1/2 inside cats and a colony of ferals that she spays/neuters/feeds.
One of these cats (actually a 12-week-old kitten) turned out to be very approachable and lovable. She developed a respiratory infection and was brought inside for treatment. But they couldn't keep her. While hanging out one night, she showed the kitten to me. A week later, Pixie is doing wonderfully and is part of the family.
Jinx never really embraced Speck. He was tolerant, but that was about it. Speck has been the best big brother to Pixie. They play, that chatter, she feels safe with him. While he is a bit of a rambunctious ahole, she is as sweet as they come. And they fit in so well together.
And I work from home almost every day so ultimately, the joy is mine.
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