Well folks, I have to say, “Never Say Never” again…….
If you recall, in a past blog https://jimcurrymusic.com/never-say-never/ I said I would never own an electric vehicle…but lo and behold, I am now the owner of that very thing.
Here we are in 2026, and I have another “Never Say Never” confession to make….and it’s a BIG one, and here it is: I kinda, sorta, think cats are okay, and I might go so far as to say I almost like them.
Whew! I’m glad to get that off my chest! I have a long and jaded history as far as cats go, starting as a young child who was told to beware my Aunt’s cat, who would hide and hiss at me from under the furniture. I didn’t see the purpose of having a cat, since I never witnessed affection or appreciation coming from a cat…just claws and teeth. My childhood distain was further enforced as a teenager working at an animal hospital. I quickly learned to dread the sound of a howling, growling cat waiting for me to reach my arms inside the attack zone.
Now, as a senior citizen and a confirmed “dog person”, my total dislike for cats extends to the neighbor’s cats, who use my beautiful garden for a toilet, hunt for birds and eat my lizards. All I need is a dog to keep the cats away, but alas…I travel too much to provide an adequate home for a dog, so our dog-free backyard is cat Heaven.
One cat liked our yard so much that she left a kitten there and didn’t come back. Jim and I waited nervously for a couple of days while the kitten cried for mom. It looked like it was old enough to wean, so maybe mom-cat was coming back at night, we didn’t know, so we weighed the kitten and put it back where mom left it, then, when we realized it was losing weight and we took it inside.
I was going to take the kitten to our city animal shelter. I did NOT want a cat, and (as previously stated) I wasn’t home enough to have a pet of any kind, but FIRST, I decided to make sure the kitten was weaned, litterbox trained, friendly and had the best chance of getting adopted. I had 2 weeks to achieve this goal before leaving for our next job in Kentucky, and I got some expert advice (thanks Jennifer and Brian!) In the meantime, I posted to my Facebook friends, in the very remote chance that someone was thinking about getting a cat, and if they did, the kitten could bypass the whole shelter experience.
Edit: Hey! I just had to edit and add this after posting: Special thanks to my friend Valerie who got me through an issue that required veterinarian advice – you were so generous and kind to help me, then I promptly forget to put you in the post! SHAME ON ME!!
I’m happy to report that Bobbi, my good friend in Arkansas, wanted the kitten and she lives right on the way to Kentucky – so Jim and I dropped the kitten off on the way. Now the kitten has road experience, a clean bill of health from Bobbi’s vet, a 10 year old cat named Valentino for a friend, and a good and loving home. His name is Cali, and his eyes are turning green.
So…..Another episode of “Never say Never” has come to an end. This confirmed dog-person has softened up her feelings for kittens, and maybe that will lead to a better tolerance for cats and MAYBE someday a pet cat in the future. I miss Cali, but I’m SURE he got a better deal with Bobbi. Cali and I both got lucky when Bobbi decided she had room in her heart for one more…..
P.S. The week after Cali went to Kentucky – our city shelter took in 300 kittens, after a hoarding situation was discovered. I can’t get over how very lucky it was that Cali wasn’t one of 300 + kittens waiting for a home!
I became a foster for a local shelter this summer and took in a litter of 3 kittens. I didn’t plan to keep them, but the ginger boy was giving me his soft blinks of love and asking to stay, and we melted. The 3 of them live in my art room and I am working on making it a better space with fun play spaces for them. Right now they love to run around on top of the tarp covering my drafting table and up a “hill” of padding and a carpet runner protecting a stack of paintings and frames. Cats love crinkle noises, so how can you beat a plastic tarp that crinkles when you run and wrestle on it?
It had been fun to watch them learn new things. The ginger boy grew like a weed gaining weight twice as fast as his siblings and now at only 6 months is the biggest cat in the house and around 10 pounds. Weighing a kitten is so important because if they are not gaining and growing, something is wrong. The tiny one in this litter is only about 5 pounds and he was very slow to grow and gain weight. He developed an eye condition that caused corneal ulcers and could have been blinded by the infection. I have learned it is somewhat common and caused by a virus that all cats from a shelter carry. This little one couldn’t fight it well, but has now recovered with a bit of cloudy scars in one eye, and he can see fairly well. He is super friendly because of my doctoring and feeding him in my lap. Their sister is a pretty little calico. She is a bit shy, but has really blossomed and very smart.
I have learned how big the pet overpopulation issue is, and I think I would like to propose to our county a program to pay for spay and neuter surgery for owners who cant afford the cost. I would pay a few extra dollars on my property taxes toward a country run program for free spay and neuter. I will make this suggestion.
I also have 5 other adopted cats and they are curled up with me as I write this. All of my cats were rescued and fostered by someone and for that, I and all of them are grateful. One kitty also introduced me to her foster mom from Puerto Rico and I have had a lot of fun staying in touch with my new friend and sending updates. I know how hard it is to give away a pet you have loved and fostered, so I wanted to make that better.
Thanks for your story, Anne!
Hi Jennifer, thanks again for helping me with your kitten knowledge. I didn’t address the issue of pet over-population in my blog because I believe my readers are well-aware of the necessity of spaying and neutering their pets. I was just floored when I discovered that 300-plus cats that were taken out of a ‘rescue’ in our city! We HAVE a spay/release program AND low-cost or free spay/neutering and it’s still a problem! Believe me, now that I know the mom-cat is indeed a mom-cat, my efforts will be to catch her next. I don’t know what exactly I will do with her, but I’m glad I have you to advise me.
Cali was so lucky to have landed in your yard. You are so kind to take care of the kitten and make sure it got to a good home. You went above and beyond to make sure that happened. You are awesome!
Hi Shirley, what could I do?? Even my distaste for cats couldn’t stop me from getting him out of harms way…we have 2 giant raccoons go through our backyard regularly, I can’t bear the thought….
cali is exploring everything in the house at the speed of light . he is fitting in just fine. a welcome addition to the home thanks ahain for him and your visit come anytime your this way
You becha Bobbi! We need to get together anyway to share hobbies! Lol, you know Cali has already been introduced to a ball of yarn….I’ll bet you have a couple lying around! I can’t thank you enough for taking him in. Now….if only I can find that mother of his…..we have only seen her once since she ditched Cali. She had 4 other kittens….haven’t seen or heard a peep from any of them.
Thank you so much Anne for carry for this little one and finding it a home. We are kitty folks-raised 3 littles till they were seniors-15, 18, and 20! My daughter does rescue and has 7. So grateful this one was saved!
It’s wonderful that you and your daughter love cats and have given a good home to so many!
I am so happy with this wonderful outcome in so many ways😻
I asked numerous friends with no luck.
Cali has a forever loving home and you can visit whenever you are passing through.
I’ve always been a Dog person until my first cat adopted me ( cute story I’ll share sometime) in 2000.
In the 26 years since, I’ve been the fur mom of 3 sweet babies. One who lived to be 19 years. All were loving, funny and the best companions.
My current cuteness is now 6 and was “forced 🤪” on me as a kitten. 🐱 Scooter is so smart and she knows how to count to four!
Every night before bed she gets 4 little treats. If I only give 3 she nudges me until she gets the fourth.
Anyway sorry this is long but it’s what I wanted to say to you.
Hi and hugs to Jim.
Penny
Hi Penny! I sure appreciate that you tried to help me with the kitten. With the over-abundance of cats it’s hard to believe that anyone would have the need, but I got very lucky (Cali did too!) Thanks for writing!
Hi Anne!!! I just had to add a comment here when I finished your blog. My husband has been trying with every ounce of his being to persuade me to agree to an electric vehicle. As the old saying goes he thinks that they are the best thing since sliced bread!!! Tee Hee!!! But I guess I am from the old school where cars need gasoline and oil. Has having one changed your mind on your decision? According to Anthony, once we get one, I will love it, but as of now I am not convinced.
Hi Robin! It’s still a “NO” from me. I am pretty old-fashioned and especially do not want to be forced to change. We are trying it out, my son really likes it because the computer tells him everything he needs to know about the condition of the car. BUT – repairs are expensive and mechanics are not easy to find. Fortunately, the used car we found had just been upgraded with a new battery, otherwise replacing the battery would have been impossibly expensive. If you are the type that buys new from dealers, uses an extended warranty, uses the dealer for repairs and maintenance, and trades in every few years, I think you might love it. I just have not yet discovered what there is to love….yet. I’m still wishing for a refurbished 1979 Chevy El Camino!