Sunday, May 31, 2015

Some of You Will Mock Me. Some of You Will Be Jealous. You Know Who YouAre.

Remember nearly two years ago when we headed out one Saturday morning and returned as cat owners to three kittens, one for each of the kids? We had been worried about acquiring three kittens, because, well, that's a lot of kittens and it seemed like a lot could go wrong.

Sure enough, Alex and I still have lingering regrets over that day.

We regret that we only got kittens for the kids and not for ourselves. As lovely as three kittens are and as wonderful as the three cats they grew into make our lives, not a week goes by when Alex and I don't speculate on how much better our lives would be if we had five cats instead of three.

Speculate no longer, friendo.

Because today at the cat rescue facility, we met our fourth and fifth.

I know. I know you have questions. I have prepared some answers for you.


That one is an actual question my friend asked on Facebook. It seems valid. I reply with my own questions: How many members of Team Stimey are there? How many cats did we have previously? How are we supposed to live with such an imbalance in those answers?

I think you have your answer, my friend.

Also, keep in mind that I've watched said friend share a glass of water with one of my original cats, so I know that she is pro feline—or at least pro-original cats.

Can I see a better photo? What are their names?

Please meet Sharky on the left and Pickles on the right.

Sharky is my cat and Pickles belongs to Alex.

Are they girls like all your other cats?

No, we had to go with boys this time because they were who we fell in love with, even though we intended to get girl cats. Hey, love is love, right?

I will probably call them "she" seven billion times before I get used to the fact that I have boy cats.

So, how do these two cats know each other anyway?

They're brothers. They're two months old. Their mom is still up for adoption at the cat shelter if you're looking for a cat to be your only pet.

Check her out at the Washington Animal Rescue League. If you adopted her, it would be like we were related. (It’s not as bad as it sounds.)

What did these delightful animals do at the cat shelter to make you pick them?

Alex went into a little room with them first while I talked to a volunteer. By the time I got in there, he was completely enamored with Pickles, who was cavorting all over in the goofiest way possible. Sharky was far shyer, but then I picked him up and he instantly started to purr and it was all over.


I love that in the first photo all you see is the paw getting ready to strike. That second photo is everything good about kittens, from the awkward attack pose to the fact that Sharky clonked into the glass wall.

Don't you worry though. Once we got them home, Sharky totally stepped up and is being as big of a jerk as Pickles.

But seriously. Five cats? FIVE? Really?

I figure as long as the pet shelter is still willing to give us cats, we don't have too many. However, I am afraid that the receptionist at my vet hospital is going to make fun of me. Maybe he'll be on vacation when I take them in—you know, every time I take them in.

Is Pickles named after the firefighter cat Pickles in the Jenny and the Cat Club series?

Sadly, no. The name just came to Alex at some point and that was it. The name idea is probably older than the cat actually. Naturally I was okay with the name because of the firefighter cat. Also because Pickles is one of the best cat names in the history of cat names.

Okay, Pickles. I get that. Cute. And there is a cat precedent. But Sharky? That seems weird, even for you, Stimey.

I've just started watching House of Cards and I watched the first episode where Frank is all, "I love that woman. I love her more than sharks love blood," and I was all-in on sharks, blood, House of Cards, and vague television-related allusions in pet names. I am also terrified of Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright on that series, but that is neither here nor there.

So, yeah, Sharky.

Also, he has a fin-shaped spot on his forehead.

Also, he's a super badass.

See? Super badass.

How are they settling in?

Really well. I mean, they really did not care for the trip home in the car, but once we got them out of the carrier in Alex and my bedroom, they got all confident and goofy and hilarious.

I didn’t get any photos of that, but here they are pre-nap.

How are the other cats taking it? Were they all, "Really? Five cats? FIVE?!?"

We have a whole process planned to introduce the cats to each other. See, we have a really good cat ecosystem here and we are concerned about throwing the whole thing sideways so we want to make sure all parties get along. The kittens are sequestered in one room for a couple of days and the cats are all sniffing each other from under the door while we throw treats at them.

See, here’s Pickles acclimating…and what is that over by the door?

Well, it seems to be a mustache, sniffing.

Fingers crossed, knock on wood, toss some salt, etc. We'll let you know how it goes.

How is Team Stimey Jr. taking it?

About how you'd expect. Tears. Screaming. Rending of garments.

I kid. They're clearly over the moon. Each of them asked to sleep on the floor in the room where the kittens are tonight. We refused, in an effort to (a) keep things normal for our original trio and (b) keep children out of our bedroom.

We didn't tell the kids we were getting cats today because we weren't 100% sure we were going to. So their little minds were blown by surprise kittens. What is better than surprise kittens?

(Answer: nothing.)

Jack and Pickles

Sam and Sharky

Quinn’s toe and Pickles (Quinn was sort of “clothing optional” this afternoon, so you’ll have to settle for this photo of  his toe.)

But five cats? Who really needs five cats?

We do, all right? There are a lot of homeless pets in the world and these guys are getting a good home, so I'll take all of your judging and raised eyebrows. (This is mostly directed at my mom, who is incredulous about our wanting so many cats, but takes full advantage of kitten love when she visits.)

Also, please look at these photos and then tell me we didn't need so many cats.

Pickles (Ooooooh…)

Sharky (and ahhhhhhh.)

I know I sound a little defensive here, but that's only because we have five cats. FIVE. I mean, really.

Did you intend to get color coordinated cats?

No, but what a happy cowinkydink, right?!?

Are the cats in black and white or color? No one knows!

How is Quinn going to turn in his homework if the cats are sleeping on it all the time?

I don’t know. I just don’t know the answer to that one.


  1. OK, so I am one of the jealous ones!
    Sadly, there are people who live in my house who are allergic to cats. (Which is why we have cavoodle puppies)
    Your cats and kittens are awesome, and cute and adorable.
    They are so lucky they get to live with you guys.
    I hope everyone gets along very well. Good luck with the introductions!

  2. I love male cats. They are so so affectionate, especially towards women. My Samantha Elizabeth who was 19 1/2 when she passed was a cool cat until I met my husband. She took to him and died 6 months,after him. I then got Caz who never left my side and he was 6 years old when I got him and died when he was 13. Now 2 years later I need another cat. A male at least 6 years old. I am 76 and don't want a kitten although it would be fun. I am so happy for all of you. Enjoy!

  3. Rejoice, for the world is in balance again! A cat for every person and a person for every cat! Make sure you give these ones some water, your cats are so damn thirsty.

    P.S. Everything about House of Cards terrifies me.

  4. 1. No. No, nothing is better than surprise kittens.

    2. This makes me want more cats.

  5. Raised eyebrows? Your mother? I am very happy for the ten of you.

  6. There are 3 people in my house who are jealous and 1 who is mocking you. You can guess who is who. There are also 2 very concerned guinea pigs. They remember what happened last time they visited when there are only 3 cats. They are expecting complete mayhem next time they visit.

  7. When you put it that way, it sounds like there are a lot of us.

  8. I am laughing here. You don't know me, but I'm an enthusiastic reader of yours, and suddenly my eccentric household -- three people, three cats (and the two girls don't get along), one dog (who wants desperately to interact with (ie, perhaps eat) the cats, who are very afraid of him), three fish tanks, and one hermit crab -- looks less eccentric. Well done! My guess is that you will not have trouble socializing the cats, as it's been the girl-girl pairings that have caused us difficulty. I am very sad about my divided house, where the girl cats bat paws nicely underneath the doors but fight ferociously if they are in the same room.

  9. The woman who runs the summer camps at our local Humane Society said every house should have at least 7 pets. You notice she starts at 7 so you guys are cool since you have the gerballs.

    I thought maybe you had Sharky, the shark cat like Sharky, the shark dog from "Eek, the Cat", a late 90's Steve Holland cartoon. Regardless, the kittens are adorable.

  10. I'm jealous. Can't wait to hold them. Claudia

  11. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that there is a reference to Jenny and the Cat Club. I have a Jenny in the house myself. ;)

  12. THANK YOU!!! So few people know Jenny and the Cat Club!

  13. I'm so glad I came by - I haven't read any blogs in like - forever - and I pop in and team Stimey has become a TOTAL cat family!! I have 4. I feel more normal now. Thank you.
    But seriously - thank you for giving some more kitties a home. There are so many out there!!

