The Love in your Heart wasn’t put there to stay, Love isn’t Love ’til it’s given away.♥
See this little kitty-in-the carrier? He came home with us today! ♥
He’s only nine weeks old. I’d been wanting a new cat for quite awhile; I always have at least two cats, sometimes three, and now I have only one; I felt like Girl Kitty needed a friend. So a few days ago I called the animal shelter in Edgartown, to see if they had any kittens. They didn’t, but they told me they would put me on a waiting list and let me know if one comes in.
I thought it might be months before I heard from them . . . but then, yesterday afternoon, Lisa called from the shelter and said they had one; a male, black and white, “tuxedo.”
I said to her, “Oh good, how wonderful, I’ve been thinking my older cat needs a playmate.”
Lisa said, “It doesn’t often work out that way, but they’ll get along after a while.”
I hung up the phone feeling a little bit worried.
So I Googled: “How to introduce a kitten to a 10-year-old cat.” And discover it’s not as simple as I thought. After reading pages of expert advice, all suggesting that the older cat (Girl) is not going to be happy about this; we will need to keep them apart until they have time to get used to each other; and how important it is not to disturb Girl Kitty’s routines; it was much more complicated than I’d imagined. Not the vision of feline harmony that I’d hoped for. I’m disappointed, but I think perhaps we should say no to this new kitten. I don’t want to ruin Girl Kitty’s life!
But, after all, we did ask the shelter to save us a kitty; it can’t hurt to at least go look at him. It might even be rude not to.
Just in case, we better put the cat carrier in the car. Probably won’t need it.
We drive into Edgartown. On the way, Joe says, “What do you think you’d want to name him?”
I smiled, “I was thinking about that this morning. I don’t know; I wouldn’t want to name him Man Kitty again.” (I’ve named all my male kitties “Man Cat,” then call them by nicknames: Mr. Momo, Momita, Mannie, Manita, Moesome ♥).
“How about Livingston?” I suggest, “then when we see him we could say ‘Livingston, I presume.’ “
Joe says, “But Man Cat’s a good name; at least it’s easy to remember.”
I say, “Yes, that’s for sure, OK, we’ll just name him Man Cat. It’s probably best.”
Joe says, “How about Jack? You could name him Jack.”
I say, “Jack? Jack! I like it! We can name him after my dad. Jack, Jackie, Jackarina, Jackolantern; it works! “
By then, the inner me was saying, People do it all the time, get a new cat, it’s not impossible, we can do this.
And then we arrive at the animal shelter, and we see him for the first time, with his funny French mustache, a face only a mother can love, and his look that says, I really want to go home with you and live with you for the rest of my life; pick me.♥
I’m thinking, this is a very cute kitty. And then he lifted his head, and the temporary collar he was wearing around his neck had something written on it.
The women at the shelter had named him Jack.
The end. ♥
There was never any choice really. It was meant to be.
Girl is still Queen of our Bed; we’ve given Jack the Peter Rabbit Room for the time being. I visit him there every hour or so; I roll his furry self around and around in my hands. He loves it. He turns on his back for more. I’m already madly in love. Wish us luck that he stays healthy, that he won’t play “Tarzan” in the Christmas tree, that Girl Kitty learns to tolerate him someday soon, and that he lives with us forever. ♥
Good morning~
After adopting our second “death row beagle” my husband placed temporary banishment on me from the humane society( which I know was for my own good!)
How can you go there and not leave without a new four legged family member? Our oldest beagle, Toby passed away 6 weeks ago at the age of 14 and I have been wondering if Harley wants a new brother…..I have been thinking about it..it has been 8 years and both of our boys were adopted the week of St. Nick….is it meant to be? !Help!
Happy Daylight Savings too…. I woke up at 3:45 a.m. Good thing I’m a morning person!
Blessings~
Lynn
I’ll be confused all day, I forgot to set the clocks back, so I have no idea what time I got up!
It’s always interesting to see how many people forgot to set their clocks back. Arriving halfway thru a meeting, waiting for a store to open or God forbid church! I came to church late once many years ago oh oh…maybe I’d be one of those people still if it was not for my dear husband, his internal alarm clock and non-peri you know brain!
It’s true I guess that after a certain age (mine +50) a woman’s mind kinda forgets these things. A new season in my life and I would not want to be 20, 30 or 40 again!
Lynn
Oh nuts, thanks for reminding me, me too – forgot – no wonder the paper didn’t come yet! It’s nice you came out to play though! Have a good time today, no matter what time it is! xo
I’m a Jacqueline, everyone calls me Jack…you could spell it Jacque! Tres Chic!! Happy new kitty day 🙂 xoxo
I love Jack’s mustache! How adorable!
Oh he is so handsomely adorable! Jack is a perfect name! Girl Kitty will just need to show him that SHE is the boss (LOL!)! Congrats on the new addition Susan! Love him!
I googled the meaning of Jack…how’s this?
Derived from Jackin (earlier Jankin), a medieval diminutive of JOHN. It is often regarded as an independent name. During the Middle Ages it was very common, and it became a slang word meaning “man”. It was frequently used in fairy tales and nursery rhymes, such as ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, ‘Little Jack Horner’, and ‘Jack Sprat’. American writers Jack London (1876-1916) and Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) were two famous bearers of this name. It also means “God Is Gracious”.
OK, my dad’s real name is John. I was going to name this kitty Man Cat, and Jack was slang for Man. amazing. I know it means God is Gracious, because He gave us kitties, to help us live our lives and be happy, and learn all the most important lessons about life, death, and unconditional love. What a gift!!!
I loved hearing about “Jack” your sweet new kitty! My girl is named Patches she is a sweet old calico. She is getting up there in years, 16yrs. I was thinking of getting a new kitten to keep her company as well, But I think we`ll just wait and enjoy our last few (hopefully) years with Patches. Enjoy your new baby! I love kitties so playful!
Oh my gosh…Jack is so sweet 🙂 Love the little mustache! One can never have too many kitties. We have one inside cat named Shadow and three barn cats named Cali (the mama), Chewy and Tinkerbell (Tink for short). Don’t know what we’d do without them.
We have to be away from home every so often, but a life without kitties, just won’t work for us…so we all do the best we can!
Little Jack is so adorable! Of course it will work out! Girl Kitty will establish this is HER territory and she will ALLOW him his space on her terms. Little Jack, not knowing any differently, will be thrilled! She’ll be annoyed with his kitten antics but before she knows it she’ll be chasing after string, pouncing on rolling toys with bells in them… its how cats roll! At least, that was our experience with Halley and Ollie. They sense there is enough love and laps in their world and all is well. Looking forward to future Jack stories!
Girl Kitty was amazing when we drove across country with he,r taking 10 days. She really surprised us; she’s so shy, we thought this could be a nightmare, but she was a real trooper and made the trip wonderful for us. Kitty in hotel rooms is such a nice gift to people far from home!
I had to smile–now you know why we always travel with our schnauzers. We’ve decided we worry and wonder about them less if they are with us and it makes everywhere “home”. They sort of “ground” us… After our first one, Greta, died, we were visiting my dad in the hospital shortly afterwards and as we walked out to the car in the parking lot, Norm looked at me and said, “With Greta gone, now it doesn’t even matter when we go home” in a sad voice…
I’ve always said, they don’t replace each other but they help fill the gaping hole left by their absence…I know, I know–some would say we are ridiculous but we know we aren’t… 🙂 They give us so much enjoyment and love…
So right Pat!
Congratulations Jack! How lucky you are to have such a wonderful new home and such a caring staff. Girl Kitty will help you learn all the important KITTY WORLD things and you will soon be bird watching together and chasing each other around wrecking havoc in your human world. Your humans will be wondering what were we thinking! Girl Kitty will have her inner kitten awakened and rediscover all her kitten tricks. Oh and how fun Christmas will be with all that kitten energy discovering the season.(We still tie off our tree and our cats are 15 and 18 years old they just have see if they can get to the top). And to call the Peter Rabbit home what a lucky kitten. Enjoy your new life! We look forward to more Jack storie
Well, of course with that Hercules Poirot mustache, his name must be spelled Jacques! What a sweetie, and as all have noted, Girl Kitty will teach him manners & bend him to her will in due course. It’s been a long time since we had any four leggeds living with us, but our lifestyle just hasn’t allowed for it. Hopefully when retirement happens. 🙂 Have a wonderful day with your new fur ball.
Susan,
I love how you sprinkle quotes throughout your books (and on your website). Have you thought about doing an illustrated book of quotes?
I have, and I should!
Along with a wonderful book about train travel!!!!
I would love that too!
A book on train travel would be helpful and wonderful annnnnd think of the “research” you would have to do. Fun!!
🙂
I’m thinking we need The Susan Branch Television show…:-)
Maybe a video diary or something like that!
Kitties!!!!!!!! I could not live without kitties! Your new little mr. is so sweet…cats are heaven and kittens….really what can top a kitten.?.maybe two kittens !!. So happy for you all! I am treating myself this morning…back into bed with three kitties ..buster ,rusty, and Gus…reading blog land updates..and a new Mollie Makes magazine!!!! (fantastic new British magazine). O.k. I’ll admit it …I have 8 kitties….I know…. sounds like the crazy cat lady…but we had 6 which is quite manageable and then 3 months ago one of my dearest friends had to move back to new Zealand….she had had her 2 kitties for 13 years!!!! I had to take them…Sooooo we now have 8….Well…there is also one outdoor kitty we feed and have made an outdoor heated kitty bed for….so some people might say …hmmmm 9….oh dear…I will say it is a lot…..but what can you do????? Lots of vacuuming!! Give that sweet little guy a pat for me!
I always just let the cats work it out among themselves. They will find what they can do and what they can’t. There might be some yowling and a couple of fists thrown but then they will settle it. Territories will be established.
CONGRATS! Girl Kitty already knows your new addition is in the home, believe me….my lovely daughter Angela brought 3 cats into our lives and the 1st one was a stray a lovely calico she named Jinxee and we kept her outdoors for awhile she was an only for several years until our black/white ragdoll came another stray which we named Mystee Mae and then she came indoors and she just took over and established that she was the queen and poor Jinxee became her court. Mystee was just a strong willed kitty and Jinxee was just so shy and then came our big boy a Mainecoon named Smokee Joe and Mystee wasn’t having any part of him and the noises that came from her when they met we feared they would never get along….but, it will happen. Cats will establish the “pecking order” and your home has enough room and you have enough love for the both of them. Girl can smell the new additon on you and she hears the little meows; it would probably be better for Girl that the 1st time they meet you are not holding him? Jack was meant to be from his color of black/white which is your fav to the name. Good Luck!!
Cute kitty!! I adopted a dog from the Edgartown MSPCA many years ago. Good for you for saving little Jack~so adorable.
Who does the real saving, that’s the big question! 🙂
Oh, Susan, now that is the true question! I have no cats currently but they hold a special place in my heart and memory. My furry one nowadays is a chocolate and white piebald, long-haired dachshund and he came to me as Jack to you “with intention” — I was going through an extreme rough patch in life and my younger daughter kept telling me I needed an animal but hubby was completely against acquiring an animal. Well, darling daughter put the fix in and found the doggy and though I made him wait four long days before I broke down and called to have them hold him for me, he was “meant to be” . In the process of picking him up I discovered he had come into the pet store on my birthday which was when my daughter took me in and found him — how about the odds on THAT? And I swear even now that he saved my sanity and maybe even my life by arriving in my life nearly six years ago.
Jack is adorable and perfect for Girl Kitty and for you and Joe — he was “meant to be” and he is so lucky he has come to share your lives.
We, you and me, and all of us, are so lucky!
Congratuations on your new kitty! There is nothing like a new kitten in the house to liven things up. Girl Kitty will come around. She’ll figure out that she can show Jack the ropes and boss him around as all girls like to do with boys. Since Jack’s darling face is sporting a French mustache, please promise to call him Jacques on occasion. He is absolutely precious!
After looking at these adorable pictures again and again – he’s so CUTE! You could have named him Mittens. What a face he has. He’s a darlin’.
Yes or boots. Someday I’ll show you the black and white marks on the backs of his legs, really beautiful.
Girl Kitty Update: She found him. There have been paws under the door to the Peter Rabbit room. She’s not thrilled. But we are here to make sure she does well, so don’t worry, it’s huggy city around here!
G.K. is one smart lady! Soon, she’ll be smiling when he strolls by, hopefully! Looking forward to the pics of the 2 together! Hugs & purrs!
My heart is swelling. What fun! Just in time for the holidays too! Girl is a good kitty – she’ll be fine. And by the way, I have to say, she’s a “looker” too.
With that funny, cute French moustache I’m afraid I would have to call him Jacque as the French form of Jack, at least sometimes!
Good Morning Sue,
Oh boy….are you and Joe in for it! I’ve been through “new kitty days”! Oh yes…make sure the Christmas tree is tied down well, all your glass balls are not were they can’t get broken. All you little glass figurines are not where they can be knocked off the shelf if “someone” decides to see if they can climb up there! Oh boy…that’s all I can say. Our little guy…(being a nurse I couldn’t even figure out he was a boy or not when we got him because he was only six weeks old and….well, I’m not used to looking at the “underside” of kitties. But since I didn’t know “what” he was, we just called him Kitty! He rules the castle now. OH yes, we are trained well. Rich & I know what all those meow’s mean and the parade around our pillow at 3:00 am…we are now fully trained. Girl Kitty will show Jack the ropes once she figures out…the little one is here to stay. Nail what can be nailed down, tie up what can be tied up, make sure you don’t hold the doors open or he’ll run out. Close all the closet doors so you don’t shut him in there when he gets inquisitive and make sure Girl Kitty knows…..SHE’S the QUEEN! Have fun and I’m looking forward to hearing all the fun your going to be having at your house over the next few years. “Let the kitty games begin!”
FOSB 4~Ever! ~ Doreen ~ XO! (BTW….Morning “Girlfriends” and Jake!)
Wow – what a cutie Jack is….and it was meant to be. Girl Kitty will love her new little brother in time do not despair! She’ll show him who’s boss and he’ll comply. I’m always amazed how smart animals are. I got my little Joeygirl (my soon -to -be 16 year old poodle/terrier mix) from a shelter too. I spotted her and she came right over to me and nuzzled my hand. Shelter animals just break your heart. I’ve been thinking of a cat lately as a buddy for Joeygirl and now you’ve given me the courage to go look. Have fun with your new baby – just in time for the holidays!
You will be surprised at the joy — I knew it was there, but I forgot how adorable a new baby animal can be — funny, loving, energetic, sweet, innocent.
Jack is so cute. I love the markings on him. It may be just a little difficult to get Girl Kitty to adjust, after all she has been the queen for a long time. Eventually they will get along just fine.
We must have 200 kitties in our shelter in Springfield. I am so allergic to cats that I can’t have them. I love watching all my friends with their animals.
Jack is going to a cherished member of your family for a long time. I am jealous…LOL!
I truly believe you had no choice in this matter – the cat chose you and Joe to live with. He is sooooo cute!!! Hopefully Girl Cat will teach him his manners. Judy C
Oh my! Jack is so handsome! Congrats! It was truly meant to be~
What a cute mustache, and you took the words right out of my mouth. ” It was meant to be”!
The new kittie Jack is just too adorable! I have a very allergic Husband but I LOVE kitties. Husband or Kittie? Tough choice! 🙂 Since he has been with me for 41 years he wins! Best of luck to you & Joe with the new addition! I do have to say how much I love Susan Branch! I am such a fan. I was without a computer at home for two years. The FIRST website I went to when I got my new laptop was yours! I used to sneak onto the site at work and print off your Willards for my co-worker to read when we had a bad day! What a ray of sunshine and it always made us feel better!
Check, he may have grown out of it! I was allergic to cats when I was 5. Rub him a little bit with a kitty and see what happens! Thank you Jan!
My son and I sat down and I pulled up your website. The picture of your kitty popped up and Tucker says “Mom, its Cosmo!” We had a cat that looked a LOT like Jack. As we keep reading, he says “Mom, look! She called her cats Momo too. ” We had so many names for Cosmo *momo, momolicious, quazimomo, cosmoto, etc. We thought we were the only ones who did things like that, as our dogs have about 10 variations on their names each! So good to hear we arn’t the only ones who do this! We think it is very creative and makes our animals special. Sadly, Momo died not long after she had kittens, but we had seven more little Cosmos running around. Good luck with Jack, Girl Kitty will be just fine after a while and will love having a companion around, it will keep her young at heart!
Our Momo (Moesome) was even Kinita Ponita sometimes. . . (phonetically Kineeta Poneeta). All derivatives of Man Cat 🙂
The little French mustache had me from the first picture 🙂 He is adorable!! I just love kittens and all the energy they have. Obviously it was meant to be, since he already had your name on his collar! We have 2 rescued kitties, now 13 years old. We were only going to take one, but noone wanted the runt, so we took her too. Lucy and Ricky! They are also black and white tuxedo kitties, but Ricky does not have the oh so cool French mustache 😉 Enjoy!!!
We have two “alpha” girl kitties and from the beginning of introduction they have not gotten along…and that was 4 years ago. It makes me so sad because we love both of them so much. A vet told me that eventually one would dominate. That’s exactly what happened. They do not fight with each other but they communicate with hissing and growling to one another. We tell people that we have “his and her” cats. Princess prefers John. Molly perfers me. These cats rule the house. There is a hand painted tile hanging above the cat dishes which says, “It’s my cat’s world. I merely open the cans.” I love your Jack’s mustache…such a cutie and certain to win over Girl Kitty’s heart with that mustache.
Heartwarming. I have had to introduce new dogs to the existing family twice and it has never been a problem. There was, once, a family cat named Jack belonging to my cousins who lived down the street. I never new him, but I started having paranormal experiences involving a cat that I could not explain. One day, I was so perplexed I mentioned it to my mother and she said (quite cool) “Oh, must be Jack . . was wondering where he’d got to” . . seems his spirit had adopted our house (from my cousin’s house) and when I moved out he moved with me. Strange but true. He even travelled with me from Wales to Florida, and back again two years later! Remember, we don’t chose our cats, they chose us!
Your lovely Jack reminds me of my two black and white kitties, brother and sister, Skinnyribs and Dracula. I know you will all be very happy together xx
I wish you luck, that he stays healthy, that Girl Kitty learns to love him as you do, that he lives with you forever!
Thank you!
I am so happy for you, Joe and Girl. Jack is soooo cute! A little tip. I would open the door of the room and let them see each other before letting them touch each other. Then make sure you give Girl lots of love! This will be my Rangers first Christmas. I am sure the tree will take a beating, but I don’t care. I love my Ranger and Hunter.
What a charming story! Love Jack’s “French” mustache! We do love our kitties. All the best with the new addition… XO
Yep. It was meant to be. So that means that girl Kitty will fall in love with Jack…eventually. We’ve had similar experiences and after the initial back arching and hissing, they end up curled up and purring together. Precious love story. Lucky Jack.
Hi Susan, I couldn’t be happier to read this post. Our Pixie has been an only cat for 7 years now and I had a feeling that introducing a new kitten into the house might be an issue. Now I can follow how things are going along in your house.
Happy Sunday
♥, Susan
I think the main thing is to take it slow….it’s worth it!
Congratulations!!! And what a cutie he is ♥♥♥ praying that it all works out ~ we all know that with all the love in your house, both Girl Kitty and Jack have the best of chances for success!!!
Jack is adorable! You could not possibly not have taken him home with you. It would have been humanly impossible. The moustache is too, too cute. (I agree with those who said to call him Jacques sometimes.) I think the paws under the door is a good sign. They’ll make friends. I read somewhere to let them be on opposite sides of a screen door as an introduction. They can see, smell, and hear each other, but not take spikey swipes at each other.
Have fun with the kitty frolicks at the House of Creativity.
Linda in Texas
Humanly impossible, absolutely right! 🙂 So glad!
Congratulations on the new four-legged love of your life! I spent many years being a non-cat person and I have to tell you why. As a young teen I flew down to Pasadena, CA. to visit my sister who was newly settled and, I think, a bit lonely. She had just adopted a little kitten (“Sydney”) and I thought he was adorable…. until the lights went out. Maria’s studio apartment left little room for visitors so my bed was a pile of blankets on the floor. Perfect, right? She assured me Sydney would curl up and sleep with me and I thought that would be wonderfully cozy. We were all fast asleep when Sydney decided to begin the midnight pouncing dance on me. Sharp kitty claws right in my sleeping frame. Yow!!! Well, this persisted endlessly. I was near tears. Sydney wouldn’t stop, even when I resettled myself in the rocking chair to sleep. Those slats just made the game more challenging as Sydney’s little claws found my back and legs again and again. I finally grabbed my pillow and blanket and went to sleep in the bathroom. When Maria woke up and didn’t see me anywhere (I mean where could one go in a one bedroom studio??) she began to think, in the fuzzy newness of morning brain activity, that she had dreamt of picking me up at the airport. When she found me in the bathroom she thought it was so weird that I hadn’t put the cat in there instead of me curling up on the bathroom floor. Uhhhhh….hadn’t thought of that. Well, I’ve never owned a cat (clearly deep scarring), but my dog, Star, the world’s most beloved golden retriever was the love of my life. I had to say good-bye to her this year after 15 glorious years. My children admitted to me later that it bugged them that Star always got the front seat in the car. She went everywhere with me. They were convinced I loved that dog more than them. (Their deep scarring). So with heartfelt good wishes I hope you and your new fuzzy love have many, many happy years. It really is inexplicable the way these animals find their way into our hearts. Forever loved.
I didn’t care for cats either, I really got my first one because I had to fight fire with fire as far as the gophers in my yard were concerned. But I fell totally in love, and never got over it. They are all so different, you definitely were terrorized! Lovely about Star, so sorry they ever have to go!!
How beautiful your new baby, Jack is! I wonder if our 4 year-old Calico, Lucy, would tolerate a new kitten….I sure would like to have another cat too. Enjoy!
From what I read, they will tolerate it, and some will even like it, its how you bring them together that makes a big difference.
I will follow your progress before I take that leap! I could easily be the crazy cat lady of Conway but my husband would beg otherwise!
So far, so good!
good for you! I do believe in two! and I am sure Jack will be the prankster when he gets a bit more used to his new surroundings. ♥
Congratulations! Our home was always meant just for dogs, then May of 2009 while my husband and I were at the emergency vet clinic, sadly putting our 8 year old English Mastiff to sleep, my husband spied a small kitten in a top cage. I was being challanged to not weep so loud they would hear me in the waiting room and my husband says, “I think I want to take that kitten home.” The vet had told us of how the kitten was to be euthanized because it was having difficulties but the vet thought he could fix the problem. So the kitten became the property of the vet and the vet was right, he could fix the problem (it was constipation). He said the kitten was up for adoption. Now it is November 2011 and we have in our house Maurce Reginald Phuzz, but most people call him Mr. Phuzz. He looks a lot like your cats. If you have seen the Disney movie, The Incredibles, then you would know where we heard the name JackJack. Just another way to refer to your new friend.
🙂 very sweet story!
Awwww. Jack is too adorable for words, and since you picked out the exact name beforehand it really does seem kismet. Hope all are happy in the household soon!
I know, it was so strange to see that collar! Couldn’t believe it.
Of course the kitty you went to pick up was labeled Jack even before you had chosen the name! God knew you were on your way there to pick him up! Check out the blog my English Bulldog wrote today for his 2nd birthday to see how he had to believe there was a reason for our recent move!
Susan (Please read)
He is a very fine Cat and he looks like a JACK! I’m happy for you and yes after awhile Jack and girl kitty will be the best of friends… Bellamia is 13 1/2yrs old she is my 2nd cat after charlie died of old age I to adopted Bellamia at that time she was only 5weeks old mother cat was very old when she had her. Susan I pray for her to God all the time that she will live for many more years. “I wish you all the best with Girl kitty and Mr. Jack. XO
What a sweet boy Jack is!!!! He’s very lucky to come to live with you all. Kitty Girl will be ok. She’ll probably cuff him a couple of times till he learns who’s the boss but then it will be ok. I’ve had cats all my life and at the worst the two combatants eventually arrived at a cease fire and lived together for many years. Because he’s little yet she probably won’t really see him as threat and might even take him under her wing. You won’t know till you get them together but I would let them work it out. Personally I would get them together as soon as possible. In my humble opinion it will be just fine. Again, welcome Jack, I can’t wait to hear of your adventures.
This may have been suggested already (you always get too many posts to read!) but you may want to try intermingling their scents onto each other–using the same brush on them, put a blanket or towel in their bedding that the other has used, that sort of thing. Also, putting Jack in the carrier while Girl Kitty investigates him as her leisure keeps them both safe.
oooo good idea!
Serendipity, for sure! He’s A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! If the grands didn’t have allergies I’d have one just like him tomorrow.
Rub his belly for me, will ya? There is nothing so soothing as stroking a kitten’s fur.
fondly,
Rett
oh, & he DOES look French! LOL
I would love to do that for you!!
Congratulations on your new kitten Jack! How delightful that the shelter also selected Jack! Surely, God had his hand in bringing you and Joe this new blessing. Yesterday on FB, I have a friend named Cat, (really), who just got a new kitten. She is deciding on what his name should be.
Love you Susan Branch. You are a blessing to share your heart with all of us.
Jane Alexander
Thank you Jane!
Susan,
We love our black and white cat, Millie, so much. She adopted us when she chose our garage to bring her newborn kittens to when a bad storm was brewing. The only problem: we were leaving the next day for vacation. My husband solved the issue of the garage door by cutting out a round hole near the bottom and labeling it “cat egress.” Smart Aleck! When we got home, the cat family was still there, so we had four kittens to find homes for and a mother cat to keep. The kittens went to The Cat Care Clinic (a place that accepts kittens which it will then place in homes or keep, if necessary), and after a visit a visit to the vet for shots and a flea bath, Millie came home with us to join Samantha, our other cat.
I look forward to more blogs about Jack and how he is adapting to his new family.
Beth
Congratulations on the darling new baby! I had two beloved litter mates for 14 years and miss them still, Corrigan and Murphy (who was a tuxedo too!). They loved each other to pieces, but it was heartbreaking when they left, and I haven’t ventured back. Not to mention, no animals allowed in my building. Weren’t allowed then either, but now we have new owners who are a lot more “vigilant”. 🙁
I had read that one “trick” to the introduction is to have someone else show up at your house with the newbie in a new carrier, and “forget” to take it when they leave! Then, out loud, say to the resident kitty, “Oh my gosh, So and So seems to have forgotten their cat. How odd.” “I do hope she remembers to come back and get it.” And continue to act like you don’t know how this happened and it wasn’t your idea, and you’re not very happy that it happened. With all the attention going to the resident Queen. And, you’re supposed to ignore the new baby until the Queen accepts it! I haven’t had a chance to try it out, and it sounds like it’s too late in this case, but I thought it was very clever.
Welcome Jacques! We look forward to your adventures!
We got our 10-year old lady a friend when my son left for college. It took her some time to accept the little but they eventually became companions…once the younger learned her place! Older cat passed away a year ago last spring at the age of 17. I keep thinking of getting my now 10-year old “younger” cat a friend but my son has instructions to lock me up — I’m allergic to cats. I only got the first cat so my son would come home after school to something alive in the house! My hairdresser has a tuxedo cat and says they are very friendly and very smart. Jack is so pretty – I’m sure he and GK will get along just fine (btw, our cats were/are female, and named Jackie-o-Lantern and Growltiger – a/k/a GT!).
Hello, you adorable, handsome, mustachioed, tuxedo-wearing kitten! Jack already has his place in your hearts and in time he will find his place in Girl Kitty’s world. 🙂
Oh I love how dashing Jack is, with his mustache and his tuxedo – what a charmer! Congratulations on him adopting you (that’s the way it REALLY works, you know ;-). I will keep my fingers crossed that he will win Girl Kitty over with his charm. Have you tried the perfume trick? A teensy dab of whatever you wear, on the back of both his and Girl Kitty’s neck, so everybody smells like Mom. Then, there’s also the catnip meet ‘n greet – a little mixer where you set up a sort of catnip cocktail hour, so everyone’s in a festive mood (of course, that one only works well if they’re both imbibers – if one of them is a kitty teetotaler, it can kind of spoil the mood). At any rate, keeping my fingers crossed for you, wishing that all goes well!
Congrats on the new addition to your lovely family! And of course, much luck with the integration!!
i had 2 kitties from 1984 until 1996. they were persian kitties one blue the other white…beau tia (pronounced bow tie) and treasure were their names. i loved them so much…they were my children. we had gone to a lady to look a 4 week old kittens…i had always wanted a white persian with blue eyes. well, we went to look and she had a white one, so we told her we wanted her. 4 weeks later when we went to pick her up the lady told us that there was another little boy kitten who followed our little white one around everywhere, and asked us if we would be interested. i said no that we had come for one kitten. the lady’s phone rang, she left the room to answer it and…you guessed it…she came back with the little fella in her arms. she put him on the floor and sur enough he follow our little girl around everywhere she went. she climbed up the side of the sofa and he did too. she fell off the sofa and down he went after her! it was so sweet that we couldn’t resist and brought them both home. i am so glad we did, because at thte time my husband and i both worked and they were good company for each other. i miss them…we now have a little dog, mr. teddi tinkerman. he is a very sweet pet just like they were. your little jack is just beautiful…congrats!
Congratulations on your new addition! What a cutie. You never know with cats, it may take forever for Kitty Girl and Jack to become friends or they may be best buds within days. We were lucky this time around because we have two tiger (the cat type) twin brothers. They’ve been together since they were born and abandoned by the mother under a bush. Of course, I found them and there was no doubt they were coming home with me. I’ve been like that since I was four and would carry every animal home that I found. Tigger & Pooh are just over seven years old now. After all this time they still play like kittens, sleep intertwined in each others arms in their basket at nap time and squabble over who has the better dish of food. Two of anything is always better.
Best of luck and keep us updated. It will be interesting to hear how things work out.
I love when the universe steps in and shows the way. Good luck with your new little ‘man’ Jack! (of course with the French moustache he might need to be called Jacques).
Susan,
Oh, he is a darlin’ boy! Having introduced several new kitties to our household over the years I can tell you that you’re off to a good start keeping them separated…let them get to know one another through the door for a bit…things will work out. We also have dogs, and the night we brought home our Golden Retriever we had a very loud disagreement between her and our Boxer, which our Corgi/Sheltie then tried to referee. We had two cats at the time as well and it was a scramble to see which one made it out of the den first! Now all is well; it only takes patience and, as Caesar says, calm assertiveness. Best of luck, and congratulations on your new baby…and kudos on choosing a rescue. Actually, I do believe that he chose you….
XOXO
queenmum
I just read your blog and the new kitty is adorable! I lost mine last night. His name was dj. He was a himalayan, 12 yrs. old and the sweetest cat I ever met. His face looked like an old man’s face, with his underbite and cool, clear, blue eyes. Most people wanted to take him home with them. He got along with all the pets in the neighborhood,even the ‘possoms’ that would steal his food while he just sat and watched. I’ll miss that little face that would look at me through the glass of the back door, wanting in to cuddle and sit behind me as I worked on the computer. We buried him in his favorite summer spot by the carport in the coolness of the grass. My peace rose had a new bud, that now lies atop his grave with a piece of shale from our back flower garden. Rest in peace little man. You were well loved.
Last night? I’m so sorry. He had an “old man’s face?” So sweet. What I miss about mine that are gone, is how they stuck by me through thick and thin, and loved me anyway.
Dear Susan,
Jack, your “petit chat”, with the charming moustache, is delightful! I love it when God brings a miracle into our lives and then drops it right into our laps!
Several others have given you book suggestions, and since I’m an old house lover, I’ll add mine! A book of photos of your house and your decorating ideas, with the house’s history would be lovely! I would pre-order one in a heartbeat!
Have a “purr-fect” day!
Love & prayers, Bunny
That would be REALLY fun, as my house seems more like a person to me! Fun to do!!
LOVE your sweet pictures of Jack and congratulations on the newest family member are in order . I have longed felt there is a special place in heaven for people who rescue sweet baby kittens and give them the love they deserve. We took in a stray boy just about a year ago and I took him to the vet to be checked out for a chip, tests, etc and he said that it was meant to be that he found our house cause he could tell with his paws on my shoulder, he felt safe with us. Mind you, we have an 18 yr old princess of a cat who has had domain here so it was a gamble for me but I knew this new guy would eventually be accepted here. She still hisses in passing and she growls at him when he gets too close to her but there’s no fighting. We keep track of them and watch them still carefully but I wouldn’t have traded this year for anything. Older cat stays at night with us, young guy goes to the basement. AND they all get along when we take our westie poo dog and two cats in the RV for our trips and all want to sit on my lap in the front seat! I can’t imagine what I must look like when a truck driver goes by us! They’ll do great together eventually, Susan, with your patience and gentle ways. Keep us informed!
Congrats on your new baby!
Introducing new kitty to established kitty really isn’t hard. The less fuss the better. Established kitty will have it’s nose out of joint for a little while (mean while thinking it will go away) there will be a couple of growls and spits maybe but, given time all will be forgiven and they will ignore each other (like they do us half the time) or will start snuggling together. If you act like it is no big deal they will too!
You are fantastic Susan! So much light you send to the rest of us!
xoxo Rebecca!
Congrats on your adoption. Jack is one lucky cat!!
Jerri
It was a divine appointment!
We have four cats. Not on purpose! Only one was on purpose; we got him for my twenty year old daughter’s fifth B-day. He is the old man of the house & has welcomed each addition with kindness & grace.
Congrats on the new baby! There is nothing more wonderful.
Your sweet story brought a tear to my eye. It certainly seems meant to be. Best wishes with the new kitty. He is so cute–and that little french mustache–Jacques!
Susan, just thought you might like to know how well my two cats integrated. I have a 5-year old tuxedo (Star) who weighs 20 lbs. My dear neighbor and her two teenagers rescued nine young cats that had been left by the roadside and brought them home to find homes for. I adopted one (Kitty) and I brought her home and put her down and announced to Star that this was her new sister. They both hissed once or twice and that was it! It took no time and they were sleeping together on the same chair. The two of them and my Corgi are one happy animal family now! – and I’m one happy human ‘Mommy’.
Perfect!
What a cute kitten Jack is! I had to laugh when you said, “Livingston, I presume.” I have a friend who has a friend that named her cat “Stella,” so that when she leaned out the back door to call her, she could scream, “Stelllllllaaaaaaaa!”
LOL, that would work for me too!
I’m not a cat person…or I should say, I like dogs better. Our dog has been gone a year now and I fight the urge daily to not get another pet. With our daughter in her senior year of college and us being “pet free” and “child free”, it’s so easy to just pick up and go somewhere. I have a good friend with 2 cats and 2 dogs and we get together, usually, once a week to cross-stitch. I get my “pet fix” and go home to a carefree house. It’s kind of like being a grandparent! But that face!!!! Jack is beautiful!!! No, I’m not calling the shelter…put down that phone…enjoy being a “grandparent”. BE STRONG!!!
Cat fever . . . it’s coming to get you!
Congratulations!!!! How exciting for you…..He looks so sweet….
I too have had cats almost all my life…presently there are only 4…..I never knew there was a right or a wrong way to introduce cats….LOL. I just keep the new guy separate for a day or so, until he/she gets used to the smells and then I let them explore the house…… they always seem to work it out…. have no fears.
Felines have been figuring out the order of things long before “Dr. Spock for Cats”……LOL
He is a beautiful boy! Such a sweet story. I’m sure your other kitty will come around………… in time!
We had a female tuxedo cat named Cecelia a/k/a CC for 18 years. She thought she was a dog and would chase big dogs down the street. We no longer have a cat, but a 7 year old black and white springer named Abigail Gwendolyn who also goes by Abby, Abs, the Abster. I’ve been wanting to get a kitten for some time now, but have been afraid the Abs would be too jealous because she is very spoiled and clingy. Our baby, now that our human babies are grown with babies of their own. But seeing these adorable pictures has me pining for a feline again. You might be lucky with having gotten Jack so young, as I think that will help Girl Kitty accept him easier. Definitely put a big rope around the Christmas tree and nail it to the wall. Been there, done that :o)
Ours fell over without even the help of a kitty, just dumb luck. Was SO shocking, had just hung last ornament! Still not over it! 🙂
Back when we had two cats, our tree was over twelve feet high — a vaulted living room ceiling providing plenty of height — Manderley (the white cat who was deaf) went up to top and back more than half a dozen times over the holiday with nary a tip. She would be up and back before we could say “She’s going to…”. The one and only time a tree went over — no animals were involved and I can’t recall what conclusion was draawn as to the cause other than the tree was simply not stable.
Oui! He eez a Jacque!
Oui!
Jack is so suave with his little mustache and tux. 🙂 And as to your question of who really rescues whom, I think when we take an animal in, we rescue each other. 🙂 Maybe Girl Kitty will teach him to behave, maybe she won’t. Our older dog, a Bichon, is a gentleman for the ages. He is painfully polite. We had hoped he would rub off on our baby dog, a Maltese. But not so. He has been with us for two years now, and he’s as Napoleonic as ever. 🙂 I’m not a cat person, but that is one cute kitten you got there…
Que sera sera . . . in the land of kitty and doggie love.
Very true. Actually, we consider the fact that the little one is such a toot to be a bit of an accomplishment. He shook all the time when we first brought him home, and always hid under the bed. So now that he’s always looking for his next conquest makes us feel like we loved him back to life. 🙂 That moxie was just waiting inside him for a secure place to emerge. He must KNOW that we love him no matter what. And he returns the favor every day… 🙂
Too cute!
We need a YouTube video of Jack in action…
There will be one, I’m sure! 🙂 The problem is so far, he never stops moving for a moment. The camera can’t keep up with him!
I love Jack! He is so very handsome with his french mustache 🙂 I am sure Girl Kitty will grow to love him.
Hi Sara! So nice to hear from you!
Hi Susan,
Im a cat person myself and lost my two cat girls last year after having them with me for over twenty years. Your story of Jack the cat was so, so sweet and Im so glad that he is in his forever home with you. After seeing his picture who could possibly walk away from that adorable face and not take a chance on him! I am looking at a kitty too that is two years old and needs a home from the shelter. I found her last week online while surfing shelter sites in my area. She looks much like your Girl kitty and her name is Luna and I think she needs to come home with me, dont you think? I think it is high time I get another lap cat and enjoy a furry friend. Thanks for the inspiration!
I do think so, for her and for you! Luna, beautiful name!
He is soooo perfect!!! I love black and white kitties. We usually end up calling them “tuxey” or some form of that name. And, I’m jealous, a new kitten baby feeling has been in the back of my mind for awhile! Enjoy him, and take tons of pics because they grow up way too fast.
Oh yeah, Jack’s definitely a “keeper” Too cute with his little mustache. Jack A/K/A Jacque. I had a 6 year old sweet, super-mellow cat named Bandit, but he quickly changed his tune when I brought him a 3 month old “little sister” Misty for company. He wanted no part of her or me and I could feel a low growl in his throat when I picked him up. He must have thought, “So! Guess I’m not good enough for you anymore!” “You had to bring THAT THING home”! That went on for 2 weeks, then one day I found him grooming her like she was his baby, and they were fine ever since. So just give Girl Kitty time and she will adjust! Can’t wait to see pictures of the 2 of them together! Now you’ll have lots of kitty kisses!
Susan, Jack is adorable. God Bless you and Joe as you welcome your new family member. I pray all goes well with the adjustment period. Enjoy them. Everything will work out. Love, Angel
Love ♥ Love ♥ Love this story! *smile* ~Mandy
I got chills when I read that you named him Jack before you saw him, and then found that his name was all ready Jack! The same thing happened to us when I took my daughter to find a cat about eight years ago. We spent weeks on what to name the new kitty and she finally decided on “Emma”. The shelter had loads of sweet little kittys that needed homes but she was drawn to a three-year-old tabby. You can guess the rest of the story. ….Yes her name was already Emma! Don’t you just love it when things like that happen? My daughter has left home now but sweet Emma is still here curled up next to me—She was just meant to be.
Oh and by the way, I bought myself a banana bowl in an antique store on Virginia’s Eastern shore today! I just had to have one after you showed me what one was 🙂
How wonderful! That’s a lucky find!
After years with only outside dogs ( a darling pair of basset hounds, Zeke & Zelda)
we got a very ornery part Siamese female kitten a year ago. We called her the “demon cat” because she bit often and tore around the house. Then this July we added a dachshund puppy, a little red male named Riley. The fireworks we expected were brief and now the two of them pounce, wrestle and play all the time.
Best part is that Sophie kitty has become loving & sweet – a real change for the better. My son JACK said “she just needed a friend!” So your Girl Kitty may act like a MomCat with darling Jack. Best Wishes to all. . .
What an adorable little man, Susan! I do love his elegant mustache. Girl Kitty is sure to love him too in time, and she will be happy and proud to have such a sweet companion, as you all are obviously meant to be Jack’s forever family!
We have brought in strays, and rescues all the time. Some get along right away, others take a while. And yet others (mostly males) like to defend their territory. But some wheres they all find their place.
Seems people have a lot harder time with it then animals do.. 🙂
We had dog and cat snuggle the other night. It was cold and snowy out side and they needed a spot to snuggle! Was awesome.
A little patience, time and they will be okay. Adore the little mustache on Jack! Going to be great for photo’s! Oh and don’t forget set the clock back ! 🙂
Oh, Susan! That has got to be the MOST ADORABLE kitten I have ever seen! I want one just like it! Right now, we have our house up for sale, but as soon as we get to where we’re going, I am going to look for a “Tuxedo” too. We have always had kitties, until the last few years, when Mazie, a grey tabby just disappeared like your Momo. I miss having one so much. A Christmas tree story: We decided to decorate our Christmas tree one year with real strings of popcorn like in the old days. It took so long to string it all, only to have the resident cat at the time, climb up there in the middle of the night for a midnight snack – LOL! We never did that again! I think Girl Kitty will take to Jack as he is still a baby. Can’t wait for all the cute stories that you are just bound to share. Congratulations to you! Love, Gloria from Nevada, Texas:D
The popcorn! Thank you, I won’t be doing that this year!
Oh my goddness, kittys have my heart… My husband after seeing a kitten at our daughters house , said we need a kitten to mix things up. We now have 4 all together the newest one is 24 weeks old. We got her when she was just 2 weeks old. Bottle fead her and pooped her the whole nine yards. Even took her out with us when we went camping. Had her in a crate. The other two cats hissed at her. Did not want anything to do with her. Simba the big orange tabby fell in love and has become her mentor. Simba is my youngest daughters( she’s 15 ) cat. Janey is my 24 yr old daughters cat. She is 10 + yrs and yes she stayed with us . Bear is my 23 year old son’s cat. And yes he stayed with us. Sew when we got the new baby my youngest daughter said she is mine. No you have Simba. Ok I get to name her. Ok Meow. All she does is Meow. She was a baby with out a mother. sew I named her Missy Meow. And this one is mine. I love her sew much.
I was sick last Thrusday and she stayed in bed with me all day . She would put her paws around my neck and kiss me. like are you ok. and then lay next to me and reach out with her paw and touch me just to let me know I’m here.
Susan you and your family will get over the hiss’s and blend just fine.
Welcome Jack, is was a sign….
xoxo — Missy Meow!
Hi Susan,
We live on a farm in the midwest and barn cats come and unfortunately go. A couple of months ago I adopted a couple of kittens, whom I named Latte and Espresso because of their colors. Espresso was hit by a car soon after she came to live with us. I decided that Latte needed a friend or two and as soon as my friend told me of a litter that was going to the Humane Society, I was on my way to pick up a couple of them. Well long story short…I now have 6 absolutely adoreable kittens and 1 slightly older Latte. My feelings are a little hurt when they are more excited to see him than me…but he is a great big brother. May you have many days of purrfect moments with your new friend.
🙂 darling; cat fever! One of our girlfriends said that yesterday, and I recognize us fellow “sufferers” now!
Dear Susan
Your little Jack is so sweet, Glad that he has a nice home. Our cat Cricket, is now nearly 17 and is really showing her age, my husband said today that we maybe should get another cat, not wait until something happens, but being she is very set in her ways, I do not want to add stress to her comfortable life. She gets very upset when she spies a stray cat outside of her spot in the sun in front of the picture window and really lets us know that there is an interloper about! We do not allow her out now as there are coyotes occasionally and other critters. So she seems perfectly happy just watching the birds at the bird feeder from her window.
I so love your blog and Willard as well as all of your books Susan.
Happy Autumn.
cheers
maggie
I think you are right, I’d be afraid too, Cricket might get confused . . . Thanks Maggie!
Do you remember the Pink Panther movies with Peter Sellers? I love a good comedy & have watched those movies several times, and the more I look at your new kitty, the more he’s reminding me of Inspector Clouseau, especially in the first picture! Clouseau had that french mustache, too.
I’d be tempted to name that cutie, Clouseau! 🙂
Marilyn (in Dallas)
That little Jack is so precious! He is bound to add so much excitement to your life and more than likely add to your work load too, but in a good way~HA! Enjoy your new kitty.
I love this story and even I love Jack…Susan, when you described the moments you were meeting him…well, I am a sap…a sap for a wonderful cat/kitty story….and this sap cried…Jack needs you…and you need Jack…you will have great important kitty ‘ventures…he will become kitty-man before you know it…and I am so happy that he gets to come live with you….and that you get to keep him forever….hoping he minds his p’s and q’s and grows to love Girl Kitty….who will probably have him in tow in no time….he really will have no choice…at least I hope! Enjoy your new addition….oh, how I love, love, love cats!
It’s the sign of a big heart is what I think!
Oh Susan, I am so happy for you and that sweet baby, Jack. Our kitties always adjusted to each other, and even with our old Labbie, Scooter.The girl kitties loved to swat at his tail, as he walked by the bay window. He would give chase down the hallway, but was always the gentleman, and let them get the best of him. I would hold my breath, when Scooter was stretched out in front of the fire, and here would come the girls….to nestle among legs and front paws. He never made a move. Our animals are so smart.
I am wishing for Girl Kitty and Jack to meet soon. Then they both can sport some lipstick marks on their little heart shaped heads! xxoo
Just wanted to add my congratulations to the others, on the acquisition of the newest member of your household. Kittens are such fun! And just in time for Christmas!
Oh, he is adorable! You can’t say no to him, he was destined to come home with you! The Christmas tree will be fun :). Our new kitten loved our Christmas tree last year. What she loved was climbing and chewing on it! The only thing that would keep her away was to sit the vacuum cleaner right in front of the tree. It sat there until Christmas eve — it wasn’t very pretty but it solved the problem!
I should start looking for a decorative red vacuum cleaner!
Oh my, what a handsome boy. Congrats to you and yours! Our new addition took about 2 weeks to be accepted by the boys, and is ALMOST ok with our other girl (it’s been 5 or 6 weeks now).
Wishing you a lovely and laughable lifetime together.
The laughing has begun already, in earnest!
He’s absolutely precious! Enjoy! To keep him safe forever, keep him indoors. We’re doing that now with our two new ones. Not always easy, but they’re much safer.
Hi Susan, what is left to say! Jack should be Jacques with his little mo that looks so much like Hercules Poirot. Tres cute! Have you seen Margaret Roach’s blog “away to garden”? She also has a cat called Jack. He decided that Margaret should be his human. Very sweet story. Karen
So cute and funny! And if that’s a French mustache, then he’s Jacques!
Oh, he’s just adorable!! And he’ll charm Girl Kitty in no time…We brought home a ten week old kitten a few months ago (Guinevere), and introduced her to our two five year old boys (Merlin and Arthur) – they hissed and spit for a few weeks, barely tolerated her for a few months more, and now they snuggle and play and bathe each other. It just took a bit of time.
Good luck with the Christmas tree though, hehe. 🙂
♥ Carolee
lol! Love to hear that success story!
Oh, I love Jack!!! He is soooo darling, and I am so happy you have a new kitty!! Love his name, too! I actually cried when I read this!!
I bet he and Girl Kitty will become the best of friends!
I have to tell you, I cried when I wrote it, when I saw his name was Jack!!! Love those “meant to be” things in life!
Such a super sweet face..he is so lucky to be picked to take home by you!
loved the story..wish you so much love with MR Jack!
Thank you Holly!
oh Susan…how adorable.. really he has a muschache…so very glad he is a boy…afterall a girl with a muschache would be not right..lol. I have 3 cats all from the same litter… we were to choose only one and then my boys and I just could not decide and then well…how could we break up the family? Love them…pure love and joy…wishing you all the very best…
Thank you Susan!
I had a great dog named Jack…. my son picked it out in much the same way… as in, “Hey, how about Jack?”
So Jack he was, although my favorite nickname for him was Jackal.
Funny!