The Accidental Brother.

So lots of you want to know the deal with Russell. I'm feeling talky tonight, so here goes.

My mom visits the city shelter every now and then, maybe every month or two. She thought I might like a brother but was really on the fence about adding to the family. Mostly she was concerned about me because I am her favorite favorite tiny boy and she wanted me to stay happy. Plus, even though I was outnumbered by sisters, things were pretty good. Anyway, when we were on vacation, Mom went a few times. She said she'd know right away if there was a suitable boy. At that point, she recognized some from previous visits who hadn't gotten homes yet. Still, she was unsure and we decided we'd remain boyless for a while.

Shortly after that, she got sick and started acting cuckoo like Caroline, remember? There was that little incident with spraying the wrong thing on the hedges one weekend and then dealing with India with the DSL problem. Well, the next weekend she went to the shelter on a complete whim. And the same little orange and white boy she'd seen repeatedly was still there. She couldn't understand why he hadn't found a home yet. Maybe because he was so quiet and not all pick me, pick me! like the other cats. She asked the attendant if she could visit with him. The little orange and white boy needed coaxing, finally allowed Mom to hold him and then was just as happy back in his small cage. The attendant said his records indicated that he'd been owner surrendered and didn't do well with kids. Mom figured the kids probably teased him to the point of biting and that was why he was left there.

Anyway, Mom thought the little orange and white boy might be too reticent for the likes of us and might be happier as an only cat, so she pretty much decided against adoption. So she thanked the attendant and began to follow him out. Then she turned back to look one more time. And there was Russell with his paw out of the cage as if to say, Take me home! I meant to be friendlier, really! Hear me? I'm purring!

Once Mom and Russell got home and he was settled in the bathroom, she had the chance to look over his paperwork. He had a lot more history than either Olivia or Caroline did. Mom couldn't tell when he first arrived at the shelter, but he was picked to go to the little adoption storefront the shelter has at a local mall, and he got neutered, vaccinated and chipped. He waited for a month. Then he was adopted out to the home with the tail-pulling children and was returned a month later to the main shelter. Then he waited and waited and waited and waited. And then he almost missed his chance to get to his real and true home!

On top of that rocky start, I figure he'd also been taken from his cat mom too early because I had to teach him a whole bunch of basic cat things, like how to play nice and groom without biting and stuff. But he's really learned fast. And even though I was a really really mom-worrying major troll when he first came to live with us, now I'm glad he's here. We have a whole lot of fun together.


One happy boy.