Ode to Romy: One Year with Babycat

People who know me, know I like cats. But anyone who really knows me, knows how secretly obsessed I am with them. Last year, after moving out, I couldn't wait to get a kittycat of my own. I tried to settle in without a pet, but after holding out, I decided to check out an adoption fair being held by Anjellicle Cats Rescue at Columbus Circle. I was forewarned by Alek that it would be difficult to see all the kitties in their little cages, and it was. I wanted all of them! After looking around, but not holding any, my mom pointed out a small black cat who was standing at attention, staring out at us with round, yellow-green eyes. I asked if I could hold her, and I did, even though she was squirming and shedding like crazy. It was not a Hallmark moment. But after weeks of not being able to get the furry round head out of my mind, I decided to put in an application for the little black cat I met in front of Central Park.

Two weeks later, she arrived. She seemed okay the first few hours, but never having owned a new cat before, I wasn't expecting all the crying she did the first night. I didn't sleep a wink. I was stressed out from having realized I would have to be the caretaker of a little creature, not really taking into account how unimposing pets are after they get used to you and vice versa. During the first week with my very own pet, I struggled with wanting to keep her. I felt awful about it. She pooped in funny places the first day (I bought the wrong kind of litter), and peed on the cushion of one of the kitchen chairs the next. I feared her behavior would persist, and wanted to return her. Ultimately I didn't have the heart to do it (which I was happy to find out meant that I'm not a monster). In the end, I knew I was being irrational and waited it out.

Several days later, I was reading in bed. Romy came up and joined me. She came to my stomach and placed a paw on me. Paw by paw, she came closer until she settled on my chest, curled up on top of me, and buried her little head in my neck. I had never witnessed such affection from a cat, and my heart melted! She's a sweet little thing, and I got so lucky to find a furry little babycatchild like her. You can't beat a cat who's licked your tears away when you cried!