Meet Oreo ("Otay")
Let me first start by explaining that I am not a cat person. I've never been a cat person. I always thought cats had attitudes and acted like they were better than everyone else. They're mysterious: disappearing for several hours at a time. What exactly do they do? They like fishy smelling food, make messes of litter boxes, play with silly things like string, and eat plants. Dogs, on the other hand, are my kind of animal. They just chill and do purposeful things like fetch balls and accompany people on walks.
So who is this small black and white creature you see in these pictures? Well, that's Oreo. The little one calls her "Otay" and I think that will be the name to stick. Oreo is 9 months old and came from the local shelter after being there since last October. She's very sweet and affectionate and loves to climb over my laptop (while I'm trying to type) and eat my crackers.
We talked about getting a cat a few weeks ago after we discovered our mice problem had gotten out of control. I would walk into the pantry to find bags of flour spilling onto the floor because of a little hole in the bottom, or my precious gluten-free banana bread half eaten through the tin foil on the counter. Not cool. And I'm not one to set traps. I wouldn't even let Stephen do it. So I thought I could deal with letting nature take its course. I'm not quite sure we have a hunter on our hands, but hopefully her presence will be enough to scare those little hungry critters away.
The little one acts like the cat has always been here. She pats it roughly on the back and treats it like a dog. She throws her crackers and popcorn, tosses balls in her direction (that are three times the size of the cat), and finally figured out that the cat likes to chase a string around the room. The cat, on the other hand, has little interest in befriending Elisabeth. I think with time their relationship might grow stronger. We'll see.
So Oreo (Otay) is here to stay. I will admit to enjoying having a very soft somebody to snuggle with on the couch while we watch our Netflix. I'm still not a cat person, but perhaps that will change in a few weeks. I do know one family member who is even less of a cat "person." Poor Macaulay is trying to adjust to having a feline around.
you're a braver person than I am! Not to mention that I am highly allergic.Although.I have been in a house with a serious mouse problem and the thought of a cat did cross my mind.for a nano second!!!
Posted by: natasha s | March 10, 2008 at 07:08 AM
I love cats. Ours disappeared last year and I've missed them. We don't have mice ...but it seems like only a matter of time judging from the number of mice our cats used to kill. There may be a sweet little kitten appearing here for Easter....we'll see!
Posted by: sarah | March 10, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Welcome Otay!! I hope he becomes a champion mouser and friend to all of those in your home (including Macaulay)...:-)...
Posted by: Emilie | March 10, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Miaow! Cats are the best! am quite envious! Miaow miaow!
Posted by: Becca | March 10, 2008 at 07:43 AM
oh, we're a cat AND dog family here. 2 dogs, 4 cats. i'm a cat gal. the dogs...too needy. need to play, need to eat, need to go out, need to come in. (i mean i love them) but,i adore cat attitude and independence. much like teenage attitude. often, it can be a fun challenge. i hope your new addition isn't too demanding and your pup is ok. kudos on the rescue thing.
Posted by: TD wool design | March 10, 2008 at 08:13 AM
I'm a big cat lover. I don't always love my own cat (Bennie--she's quite naughty, the other, Forrest, is wonderful.) I suppose I love the idea of cats more than the reality. Dogs too. Love them, but they're so much work. Nonetheless, once we're established back in North America, we will surely have a canine joining our family.
Posted by: Kim | March 10, 2008 at 08:16 AM
I don't love anything that smells and drops fur. I'm not so sure I love for DH for precisely the same reasons, but cats they grow on you...
Posted by: QALBALLAH | March 10, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Your cat is so pretty. I love having cats- we have two. I want to get a dog but my husband doesn't.
Posted by: Dawn | March 10, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I never thought I was a cat person either until I got one. She'll grow on you and soon become a beloved member of your family. And I bet once she gets settled in those mice will be hard to resist ;)
Hey, I just noticed that up in the earlier comments that there is someone who spells their name like I do! Now I must go see who this other Emilie is!
Posted by: Emilie | March 10, 2008 at 12:25 PM
She is a cutie! I was never a cat person either, but I do love the two we have now. The are very good mousers too. :)
Posted by: Crystal | March 10, 2008 at 03:02 PM
I think it is so great you gave a shelter cat a home. I feel your mouse pain. I have a fond memory of a mouse running down my hallway chased by my cat Hector was being chased by our dog Jagermeister. I wish I had it on video. Needless to say the mouse got away.
Posted by: BettyBetty | March 10, 2008 at 04:16 PM
I've got to say ... it might be a cold day in you-know-where before you'd see me writing a similar post. You & I have a lot in common, non-cat-person. ;)
xoxox
Posted by: Grace | March 10, 2008 at 04:41 PM
What a cutie!!
As I've grown older, I find that I'm *more* of a cat person. Funny how that works.
Posted by: Berlinswhimsy | March 10, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Welcome Kitty friend!
Posted by: Lizz | March 11, 2008 at 04:25 AM
She's so cute! I hope she does her job well, but it looks like just having her around will be lots of fun.
Posted by: amanda | March 11, 2008 at 09:05 AM