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| Koda on his first day at home, enjoying the novelty of windows. |
Of course, I wanted a cat. I used to have a cat and miss her very much. When I moved to the US, leaving her with my ex in Sweden seemed like a reasonable decision - I didn't want her to have to suffer through the long flight here - but this was a mistake. I have often regretted not bringing her.
My parents had a cat when I was born. She was black and white, and named Sputnik. Unfortunately, Sputnik was the only one who ever attempted to defend me against the crazy in the family, and she was put down as a thank you for her efforts.
I was just a baby, I can't remember her, but my mom often told me about her. I wonder if that's when my passion for animals started. I can't thank her or give anything back, but I can help the ones who are here and in trouble now.
Anyway, I digress.
Every day at Cat Depot, I go check who was adopted the previous day. I then share this happy information with the world through our website and social media. Names of the adopted are posted on a board, and the other side of the corridor holds offices.
Offices with cats - and windows.
A white cat named Samson would meow me into the office for cuddles every day. He was my first Cat Depot crush, but being a white beauty, he was adopted quickly. When he left, Koda took over the meowing duty, tempting me in for head-boops and biscuit making.
I thought Koda would be adopted quickly as well, but no one seemed interested. I kept visiting him a few times every day, and he learned to know my footsteps, so he would run to the window of whatever room held him as soon as I approached.
Months went by, and Koda's Cat Depot anniversary came closer and closer. I did everything I could think of to find him a home. I made videos, posters, wrote about him all over social media, spotlighted him on the marquee outside the building, and so on.
Nothing worked.
Koda is on special food for a urinary tract problem, and when the Christmas holiday approached he was the only one in the building needing this special food. Thus, he was alone. I wanted to take him home and foster him for the holiday, so he wouldn't have to spend it all alone, but that message kind of got lost in the holiday chaos, and Christmas and New Years came and went.
In January, he passed his anniversary. I had promised him, promised he wouldn't have to spend a year at Cat Depot.
Had it been up to me, I would have taken him home long ago, but Mike did not want a cat. Being sick has mellowed him, given more empathy for others who are in trouble, and he finally agreed that I could take Koda home, if I kept him in my office in the back of the house.
A sound plan since Princess Bonnie is infamous for not liking cats. And I spend most of my time in the office anyway.
January 9th, Koda came to my house. I worried that he would be upset by hearing the dogs, but he couldn't have cared less. Oh the joy of seeing him explore, and being able to give him his very own cat trees and toys!
Today, he became officially mine. And you know what? I've seen Mike kiss the cat.
