Thursday, October 29, 2009

Thoughtful Thursday: Adaptable Kitty

Dan and I both love animals, so naturally, we both adore having a pet of our own – especially one that we found in a pet rescue facility in New Orleans. Ruby Azazel, who was featured during the first week of my blog, is our beloved thirteen-month-old kitty cat, a domestic short-haired tabby with adorable leopard spots on her belly. At once affectionate and mischievous, she’s the perfect addition to our little family of two. Even better, it turns out that she also travels well – which is a good thing for two nomads like us.

When we adopted her last November, we quickly discovered that she was a whole lot more rambunctious than our first kitty, Pawws. Despite her need for affection, she was awfully curious about her new surroundings and more than willing to get into trouble. She especially liked to bite things – cardboard boxes, important papers, my arms, my legs, even my backside once or twice – and she had an unbelievable infatuation with doorjambs. Seriously. Without rhyme or reason, she would hurl herself against the wood – it would have been hysterical if it hadn’t been so weird.

Because she was so different from our even-tempered Pawwsy, we were admittedly concerned that she wouldn’t be as adaptable a traveler. But has she ever surprised us! True, Pawws was so well-behaved that she was able to travel around the country from the comfort of her beanbag – while rambunctious Ruby must ride in her carrier – but still, Ruby is remarkably flexible. Although she doesn’t like to be restrained, it never takes her long to settle down on the blanket inside her carrier. In fact, she can pretty much fall asleep anywhere.

Likewise, she never seems dismayed by the change in scenery. Together, the three of us have already journeyed from an apartment in the French Quarter to a hotel in Los Angeles to another apartment in New Orleans to a home in northern Michigan and back again to the Big Easy – and she always seems to embrace her new environs. I attribute such adaptability to her unabashed curiosity and enviable serenity. As long as her mom and dad are around – and she has access to her favorite blanket, a gray fleece that once belonged to me – she seems to roll with the changes. If only I could learn to emulate Ruby’s ability to adapt to new situations, embrace unfamiliar stimuli, and maintain some semblance of tranquility – oh, how happy I would be!

For the pet lovers out there, what characteristics do you love most about your pets? What have you learned from them? And if you don’t have pets, what are you waiting for?

8 comments:

Tabitha Bird said...

Oh, what a cutie! I love my chihuahua. I named her LION... because then the joke has been told. And the thing I like most about her is that she adores me! And her ears. She has these great little leather ears :)

Barb said...

What a beautiful cat! I think I may have her Scottish cousin, Miss Lilly. Her favourite weird thing seems to be tying knots in my hair when I'm laying in bed reading.

Joshua McCune said...

Most lovable characteristic about Anubis (the dog): the bladder of steel :)

Mouko (the cat): his propensity to curl up in a box/drawer two sizes too small for him. (But he's definitely not a good traveler).

L. T. Host said...

Awww... she's a cutie!

I love ALL my animals, which makes it rather difficult to pick any one thing about them, but here I go:

Kitten, Turbo: He is just SO CUTE. Everything he does, adorable. Except biting my butt that one time. I feel your pain Laura, that was NOT cute.

Kitten, Nyx: She's tiny. I hope she stays small, because I love it. She has this cute little girly mew she does when she wants attention, and she loves, for some strange anti-cat like reason, to watch people in the shower. Ok, maybe that's just creepy.

Bunny, HopScotch: You'll notice a theme here: she's just so CUTE! And snuggly. And soft. And it's hilarious how every morning when my boyfriend goes in the kitchen, she starts tearing around her cage like a mad thing. She doesn't do that to me :)

Horse, Tally: How she constantly surprises me with how good she is. And how much she reminds me of her (biological) mother, who I lost two months ago. Also, she's CUTE! :)

I love my animals, thanks for this post today, Laura... How'd the move go? Smoothly, I hope?

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Tabitha! She IS a cutie! Haha - a chihuahua named Lion. That's too funny. I'm a fan of cute little ears, too. And, yes, there's nothing like a pet's adoration! I love when Ruby purrs and rubs against me - it's so sweet. Makes my heart fill with joy.

Thanks, Barb! Your kitty's pretty cute, too - and you're right. Miss Lilly and Miss Ruby do resemble each other! Tying hair knots? What a talent. My first kitty, Pawws, used to like rubbing her face in my wet, post-shower hair, but that's not really a talent.

Oh, Bane, that's right. You've mentioned Anubis's bladder of steel before. What a great quality - especially if he's left at home for a while. As for Mouko's squishable ability... I'm envious. Wish I could fit in nooks and crannies. Ruby's like that, too - and I must admit I'm grateful that she travels so well. What does Mouko do? Cry? Scratch? Annoy the driver?

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, L.T.! (Not that I have anything to do with her cuteness.)

Wow! I can't believe how many animals you have. Two cute kitties, one snuggly bunny, and a loverly horse! How do you do it? I have trouble just taking care of Ruby.

I must admit, I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has to deal with a butt-chomping kitty. And while Ruby likes to follow me into the bathroom, she has yet to watch me shower... which I think is a good thing. Creepy indeed!

I'm sorry, though, to hear about Tally's mother. That's very sad... it's obvious how much you love your animals.

P.S. Well, I don't know how smooth the move went, but we made it, which is the important thing! Thanks for asking.

Jen Levin said...

Even though I don't like cats, Ruby is super cute! Just wanted to tell you that! I'm sad that I don't get to see you in 2 weeks, but the Beverly Hills fest will be here before we know it!

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Jen. I happen to agree - she is super-cute! I'm sad that you won't be here for the NOLA fest, but it's okay. We'll see each other soon enough...