Lincoln

When this week-end started, I had no idea where it was headed. This being the second Saturday of the month I had planned a couple hours of stamping with local members of the Tennessee Stampers. Lori and Myra came and we stamped and chatted. It wasn't long before our conversation turned to my fake kitties. The upright one needs batteries to meow, purr, blink, turn it's head and who know what all else (I bought him at a flea market for $3.00. He was meowing in the store and continued his antics for a couple hours before running out of battery. I couldn't find an on/off switch.)

Anyway, I told the gals about my history with dogs and how it isn't fair to have a dog while we don't have a fenced yard and we work all day. Besides, Larry really likes not having dog hair on his clothes. I said if there were a cat that didn't shed I would consider a cat.

That's when Myra told us about a cat rescue she works with that just got several cats of the Ragdoll breed. I don't know a whole lot about cat breeds but I am familiar with Ragdolls. I read an article years ago about them I told myself if I ever got a cat it would be a Ragdoll. When Myra mentioned these Ragdolls, Lisa and I both said Oooooh. Then Lisa suggested we go see them (they were not far from my house.) We did and that's when I met Lincoln.

He is the most wonderful cat. Friendly, gentle, soft as all get-out, and the epitome of a Ragdoll breed; which, by the way, gets their name from the way they go limp when you pick them up.

So anyway... I fall in love with Lincoln but figure the odds of us getting a cat are so slim I might as well not get my hopes up.

Even so, when Larry comes home from playing handball the first thing I do is tell him about Lincoln. Much to my surprise Larry's first response is to say, "Let's go see him".

You can tell from the pictures how this story ends. Larry completed surprised me by being totally agreeable and almost even anxious. I couldn't believe it. Larry is agreeing to a cat? Not just a cat but a cat that must stay indoors (they're so gentle they have a hard time defending themselves so indoors is best).

Larry has been awesome. He and I went shopping for all the cat paraphernalia (carrier, bed, litter box, food, dishes, a climbing tower, toys, and even claw covers so he won't scratch

our furniture).

May I brag just a little about how blessed we are? Ragdolls typically command a price of $600 - $1,200. The local rescue "Cats are Totally Special" charged only $150 and Lincoln is already spayed and has his shots. Wow.

The trick now is for us to learn how to live with a cat. The idea of Lincoln sleeping on our bed takes some getting used to. We never let our dogs do that. Lincoln stepped on, and even laid down on some of Larry's paperwork on the floor next to his desk and Larry only mildly objected. It's a good think Lincoln weighs a whole lot less than a dog. He didn't see to do any damage to the papers.

If the library were open today I'd be there checking out a bunch of books. I think he was a little lonely this morning as he was walking around the house meowing. This is the first time he's been an only cat and I think he's rather lost. Those fake cats just aren't filling the bill.