Just Jack
Posted Tue Feb 7, 2006 in
Family
Sunday afternoon Wife and I drove over to PetsMart to see if the kitty was still there. Unfortunately, she was gone. I’m not surprised. She was bright-eyed, alert, and attentive. We did see a white shorthair, though, but he was sleepy and not paying much attention. Later, we drove back to pick up DiL from Barnes & Noble and Wife and I walked into PetsMart again. There “Truster” was, and so I asked the attendant if we could handle a couple of their cats.
Young Son picked up a longhair black cat whose paperwork suggested (loving and sweet). I really want a shorthair because they don’t shed so badly and are less likely to cause allergic reactions. I handled Truster, the white shorthair. “Truster” lived up his name. He came over to the open cage door, sniffed of me, then proceeded to let me stroke him. He had the right personality, so I filled out the paperwork while Wife and kids looked for the necessaries. We haven’t had a cat in a long time, so we needed a few supplies.
“Truster” had been adopted on Saturday and then returned Sunday morning. The other adopter’s claim was that he didn’t get along with their other cats. They didn’t even give him time to accommodate. But, their loss was our gain, and we got a sweetie.
When we got him home, we started talking about names. “Truster” just wasn’t going to work.
Young Son said “How about Jack Daniel’s?” after my favorite whiskey.
“Naw, I don’t think I like that. It’s already taken.”
We talked for awhile longer, kicking around names. We continued to think about potential names, but just didn’t find anything with the right ring to it. Finally, we agreed that he looks like a “Jack,” but I didn’t want the Daniels’ handle stuck on there with it.
So I said, “I think Just Jack will be fine.”
“Jack Daniel’s” said Young Son.
“No, Just Jack and we’ll call him Jack.” I said, “He looks like a Jack.”
So, Just Jack, AKA Jack, has come to live with us. He’s at the vet this morning being neutered, as I am a big believer in that. He’ll keep his claws though, even if he remains in the house. We’ll teach him to scratch appropriately.
I’m praying the test for feline leukemia turns out negative. I’m having him tested because I want to know he’s healthy. He’s only about six-months old so I’m hopeful he hasn’t contracted the disease. He’ll be home with us this afternoon.
I think he’s sweet on Wife. He likes to crawl up on her and be stoked. He’s very attentive, curious, lively without being crazy, and very affectionate. He reminds me a lot of Morris.
I have a short album of images I made last night. They’re posted on my gallery.
Jack is back home with us and the feleuk test turned out negative. I’m really glad about that because we’d all already grown attached to Jack. He’s made himself at home in our hearts and our home.
— ruminator 7 February 2006, 18:14 #I just had to give away my cat. I had her for roughly two years and we moved into a new home and for reasons I’m not very happy about, I had no choice.
She’s a full-blood Korat (my personal favorite) wich is a blue breed of cat. Their coats have a fantastic sheen when fed well. She’s been an outdoor cat for quite some time now and we never had her declawed (I don’t believe in that). She put on a winter coat quickly late last year and has done great outdoors. I don’t ever worry about an acclimated animal outdoors until the temperature falls into the single digits, as long as they’ve got a dry place and bedding.
Her name is Kikiyu. She (like all Korats) is known for her amazing agility and speed, with large hind quarters. I’ve just spent hours watching her hunt prey and then cripple and play with it before feeding. It’s quite a sight. Also, I have never come across any animal of any breed as affectionate as she is; it was difficult for me to turn her over. We had a mutually trusting relationship I’ve not found in any other animal, even a dog (I am fond of dogs).
She’s still an outdoor cat, living on a large amount of rural land. We know her owners personally (longtime friends of the family) and the man keeps a wood stove that’s located in a room adjacent to the tractor shed and barn burning overnight wood loads in the winter for the cats.
I ought to go up and see Kikiyu soon…
Just Jack looks like a cool cat ;)
— Josh 7 February 2006, 22:18 #I started to write a response, but it turned into something much longer so I wrote and entry instead. I know about giving up favorite animals. It’s not easy.
— ruminator 11 February 2006, 04:28 #