The Accidental Feline
This is Lissy.
It was a dark and stormy day on Saturday, the kind of day where the rain comes down sideways and the outdoors aren’t fit for man or beast. I was in my scraproom with the window cracked ever so slightly for a bit of the yummy rainy air when I heard a very sad meow. Under my window was a beautiful cat trying unsuccessfully to get out of the storm. I quickly went outside and invited her in. The minute Jonas saw her he asked what her name was. I said I didn’t know, and he confidently announced that her name was Lissy, a name I’ve never heard Jonas say before. We played and snuggled and she left of her own accord a few hours later when the clouds had lifted a bit. The kids were devastated.
Their unhappiness didn’t last long. She was back under my scraproom window an hour later. This time, I started really entertaining the idea of keeping her. She had a lot going for her. She was very pretty, and had the sweetest temperament I’d ever seen in a cat. She was tolerant of the over exuberance of a rambunctious two and four year old, and was extremely lovey. She was also pitifully thin, and she had many mats in her fur. Clearly, she had been on her own for quite awhile.
I sent the kids to go watch Elmo in their room to give the cat a reprieve from all the love. She hopped up on the couch with me, snuggled into my lap, and very suddenly I knew that she fit. This cat belonged here. The fact that I have been totally anti-pet, and that I would have some explaining to do with Chris, and that the cat expense could potentially cut into my scrap budget, and that I would have to clean a litter box just stopped mattering. This was my cat.
We ran to the BX, bought all the kitty essentials and came home. I put the kids to bed, showed Lissy her box (which she is using no problems), and started grooming her matted coat. I was as gentle as I could be, brushing out what I could and cutting out the really bad tangles, and she was very patient with me. After awhile, she fell asleep during the process, and I felt such a feeling of relief and gratitude from her.
She is a stunning cat, a love, and I can only assume that someone bought her and then dumped her when they moved or found the upkeep to difficult.
That night she curled up at the bottom of my bed, and as soon as she saw Maggie wake up and ran to her and started rubbing cheeks. Then she saw me sit up and did the same. In the past few days I have learned that she prefers affection to food, and that she would be held for several hours a day if she had her druthers. Last night I put her in Maggie’s old baby sling so I could hold her and do some chores at the same time. She loved it.
Every night, after the kids are in bed we snuggle up on the couch for a few hours and watch a movie or read a book while we cuddle. Every night I am overcome with a feeling of contentment as I stroke her long, soft fur and feel the vibrations of her purr. The concerns of the day melt away and I can’t think of anything I could do that would be healthier than to take this time of repose and quiet affection. Apparently, Someone knows what I need, and there are no accidents.
I am a firm believer that our kitties find us, not the other way around. She sounds wonderful! Enjoy!
Comment by Lisa — February 28, 2007 @ 7:40 pm
That’s a great story! I’m glad that the best worked out for all of you. I had to laugh about the baby sling, though!
Comment by Jackietex — February 28, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
Aaah, what a sweetie, cats are the most inadvertantly theraputic beings at times, echoing the other Lisa’s comments, cats ABSOLUTELY find us, I’m so glad for the three of you! Hubby will understand x
Comment by Another Lisa! — March 1, 2007 @ 1:40 am
Good for you!!! We all have to take care of our furry friends, when others do not. I am owned by 2 cats, and they have brought such charm and love and peace into our worlds… I would hate to live without a cat. What a beauty your cat is!!!
Comment by Sandie McCarthy-Roberts — March 1, 2007 @ 5:38 am
Aawwwwww…..so sweet Lou! Sounds like you needed each other right now. Very touching. And very well written!!
Comment by Cathy — March 1, 2007 @ 6:53 am
your Lissy looks so much like Whiskers, the cat my parents rescued as well. Just beautiful! My parents love Whiskers to pieces and she loves them too. Beautiful story!
Comment by Jan — March 1, 2007 @ 7:09 am
Oh Leah, she’s just gorgeous!!!
I love that Jonas named her, so sweet!!!
Comment by Leah Crowe — March 1, 2007 @ 7:28 am
I believe that this cat was suppose to be yours.. she sounds perfect.. but as soon as you can take her to the vet and get her shots and stuff.. not to mention fixed in case she gets outside again.. or else you will have lots of cute little Lissy’s around.. bless you and your family for making this cat feel loved again.
Comment by Mindi — March 1, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Yes, I love her! The last picture is great Lou because there she is staring back at you as if to say, “yes, I think this is a good place to be!” Very fun! Enjoy her!
Comment by Katie — March 1, 2007 @ 8:39 am
Wow Leah, she’s a beautiful cat. Good on you for taking her in.
Comment by Alicia — March 1, 2007 @ 9:19 am
This is a heartwarming story. I’ve never owned a cat, but have heard they pick their owners. It sure sounds like that’s true.
Comment by jane — March 1, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
What a wonderful find- God has mysterious ways about sending little gifts. I hope she keep you company while DH is away. Isn’t the purring great!
Comment by Lee W — March 1, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Bless you for taking in this lovely creature! Or did she rescue you?
I often wonder this when new friends find each other! She is beautiful! Linda F. from SOS
Comment by Linda F. — March 1, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
You? With a pet? That you actually like? AWESOME! I told you pets were great…Now all we have to do is convince Emily. Any way, Congrats on the new family member!
Comment by Nina D — March 1, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
Lissy really looks like a love. And comfort can just appear sometimes.
Comment by Ruby — March 1, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
What amazing eyes she has.
Comment by Sarah — March 2, 2007 @ 7:25 am
What a beautiful post, and a beautiful kitty.
Comment by Laura — March 2, 2007 @ 8:27 am
What a sweet story…I am so glad you love her and she has a good home.
Comment by Monica — March 2, 2007 @ 9:37 am
She’s gorgeous!
Comment by Becca — March 3, 2007 @ 4:57 am
I am truly happy for you to have someone to take some of your stresses away! I had a very special cat after my dad died and I know he helped me tremendously. She is beautiful!
Comment by Dina — March 3, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
What a beautiful cat, and those eyes! It really does sound like a good match for you. Now you have another subject to photograph.
Comment by Soli — March 3, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
How did the vet visit go? I’m so happy for you. She really is stunning.
Comment by tj — March 4, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
That is such a sweet tale! Cats know what they want - and they adopt the family they need. Judging from what you’ve written here, I’d say Lissy is a very clever cat - who’s adopted the best family she could find - not settling for anything less.
Congratulations to you all!
Comment by Zarah — March 6, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Your Lissy sounds like she is the breed of cat called Ragdoll. She looks like one!!!
Comment by gwen — March 6, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
I do not want this to sound mean by any means but something came to mind and I did not see it in your post (which I might have missed somewhere): Did you guys check to see if someone else was missing a cat? Only reason I ask is as a small child our dog got loose from our yard and was never returned to us after much searching. Now the worst could have happened but also I always wondered if someone had picked him up and just thought not to search for an owner. Like I said I do not want this to sound mean I just wanted to put it out there for the thinking if it had not been thought of.
Comment by Heather — March 8, 2007 @ 7:29 am