Ok... I already have two cats. Pretty awesome cats really - one was pretty sickly as a kitten, spent lots of money on the wrong medicine. But she never got very big. The other is the hunter - big old (well... 3 years old) male - completely white. Named him Cracker at first... lol but decided I didn't want to explain that to the vet. So, he's Floyd (ears, toes, nose are pink... Pink Floyd... I know, I know). To make it worse, the other cat is ZZ.

Ok, so - I always felt that two cats were enough. More than two and you start to be known as the "cat guy". So, despite people telling me that they have kittens that they need to get rid of, I've always had the strength to resist.

So... right before Hurricane Dolly arrives, my son is on campus at the University here, and calls me to tell me he's found a kitten. He is trying to find the group on campus that takes care of the stray cats - but the lady in charge of that is out of town. He carries the cat around all day... and then makes that cardinal sin... he names him.

Well, I have to stop by campus to do some work, and I meet up with my son. And this kitten is soooooo cute. Just ribs, spine and skin. Looks barely alive but still so friendly and playful.

AND the hurricane is bearing down on us. sigh... so what am I to do?

Should be obvious by this point that I am the proud owner of a new kitten. He's been checked out by the vet. A little orange tabby. My son has named him Rumi, after some Sufi philosopher, but I wanted to name him Mulligan, because he's a redhead and got a 2nd chance... lol. Ah well, he's Rumi for now, but.... the boy is back at college and *I* pay the vet bills. (-:

He's finally been accepted by ZZ, she lets him wrap his arms around her and chew on her neck until she gets stressed enough to swat him away. Floyd has finally gotten to where he can be in the same room, eat from the same bowl, share the same litter box. He even lets Rumi chase him around the house. But, if he gets surprised he'll hiss and swat - but I suspect that's how he'll always be.

Rumi is happy, healthy and active. He loves to ride around on my shoulder, when my son sleeps on the couch he curls up under his chin, and he is currently chasing a ping pong ball around my floor. (ever want to keep a cat entertained for hours? a ping pong ball in the empty tub)

The Cat Guy )-:

Well, we've just made it through Hurricane Dolly. My very first hurricane. It was "just" a Category 2 when it made landfall - but quickly convinced me that anything bigger will send me inland. The thing hit the shore and just stalled. I think we got 15" of rain in about 6 hours.

I live in a condo on the 3rd floor - and an old tree taller than our building is to the side. And as the winds were whipping it around I was thinking that after the storm was over we'd have to look at cutting it down, it seemed like a main branch was getting closer and closer to coming through my window. Not an hour later the tree had uprooted and fell into the resaca (a kind of lake) taking down another tree with it.

Thankfully I don't think there was any damage on our street - but lots of people weren't so lucky. We've been out seeing where we can help - but there are still people who can't get to or from their homes. Prayers are always welcome.