La Casita: Introducing Captain Jack Sparrow - and yes, he can haz da cheezburger

Since Templeton's death, we have had a hard time talking about, much less deciding and agreeing upon getting a new pet. The struggle of losing our old man was difficult, but part of the void, we all felt, could be filled by loving a new pet. I hadn't really given grief much thought before {and yes, I realize when you get right down it and put in perspective, it was *just* a cat}, but it seemed to me that my particular grief for Templeton boiled down to two parts. One was that he couldn't be replaced. Getting a new pet wasn't going to bring back that special bond and love we had for him. The second part was that as long as we recognized the first part, it was somewhat necessary to the healing process for ourselves, as well as the kids, to bring in a new pet who we could transition that kind of love back into our lives.

Cats aren't like dogs...at least, Templeton wasn't. He was a quiet man, speaking only when necessary, tripping you down the stairs all other times, lol. So, when he died, there weren't many times I really felt his presence being gone other than just catching something dark out of the corner of my eye and realizing it wasn't him, or missing his cold wet nose kisses on my feet while I typed away at the computer in the office or the jingling of his collar.

After perusing the Humane Society's website, then eventually landing on Craigslist in the pet section, we found someone who had many, MANY kittens to choose from. This lady was quite a haul from where we live and Neil just happened to be in the area so he stopped by between appointments and helped pick out a kitten. To be honest, of the seven contenders {five gray and white tabbies and two black and silver tabbies - all males}, I probably would have picked the same one we both decided on.

And that is how we ended up with this little fella. He's seven weeks old and cute as can be. He's a total lap cat, a purr box, a talker and a little ball of fun. He is on a current "buddy" system in the house until he is {translation: we are} comfortable being on his own in the house. He eats, sleeps and does his 'bidness' in our spare bathroom and then gets to come out with our designated buddies - me, Neil, Ashley, Jonathan or Paige in any of the rooms in the house, provided he is watched. When he's not watched he goes back into the bathroom to eat, sleep and do his 'bidness'. And it doesn't take a lot for him to get all tuckered out too. All the kids find him to be absolutely adorable and he seems to be quite a good fit for our family. Oh, and he has a few words for all you lookie loos. :)