Scribblings

Feline Friday ... Amber

This is my favorite picture of Amber, taken by TB recently. For more pet pictures, click here

I have almost always adopted my kitties ... or they adopted me, usually from kittenhood. Amber and Mouse were both much older and it was the first time I tried adopting cats. They're great!

We got Amber the summer after Rich died. When we moved from MD to NY we had to give up our pet cat because the landlord adamantly refused to allow us to have any animals of any kind. We were all heartbroken. In the middle of the summer, a friend of mine called and asked if we could take in a cat who would have to go to the shelter if we couldn't help. Apparently her friend was moving into an apartment with a landlord who refused pets.

I started to say, I wish we could but we can't. Then I thought, why not? I don't care if my landlord gets mad. We've just had a devastating tragedy, this cat needs a home and I bet all of us would benefit from her coming to live with us. So I said, "yeah, let's get it a try!"

Amber is a beautiful cat. She was pretty big when her owner brought her over and I was surprised to hear that she was just nine months old. I didn't really believe it but thought, who cares? Amber appeared well cared for and had several toys. She'd been spayed and was on a special diet for hairballs. Her owner seemed heartbroken and I could understand. We'd been through that ourselves.

Amber hid from us for a week. I knew she was using the box and eating the food but otherwise we didn't see her. I felt disappointed because she seemed shy or afraid of us. After a week, though, she began to come out into the open and warmed up to me. She would hide from the kids a lot but she always came to me. I loved stroking her long silky fur.

Once I married TB and we moved to NJ, Amber didn't hide as long. She took to TB almost from the start, especially after I suggested that he feed her a piece of ham. He took this picture of her in her favorite perch in his office. She goes to see him every day, keeping him company and looking for some affection or some catnip.

And she's grown! I think she's even twice as big now as she was when I first got her! I wonder if she is a Maine coon cat? Or maybe a Norwegian Forest Cat? Her owner never said one way or the other. It doesn't matter. Whatever she is, she is sweet and loving and a very valuable addition to our family!

Friday Five:

1. If you could have anything you wanted to eat for a day, what would you choose for your meals and snacks?

Just for the day? I would be very bad. I would have a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and French toast. I'd have half a grapefruit covered in sugar and a pot of coffee with cream. For lunch I would have a thick deli sandwich with pickles, coleslaw and potato chips. For dinner, I would have a prime rib, baked potato dripping with butter and topped with sour cream, a big salad with Ranch dressing and soda or water. And for snacks and dessert I'd have chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!

2. Is there ever a dish/food or dessert you wanted to try but never had the opportunity, what is it?

I can't think of anything new but I've got my eyes open!

3. What's a dish/food or dessert you've tried that you wish you hadn't?

Shark fin soup

4. Ever watch cooking shows? (i.e. "Great Chefs," "Epicurious," etc.)

I used to but haven't in a very long time. I used to watch "Emeril" a lot

5. Are you hungry yet?

Oh my gosh yes, I wonder if I can convince TB to go out? ;)