Since I posted a cute photo album of Myrtle over the years, I thought it be best that I told her story.

A long time ago...actually three years ago to be exact...we had been discussing getting a cat. My mom always wanted to get a persian cause she loved their flat faces. Personally, I think they're a little freaky looking, but over time I've grown to love them. Anyways, my sister said she'd been to her local Pet's Mart a few times and always saw this Himalayan sitting in the adoption cages. We thought about it and decided to go up there and check it out.

So one Saturday afternoon we drove in to hopefully see this cat. We crossed our fingers, hoping she was there since afterall, she was a Himalayan and cats like that don't end up in shelters. We turned the corner and there she was, sleeping in her little cage. I say this every time I tell the story, but literally, I jumped back when she turned her head to see us. Her face was the flattest I'd ever seen! Granted I'm not around show cats very often...

So we asked the volunteers if we could see her and they let us hold her for awhile. The lady was telling my mom and sister about her history and the fees and stuff, and I was petting her in her cage. She freaking bit me! I thought for a second, "Maybe we shouldn't get this cat..." But it was too late. My mom already made up her mind.

The story goes, Myrtle was found at an old dairy factory. She and a few other cats were scooped up and brought in. Her teeth were horrible, she had no claws and was microchipped. Not to mention she was a HIMALAYAN! Some breeder threw her out for her imperfections or she ran away from being treated cruelly. Either way, we'll never know. But to go through all the trouble of declawing and microchipping a future show cat and then to have her run away...that's very weird.

While my mom was filling out the forms, I picked out a collar and crate for our new addition to the family. The lady said we were approved for adoption and said that four other people had tried to adopt her but weren't successful. This has puzzled me to this very day. What did they write on their adoption forms? "Will only keep her in crate in backyard shed?" "Will have her live in garage." We were very lucky to get her if FOUR other people tried to get her! Puurrrfect timing, I think.



I started thinking of names but nothing came to mind. On our way home, Myrtle had to sit in back with me. I could tell she was very nervous and scared but there's nothing to worry about with us. We've always had animals! So when we got back home, the only thing on our minds was if my dad would agree to keep yet another cat. We hadn't asked him permission and hadn't really agreed to get another cat just yet, but it was my mom's first cat of her own. (She doesn't get to pick out her own stuff too much. I guess that's what comes with being a mom. You sacrifice everything so your kids are happy.)

So when he came home, we met him at the door. "Hi dad...um...we got something at Pet's Mart today..." "Yeah..." He followed us upstairs and saw the crate. I thought he was going to start yelling. He did, but it wasn't that bad. "Another cat?!? Well, you're taking care of her. She's your responsibility." He sat down to see what the new cat looked like. (I'll never forget this.) He was furious and you could see the disappointment in his face, but once he pulled out this pretty kitty, his frown turned into a smile--immediately. We were so happy. He started petting her and thought she was cute. Thank god.

So, after a couple of years with us, Myrtle's combatted shyness like you wouldn't believe it! She used to hide in the bathroom behind the toilet, sleep only on high places, rarely come out to see us and she definitely wouldn't let us hold her. Now she's running around with the other cats, jumping in our laps, rolling on the floor and meowing like it's nobody's business. She's made a total transformation.

Just recently I was looking at her adoption papers and it said her official name was "Tequila Sunrise". Her ex-owners, whether they threw her out or not, named her after a drink! She's always been more of a Shirley Temple to me.

ME-OW! 10:12 AM