Oh So Cute

Everyone meet Raek (said Rake). Raek is our little kitten who we adopted today. Fred and I have been thinking about getting a cat for a long time. Our main disagreement was de-clawing. Fred insisted that any cat would have to be de-clawed, and I was against it. So we have put it off and kind of came to the agreement that we probably wouldn't get a critter. Well this week a couple of things changed. First off we were over at some friends and they had this little dog. I mean little dog that just loved to be held I loved holding her. I was joking with Fred that I needed an animal to keep me company when I'm home and he's at work. That way I'm not totally alone. The second thing was on Friday afternoon I came face to face with a mouse. We have had a mouse problem off and on for over a year. We have done just about everything and the most effective seemed to be having my parents cat stay with us for the weekend.
So today while I was napping Fred was looking at kittens, just to see what was out there. And he came across a couple that he liked. After my nap he showed them to me and I absolutely fell in love with this one called Aspen. Fred wasn't going to call because it was a Saturday, but I felt that we needed to call. So we called the number and low and behold it's was the Foster Mom's cell phone. She was actually out with Aspen at the Feeder's Supply Store for adoption day. How very exciting! We immediately headed out to see her. On the way there Fred was talking about how he'd like to get a cat today but realized it might not happen. I didn't say it to him but I knew that cat was coming home with us tonight. It didn't matter what we had to do this cat was ours. Upon arriving Dana, Aspen's Foster Mom, immediately knew who we were. She automatically introduced us to Aspen, and I held him. Although he was a little timid he didn't try to jump out of my arms or anything. I just looked at Fred (must have been glowing) and nodded. Fred knew went and got a contract and we started the adoption process. While doing the paperwork Dana showed me what toys Aspen liked and the food he was currently on. Dana was very excited that we were taking he cat. Aspen's sister was adopted last week and she really wanted to find a home for this kitten. After paying for everything we put our new kitten in his carrier and drove home. Fred had already expressed a desire to name whatever cat we got Raek. Raek is a character in the book he wrote. Raek is a warrior, who is a little crazy. And that is the type of cat Fred wanted. I thought it was a great name for our cat and agreed. So no more Aspen, it's Raek. It took Raek a few hours to settle in, but with some coaxing a little bit of force (had to put towels and blankets to block all the places we didn't want him hiding) he started to wander around and get used to the place. He also sat on my lap and let us pet him for a good 45 min. Dana said he loved to be the center of attention and is a big cuddle cat.
Oh and you may be thinking what are you doing about de-clawing? Well Fred relented. We are not going to de-claw our cat, but I have to train him not to claw at things and keep his nails filed. Half of that is done for me. Dana has never been scratched by Raek and he's never clawed at anything. He really is the perfect cat for us.

RAEK's STORY
Raek was found with his sister, by Dana, outside of a restaurant down by the river in October. Dana being an assistant at a veterinarian's office couldn't simply leave them there. So she took them home. The vet estimated that the kittens were only a month or so old at the time. Dana took great care of them and in November after both had been tested, given their shots, and neutered they went up for adoption. Each Saturday Dana would take the two down to the Feeder's Supply and hope that someone would adopt them. Dana had plenty of other animals at her house and knew that there were plenty of other homes that would love a kitten. So they waited at the store and were put on Petfinder.com. But still no one came for them. In the first week of January Raek's sister was adopted. Raek didn't have a problem with this because it was one less critter to fight with for attention. The next week these wonderful people Crys and Fred came to give Raek a home. Now he will be the spoiled cat that he wants to be. Especially with a stay at home mom.