Care For an Origin Story or Two?

I had lived alone in Utah for about three months before I met Henry.  There was a new job, new apartment, new life.  It was pretty terrifying!  Luckily I did know a few friends from college there.  In fact, we had just finished a night out, and I was being dropped back home one cold winters night when I saw him!  A beautiful white tomcat with orange ears and tail and bright blue eyes.  He saw me, our eyes met, and he came running over, meowing all his troubles.  He rolled on the cement, pressed his face on my hands and feet, and just became comfortable at my side.  He was so precious!

My friend said he looked like a Henry, but I was skeptical of falling in love.  I waved goodbye as my ride drove off, and Mr. Kitty walked me to my apartment.  I couldn’t leave him outside in the cold, that would just be cruel, so he was allowed to march into my apartment with me.  

I grabbed some tuna, water, milk, anything for my hungry fellow, but he was more inclined to talk.  There was some gentle shushing and laughter before bed, to which he snuggled up on the comforter with me.  It was discovered he had a major dislike for feet under covers, or crossed when sitting.  I’ve always wondered if he was kicked in his past life.  

The next morning, I found him squatting over a potted plant, doing some business.  I did not interrupt, but as uncomfortable as I was, took it as a good sign that he was somewhat potty trained.  However, I knew I could not keep him, and with a heavy heart, I opened the front door to let him out.  That lasted about ten minutes.  After hearing him calling, wandering the apartment buildings, and returning to my door, I once again took him in.  But I still could not keep him.  I was poor from moving, and couldn’t afford a $300 pet deposit on top of the supplies and care he would need.  (He was not neutered.)  So Henry went to the humane society, and I cried my way to work.  

I had marked my calendar for the 5 days the Humane Society said they would need to see if anyone came to claim him.  After that, he was at risk of euthanasia.  I couldn’t let that happen to the beautiful boy.  I had already fallen for him.  My apartment complex worked with me, let me break up my pet deposit payments, and after Henry was neutered at the vet’s office, I took him home!

We had a fun and sometimes crazy time getting to know each other.  It was a chore to teach him that slippers on my feet were not out to get him.  And he let me know even though he lays on his back, he does not want his tummy rubbed!  We would play games of hide and seek, he likes to toss his head when he is trying to be brave and stand his ground.  His thin frame filled out, and he became more orange as the years bore on.  

It was our second apartment when I felt that Henry was growing bored.  It was also at that point that I was considering a dog.  A small one that wouldn’t mind apartment living.  My friend Emily and I would constantly visit the local humane societies and pour over the canines there, showering them with affection.  I was not in any hurry, however, as I was skeptical of introducing the king of the castle, Henry.  

We were wandering through PetsMart, when a bundle of white fur caught my eye.  In that instant, the dog I was considering became a cat.  She was from a local pet rescue, and also a flame point like my boy.  In her clear cage she watched me with light blue’s, not interested in playing with my fingers.  She was depressed.  Horribly sad.  I could tell.  

I did not leave with her.  Instead I went home and researched all I could on introducing two cats.  Boys do better being introduced with girls!  Good sign!  Finding Alannah’s bio on Pet Finder, I read she would prefer a multi cat household, and that pretty much sealed the deal.  

I returned with my trusty cat crate.  Our first meeting was wonderful, despite the rough and uncaring PetsMart employee.  She was a completely different cat outside her cage!  Alannah was a purr maniac with a meow like a raspy baby, and she loved to play with toys.  

I was so excited to introduce her to Henry, but it was a long process.  Months.  Henry is stubborn.  But she was just what he needed.  He was no longer scaling the walls, ripping up carpet, running a muck through every room.  Now they cuddle, they groom each other (or Henry grooms Princess Alannah) and we are one big happy family!