The Moment My Boyfriend Gave Me A Kitten

“The moment my boyfriend gave me a kitten” is the caption I wrote on the first picture I posted of Mittens on Instagram. Grant was indeed my boyfriend at the time, and I was so shocked when he showed up with a kitten. He had sworn we would never own a cat, and now, we have two!

Here is the story of how we got our first cat (well technically second).

Four years ago, I was remember enjoying a nice summers day at our tiny house. Click here to see a picture. Unexpectedly, Grant had stopped by in the middle of the day and told me to come outside. “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” Now it’s not always easy to follow Grant’s orders as you never know where it leads, but reluctantly, I obeyed!

Much to my surprise, when I opened my eyes, I beheld a tiny, black, ball of fur in my hands. “Meow, meow.” “Where did you get it?” I questioned. “We found them in a ditch over by the college while we were mowing. I thought we could keep one.” Grant responded. As soon as he said that I remember the baby kitten leaping from my hands and trying to get away. I quickly snatched it up. I began expressing my sadness to Grant that he picked an all black one when “poof!” That cat was gone again. It scurried into our back yard and ended up under our neighbor’s back porch. Luckily, the neighbor’s house was vacant at the time, but still we thought that cat was gone.

“Well, there are more of them,” Grant said. So I hopped in the gator and rode to the ditch with the litter of kittens. Arriving to the scene, we exited the gator to find 7 kittens prancing around in the ditch. Happiness infiltrated my body. So many cute babies! How would I choose?

While I want to say Mittens and I had the best connection, she was truly picked because I thought she was cute, and I could catch her. After I picked her, Grant drove me back home with her held tightly in my hands. Didn’t want to have another incident!

Once home, I searched google to find a M name. Honestly, I’m not sure why I thought it had to start with an M, but because we had Midas, I wanted to keep the M name going. Google, scroll, google, scroll. The name didn’t resinate with me quickly. I wasn’t even sure if I liked Mittens, but through the next couple of days the name stuck, and now I can’t imagine her with any other name.

That night was so fun as we began introducing Mittens to the house and to Midas. Midas was 9 months old at the time, and he was simply fascinated by her. He would follow her around the house constantly keeping a close eye on her. His gentleness shined through as he admired her while she rubbed on his legs.

I decided to sleep on the couch in the living room that night since that’s where Mittens was. We had only introduced her to that part of the house as not to overwhelm her.

Then around 2 am, I hear “meow, meow.” Frantically, I awaken. Mittens is asleep in the room, but I still hear kitten cries. I look outside to see the black kitten sitting on our sidewalk. “Whew!” It’s not dead.” I thought. Quietly opening the door, I walked outside and scooped up the black cat. Both cats spent the night in the house, and then Grant picked up the black cat the next day. The goal was to return him to the ditch, but through many events of losing him, him crawling through the floor board and then by the engine, we don’t think he ever actually made it back to the ditch, but he did make it back to the college campus alive!

The days that followed were filled with cheerfulness and gratitude. I was so excited to own a cat again. ( I had one growing up, and one for a short period on my own.) She was so tiny and cute but also flea-infested! I gave her four baths in a row where I bathed her and pulled off fleas. I remember my back aching after spending hours hunched over that little ball of love trying to rid her of her filthiness.

Mittens is a true cat when it comes to her character. She is often found sleeping or outside on the prowl. Miss Independent should be her nickname as she doesn’t like being petted or held unless she rubs on your leg and grants you permission. She has had her fair share of catches and kills. One time, she even left a dead pigeon on our rug in the living room. Talk about gross!

She likes to play, when it’s acceptable to her, and she chases many cats from our property. Even with her hard shell, she still has a soft heart. Many winter nights she would curl up next to me, and she lays on my lap any time I’m worked up or sad. Animals just know.

I’m very thankful for the blessing that is Mittens. God’s creatures are extremely remarkable.