And Sadie Makes Five.

Mike and I have been talking for a few months about getting a new family pet. We decided on a cat for a few reasons: dogs are too much work (especially if we're going to be moving this year), bunnies need more outside space than we have, and birds freak me the hell out. Ferrets, mice and hamsters are absolutely non-negotiable. But cats are low-key, independent, and quiet. Plus, Hazel's been asking for one since she could talk. While I've always been more of a dog person, Mike has always loved cats, and he did a good job of convincing me that we could give a needy kitten a good home.

Yesterday, for no real reason, we decided make it happen. We took a trip down to the pet store, without cluing the girls in to what was going on. We bought a copy of "Kittens for Dummies," and figured out what we would need to buy before bringing a kitty home. By the time we'd loaded the litter, litter box, scooper, scratching post, toys, treats and food, into the shopping basket, Hazel had pieced it all together. "Are we... are we getting a cat?!?" she gasped. She could barely contain her joy.

We hauled all the cat booty home, and Haze and I got to work making a "safe space" for our kitten-to-be in the bedroom closet. We set out the bowls and made her a bed and talked about possible names. When Violet went down for her afternoon nap, Haze and I set out for the Humane Society.

We found Sadie almost immediately. There was a fat, grey 2-year-old cat named Marshmallow that I thought was sweet. There was a to' up, 16-year-old named Piper that Hazel fell hard for. But then we spotted Sadie (then known as "Flair"). She was curled up in her little cage, with her back to us. When we went over to get a better look, she immediately started purring and rubbing against our fingers, licking us and pawing sleepily. Her paperwork said she's been there a month. We knew she wouldn't be there a day longer.

We brought Sadie home and immediately put her in her "safe room." Within an hour, she was lying on her back, basking in the love of Hazel and Violet, letting them stroker her belly, her tail, her chin. She blended in perfectly from the start, and seemed to be really happy to have a constant source of lovin'. After going through a few names, we decided that Sadie fit her well, and she didn't protest, though Hazel made it well known she, personally, preferred "Flair". (No way, kid). She slept curled up in the crook of Mike's neck and when Hazel crawled into our bed in the middle of the night, Sadie scooted over to make room.

Today, a few issues have emerged, but overall, Sadie is a joy to have around. No problems learning where the litter box is, no problems eating, no problems with the loud little girls that fawn all over her. In fact, she seems to relish the attention, and has seemingly unlimited patience. Even I, the dog person if the family, absolutely adore her.

Sadie The Kitty Lady. Welcome to the family.