Crazy cat-lady in training

I’ve never really thought of myself as a “cat lady” per se, but I do love our two kitties.  Sophie has been with us the longest – about 8 years or so.  When she first came to us, she was very skittish and still a kitten.  I talked to her like a baby.  Now that she’s older, I talk to her like a ‘lady’.  Sophie knows her name, Glitch does not.  He responds to ‘Poopie’ – a name he rightfully earned in his first few months with us.   He’s still a baby, so we talk to him like one.  He’s a “special needs” child, so I’ve talked to my vet clinic a lot about him.  Glitch is the fifth or sixth kitty in a line of “siblings” for Sophie that we’ve had.

First, there was Tinkerbell.  We called her that because she “flew in” unexpectedly one evening when we opened the door for the pizza we’d just ordered.  Tinkerbell and Sophie got along famously from day one.  We had her for just over a year, but one evening, Tink didn’t come back after playing outside.  We had a family of raccoons that frequented our yard every night, and we’re fairly certain that they had her for dinner…literally.

Then there was Muffin.  She also got along quite well with Sophie.  We had her for about a year when she disappeared and a few months later, we were given Penny.  Penny didn’t last long.  She was a pill.  She was a baby with razor-sharp claws that she loved to destroy things with and she had to be locked in a room when we ate, or she’d climb all over us and make a big mess.  We gave her to a nice family who had a big yard and lots of kids.  Sophie was very happy about that.

We decided not to get anymore “siblings” for Sophie after that.  For a few years, that worked just fine, although I did allow Em to get a hamster.  Sophie is completely unfazed by little Rufus, the hamster.  She even runs away from him when he rolls around the floor in his clear, plastic ball - he scares her.  Then we saw Glitch.  Kate actually had him first, but Kate has a toddler.  Toddler and kitty didn’t bond well, so Em and I adopted her.  Sophie was not happy - she doesn’t care for Glitch at all.  He, however, has imprinted on Em so I’m afraid he isn’t going anywhere.  Sorry, Sophie. 

Deciding to do everything I could for Glitch is what made me realize that I have become a “cat lady”, after all.  Then I realized there were a few other clues that tipped me off:

                My vet’s assistant recognizes my voice when I call,

                We call them "babies";

                I've given our 'babies' our last name:  Sophie Kidd and Glitch Kidd;

                Em and I refer to ourselves as Mommy and Sissy when talking to them;

                I am willing to stand at an open door indefinitely, even go outside in the freezing rain or snow, while Sophie sits just outside the door, sniffing the air, deciding whether or not she will come in for the evening;

                Both kitties had their own stocking on the fireplace at Christmas and I got them gifts;

                We "talk" for them, imagining what they are probably thinking;

                Once, I almost put Em’s plate on the floor after fixing it for her.

OK, maybe that last one was a stretch, but these kitties are people too but letting them eat at the table is a bit much, even for me.  I don’t think I’m as obsessed as some people, but I have symptoms.  I’m not ready for a support group just yet… My name is Stefani and I’m a Cat Lady.