I haven’t shared yet how we met Seven & Wizard, so here’s the story
of their adoption.
For Christmas 2002 C and I wanted to adopt a
kitten. After a stressful trip to Polk County Animal Control (where we were
treated like criminals) we drove to the Humane Society. I liked a little black
& white kitten (8 weeks) that was oh so cute, while C liked a grey tiger
kitten (12 weeks). We decided on the tiger.
While we were filling
out the adoption papers, the younger girl there puts the box with the kitten
next to me. Mmmm. That little cry sounds like the little b/w kitten. Yes,
there’s some white fur. Since I spent most time with that kitten, they thought
that was the one we had decided on. There was something about the implanted chip
and in no time we decided it was better to have both, so they could keep each
other company when we’re gone during the day.
A short while later we
drove home with our two kittens. We named them Seven and Wizard. We were a bit
worried about our christmas decorations, but that didn’t seem a problem. They
kept close together, exploring the house bit by bit. Seven settled in fine, but
Wizard wouldn’t eat & drink, then he’d throw up. Likely stress from today.
The next days he wouldn’t eat either and at night he’d stay up crying for a very
long time. Since that didn’t improve, after the long Christmas weekend, I took
Wizard back to the Humane Society. We liked him, but what do you do when he
won’t eat or sleep for days?
They had already put him back in a
little cage by the time I walked into the back part of the complex. It was tough
to see him sitting there, looking at me, confused … (that memory still hurts
my feelings) There was a new little 8w old kitten, grey with white in it’s face
and on it’s paws; which I thought was a good match for Seven. Boy was I ever
wrong!
Seven was waiting for Wizard to be back, but instead this
grey kitten pops out of the box that starts a fight whenever they cross paths,
beats Seven up at the food bowl, leaves a big “souvenir” under the Christmas
tree, … What a nightmare. I had to keep them separated and lock this lunatic
kitten in another room!
If only we had Wizard. It was very obvious
to me & C we had already grown too attached to Wizard the past days.
Whatever bothered us about him was nothing compared to stress this third kitten
was causing. I called the Humane Society, but they were already closed. I prayed
Wizard would still be there the next morning. 15min before they were open I was
already waiting in the parking lot. Thank god, he was still there! I drove him
home and things were back to normal, no fights, just peaceful coexistence. And
he ate, drank … Turns out that Wizard & Seven were given worm medicine
which had made him sick and unsettled.
Seven
Female, DOB 10/02, adopted
12/02
Description: short hair, tuxedo (black/white), polydactyl or
“Hemingway”
Behavior: active, asks attention, will initially hide for
visitors
Particular: will talk back with “ih ih” if she doesn’t like a
certain command like down or stay
Likes: play fetch, sit in daddy’s lap,
chin rubs & being petted, chase lizards, shrimp & lobster, lets Wizard
take the lead when she feels uncertain,
Dislikes: vacuum machine,
bathing
The name Seven was chosen because she has polydactyl front
paws with 7 toes and we are fans of Star Trek’s Seven Of Nine. Initially we
thought to name her “zeven” which is Dutch for seven, but it didn’t sound
right.
Wizard
Male, DOB 9/02, adopted 12/02
Description:
short hair, tiger (grey/black)
Behavior: relaxed, more passive, puts up
with Seven’s dominating moments, adventurous, investigates all
changes
Particular: talks to birds & squirrels
Likes: dry cat
food, chase lizards, sit in an empty box, whip cream as a treat
Dislikes:
other food than dry cat food, vacuum machine, bathing, spray bottle / water
gun
The name wizard was chosen because he seemed like a smart cat and
.
