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on my mood). A few months later, sans roommate, I decided Ruby needed a playmate. (After Finnigan had come to vacation with us for a few weeks it was clear Ruby was a fellow cat-lover.) So, i started endlessly searching Petfinder.com, and popping in at the local Humane Society on occasion but there were just so many to choose from - how could I pick just one?

Then one day, sitting at the local pound, where i visited regularly for work reasons, I started looking at the poor, fat, goofy looking cat who had spent several months in the shelter and still managed to keep his spirits up. Whenever he came into the office to prowl around he would get up behind me, or the Animal Control Officer and start eating our hair (a bizarre but endearing quirk). His good humor never seemed to flag - even after a cat-aggressive dog had a field day with the carrier he was in - and he even won over the not-so-cat-loving ACO. She named him Jerry, after a fellow officer who was always cheerful - even after being bitten by a dog - and a little on the hefty side.

When I finally settled on Jerry as the newest addition to the family, it was clear that the name fit. He was the quintessential American house cat. Mostly white, with a few black and tabby spots littering his head, back and tail; he was affectionate, not so graceful, and very chubby. Most of the time he goes by Jer-Bear - or Jerald, if he's been naughty - but he always comes when called, so i figure the name stuck.

The next time a cat shows up on your porch, or otherwise works itself into your life, don't jsut names it Mittens, or Boots. Take a couple hours - or even days - to really figure out your cat, because the nicest thing about felines it their individuality. He or she would be mortified to know it has the same name as that alley-cat from down the street!

Learn more about this author, Theresa Cramer.
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