by Renee Millican

Created on: September 06, 2009

This was to be my first experience having kittens. Not only that, but my first experience having two kittens on an eighteen wheeler with me and my husband. I have always adopted animals and I will always continue to do so, but this was a trial of the heart on this occasion.

Let me begin the story by giving a little background information. I had just graduated with honors from the local highschool and I was to join my husband on the eighteen wheeler he just bought. We had decided some time back to get an animal to come along with us. I was partial to dogs never having a cat before due to allergies and a fear of them, but we talked it over and decided to get two black, male kittens. My husband has always had cats and it pains him to not be around the animals he loves. I had heard of people getting over their allergies and keeping kittens so I thought we would try it. I was determined either way, however, that the kittens would not be leaving regardless of whether I got over my allergies or not.

We started traveling to the local shelters with our first stop being in our town. They had one small male kitten that was in quarantine, but no others. We opted to get him and go look at another shelter to get the second male. We asked the shelter to hold the kitten for us until we return. We traveled a few towns over to another shelter using our trusty GPS navigator to get us there.

I was so horrified by the condition of the place and the animals that I cried afterwards. They had at least fifteen kittens in one cage with a tiny litter box. The kittens had some sort of eye cold that was spreading. I can still picture the stripped orange kitten, whose eye was stuck shut from mucus, screaming for attention. They were malnourished as well.

We decided we had to take two from there and leave the other kitten at the first shelter. The first shelter was clean, well taken care of, and I would be happy to recommend it. That's why we left him there. We chose to take the kittens in need instead.

We picked two little eight week old kittens home with us. They could not eat solid food and that is all that was in the cage they were being housed in. I'm so thankful that we found them and rescued them from that horrible place. I shudder to think of the condition our little angels would be in had we left them there. However, I will not dwell on unpleasant what if's.

We took home two skinny kittens who became the light and joy of our lives. We waited to name them for a while, but eventually settled on Loki and Typhon. As they grew we came to know these two little wierdos. They have a fasination with plastic bags, are scared of goose feathers, and one of them sucks on clothing and my thumb. I never knew the joys of having a cat until now and I'm not looking back. I'll still get dogs, but for personality, I vote cats all the way.

I've had so many new experiences with my new furry friends, and I can't wait to have more. They mean everything to me and they have taught me I don't have to be afraid. If they scratch me, it's not out of hate. They are very loving and incredibly funny.

I hope other people can share in the kitty cult love and grow with their new friends.

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