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Of Cats and Kids

Define crazy. Define cat. Define lady.

Posted by: Carol Lombardi

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 11:21 PM

Monday my daughter and I went to the Champaign County Humane Society to visit a cat we met at Petstravaganza, an event at the UI.

It seems, however, that the cat in question has a dear friend who should accompany him to his adopted home. Both cats have been there for some time, since last September and November. They need a home. We have a home. My daughter is hooked. You see where this is going.

Two more cats would bring me perilously close to "crazy cat lady" status. I already own the crazy cat lady action figure, even though I only scored 6 on the quiz and I needed 7 to qualify as a crazy cat lady.

In my favor: becoming a crazy cat lady is not listed on my top 43 things to do in my life, and I have never posted a cutesy captioned picture of a cat online.

All the animals at the Humane Society have a story behind why they ended up there, which is summarized into a one or two word "reason for relinquishment." Many are heartbreaking. "Too old." "New baby." "Too many." "Moved." "Landlord." "Escapes."

I guess even if I don't agree with their reasons, I'm glad they brought them to the Humane Society instead of abandoning them somewhere. But it makes me want to cry knowing that I apparently give more thought to getting rid of some of my old sweaters than some people do to relinquishing a pet.

If you go, don't forget to say thank you to the incredible staff and volunteers who work so hard and care so much. And don't forget their massive fundraising garage sale on May 23 and 24.

Oh, and feel free to let me know your name suggestions for a black male cat and a white male cat.