By Popular Demand

Yes indeedy there's an update on Pat the Cat! I was holding out until all the Costellos had made their debut. So now that that's accomplished, I will relate the tale of Kisuke, Boy Wonder.

As you may recall, it was a while back when Becky and The Husband came to visit. Having been rendered helplessly helpless by the kitty over the interwebs, I couldn't imagine that would change upon meeting him. It didn't.

Poofy was scheduled for surgery the week of Thanksgiving, new mom and dad would come pick him up after the holiday weekend as they had plans out of town.

Well, Mother Nature intervened, there was snow, surgeries were cancelled, we'd all have to wait another week. No problem. We'd arrange for a good time to meet.

I emailed Becky to update her on the plans. No response. I emailed a day or two later. No response. What?? Had they changed their minds? Had there been some terrible misfortune on their Thanksgiving trip? I was verklempt!

My third message relayed my concerns and a request that if they had indeed decided against adopting - imagine! - that they please let me know as by this time the little guy had been neutered and was in need of a permanent home.

Cut to next day. I'm at work at the shelter and here comes Monica, our Volunteer Coordinator, scurrying down the hall in my direction waving a piece of paper. It's an email written the night before from guess who - Becky! There had been some 'equipment revisions' at her end and though she'd been receiving and responding to my messages it had bcome clear to her that I hadn't been getting those responses.

Becky had gone to the Humane Society website, found the contact information for Monica, and emailed her in a wee bit of a panic that they did indeed want this kitten and could she please track me down to let me know! She and The Husband had even named the little poof already! It's Kisuke. Becky works at Pokemon, hence the Japanese reference. I like that it kinda sounds like a little *smooch*.

Back to our story. Later that same afternoon, Becky left work in Redmond with the encouragement of co-workers and the blessings of the boss, and drove however long it takes to get to Tacoma. I went home on my lunch hour, scooped up Kisuke and brought him back to the shelter with me. We met at about 2:00, completed the adoption and off they went!

It happened so fast I hardly had a chance to realize he was gone! It's probably just as well. Goodbyes aren't always easy. I did warn her that she'd no doubt be serenaded all the way home as Puffy doesn't like the crate. The little poop made a liar out of me. This appeared in my in-box that same night:

"I can’t help but give you a quick update! I love taking photos of my kitties. From the pictures, you might wonder if all he does is sleep. Actually, he won’t stop moving and I can’t get a good picture! ;) I picked up my husband and Kisuke slept the whole way home.

We’ve nicknamed him Floofers and he demanded the run of the whole house from minute one. His siblings are still adjusting, but his big brother (Shinji) did allow Kisuke to take a nap on top of him on my lap."

Kisuke with brother Shinji and 'Baby Girl' sister Asuka.

"I have to say that I had completely forgotten that kittens think that 6am is play time! I'm going to need to start going to bed earlier. ;)

Yesterday was the first day that the oldest and the new youngest were playing together (I knew they'd be best buds once we got past initial nerves). And I even caught them all cuddling together.

Having a black cat and a black and white cat makes pictures hard, but either way it's clear the little Floofer is sandwiched between them. We're having a good time, and we'll definitely keep in touch. "

And later:

"The vet's office came to a standstill today during our appointment so that all the gals could take a turn snuggling him and snapping pictures. LoL!

Kisuke is one of the boldest cats I've ever had, and he's taken over the house pretty quickly. I'm trying to keep him out of the Christmas tree, but I have the hardest time scolding him with that adorable face!"

Amen to that.