Big deal, you say?

Well, it is... if you know anything about adopting a pet.  I love both dogs and cats, but I've mainly been a cat person. 

About three years ago... I adopted my first cat from Salt Lake County Animal Services.  Temma Martin made her weekly appearance on Good Things Utah and as soon as I saw the scrawny-looking, Turkish Angora... with one blue eye and one yellow eye... I knew I had to have her.  She's been a great cat.  But's she's a bit of a diva.  Very aloof... not your typical lap cat.

So last week, I decided to get her a companion.  A subject, over whom she could rule. 

I loaded up my kids and made another trip to SL Co. Animal Services.  It really breaks your heart when you go inside the shelter and look at all the sad faces.  All the dogs and cats... and even rabbits that end up in a cage.... discarded or abandoned.  We took comfort in the fact that at least one cat was going to have a good home at casa de McKay.

We found her in cage 59.

I immediately knew we had the right one.  Jet black... with bright yellow eyes.  The perfect compliment to my other, pure white cat.  She kept sticking her paws through the grill of the cage... seemingly trying to reach out to me.  She wanted to play.  She wanted to get the h*** out of there!  Couldn't blame her.  The kids agreed... and after the inital "get to know you" session with our prospective pet... and the $65 dollar adoption fee (which covers shots and the spay), we had a new addition to our family.

Now if I could just get her to let me sleep at night.

Ella... (I named her after my favorite jazz singer) is still a kitten.  Four months old.  Full of life... spunk and curiousity.  And she likes to sleep right under my chin.  Not good, if you have to get up in the morning at 2:45.  But she brings a lot of joy.  A new face... and a new subject to pay homage to the queen diva in my home.  Two cats and one Mike Mckay under one roof. 

And now you know why I look the way I do in the mornings on Good Morning Utah.

Until next time...

MM