Studio Mascot

I'm extremely allergic to cat and dog dander.  This has been true since I was 14, despite the fact that I love dogs and cats (especially my 'nephew kitty' Kobe!).  Why is this important, you ask?  Because I've been adopted by a cat who has now become our studio mascot!  Here's her story:

In late August, we noticed a skinny little cat who came through our yard fairly often.  She seemed friendly, was pretty vocal, and didn't have a collar.  She was not much more than a kitten, with a frail body and a fluffy tail.  We suspected she'd been left behind when her family moved, and as the weather turned colder, we began to feed her outside.  Then, we watched as she began to fill out, and her body began to match the fullness of her tail.  My sister, my nephew kitty's mom, said we should give her a name, but I had no idea what to call her.  Then, one day I watched the cat leap onto one of my thistle sock bird feeders, grab an unsuspecting yellow finch, devour it, and thus a name was born:  KiKi, which stands for Killer Kitty!  Unfortunately for the birds, that wasn't the only kill she made--her tally is 3 (that we know of), and not suprisingly, I've noticed a marked reduction in the bird traffic around my feeders!


During the recent very cold weather, I took pity on KiKi and let her inside to warm up.  Amazingly, I'm able to be around her for long periods of time without sneezing or wheezing.  She is a fun companion (when she's not sound asleep), and has her favorite places to be (usually right where I am, 'helping' me paint, as shown at left). 
So, we've been adopted, and our studio has a mascot who's curled up asleep in "her" chair even as I type this.

Comments

Jillian said…
That's great, Michelle. Maybe you have grown out of your allergy. Sometimes longhaired cats don't bother one as much as short hairs. Anyway, she is a little killer to be sure. Lovely and yes, absolutely fascinating to watch.
Lori said…
Oh wow! I am SO jealous. I love cats and I've owned three in my lifetime (or they owned me). But like you, the hubby is allergic. Wish you knew something about KiKi's background. Oh well, I may have to come and catnap her . . . : D
Jeanne Rhea said…
Love this post and so glad you have a kitty that you may not be soooo allergic to. I wonder if because she has been outside so much she does not have so much of the dander or whatever would make you more sensitive to her. Good name for her!
Anonymous said…
I had the same thing happen, I found I can be around pure breed siamees cats only... well at least for the last 7 yrs, had to give her away as the allergies came back, I am so glad you did such a nice thing and I hope your good karma will keep your allergies at bay !
Penny L Weaver said…
Yay! Cats are such interesting companions -- she's a beauty, too! I am glad that you have a furry new friend (sorry for the birds, tho'!)... GREAT name!
Connie said…
I so happy that you and Kkiki can live together. She looks very sweet.
Connie said…
I'm so glad Kiki found you she must have known that you wer no longer allergic.
Michelle said…
@Tina--I'm so surprised that I can actually be around her for such long stretches, and I like the idea of good karma being the reason! Thanks for stopping by.
@Penny--yes, she is definitely a good companion. She makes me laugh at least once a day.
@Connie--she is very sweet, and very much a cat; I've been adopted by her rather than vice versa!