Motte and Bailey

An introduction to my foster kittens :) + a personal update.

I started a ten-day medical leave on the same day I picked up two kittens from the shelter. It did not line up perfectly. I injured myself carrying them home, and it made me late for a doctor’s appointment. It was still so, so worth it. I haven’t even had these babies for a week, and I love them so much.

I chose to foster rather than adopt, since my housing is so unstable. The shelter offered me two to free up cages for more animals, and I of course had to accept. These cuties shouldn’t be cooped up in a small space most of the day. No animal should, really.

Life is so, so scary right now. I can’t even lie.

Right now, my symptoms are getting worse, and I’m really scared. If I can’t get better soon, I won’t be able to stay on campus. I don’t have a home anywhere to go back to, and I’m gonna be scrambling to find my footing somewhere. I don’t know where I’m going or how much of my stuff I can take with me. I never know. I keep getting the rug pulled out from underneath me.

But for at least these couple of weeks, I have kittens in my room. I could probably make a rug with all the fur they shed. I almost want to get better and be a student just so I can keep living with them. They’re motivating me - I just wish my body could keep up. I’m trying my best. It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.

These kittens are the main thing that makes me smile every day. I like to spend time on the floor with them - laying around, playing, stretching. Sometimes I’ll bring my meal home, give them their can of wet food, and we’ll eat together. This time feels so precious.

They’re siblings, a boy and a girl - given the names Frick and Frack. I hated that, so I’ve been calling them Motte and Bailey. They’re 7 months old and even though they’ve got similar coats, I can tell the difference between them pretty easy now.

Motte is a big baby. He’s grey with black stripes and a bushy tail, and he weighs a whole pound and a half over his sister. It took him a day to come out from under the bed and let me pet him, and now he can’t get enough of it. He’ll jump and run away from loud sounds he hears in the house, but when he feels safe, he’ll climb and walk around me purring so loudly and nonstop. He’s so sweet and cuddly. He was also the first to meow for me, when I was watching his sister explore downstairs. Turns out he just hates being alone. Like I said, he’s a big baby!

Bailey’s the more confident one. First to open up to me, first to jump to the highest shelf, and first to explore the house. She’s more independent than her brother, but she’ll cry for my company too sometimes. She’s really curious. She always investigates strange noises, and since she’s so small she’s found all the great cozy places in my room. Her favorite spots to take naps right now are inside my pillowcase, and behind the bottom drawer of my dresser. You know how people say pets can sense our emotions? I’ve been crying in my room quite a few times this week, and Bailey’s always been right there until I calm down. Then she goes to do her own thing.

They both reach to touch noses with me when I pet them, and it’s the cutest thing. It’s like a form of touching base. I love them so much.

There’s still a few things I need to figure out with being a pet owner again. Problems with the litter (DONT BUY CORN-BASED BECAUSE IT SUCKS!), cleaning food bowls, trimming claws, the shedding… and my overprotectiveness. I’ve had people tell me that I spoil my animals, and I probably do. I just love them so much. They’re my babies.

I don’t talk to many people at all lately. I’ve been pretty lonely and furry companions are a breath of fresh air. I’m letting loose and pouring all my love into them. My cup runneth over. I feel like I’m a better person when I have another person or a creature to give my affection to. I can barely love myself most of the time, but if these little cats can adore me just for feeding and petting them, maybe that proves something. That maybe the little that I’m able to do right now is enough.