Scampies Story

Scampie

On August 28, 2001, my eyes had laid upon Scampie, who at first had a temporary name, Scamp. It was a name given to him by a staff member at Petcetera. I gather Scampie was named Scamp after the character from the Disney movie, "Lady and The Tramp". Scampie was a 3-month-old all-black two-pound - runt from a litter of four kittens who all got adopted into new homes before he did. Scampie was found up for adoption at Petcetera in Vancouver, where the place was also a part of the Pet Adoption Program that was run by the Vancouver, S.P.C.A. All animals that were up for adoption at Petcetera including Scampie had come from various S.P.C.A. shelters or cat rescues. On that late summer day on the above date also signaled an extremely emotionally charged day, to begin with, because just hours earlier my previous cat Licorice at the age of twelve was suddenly put down due to Kidney failure. So, my having thought of even remotely adopting another cat so soon after Licorice's death was the farthest from my mind, but at the same time, I just couldn't bear to go back home to an empty house. So, there I was with my older sister Dana as we both had looked around to see what cats were available and so forth without putting extra pressure on myself to even require or consider adopting another cat. Just as I thought of having any hope of even possibly finding a potential new fur baby to love both Dana and I spotted a store employee walk into the cat room holding a tiny Scampie over her shoulders. I thought to myself...well... check this small black fur ball of a creature, despite I never was a fan of black cats, nor had I ever owned one in all my years of having owned a cat. I had picked up Scampie and cradled him into my arms, and he had purred instantly, falling asleep in my arms. Finding Scampie already asleep in my arms had surprised me considering I was a stranger, so low in behold having a little tiny animal just sleep and purr in my arms was like if there was this sign that would signify that Scampie was meant to be mine. He had PICKED ME! It was as if Scampie had KNEW that I was going to be the best cat owner for him and that he was going to live a wonderful life with a lot of love and admiration from others as well. As soon it was noted Scampie was going to be leaving to go to his forever home, I noticed a woman had walked into the cat room stating she inquired about Scampie by phone. I had looked straight at the woman's face to state apologetically that Scampie was mine who was going home with me.

As Scampie's final adoption papers were being finalized, news broke out throughout Petcetera that it was truly Scampie's true adoption day, he was to be finally adopted by me. Many of Petcetera's staff members congratulated me on adopting Scampie since he had waited for quite a while to be adopted. As the saying goes..." Good things come in little packages". As my sister Dana, Scampie and I had left through the doors at Petcetera, I thought why not surprise my two older nieces Jamie who was twelve, and Kristina 10 with the news and excitement about Scampie's adoption by bringing him to their place for a quick visit. On our way to our niece's place, my sister Dana had noted a foul stench waif around us inside her car, only to quickly realize that the horrendous odor was from Scampie who had let out a silent but DEADLY smelling FART! Both Dana and I had erupted into enormous gut-splitting laughter in disbelief. Who would have believed such a killer stench enough to knock an army brigade out cold could have come out of a two-pound furry runt-like creature?

As I had brought Scampie into my niece's place I excitedly yelled up the stairs for my niece's to come down to see what I was about to surprise them with. Kristina ran thunderously down the stairs immediately noting the unopened cat carrier nearby me. As Kristina peeked at Scampie through the opened doors of his cardboard makeshift kitty carrier, she yelled out, " OH MY GOD HE"S SO CUTE". Kristina went towards the stairs which led up to the girl's bedrooms and yelled out to her older sister," JAMIE! COME DOWNSTAIRS, MARINA GOT ANOTHER CAT!" Jamie had quickly come downstairs but before she gazed upon my newest little family member, I had to gently break the news that my previous cat Licorice was put down hours earlier that same day and how I had Scampie with me now. Jamie had no doubt instantly loved Scampie just as her younger sister Kristina had moments earlier. Later that same evening I brought home Scampie to my place. I got him settled with his new food, and toys, as such to get him acclimatized to his new surroundings. I recall as I later was about to go to bed I had Scampie lay next to me which made me a bit nervous since not only was he so extremely tiny for a 3-month-old cat, but I was so afraid that I was going to accidentally squish or smother him in my sleep, although luckily such a thing didn't happen. Because I kept waking up during the night to make sure Scampie was still alive.