My ramblings

New Cat!

I love cats. I'm a cat person through and through. Not that I have anything against other pets, I just love cats a whole lot more. The same goes for my family. We're a bunch of cat people. And there has always been a cat where I live. Ever since my grandma was a little girl, there has always been a cat in the family.

So it was painful when we lost our old cat back in January this year. (add that to the pile of reasons for 2020 being a bad year). We got our old cat years ago from our cousins after they moved and couldn't keep him. They had called him Dolly, despite the fact that he was a boy. So therefore, the incredibly creative minds of me and my siblings came with the brilliant name of Svarten (Blacky). In hindsight that may not have been the best choice. But our last cat was named after his colour, and this one was black. So we chose that despite our parents trying to propose a different name.

Just look at that big dork. I miss him. He loved being pettedand was ruthlessly efficient at hunting rats and mice. Something that we'velearned in his absence. But all things must come to an end. One evening inJanuary, he came in. He was tired, clearly sick and seemed to be in pain. Wetried to keep him in, but after an hour he got restless and snuck out, not wantingto be in anymore. That was the last we ever saw of him. We looked for a weekafterwards, hoping he was still alive, but found nothing. After a while, we hadto accept that he had come in to say goodbye before going outside and dying theway he wanted to. I really miss him. And not getting a proper goodbye hurtsmore.

It didn't take long until everyone started to feel that something was missing. After having a cat for so many years you develop several habits. Whenever you put out chairs on the laws, you add an extra for the cat. Took me 2 weeks to stop doing that. You end up checking the door every day and night to check if the cat wants in. That took me 2 months to stop doing. It didn't take long until we all decided that we needed a new cat. So after going back and forth, especially considering we were to paint the kitchen and travel to Italy during the summer, we decided to adopt a cat.

Her name was Susie. We was told she was a slightly shy cat who loved pets and the outside. Something that is important for any cat we get. Unfortunately, that description was only partially correct. We found out afterwards that she had spent 4 years in the wilds before being found. Something that became very clear very quickly. She would hardly leave the room we gave her until she got used to the house. And she spent most of the day sleeping. She shyed away once there were more than two people moving at the same time. But we wanted to try, and we did. For two months we cared for a cat that was half wild. Don't get me wrong, she was a lovely and gentle cat, but we simply couldn't continue. Susie didn't get used to the large house, nor our family of 5. 7 if you include my grandparents who are our only neighbours. Maybe if it's a smaller house with only one or two people. But she never would have worked with us. So in the end we had to give her back to the adoption centre. After that, I don't know what has happened to her. But I hope she has found or will find a home.

After that disappointment, and with the cancellation of the trip to Italy because of Covid19, we decided to try something else. Get a kitten. Problem was, that isn't as easy as it used to be. Back when my parents were younger you could always get a kitten for free if you wanted to. Now though, most cats are neutered, so there aren't that many anymore, especially not for free.

Luckily, we managed to buy a cute female kitten from someone not too far from where we live. The mother has had several litters before, so they would be well trained and it was also in an open area, so the kitten would be used to the outside. And we named her Frøya (Freya/Freyja) after the Norse goddess of beauty, fertility and war. Weird combination, but it was the Vikings after all. Anyways, that is the cat you see on the top. Isn't she so cute.

And today, we finally picked her up. And surprisingly, she remained calm and even slept during the car trip home. Which is something I never expected from any cat. Our old cat, Svarten, he always hated the car. Anyways, we brought Frøya home and after having slept for an hour in the car, she immediately began exploring the house and played with the toys we got for her. Then she ate and rested, before once more running around the house like a two-year-old full on sugar.

I might just have had Frøya for less than a day so far, but I'll die for this cat. I love her. She is so gentle and yet so playful. And she already loves the outside. I'm looking forwards to the years ahead I can spend with this beautiful creature.