New Addition to the Family

[rusty_armour]

I was completely surprised when I visited my parents' place today and found my sister holding a tiny black kitten. I stared at it in surprise and said, "Hello? Where did you come from?" My mom informed me that they were fostering the kitten, but hoped to adopt him soon. I asked if he had a name yet. Somehow, I wasn't surprised that Mom had called him "Barnaby" as Midsomer Murders is one of her favourite shows.





Poor little Barnaby was living rough before my mom took him in. She had been leaving food out for him, but hadn't been able to get near him because he was too skittish. Then, one day, he appeared in a window soaking wet and crying. My mom was able to wrap him in a towel and put him in one of the cat carriers. Then she took him to a shelter to get him checked out. She asked there and then if she could adopt the kitten and was told she couldn't do that for at least three weeks. However, the vet was at the shelter at the time and suggested that Mom foster him. My mom was more than happy to do that. After two days, Mom brought Barnaby home.





You may not be able to tell by the pictures, but Barnaby is a tiny little thing. My mom thought he was only two or three months old, but it turns out that he's actually six months old. He also has a scar on his head and his neck. My mom's hoping that fur will eventually grow over the scars, but said it wouldn't bother her if it doesn't. Even with the scars, Barnaby is a beautiful kitten. I'm sure he'll be even more stunning when my mom can brush his sleek black coat. Lastly, I'm glad to say that Barnaby has settled very nicely in his new home. He's extremely affectionate, going from lap to lap and rubbing his nose against everyone's face. He also has a loud purr and loves to play. He even chases Minerva around. Minerva is still getting used to her little brother, but I don't think it will be long before they're snuggling up together, especially as they both crave warmth. Oakley is being a recluse as usual, but Mom told me that he wasn't as pissed off as he was when Minerva arrived. For one thing, he hasn't been standing at the door threatening to leave. *g*

Comments

[maggie-conagher.livejournal.com]

Pretty boy! Little boy cats are the best!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, mags! I'm glad you think Barnaby's pretty! :-) Little boy cats really are adorable and very affectionate. Of course, poor little Barnaby is probably starved for love and attention. Thankfully, I know he'll get tons of that in his new home. :-D

[karen9.livejournal.com]

You know I'm cooing and awwwing, of course! I'm glad your mom was able to take Barnaby in and intends to adopt him. He looks and sounds like a lovely cat. It's good that he's settled in and that the other two cats are getting used to him. Thanks for the photos and story.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

You know I'm cooing and awwwing, of course!

Well, I knew that if anyone appreciated this post, it would be you! *g*

I'm glad your mom was able to take Barnaby in and intends to adopt him.

You and me both! If nothing else, I know my mom would have made sure Barnaby made it to the shelter -- not that I'm at all surprised that she offered to adopt him. She's adopted cats before and Barnaby would be hard for any cat person to resist.

He looks and sounds like a lovely cat.

He absolutely is! I know you'd fall in love with him if you met him! He's too precious for words!

It's good that he's settled in and that the other two cats are getting used to him.

It seems to have been a surprisingly smooth process. I was sure both Minerva and Oakley wouldn't be happy, but I think they're taking the news fairly well...for cats. ;-)

Thanks for the photos and story.

No problem, karen9. I'm happy you enjoyed them. :-)

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

That's one lovely kitten - and I really like his name. I'm sure that when he's adopted by your mom he's going to have a wonderful home!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks, radiogaga80! I'm glad you approve of both the kitten and the name! :-) If memory serves, you're a Midsomer Murders fan, so it's nice to hear from someone who gets the reference.

I'm sure that when he's adopted by your mom he's going to have a wonderful home!

That's so nice of you to say! :-) And I can promise you it's true because all of the cats under my parents' roof are thoroughly spoiled! *g*

[impishtubist.livejournal.com]

Oh, he's lovely! Both of our family cats are strays that we adopted, and they've turned out to be sweet little things. Looks like the same is true for Barnaby! What a sweet story.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, he's lovely!

Thanks, impishtubist! I'm happy you think so! :-)

Both of our family cats are strays that we adopted, and they've turned out to be sweet little things. Looks like the same is true for Barnaby!

Some of the most wonderful cats I've known (including my own beloved Marmalade) were strays. Considering some of the terrible things they've been through, it's amazing how well so many of them turn out. I guess a good home really can make all the difference. :-)

What a sweet story.

I'm so glad you think so! Thanks again! :-) And, speaking of stories, I'm so sorry you haven't received any feedback from me for The Fall of Gods (http://impishtubist.livejournal.com/79531.html)! I have started reading it and I think it's absolutely brilliant -- as usual! I will be reading the whole thing and giving you feedback at some point soon. I've just had less time to read and review fic lately -- probably because I've been trying to wrap up a story myself. *g*

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Barnaby looks very sweet. It's good to know he's found a loving family.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you, thesmallhobbit! I'm happy you think so -- on both counts! :-)

[avictoriangirl]

AWWWWWW. What a cutie! Makes me want another kitten. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly, avictoriangirl! :-) He is adorable, isn't he? I probably should have put a warning on the post as there is the danger that readers will now want to go out and get their own kitten. *g*

[jackycomelately.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwww! He's very pretty! Excellent that your family is going to adopt him. From what I understand black cats are harder to find homes for. Glad that he's settling in well. Clearly not feral!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwww! He's very pretty!

Thanks, jackycomelately! I'm glad you think so! :-)

Excellent that your family is going to adopt him. From what I understand black cats are harder to find homes for.

Yes, unfortunately, that's true. It is harder to find homes for black cats. There are still a lot of idiots who are stupid enough to think that black cats are unlucky.

Glad that he's settling in well.

Barnaby is definitely settling in well -- better than anyone expected, I'm sure! He seems very much the typical kitten. He's affectionate, playful, curious and getting into everything. It's a wonderful thing to see. :-)

Clearly not feral!

No, probably not, though I'm not sure if he was turfed out of his original home or if his mother was feral. I wouldn't have thought Barnaby would let my mom get near him if he was feral, though the poor thing was extremely desperate at the time. Thankfully, that's all behind him now. :-)

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

He's gorgeous!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you, anitamaid! :-) BTW, a certain package is going to be sent out tomorrow. I think you'll actually receive it this time. *g*

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

That is great news!!! Thank you, thank you thank you!!! xxx

[boobamiaow.livejournal.com]

He is so beautiful! We had a Cat who looked just like him when I was growing up (called Smoky) and I think when is is fully grown he will look just like my brother's Cat, Shadow. He is v lucky to have found your Mum :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

He is so beautiful!

Thank you, boobamiaow! I'm happy you think so! :-)

We had a Cat who looked just like him when I was growing up (called Smoky) and I think when is is fully grown he will look just like my brother's Cat, Shadow.

I'll have to post more pictures of Barnaby when he's fully grown, and then we'll be able to see if he does look just like Shadow. :-) It's nice that you had such a cat growing up. I also grew up with a black cat (Toby), but he was short-haired rather than medium-haired. Still, he was very striking and had a great personality.

He is v lucky to have found your Mum :)

Well, my opinion is pretty biased, but, yes, I think he was. *g* Of course, it works both ways. My mom was very lucky to have been found. :-)

[hemulenofdoom.livejournal.com]

The eyes have it! What a sweetheart (and what great camera shots).

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thank you muchly, hemulenofdoom! :-) Little Barnaby does have very beautiful eyes and is definitely a sweetheart. The pictures I posted are probably the best of the lot -- and even they don't really do Barnaby justice.

BTW, a certain Maurice/Stalky & Co. fic is now in the beta process. I don't think it should be too long before it's posted. ;-)

[hemulenofdoom.livejournal.com]

Yay to Maurice/Stalky *can'twaitcan'twaitCANNOTwait*

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

You're too kind! :-) I hope it doesn't disappoint.

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Barnaby has beautiful eyes and is very lucky to have found a (hopefully) permanant home with people who will shower him with affection.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks, njc2007! :-) Barnaby does have striking eyes, doesn't he? I think Barnaby has found his permanant home. I don't think it's likely that anyone is going to come forward to claim him, so my mom should be able to adopt him. I can certainly guarantee that he'll be showered with affection if this does become his permanent home. :-D

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Awww cute! And wonderful eyes!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy you think so, alysscarlet! Thanks for saying so! :-) I don't think the pictures do Barnaby justice, but I'm glad his attributes still shine through. He really is a beautiful little thing.

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

He's very beautiful. My parents have two black cats, they're rescue cats and love to plonk themselves into anyone's lap lol. Except one of them is very hostile towards men - something probably related to her past, poor thing.

Hope you continue to enjoy getting to know the new member of your family :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

He's very beautiful. My parents have two black cats, they're rescue cats and love to plonk themselves into anyone's lap lol. Except one of them is very hostile towards men - something probably related to her past, poor thing.

Thanks, funkyinfishnet! It's great that your parents have two black cats -- and rescue cats as well! :-D I've seen cats who prefer women over men and vice versa, though, in this case, it probably is something related to the poor cat's history.

Hope you continue to enjoy getting to know the new member of your family :)

Thanks again! I'm sure I will! :-)