by Erika Matthews
(Boise, ID )

Princess Thea Poof Squish

When I was 16 years old my parents finally succumbed to my lifelong wish to have a cat. We made the trip to the Humane Society and perused the cages of cats. Many of them were "multi-family units," mama cats caged with their babies.

I carefully considered the cats in each cage, finding some cats more or less cute. Some were more or less playful than I desired. My parents had said that the cat only needed to be of female persuasion. Other than that, it was my choice. Or was it?

As I bent forward to examine a cage of black-and-white kittens, I felt a little paw shoot out and bat at my hair. I turned to the source and my blue eyes met with the wide green eyes of a tabby mix. Her fur was pure white. She had what looked like thigh-high stockings and a raccoon tail. Her nose was a charming baby pink.