Meet Socks

Meet Socks. In 2001, after we purchased our first real home, we decided we needed a pet. First, we wanted a Maltese dog - small, somewhat allergen-free (at least to me), and clean. We found a local breeder, who seemed to have about fifty little white dogs running around her home (some even wearing diapers). But after she found out we gasp, worked all day, she told us that she didn't have any dogs for sale.

At that point we decided it was probably a much better idea to get a cat. After all, cats are independent enough to live in a home with people who work. We first went to a local shelter/pet store, where they have about thirty cats available for adoption. Once again, we were turned down, as the crazy cat-lady who works there told me she doesn't allow families who recently moved to adopt cats. Apparently, new movers are so into themselves that they are unable to keep track of their cats.

I decided not to give up. I called one more shelter and laid it on the line - I work, I just moved, I like cats, and I needed a cat that was independent, and would be happy to live with a family in a nice warm house instead of a shelter. Instead of being turned down, we were offered Socks - the perfect cat for us!

Socks weighed just five pounds at the time, and was being terrorized by the other cats at the shelter. She was absolutely miserable. Eight years later, she weighs almost 10 pounds but is still slender. She isn't the most lovey-dovey kitty, but she's happy, especially now that I don't subject her being the primary focus of our Christmas card.

Adding on to this post - as Chris mentioned in the comments section - Socks looks just like a cat we had as a child. Her name was Mittens, and she was equally as independent and cranky.