Silly Shimrod story (his very first!)

[badgerpup]

I've been taking Shimrod out and about with me when I go on some of my errands.
He's well-behaved for such a young kitten, good company, and he doesn't like being left alone.
The last two weekends he went with me to the group home where I work. The guys absolutely LOVED him...petted him, cuddled him, kissed him goodnight and just generally let him know that he was very welcome. Shimrod seemed to enjoy it, judging by his purrs and willingness to participate...:pals:


Then I brought him with me to pick up my check last week (after all, he'd 'helped' me earn it...:D ) and he was quite popular with the office crew. Again he was very well-behaved... O8) affectionate, cuddly, almost illegally adorable...and WITHOUT being rambunctious or obnoxious (read: no biting, clawing, running all over the place, getting into (and stuck) behind/under/inside stuff, or leaving little 'Shimrod was here' deposits on the rug).

Today he came with me to meet my counselor- thought she would enjoy a 'dose' of sweet cuddly entertaining baby kitten :hug:...
and she did! She also complimented me on his socialization- which made me feel good. I may have 'social issues'...but at least I'm raising my cats right! :crazy:

Had several errands besides that to run, and made the executive decision to take Shimrod home before doing so. Didn't think it would be a good idea to take him into the store with me (besides their "Service Animals Only" policy there would be too much noise, confusion and too many people at that time of day for him to be comfortable), and I was NOT going to leave him outside in the car.
So, we went home and I got sidetracked (as usual)...
then "OMG, will ya look at the time! I gotta get to the pharmacy before it closes!":yoiks:
Grab my keys and purse, head for the door...and there's little Shimrod, waiting for me.:hi:
He's learned the signs of imminent departure and is waiting expectantly by the door- "Where are we going now, Mom?"


Awwwww...:blush: I had to tell him that he couldn't come with me this time; that he'd have to stay home and hold down the fort with Wimsey (who had just come inside).
I do believe he was actually disappointed...I know he was very glad to see me when I returned about an hour later.

I find myself hoping that accompanying me places was something he was able to tolerate without too much trouble, but not something he really actively ENJOYS. I don't want to disappoint him...and he'll have to learn to tolerate a harness and leash if he's truly appointed himself my 'escort'.
For his own safety (and to appease the PTB), he'll need to have his human on the leash and not running loose...
good thing I'm current on my shots. :silly:

Seriously though, it always amazes and humbles me, how quickly and WILLINGLY they learn and adapt to us.



There will be more pics once I transfer them off the camera and over to photobucket...but they ARE being taken!

[get the red out]

1. What a wonderful little soul!

So full of love and adventure!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Aww, what a sweetie.

We need pictures.

[elleng]

3. NICE!

:hi:

[Curmudgeoness]

4. Smile! Shimrod certainly is getting into your heart.

And you are brave to take him with you so many places. Do you just let him loose? A carrier? What about the car? Does he just ride in a seat or in a carrier? Too cute! You might become one of the popular crowd! (Well, truth be told, it might be Shimrod, but what the heck, go with it.)

[badgerpup]

5. He's usually in the carrier when in the car...

...otherwise he wants to be RIGHT NEXT TO ME (read: under my feet, on my lap, on my shoulder, under my chin) while I'm driving.

I've just been carrying him, but this won't work when he gets bigger (and more independant!) and doesn't feel the need to have me in sight (or within calling distance) at all times.

I am going to have train him to harness and leash if he decides that he wants to accompany me on the out-and-about stuff.

I do usually have a feline escort when I go over next door or across the street. Sometimes I'll request it;
"Going _____, I need an escort!" and most of the time it's Wimsey who will turn up to do the honors.
Depending on how long I'm there, I'll frequently end up with the entire clowder flying wing.

My neighbor thinks it's funny...but they like my cats, so it's cool.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. I hope the harness works. That would be really nice

for both of you. Good luck though, I have only seen one cat in my lifetime who would walk with a leash/harness. My cats would always hit the ground and not move as soon as they were tethered. But this is a young one, so maybe.... Hope it works.

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Great story. Wonderful kitty!!! Maybe consider him becoming a "Therapy Cat"

[WillParkinson]

8. I'm sorry, you're wrong. They do not adapt to us...

They are silently training you. I would not be surprised if you wake up in the middle of the night and find Shimrod (cute name!) whispering in your ear "Mom, you need to take me places tomorrow."

Cats are loving but insidious creatures. We think we're teaching them but it's more like they're guiding us to where they think we need to be.

Either way, though, thank you for the uber-cute story!

[badgerpup]

9. Hmmm....

I've wondered about that...:yoiks:

His name is from the Jack Vance Lyonesse series...Shimrod is a very likeable magician, the scion of Murgen (who was really big beans in the wizard/magician group).

I wanted a wizard's name for this kitten...
'Taliesin' (tally-A-zin) is my own handle among a certain group, and our little Merlin went to the Bridge several years ago (due to FIP).

Shimrod can't come to work with me anymore though. x(
Their resident queen cat Charlie is exhibiting very unhappy behaviors even though we're NOT there during the week. :nuke:
I like and respect Charlie and don't wish to cause her undue stress...she has her paws full with the several human males in her house that need looking after as it is.

That...and Shimrod made a hell of a mess with the potted plants which are the pride and joy of the manager. No green creatures were actually HARMED during this episode...but there was dirt all over the place and I suspect one or two of them might have acquired a bit of...er...fertilizer. :blush:

Too bad...he's good company in the middle of the night when everyone is (supposed to be) sleeping, and his cute fuzzy cuddly-kitten persona really makes one of the guys a lot happier with his world just then. :hug:

Charlie's a good cat, but she isn't a pet me/love me/adore me kitty. :shrug: