Last fall we had lost our dearest cat, Mr. Poppers. One day he just didn't show up, after putting up posts and spreading the word around town for days, we gave up hope that he was still alive. With birds of pray and foxes scurrying around town, we succumbed to the thought of his passing. With winter hitting, and him never showing up, we knew this would be the truth of the events.

Two dogs is what was left to roam the house and even with the 1 of the two (Piper the rottie) being so hyper, we were still missing something.

Some time has passed and I started to hear noises, crunching and scratching. Most likely a mouse. Husband put mouse traps around in the basement in hopes that it would do the trick but nothing caught. Now, I am not sure if it was the thought about having mice around the house or the thought of dead mice in the traps, but he started talking to me about getting another cat. He doesn't do well with rodents. He easily gets creeped out. (😹 <- pussycat)

I didn't think that it was funny at all to bring up the thought of having a cat so soon after the loss of our other one. I kept telling him, its no joke, it's not funny, and if we get a cat, I don't want to be blamed for getting a cat that has bad behavior and have to get rid of it. No way!

But he was serious. So I set out to look for a kitten. Looked online for give away kittens and found a few potentials at the pound. The pound, here, isn't open most days and don't carry animals most often, so when they do, they bring them to the pet shop. The only other animal they carry is fish and the occasional pound animal, although I never seen them have dogs from the pound.

I went to visit the shop and I found 5 kittens. 2 were brought in from the day before and were very timid, another was somewhat older and had a lot of 'don't touch me attitude' and very vocal. Then there were two black cats, brother and sister. Feisty, playful, cuddly, and vocal but not obnoxious. I took both in my arms to socialize and see how they would react with me.

They were both the same with me. Happy to see me, purred and cuddle and never poked a claw at me. It was a hard decision to make. I watched them play more and noticed that the female has a strong character, put her brother in place when he was being too rough. I want that one!

I took her home, introduced her to the dogs and kids. This was 2 weeks ish before Christmas. She spent most of the first few days in my arms until she felt more comfortable and secure to venture the house. Much bigger than the cage she was in.

Taking a while to name her, the kids came up with Raven. Have you or your kids heard of Teen Titans or Titans Go! or even the Netflix series Titans? Basically about the DC characters Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire and Raven. Raven being the kids favorite, that's what we went with.

Well I can say that I have done well in picking her. She's so much fun, is active and what a boss she is!

She has taken her place amongst the dogs and even Piper is dumbfounded when it comes to the cat.

"Mom? There's a cat drinking my water, what do I do? Mommy?" Piper's face makes me laugh.

So how are the 2 dogs doing with the new addition? Moe, the old mini schnauzer mix, took to her nicely, felt like he had to protect her against Piper, but now that she isn't so shy, has gotten used to us and all, she became a lot more active and uses Moe as practice pray. She jumps towards him on her hind legs and from paws up in the air, jumps over him and everything. He isn't too impressed with that.

Raven hasn't started doing that with Piper just yet. After all Piper is big, strong and hyper, so it's good that she is being careful. But I'm sure once she is full grown she will take the challenge.

Piper seems like she is getting more and more goofy, perhaps trying to show off to grab more of our attention. She has been successful at being goofy, I mean, just have a look!

This toy was once a Frisbee of sorts for dogs that she hollowed out and now has it around her head and in the back of her throat almost.

And this one, being caught in action destroying a ball of yarn.

But every now and then she can show how much fun and majestic she can be.

Then one looks like she is part snowblower. 🤣

Animals really do add much fun and excitement to our lives and I can't imagine what it's like to be without them. Whether it is birds, ferrets, dogs, horses, cats, hamsters, anything! Animals bring joy to our lives, even if it's watching them through funny vine videos.