FROM STRAY TO STAY

Rosa, Inez, Tina, Shannon and I enjoy our

"Girl's Day Out" the second Sunday of every month. We all looked forward to our Sunday Funday. The Taphouse was our choice for lunch and cocktails....and of course gossip. Those Sundays are unfailingly fun. Laughter from our table was something you could count on.

Previously, I had worked with Rosa and Inez for ten years. They were sure to contribute news about what was going on at the shop. Tina was a co-worker from another shop I had worked at many years ago. She was full of great stories and good jokes. Shannon is Rosa's best friend, she is a little bit shy but very sweet.

I relished in their company, as well as the seared ahi and cucumber jalapeno margarita I had ordered. After we took out "Girl's Day Out" picture, we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I called Jeno, my husband, to come pick me up. There was no answer, so I left a message.

Waiting patiently, Inez seen me and asked if I needed a ride home. I told her I was going to wait for Jeno. Only because I was concerned that if I left, Jeno would show up and I would be in the the wrong place at the wrong time.

Inez offered to wait with me. Happily I accepted and we sat in her truck listening to music. I tried Jeno again still no answer. At this point, we had been waiting for forty-five minutes. Still felt bad for waiting for forty-five minutes. I felt bad for taking up Inez's time. She assured me she was happy to wait with me and offered me a ride home again. This time I took her up on it.

My home is approximately twenty-five minutes from the Taphouse. We sang and laughed on our journey. Four blocks from my house, I yelled, "Stop! Stop! Stop the car!" Inez slammed on her brakes. Thank God we didn't get into an accident because I would have been the one at fault.

I couldn't help it though. Up ahead I saw this little black and white kitten almost get hit by a car, in the lane to our right. Had Inez not stopped that kitten would have been roadkill. Inez turned her hazard lights on and I got out of her truck in hopes of catching the kitten. My first effort was a fail, as a matter of fact the kitten had moved in a spot where if Inez moved her truck it would be ran over. My second attempt was a success, my heart rate was accelerated. Being out in traffic trying to catch this kitten was definitely not part of the plan after a few cocktails, but it was not optional for me. Operation save a kitten was in full effect.

I climbed back into her truck with the kitten. Inez couldn't believe I caught it and I was taking it home. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Although, I was concerned that Jeno would not be as receptive to the new kitten.

I said goodbye to Inez and headed towards my house. My concerns were justified. Jeno was not happy with the fact that I brought another animal home and boy was he letting me know. Generally, I submit because I truly hate confrontation. Jeno was surprised when I had no intention of backing down.

After he completed his rant, I simply said, "I've been getting in trouble for bringing home strays for forty years and it looks like this time would be no different. I'm sorry but I'm keeping the cat." The look on his face was one of utter shock. His retaliation was to not talk to me for two days.

During those two days, the kitten had captured my heart. He was absolutely adorable, all black with white socks and white whiskers.

I have a warped sense of humor, so trying to choose a name was a riot. I thought it would be funny to name him Roadkill, but in a different language, so it would be an inside joke. After I Googled it, the only language it sounded cool in was French. After practicing the name several times, I realized I must not have a French bone in my body because I could not get the pronunciation right. I took it as a sign, although it was funny, it wasn't meant to be.

My second attempt, I looked up survivor and once again the only language I liked how it sounded was French. Well my French pronunciation had not improved from one name to another. I was feeling a little stumped, when I came up with Blacky.

Black was so generic and possibly not political correct. Back to Google I went to look it up in different languages. Finally I found the kitten's name, in Japanese. Yami (sounds like the ya in high-ya and me) in Japanese their definition is not black. It is absence of light; darkness.

The name Yami was received well by my family. Yami was super friendly and not at all skidish. He gets along great with Garfield (my son's huge orange cat) and Zordy (my little chi weenie).

By the end of the week, even Jeno had warmed up to Yami, and welcomed him into our home. It had been six weeks since I rescued him from the middle of that busy street. He is no longer dehydrated and starving. He is healthy and loved. His purring confirms his happiness. We are thankful for the new addition to our family.

We have a lifetime of love to provide for Yami. I could have never expected how much Yami would fill a whole in my heart that I didn't even know I had. The love and connection I feel is priceless...and in only six weeks. I can't even imagine the bond we will form over the years to come. Only fate could have made our paths cross.