Monday, March 27, 2017

Leo's Belated Gotcha Day!

On March 26, 2011 we made an eight hour journey to meet Chrystal and pick up my darling little baby Leo! I say "little" because that's what I expected. But I've learned that there is nothing 'as expected' about my heart kitty!

It was my gotcha day, I got my fav snackie and good mommy snuggles! 'Cause I'm that awesome, right! Mommy said so!


At nine months old, I expected to see a long and lanky but still not full grown kitten! What I got was a long and lanky HUGE kitty, bigger than my senior kitty Star! I thought maybe since he was a kitten and smaller than her that she might accept him, you know, 'aw look at the baby!' Um, nope!

Chrystal said he'd take a long time to adjust and become friendly since he was scared of everyone but her. So I expected him to be frightened of me and to try to get away when I was trying to move him from Chrystal's carrier to my carrier. I pulled him out and he melted into my arms. Half of the eight hour trip back home was spent with him clinging to my shoulder, leaning into my head (the other half huddled in a kennel looking miserable but never making a peep.

I expected him to want to explore after I let him out of the laundry room that was set up as a home base for him. And he did, a little. But he would cry for me when he couldn't find me. I would go and find him, calling his name and he would run to me like "where did you go! Don't do that again!"

I expected there to be tension between him and Star but that they would eventually learn to live together, maybe even be friends. Nope, never. She despised him and he occasionally antagonized her on purpose, just for the fun of it. Funnily enough, she kind of liked his sisters when they joined us three years later, but that's a story for their gotcha day.

I expected to remember his Gotcha day because I kept thinking about it all month. But then it fell on a weekend home and I spend the day snuggling with him and not writing... whoops. I'm thinking, though, that if you asked him, he'd say he would rather have the snuggles!

Snuggles are the best, especially when I get kisses on the top of my head! I even let mommy get in a short tummy rub.. My little gift to her for adopting me.


I expect you all are expecting an obligatory kitty picture? This one, you get the expected!


This is how Leo spent half the ride home, snuggled over my shoulder. Couldn't move him from that spot with a stick of dynamite!
 
One of the first pictures of baby Leo and some of his sisters. Leo is top left. Under him is Spritz I think, front and center is Glitter and behind her ear is Cashmere!

This is after he shed some of his fear and was out playing still at Winnie's Wish!


Happy 6th Gotcha Day Leo the Chinese Lion! I'm so glad you got gotted by ME!!!!!

20 comments:

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Leo! First Chrystal, then Andrea. You certainly lucked out, little big boy!

Purrs,
The Chans

Katie Isabella said...

Leo, I remember when you got home with your Mommy! Katie wasn't home yet...she came a few months later but I sure remember you and how happy your mommy was to have you home. Happy Gotcha Day dearest boy. Love you.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Happy Belated Gotcha Day Sweetie!! catchatwithcarenandcody

Brian's Home Blog said...

We so remember that too! Happy Gotcha Day Leo!!!!!

Summer said...

Happy gotcha day, Leo! Clearly, he was meant to be with you. And how awesome that his sisters came to live with you too.

Lone Star Cats said...

Happy Gotcha Day!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Happy Gotcha Day Leo!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

happee bee lated gotcha day two ewe dood N heerz ta 600 mor...hope yur day waz awesum soooper kewl N ya had lotz oh fun .....heerz all sew two a yeer a head filled with happee nezz N health ~~~~ yur wee kitten fotoz bee pricelezz ☺☺♥♥

Eastside Cats said...

Leo, I would give you head smoochies all day, you handsome mancat! Happy Gotcha Day, and your baby pics are just too adorable.

pilch92 said...

Happy 6th Gotcha Day cutie!

The Island Cats said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Leo! That was a lucky day for everybuddy.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Happy Belated Gotcha Day, sweet boy!!!

Saku said...

Happy Gotcha Day Leo! You knew who your mommy bean was...right from the start. :)

Cathy Keisha said...

Happy Belated Gotcha Day Leo!

meowmeowmans said...

Happy belated gotcha day, Leo!

sandy l said...

Happy Gotcha Day Leo!!

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Happy Gotcha Day. THAT'S the important event!

Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ® said...

Happy Gotcha Day Leo!

Bestest purrs

Basil & Co xox

Noodle Cat said...

Happy Gotcha Day Leo!
Have a super Thursday...

Noodle and crew

Henry said...

Happy Gotcha Day! Very cute photos :)

Have a wonderful weekend,
Henry