Ten Reasons My Cat and My Kids are Alike

10. Loud wailing noises are typical, particularly in chorus and when you're on the phone.
9. Speaking of the phone, both are a hazard to the phone cord.
8. Both take over the bed.
7. Neither likes to stay put.
6. Wetting their heads is hazardous to everyone involved.
5. Both frequently demand to be fed then turn up their noses at the presented meal.
4. Both like to fill your lap as you sit on the toilet, regardless of your wishes in the matter.
3. Cheerios or fur, it's all the same when it comes to the need to vacuum.
2. Both creep into your bed when you're peaceful asleep and wait for you 2" away from your face.
1. Diapers, Litter Box - enough said.

Welcome, Stella!

Some Stella facts:

• Her full name (now) is Estelanim, which comes from the Lord of the Rings. It's Sindarin and means hope for myself (estel = hope, an = for, im = (essentially) myself (although it's more complicated that that somewhat)).
• She's about 2 years old.
• She was an abandoned/feral/stray mama cat and was fostered in a volunteer's home for 6 months before being released for adoption.
• She's been blind in one eye (since birth, they believe); it doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest.
• She's a little love bug but has a healthy fear of Katie, though she unbent far enough to let Katie pet her a couple of times today. It helps that Katie's shrieking enthusiasm has calmed down and she's not chasing Stella as much. Fortunately, Katie is very good about not grabbing animals and will, indeed, pet gently when reminded.

We still miss Norm frightfully, of course, but Stella is going to fit in really well, I believe.