Furrthering Our Nest

Our kids go to a local animal shelter often, to see and socialize the dogs and cats- you can hold them, play with them, whatever. It's good for the kids, it's good for the animals.

Unexpectedly, we left a routine trip to the animal shelter with one more Koch last weekend.

This is Penny. She was instantly ours. There was just something special there. Something that was so "it". We didn't even discuss it. I gave Jim a look and that was all it took. Done deal.

We'd wanted one more kitty since we lost Boots and Bokeh this summer. But Bella is such an exemplary cat- Jim said lightning doesn't strike twice. Meaning, if we got another one, no way would it be great. It would probably be annoying, or tear stuff up, or be all weird or needy. It would definitely not watch Anne of Green Gables.

She's perfect.

She's gentle but very playful. Very intelligent and sharp, yet reserved and gracious. Relaxed and patient with our kids, playing right in there in the middle of them, but able to quietly check out when she's had enough lovin'. She also "talks" a lot, but in sweet, nice ways. It's precious.

Really, she's a fantastically sweet and gentle Beth to our Bella, who's much more of a Jo. If you know what I mean. They're a wonderful pair, and our girls are thrilled to have one more baby to coddle and chase. She fits right in.

As for the other three pawed Kochs, Bella has been a bit of a Sourpuss occasionally, learning to share her space with another cat, but she's been a charm. After praying over it, we saw a great bond begin between them- and now they run around chasing each other like squirrels, they sleep in the sun watching the birds at the feeder, and yesterday (don't tell her I told you) I saw Bella clean Penny just a bit. Penny was spotless. It was more for affection.

Penny is still unsure about the dogs- mostly, she watches them from under the bed, or on top of something high, when they're running around. Bebo is persistently sweet to her, attempting to win her, but still causes the fur to fly every once in a while when he barks or comes on a little too strong with his affections. Bacon heard her hiss once, and well, it's going to take him a while before he doesn't shudder a little every time he sees her. Pugs are sensitive things, you know. That's why you have to hug your Pug so much.

Yesterday Grace stole away to our bedroom with her kitties, to be all alone with them. I left the room and came back minutes later to find her with tears in her eyes. "Mommy, I was petting Penny and she liked it so much she started to rub all around me in a circle, and she was purring and purring, and she was so nice, and it made me cry a little."

Oh, that's precious.

The Koch women, we love our kitties.