How it all started…

 

It was hot July day in Manhattan. I was searching through listings of pets for adoption and sale, looking for my cat or dog, still unsure which way to go.

Suddenly came across pictures of tiny aliens on a red carpet. Immediately started to read the whole post.

I called my sister, Patricia who studies to be a vet. I send her email with the pictures and description of small creatures.

She told me sphynx would be a perfect match for me since I am torn between cats and dogs. Peterbald sphynx often are referred to as mix of baby, monkey, dog and cat. I can confirm that opinion after 2 years of my experiences:).

My sister verdict was clear: get referred as “white” most wrinkled female. I called the breeder and we agreed I would come next day after 5 pm.

It was July 13th, Wednesday afternoon. I wasn’t sure what to take with me, so I grabbed my basket purse and red towel ( I believe red is a lucky color)  and of course cash so I can pay without the fuss. I stopped taxi to take me to the breeder’s home. We were stuck in traffic on FDR , passing shiny waters of East Hudson River. I was trembling, having this overwhelming feeling that something big will happen. My taxi driver looked at me as I was a weird person, unsure why I am so excited and stressed. I wanted to be on time as I knew other people were about to come too and see kittens. Since we spent almost 2 hours in the traffic the weather started to change. Big clouds pulled rain and summer thunderstorm. When we arrived at the destination I asked driver to wait for me so I could minimize risk of getting kitten wet.

I walked into cool, rather dark room and I saw mother of kittens , graciously sitting on a couch like a real queen receiving visitors. She was an exotic beauty, almost aristocratic futures. Around her were running 3 kittens. 2 boys and 1 girl. I recognized my  ” white wrinkled female” right away. She was quite a site , less than 1/2 of pound, strutting independently and confidently around like she knew she’s a champion. She managed to jump on the couch trying to ignore me and her brothers, who were more interested in playing with humans. When ‘boys’ decided it’s a feeding time, they walked up to the “queen’ and latched.  Seeing that their sister rushed to the mother and pushing both brothers with her tiny body, took the best spot and became to eat. As I was staring at her getting mother’s milk for a last time I felt very emotional and guilty for taking her from such a happy, careless 7 week old life and protective, loving paws of her mom.

This kitten had this incredible charisma which makes you want to be her fan. The inner strength and light coming from her tiny, wiggly body was mesmerizing and caught my heart and attention immediately. I fell in love with small, warm , soft female sphynx, with blue slanting eyes ( all kitten are born with light eyes), and moves worth best runways. I knew she is the one. The owner told me her bigger brother is more friendly and tried to convince me I would have more fun with him, but I knew that this royal mannered, ignoring everyone “white most wrinkled” sphynx was my match. I called my sister to make sure I checked physical health properly and asked right questions. I paid and took her into my arms, put her on my chest and covered with red towel, worried not to loose her.

Luckily the taxi driver was still waiting outside and when I showed him my new kitten he became as mesmerized and excited as I already was.

As we were driving on the highway by Hudson River my heart was singing from happiness and overwhelming  love I felt. I asked  the driver to drop me by Petco store. With kitten on my chest, probably a face of an incredibly happy person, often perceived by others as a “craze in the eyes” , I spotted manager, who was very experienced “dad of 4 cats” and he guided me through shopping on basic stuff kittens need.

I remember walking so proudly on Lexington Ave, slowly ( due to kitten sleeping on my chest and big bags from Petco) going home.  I felt like I just won lottery.

When I finally came home I spent whole night looking at my little sphynx, checking if she breathed and sleeping with extended arm as she fell asleep under my armpit:-).

And  to my surprise I fall in love with her again each morning. I melt when look at her independent, wiggly, nonchalant, still tiny body. I love more every day her gorgeous, smart, gold eyes, and little mouth which creates thousand different meows, each  to describe different things or words. I am amazed and I feel guilty. What did I do to deserve this intelligent creature to be part of my life?  She makes me grateful for all I have. She makes me think of all wonderful pets and animals who don’t have home, nor love, or worse who are tortured and killed by humans. I believe Coco-Mau Aqua and I are meant to be together. And I think she is my best achievement and she made me a better person. I stopped to be self centered girl. I became a guardian to her. And she became my teacher and guide . Thanks to her I changed direction of my life and decided to involve in helping animals and spreading joy they can give humans if we only care.  I believe that if pets are given a chance and little of love and dignity, they can became those perfect creatures who fill our life with marvels of their pure love. I wish each human to at least once experience that wonderful feeling of having a pet in their life.

 

Written by Joanna