The Joys of Being an Elmyra

I'm not exactly sure where my crazy cat obsession came from... but it's there. Something about squishy kitties makes me explode inside, and want to squeeze them and hug them and bite them (without harming them of course).

Can you say Elmyra Duff & Furball? Why yes you can. 

"I'm gonna hug you and kiss you and love you forever"

The summer before 11th grade I got it in my head that I had to have a kitty. Now. We had our family cat Oliver, but I needed my own. I found her in a pet store while back to school shopping out of town with my cousin and aunt. She was so teeny tiny I exploded and had to have her. I called my Dad from a payphone to beg and plead for the fluff ball. He said yes after I pretty much backed him into a corner where no wasn't an option. Her name was Oreo (clever right? haha). She was a spunky little thing and far from cuddly but she mine and oh so cute. When I went to university she stayed with my parents. She was unfortunately hit by a car when I was in my second year of university (Sorry to spring that random ending on you but Oreo doesn't have a whole lot to do with the story).

My kitty obsession was held at bay when I began dating Superman and his sister had the cutest little kitty Mika that I could squish, love and hold. In third year his sister moved in with him and I had almost daily kitty doses. Poor Mika, I totally turned Elmyra on her. I would chase her down and hug and squeeze her till she could get away. I just love me some kitty love. Luckily for me, Superman's sister is just as much a crazy cat lady as me and Mika was used to the obsessive love (although she loves it a whole lot more from her Momma).


Fast forward to last May (2009). I was done school and moving in with Superman. I was finished with the roommate business and going to be getting a place of my own. The wheels began to turn in my head and I needed a kitty. Now. My family cat Oliver (who has since passed away) was a male, and he loves to cuddle. Superman's family has two cats that are male and love to cuddle. I had to have a boy kitty to love and snuggle me so that my Elmyraness could be a little less crazy and a little more consensual. I got on Superman's case and wouldn't let up. Kitty cat this, kitty cat that. I wanted a kitty cat. Now. I had a dream I got a kitty and named her Vada, and I loved the name so much I was willing to get a female again. I found the ad for my fluffy grey stripey baby, and was sold. I had to have her, and luckily at this point Superman agreed.

We brought home the little Miss on the first official day Superman and I lived together. Given my past history with Oreo, Vada had to be an indoor cat. Also within my history of females, I knew I wouldn't have to spay her right away, since female cats don't spray, and it would only have to be until she went into heat and meowed to no end that I would have to do the deed. She was indoor and it wasn't a problem. Fast forward a year, and she still hadn't gone into the crazy meowing freak show heat yet, and I thought, well maybe I can avoid it. She would get extra cuddly once a month or so, and seem to enjoy rubbing on furniture. No meowing or craziness, just cuddly. No big deal.

Until now. Last night Miss Vada, 17 months of age started the meowing and freak show. It was horrible. Vada is a vocal cat to begin with and has a sound effect for everything. But last night she meowed all. night. long. I quickly became anti-crazy-cat-lady and wanted to lock her in a room. Today is no different (I'm getting messages from Superman as I write this about how he wants to lock her in a closet).

 Looks like Miss Vada will be going to the doctor very soon.

The face I picture when she finds out what's about to happen to her.

Update: Since when did spaying a cat become so freakin' expensive??? I remember it being around $200 in total... and I've been quoted anywhere from $350-$600+. I love my cat (anyone can tell you I love her a little too much), but how can I spend an appropriate amount of money without cheaping out on her medical care? Oy vey.