“This handsome little guy is looking for his furever home. I think someone must have dropped him off, because he loves people and is very affectionate. I can’t keep him. I don’t know if you can tell from the photo, but he’s not orange—he’s more of a strawberry blond! He comes with the Kitten Deluxe Starter Pack: a brand-new, never-before-used litterbox with scoop, a full container of Tidy Cat litter, and an unopened bag of Meow Mix. PM me if you think he needs to be your fur baby!” 

That was my Facebook post on September 28, 2020, after the sweetest little kitten showed up at my front door.  I had just lost Kitty, who I thought would be my last-ever furbaby (I’d already gotten rid of all the cat paraphernalia in the house, I was that certain) when this little guy showed up.  He was much too young to be on his own—too young to be away from his mama, even.  I was fairly certain that someone had dumped him (and I won’t tell you what I think of people who can be so cold).

Anyway, after several days of posting his mug on social media, I sat down for a heart-to-heart with him, and we decided (in other words, he told me) he could stay.  He told me his name is Handsome Sam (“but you can call me Sammy”), and he’d be quite pleased to adopt me as his hooman.

And so it began.

There was already a Boston terrier on-site named Martha Jo, and she quite happily took over Sammy’s training—and she taught him how to be a dog.  Poor little guy never stood a chance:  he still comes when he’s called (mostly), eats paper (every chance he gets), and chases and fetches his toy mice (always).  He also has the biggest personality of any cat I’ve ever had (which I absolutely put down to his excellent lessons in how to be a puppy).

He’s also learned how to be a quilting suPURRvisor—

A nutritionist (“Drink your water, Mom!”)—

A peek-a-boo artist—

And a centerfold model—

He also looks good in a bow tie.

That’s my Handsome Sam.  He’s a little spot of sanity in an insane world.