New family member

We were a contented family of two big dogs and one cat. In the past we were at 3 dogs, 3 cats, but unfortunately lost a canine family member to old age, and 2 feline family members to cancer and diabetes, respectively. We had no intention of ever adding another cat into the family. BUT THEN (of course there is always a but)...

We went to visit the in-laws 2 1/2 weeks ago, and there was this tiny little mewing thing in a cage on their porch. My husband's brother found it under his home, along with another assumed dead kitten. The mom was not around. My in-laws were going to take this baby to the animal shelter, and being so young and high-maintenance, I'm sure she would have been killed right away. At many shelters, surrenders are killed as soon as they are brought in, and it's only the strays that are picked up that are allowed to live for a few days to see if they are claimed.

We just couldn't allow that to happen to this precious little kitten, so we decided she would come home to live with us. We broke our Wal-Mart avoidance long enough to buy kitten formula and bottle. She was rather lethargic but perked up after a couple of good feedings.

So now Gabby is with us as a permenant member in her forever home. :) She is currently about 6 weeks old and starting to eat moistened solid food and "get" what the litterbox is all about. She's too young to leave alone at home while we're gone to Chicago, and since she's not had shots we won't board her, so she's traveling to Chicago with us. Should be interesting!