Getting a new pet is an exciting time in anyone's life. But it's completely different when your family gets one while you're away at college. A new kitten in the house has taught me a lot, about both animals and myself. Here's what I've learned so far.
1. It gives you something to look forward to.
My family was approached by a family friend with the opportunity to take home a tiny little kitty. Since our house was newly pet-less, we agreed immediately. The thing is, we got the little furball three days after I went back to college after winter break. That was the ultimate incentive to push through my schoolwork in order to get home to meet her. What made it even better was my mother sending pictures of the kitten sitting on my bed with the caption, "Waiting for you to meet me!" Coming home from college is always an exiting time, but getting a new cat definitely made it even better.
2. Spray bottles are great for discipline... unless they like water.
Kittens are curious by nature. Surrounded by things they've never seen before, they take it upon themselves to explore everything. This is where a spray bottle full of water comes in handy. All you do is spray them and say "No!" if they're somewhere they shouldn't be. That's easy enough, until you find out the cat loves water. We soon realized that our cute little kitten, appropriately named Patches for the multi-colored spots of fur all over her, was not scared of water like other cats. In fact, she'd happily jump in the bathtub or sink. Better yet, when we sprayed her with water, she'd look us dead in the eye, lick the water off her body, and stay exactly in the spot she'd been reprimanded for being in.
3. If they like you, you'll never get any sleep.
Coming home from college is the best time to catch up on sleep, right? Right, until you get a nocturnal ball of fluff in the house. If she likes you, she will not leave you alone. Ever. While she takes cat naps throughout the day, as soon as you lay down to go to sleep, she suddenly wants to run laps, or better yet, knock over everything in your room. Of course, she only stays in your room because she loves you, but at 4 a.m, I wish she'd just sleep on my body pillow like she does when the sun's out.
4. You'll feel like the worst person on earth if you kick them out.
While you adore the little kitten like crazy, sometimes you just want to relax and not have to pick up everything she knocks over. So, you wait until she leaves the room and lock the door. Finally, some well-deserved rest, right? Nope. You'll instantly feel like the scum of the earth, as you'll hear the tiny scratches at the door and the nonstop meowing that sounds like tiny little kitten cries. It eats away at you until you finally give in and open the door, only to let her in and knock over everything yet again.
5. If you're playing with toys, try not to get scratched.
Playing with the new pet is all fun and games until you need a Band-aid for every knuckle. If you're getting the cat to jump for one of those feather-jingle-things by dangling them above her head, do it at a safe distance. Otherwise, she'll jump a lot higher than you thought she would and scratch at your hand, not the toy.
6. Give them their own folder on your phone because you'll be taking a TON of photos.
From the day you meet it to months after when you have scars of kitten scratches on your hands, you'll be taking at least a hundred photos a day. Whether she's sleeping, playing with your boots, or just staring at you, you'll want to get it on camera to absorb the cuteness. It is for this reason that you should just give her her own folder on your camera roll. Trust me, it makes life easier.
7. It will become the centerpiece of your household for guests.
Any time someone visits your house, get ready for the kitten to be the main attraction. Everyone loves a baby animal, so it'll get a ton of attention when guests arrive!
8. Getting a new pet is like having a new baby in the house.
Everyone treats it like a newborn child, and so will you. They'll irritate you, keep you up at night, and eat a lot, but you wouldn't have it any other way. And who doesn't love babies, right?
9. It. Will. Climb.
From desks to dressers to on top of the TV or the highest shelf in your closet, it will be sure to climb there. They will do whatever it takes to get a little higher, even if it means falling down after a few attempts. Plus, if they realize they can't climb to a certain spot, they won't stop meowing, which is also fun!
10. Sometimes, they don't mind water. In fact, it might actually love it.
The myth goes that all cats hate water. Well, that's not always the case. Sometimes they'll hang out next to you whenever you take a bath, or even climb in the tub after the majority of water is drained. What my cat loves in particular is when someone throws an ice cube in the tub for her to play with/lick. Very strange.
11. You'll learn how to love like you never have before.
This little ball of fur will teach you things that you never thought you'd learn. I learned how to love something so unconditionally and extremely that I will miss it the second I leave home. I've always had pets in my life, but I was only a baby when they came home, and they grew up with me. Now, I actually get to watch a tiny little kitten grow up, and, trust me on this, it's one of the most rewarding experiences ever.
