Monday, November 9, 2009

B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his Name-O...

Over the week end I went to the pet store to pick up some cat supplies in town. Ella and I went into the "mega" pet store and made the tour around the place, looking at the turtles swimming in the tank, the fish, the birds and completed our circuit near the front of the store.

Near the exit door they have the pet fair area. Why do they place the pet adoption area here?? Because you see it on the way out the door and stop for a visit before leaving. They have this all figured out you see.

We walked in to the cat area where there are multi-levels cages for the kittens to jump around in. Ella and I were chatting and looking at the cats talking about their colors and such when a man came in and called out to the adoption volunteer coordinator. The man was separated from the cat area by a short wall separating the exit from the cattery. The woman did not hear him. She was busy with her head turned the other direction.

Since I was standing right there, I noticed he had a carrier he wanted to hand off to the woman in charge of adoptions. I told him I'd give it to her.

Picking up the carrier I immediately noticed the hefty weight inside. These are supposed to be teenage cats I thought to myself. All the other cats on display for adoption were about five or six months old.

Hmmmm.

I took the carrier to the other side of the cat fair area to see what was inside the box. When I looked in through the metal grill there was a gray tabby face staring boldly up at me.

I caught my breath a little since he looked very much like a cat I had about 10 years ago named Beanie. Beanie died from lymphoma.

Tears started to well up in my eyes with the memory of Beanie and the freshness of loosing Shmobie. Both of these cats were dear to me. They were both big boy cats with lanky bodies and bold and affectionate personalities. They both were my lap cats.

Letting this large kitty out of the carrier I noticed his gorgeous spots and stripes. I am partial to tabby's and he was just my kind of cat; with a tall frame, long limbs, giant ears and friendly personality I wanted to take him home immediately.

I did not really come to the pet store with the intention of adopting a new cat. In fact, I called Mike and he told me, "Don't do it! We can do without another cat..."

So I told the woman there if the striped tabby was still there at the end of the day I would adopt him. I figured I would let fate be my guide.

And.........here is Bingo. No one wanted him so he is ours now.


Sitting by the window seems to be a luxury to him.


He likes the kids too. Ella came up with his name. I simply asked what we should call the new kitty and she told me, "BINGO!!" So Bingo it is.

Bingo says, "Hey Ella! Come over here please!!!"


Bingo does have one little habit that needs breaking. Can you guess what it is? Well, he likes to ride on your shoulders. However, he is a wee bit to big to do this now.


But I am happy no one else wanted him. He has already made himself at home and fits in the menagerie with amazing adaptability. His happy little body makes smiles where ever he goes.

34 comments:

The Mind of a Mom said...

Oh my gosh he looks like he fits right in. Funny how you ended up with the carrier and the cat in the end. Someone knew something! He is a great looking cat, congrats on your newest family member

Concord Carpenter said...

Congrats - he's a cutie

Unknown said...

There you go. He is beautiful and he was looking for you!

Liz Mays said...

Bingo is a cutie and I'm glad he's in a loving home like yours!

jane augenstein said...

Oh, what a beauty Bingo is!!! Love his coloring and he looks like a real lover. Happy kitty he has a wonderful home with you! :-)
Jane

Apron Senorita said...

I LOVE BINGO!! He is adorable. I don't think I could have resisted either. He is blessed to have you!

Yoli :)

Doris Sturm said...

Oh, Julia, Bingo is sooooo handsome. He is perfect! Mike just got forgiven for the butter incident because he's letting you have another cat.

I know he said you can do without another cat, but fortunately you can also do with another cat :-)

I'm so happy for him and you guys!

Lovely post (I'm dancing!)

Doris

sassy stephanie said...

Oh yea! I'm so glad to hear he was such a great fit for your family. I just love pet stories like this! We found the sweetest little kitty, about 2 months old. He was sick and we nursed him back to health. Then, a stinky old bobcat snatched him. Sometimes I hate the circle of life!

Sara said...

AW!!! I'm so happy for you! Bingo is adorable! Love his stripes. Welcome home, Bingo!

brokenteepee said...

He looks like Stinky the Farm cat!
He rides on shoulders like Sherpa the Farm kitten.
How wonderful. That we both have new cats at the same time. Yay for cats!

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

I think Shmobie guided Bingo to you. I thought he was going to bring a Siamese to you, but a tabby is good, too!!!

What an excellent name, and what an excellent cat! I wonder what his life was like before...now he is HAPPY...

I get all the loser kitties...wah...

I am so glad you adopted Bingo!!!

Mel said...

I love this kitty! We've been volunteering at our local animal shelter and it's been all I can do to not come home with a cat. You have inspired me to reconsider...

(pic of my fave cat on my family website: http://www.travellingmel.com/index.php/TravelingMel/2009/11/09/volunteering-at-a-young-age

Rick (Ratty) said...

I can tell he's a friendly one just by looking at the pictures. It must have been fate that brought him to you.

Leigh said...

Oh Julia, I think he's wonderful!

Doris Sturm said...

Julia, I have a question about your comment on my blog about the "pink" beanie...did you mean the claret (or maroon) colored one? It's actually a lot darker than on that photo, but if you want a pink one, I can make it for you...someone just purchased that maroon one and I don't recognize the buyer on Etsy. Was it you? If so, I want to offer you my 25% Discount for all my Followers...

Just let me know at your convenience and I can reimburse you through Pay Pal if that was you who baught it.

Kind Regards,
Doris

Clare said...

So glad for you Julia !!! And even happier for Bingo to have found such a wonderful home.

xxxx

Elizabeth Leigh said...

well he's just a cutie and he sure seems to like miss ella too:) great name choice ella! my son love that song 'and bingo was his name oh' ... it used to be the ONLY song that soothed him when he was wee little. i sang it so much that i now hate it haha... hope you are all feeling and doing well!!

Melodie said...

Isn't it funny how some things just work out.It's the whole meant to be theory! He is a cutie.

Karen said...

Aw! Welcome home Bingo!

Jennifer MacNeill said...

He looks so relaxed in your house already! I'm so glad you gave him a home:)

Captain Dumbass said...

Wow! Bingo's as big as Ella.

Unknown said...

Bingo is beautiful! I am so happy he found a forever home!

Vixen said...

Hi Bingo! Welcome to the family. He is beautiful. Glad you didn't obey your husband.

Grand Pooba said...

Everyone together now - "Awwwwwww!"

How cute! Of course you need another cat, what is the hub thinking? I'm still trying to convince mine that we need another one, no luck.

Bingo is so pretty! You might know that I'm going to say this but I have to anyway, he looks just like Boomhower! Maybe they were brothers?

Lesley Speller said...

He's so handsome!!! Congratulations!!!

You know what's strange? I just emailed about a kitten I saw on petfinder who I'm driving up to adopt this weekend if they approve of us and he's still available. I'm completely in love with him and I've just seen his picture and a video!

Frogs in my formula said...

Hah. I knew you were going to bring him home. He's a cutie. Love the big ears!

Debbie said...

He is a personality kind of guy! Good for you for adopting him. Looks like he is already right at home.

San-Dee said...

he's gorgeous and he belongs. and I just read your post about the butter and the cookies, and sometimes guys can just be so wrong and so "out-there". You were nice and let him eat the cookies, I would have told him since they were made with unsalted butter, I knew he wouldn't like them so he wasn't getting any of them-but then I'm known as a bitch sometimes.....

made me laugh though.....

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Rural Rambler said...

Julia I am so happy Bingo found a home with you. He reminds me of a certain Country Cat. You give me hope. I love the picture of Ella with her candy corn tee :)

millhill said...

It's so funny that I woke up this morning thinking about getting a cat - sometime in the distant future! And then came across your post. Bingo looks very spunky!! I think this might be a sign....like Bingo being left at the end of the day!

Unknown said...

Okay - I've been thinking about sweet Bingo for days and he's too cute. I'm getting a buddy for Petey at the office for Christmas. That settles it. :-)

j.sterling said...

SUCKER!!!!! LOL
but i would have done the same thing.. i mean, if it was a dog. lol

Sharkbytes said...

He has a very interesting face! I can see that he and Ella are off to a great start.

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