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.