12.11.2008

Gotcha Day!

Today, 13 years ago, I chose my Mom (and she thinks she chose me)! I told you a little of my story on my birthday in September, but I want to give you a detailed account of that day now, on my official Gotcha Day!
December 11, 1995
How could she turn down that face?

December 11, 2008
Thank you, Miss Ann (Zoolatry) for my picture!

My Mom had left her teaching job (middle school mathematics) to go back to school to earn her Ph.D. At the same time, she was going through a divorce after 21 years of marriage. When her husband left, he took their 17 year old cat Muff with him. Needless to say, mom was a little "blue." Her husband and Muff had been gone for approximately 13 months when mom started getting the itch to get another kitty. She spent Thanksgiving weekend with her sister and they began talking about another cat. Mom began looking in the papers to see if she could find a Himmie or a Persian available. She said there was an ad for some Himmies in the paper and when she called, they were all gone.

A couple of weeks later, Mom went back to Columbia to visit her parents and to get her hair cut. She also stopped by her former middle school to visit some of her friends. There was a pet store near the school and Mom decided to stop in to see what they had. It must have been her lucky day because there was a sign on the door that said "Persian Kittens!" When Mom walked in, she was greated by a nice lady (my fur parents' mom bean) who asked if she could help. My Mom told her she was interested in a female Persian. The nice lady told my Mom that all of the solid colors were already sold, but she had a male and female mixed Himmie and Persian. Mom told the nice lady she wanted to see the female. The nice lady took Mom directly to my cage (where I was with my brother). I came straight to her and my Mom asked if she could hold me. The nice lady said, "of course."

That is when I turned on the charm. As soon as I was in Mom's arms, I licked my mom's face (I still do this) and began purring. Mom said she walked around the store for almost an hour holding me and I fell asleep in her arms. The nice lady introduced my Mom to my fur dad, Little Tiger of Harbison (a red tabby Persian) and my fur mom, Chocolate Baby (a seal point Himalayan). Mom said she kept debating if she could afford me and finally asked the nice lady if she took credit cards. The nice lady said, "yes" and Mom said, "I'll take her."

The nice lady gave groomed me and brought me out with a red Christmas bow (unfortunately, mom didn't have her camera with me to get a picture). The nice lady called me "Flower Face," which I guess was my first name. Mom took one look at me with my sweet face and coloring and said, "Her name will be Praline." Mom loves Pralines and Cream Ice Cream and Pralines.

Mom took me by to meet my grandbeans and then we traveled 2 1/2 hours to go to my forever home.

And that's the end of my "Gotcha Day" story.

Mom and me in 1995

50 comments:

PB 'n J said...

Happiest of Happy Gotcha Days to you Sweet Praline! You certainly were a super cute kitten (not that you're not super cute now too :-). We hope you have a wonderful day, filled with lots of snuggles and treats and love!

Purrs,
Pearl, Bert and Jake

catsynth said...

Happy Gotcha Day! What a great story of how you chose your mom.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Happy Gotcha Day Praline! I think Praline is a much better name.

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Happy Gotcha Day!!! That is a sweet story of your adoption, just as you are a sweet kitty!!!!! You were and still are Gorgeous with a capital 'G'.

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

BTW, I am not starring in the CCSI IV. I am just helping backstage. My acting days are long gone ;)

Samantha & Mom said...

Happy, Happy, Joy. Joy 13th Gotcha Day and many, many, many moooore!!! You were a cutie! No wonder your Mom took you home! And you have turned into a very beautiful Lady cat!
Your FL furiends,

Lux said...

What a wonderful story. Have a very Happy Gotcha Day!

Quill and Greyson said...

Awe that is a great story! No one could resist you Prailine! You two look purfect together!

Teddy Westlife said...

What a great story - your mum is lucky to have found you! Happy gotcha day Praline.

Huffle Mawson

Parker said...

That's a great story Praline!
Happy, Happy Gotcha' day!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Happy Gotcha Day Praline. We enjoyed your story.
We got your card. Thank you, it is lovely.

Cat with a Garden said...

Happy Gotcha Day!
What a lovely story, you were the last change your mom needed. What a turbulent time she had!
Purrs, Siena & Chilli

ZOOLATRY said...

G great
O o-mazing
T terrific
C cute
H happy
A awesome

PRALINE.

Happy Gotcha Girl!

Everycat said...

Happy Gotcha Day to you Sweet Praline and your Mom. Have a lovely day. That's a lovely story, thank you for sharing it with us.

Whicky & Family

jenianddean said...

Happy Gotcha Day! Oh my gosh that kitten picture ... how could she resist you?!? I think you both are very lucky to have each other, and we're glad to have gotten to know you.
--Jasper

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

You did a good job picking your Mom. We don't think any bean could resist you when you turn on the charm. Your are gorgeous and sweet, Sweet Praline and your name fits you to a T.~S,S & C

The Island Cats said...

Sweet Praline! Happy Gotcha Day! That is a wonderful story of how you were gotcha'ed! We hope you have the bestest of days!

Maggie May said...

Happy Gotcha day to you, Sweet Praline! We really enjoyed reading the story of your gotcha day. You're a very sweet and beautiful girl. Enjoy your special day!
~The Creek Cats~

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

Happy Gotcha Day to both Praline and Mom Paula! It was a match made in heaven! Many, many more happy years together.

purrs,
Laila, Minchie and Mom Peggy

Sabrina, Sam and Simon said...

Happy, Happy Gotcha Day, Praline! Your story of how you chose your Mom put big old smiles on our faces! We are so glad that you and your Mom found each other!
Purrs and headbutts,
Sabrina, Sam and Simon

The Crew said...

Oh Praline, you were such a darling but look at your now. You're a real beauty!

What a touching gotcha story. You & you Mom came into each other's lives at just the right time.

Happy Gotcha Day and many, many more.

The Crew

Mr. Hendrix said...

Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Praline! What a sweet story. Of course we choose our beans, not the other way around. You're so charming, there is no way she could not take you home.

Gotcha Days are the happiest days! I hope you enjoy yours with lotsa treats and extra snuggles.

Jimmy Joe said...

What a grate story about how you gotcha Momma! She is so lucky to have you. I can tell how happy you are with each other!
Your buddy, Jimmy Joe

Artsy Catsy said...

Happy, Happy Gotcha Day, Praline, and what a wonderful story. I think it was destiny and you and your mom were made for each other!

Purrs,
Rocky
& all of us at Artsy Catsy

Erit said...

Sweet kitty, Praline! I came across your blog from Goma's and it's been a pleasure reading about you and your mama!

Meow, Erit & Olivia

Kat Mortensen said...

Happy Anniversary, Praline!

Weez taggin' you fur a Sixth of Six Pitcher Meme. Okay?

Luv,

The Hyggecats

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

A Very VERY Happy Gotcha Day to you Miss Praline. Those "baby" pictures of you were just precious and we so enjoyed your story of how you picked your Mom. It has been the purrfect connection and we are so glad you both found one another.

purrs
Abby

Fat Eric said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Praline! You certainly were a cute kitten, and you and your mum were very lucky to find each other.

Jans Funny Farm said...

Oh, sweet Praline, the name just suits you. Happy Gotcha Day! And you had good taste in picking out a human mom.

Sunny's Mommy said...

That is a wonderful story :-D Happy Gotcha Day, Sweet Praline!

Daisy said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Praline! That is a wonderful story to treasure forever.

Pattyskypants said...

We iz so glad u chose ur mom! We luvx U both! Happy Gotcha day Paula and Sweet Praline! xxoo Patty & Bhu

Anonymous said...

Happy Gotcha Day! We're so glad you and your mom found each other that day. Purrrrrrs!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Hello, what a lovely story and what lovely pictures, reminded me of when I was a little fur bundle.
Mum says when she gets the time she will get out some of my old one's. Yo are a very beautiful cat,

Hugs Ginger asper xx

L. Alida said...

Happy Gotcha Day to Sweet Praline and Mommy Paula!
Praline, I just know it was destiny for you and your Mommy to meet. You were the best present she could ever give herself. If only everyone could adopt a furbaby to make their lives brighter!
I hope you both have a wonderful day and enjoy something yummy. :)
Lots of Hugs and Smoochies,
Lorianna

momsbusy said...

yu did a fery good job of turning on the charm wif yur momma. how cood she resist yur sweet face and the kitty kisses?!?!

happy gotcha day!

y2k

Cat Street Boyz said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Praline! We can sure see why you brightened your mommies day then and every day since=^Y^=the Cat Street Boyz

The Florida Furkids said...

Happy Gotcha Day, gorgeous! You did a good job picking out your Mom. We know she really is glad you did!

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Anonymous said...

Oh, Happy Gotcha Day to you and your Mom, Praline! Flower Face is not nearly as good a name as Praline! We are very glad you found your Mom on that wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

Miss Praline!! HAPPY GOTCHA DAY!!!!
What a wonderful and exciting day to remember, and Momma and I loved your story.. hehe I bet your charms are still as strong! :)
pes: What a cute little babeh you was!!! Your Momma too! :))

V-V

Forty Paws said...

Happy Gotcha Day Praline! We're very happy that your Mom picked you up that day!

Luf, Us

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Happy Gotcha Day Praline...may yoo haf a squillion more. It's a good thing yoor mom just happened to stop into dat store!

Just Ducky said...

Happy Gotcha Day.

The Cat Realm said...

Happy Gotcha Day Praline!!! What a wonderful story - even without turning on your charm - how could she have resisted THAT sweet face!
Happy Happy Happy Gotcha Day!!!

Unknown said...

ohmaigosh Praline your first picture is too much mai mom faint from cuteness!! she is dead!!!!!!!! but no wonder your mom fall in love with you and took you!! cuz u is too much cutez!!

PS mai mom wants to let you know that she made t-shirts which you are playing dramz!! come chack it out!! it is funz!!

Motor Home Cats said...

Praline, we hope you had a wonderful gotcha day. We love your face and how cute you are. Aren't our mom's lucky when we choose them?

Tavi, Cody, Camie and Miss Jade

My Littel Island said...

and u gatcha meto u ar so cute Happy gotcha day to u

Ana said...

Oh Sweet Praline, happy, happy Gotcha Day! We remember your Memory week of September, it was so awesome!

PurrPrints said...

O my--that little itty bitty kitten picture is just adorable!

Anita said...

Congratulations on your gotcha day!!

I´m sure that this 13 yearss have beeb fantastic with your momma!

Purrrrrrs.