Our Cat Clementine

My son found her in the woods after a violent windstorm ripped through our neighborhood. She must have been terrified, huddled all alone in the foliage trying to seek safety.

The next morning my son brought her in the kitchen and held her up for me to see. “Isn’t she cute? I found her in the woods by Kroger. Can we keep her?”
I stood back and gasped.

What in the world is he trying to do to me? My husband would kill me if I brought another cat into the house. Oh yes she was cute alright. With those huge green eyes and what-am-I-doing-here dazed look on her face, I was immediately taken with her.

She looked to be about 4 months old

Her fur was long and mangy and I was certain she had fleas or some other disease that she could pass onto our cat Sam. And Sam wouldn’t take too kindly to having to share anything with another cat. She was the queen of the house and wouldn’t put up with being dethroned by a stray kitten from who knows where.

“She’s adorable, but your dad will freak out if he sees her and Sam won’t be too happy either. Hide her in your room. Let me figure out the best way to handle this.”

I knew it was a long shot

I wanted to convince my husband that we should keep her. She survived that horrible storm to be found by my son. What are the odds of that? I felt she was meant to be with us.

The next morning my son and I cautiously presented the kitten to him in the kitchen. We were both so eager to have him like her. “Please dad. Can we keep her? She needs a home. She’s so cute.”

My husband looked at her and shook his head. He threw up his hands in resignation. “No. We don’t need another cat. One’s enough. Find her another home.”

I figured that would be his reaction. I didn’t argue. I knew that would do no good. I would bide my time and wait for him to change his mind.

“Okay. Fair enough. We’ll find her another home.” My son balked at us. He was not happy.

I put my hand on his shoulder and sneaked him a quick wink. He knew what that meant. Mom was going to make sure the kitten stayed with us.

It’s been 12 years since that morning in the kitchen

It didn’t take long for my husband to become attached to Clementine. My son named her Clementine and it fits her perfectly. We took her to her first vet visit and she did not have fleas or any other disease. It was determined that she most likely is a Maine Coon.

Sam managed to tolerate her, but made it clear from day one that she is the boss. Clementine humbly accepted her place in the household. They both managed to have a cordial friendship. I believe Sam loved Clementine more than she let on.

Sam passed in 2013 at 16 years old and is surely missed by Clementine. We all miss her. Today Clementine is the big sister to our 3 year old beagle-mix Cam and she lets him know she is the queen of the house. He respects that.

Every morning my husband sings a sweet little song to Clementine and gives her a treat. He tells her how pretty she is and she just eats up the attention. They have a beautiful bond. I know he does not regret allowing her to stay with us 12 years ago.

Contributed by R. Cristine