 |
| Baby Beard likes the sink |
We contemplated pulling and Tenny, aka just kidnapping him, but we eventually learned he kinda belonged to the neighbors across the street. And I mean kinda, really loosely. Their grandkids would bring cats and kittens home to learn that their parents didn't want them, so grandma and grandpa would say leave them here, we'll throw some food literally out the back door and see if they survive hawks, coyotes, and traffic. Wonderful examples of responsible pet owners right here everyone! We tolerated it for a while until one day, Graybeard decided to end his pitiful life and take a nap in the road on a warm summer's day. I called Devin, in a panic, to tell him what happened and that it's time to take him and he agreed!
 |
| Welcome to your new life sweet Beard boy |
We nabbed him off the road as a car was trying to figure out how to go around him brought him home. We turned the game room into a safe room for him. We put toys, food, a litter box, etc and just let him get used to being an indoor cat. We left the window (with the screen in) open so he could get fresh air. That was a mistake. lol He panicked at night and punched his way through to freedom. I panicked the next morning lol. We retrieved him again, and this time we only had the window cracked. He stayed! Hooray! After a few days of acclimatizing we let him roam the house and meet Tengu. Their meetings went really smoothly. We integrated their meetings with treats, and play and dinner times. Eventually they became best buds.
 |
| Toe-touching best buds |
 |
| 2 peas in a pod |
How we ended up with Graybeard's name is funny. As I mentioned before, Tengu has these newborn kitten-sized mice that we got her at Ikea. We named them Whitey, Brownie, and Graybeard. (She loved these 3 mice so much that the next time we went up to Salt Lake area, we had an emergency run to Ikea again to buy 3 more of each color, for backups....which she knew where we kept them, so was always asking for more of her "babies"...now we have 9ish out and only one backup... sigh)
 |
| "Stop staring at my children" |
Graybeard was our generic name for gray, fuzzy things. So when we started to see a gray stray roaming around, he was deemed "Graybeard" Upon adopting him, we tried different names, I was really adamant about Naga to stick with the unique D&D races theme, but Devin didn't like it and we couldn't stop calling him Graybeard. So without much struggle, he was officially Graybeard. P.s Devin now likes the name Naga and is like "why didn't we name him that, that's such a cool name." Todd Dammit, Devin. Oh well. Graybeard ended up being a really good fit because he had such an amazing beard when the weather is cooler and he is great at hiding, just like a true wizard.
 |
| He's a master snuggler... when HE wants snuggles |
 |
| Don't look too closely here, but this is routine now |
We ended up talking to the neighbors and asking permission to keep him. (My dad INSISTED) They were sad to see him go, but knew we were a better fit for him. (They called him Bear and Elmenno, dumb names!!) He was officially ours <3 We booked him for a check up, (ear mites, but we still had the treatment so hooray for free solutions!!) He was taken away that morning for surgery and I was allowed to watch! It was so funny to see him doped up on sleepy gas, in his safety harness (that was a bat costume) and passed out with his tongue out! I got to help shave the surgery site, and I was the tool passer for the procedure! (Hooray for previous employee perks!)
 |
| Kitty jail for drunk kitties |
 |
| Snip snip goes the balls |
After that life was normal. We had 2 amazingly behaved beans and we couldn't be happier. They both adjusted to the indoor life and loved to be apart of our lives,
 |
| Theses cat cubes got their money's worth, Beard LOVED them to literal pieces |
 |
| Graybeard is the ultimate bedtime companion. He needs to be touching a part of you as he sleeps. |
Graybeard has some of the cutest quirks. He doesn't meow at all. He chirps and rrrrrr's instead. Don't ask me why. Because of this, He has been given the nickname Graybird. He also shakes his tail vigorously when he is excited about something. It is so cute to see him coming out from under the dining room chairs, tail quivering ready to give headbutties because he missed me. But by far, my favorite quirk of all is when I'm in the bathroom brushing my teeth he comes in and tries to convince me not to go. He headbutts, and tries to paw my pants down, and chirps, and gets on the counter and rubs against my face as its bent over the sink. He cries as I walk down the hall and then he rushes over to his tower next to the fridge to get his goodbye treats. He loves to headbutt your face and when you pick him up he wants you to rub your face all over him. How can you say no to a face like this?
NO! DON'T GO TO WORK!
 |
| This is the son of my loins, this is Graybeard. |
He is my night snuggler. He waits until were quiet and then hops in bed ready to sleep through the whole night. (As long as Devin doesn't come to my half and kick him accidentally) I'm a light sleeper and I know the whole night if I have a kid staying in bed with us, so I'm the best side to sleep on. I'll go out of my way to not disturb them if I need to shift, or if that's impossible, I'll just stay uncomfortable. What a good mom.
 |
| We napping pros |
The only downside of Graybeard is his pure fear of strangers. The minute someone knocks or rings our doorbell he's gone. The second he doesn't recognize your voice, he's halfway to his hiding spot. Honestly, this is a negative trait that is totally worth all of the greatness he brings to our lives. I would die for this boy. He is the little son I needed. Seriously, get cats instead of children. SO MUCH BETTER.
 |
| This must have been in the summer, look at no Beard |
Here's the cutest clip of Graybeard babysitting an egg that one of our chickens laid.
Graybeard was officially adopted December 1st, 2016, just 6 months after Tengu. His birthday is April 1st, 2016 because he tries to fool us into thinking he's a bird. He's going to be 3 this year and I feel like he's still the little boy we stole off the streets. It's had to believe he had been with us so long but yet, his time with us has just started. One day, when we figure out how to make cats live forever, we will be spending all of our money for that gift. He has enriched our lives so much and I can't imagine life without him. He and his sister are 2 peas in our family pod and I want no one else to replace them.
I love you son, for the rest of my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment