We have a new kitten…temporarily…I hope.  It’s not that he isn’t a sweet kitten, it’s just that we have Famish and that’s enough for me.  Famish kind of started the whole ordeal.  There was a homeless kitten meowing away across the street, behind the Buddhist temple.   Famish replied and the kitten moved into our front garden.  Eventually, we fed it because it was so miserable and now it has totally moved in.  We are such softies that the kitten is sitting in Satomi’s lap, now, as she reads a book.

We saw a whole new side of Famish (that seems to be disappearing).  Famish was so worried about this kitten that he watched it non stop from the screen door.  Whenever the kitten would be in the slightest danger, Famish would go crazy and come get me.  One time it was that a tom cat was prowling the yard.  Another time, the kitten had climbed all the way up the screen door and was stuck on a half-inch ledge above the door just seconds away from falling to certain injury.  Even at night, Famish kept checking on him.  They would hang out for hours just inches away with only the screen door separating him.  Satomi was pretty sure that Famish wanted to keep the kitten.  I was pretty sure that Famish would prefer to stay an only cat.

It turns out that we were both right.  We brought the cat in during a thunderstorm yesterday.  I had him in a cardboard box but Famish jumped on top of the box and his heft collapsed the top.  Suddenly, the two of them were together in the same box.  Neither on seemed to mind.  Eventually, they were having a ball chasing each other around.  Famish was unbelievably gentle…at first.  Famish is a little starved for play.  I try to give him twenty minutes or so of quality play a day but it is never enough.  After ten minutes or so, Famish forgot that he is a giant compared to the kitten and started playing too rough and the kitten got scared and put his hackles up.  Something in Famishes brain switched and he became mentally unstable.  He didn’t know if he was playing or fighting for his life.  It scared him and the kitten and me.  They played again a little this morning but the same thing happened.  I think play time is a thing of the past for them.

Famish has lost interest too.  Having the kitten in the house a few times seems to bum him out.  Kittens have no respect for the possessions of their elders.  That includes using their litter boxes.  While it’s great that a 2 1/2 month old cat can use the litter box without training, Famish would prefer that the kitten ask permission.  That’s never going to happen.

Famish, Satomi and I don’t want to keep him even though he is really sweet and pretty cute.  Instead, we are trying to find a new home for him.  I tried to bring him to she “no-kill” shelter but they already had ten kittens and no more room.   On Friday, a few of Satomi’s coworkers met the kitten.  Her coworker’s son really wanted the kitten but his mother said no.  Another coworker would have liked it but she lives with her in-laws.  The father-in-law has a pet bird.  Another no-go there.  At the top of this post you can see the flyer I made.  The first one is going up as I write this blog.  It will be on the bulletin board in front of our neighborhood hall.  We are going to hang them in some coin laundries as well.  On Monday, I’ll try to rustle up some other places as well.  There have been many stresses here in Japan but finding this kitten a home is maybe the most taxing so far.  I want him to have a home and I want that home to be separate from my home.  That last part probably sounds horrible but over the years I have learned that I am a lover of elderly cats.  Even Famish, at three years-old, is a bit young for me but he has won me over.

That’s the news for today.  Take care.

-The Green Tea Dreamer