Meet Colonel George Longstockings

Stephen proudly played the role of stork on Thursday evening by making a trip to the PetSmart in Muncie to pick out a new kitten for his parents. The PetSmarts in Indy offer kitties from local rescue shelters for adoption. The adoption fees from these shelters are usually higher, because they pay for the food, housing, and medical care that the non-profit shelters spent on the animals. The PetSmart in Muncie, however, offers kitties from the Muncie Animal Shelter. Knowing that these kitties are more likely to be euthanized if not adopted, because animal shelters tend to focus more on animal control rather than animal rescue, and the fact that their adoption fees are much less, Stephen and his parents decided to obtain their new pet from there.

Maryann informed Stephen this morning that they named their four-month-old kitten Colonel George Longstockings. "Colonel" I'm sure was chosen to go along with the military theme in Major Skiffington's name (though Major was actually named after Stephen's dad, whose middle name is Major). "George" was chosen because, as you can see, he resembles Sophie. Backstory: When we adopted Sophie from the Humane Society, she was accompanied by her brother, George, who looked like her twin. Unfortunately, George had developed a very bad infection while at the Humane Society, and he only got to spend a week with us before the doctor informed us his liver was failing and we probably ought to "do the humane thing." So, since he resembles George, Stephen's parents kindly named him after Sophie's late brother. (They are such sweet people.) "Longstockings," I believe, was chosen because he has long white "socks." I like a name full of meaning.

I'm sure Major Skiffington is thrilled to have a new little brother with whom to romp and play, and Joe is excited to have another kitty to cuddle in front of the fire while drinking red wine. And as for Maryann...she is probably praying over her rosary that Major doesn't teach George his favorite naughty game of tinkling on her comforter. We'll say a little prayer for your comforter, too, Maryann.