When I started volunteering at the Animal League in January 2005, I had two cats and was perfectly content with that arrangement. That would change later that year when I adopted a Hurricane Katrina kitten, Bitsey. Three cats were definitely enough – or so I thought.

Last August I was walking down one of the back halls of the adoption shelter when I heard a little mew, and felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a little gray tabby kitten – with one eye. I felt my heart melting, and started talking softly to her. Soon I was holding her and memorizing her adoption number. I later looked up her records and learned her left eye had been recently removed due to a severe infection. But, did I really want another cat?

For a week I visited her every day, and by Thursday, I told myself if she was still there on Friday I would adopt her. I also learned her name was Harriet, and she was quickly becoming a favorite of the staff because of her loud purrs and friendliness.

Harriet came home with me on August 29, 2008. I thought of changing her name, but by now she was being referred to as “Harriet, the Spy,” because of her curious and inquisitive nature. There was the usual hissing when she was introduced to her new sisters. Bitsey, my little hurricane survivor, was the first to make friends with her. Sugar and Angel were slower to come around, but they all peacefully, for the most part, coexist now.

“Harriet, the Spy” fits right in. Sugar, Angel, Bitsey and I are lucky to have her as part of the family. In fact, I can’t imagine not having four cats now!

Sincerely,

Alice