Creativity Writing
Charlotte Rains Dixon  

New Writing Companions: Captain and Lieutenant

 
  Captain Lieutenant

I have two new writing companions: Captain (above) and Lieutenant.  Yesterday I was seized by the notion that I absolutely, positively had to get me a cat for Christmas.  After delicately breaking the news to some family members who were, um, shall we say, a bit resistant (a glass of wine helped)we headed out to the Oregon Humane Society first thing this morning.

We walked into a mob scene, a line at the info desk and all kinds of people sitting and standing in the lobby, waiting, I later found out, for their adoption counseling sessions.

My daughter and I had well and thoroughly scoped out the online listings from the Humane Society and had fallen in love with these two bruisers, brothers who had been brought in together, a "bonded pair."  I, however, was willing to be open-minded, on the off chance we didn't like these guys in person, or that another cat captured our attention first.  But when I told the volunteer which cats we were interested in and she said, "Wonderful!" I knew I was a goner.  And I was.  We sat in a little meeting room and waited for the brothers to be brought out to us. 

Let me just say, these meet-ups are every bit as awkward between cats and humans as they are between people, but still and all we could tell that they were great cats.  Handsome, big, strapping boys who are 1 year, 7 months old, in great health and well cared for in their previous home.  After we said we wanted to adopt them both, there was such a crowd there that we waited for an hour for our exit counseling.  Conveniently, there's a retail store there, so that one can stock up on supplies while waiting.

I tell ya, I've already had my Christmas.  It was so wonderful to be at the Humane Society and see so many happy, excited people taking home dogs and cats.  I was so excited to be getting pets again that I was nearly in tears.  This house has been without pets for too long, ever since the beloved pug died in August.

The cats' true personalities surfaced on the way home, with Captain so desperate to get out of his cardboard cat carrier that he headbutted a hole in its side.  He has since declared himself King of the house, lolling about on the couch, rolling back and forth on the floor, sitting on laps, imperiously staring at all who enter.  Lieutenant, however, is in hiding.  First we found him in the closet, then beneath a chair in my office.  I hear this is much more common behavior for the first days at home.

So that's the story of my new writing companions–because writing is always better with a cat or dog at your side.  What kind of writing companions do you guys have? 

8 thoughts on “New Writing Companions: Captain and Lieutenant

  1. Wolfbernz

    It’s been a while so I thought I would stop by 🙂
    I like the new writing companions!

    Have a wonderful Christmas

    Wolfbernz

  2. Charlotte Dixon

    Thanks for dropping by, Wolfbernz, it is always good to see you. And I am loving my new companions!

  3. Jessica

    What great names for cats!

    Unfortunately I’m allergic to cats so having a cat for a writing companion is not possible. I do, however, have a dog. She’s a poodle/spaniel cross and has big puppy dog eyes. As with just about all dogs, she has an obsession with food so she’s not the most loyal of writing companions. When she goes off to check out noise in the kitchen, I resort to my stuffed dog Horatio.

  4. Charlotte Dixon

    Doesn’t seem to matter whether it is canine or feline, a writing companion is just a wonderful thing. I hadn’t realized how much I missed having pets in the house until these guys came along.

    Both of your dogs–the live one and the stuffed one–sound wonderful!

  5. RennyBA's Terella

    Must me inspirational to have this two officers around when writing – not disturbing but always supportive. What a nice story about how you got them – they where lucky to get a home at yours 🙂

    Btw: Thanks for your visit and comment on my Christmas myth post. There is more up about Scandinavian Yule legends for you to inhale 🙂

  6. Charlotte Dixon

    Renny, These two kitties are amazing–one is curled up next to me as I write. I forgot how wonderful it is to have cats in the house!

    Will look forward to inhaling more Scandinavian Yule legends soon!

  7. Theresa111

    I just read this because I clicked on the photograph of the cat. I am excited you have two new family members. As it is almost six months after the fact, I do hope everyone has snuggled in nicely. Aren’t they loving sweethearts? You, too!

  8. Charlotte Dixon

    The boys are doing fine, Theresa, thanks! I love having them so much.

Leave A Comment

book cover mockup for Charlotte Rains Dixon

Looking for a Great Book to Read? Look No Further!

Emma Jean's Bad Behavior

Get Your Copy Today>>