A New Room Mate

Dealing with bureaucrats, private or public, is often time consuming and frustrating. (I define a bureaucrat as anyone who has in his job some measure of control over your life.) My adopting a cat is the exception that proves the rule.

The apartment rules said, “no pets.” The on-site administrator said, “Well, normally that’s the policy. But sometimes they’ll make an exception, such as if the renter’s doctor claims the companionship of a pet could be important to the renter’s health.” So I discussed it with my doctor, who agreed that a pet would be helpful. She promised to write a letter to that effect, to Apartment Management

She was quick, as was Management! Two days later I had permission to adopt a cat, and the day after that I met Martini at the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption (CARA). Martini and I hit it off immediately, and a day later it was a done deal. I must have been meant to have a cat, for everything worked to make that happen quickly! Apartment Management even waived the $250 cat fee!

Most cats hide out a few days when introduced to a new home. My last cat, some 10 years ago, slashed a hole in the fabric under my bed and made a hideout in the space. Martini looked around, said “This’ll do, and staked his claim. He generously allowed as how I could stay there too, as long as I behaved myself. Thank you, Martini. I am grateful.

So now it appears my fate is sealed for the next 20 years or so. I’m almost 76, but I don’t dare kick the bucket — Martini would kill me!