This was Wilbur's birthday picture this year (sorry, it's a poor quality iPhone photo). My handsome man turned twelve! I can't believe that I am old enough to own this guy since he was a kitten. He was my first on-my-own cat who lived with me and traveled back and forth between home and PSU during my senior year at college.
Wilbur was left abandoned as a kitten (about 4 months old) at the door to the pet store where I worked for the summer. In addition to my regular work shift, I volunteered to help with our adoptable pets prior to my shift. That meant I was the first one in the store that morning and this guy was waiting for me. I set him up in a large cat cage at the check-out desk (I was a cashier). Everyone thought he was handsome and by the time afternoon rolled around, I had pretty much decided I was going to take him home as my own. I remember calling Dad and somehow I was persuasive enough to get Wilbur in the door that night! After my shift at the pet store, I went to my second job at a vet clinic where I learned his approximate ago, got him up to date on vaccines and had him neutered.
Since that first day, I must say the two of us have been through a lot. As I mentioned earlier, he lived with me at school, and we had a rather nomadic life, moving from apartment to apartment, until I got married and we moved into our current house. He was a trooper, a chill cat, who never really seemed upset with any of the car rides, changes in his home, or the addition of way too many four-legged roommates. I assure you he is happiest in a single cat household, with access to both the indoors and outdoors, free access to food and a willing lap upon request. I am certain that is his dream!
Currently, Wilbur spends much of his time snoozing by the window. He
hates Remy with a passion and I think he's particularly upset that Remy doesn't respond to his hisses and paw smackdowns. (Most dogs usually back off with this forward approach, but not Remy!) Wilbur is happiest when he's on vacation at my parents' house. While he's there at least part of his dream comes true - access to the outdoors and back indoors multiples times throughout the day, free access to the cat food outside (unless he eats it all!), and a lap upon request. Dad really likes Wilbur and they enjoy spending their evenings together in the chair, reading or watching TV. It's lovely!
I'm so glad this guy is a part of my life and those who have met Wilbur agree that he's a cool cat. I could share many more stories, but I will end here and thank you for taking the time to read this long post! I am going to find his "baby" picture and add it to the post. It's cute.
