How we got a Zissou.

I've already talked a bit about how Jiji came into our lives, so I thought it might be good to give some background on where our other kitties came from.

So, here's Zissou's story:

When Jiji showed some medical problems as a kitten, I was terrified for two reasons.
One, I was so deeply attached to him from the first moment I held him that I knew it would be rough if something really bad happened.
Two, as rough as it would be for me, I knew Brian would really struggle with such a loss.
So, I nagged Brian into agreeing to a second kitten, largely under the guise that it would be good for Jiji socially. But in some ways, I wanted us to have a buffer animal in case the worst came to pass with the Ji-Bear.

So, the hunt began.
I took days off work. I went to nearly every shelter in the greater Atlanta area. I met a great many wonderful cats, but none of them were OUR cat.
I had a list of requirements, aimed at making a good match for Jiji. Our new kitty had to be within a month of Jiji's age, and had to be unlikely to challenge Jiji for the Alpha position in the cat hierarchy. And I had to connect with it.
So, kitty after kitty after kitty was met, but nothing clicked.
Until New Year's Day, when we walked into Petsmart. (Yes, I am lame enough to be doing pet supply shopping on January 1st.)
There was a pet adoption day going on, and I had barely gotten in the front door of the store when I experienced my "click." There she was: a little gray, black and white whorled tabby, all gangly and awkward looking and beautiful at the same time. She was three months old, but she didn't look so much like a kitten as she did a shrinkulated cat, with adult proportions.
I just stopped in my tracks and said, "That's our cat."
We had already decided on the name, so I walked up to her cage and said, "Zissou?"
When she meowed back and looked at me as though to say, "Yes?" Brian knew to go get the crate from the car.
I filled out the adoption application as quickly as I could and had my interview with the rescue group, all the while holding my little girl, not wanting to let go of her for even a second. Once all the hurdles had been cleared, we scooped her into her carrier, and whisked her away to settle into her new home.
She squalled throughout the car ride, and I sat next to her in the backseat, talking to her and smiling ear to ear.

Introductions between Zissou and Jiji were a little tricky, but before long, they formed a tentative friendship. Nowadays, they're fine together - not exactly best buds, but able to peacefully cohabitate and sometimes even snuggle or play together.

Little Zissou has become my sewing cat, sleeping next to the sewing machine while I work, sometimes reaching out a paw to touch me, occasionally batting at fabric as it passes through the machine. She is the smartest of our brood, and learns tricks faster than the boys. She sometimes can be a loner, but when she wants attention, she'll march right up and ask for it with a polite little "mrow."

I am so thankful every single day that we found out little girl. She is my total opposite as far as personality goes - quiet whereas I am loud, submissive whereas I am dominating, gentle whereas I can be a bit of a brute at times.
She teaches me everyday what true grace is in her gentle way. It's a lesson I hope to be learning from her for a long, long time.