(larger version here)
Exactly four years ago, Mr. Kiwi was born. In September 2005, Mr. P. and I were looking for a cat and after a while, we finally found out a good rescue association in the arrondissement just near ours. I called and the director put me in contact with a lady who lived not very far from me and who had several cats for adoption. Next day I went to her house and I met all her guests. Everyone who has pets knows how this happens, you don’t choose them, they chose you. I was first introduced to the lady of the house, Megara, a 9 years old lady cat who simply sat on my lap the all time and made me scratch her ears for 2 hours. Meanwhile, a 3 months old orange tabby cat was actually sleeping on my left foot and doing his nails in my new socks. I looked at him, he looked at me and we both knew. It was love! The lady told me then that he was found outside Paris in a garden with his mother and 4 siblings (2 girls and 2 boys) the day they were born, June 1st. Mother and kittens were all very friendly but that one making holes in my socks was the boss of the pack. I knew we were doomed.
Mr. Kiwi (named by my dear half after his favorite fruit) was at home since the first day. I think he immediately understood he was the lord and master of the house and we were the people who occasionally pet him and feed him when he wanted to. Like any intelligent cat, he also knows very well how to pose and look at us with huge cute eyes (Puss in Boots, anyone?;-)) bringing us to our knees in less than 5 seconds.
We had some scary moments during these 4 years. At 6 months, he was diagnosed with feline eosinophilic. At first he had only a couple of inflammatory plaques in the back of his legs but with time, he had them in his paws and also in his mouth. The vet was almost resigned, Mr. Kiwi wouldn’t last long if the plaques spread down his throat. Since he suspected a hypersensitivity to food, we had to change lots of things at home and he could only eat very special anti-allergenic and non-fat food. There’s also a cortisone treatment he has to follow when the plaques come back. It’s been now a year without any crisis and we truly hope it will continue like this.
Even if I sometimes get annoyed with him when I get up in the morning and I hurt my foot in one of his dozen of toys spread all over the flat during the night; or when I notice he made again another hole in the cardboard box filled with books I had to replace because the other was half eaten by him (but he never chewed a book, he knows what to respect no matter what!); or when he decides to steal every sock he can find in the laundry basket to make a “nest” in his bed… we simply couldn’t live without him and every time we leave on vacation and he stays at home (with proper care and surveillance, of course) we do miss him terribly. Happy birthday, Mr. Kiwi! 
