My sis  oceantiger11 with our newest baby, Penny

Lucky Penny, I suppose.

After my kitty, Maple, my family had no intention of furthering our cat collection. We've already got three (including her) and my pops, though a loving man towards the animal kingdom (except goats and squirrels. Don't ask), understood my reason for getting her due to the tragic events surrounding my last cat's passing.

.....however.... >>
After celebrating my mother's birthday at a Chevy's downtown (last sunday, about three days after getting Maple), the birthday girl was leading our family to my dad's car and suddenly let out a gasp
"Oh, my god! What is that?"
Being second, I looked down to see a huddled ball of grey-ish brown stripes next to a bush beside the building and my first thought was:
"Fuck. A squirrel. Dad will wanna run THAT over" (don't ask)
But my mother cried
"A KITTEN"
Also something my father probably didn't want to hear.
I stooped down to examine the tiny fluffball and never in my life have I seen something so pathetic and pitiful capture my heart so quickly.
This little kitten was a menagerie of bones, fur and fleas. Her head is, quite literally, the biggest part of her body, aside from her goo- goo eyes.
After much "oo-ing" and "aww-ing", we scooped her up and set off home.

Vulnerability in animals (and people) is a big trait I am, well, vulnerable to. I mustered the strength and responsibility to ready myself for the challenge of catering to two babies, until, I realized I really was not ready at all.
One kitten alone is enough to handle, and although my mother found her, she works about 9 hours a day not including the time she takes care of my grandfather after her day job. Who would be up to this task of teaching this 3 week old scruff the ropes of feline-dom?

After a particularly rough night of continual feedings and constant worrying (quick story, the first night she must've gotten her second wind and CLIMBED out of a 1 foot tall basket and hid under the couch. I had a panic attack at 4 in the morning due to this) I gave the next shift over to  oceantiger11 .
"Here," I said wearily passing her off, " y'can handle the day shift?"
"Yeah," she replied, "I got the day off."

Seriously, they've never been apart since then.
I get texts while Donna is working asking "How's baby?" "I smell like Penny (her kitten formula/baby scent)" "I miss Penny! Is she okay?" "Tell her I'm coming home soon!" Who better to take care of Miss. Penny than a big loving tiger mom? She curls up on my sister's shoulder and dozes as they watch bad day time tv, wakes up and gets a big belly full of chow, endures baths and constant watering, but goes through it all the tough little survivor she is <3

I hope "take your kitten to work day" is coming up soon, though.
'Cause seriously. One more day of that will put me in a diabetic coma. ;)